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Jan 16, 2006

Skype released out of BETA a few days ago version 2.0 that adds Video to a Skype call.  There are a few more minor updates, but video is the BIG change.  Now Skype can make full blown Video Calls !

So what do I think of the new version and Video?

Video Quality:

Skype uses a well known video codec from On2.  On2 powers applications like Macromedia Flash for your browser.  The quality of the image is very good.  The frame rate is currently only 15 fps, but should improve over time. 

Bandwidth:

The bandwidth that Skype uses for a Video Call is also very low, ranging from 40Kbps to 75Kbps for both upload and download each direction.  So should work well over slower DSL and wireless connections.

Screen size:

Skype allows you three options for screen size:

• Video in Call Tab

• Video in Window - drag to the size you want

• Full Screen Video - Fills the screen

Disappointments:

There are three things that are disappointing to me about version 2.0.

1. Picture-in-picture (what you see of yourself) is way too small.

2. Switching between audio devices for a Video Call is not easy

3. Windows only version - lack of Windows to MAc Video Call solutions (Use SightSpeed, it rocks)

Rating:

We have rated many Video Call solutions on our sister website www.VideoCallTips.com.  You can see we gave Skype 2.0 Video a rating of:

InternetVisitation rates this a - 12345  (Windows)

Summary:

Skype did an 'OK' job with their first release of the Video Call option.  The picture-in-picture is pathetically small to be useful to tell if you are in focus to the other party or be able to see anything you are holding up for the other party to see.  If you use Video Calls with children and people with less than perfect vision, the picture-in-picture is basically worthless as you can not adjust the size.  This makes it very difficult to truly interact with the other party in the Video Call.  Skype gets a '4' out of '5' rating and if you want my opinion... use Video4IM if you want a better picture-in-picture option or MSN Messenger with Skype for the audio.  Hopefully Skype will fix these two major issues in upcoming versions.  Of course Mac users want Video as well.

So use Skype 2.0 for Video Calls where you can and something else when you need to truly interact.

I hope this article helps you with your decision to select a Video Call solution.

send me your comments:  

MG