Force widescreen video

[travis0909]

Is there anyway to force skype to use the web cams ability to do widescreen video?

I am using skype 5.5 and a MS LifeCam HD-5000. Using the MS software widescreen is fine, but when using it via Skype it force's the video to normal aspect.

I can find no option to control the camera's resolution in Skype. I have also tried the suggested "downgrade to Skype 5.3" solution, this did not work.

I have read that Skype forces the resolution depending on the speed of the internet connection?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Nathan

[timlass]

I wish I could help you, but can't really.

     I have the exact same camera, and I use it in an office setting where we have 16Mbps download speeds and 10Mbps up.  And the camera still only displays 4x3.

     I have written to Skpe support twice about this matter and received no reply.  So I've come to two conclusions: (1) the internet speed issue is not true, and  (2) Skpye has decided that certain cameras will be supported, and certain ones won't; and you and I simply have the wrong camera in their opinion.

      So I sympathise with you my friend, it's annoying to me too, but Skype does not try to include all product manufacturors.  If they did, OoVoo wouldn't exist.

[g4pilut]

Actually, I'd suggest you upgrade to v5.8.0.158, the current version, not downgrade.  You can get the newest version via this link:

http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-full

There is no option, however, to force any camera resolution in Skype.  I have a Logitech HD webcam and most of the time when it goes to 16:9 I'd rather keep it in 4:3.  Skype doesn't give me the option to do so.

Keep in mind that for Skype to jump to HD (which usually takes a minute after a call starts) you need to have an adequate Internet connection, starting with enough upload and download bandwidth at both ends.  The device on the receiving end also has to be capable of displaying HD.  Some do.  Some don't.

In any case, Skype decides if you can send HD or not, and if not, there's nothing you can do to force it.

edit: 

The current version of Skype definitely supports HD with the MS HD5000.  This excerpt is from the latest update to \shared_dynco\dc.db file where camera capabilties are stored:

  <hqv id="42">    

<DeviceID>vid_045e&amp;pid_076d</DeviceID>    

<Description>Microsoft HD5000</Description>

<MaxResolution>1280x720</MaxResolution>    

<MaxFPS>30</MaxFPS>    

<Certified>1</Certified>     <SkypeVersion/>     <DriverVersion/>     <H264>0</H264>    

<Other/>  

</hqv>

You can see the webcam is certified for 1280x720 and using the H264 codec.

If you care to, next time you're on a call when you think you should be in HD and you are not, click on Call > Call Technical Info.  Copy and paste the results here.  That may shed some light on where the bottleneck is.

[travis0909]

Thank you both for your feedback. I will try version 5.8 and see how i go.

Regards,

[g4pilut]

Ok then.  Please let us know how it goes. 

[travis0909]

Hi g4pilut,

After installing 5.8 we managed to get it working in widescreen. The call starts on normal resolution, then after about 10 seconds its gets set to widescreen.

Thanks for your help.

Its unfortunate that Skype does not incorporate some sort of control over this in the vedeo options.

Regards,

[g4pilut]

Well...I've already said I too wish that Skype would give us an option to manually control our video aspect ratio.  Anyway, glad the new version is doing what you want it to.