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Questions - FAQ Also check our Video Calls FAQ Page !!! - HERE Setting up 640x480 video for Skype Q: How do I set Skype for 640x480 Video Calls for Windows Q: How do I set Skype for 640x480 Video Calls for Mac VSky / Actiontec Q: Where do I get ActionTec Internet Phone Wizard Drivers ? Security Q: Is a Skype conversation secure ? General FAQ Q: Can Skype call regular Landline Telephones ? Q: Can I, and How do I use my home Cordless Phone with Skype ? Q: How do I use PhoneConnector with Skype ? Q: Does Skype for Windows have command line options ? Q: Can I use Skype over a modem ? Q: How do I save my Skype contacts so I can reinstall or use them on another machine? Q: There are some connection settings in Skype. Should I change them ? Q: Where can I get more help with Skype? Q: How do I test my Internet Speed ? Q: How fast does my Internet Connection have to be ? Q: Do I need to configure my firewall ? Q: Can I use Skype over a Wireless connection ? Q: Can I use Skype on a PocketPC handheld ? Q: Can I use Skype at my office behind a Firewall or Proxy server ? Q: How do I set Skype for 640x480 Video Calls for Windows 1. Close Skype - Make sure you have the latest version. 2. Open "config.xml" with notepad which is found in "C:\Documents and Settings\your_windows_user_name\Application Data\Skype\your_skype_name 3. Find <Video> and add the following 3 lines above and below your webcam entry <Video>
<CaptureHeight>480</CaptureHeight>
<CaptureWidth>640</CaptureWidth>
<Device>Quickcam Pro for Notebooks</Device>
<Fps>25</Fps>
</Video>
It is HIGHLY recommended you use a Duo Core PC when using 640x480 video for fast frame rate. Q: How do I set Skype for 640x480 Video Calls for Mac 1. Close Skype - Make sure you have the latest version. 2. Open "config.xml" which is found in ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/your_skype_name/". Go to your Home folder, and then the Library folder, then Application Support, then Skype. 3. Find <Video> and add the following 2 lines above your webcam entry <Video>
<CaptureWidth>640</CaptureWidth>
<CaptureHeight>480</CaptureHeight>
<Device>Built-in iSight</Device>
</Video>
It is HIGHLY recommended you use a Duo Core Mac when using 640x480 video for fast frame rate. When you first call someone using the ActionTec IPW, you get an IM message that advertises the device "Did you know you just talked to me on ....". There are two (2) methods you can use to deal with this to block or change the message. 1. Use a Hex Editor and change the wording in IPW.EXE to whatever you want it to be. Be sure you use the same length string - you can fill it with spaces or your own message. I use the "XVI32" Hex Editor. Be sure to close the IPW app. 2. Populate the "userconf" file found in the "\Program Files\ActionTec Internet Phone Wizard" with all your users. If the name exists the message will not appear. Use the same format already in the file. * Thanks to Neil Lindsey for finding the files and testing this for us. Q: Where do I get ActionTec Internet Phone Wizard Drivers ? The Actiontec Internet Phone Wizard has three versions currently out. The older UP100 and UP101 are Green and Cream. The newest version which ships with the Skype functionality and CDROM is Blue and Cream. Turn the unit over to read the model number. You can also tell by the LED's that read the following:
The older UP101 when you install the software and reboot will do a firmware upgrade and work just fine. Tech Support tells me the UP 100 is NOT upgradeable. Read the Manual page 24 on installing the drivers and using the IPW. Here are the latest ActionTec drivers/App (version 1.2.0.5) for the older and newer UP101: “Warning – this may not work on some units – Upgrade the Green Box at your own risk as the unit may be rendered useless after attempting an upgrade.” Q: Is a Skype conversation secure ? Skype uses AES 256-bit encryption which is impossible to crack with present computer technology. The encryption keys are unique for each transfer and not stored by SKYPE. But beware if you are using SKYPE to call a normal landline or a cell phone – that phone can of course be tapped by others. Q: Can Skype call regular Landline Telephones ? Skype has a pay per use service called "SkypeOut" that allows you to use Skype on a PC to call any regular telephone or or cell phone in the world. Costs vary, but it is very cheap and I use it to call friends when I do not have a Cell signal or to check my voicemail. I highly recommend this service and use it regularly. Q: Can I, and How do I use my home Cordless Phone with Skype ? There are a couple adapters that you can buy that allow you to hook up a typical Cordless Phone to your PC and make Skype calls anywhere in your home. You are not tied to the PC headset. I use and recommend the PhoneConnector device and the ActionTec Internet Phone Wizard that can be found on the following links:
For some tips on settings: Q: How do I use PhoneConnector with Skype ? Here is a link to the Skype FAQ for Phone Connector. Q: Does Skype for Windows have command line options ?
