terrible video chat

Hi, I am recently having problem with MSN video chat with my parents in
China. The voice chat alone is normal. But once I started video chat, then
their voice is terrible on my end (delayed, discontinuous, barely audible).
Strangely, my parents said they could hear my voice clearly without a
problem. I have a much better computer (2GB memory, 160 GB HD, 2 years old)
than what they have (256MB memory, 10 GB HD, >6 years old). I have asked my
DSL service provider (ATT) to upgrade my service twice (Pro now, with 3MB
Down and 512 KB Up). In addition, I have no problem at all with video
chatting with friends in US.

What could be the problem? It seems it's not the problem of the DSL speed
since I have upgraded twice and it doesn't improve at all. I used a web DSL
speed test (server located in Los angeles, I am in San Diego) to check my DSL
speed and mine is normal, and checked my parents' computer DSL speed in
China, the result is 100KB Down and 300 KB Up. So it looks like their upload
is good, then why I can't hear their voice clearly even I have an excellent
download speed on my end? And because their Download speed is poor, however,
they can still hear my voice without problem. I am just totally confused
here.

Or maybe it's their computer is too old? However, about 1 year ago, I have
no problem to video chat with them on the same 2 computers. They then visited
us here for 6 months and then went back to china, and since then, the video
chat started to have problem.

please advice

Jonathan,

Can you give me your thoughts on this please�

John

"newbie" wrote:

> Hi, I am recently having problem with MSN video chat with my parents in
> China. The voice chat alone is normal. But once I started video chat, then
> their voice is terrible on my end (delayed, discontinuous, barely audible).
> Strangely, my parents said they could hear my voice clearly without a
> problem. I have a much better computer (2GB memory, 160 GB HD, 2 years old)
> than what they have (256MB memory, 10 GB HD, >6 years old). I have asked my
> DSL service provider (ATT) to upgrade my service twice (Pro now, with 3MB
> Down and 512 KB Up). In addition, I have no problem at all with video
> chatting with friends in US.
>
> What could be the problem? It seems it's not the problem of the DSL speed
> since I have upgraded twice and it doesn't improve at all. I used a web DSL
> speed test (server located in Los angeles, I am in San Diego) to check my DSL
> speed and mine is normal, and checked my parents' computer DSL speed in
> China, the result is 100KB Down and 300 KB Up. So it looks like their upload
> is good, then why I can't hear their voice clearly even I have an excellent
> download speed on my end? And because their Download speed is poor, however,
> they can still hear my voice without problem. I am just totally confused
> here.
>
> Or maybe it's their computer is too old? However, about 1 year ago, I have
> no problem to video chat with them on the same 2 computers. They then visited
> us here for 6 months and then went back to china, and since then, the video
> chat started to have problem.
>
> please advice