Video Conferenceing with Skype
by Ragnar Schierholz
Dialcom Networks has published a plugin called spontania video4skype. So far, Windows only though and currently Beta 0.8.3.
Installation works smooth (even though only via an IE ActiveX control and from an unnamed host :-(). It detected my Logitech Notebook Pro Cam automatically and connected to Skype and detected my online status there as well.
Now all I need is a volunteer to test it? Anyone?
[Update: Seems like the site has a little performance problem, I checked my IE cache and found the CAB file.]
Comments
Update: I tested it briefly and the first impression is very good. The plugin displays a pop-up if a skype call comes in and the picture being sent is of good quality. You can have your own video as an inlet in the counterpart's video or you can have them both next to each other. There is also a full screen option which automatically switches to the inlet type, but webcam video on full screen tends to be rather blurry.
Haven't tested it yet, but generally sounds very promising. Now let's all push for a Mac version of the plugin and we could have the first free & easy to use - Mac/Windows - NAT/Firewall agnostic - video conferencing solution.
Markus
PS: Yes, I'm aware that there are solutions that may already be doing similar things (e.g. iSpQ Video Chat), but that's nothing for example my 82 year old grandmother would like to use, as she's happily video conferencing with the family via MSN Messenger now - except me as I'm using a Mac! ;-)
@Markus: On the Video4Skype homepage it says:
At this stage Dialcom is expanding its integration to other platforms, let us know about your favorite communication tools and stay tuned.
Do not hesitate to click on let us know ;-)
