VOIP Video - Which line?

McGuywer

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Hallo Everyone,

What type of line does one need for Video over IP?
Can one use Skype for video calling?
Should it be an uncapped service?


I would like to video call family over seas. I would be getting either a Webcamera for the PC or a notebook with one built-in.
 
McGuywer :>

Best is to get yourself a Webcam, and use MSN (Messenger)

But search on google for updated MSN.

You can then Message (chat with keyboard), With Mic and Webcem.

The new Skype also has Webcam Addon (for Video feed)

You don't need Uncapped, but obviously normally Voice Over IP uses around 8kb per second download, and 8kb per sec upload as a good measure. So 1min call will (16kb X 60 seconds = 960kb *basically just under 1mb per minute*)

Axxess ( www.axxess.co.za ), sells prepaid ADSL cap (R70 for 1gig voucher, and the unused data rolls over for 12months i believe)

1gig = 1024mb.
So technically R70 will give you 1024minutes +- of Voice over IP calls (PC to PC)

Video feeds are usually a much higher bitrate, normal webcam pics are taken low resolution at 320x240 and is normally feeded at that resolution. Pics taken / feeded at that resolution will be around 5-10kb per frame. so 15fps is about 150kb per second.

so average feed of audio and video at that resolution will work out 16kb+150kb per second x 60 seconds = 9960kb per minute (9.6mb per minute)

Obviously 640x480 is a higher resolution if u want better picture quality, but the size doubles then(ruffly 20kb per sec) or around 18.9mb per minute.

So R70 (1gig cap) will give you around 106minutes (almost 2 hours) of video feed with audio (320x240)
or Higher resolution video/audio feed (640x480) of around 54minutes (almost 1hour)

But you'll propably get much more out of R70 (1gig of data) . Since these applications like Skype and MSN compresses the Audio and Video.

Hope this helps :>
 
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Hallo Everyone,

What type of line does one need for Video over IP?
Can one use Skype for video calling?
Should it be an uncapped service?


I would like to video call family over seas. I would be getting either a Webcamera for the PC or a notebook with one built-in.
Sure can - most of my family use macs so we use iChat more often but for those holdouts Skype works just fine.

I'd suggest you try your normal account first - if that doesnt suffice try some unshaped bandwidth.

Speed is important - if you have a 1meg line it should have enough upstream speed to ensure good quality. 512 and 384 might not have enough speed going up.
 
We use Skype on a 384k line (shaped line)... works well. When using video it gets a little sticky but its usable. I upgraded to 4meg and its perfect 512K should also be good.

I do find that MSN Live messenger has better video but more people have Skype and you can make clear landline calls to.
 
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