Skype going HD

Filed under: Video, Social Software, Beta

Skype has always been a pretty popular video conferencing program and is looking to keep the streak alive with high-definition video. The service recently announced that they will begin supporting 720p high-definition video conference calls, provided users have an HD webcam and enough bandwidth to handle it.

The new HD features come as part of the Skype for Windows 4.2 Beta. According to PC World, the feature has actually been part of Skype since December but no official mention of it was made until the Consumer Electronics Show this week. Conveniently enough, a few new HD webcams will be released at CES shipping as soon as March.

Skype isn't stopping their HD service there. There are also plans to embed Skype software on Panasonic and LG televisions to allow video conferencing on new TVs sometime later this year.

SkypeJournal reports that the HD features are only for the Windows version and Skype is keeping the technology pretty closed off. The specifications needed for new webcams to work with the application haven't been released so "hundreds of webcam makes won't be able to meet public demand from Skype users."

We'll have to see how this evolves and if ISPs can handle the increased loads from higher quality video but if you're a fan of Skype, it seems like a pretty cool move.

Skype going HD originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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