If you love instant messaging with your friends through Skype, you will be even happier to be able to talk face-to-face using the convenient video calls that this tool offers. It is a great way to feel 'closer' to your interlocutor, whether it is a co-worker, friend or family member anywhere in the world. Read on to find out what you'll need to make a Skype video call.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use Skype on Computer
Step 1. Start Skype and log in with your profile
Check that the webcam is working properly.
- In Windows, select the 'Options' item from the 'Tools' menu. In the 'General' tab select 'Video settings'.
- On Mac, select 'Preferences' from the 'Skype' menu, then select the 'Audio / Video' tab.
Step 2. Select your webcam
Turn on your webcam or connect a video camera to your computer. You should be able to see the image recorded by your webcam on the screen. If you have more than one camera connected to your computer, you can decide which one to use by clicking on the 'Camera' drop-down menu (mac), or in the 'Webcam' tab of the options (Windows).
Once you have made all the necessary connections, and verified that everything is working correctly, you can close the options panel
Step 3. Select 'Contacts'
Then select 'Online', to make visible only the contacts available for a call at that time. If you have a lot of contacts online, you can quickly find a person by searching by name. Type it in the 'Search' field at the top right of the screen.
Step 4. Start the call
Place the mouse cursor on the person you want to call. A green button labeled 'Video Call', and a small video camera symbol on the left, will appear next to the profile picture. You will hear the classic sound of a call activate, until your interlocutor answers, or until the automatic responder notifies you that the person called is not available at the moment.
Note: If the call button only says 'Call', it means that no working camera has been detected, if you have one connected to your computer it may not work properly
Step 5. Have a conversation with your friend
As soon as the connection is established you will see your friend's image appear on the screen. At the end of your chat, select the red button at the bottom of the window to end the call.
Method 2 of 3: Using Skype for iOS
Step 1. Launch the Skype application
Select the 'People' button to access your contacts. From the 'People' menu, select the 'Available' item to view only online contacts. If you wish, you can type their name in the search field.
Step 2. Select your contact
Find the person you want to call and select their name or profile picture. A new window will appear with several buttons available.
Step 3. Press the 'Video Call' button
This will start the video call. When your interlocutor answers his image will appear in full screen, while yours, taken by the front camera, will be a thumbnail that you can move anywhere on the screen by dragging it with your finger.
If the call started as a normal call, but now you want to activate video as well, simply select the camera icon, and choose the option from the list that best suits your needs
Method 3 of 3: Using Skype on Android
Step 1. Launch the Skype application
Make sure you are using Android version 3.0 or higher. Select the menu access button or its icon.
Step 2. Select 'Settings'
From the menu that will appear, select the checkbox 'Enable video calls'.
Step 3. Select the 'Contacts' tab
Find the person you want to call and press their profile picture.
Step 4. Select the 'Video Call' button
The video call will begin.
Press the video camera icon at the bottom of the screen to switch from a voice call to a video call, or vice versa
Advice
- If during a call you hear the echo of your voice, know that the problem is due to the device of your interlocutor. Conversely, if you hear the other person's voice echo, the problem lies on 'your' side of the conversation. Those who are generating the disturbance can make two attempts: turn down the volume of the speakers and move the microphone further out of their range of action or use headphones with microphone or simple earphones.
- For optimal audio and video quality, make sure there are no active applications in the background during the call, such as downloading content from the web or other active video-streaming programs.
