Preparing to Skype

Legacy_user

I have downloaded Skype. My daughter will download Skype as it is our intention to use it with a web cam when she is abroad. The headphones I currently use are from Morrisons and the make is Trust HS-2400. These are used in instant messaging. Does anyone know if they will be OK for use when I Skype?. If not, what would you suggest.

What I really would like to know is, would it be possible to have a sort of double adapter, and a second set of headphones so that both my wife and I can listen at the same time. This will same a lot of repeating.

superscaper

They should be fine. Biggest thing really is making sure the setup is right to get the best quality (microphone right distance from mouth etc) in my experience of playing around with VOIP although skype is particularly user friendly in its setup etc. Hadn't thought about the double headphones (you could use speakers but that's a bit counter intuitive and can be rubbish when the mike picks up background noise easily). I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. I just googled "3.5 stereo splitter" and they certainly exist and should do the job. http://www.bluearan.co.uk/menu/index.php?id=SKT100330

aerostar

Skype works very well using speakers and a mike. You just have to have the mike close to you and the speakers farther away and not too loud. Regularly use this with no problems.

john0612

you can buy a webcam with a built in mic

everything will work fine, i use it on a daily basis talking to OZ

culpepper

Now you have downloaded skype ,just install it and there is a test thing for checking if your microphone will pick up. Dont know about double adapters but I dont see why not.
We use our skype to just type in the 'chat box' sometimes as it is a bit hard for my son to hear 3 voices all talking at once when we call him.

BexTech

Just do all you can so Skype doesn't turn you into a super-node and uses up all your download limit by passing other peoples calls through your connection.

Just don't use Skype for chargeable calls as they along with Tesco are two of the dearest VoIP providers.

System

We have another question. Whilst I am on broadband, where my daughter will be stationed, the island is only dialup. Is this likely to affect the call?

superscaper

islandman wrote: »

We have another question. Whilst I am on broadband, where my daughter will be stationed, the island is only dialup. Is this likely to affect the call?

Broadband would be preferable but it still works with dial up. Quality should still be ok. But it's impossible to make guarantees as I've seen/heard really poor quality when both parties were on broadband with VOIP. Skype are usually quite consistent in having quite high quality though so it should be alright.

Using the video aspect of a webcam may be difficult under those circumstances though.

System

Actually, most evening we have a live webcam link to and from the Falklands. It is true that what we see is framed, in as much as it isn't smooth, but that's no problem. When our daughter is there, (next week) our aim is to have a double adapter for two sets of headphones at our end so we can both hear her and have three way conversations. I just wondered if the dial-up from there, might have an effect.

superscaper

islandman wrote: »

Actually, most evening we have a live webcam link to and from the Falklands. It is true that what we see is framed, in as much as it isn't smooth, but that's no problem. When our daughter is there, (next week) our aim is to have a double adapter for two sets of headphones at our end so we can both hear her and have three way conversations. I just wondered if the dial-up from there, might have an effect.

It shouldn't do. It's surprising how little data is used in voice transmission, an awful lot of the frequencies are cut off to the point where it is still just intelligible. Same goes for actual landline calls. We're not exactly talking about CD quality audio. So you shouldn't have a problem or notice that much difference. If there is a problem then you can slap me with a fish.

System

I've said it often before, and no doubt will continue to say it. Never in a million years did I ever think that at my age, I would be engrossed in the technicalities of communication. It must be dreadful for anyone that has no computer and has to endure conversations about what we now take for granted, ie the net. Also, to swap music about from one location to another, so that we can hear it on something no bigger than your thumb.

I visit a couple every day, who are in their mid-eighties, and they always ask me what I've been doing on the "internet thingy". They sit there amazed. When they come to our house, I want to show them a few things. Maybe you'd like to suggest a few easy access sights that might give them an insight.

I intend doing a quick google earth visit and show them their house and garden. But what then?