Skype adds video to its VoIP service
By Barb Dybwad 
posted Jun 2nd 2005 11:02PM
posted Jun 2nd 2005 11:02PM
They said they were gonna do it and by gum, they've done it (not always a given in the tech world, ya know) — Skype now does video conferencing via the use of a third-party plug-in from Dialcom. Dialcom's Spontania Video4skype will allow Skype users (Windows only for now — surprise, surprise) with a connected webcam to make video calls via the Skype client. The Spontania plug-in was actually built to be integrated into any third party VoIP application, so expect this to be adopted by other VoIP services in the not-too-distant future.
...now for the skype video phone...
make it under $60 and I'm sold.
Not a terribly big surprise...
I've been waiting for that for a while now...
Now, it's perfect !!
Way cool. I am anxious to try it out. VoIP is really taking off.
Just installed this plugin. Isn't as great as I thought at first. I would have liked an integrated interfac better. But, it's better than nothing!
Come on, folks. Microsoft had this in Messenger since, like, 1998!
Come on, Fixer. Messenger is crap. I've tried to use it, but audio/video often doesn't work and it crashes a lot.
On the other hand, you install Skype and it just works.
your story title is incorrect.
"skype" itself did not add video.
http://www.video4skype.com/ is a 3rd party appliction that uses skype's API to connect 2 users.
so just becuase skype's developers said they are not going to add it, doesn't mean 3rd party won't.
Peter, I don't use video in Messenger, but their audio support works much better over slow links, especially when you talk to someone in Europe using a modem line. Skype craps out in this situation, Messenger works fine. As far as I'm concerned the only decent videoconferencing piece of software is iChat in Mac OS X Tiger. It needs a GOOD broadband connection, though.
And how long will it take for skype to add support for video conferences?
I think it would be better just to add the skype protocol in iChat AV, at least for us mac users.
No linux version yet?
The question is, will you be able to 'skype out' to 3G video phones?
Lets see how advanced things really are...
Is Skype adding video (directly) any time soon?
Skype VIDEO beta launch scheduled for end of August:
http://www.internetnews.com/article.php/3523871
^ Well today is the end of august. Where's the video?
When is skype gonna add video conferencing for Mac? I am running the G5 iMac - and I love skype - but i refuse to change back to windows!!
Re: http://www.video4skype.com/ and http://www.video4im.com/
So, Dialcom, not Skype, created the video client being discussed here? Do I need the regular skype download installed AND running in order for the video client to run/work?
Is this video client solely designed will work over the skype P2P network?
Is the video cleint a SIP video client?
There is also vskype wich allows to get up to 8 people talking AND seeing each other. This is another 3rd party plugin and is TOTALLY free...
Check it out at www.vskype.com.
I use it daily in the mean time of Skype does release their own beta version which will handle our webcams...
Fr3d
where is the skype video ??
Skype does video on it's own now :)
vSkype changed it's name to Festoon. Festoon, which is also free, is just as good as Skype -- but allows you to do GROUP conferences of up to 200 people. Skype only allows you to do video with one other person.