Thread: Would 256kbps suffice for Skype usage?

Hi,
I do use Skype a lot (video on, most of the time),in the evenings(7.30pm -9pm IST) and am currently on the BSNL Home 500 plan, and these not being in the happy hours am exceeding the 2.5 GB limit.
Thinking of changing to the 256kbps unlimited plan but am not sure if that would be sufficient for using Skype, and whether the video transfer would be affected.
Would Skype users please enlighten.

TIA.

Not a Skype user.
Suggest use higher speed for video.
Even with speed upto 2 Mbps connection
we find Videos on "Youtube" buffering.

In Yahoo Messenger, either I use voice or webcam
( My speed is upto 2 Mbps), if both are used
at the same time instability is experienced.
( chat mode ok )

Use FireFox Browswer with adds on
adblock Plus Flash Block, and NoScript.

You can manage within 2.5 GB
now with all popups ,pictures/flash/ Avtars in forums/
signatures/Google advts etc blocked
from web sites regularly visited.

With 2Mbps ,or speeds close to it, am having no problems regarding both way video transmission.Video quality does not necessarily have to be top class in Skype ,as would be preferred for viewing youtube clips .
Have been using Firefox since 2002 with add-ons mentioned above plus some more.
After being on dial up since it was launched by BSNL, shifted to BB Home 500 in Oct 2005 . Since then have had on no occasion exceeded the 2.5 GB limit(though sometimes had been tantalisingly close to it) ,till recently, since using Skype almost regularly!
Would be extremely thankful if some Skype user could shed some light on my original question."Would 256 do ?"

If you can kindly post the data used for a short
Video session say 15 minutes, it will be
useful to all.
And also the Video codec recommended
by Skype or used by you.
and the audio codec.

I use Skype on a 256 kbps connection. It is OK. It works. Did not feel the need for a faster connection for skype. Video would have been better with a fast connection. Audio is just fine.

audio in skype works well even with a 128 kbps connection. but video may have some issues at 256 kbps.

Originally Posted by essbebe

If you can kindly post the data used for a short
Video session say 15 minutes, it will be
useful to all.
And also the Video codec recommended
by Skype or used by you.
and the audio codec.

Sorry being in a profession far removed from the technicalities of computers, this appears Greek to me.
Please do pardon my ignorance.

From the replies so far; I guess one can opt for a 256kbps connection if the limits are exceeded by a fair margin, without compromising too much on functionality.

Thanks a lot for all help and insight .

Originally Posted by drjaycee

Sorry being in a profession far removed from the technicalities of computers, this appears Greek to me.
Please do pardon my ignorance.

From the replies so far; I guess one can opt for a 256kbps connection if the limits are exceeded by a fair margin, without compromising too much on functionality.

Thanks a lot for all help and insight .

1. Download a free speed meter like Bitmeter2
2. Use it's stopwatch to find out how much is being downloaded over a 15 minute period. Also check the average download speed.

It's almost certain that 256Kbps is too slow for any kind of video stream.

i've done a video chat on a 256kbps connection and it works great!

Originally Posted by superprash2003

i've done a video chat on a 256kbps connection and it works great!

Thanks for the thumbs up from users.
I guess that settles it.

skype forum

Qoes anyone know what the bandwidth requirement is so I can video chat? It keeps saying not enough bandwidth when I try?

Ans:
The absolutely minimum requirement is 384Kbps upload. If you want good quality video and use Leopard you should get 1Mbps upload. Then you get amazing video quality.

from whirlpool
For Skype-to-Skype voice calls we recommend: 10 kbits to 64 kbits speed.
for Skype-to-Skype video (both normal and high quality) we recommend: 384 kbps.

To the OP, so basically that means your cheapest option to get at least 384k both down and up, you may have to go with a low cost ADSL2+ for video "well", as this will give you the 1000k uplink.

You'd prob find a 1500k/256k would be just ok.

Bandwidth used reported average 200MB in one hour D/L and U/L

Originally Posted by superprash2003

i've done a video chat on a 256kbps connection and it works great!

do u mind posting a screenshot ??

Got my plan changed from home 500 to 750UL (actually 500 in Cal) and Video chat on Skype is NOT a problem at all ,though Video quality has dropped to some extent .
Previously an hour of Chat would entail some 200MB (as per usage site of BSNL) of data transfer.Now it stands at 85/90 MB/hr.

Waiting for the upgradation of speed to 512kbps, which has been temporarily stalled , to take effect sometime soon. Hopefully after the elections!

Thanks

After elections is a rumour, which can be true. So you can use it properly on UL 750 ? With 256 kbps.

Yes no problem at all.