SKYPE frustration
Aug 1st 2010 | 9:37 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Retired and loving it!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,211
From: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
SKYPE frustration
A friend needs to be able to use SKYPE video call but can't get sensible answers from Telefonica or Movistar.
Before choosing an ADSL option, we need to know how much data is downloaded when making 2-way video calls. Only then can we decide to go for an unlimited option or not.
At the moment our friends use our WI-FI connection but we notice a major drop in response time on the other PC's as soon as they connect. This tends me to believe that SKYPE video is quite hungry.
Also, would it be best to go for a 'memory stick' solution or a fixed-line solution? Which would be best?
Before choosing an ADSL option, we need to know how much data is downloaded when making 2-way video calls. Only then can we decide to go for an unlimited option or not.
At the moment our friends use our WI-FI connection but we notice a major drop in response time on the other PC's as soon as they connect. This tends me to believe that SKYPE video is quite hungry.
Also, would it be best to go for a 'memory stick' solution or a fixed-line solution? Which would be best?
Aug 1st 2010 | 9:52 pm
#2
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,231
From: Granada Costa
Re: SKYPE frustration
It doesn't matter how fast your download speed is, on most ADSL connections the upload speed is usually limited to about 300kb/s.
That's what determines the quality of the video as you can't download it at one end faster than you can upload it at the other.
The amount of data using video will depend on the settings for the camera - resolution and frame rate but it's going to be a lot of data.
That's what determines the quality of the video as you can't download it at one end faster than you can upload it at the other.
The amount of data using video will depend on the settings for the camera - resolution and frame rate but it's going to be a lot of data.
Last edited by Fred James; Aug 1st 2010 at 11:38 pm.
Aug 1st 2010 | 9:56 pm
#3
Thread Starter
Retired and loving it!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,211
From: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
Re: SKYPE frustration
For example, if I have a download limit of (say) 2Mb/month and Skype video uses 1Mb/hour then I can only make 2 hours of calls/month before exceeding my limit.
What I need to know is what is the usage so that I can do this calculation.
Aug 1st 2010 | 9:58 pm
#4
Started off with nothing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,987
Re: SKYPE frustration
By "memory stick", I presume you mean a dongle? A fixed line will almost certainly give better bandwidth / connection speed.
If you tell us what vidoe camera we might be able to give you a better estimate.
If you tell us what vidoe camera we might be able to give you a better estimate.
Last edited by missile; Aug 1st 2010 at 10:02 pm.
Aug 1st 2010 | 10:12 pm
#5
Thread Starter
Retired and loving it!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,211
From: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
Re: SKYPE frustration
it's only a VGA camera, so no real 'quality' to the video.
Aug 1st 2010 | 11:11 pm
#6
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,231
From: Granada Costa
Re: SKYPE frustration
I had a quick look at some of the Skype forums and the answer to your question seem to depend on many factors but a good figure seems to be about 120mb/hour of video chat.
It does seem difficult to pin down a figure unless you try it and measure the data used.
This Google seach brought up a lot of info:-
http://www.google.es/search?rlz=1C1G...+video+chat%3F
It does seem difficult to pin down a figure unless you try it and measure the data used.
This Google seach brought up a lot of info:-
http://www.google.es/search?rlz=1C1G...+video+chat%3F
Aug 1st 2010 | 11:15 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,912
From: Puente Esuri
Re: SKYPE frustration
A friend needs to be able to use SKYPE video call but can't get sensible answers from Telefonica or Movistar.
Before choosing an ADSL option, we need to know how much data is downloaded when making 2-way video calls. Only then can we decide to go for an unlimited option or not.
At the moment our friends use our WI-FI connection but we notice a major drop in response time on the other PC's as soon as they connect. This tends me to believe that SKYPE video is quite hungry.
Also, would it be best to go for a 'memory stick' solution or a fixed-line solution? Which would be best?
Before choosing an ADSL option, we need to know how much data is downloaded when making 2-way video calls. Only then can we decide to go for an unlimited option or not.
At the moment our friends use our WI-FI connection but we notice a major drop in response time on the other PC's as soon as they connect. This tends me to believe that SKYPE video is quite hungry.
