Skype adds video to its VoIP service

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.

[Lenny @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

...now for the skype video phone...

make it under $60 and I'm sold.

[Mohit @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Not a terribly big surprise...
I've been waiting for that for a while now...
Now, it's perfect !!

[Bert Offers @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Way cool. I am anxious to try it out. VoIP is really taking off.

[Mohit @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

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!

[Fixer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Come on, folks. Microsoft had this in Messenger since, like, 1998!

[Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

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.

[Mxx @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

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.

[Fixer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

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.

[Jules @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

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.

[Aaron @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

No linux version yet?

[adam holtrop @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

The question is, will you be able to 'skype out' to 3G video phones?
Lets see how advanced things really are...

[Bruce @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Is Skype adding video (directly) any time soon?

[pertist @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Skype VIDEO beta launch scheduled for end of August:

http://www.internetnews.com/article.php/3523871

[City Slicker @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

^ Well today is the end of august. Where's the video?

[Gordon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

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!!

[Tom Kudla @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

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?

[Fr3d @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

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

[Teja @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

where is the skype video ??

[Opspin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Skype does video on it's own now :)

[Darren Hawes @ Dec 28th 2005 8:14PM]

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.