Logitech HD Webcam C510 [ Edited ]

[JohnPeterson]

Here's some general discussion about Logitech HD Webcam C510 in Skype.

The C510 supports for example 1600x896, 1280x720, 864x480 and 640x360 and always at 15 fps.

It's impossible to change either the capture or stream video resolution in the Skype GUI. But the capture resolution can be changed by adding for example this:

<Video>
    <CaptureWidth>1280</CaptureWidth>
    <CaptureHeight>720</CaptureHeight>
</Video>

directly under the <Lib> tag in %AppData%\Skype\shared.xml. The other supported resolutions also work. Check that it works from Call -> Call Technical Info.

I found no way to force streaming resolution so the result is that I only stream a maximum resolution of 640x480 both at 1280x720 and 864x480 video capture. So the obvious question is how do I force a certain video stream resolution?

Some selected Call Technical Info. It's a direct connection on a fast network, 1 Gb/s local, 100/100 Mb/s external.

Relays=0
UDP status=local:Good remote:Good
Video capture=Res: 1280x720, Color: 30323449, CamFPS: 15, ReqFPS: 30, HwEnc: 0, Power: 1, QTokens: 0
video send stream 0 (l)=ID: 0, Type: 0/0, Res: 640x480, Codec: VP80, FPS 15, Speed: 11/1, Bitrate: 1042/2132, TargetFPS: 29/15, CPU: 60, CpuFPS: 46/38, ReceiverFPS: 45/0/0, Mtu: 1340

(I'll also add a piece of information that might be of interest to the Skype developers, if I change the capture resolution to 720p (which is 1280x720) in the Logitech Webcam Software (not the system-wide video capture pin settings) the video inside Skype stops working until I change the video capture resolution to 1280x720. The same thing applies to the other resolutions. So the last used capture settings in the Logitech Webcam Software seems to have an effect on Skype.)

Cheers

[g4pilut]

Just out of curiosity, what version of Skype are you using?

I noticed your frame rate is 15 FPS @ 1280x720.  I use a C510 and C910 and was always plagued by low frame rates when in HD until version 5.5 came along.  The problem was solved with the latest version and now I consistently stay at 30 FPS even in HD.  The latest version also had a new codec and video quality is improved when v5.5 is in use at both ends of a call.

I too would like the option of specifying a video resolution but I'm not holding my breath.  If your curious, you might look at Evaer.  They have a tool that specifies video resolution in Skype.  I've never tried it but several users have claimed it works.

[JohnPeterson]

Just out of curiosity, what version of Skype are you using?

 5.5.0.112

I noticed your frame rate is 15 FPS @ 1280x720.  I use a C510 and C910 and was always plagued by low frame rates when in HD until version 5.5 came along.  The problem was solved with the latest version and now I consistently stay at 30 FPS even in HD.  The latest version also had a new codec and video quality is improved when v5.5 is in use at both ends of a call.

 The video captured in Logitech Webcam Software is 15 fps for all resolutions, even at the lowest resolution which is 640x360 and ithe camera can't capture higher frame rates than that with any software, it does send capabilities of up to 30 fps at 1280x720 and up to 24 fps at 1600x896 to DirectShow but capturing at those rates just result in duplicate frames. I've used the DirectShow SDK sample AMCap to look at the resolution and frame rate capabilities of the camera.

I too would like the option of specifying a video resolution but I'm not holding my breath.  If your curious, you might look at Evaer.  They have a tool that specifies video resolution in Skype.  I've never tried it but several users have claimed it works.

 Evaer doesn't have any noticeable effect on the video send stream resolution or fps or bitrate, it most likely doesn't affect that, it may alter the local video capture resolutions but that settings is already exposed in %AppData%\Skype\shared.xml so that's not the main problem, the video send stream is the problem. It's auto adjusted and I've seen no proof that anyone has sent a higher res than 640x480, please show the Call Technical Info copy of that if you have seen that. It's hard to say how good the automatic video send stream settings are but for me they're annoying at best. As mentioned they would not go above 640x480 and sometimes they would drop the resolution as low as 160x120 for no apparent reason, it's hard to understand how they work and which scenarios ithey react to. Manual settings would be the best for me.

[JohnPeterson]

Just out of curiosity, what version of Skype are you using?

 5.5.0.112

I noticed your frame rate is 15 FPS @ 1280x720.  I use a C510 and C910 and was always plagued by low frame rates when in HD until version 5.5 came along.  The problem was solved with the latest version and now I consistently stay at 30 FPS even in HD.  The latest version also had a new codec and video quality is improved when v5.5 is in use at both ends of a call.