Also, would it be best to go for a 'memory stick' solution or a fixed-line solution? Which would be best?
Aug 1st 2010 | 11:35 pm
#9
Started off with nothing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,987
Re: SKYPE frustration
How much bandwidth does Skype use while I'm in a call?
Skype automatically selects the best codec depending on the connection between yourself and the person you are calling. On average, Skype uses between 3-16 kilobytes/sec depending on bandwidth available for other party, network conditions in between, callers CPU performance, etc.
How much bandwidth does Skype use when there are no active calls?
On average Skype uses 0-0.5 kilobytes/sec while idle. This is used mainly for contact presence updates. The exact bandwidth depends on many factors.
Can I change the resolution of my video bandwidth?
Video and call quality may vary greatly in environments with conditions below those recommendations. The codec and resolution of the video is automatically selected depends on the hardware used by callers, the connectivity and bandwidth . It is not possible to change these options and as they vary, it is not possible to give estimations about the used bandwidth during a video call.
Skype automatically selects the best codec depending on the connection between yourself and the person you are calling. On average, Skype uses between 3-16 kilobytes/sec depending on bandwidth available for other party, network conditions in between, callers CPU performance, etc.
How much bandwidth does Skype use when there are no active calls?
On average Skype uses 0-0.5 kilobytes/sec while idle. This is used mainly for contact presence updates. The exact bandwidth depends on many factors.
Can I change the resolution of my video bandwidth?
Video and call quality may vary greatly in environments with conditions below those recommendations. The codec and resolution of the video is automatically selected depends on the hardware used by callers, the connectivity and bandwidth . It is not possible to change these options and as they vary, it is not possible to give estimations about the used bandwidth during a video call.
Aug 1st 2010 | 11:48 pm
#11
Started off with nothing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,987
Re: SKYPE frustration
Video is pretty good on mine. Shame I am not more photogenic! I would suggest it depends on the quality of your camera and your available bandwidth.
I use a Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC6
Just checked my connection at http://www.speedtest.net/
8.53Mbps download and 0.8Mbps upload.
I use a Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC6
Just checked my connection at http://www.speedtest.net/
8.53Mbps download and 0.8Mbps upload.
Aug 1st 2010 | 11:52 pm
#12
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,231
From: Granada Costa
Re: SKYPE frustration
I think it's your high upload speed - the best I get is 250.
It's not so much the quality of the picture (my camera is a Logitech 4000 pro which is pretty good) its the jerkiness and delay on the picture relative to the speech.
I'm certain its all down to the bandwidth.
It's not so much the quality of the picture (my camera is a Logitech 4000 pro which is pretty good) its the jerkiness and delay on the picture relative to the speech.
I'm certain its all down to the bandwidth.
Aug 1st 2010 | 11:55 pm
#13
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,156
From: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Re: SKYPE frustration
This is mine and video on the laptop to and from BC Canada is fine. 
Aug 1st 2010 | 11:56 pm
#14
Started off with nothing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,987
Re: SKYPE frustration
I would suggest your neighbours are being a little inconsiderate using video on your internet connection.
Our neighbours asked to use our internet connection, "unfortunately" we have a wired router which does not accept wi fi. Then they asked to connect to our dish. They were surprised when we told them we use all four connections from the transponder and told them to get their own dish.
Our neighbours asked to use our internet connection, "unfortunately" we have a wired router which does not accept wi fi. Then they asked to connect to our dish. They were surprised when we told them we use all four connections from the transponder and told them to get their own dish.
Aug 1st 2010 | 11:59 pm
#15
Started off with nothing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,987
Re: SKYPE frustration
I think it's your high upload speed - the best I get is 250.
It's not so much the quality of the picture (my camera is a Logitech 4000 pro which is pretty good) its the jerkiness and delay on the picture relative to the speech.
I'm certain its all down to the bandwidth.
It's not so much the quality of the picture (my camera is a Logitech 4000 pro which is pretty good) its the jerkiness and delay on the picture relative to the speech.
I'm certain its all down to the bandwidth.
