How do I look you in the eye while looking at you in video chat?

Question

I know it seems minor, but I think not looking at each other in in the eyes makes video calls far less impactful. I want to look at the video stream of you, but that immediately means that I don't appear to be looking at you. Are there any tools that solve this?

miles · Accepted Answer

See Eye 2 Eye webcam accessory https://www.pocket-lint.com/cameras/reviews/69335-see-eye2ey...
See Eye 2 Eye - webcam teleprompter & eye contact device for video chatting with computers using external webcams https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N28MB4/
Bodelin Technologies SE2E See Eye 2 Eye - Eye Contact Device for Webcams https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/472569-REG/Bodelin_Te...
Here it is in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpFsBHusAhY
The manufacturer appears to have replaced it with this model, which is around $400 more: https://www.proprompter.com/teleprompters/proprompter-deskto...

cyberdrunk · Answer

We actually don't do video calls (just audio) in our company and I think it's a blessing. The video input is frankly just distracting and this way we can better focus on what each other is saying.Video may be more important for non-technical discussions, where reading non-verbal cues can be important (however I'm not sure how well they can be read from a laggy video feed).

kugelblitz · Answer

I have the webcam on top of my desktop monitor, when I videoconference, I slide the whole monitor lower so that the camera is just above height of my eyes and I put the chat screen on the top of the screen, so the talker on the screen and the webcam are just a few cms / inches apart. I sit about an arm's length away from the webcam.It's not perfect, but it's adjustable within 3 seconds and is very close to directly looking into the camera.

PaulHoule · Answer

How about this?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleprompter

tomcam · Answer

I just look into the camera. It takes a little discipline but not much.But note that EVERYONE prefers to look at themselves onscreen (well, not me... but if you saw me you'd understand why) and therefore they don't really care if you're doing the same thing.

jkartchner · Answer

Check this out. A maker&rsquo;s take on fixing this problem:https://youtu.be/2AecAXinars

dave_sid · Answer

Lol, it does seem a little minor. Imagine trying to communicate/coordinate during a naval battle using morse code in the Second World War.

dave_sid · Answer

It&rsquo;s not really important. You really need to focus more on what you and the other person are actually doing on the call. Seriously.

quickthrower2 · Answer

I don&rsquo;t even look in the eye face to face unless trying to do so. If talking technical I need to look at the ceiling to think.

sergiotapia · Answer

Move the video preview top of the screen, center screen. As close to the cam as possible.

potta_coffee · Answer

Socially awkward coder here, I prefer not to have eye contact most of the time.

doopy-loopy2 · Answer

Hot take:Just turn off your camera. Video meetings where you sit at your desk and stare into your screen for an hour is just stupid.I do all my calls voice only while going for a walk or doing chores around the house.

How do I look you in the eye while looking at you in video chat?

I know it seems minor, but I think not looking at each other in in the eyes makes video calls far less impactful. I want to look at the video stream of you, but that immediately means that I don't appear to be looking at you. Are there any tools that solve this?

How about this?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleprompter

I just look into the camera. It takes a little discipline but not much.
But note that EVERYONE prefers to look at themselves onscreen (well, not me... but if you saw me you'd understand why) and therefore they don't really care if you're doing the same thing.

Check this out. A maker’s take on fixing this problem:
https://youtu.be/2AecAXinars

Lol, it does seem a little minor. Imagine trying to communicate/coordinate during a naval battle using morse code in the Second World War.

It’s not really important. You really need to focus more on what you and the other person are actually doing on the call. Seriously.

I don’t even look in the eye face to face unless trying to do so. If talking technical I need to look at the ceiling to think.

Move the video preview top of the screen, center screen. As close to the cam as possible.

Socially awkward coder here, I prefer not to have eye contact most of the time.

Hot take:
Just turn off your camera. Video meetings where you sit at your desk and stare into your screen for an hour is just stupid.
I do all my calls voice only while going for a walk or doing chores around the house.