On Tuesday, Skype announced that its latest beta for Windows (version 4.2) will support High Definition Video calling. To be more specific users will now be able to enjoy 720p HD video at 1024 x 768 pixels and a frame rate of upto 30 fps.
Ofcourse, you will need to have a HD webcam. Skype is working with faceVsion and In Store Solutions to make ‘Skype certified’ HD webcams, which will handle video encoding and processing, are due to be released in 2010. They are expected to cost anywhere between $69 and $140 and will be availabe on SkypeShop. You wil also need a 1.8 GHz dual core processor and a HIGH speed internet connection (Skype recommends a 1Mbs symmetric bandwidth broadband connection).
The HD calling feature will be available free of cost to Skype users over the internet.
Coming soon to a TV near you
Skype also announced on its blog that it has tied up with LG and Panasonic to make embed Skype into their internet enabled TVs. Panasonic’s line of 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs and 26 new LCD and plasma HDTVs from LG which will be showcased at CES 2010 in Las Vegas will be Skype enabled! LG and Panasonic are expected to offer special HD webcams that will be capable of picking up sound and video from a relatively larger distance.
There isn’t any word on the pricing of these TVs yet and they are likely to hit the market around mid 2010.
Over time Skype has spread from PC to mobile and it is now headed for the next big device, the TV. This feature will really provide a rich experience, but only if both parties have the necessary hardware and high speed internet!
For those of you interested in finding out more, Skype has set up a site for information and a Twitter account – (@skypeonyourtv)
