Sightspeed

The Good

When you look at Sightspeed you know they have spent big time and money refining it to what it is today. This full service video communication provider offers every imaginable video communication servce that exists. Their account set up is excellent, fast and easy,  they want to be sure you have the easiest experience possible. No doubt competitors will keep an eye on Sightspeed as they might be the standard all other video communication and video mail providers are judged by. Sightspeed requires users to download an application to their computer desktop, in order to use their products. This is because they offer more than just video mail. Also offered is live video calling to either any telephone number or other Sightspeed users. They even have a button you can add to your website so visitors can call you from your website. This feature alone is sold by other businesses for $10 -$50 per month. I have not tested this feature yet, but will update later. Since users download a control panel, it is very easy to use the service as part of your daily routine. To use most video mail services efficiently, you need to open more than one browser window, go to the website, then record the video message, get your code and then switch back to your email client, and embed your video code into an email to someone. Yes, you could just send the video, everyone offers that, but it is better if you can get the code or video link and insert it into you favorite email service, where you send all your emails from. So Sightspeed does give you the code instantly to embed into a blog, an email or a website. Very important feature. They get you started with a free account limited to 30 second video mails, knowing that if you are a regular user you will subscribe for the small fee of $49 per year.  They have great customer support too. Sightspeed is full service with too many features to list here. I have a partial list for you below.

Free Video Calling
Free PC-to-PC Voice Calling
Phone Out/Phone In
Community Calling
Create Video Mail/Blogs
Multi-Party Conferencing
My SightSpeed Web Link
Text Messaging SightSpeedTV (beta)
Click-to-Call Buttons
Call Recording All Features

The Bad

If you want to know what you sound like with a lisp, record and listen. I got a laugh out of listening to my video. There is no way I see, to change the graphics around your video screen or disable video mails sent, or get a watched video notification. With the free account there are three banner ads surrounding the video player. It would be better if the paid account allows user to earn money with those banners themselves. When I tried the service, their site logged me out too fast. I had to login again three times. Their terms of use limit the ages of users to 18 or older. I don't understand why their legal counsel made this rule.