Filed under: Software, Hacks, Internet Tools
Skype reveals how to place high-quality Mac video calls
Skype's developer site shows you how to hack your settings to place 640x480-pixel video calls. If you feel comfortable editing XML files, then download a copy of Skype verison 2.5.0.85 or newer. Pop over to your Application Support folder (in your personal library) and navigate down to Skype and the folder inside with your personal skype name. Open the config.xml file you'll find inside and add the following two attributes: <CaptureWidth>640</CaptureWidth> and <CaptureHeight>480</CaptureHeight>. Save your changes, launch Skype and place your video call. The receiving party should receive video at 640x480 resolution rather than the standard 320x240. For somewhat obvious reasons, don't perform this hack unless (a) you know what you're doing; and (b) you're going to chat with a very good bandwidth connection.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
KSB said 11:07AM on 2-01-2007
could someone help me with my webcam issue?
My isight camera is hoocked to my Apple HD screen and when I have a conversation with people by cam quality is crap. It started after version 2.0.0.3 and hasn't been fixed in the new 2.5 edition
:'(
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Fredster said 12:14PM on 2-01-2007
And with which program are you supposed to open it with? Just so i get it right....:)
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Julian Berry said 12:20PM on 2-01-2007
What sort of speeds would one classify as "a very good bandwidth connection"?
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Fredster said 12:21PM on 2-01-2007
Nevermind, i'm such a noob!:) It just says it there in the link provided how it's done! Thanks!
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Earl said 12:39PM on 2-01-2007
I used to use Skype but since they were purchased by Ebay and will now charge for what once was a free item I say no thanks. Skype made money before (lots of it) and now Ebay wants to make even more to prop up their failing auction site. No Thanks. Find another sucker.
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prou said 2:06PM on 2-01-2007
How do Skype video and voice compare to iChat?
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Carniphage said 2:35PM on 2-01-2007
The nice thing about Skype is that it works through pretty much any firewall. iChat is really fussy and fails to work. I wish Apple could mirror the robustness of Skype.
C.
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ThePete said 2:35PM on 2-01-2007
Anyone know if this new version will allow video conferences with more than one other Skype user at a time?
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Jason said 3:24PM on 2-01-2007
To #5,
I tested Skype video with a friend in New York. I'm in Oregon, so there's plenty of relay points to potentially bog down connection speeds and video/audio quality along the way.
Without a doubt, the Skype video was much, much better than iChat video. The picture was clearer, audio was better and the Skype video, when resized to half-screen, was awesome. (We were both using 15" MacBook Pros with Core 2 Duo and built-in iSight cameras.)
Too bad I only have one contact who also uses Skype, otherwise I could see using Skype more often. The video is great.
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KSB said 3:45PM on 2-01-2007
This tip fixed the damn isight kvality problem! it's amazing how buggy this software is and they on purpose made the skype with isight at a lower broadcast quality.
Thank you Tuaw for fixing this, been writing to Skype lame Indian support, with only idiotic replies. Yet again a reason NOT move all your IT industry to india....
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Schmeric said 3:17AM on 2-02-2007
hi there, where exactly am i supposed to insert the two new nodes? the structure is rather complex and i don't want to try adding it to every single subnode. ;)
regards.
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ive said 3:22PM on 2-03-2007
Skype now use core video the app.
Check this out:
In your main skype window (address list)
click on the clock icon top right.
This is your call history.
Now see the annimation of it.
Here is my movie of it:
http://vanwilligen.nl/skype.mp4
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Rick Jones said 6:12PM on 2-03-2007
Any way to use this trick for other applications?
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