New webcams bring Skype to your TV
In January, we told you that we’d be bringing Skype to your living room – today, the final piece of the puzzle is in place for Panasonic and Samsung HDTVs.
Brand new cameras for Panasonic and Samsung HDTVs let you make great quality video (and voice) calls from the comfort of your sofa. They include specially designed microphones, and capture high quality video.
The Panasonic camera is available now in the US from your local retailer, or online from Panasonic. It’ll be available elsewhere in the world over the next month or so, and supports HD video at up to 1280×720 pixels at 22 frames per second.
The Samsung camera is made by FREETALK, who make our incredibly popular Everyman headset, and is available now, worldwide, in the Skype Shop. It sends high quality video at up to 640×480 pixels at 30 frames per second.
To get Skype on your TV, you’ll need an Internet-connected TV with Skype built in, one of these special webcams, and a broadband Internet connection. Supported Samsung HDTVs are all ready to go, and the Skype software is now available on Panasonic HDTVs in the US. It’ll be rolling out to supported Panasonic TVs in the rest of the world over the next month.
Any questions? Just drop us a line in the comments below, or on Twitter.
Skype will be available on Panasonic VT25, VT20, G25, and G20 Series HDTVs, and on Samsung C7000 and C8000 series HDTVs.
This means that Skype is no becoming like the Video Phone (VP) that Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals use. I am hearing myself but am connected in the Deaf community, and I use Skype to keep in touch with international friends. I feel that there are more and more Deaf individuals using Skype and this will only increase those numbers! GO SKYPE!
If Samsung enables Skype in its 2009 tv lineup then I’m in! Otherwise it will unfortunately be many years until my tv reaches the upgrade cycle.
“today, the final piece of the puzzle”??? What nonsense. The picture wont be anywhere near complete until clients are released for PS3 & other consoles. A Skype enabled telly is going to do little to persuade customers to upgrade. A client for a huge existing installed base of games consoles is going to be a lot more useful.
Any hopes that Skype sofware will be available as an update for the Sony Bravia Internet Video Link?
Thanks
I purchased an LG TV thinking it had Skype already embedded, however, it didn’t. After contacting Skype Customer Service I was told that when it was finalized I could update the Netcast and it would be available. Now I see that Samsung is included and the “final piece of the puzzle” is complete. Okay….how do I update my LG? I assume it is ready to be released. If not, when and how will I know? Finally, how will it be downloaded?
Ps3′s and Xbox 360′s are already plugged into a mass of nice TV’s. I have a Sony bravia that is 2 years old and it looks great on my ps3. If I could afford to upgrade to the new line of Sony’s I would.. but this TV is still 1080p. I have a ps3 eye plugged in ready to go. I don’t want to buy another cam.. Please please please get skype on these gaming consoles . I know its not a simple task for you guys, but I know you can do it. Cheers
@dave47mack you’ll have to ask LG about that I’m afraid
Got the G20 and the Skype Camera from Panasonic.. Can see video in the settings configuration but when I call or receive a call from a windows box with the latest skype 5.x beta.. no video. Actually the little red light doesn’t even come on. Tried starting and stopping the “share my video” but no luck.
I’m hoping both users don’t need to be vieracast skypers. That would be insanity and worthless to most.
@mike.galicki the 5.X betas aren’t currently compatible with Skype-enabled TVs – the latest 4.X version should work just fine though
Thanks. Latest 4.x worked.. but. Testing out with a windows machine with on a 100 Mbps LAN I had interesting results. The windows skype machine reports that I’m sending HQ video and I have the little HQ icon, but the windows skype machine reports its only receiving medium quality video from the Panasonic G20 with TY-CC10W cam. Quality bars are only 4 out of 5. From reading elsewhere it seems as though the HD cam only requires about 1.4 of upload bandwidth. Surely on a local LAN I should have enough. The processor on my windows machine is a Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.20GHz with 3 GB of RAM.
Should I bug panasonic? Is there a forum for me to discuss?
After a lot of testing and research on my own.. Panasonic is telling me the only way to get 720p video is to have a 2010 Panasonic to 2010 Panasonic with Skype. I have no idea why a beefed up Windows box isn’t allowed to see the 720p video being sent from the Panasonic. Might as well close up Skype on Your TV because the chance of any family being in that situation is nearly zero.
I recently purchased and installed the Freetalk camera for Samsung on my UN55C8000 tv. The camera is connected via the USB port. When I go to the Skype app, the camera provides a feed (i.e., I can see myself).
However, when I call another party using the “video call” feature, I cannot see them and they cannot see me. We can, though, hear each other.
The other party is using an Asus Videophone Touch AiGuru SV1T that was also purchased on the Skype Store web site.
Both my TV and the Asus camera on the other end both have the latest software installed. Also, I have been able to make a connection between my laptop and the Asus camera, so I don’t think the Asus is the problem.
Any thoughts?
I have now also made test calls between the Samsung TV (Freetalk camera) and my laptop. No video being sent in either direction (i.e., from the Freetalk to the laptop, or from the laptop to the Freetalk). So, same experience as with between the Freetalk and the Asus.
