Near-DVD-quality video calls with Skype for Mac
Similarly as on [Windows](http://blogs.skype.com/sites/garage/2007/01/start_your_new_year_with_neard.html), the latest releases of Skype for Mac (2.5.0.85 or newer) support high-resolution video calls. You can call in 640×480 resolution, and with good computers and Internet connection, you can get very very decent picture and sound quality. I just tried it out with my buddy Andrus, with me being on a Macbook Pro, and him being (I think) on a regular Macbook. I haven’t doctored this in any way, this shot came straight from the fullscreen call.
Want to get high-resolution calls with Skype for mac youself? Just follow [these instructions](https://developer.skype.com/SkypeGarage/SkypeForMacExperimental#head-614ba6c328ebfa62d382de84a9c029d0232dd84f).
Now there are two cool things about it on a Mac. First, the configuration is much easier. You just need to insert two lines in a configuration file when not running Skype. No extra software or muchos rocket science.
Second, the built-in iSights can do this, so you don’t need any extra hardware. How cool is that 
You’re good to go if you have a recent Mac (all Intel-based ones should qualify).
Mmm, couldn’t get it to work on a Dutch system. Maybe it has something to do with the localisation? I added the 2 lines but it gave no video after that. iMac 24″
What about an iMac G5 (2.0 GHz)? Does it qualify to get this high quality video?
Another question, what happens when you enable this but the computer in the other side of the call is a Windows laptop with low-res webcam? Do the image size and quality adjust automatically?
Incredible. Works pretty well on iMac G5 1.9. Very good quality, good frame rate at 640×480
Thank you very much.
I’m having trouble figuring out how to do this…
Does it work with G4′s?
I’m having a little bit of a problem. When I open the config.xml file it opens the game of 4-in-a-row of Bing Bang Board Games for some reason on my Mac. Anyone have any idea why this is happening?
It sounds cool though, hopefully I’ll try it soon.
i did add the 2 lines, but everytime i start skype the config.xml file come back as new erasing what i added.
any idea?
I’ve tried to modify my config.xml, but when I double clic on it, Mac OS X says that “The document config.xml could not be opened”, why ?
I also have a 0 line in there… What does that mean?
Oops, my code was striped out… I have a [disabled]0[/disabled] line in there. (Angle brackets instead of square brackets of course)
I get the same Bing Bang problem. When I deleted the game, I got “config.xml couldn’t be opened” too. Looking forward to it working though!
for the people getting a Big Bang game instead of an editor: right click (control-click), choose “open with”, “other”, “textedit”.
I’d really like specs on what kind of processor is needed. I tried this between a MacBook Core 2 Duo and a Powerbook G4 1,2Ghz: failed as soon as one of the parties tried to send video.
Now I just have to find a bugtrack for my buglog
I’m having the same problem as mrsirio: “i did add the 2 lines, but everytime i start skype the config.xml file come back as new erasing what i added.”
I modified the config.xmi file in text edit (the file would open Omnioutliner, but showed nothing!) as instructed, but once you opened Skype, the file would macically revert to its previous incarnation on my PowerBook g4, and I saw no improvement sending to my wife’s Titanium.
Will HD Quality work on Power Book G4 1.67 gHz?
I have entered the two lines and it works brilliantly. For those have trouble. Don’t double click. Try using your right mouse button on the file (single button hold down the control key on keyboard). and open with other application. I used textedit location in my applications and that works fine.
Works really fine between my macbook and a pc (from Canada to France).
But once you have modified the ‘config.xml’ file with textedit, do not forgot to save it with the ‘.XML’ extension, otherwise textedit will automaticaly add ‘.TXT’ and your modification won’t be effective.
Am i right in saying i don’t have to change anything if i have a macbook pro??…I should get near HD calls automatically???
The config file also showed the line: 1. What is that for and do the added lines go before or after this line?
The config file also showed the line: [AutoSend]1[/AutoSend]…(substitute angle brackets for square brackets). What is that for and do the added lines go before or after this line?
dbearla: the line ‘autosend’ means that your camera is on automaticaly, it is a reglage in your skype prefrences.
Just add the 2 lines after.
Good luck.
Doesn’t work for me. Skype crashes upon connection of a video call.
iMac G5; FireWire iSight; Newest OSX and Skype.
Have 1.2Ghz Ibook G4. Is it fast enough to use the high quality video? In quicktime I can select 640X480. But the camera has a problem because quicktime keeps losing a connection to the camera. Used a different firewire cable with same results. Also have red dot on screen so this new camera must be defective. Waiting for a replacement. Do not have this problem with camcorder on 640X480 cause it records beautifully on quicktime with the camcorder.
Works perfectly on 1.25Ghz eMac with 2.6 Beta version. I am using an Xbox 360 usb cam.($49 Cdn). Make sure you open the file with text edit, and save (replace) the file by adding the .xml extension.(not .txt) BTW, don’t waste money on an isight camera; many reasonable USB cams work on Tiger 10.4.9 now.
Does, on Santa Rosa MacBook Pros, this process work even with a 1,280×960 setting? http://macdaddyworld.com/?p=9
1,280×960 settings work – but the bandwidth usage/requirement is presumably in the order of 3Mbps even with excellent lighting.
Skype changes my scree resolution to 649 when I sign on. It does not happem on my HP laptop only on my compaq presario. It has not always been this way. Two months ago –maybe after installing a servicepac update? it started changing the res–I have to go to control panel and change to 1024 in order read…blutzo Skype–I thought once you were on the unit–you were the master–who is changing this on me???