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Forums › VoIP › Data overhead for Skype video calls?


736 posts

Ultimate Geek
Topic # 94384 9-Dec-2011 15:43 Send private message

Does anyone know what the data overhead is for a skype video call? Is it device dependent ie phone tablet etc?
Thanks.

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  Reply # 556046 9-Dec-2011 19:33 Send private message

Its about 1 megabit per second if the connection is good.

We used to be able to enable HD video by an ini file setting, but over the last couple of years, if you have the bandwidth avaliable and an HD camera, skype will use it.

In our testing about 2 years ago, skype used about 500mb per hour. On a low res camera it wont use HD resolutions though so that will save you some bandwidth.  
This has probably increased as they raised their HD resolution.


Had to work this out for a company with roaming technicians fixing commercial overns and kitchen equipment. The techs had T-sticks and eee laptops so they could skype another technician and use an HD web cam so the other technician in another part of the city could give advice if they were an expert on the particular model of machine.




Ray Taylor
Napier, NZ
www.taylorcommunications.co.nz 



736 posts

Ultimate Geek
  Reply # 556065 9-Dec-2011 20:21 Send private message

So about 8 Mb a minute? Half a gig an hour? No wonder my data cap keeps getting blown away.

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  Reply # 556090 9-Dec-2011 20:54 Send private message

Depends entirely on the hardware - there is no simple answer.

Skype will adjust the bandwidth settings depending on the camera type and bandwidth available to always optimise the picture.

Your best bet is to look at the Skype site and see what they say: https://support.skype.com/en-us/faq/FA1417/How-much-bandwidth-does-Skype-need




*Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

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  Reply # 556126 9-Dec-2011 22:02 Send private message

Yeah, remember its two way.

Also note that if you are not behind a NAT firewall, and skype is running, it will relay traffic - skype uses p2p to send traffic around the globe for those that are behind firewalls so even though you may not be talking, it can still use quite a bit of traffic sitting in the task tray.




Ray Taylor
Napier, NZ
www.taylorcommunications.co.nz 

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