This would seem to point the finger clearly at the Freetalk camera as the source of the connection trouble. But still no solution.
I have contacted Freetalk customer service and they have apparently forwarded my concern to their Technical Support people, who are supposed to get back to me. That was last week. Not overly impressed with Freetalk customer support thus far.
*** DO NOT purchase the Freetalk for Samsung camera if you will be communicating with any system NOT using Skype for Windows (4.2). ***
Just received a response (finally) from Freetalk customer support:
“The Samsung C series model TV’s have only the h.264 codec and only Skype for Windows 4.2 or later has this codec.”
So the Freetalk for Samsung will NOT communicate with:
- Skype for Mac
- Skype on Asus Videophone Touch AiGuru SV1T (also sold on Skype Store)
Quite discouraging that this information is not available to customers PRIOR to purchase.
@carriestephen I’m sorry to hear about your experience – I’m chatting to our TV team about this at the moment to make sure we’re absolutely clear about what works and what doesn’t. I’ll update when I get some info to share.
Thank you very much.
This is pathetic.
I have a Panasonic G20 and the TY-CC10W camera.
It does not send or receive video to a Mac – which was not mentioned when I bought it. It does work with Windows version 4.2. Sadly I dont use Windows.
Is there a workaround? If not, can you please warn people that your service and/or panasonics tvs have restrctions on their usage?
@Peter Parkes
Hi Peter, has the TV team reported anything back? I have a very eager daughter waiting to video skype with her grandfather
@ Peter Parkes
Do you think Mac will be supported in the future? With this camera?
Is Panasonic to PC limit of 640×480 limited by software or the camera?
I’m sorry but advertising it as 720p camera you are misleading the customers. It should at least say “Panasonic to Panasonic only”.
@thomaskenne we’ve updated the information on the Skype Shop with the correct details.
@matee321 Mac will be supported later this year; again, I’ll check with the team as to why you can’t make 720p calls to Windows PCs.
Peter, I hope hear engineerings response as well. It doesn’t make any sense why TV to Windows can only do 640×480. I have an RMA with Panasonic on my camera as I’m planning to return it if that is truly a limitation. I hope you come back with the answer that this is just a bug.
Where can we report issues/bugs on the Skype for TV software? I have one issue and one bug. The sound from windows clients to the TV has very low volume even with the TV cranked all the way up. The windows clients hear me from my TV fine.
I think the inability to flip/inverse/mirror your own image is an issue. Its sort of mentally confusing when you move your hand to the right and on the screen your hand moves to the left. On Windows there is an option to easily change this.
thanks again.
I’ve installed the new Panasonic & Skype camera. do you know how or if I can put 4 way video with this? Would like to conference.
@don.barbieri This Panasonic+Skype solution is very limited and barely works with windows(see above) let alone linux or mac. There is no chance this will work at this time with a 4 way conference.
I would doubt the processor in the TV could handle such a heavy load.
I am also disappointed that Skype on Panasonic does not send/receive video between a Mac. All the people I skype with only use a Mac.
When or if a fix becomes available, will it will require an upgrade to Mac or TV Skype software?
Hello,
Is there any time line for releasing Skype for the LG TVs? I have an LE5500 that is Skepe ready. I just got the Netcast upgraded but Skype is not in yet.
Thanks
I there is any chance I can get the skype file app. since my new samsung UN55c8000 has it pre installed but doesn’t work at all.
Samsumg support doesn’t give me any solution for the issue.
Skype don’t even start!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’d like to reinstall the app manually via usb port.
thanks in advance.
So according to an IBIS world report, Skype has a market share of 1.5% of the $12.3 billion industry which is expected to reach $28.9 billion by 2015.
190 million consoles will be in households by 2012 according to TDG research. That’s weird because the census estimates only ~130 million households by 2009. So you have more gaming consoles than there are households, and you mean to tell me there is no business case for pushing skype on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, etc??? Don’t you want a bigger piece of the pie?? Come on! Get your market share! It’s free for the taking!
@Peter Parkes
I’m just curious to know, is there really development towards Skype on gaming consoles? If you look at the data, you’ll find that these consoles are becoming more and more family entertainment centers. I would love to be able to connect with family and friends via my PS3. I guess the fact that the Skype team has been so silent about it in general should answer my question.
I have a Samsung UN46C800 TV and the FREETALK for Samsung TV webcam. They both work great together. However, there is no way to zoom in the Skype App. This feature is really necessary because the camera on a TV is farther away from a subject than a webcam on a laptop computer. Since the camera is digital, this feature can be added to the Skype App. Features like this already exist in Skype software for Windows.
BTW, how can I see updates for the Skype App on Internet@TV?
we have a Panasonic TX-P42G20 with the official Panasonic Camera.
Like other people, I can only get video calling to work with a windows PC. If the other party is a Mac or a linux box, all I see is their avatar, and they get no video; moreover, my self-preview window is blank!
The quality of video sent by the TV’s camera is very good, I don’t know if it is 720p or not.
I don’t have any friends with a Panasonic to comment.
