The Big Blog

mander_mi commented Tuesday, May 18

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!

cvandend commented Wednesday, May 19

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.

duncan.innes commented Wednesday, May 19

"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.

cverducano commented Wednesday, May 19

Any hopes that Skype sofware will be available as an update for the Sony Bravia Internet Video Link?

Thanks

dave47mack commented Thursday, May 20

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?

dj_siek commented Saturday, May 22

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

Peter Parkes commented Monday, May 24

@dave47mack you’ll have to ask LG about that I’m afraid

mike.galicki commented Tuesday, May 25

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.

Peter Parkes commented Wednesday, May 26

@mike.galicki the 5.X betas aren’t currently compatible with Skype-enabled TVs – the latest 4.X version should work just fine though

mike.galicki commented Tuesday, Jun 1

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?

mike.galicki commented Friday, Jun 4

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.

carriestephen commented Monday, Jun 7

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?

carriestephen commented Monday, Jun 7

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.

carriestephen commented Monday, Jun 7

*** 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.

Peter Parkes commented Monday, Jun 7

@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.

carriestephen commented Monday, Jun 7

Thank you very much.

neil_gilroy commented Tuesday, Jun 8

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?

thomaskenne commented Friday, Jun 18

@Peter Parkes
Hi Peter, has the TV team reported anything back? I have a very eager daughter waiting to video skype with her grandfather

matee321 commented Friday, Jun 18

@ Peter Parkes
Do you think Mac will be supported in the future? With this camera?
Is Panasonic to PC limit of 640x480 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".

Peter Parkes commented Saturday, Jun 19

@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.

mike.galicki commented Monday, Jun 21

Peter, I hope hear engineerings response as well. It doesn't make any sense why TV to Windows can only do 640x480. 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.

don.barbieri commented Monday, Jun 21

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.

mike.galicki commented Tuesday, Jun 22

@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.

jessicaandneil commented Wednesday, Jun 23

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?

eugarta commented Monday, Jun 28

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

bergenio commented Monday, Jul 5

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.

ijivanjee commented Wednesday, Jul 7

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!

ijivanjee commented Wednesday, Jul 7

@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.

marcweissman commented Thursday, Jul 22

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?

speculatrix commented Friday, Jul 23

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!

Peter Parkes commented Friday, Jul 23

@speculatrix I’m sorry to hear you’re disappointed – we’ll add Mac support later this year. Thanks for your patience in the meantime.

mike.galicki commented Friday, Jul 23

@speculatrix The video quality you are sending is 640x480. This is called Skype HQ video. To get 1380x720 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.

localsuper commented Monday, Aug 2

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?

david.helen.b commented Monday, Aug 9

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.

david.helen.b commented Monday, Aug 9

...... and of course any webcam/mike setup you like.

bernhard.anderson commented Tuesday, Aug 10

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.

jeff.vogel commented Wednesday, Aug 11

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?

mike.galicki commented Friday, Aug 13

@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.

callie.bisset commented Wednesday, Aug 18

@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.

joserotger commented Thursday, Aug 26

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.

cristee48 commented Sunday, Aug 29

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

russ.seligman commented Wednesday, Sep 1

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.

caleb.e.preston commented Monday, Sep 27

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???

danboyd03 commented Monday, Sep 27

What happened to LG support. It fell off the face of the earth......

jim.scott30 commented Friday, Oct 1

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?

phil.norman commented Sunday, Oct 3

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?

sangeethperuri commented Thursday, Oct 7

When will Skype panasonic tvs work with macs?

chen.sarina95 commented Friday, Oct 8

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?

tailorrmade commented Friday, Oct 8

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.

chen.sarina95 commented Monday, Oct 11

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!

louiseandpeterheapy commented Wednesday, Oct 13

Any up date on the Panasonic to Mac video problem ?
The only reason we bought a Panasonic was to use Skype to my daughter who has a Mac.

