Microsoft Portrait for PC

Microsoft Portrait for PC is a video calling application compatible with MSN Messenger that delivers high-quality streaming for broadband computers, while seamlessly adapting to bandwidth limitations. It aims to allow video conferencing with clear images and smooth motion even on low bandwidth networks.

Microsoft Portrait for PC is designed to facilitate video communication across mobile and desktop computers, providing a version for Pocket PCs as well. It integrates with the .NET Messenger Service and the Internet Locator Service and can work with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). You can use either your MSN Messenger accounts or a Microsoft Portrait account.

The video conferencing application can be used with LAN or wireless networks, as well as dialup networks with lower bandwidth. It comes with a set of options that helps you reduce the bandwidth consumption. As such, you can limit the video bandwidth, set the keyframe time interval and adjust the image and the frame size to your liking. Images can be rendered in black and white or full-color display.

Microsoft Portrait for PC features proxy support and manual port configuration. It enables you to call your friends and acquaintances and can store records of recent calls.

You can use it to make calls using the interlocutor's IP address, transfer files across devices, take pictures from the webcam and store them locally. The local video can be mirrored.

Microsoft Portrait for PC enables you to place calls to any of your buddies stored in the friend list of MSN Messenger. You can initiate a conversation with people on a ILS server, even if your computer is not equipped with a webcam.

Its advantage is that it provides video conferencing possibilities to owners of computers that use a modem dial-up connection.