Overall then I am very disappointed and I would strongly recommend against buying the Panasonic Skype camera, £130 is a lot of money, you can buy one of those Acer Revos and connect it to the TV for not much more!
@speculatrix I’m sorry to hear you’re disappointed – we’ll add Mac support later this year. Thanks for your patience in the meantime.
@speculatrix The video quality you are sending is 640×480. This is called Skype HQ video. To get 1380×720 HD video, Panasonic has told me that both sides need to be using 2010 Panasonic G or VT series TVs. You will not find this documented anywhere, but I found out by spending a lot of time on the phone/email with Panasonic. It was disappointing enough that I sent my camera back as well.
If Panasonic and Skype come out with a better solution and maybe come out with a Skype Camera v2.0, I will be first in line to buy it.
BTW: You won’t be able to connect any other camera to the TV.
I bough a Samsung UA55C700 very recently and would like to know if Skype have some plan to integrate the conference function. Its mentionned on Skype website, you can participate but not initiate. Is there anyone who can give me news regarding the implementation of the conference function?
OK, but am I missing something here? You can already do this (and I do) very easily merely by plugging your computer into your tv. No need to buy a special TV. Only cost is one HDMI cable (or similar) and a possibly a cheap pc for the living room if you don’t already have one.
…… and of course any webcam/mike setup you like.
As a new customer to the digital video communication age can you help?
I have very recently p;urchased the Panasonic TX-L32D with the TY-CC10W camera. With this system I am able to converse with other Skype users but there are no video images from us to them and from them to us, in either the main image area or the small sender area on the screen. The camera activation light is also not illuminated.
Is there a way to test the camera, and what Im I doing wrong.
I have a new LG skype-enabled TV, but i can’t figure out
a) how to actually get skype on it
b) where to buy a webcam
The skype site has information on Panasonic and Samsung but little on LG. Any advice how how/if/when the LG software and hardware will be available?
@bernhard.anderson if you read above. only works when the other end is windows skype 4.2. OR to get HD video the other end must be another panasonic tv with skype camera.
@Peter Parkes
Hello,
I recently purchased a Samsung Bluray player and was told by the store that if I hooked my tv up to one of the webcams and used Samsung Apps via the bluray player it would be skype compatible. I would like to know which webcam I should purchase.
Thankk you.
Please provide an update on when the Panasonic TY-CC10W camera will support Skype for Macs. This is a real travesty for Panasonic and for Skype.
Peter Parkes. Is there an update on the ability to Skype from Panasonic TV to Mac since your last post on July 23?
Cheers
Chris
I wrote LG a few weeks ago asking about Skype on the Infinia line of TVs. This is their response:
We apologize that the implementation of Skype capability is taking longer than expected. We anticipate that this new service will be available on LG HDTVs in late October. We appreciate your patience.
how can I hook up a web camera to my Playstation 3 to use on my tv? do I need a special web camera, or can I get any kind and just plug it in???
What happened to LG support. It fell off the face of the earth……
Earlier in these comments it mentions volume problems using a Panasonic Viera TV with the Panasonic camera – we too cannot raise the volume above a medium/low setting when in Skype. Unfortunately we’ve set this up in our company’s boardroom and need to raise the volume. We’ve tried adding external ‘active’ speakers with their own voulume control – althought this works fine on the TV, as soon as a Skype call begins the sound is forced back to the internal TV speakers at the low volume setting. We asked Skype support but they said speak to the TV manufacturers (Panasonic). The Which magazine website comment on this: “…The maximum volume level of the TV is restricted during a Skype call to avoid unwanted audio feedback…” – where did they get this information? Is it true? How can we overcome it?
Have just bought a Samsung Webcam in New Zealand for my new Samsung C7000 TV. I was told by the retailer that it would work fine with Mac Skype users but now I find that the video does not work. I see from the comments on the Skype site that it is intended to support Mac “later this year” – any guide as to when this will be?
When will Skype panasonic tvs work with macs?
Hi, Peter Parkes
Is there any correction to update the problems below with TY-CC10W? This is important to me and all the users, thanks a lot !
1. Can’t send vedio while Skype is not version 4.2 on PC
2. The pixle can’t up to 720p while the other end is PC user
Furthermore, I find that the vedio is in a Mirror, which means something at my right hand side are displayed at the left hand side on the TV. Could this have an alternative to select in the future?
I am an officer in the US Military and am stationed away from my family. I bought this TV with the intention of Skyping with my family in order to stay in touch. The TV would be the perfect device for a videoconference with a young child because the experience would be more comfortable than sitting “still” in front of a laptop computer. I also own an Apple Macbook Pro and until now, had no idea why this just wouldn’t work! Is the issue with the TV, the camera or the Skype software? I see that there is a plan to develop a solution but no estimated release date. Is there any workaround? I would really like to leverage the capabilities that Skype, Panasonic and Apple provide.
I would REALLLY like Skype/Panasonic/Apple to work together.
Hi, Peter Parkes
While I watching TV with my home theater amp, the sound can be send to 5.1ch from optical channel, but I can’t do this under the skype mode with TY-CC10W. Please kindly check it, thank you!