There are few things more joyous than seeing a grandchild's face light up on a video call (or so my mom tells me). This technology has become a magical bridge, connecting families across miles and turning simple phone calls into cherished face-to-face moments. But as we have all experienced, that magic can quickly turn into frustration when the screen freezes, an echo makes conversation impossible, or you simply can't get the camera to work right.

Reaching out to loved ones shouldn’t require an IT degree. Today, we’re offering a practical guide to making your video calls smoother and more enjoyable. We'll cover simple tips for setting up your call, explain the best apps to use, and walk through some basic troubleshooting for the most common hiccups.

FaceTime, Zoom & Beyond: Video‑Calling Grandkids—No Echoes, No Frozen Faces

Great video calls don't happen by accident, but a few simple preparations can make all the difference.

Setting the Stage for a Great Call

Before you even dial, thinking about these three things can dramatically improve the quality of your call:

1. Lighting is Everything: The best way to ensure the other person can see you clearly is to have a light source (like a window or a lamp) in front of you, shining on your face. If the brightest light is behind you, you'll appear as a dark silhouette.

2. Aim for Eye-Level: Try propping your phone, tablet, or laptop up on a stack of books so the camera is roughly at eye level. This creates a much more natural-feeling conversation—as if you were sitting across a table from each other—and it saves your arm from getting tired!

3. Clear Sound is Key: Find a quiet spot in your home to minimize background noise. If you have headphones, especially the kind with a small built-in microphone on the cord, using them is the single best way to ensure you can hear clearly and that your voice comes through without echoes.

Choosing Your Video-Calling Tool

• For Apple-to-Apple Calls (FaceTime): Many of our readers who use iPhones love FaceTime, and for good reason—it’s incredibly simple. Because it's built right into iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers, there's no extra app to download. To start a call, you can often just open your text message conversation with a person and tap the video camera icon at the top of the screen.

• When an Android is in the Mix (WhatsApp is a great choice!): As one of our readers discovered when planning a trip with a friend in Europe, you can't use FaceTime if one person has an iPhone and the other has an Android phone. In this common scenario, a free app like WhatsApp is a fantastic alternative. It works on nearly every kind of smartphone and offers excellent, easy-to-use video calling.

• For Computers & Big Groups (Zoom & Google Meet): If you want to have a call with multiple households at once, or prefer to use your computer, services like Zoom or Google Meet are excellent. Typically, one person creates a "meeting" and sends out a link that everyone else can click to join.

Common Problems & Simple Fixes

• "My video is frozen or choppy!" This is almost always a sign of a weak Wi-Fi connection. Try moving closer to your home's internet router for a stronger, more stable signal.

• "I hear a terrible echo!" This usually happens when one person's microphone is picking up the sound from their own speakers. The simplest fix is for one or both people on the call to use headphones. This separates the speaker from the microphone and almost always eliminates the echo.

• "They can't see me!" or "I can't see them!" This was a problem for a couple of our readers when we first connected! Look for a camera icon on your screen. If it has a slash through it, it means your camera is off. Tap it once to turn it on.

• "How do I show them what I'm seeing?" This is a wonderful question, and it stumped a reader who wanted to show her friend her art. The solution is the "flip camera" button. Look for an icon that looks like a camera with circling arrows. Tapping it switches between the front-facing (selfie) camera and the back-facing camera, so you can easily show off a beautiful garden view, a pet, or a grandchild's latest creation.

Do you have a friend who needs this information 😂 Share this newsletter with them!

Your Video-Call Cheat Card

(Print this out and keep it near your computer or tablet!)

Before The Call:

• Face the Light: Make sure your main light source (window or lamp) is in front of you.

• Go Eye-Level: Prop your device up so the camera is at eye level.

• Use Headphones: This is the best way to ensure clear audio and prevent echoes.

• Check Your Wi-Fi: Make sure you have a strong connection.

During The Call:

• No Video? Look for the camera icon on your screen and tap it to turn your video on/off.

• No Sound? Look for the microphone icon and tap it to mute/unmute your audio.

• Want to show them your view? Look for the "flip camera" icon (a camera with arrows).

Quick Tech Tip

On a video call, it can be tempting to look at the other person's face on your screen, but this can make it seem like you're looking down. For a more direct and personal connection, try to look directly at the small camera lens on your device from time to time, especially when you are speaking. This will make it feel to the other person like you are looking right at them!

Tech Term Demystified: Bandwidth

You might hear that video calls require good "bandwidth." In simple terms, bandwidth is a measure of how much data can be sent over your internet connection at one time. Think of it like the width of a pipe—a wider pipe (higher bandwidth) can carry more water (data) at once. Video calls send a lot of data back and forth, which is why having sufficient bandwidth from a strong internet connection is so important for a smooth, clear picture.

Good News Byte

Many public libraries and senior centers now offer free one-on-one tech help sessions or group classes. These are fantastic community resources where you can get patient, in-person help with skills like setting up a new device, learning how to use a specific app like Zoom, or troubleshooting a tech problem. Check with your local library to see what "Tech Help" programs they might offer!

Did You Know?

While video calling feels very modern, the first public demonstration of a two-way video phone was at the 1964 New York World's Fair! The "Picturephone" from Bell Telephone was a revolutionary concept, but the high cost (equivalent to over $1,300 a month for service today!) and bulky equipment kept it from becoming a household item until technology and the internet caught up decades later.

Your Turn to Connect!

This week, schedule a short video call with a friend or family member. Before you start, try using just one of the tips from our "Cheat Card," like propping your phone up at eye level or using headphones. See what a difference it makes in the quality of your call!

A Little Bit of Fun

The four unofficial stages of a family video call:

1. "Can you hear me now?"

2. "Your screen is frozen."

3. Everyone talking at once.

4. Joyful, wonderful chaos.

Do you like posts like this? If so, leave me a comment!

Happy connecting!

Steve