Video mail is a messaging system where a webcam

Webcam

A webcam is a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer or computer network, often via USB, ethernet, or Wi-Fi.Their most popular use is the establishment of video links, permitting computers to act as videophones or videoconference stations. This common use as a video camera...

 is used to record a video message which can be sent as an email. Some video mail services require a download Client (computing)

Client (computing)

A client is an application or system that accesses a service made available by a server. The server is often on another computer system, in which case the client accesses the service by way of a network....

 to work for the sender, while others offer a web-based option that allows the sender to send a video mail without a downloaded client.

Operation

Video email is much like text messaging except that the sender can include a video. A video messaging system provides access to the recorded message through one of its designated service providers. The user then can retrieve the message through the same service provider, and access this message from anywhere in the world. The sender records a message using their webcam or other technology, and sends to the receiver who can then access and respond to the message. Messages can range from personal to business related, and can also be sent to either one or many receivers. Depending on video message service provider, an account may or may not be required to send and receive messages.

Sending video email requires two fundamental steps:

1. creating a video file
2. attaching that video file to an email.

In order to create a video file the user will require a camera and microphone as a minimum, with recording software as a possible extra. Most new computers come pre-installed with all requirements, many computers are video mail ready.

Usage

Video email allows people with physical disabilities to communicate more easily. This can include amputees, who otherwise would have problems communicating and typing. For those that have difficulty reading and typing, video email is another use of communication that might be more accessible.

Many dating sites are using the technology of video email as a prominent feature for their users. Makes meeting people on-line safer, where the first meeting between users doesn’t actually have to be in person. Each person can include as much information as they would like in their preliminary video email, allowing a more accurate depiction of them and their personality.

Advantages

Sending video email allows for the recipient to have an easier time understanding the sender. Although they cannot respond in real time, in most cases they are able to send another video email back in response.

Video email eliminates the need for typing and composition, which may be difficult for some people. It eliminates the requirement of proofreading, and concerns about how a text email may be interpreted. People can use tone of voice and physical expressions to help a message come across more clearly.

As technology continues to advance, it has gotten easier to get started with video email. Most programs do not require a download, and many of the services are still free to the public. All that is usually needed is an email account, a registration process and a webcam to record outgoing videos.

Limitations

• Video mail length may be restricted from between 30 seconds to 10 minutes.
• Video mail may not allow for additional attachments to a message.
• Some services may charge additional fees for video mail.
• Some services may restrict video mail to a specific operating system
  Operating system
  An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
  
  .
• Video recording and playback quality are affected by Bandwidth (computing)
  Bandwidth (computing)
  In computer networking and computer science, bandwidth, network bandwidth, data bandwidth, or digital bandwidth is a measure of available or consumed data communication resources expressed in bits/second or multiples of it .Note that in textbooks on wireless communications, modem data transmission,...
  
  
• Linux
  Linux
  Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
  
  may not be supported by some services.
• Controls the rate at which the viewer receives information.