Skype
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Bob Jefferson
- Posts: 6212
- Joined: 11 Dec 2004, 21:16
- Location: Planet Porty
- Contact:
Skype
Anyone out there using Skype for video calls? How is the quality? Anyone using Mac with it? I installed the most recent version for Mac but I'm having problems communicating with a Windows user. They have a fairly low spec PC so I'm assuming that's maybe the problem. Messenger doesn't support video with Mac before anyone suggests it.
I use it, and it's fine. I mean, it's not like TV quality or anything, but it's not bad.
I don't think it should matter what either user is using (Mac, PC, whatever), since all communication will be through Skype.
My fiancee's Mum and my brother both use Macs, and we have a PC, but the video calls work fine for us.
I don't think it should matter what either user is using (Mac, PC, whatever), since all communication will be through Skype.
My fiancee's Mum and my brother both use Macs, and we have a PC, but the video calls work fine for us.
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PortyConvert
- Posts: 100
- Joined: 16 Jul 2005, 02:44
A lot of it will depend on the webcam being used at both ends. I got the low end microsoft web cam (vx-1000) - but i'd recommend the vx-3000 at least (not expensive now). I did see a 2MB webcam in aldi the other day - but it didn't have a price!
Anyways - we find that the video we receive is good quality (the folk at the other end with the good web cam) - but what we are sending out is not so good due to cheaper cam.
Skype has been good for me - a bit better than MSN i'd say.
Anyways - we find that the video we receive is good quality (the folk at the other end with the good web cam) - but what we are sending out is not so good due to cheaper cam.
Skype has been good for me - a bit better than MSN i'd say.
I Use Skype a lot at my work. Mostly for voice chat, but occaisionally for video. When using the video there are a few variables to contend with.
The spec of the PCs, the lower end PCs definitley need to be doing very little else than the video call.
They will also need a decent amount of RAM (for PCs hold down the window key and press the "break" key a window will pop up telling you haw much you have), Most of it is DDR2 these days and is pretty cheap, also easy to upgrade yourself (you'll get a reasonable performance upgrade from an old PC with a memeory upgrade). If you don't have much on board memory, you'll need to ensure the HDD is defragged as much as possible.
The Other main impediment is broadband speeds. ADSL is a packet based network, which replaced the voice centric network. It is asynchronous, and the bandwith to your home differs dramatically between upload and download bandwidth.
A voice or Video call is a constant stream of data in BOTH Directions. which means that the upload speed is very important to maintain a decent throughput. So Typically for a 2M connection you'll only get an upload speed of 384K (which is the minimum skype recommends for high quality video, see <a href="http://www.cnet.com.au/laptops/accessor ... 246,00.htm"> this article</a>).
Your actual bandwidth is further reduced if you are trying to operate wirelessly, i.e. it is always best to use the internet wired where possible.
I would suggest both users doing a speedtest (<a href="http://www.speedtest.net">Speed Test </a>) to a location nearby the other user to get to an idea of the upload speeds you can expect.
The spec of the PCs, the lower end PCs definitley need to be doing very little else than the video call.
They will also need a decent amount of RAM (for PCs hold down the window key and press the "break" key a window will pop up telling you haw much you have), Most of it is DDR2 these days and is pretty cheap, also easy to upgrade yourself (you'll get a reasonable performance upgrade from an old PC with a memeory upgrade). If you don't have much on board memory, you'll need to ensure the HDD is defragged as much as possible.
The Other main impediment is broadband speeds. ADSL is a packet based network, which replaced the voice centric network. It is asynchronous, and the bandwith to your home differs dramatically between upload and download bandwidth.
A voice or Video call is a constant stream of data in BOTH Directions. which means that the upload speed is very important to maintain a decent throughput. So Typically for a 2M connection you'll only get an upload speed of 384K (which is the minimum skype recommends for high quality video, see <a href="http://www.cnet.com.au/laptops/accessor ... 246,00.htm"> this article</a>).
Your actual bandwidth is further reduced if you are trying to operate wirelessly, i.e. it is always best to use the internet wired where possible.
I would suggest both users doing a speedtest (<a href="http://www.speedtest.net">Speed Test </a>) to a location nearby the other user to get to an idea of the upload speeds you can expect.