December 1st, 2005
Skype 2.0 Beta — Skype With Video is Here!
By David Johnston
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
The Skype team has just released the first Skype client to officially support webcams today! I’ve been a huge Skype fan as it allows me to call my girlfriend 1,000 miles away for free with better quality than using a standard phone. I also like the fact that all Skype communications are encrypted so it’s not easy for anyone to listen in on your conversations as it is with most popular IM clients out there. Skype Beta 2.0 has just raised the bar, though, allowing users not only to call each other for free, but also to use their webcams during those calls. Previously, I had been using software like vSkype (now Festoon) which added unofficial webcam support to Skype or Yawcam or SimpleCam for my webcamming needs, but all of these lacked in many ways. vSkype was good, but when it became Festoon, it stopped working on my girlfriend’s computer and also started injecting ads into the video window. Yawcam and SimpleCam are both decent webcam clients, but they set up a web server on your computer which makes you more vulnerable to hackers and they also use Java to stream your webcam to viewers which I’ve found are very slow compared to a more direct method.
Enter Skype 2.0. Now, when I start a call with other Skype 2.0 users I can easily decide to turn my webcam on or leave it off. I have tested the quality of the video and it is excellent–much better than the other solutions I had tried. The refresh rate is also very good. In fact, it’s really not much (if any) different from what you would see if you were looking at a local webcam, without having the signal passed over the internet first. On top of all this, Skype video just works. It took almost no configuring. I only had to change the video source because I have multiple video capture devices. There was no configuration for my girlfriend who only has a webcam and no TV capture card.
Skype 2.0 also features a lot more than just video chat. The list of additions and bugfixes is quite long. A couple highlights include contact grouping, an enhanced user interface, and personalized messages that appear next to your name (sort of like away messages, but you don’t have to be away to use them). Anyway, if you’re looking for a cheap way to stay in touch with family and friends, or just a great all-around IM client you should definitely give Skype 2.0 a try. The best has just gotten better.
Get it here.
Yew Jean says:
I’m excited that Skype is going video, but I’m mildly disappointed… I downloaded the new Sony product last week to see what all the hype was about, but as a Skype fan I put it on the back burner because I knew that Skype was coming out with their own video chat. Overall, I’m disappointed. The skype video wasn’t as clear and even the audio quality was choppy. Long story short - I’ll keep using Skype for audio, but sorry to say… I’m using Sony for video.
December 1st, 2005 at 8:44 am
David Johnston says:
This may be due to the speed of the internet connection or computers. I’m only able to test it on very high-speed networks and both computers are very fast.
December 1st, 2005 at 8:46 am
Northern Telecom..and Tech says:
Skype Video - Does it Matter?
After much speculation, Skype has come out with a new beta version
of its software that features video. The Skype community appears to be
enthusiastic about the new bells and whistles, which include a
simplified user interface and personalized messa…
December 1st, 2005 at 9:14 am
Stephen says:
Skype = Proprietary = bad
SIP (Gizmo)= Open Standards = good
Simplistic but its the way we should be going. I suspect Ebay is rethinking that Skype purchase.
December 1st, 2005 at 2:31 pm
David Johnston says:
To blanketly call anything proprietary bad seems unjustified to me. Being proprietary does not make something inherently bad. What makes something bad are poor quality, unreasonable price, and things like that. I just don’t see that from Skype.
December 1st, 2005 at 3:42 pm
Tech-Weblog.biz - Cool Tech Gadgets, Gizmos and more funky geek stuff says:
Skype 2.0 - skype with Video is here!
Skype with video
December 2nd, 2005 at 7:50 am
Technology, Software Development, Project Management, Marketing News says:
Skype With Video is Here
Skype with video chat
December 2nd, 2005 at 7:51 am
Frederik says:
Hey,
I have the same problem you did (I have two video capturing devices), but I don’t know how to switch to the other one within Skype. Could you help me with a little information on how to do it?
Thanks
February 9th, 2006 at 9:36 am
David Johnston says:
Sure. When you’re looking at the main Skype window, click on the “Tools” button at the top. Then go all the way down the list and select “Options…”. Inside the options menu, click on the area on the left that says “Video (BETA)”. Here you will see a dropdown list near the top titled “Select Webcam”. Change it to your webcam and you then save your changes and you should be good to go.
February 9th, 2006 at 10:31 am
Ed says:
Skypeout is a ripoff
August 3rd, 2006 at 1:31 pm
free verizon ringtone says:
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December 15th, 2006 at 3:43 am
AnferTuto says:
Hola faretaste
mekodinosad
July 26th, 2007 at 10:13 pm