Will we be able to see video if she partioins her drive and runs windows ?

louiseandpeterheapy commented Thursday, Oct 14

Well we tried video calling my daughters friend, who has a Mac with a partioned drive and running windows on it. The 2 Macs can communicate with video, but we still dont have video between the Panasonic tv and the Mac with the partioned drive running windows . Is it a problem with the Panasonic camera, or the software in the tv ?
I could always get a different camera.

matee321 commented Thursday, Oct 14

Hey,
Any updates regarding HQ TV (Pana) to PC? The product has been out for a while now...
Also Skype 5 just went out of beta, any eta on compatibility update?

paolocremasco commented Monday, Oct 18

Before buying the camera, I tested a Panasonic G series TV in the store. My coworker was running an Logitech HD PC camera on his desktop. Video call placed to computer successfully and received video call from computer successfully!! Simply amazing!!

ronscantlin commented Wednesday, Oct 27

any thoughts on developing a "widget(app)" for the Samsungs so the 2009 crowd can enjoy skype too? If you could pull that off, that would be great!

davy65 commented Saturday, Oct 30

Be AWARE that no Samsung plasma series tv,s will work as skype is not available for them dues to the fact of hardware limitations. I bought the camera and just found out the hard one

ore-kalgoorlie commented Thursday, Nov 4

Just bought the viera as we want to do video conferencing. Like everyone else we have been foiled by it not being mac compatible. Very dissapointing, will be taking the TV back. It would be nice if stores were alerted of this problem so when they sell the TV's the ask what your using (guess its not skype problems though, will definitely be complaining to panasonic)

jamesgangcreative commented Sunday, Nov 7

No MAC support yet for my $180 Panasonic G20 Camera? It's "by the end of the year" according to posts here, from June and July. Only 63 days till 2011? What do I do with this $200 minus $20 camera gathering dust on the tv?

jamesgangcreative commented Sunday, Nov 7

It appears that since there has been no updates on MAC an Panasonic and Skype working since July, we are all out of luck and sitting on very expensive cameras that even Best Buy had no idea wouldn't work with a MAC.

aussieowen commented Friday, Nov 12

I was talked into getting the new 65 inch Pana with Skype, Skype is my main tool of communicating with my kids when away. Nothing anywhere I saw told me it would not work with a MAC until I found this forum after having problems. We have even had the Pana tech people try to tell me its because my internet is slow....its the highest speed telstra sell so thats not the issue. Looks like they have no idea either.

Now we have a $200 piece of plastic thats useless on top of the telly and I wasted an extra couple of grand getting the new model for Skype that does not work, pretty annoyed now.

Any news on when it may work would be nice or do I take it all back to the store ? In Australia we are well protected under consumer plans so when I get home, if there is no fix the entire package can go back tot he shop and they can deal with it....

magpi1990 commented Sunday, Nov 14

Like ronscantlin above ( Wed Oct 27) I'd love to see a Skype widget for my Series 7 2009 Samsung. I've just added Twitter and Facebook as services. It surely is within the realm of possibility to add Skype rather than buy another TV.

chen.sarina95 commented Monday, Nov 15

It seems that Skype version 5.0 is workable for the vedio.

malber2000 commented Tuesday, Nov 23

Like (seemingly) everyone else, I'm pissed that mac skype isn't supported on my new G20. I'm more pissed that no one at Panasonic, Best Buy, or Skype was up front with this information prior to my purchase.

But maybe worse is the vague "later this year" promises from Skype/Peter Parkes. I know you don't need my business, but you're going to lose it soon.

pdx-bce commented Saturday, Dec 4

Any plans for VIZIO tv's to be enabled with Skype?
I've got all these usb ports and broadband connection waiting to Skype on. Any chance for real?

Thx

brandnew412 commented Tuesday, Dec 7

Love the TV to PC calling feature on the Samsung, only problem is the Mac compatibility, its been alomost six or seven months, whats the deal?

steffen.mautz commented Saturday, Dec 11

There are several Samsung Bluray players and hometheater systems which bring TV@internet to any screen or beamer. e.g. BD-C8900S, DB-C8500
Is it possible to use Skype over TV@internet with such players? Do they recognize webcam and micro over their buildin USB connectors.

