Choosing a VRS service to my needs

DeafDucky

DeafDucky

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:wave: Hello.. New here but not new to the whole idea of technology :)

However I AM new to the whole thing with VRS, Video chat and all that good stuff. Just never felt the need for it for several reasons.

I'm looking at VRS services as a possible way for communication for my job hunting (my hearing aids are crapping out badly - 8 years old and breaking down- and zero money right now :( ). I'm looking at alternate means of communications as well but it's a pain (that's a whole other uh.. rant). Anyway to keep to the topic of the forum... I have a few questions- other than the usual "which one is the better/best one...?" and I'll describe my current set up...

1. Currently I have a PC- well two- older Dell ~2002 and newer Dell ~2010- both are connected to one monitor/keyboard/mouse. Monitor is a widescreen 23" (I think.. close to that).

2. Said PC system is on a wireless network. Host computer is in the next room (A MAC). I also have a laptop and iPad on the wireless network.

3. My "office space" is rather limited/small (I'm living with relatives right now- out of work) - kind of crowded with the PC stuff on one table "desk" and a 24" TV next to my monitor on another table. Outlets are at a premium in here. At least one is hard to get to and I think the other my mother uses for her sewing machine (yes it's in here- antique thing..the machine not her).

SO....

1. Does the VRS services work well with wireless if I go the PC route?

2. Are there any vision impaired people here that could tell me how well the VRS /video works for them in seeing the signing well? (I am vision impaired- once 'legally blind' but no longer thanks to lens implants but I still have issues).

3. If I go the PC route (or laptop for that matter), what webcam is appropriate?

4. From what I can see there is no cost for equipment if I go with the standalone direction. How well does this work on a widescreen TV (24")
...
I'm mostly worried about the quality of the video and how well I'll be able to see/follow the signs- I'm not a 'native' but am fluent. The fingerspelling is the biggest part as that bit is I fear going to be hard for me to see/follow onscreen.

I know I have more I want to ask but its late and I've forgotten half already. Reading through the forum and the various sites and googling makes my head spin lol so try to explain to me like I'm 5 how it all works and set up.

Have to say though I like the idea of the 2 line VCO AND ASL...

Oops.. sorry my first-- well second post is so LONG but wanted to get it all down... Thank you if you got this far.:ty:

tl;dr- wanting to know which method is best and how good the video quality is for a 'deaf-blind' person or person with vision problems for the most part.

ooo my fave smiley---:pissed: :D
 
DeafDucky said:
:wave: Hello.. New here but not new to the whole idea of technology :)

However I AM new to the whole thing with VRS, Video chat and all that good stuff. Just never felt the need for it for several reasons.

I'm looking at VRS services as a possible way for communication for my job hunting (my hearing aids are crapping out badly - 8 years old and breaking down- and zero money right now :( ). I'm looking at alternate means of communications as well but it's a pain (that's a whole other uh.. rant). Anyway to keep to the topic of the forum... I have a few questions- other than the usual "which one is the better/best one...?" and I'll describe my current set up...

1. Currently I have a PC- well two- older Dell ~2002 and newer Dell ~2010- both are connected to one monitor/keyboard/mouse. Monitor is a widescreen 23" (I think.. close to that).

2. Said PC system is on a wireless network. Host computer is in the next room (A MAC). I also have a laptop and iPad on the wireless network.

3. My "office space" is rather limited/small (I'm living with relatives right now- out of work) - kind of crowded with the PC stuff on one table "desk" and a 24" TV next to my monitor on another table. Outlets are at a premium in here. At least one is hard to get to and I think the other my mother uses for her sewing machine (yes it's in here- antique thing..the machine not her).

SO....

1. Does the VRS services work well with wireless if I go the PC route?

2. Are there any vision impaired people here that could tell me how well the VRS /video works for them in seeing the signing well? (I am vision impaired- once 'legally blind' but no longer thanks to lens implants but I still have issues).

3. If I go the PC route (or laptop for that matter), what webcam is appropriate?

4. From what I can see there is no cost for equipment if I go with the standalone direction. How well does this work on a widescreen TV (24")
...
I'm mostly worried about the quality of the video and how well I'll be able to see/follow the signs- I'm not a 'native' but am fluent. The fingerspelling is the biggest part as that bit is I fear going to be hard for me to see/follow onscreen.

