HD video calls with Skype coming soon
With the right gear, you’ll soon be able to make Skype video calls in 720p HD. The latest beta version of Skype for Windows now supports HD-quality video (1280 x 720 resolution at up to 30 frames per second), giving you an even smoother and richer video calling experience than ever before.
To make an HD video call using Skype, you’ll need to have:
- a high-speed broadband connection (we recommend sustained 1 Mbps symmetrical bandwidth or higher)
- a new HD webcam
- a PC with a 1.8 GHz processor
- Skype 4.2 Beta for Windows
New HD webcams are due to arrive in stores soon – we’re working with faceVsion and In Store Solutions on three Skype Certified webcams that will be optimised for HD video calling.
In addition, we anticipate that other manufacturers will collaborate with Skype to develop and distribute new HD webcams later this year. They’ll all be available from the Skype Shop in due course – watch this space for details.
How does it work?
In order to make HD video calling available to as many people as possible, the new HD webcams handle the video encoding and processing onboard. This removes the need for a high-performance computer to encode the HD video.
HD on your TV too
Skype had other exciting news today at CES – we’ve just announced that LG and Panasonic will begin selling Skype-enabled TVs. The televisions from both of these manufacturers will support HD video too, when they hit the streets in spring 2010.
kazotaja commented Tuesday, Jan 5
Now... How about rolling out at least a fancy 2.9 for Mac with "regular" high quality video? Been waiting for years now.
hpka22 commented Tuesday, Jan 5
I have a Microsoft Lifecam Cinema. Will it be supported?
Glad to hear the news!
omegavitae commented Tuesday, Jan 5
HD skype is also available if you have high quality webcam supporting HD720 like logitech qc9000 pro and good cpu what is almost any new like dual core one...
anton.bielousov commented Wednesday, Jan 6
Great news! One question: will you enable high resolution for MacOS on MacBook Pro in future versions?
The point is that they now have 1.3MP cameras but default API downstreams video to 640x480. Can we hope this won't avoid you?
philrack_minequest commented Saturday, Jan 23
In regards to offering HD quality video via Skype, it would be a nice feature to be able to use a point & shoot (like a Canon SD 960) that can do 1280x720 video. I use a Canon 480 and it does 640x480 incredibly well using the AV output. With a glass lens and good electronics, many of these cameras have an advantage over a webcam because if its multiple use.
mitch.net commented Monday, Feb 22
Hey! look at this, here a simple (and free) software to enable/force/configure Skype to send high quality video (HQ/HD), even if you didn't bought an expensive webcam and a dual-core CPU.
You may also send any custom resolution 16/9 or 4/3, at any refresh rate, or even Full HD 1080 : the unofficial Skype Full-HD !!!
Here is the link:
http://www.nodewave.com/software/ForceSkypeHQVideo
tyler.boodman commented Sunday, Mar 14
if they have skype for PSP why don't you guys come out with skype for the Sony PS3. it probebly will be really good with the PSEye camera!
tyler.boodman commented Sunday, Mar 14
if they have skype for PSP why don't you guys come out with skype for the Sony PS3. it probebly will be really good with the PSEye camera!
tyler.boodman commented Sunday, Mar 14
if they have skype for PSP why don't you guys come out with skype for the Sony PS3. it probebly will be really good with the PSEye camera!
tyler.boodman commented Sunday, Mar 14
a good webcam for skype is the Microsoft LifeCam it has 16:9 video with 30.00fps and 720p video.
remis.wpb commented Monday, Mar 29
HD on my computer? Ok..sounds good but that's more of the same..do something different..give me Skype for my PS3 and give HD on my TV..that would be really awesome
aboyd72il commented Monday, Apr 5
No one cares about Mac or Linux. They have like single digit market share. No one in there right minds would dedicate a lot resources to it. Don't get me wrong. Mac and Linux are great platforms but the number of users compared to Windows OS is so small and resources are so tight that Skype has to focus on the largest user base. Sorry. Majority rules.
mikewolf051 commented Tuesday, Oct 19
I don't get it. I got everything needed, including the recommended webcam and STILL can't get the video resolution past 640x480.
claudio_enjoy commented Tuesday, Feb 28
When is it possible in Linux (Ubuntu) to calling 720p or 1080p resolution ???