Any comment might be helpful.

Thank you
Steffen

markmisa commented Tuesday, Dec 14

The reviews on the FREETALK camera have not been that great. I bought the Samsung 7000 series TV for the Skype feature but now hesitant to buy a subpar camera especially if a better quality version will be out in the near future. Are there any plans for a HD camera that is compatible with the Samsung TVs?

chymx2 commented Saturday, Dec 25

This all sounds like a disaster. Pretty sad to launch such a half baked product, did anyone test it before giving it the green light. It sounds awesome in concept and absolutely want a set up like this . Maybe next year they will have their act together.

randieju commented Thursday, Dec 30

I bought an ANVC200 Skype certified camera for LG HDTV. How come the skype site does not have any reference of this camera at all. i only see camera reference for Panasonic and Samsung. I also heard that Skppe is now available in the USA but for some licensing issue its not yet implemented inhere Europe.. This has been advertised since the start of 2010 and now we are entering 2011.. Really Frustrasting. !!

loony2nz commented Monday, Jan 10

I am having my Panasonic GT25 50" plasma delivered soon to my house. I'm wondering if I can use just any webcam with the TV or am I pigeonholed with Panny's proprietary webcam? (speaking of which..is the panny webcam usable on a pc/laptop?)

shermerville commented Friday, Jan 21

Can we please get an update on a release date for Mac compatibility with the FreeTalk camera and the corresponding Samsung Tv's.
Thanks.

attichitcuk commented Saturday, Jan 22

I purchased an LG 60" in the Spring of 2010. The Skype feature was one of the main. Selling points. After waiting 8 months for any word on LG enabling that feature and releasing the camera, I now find out there is no Apple video compatibility. Everyone I Skype with is on Macs and iPhones but all I get is the avatar and audio. So frustrating. The biggest growth potential for Skype is the mobile space but they are leaving out the biggest mobile device.

derekduhon commented Sunday, Feb 6

Peter,

From the previous comments on this blog, I realize I'm not alone with my problem. I have the Panasonic G20 tv with the TY-CC10W camera, and Skype works well with a PC, but audio only with a MAC. Has there been any progress on a fix for this? Also, is it possible to update Skype software on a tv?

Thank you,
Derek Duhon

Peter Parkes commented Monday, Feb 7

@derekduhon and others – the latest version of Skype for Mac now supports video calls to/from TVs. Make sure your friends and family are using that version.

To update Skype software on your TV, please contact the TV manufacturer – they’re responsible for the software.

Hope that helps!

localsuper commented Monday, Feb 14

I have the same setup as jim.scott30 but also the same issue. The volume doesn't go louder than 30. Does anyone have a fix/solution for this issue?

nfreddi commented Tuesday, Feb 22

I have a Panasonic TV with it's skype HD camera + High Performance PC with C910 Logitech camera (capable of close to 30fps HD video call).

My problem is the PC doesn't seem to be able to send HD 720p to the Panasonic TV but it works fine to another PC. Panasonic TV sends HD fine to PC.

Panasonic uses h264 coding, and C910 doesn't use h264. How can i get PC to send 720p to Panasonic TV???? I did pay ALOT for these components, tv cam etc.... VERY DISAPPOINTED IF IT WONT WORK!

Help please.

james.gilchrist123 commented Sunday, Mar 6

Hi - I recently purchased a Samsung LN46C750R2F 3d LCD TV with internet apps - any chance there will be a skype solution (skype app and approved camera) for this TV? I've been trying to find this out with not much luck. Thanks in advance!

comon_joao.cancio commented Wednesday, Mar 16

Is Skype available for this Samsung Model: LE32C650?
Or will it be available through a Samsung App? Or a blu-ray player?

Thanks.