 The video captured in Logitech Webcam Software is 15 fps for all resolutions, even at the lowest resolution which is 640x360 and ithe camera can't capture higher frame rates than that with any software, it does send capabilities of up to 30 fps at 1280x720 and up to 24 fps at 1600x896 to DirectShow but capturing at those rates just result in duplicate frames. I've used the DirectShow SDK sample AMCap to look at the resolution and frame rate capabilities of the camera.

I too would like the option of specifying a video resolution but I'm not holding my breath.  If your curious, you might look at Evaer.  They have a tool that specifies video resolution in Skype.  I've never tried it but several users have claimed it works.

 Evaer doesn't have any noticeable effect on the video send stream resolution or fps or bitrate, it most likely doesn't affect that, it may alter the local video capture resolutions but that settings is already exposed in %AppData%\Skype\shared.xml so that's not the main problem, the video send stream is the problem. It's auto adjusted and I've seen no proof that anyone has sent a higher res than 640x480, please show the Call Technical Info copy of that if you have seen that. It's hard to say how good the automatic video send stream settings are but for me they're annoying at best. As mentioned they would not go above 640x480 and sometimes they would drop the resolution as low as 160x120 for no apparent reason, it's hard to understand how they work and which scenarios ithey react to. Manual settings would be the best for me.

[g4pilut]

Here's a screen grab from a just had video call.  I'm in HD, 1280x720, and 30 fps.

Skype 5.5.0.113; Win 7 (x64) SP1; nVidia 9600 GT video; Intel i7 930 @ 2.8 GHz;  Verizon FiOS ISP 25/25 mb/s up and down.

edit:  This was with my C910 webcam but results are similar with my C510.
 

[JohnPeterson]

Thanks.

They probably have transcoding resolution limits per cpu-type, I bet my Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 @ 2,93GHz is limited to 640x480.

Which brings up a good point, why not have an option to send the video data raw instead of the cpu-expensive VP8 transcoding? And why not choose a transcoding format that can be offloaded at least partly to DXVA?

[g4pilut]

I wouldn't begin to try to guess why Skype developers do what they do.  For the most part, though, it all works for me.  I do wish they would provide an option to manually set video resolution but I've given up holding my breath.

As for CPU contributing to the mix...yes, it definitely does.  Skype looks at processing power available at both ends of a call in addtion to bandwidth and latency available, and other variables, when adjusting video resolution and frame rate.  If I plug my C510 in to my wife's Win XP Intel Core Duo machine Skype never goes to HD.  Not surprising since the CPU is running at 80% in 640x480.

[gabriolinari]

what you said!!!

As mentioned they would not go above 640x480 and sometimes they would drop the resolution as low as 160x120 for no apparent reason, it's hard to understand how they work and which scenarios ithey react to. Manual settings would be the best for me.

>>> check this out >>>

Video capture=Res: 1280x720, Color: 30323449, CamFPS: 15, ReqFPS: 15, HwEnc: 0, Power: 1, QTokens: 0

video send stream 0 (l)=ID: 0, Type: 0/0, Res: 160x120, Codec: VP80, FPS 11, Speed: 8/10, Bitrate: 64/235, TargetFPS: 12/12, CPU: 77, CpuFPS: 88/29, ReceiverFPS: 15/0/0, Mtu: 1340

and there is no way i can send more than 160x120!!!

and my scenario is this, netbook 1.6ghz overclocked to 2.08, 2gb ram, dedicated video card (can play HD @ 1080p) so i would be happy with 640x480... i upgraded the webcam since i thought i'd get some more quality than the stock one on the netbook but guess not...

for the note to get the "acquiring at 1280x720" i used the "force skype HD program" but obviously didn't impact the actual streaming sent...

thanks

gabrio

[frankbald]

I have the same problem, and I think I have the hardware to manage a full 720p video call. I have a Core i7 920 and a Ati HD 4870 1GB with all the latest driver installed. I bought this webcam to have a wider angle of view and actually I've got the same angle of the old one, so disappointed

[NormanM Moderator]

---

frankbald

---

Hello,

You have been flagged for duplicate posting. Please note that this practice is not permitted. Duplicate posts deleted. Thank you.

Tip: ALWAYS start your own topic rather than use someone else's.

[JohnPeterson]

I'll give an update on this issue for the current Skype version.

Call information: Ten hour call, the first two hours used 1280x720, the next 8 hours used 640x480.
Conclusion: The Skype video resolution detection is faulty and a manual resolution control is needed. There is a tendecy to reduce the resolution at some point in the call and then never return the resolution to the appropriate level.

Caller
Logitech HD Webcam C510
Intel Core i7-3770 @ 3.5 GHz
100/100 Mb/s
Skype 5.10.0.115
Windows 6.1.7601

Other party
Intel Core i7-3960X EE @ 3.3 GHz
1000/1000 Mb/s