We discovered a few helpful hints to get the best-looking web video production using Visual Communicator 3. First, experiment with your lighting. Big, soft, even light usually is a cure-all, but feel free to get creative. Second, the best place to put a camcorder is just above the screen's bevel; most tripods are too tall for a desk setup. We did find the Joby Gorillapod (www.joby.com) a close fit with a phone book for that extra boost. Webcams are easier to place in the appropriate position, but they might not give you the quality or control you're looking for.

With a little time, you can turn a computer into a web video production studio capable of delivering high-quality presentations. With Visual Communicator 3, you can quickly start your web video adventure or take your time and develop a program far beyond the expectations of web video. At its price point, we don't expect to find too many dabblers or infrequent vloggers, but the value is certainly there for the dedicated web video publisher.

Adobe Visual Communicator 3 turns your computer into a production studio with streaming video capabilities.

OS: Windows XP (Pro or Home Edition with SP2), Windows Vista
Processor: 933MHz Intel P4, Intel Celeron 2, AMD Athlon XP
Memory: 256MB RAM
Optical Drive: DVD-ROM for installation
Storage: 2.3GB of available hard-disk space for installation
Audio Hardware: Standard PC audio card with microphone
Video Hardware: 16MB AGP graphics card with 3D acceleration
Webcam Users: Standard DirectShow-compatible Windows driver
Video Input Device: OHCI-compatible IEEE-1394 video interface card for DV or capture card for analog signals
Video Card: Dual-head video card required for full-screen output
For Streaming
Processor: 2.4GHz Intel P4
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce or ATI Radeon-based AGP video card

• Powerful controls and options
• Live streaming video
• Unique TelePrompTer GUI

• Not for the web video dabbler
• Windows only
• Outdated styles

Adobe Visual Communicator 3 turns your computer into a production studio with streaming video capabilities.

Mark Montgomery is Videomaker's Technical Editor.

Adobe Systems, Inc.
345 Park Ave.
San Jose, CA 95110
www.adobe.com
$399 / $149 upgrade