Q: Can I use Skype over a modem ? We have tested Skype over a 56K modem dial-up connection and it did function. It was no where near as clear as a high-speed connection, but it does work. Q: How do I save my Skype contacts so I can reinstall or use them on another machine ? You can back up the following directory onto a floppy, CD, or Zip drive for use on other systems
Q: There are some connection settings in Skype. Should I change them ? Skype can use ports other than the default so that it has a "work anywhere" configuration. To set the ports to ...do the following:
This will set Skype to use two well known ports, 80 HTTP and 443 HTTPS which are open in virtually all environments. Q: Where can I get more help with Skype? You can find more answers and support for Skype on the Skype Forums. Q: How do I test my Internet Speed ? There are many sites on the Internet to test your Internet connection speed, but the one I like best as it gives both Upload and Download speeds is:
We have also provided VisualWare's "MySpeed" testing application. It gives you upload and download speeds AND tests your Voice over IP (VoIP) capability. Another speed testing application we recently discovered from Robin Good's email list. Q: How fast does my Internet Connection have to be ? In order for Personal Video Conferencing or Video Calls to work you should have a high-speed connection of at least 128Kbps Upload and 500Kbps download speeds. This is a general target we tell people to shoot for or when troubleshooting for performance issues. It will obviously work over faster connections, but may have delays over slower connections. Do not try a Video Call over a modem. You will not be happy with the quality and the connection will disconnect regularly. Skype requires much less if that is all you are running. Q: Do I need to configure my firewall ? If you are using Skype and MSN Messenger for Video Calls, you do not need to configure anything for a software or hardware router. Q: Can I use Skype over a Wireless connection ? If you have a Wireless 802.11a,b or g home network or are in a hotel or Wireless hotspot that has Wireless high-speed Internet access you can use this solution just fine. Make sure you have at least a 50% signal strength and the upload speed is adequate for the task. 128Kbps upload and 500Kbps download. Q: Can I use Skype on a PocketPC handheld ? Skype works well on the PocketPC 2003 platform. You must have a 400Mhz XScale processor and 128Meg RAM for Skype to work, so newer PocketPC's running PPC 2003 only. Though Skype is testing a solution for non-XScale processors. Q: Can I use Skype at my office behind a Firewall or Proxy server ? If you want to use Skype at your office, you may be able to if your network is configured to allow the use of Skype. One thing that should be checked is if you are using a Proxy Server in your office. If you are, you will need to specify the specific name of the Proxy Server and do not use the "Automatically Detect Settings" and do not use "Use automatic configuration script". To find and change these settings, go to:
Skype will now use the Proxy Server and should work if this traffic is allowed in your office. You can play with these settings to see what combination works for your office network. You may be able to have all three items selected as these settings are not a concern when you are not behind a company firewall like at home or a hotel. |
Recommended Books:
Everything you needed to know about the popular Voice over IP / Telephony application 'Skype' by Michael Gough.
Everything you needed to know about Personal Video Conferencing by Michael Gough. Includes Skype 2.0!
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