I know I have more I want to ask but its late and I've forgotten half already. Reading through the forum and the various sites and googling makes my head spin lol so try to explain to me like I'm 5 how it all works and set up.

Have to say though I like the idea of the 2 line VCO AND ASL...

Oops.. sorry my first-- well second post is so LONG but wanted to get it all down... Thank you if you got this far.:ty:

tl;dr- wanting to know which method is best and how good the video quality is for a 'deaf-blind' person or person with vision problems for the most part.

ooo my fave smiley---:pissed: :D
Click to expand...

Okay. I'll try and help you as much as I can.

Since you have visual problems, you can apply for ZVRS on your laptop, and then use a computer cable to hook your laptop to the TV, and make that go big for easier signing. You'll need to look for the part that has two of the same end on your TV and PC.

If you're planning on going the PC route, you can apply for ntouch PC using this website:

Apply for SVRS | Sorenson VRS®

I find this works best with many wireless routes inside the house. My Z5 and Purple accounts don't work as well, and work better when I'm traveling.

For the proper webcam, I highly recommend Logitech-- they're some of the best around.

Since you have an iPad, I could recommend you apply for ntouch tablet, as that would save space and room. You can do this using the same form I gave you. Just keep in mind-- if you're applying for more than one, you'll need to fill out separate forms for that application. You will need to follow up right after you fill out both applications if you chose to do that-- you'll get your number quicker that way. Also, your PC and laptop use the same software, so if you travel, you may use ntouch PC on your laptop, if you so desire.

For best video quality, it's recommended that you set ntouch PC to 512 kbps, but this isn't recommended for everyone, though.

The standalone equipment is free, yes, but you still have to pay for Internet, though. That does not come free. If you don't have the means to do that, then I'll suggest you apply for the free software, which you DO NOT have to pay for.

For seeing the signs, you can set the screen to full screen-- it'll make it easier for you to see. ntouch does this the best.

I hope this helps you. If any more questions, just ask.
 
Thank you it does! The laptop>>TV bit intrigues me as I had done that before when I had netflix and hooked the laptop into the tv (just don't know where the cable is lmao). The video quality wasn't the best though- it may be due to the age of the laptop (purchased in 2008- right before I went to England lol).

I appreciate it :)
 
DeafDucky said:
Thank you it does! The laptop>>TV bit intrigues me as I had done that before when I had netflix and hooked the laptop into the tv (just don't know where the cable is lmao). The video quality wasn't the best though- it may be due to the age of the laptop (purchased in 2008- right before I went to England lol).

I appreciate it :)
Click to expand...

I am glad to try and help you. Do not hesitate to ask me any questions about ntouch; I understand quite a bit about how to install the software, but not the hardware. However, don't mistake me for an SVRS expert; I'm not a professional installer by any means. I just understand a lot, that's all.
 
I think just about every VRS service (Purple, ZVRS. and Sorenson, plus possibly the others) have a version of their software that will run on your PC. All you need is high-speed internet, and a good webcam. To hook to your TV you would need a 15 pin VGA cable, and know how to extend the desktop, or at least how to mirror it, on the TV.
 
I have a VGA cable I used between the laptop and the TV when I lived in SC- tried it out for Netflix. The video quality wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I may try again and see how it is. I do have an HDMI cable & outlet on the TV but not sure if my Baby Dell PC has that or not (doubt it). Laptop & Creaky Dell definitely don't.

Now I have something to do! well after I check out my friend's set up when I go visit her next week.
 
I've never used a VRS system, but my deaf-blind roommate last year used one on a tablet that she could hold close to her face so she could see. Her vision problem had a lot to do with distance, though, but she also had some difficulty with print and other things (she said things got blurry easily and were hard to make out).

Sorry if this doesn't help, though.
 
Actually it does :) Gives me an idea of what others do or how... :)
 
DeafDucky said:
Actually it does :) Gives me an idea of what others do or how... :)
Click to expand...

^_^

She (often, but not always) found that the easiest method to call family and friends was to have the interpreter interpreting but she'd speak for herself. Other times she'd just give the interpreter instructions to wait until she was close enough to see before they started signing.
 
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