High Quality Video goes public with Skype 3.6 for Windows
Just as water vapor turns into ice crystals in Northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere, we’re getting better tools to help get things done without having to leave the house (or office). Skype today released the public version of Skype 3.6 for Windows, with major under-the-hood changes that focus on video. High Quality Video, to be precise*.
There are two ways to describe what we’ve done. You could say the video window on Skype has grown to 640×480 pixels, delivering up to 30 frames per second. Or, if you prefer plain English, you can now begin to enjoy free High Quality Video calls that are sharper, smoother and better than anything you’ve seen on Skype before.
To experience free High Quality Video, this is what both sides of the conversation will need:
*
Skype 3.6 for Windows
* a Logitech webcam that has been optimized and certified for High Quality Video (the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000, the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks or the Logitech QuickCam Sphere AF (Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF in the U.S.)
* Logitech QuickCam software, version 11.5
* a dual-core PC
* a broadband internet connection (384 kbps and above).
For more, please see the High Quality Video page on the Skype website.
The three webcams are already available worldwide, in retail as well as the Skype web store. In Europe, the Skype shop has a special offer for the webcams. The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 or the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks will normally cost €99.99, but if you head for the Skype webstore, you’ll also get a free headset, free shipping, and SkypeOut credit worth up to three hours of calls to landlines and mobiles. In the US, Skype offers a $20 rebate on either of these products ($99.99 before the rebate).
*If this sounds familiar, it should – the more adventurous among you have been able to play with High Quality Video as part of the beta version of Skype 3.6 for Windows since October 10. You may also have read about Skype’s collaboration with Logitech to help make High Quality Video a reality.
Is there any chance of high quality video for Pentium M (1.6 GHz, 1GB RAM) users? It is obvious that, buying a new webcam is easier than buying a laptop with dual-core. I hope skype make high quality video for lower end users too.
Hello! I was wondering…is there a Skype 3.6 version for Ubuntu Linux? I’m not sure if the Windows version would be compatible for download. Of course, common sense tells me it isn’t. Any suggestions as far as applying for High Quality Video calls would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Opps! I JUST FOUND my answer via a Linux link on this very web page regarding a Skype version for making video calls on Linux. Hence, no need to reply. Nevertheless, thank you!
I have experienced a problem when I downloaded the latest version of Skype my Logitech Fusion webcam in the Video Setting box pre view window showes a still image i.e. no movement, I have installed the latest version of S/W for the Logitech Webcam now to ver 1150. I have had to re install the previous version of Skype S/W to enable the Webcam to operate correctly. Any ideas, my computer does not have a dual processor, I have the latest Direct X installed, I have a high spec video / graphics card installed. Any ideas as to what is going wrong ??.
goooooooooooooooooooood job
http://www.3lm1.com
Indeed it does deliver high quality video (on a laptop using Intel Centrino Duo), but Skype takes a lot of bandwidth, slowing down internet download speed significantly, even for broadband.
Also, that message on the picture above is somewhat unnerving. I think it’s unhealthy talking to random strangers at least once per day for the sake of it.
The ner high quality video communication is awesome. I have been enjoying talking to my family in real time. Thank you for such a great product!
I was wondering if Skype has plans in the future to release a version that will allow the user to video conference with more than one person at a time. I know that ichat through mac allows up to four video windows to all communicate together. Muilti-person video conferencing would be a great addition to the already wonderful free services Skype provides.
Thanks again for a great communication tool!
What about High Quality video over MacOSX?
I am using a MacBook with Built-in iSight,. This camera brings high resolutions. Is there a skype’s version support to use this new feature?
Best Regards and congrats!
It was well known that there was a conflict between Skype and the Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 webcam, causing outgoing video to freeze after a short time in every call. See eg http://forum.skype.com/lofiversion/index.php/t97248.html. The new version 3.6 of Skype does NOT solve this for everyone. I am one of the poor souls for whom the problem still exists. I have tried the workaround mentioned towards the end of the above forum, and that did not work for me (appears to work for many people though). I have also tried the last 2.X version of Skype. Same problem. Does anyone else have this problem? Please email help to jpmoore100@hotmail.com.
why does skype make it virtually impossible to contact them. When I go to customer service everything is in french.
I downloaded 3.6 version of Skype and now my microphone will not work with Vista. Can someone please help
I downloaded 3.6 version of Skype and now my microphone will not work with Vista. Can someone please help
The most troublesome appears to be that Skype 3.6 use with a logitech camera, like the Quickcam messenger, Freezes the outgoing videao.
It is amazing no one has yet found a universal solution.
Only the old (high-memory using) skype 3.2 allows video in both directions.
HELP! I have a VTech 7100 skype phone and it will not work with Skype 3.8 version with windows vista operating system. I am told to download the 3.6 version, where do I find this? Skype is not responding to any of my inquirys.
Anone else having these problems?
The video does not work when I’m using Skype; the audio works fine. The camera icon says the video is on. I have a Dell PC with a built in webcam. Any suggestions?
@joann.yost make sure your camera is selected in Tools > Options > Video – what happens when you try to make a video call?
I agree with k-s. Why would you want or need to speak to someone you don’t know? I don’t want to speak to people I DO know.
It’s irresponsible of Skype to suggest such an idea. The sad truth is that there are too many dangerous people out there and I certainly wouldn’t want my kids making contact with them.