Thread: Skype using too much bandwidth

Hi,

1. I've been using skype for about a year now. Earlier, it used to consume very less usage, like about 110MB for 1 hour of video chat on both sides.

2. But now, for about a few months, its been consuming about 300MB for 1 hour... It starts with 30-40 kB/s and then goes to about 150 kB/s of speed;

3. I think it is the skype trying to make the video quality better; I tried video calling on Google+ the other day, it was a bit less than skype, but still very large amount of usage.

4. Is there a way to control this? Is there any other video chat which use less bandwidth?

5. My problem is, a few video calls a month, and i lose the whole of my usage limit.. I lost 1000 MB for 3 video calls last month, and this month its already 2222MB; The limit is 2560 MB.

6. Please reply. :|

Originally Posted by Torque

Hi,

1. I've been using skype for about a year now. .......

5. My problem is, a few video calls a month, and i lose the whole of my usage limit.. I lost 1000 MB for 3 video calls last month, and this month its already 2222MB; The limit is 2560 MB. 6. Please reply. :|

Perhaps they aim at quality.
we cant eat and have , both.
when we use a comfortable facility, perhaps we have to spend Bandwidth.
I only wonder, the modernization should bring in better compression techniques, that help reduce bandwidth demand for a given job.

the best is to make it during night free hours if the service provider has some such plans.Why not send a suggestion to them,while searching for a free slot from service provider?

https://support.skype.com/en-gb/faq/...-call-is-using



Confirm how you noted/measured the BW for Skype Video calls .

Next time :
Start computer/modem only for Skype Video call and note the time
you used with video both ways..
Then switch off the computer.
Next day check in your Usage portal BW used.

or use
Application NetworX and check the usage.
Shaplus 1.3 displays usage also above Taskbar.

Feedback.

ref:.https://support.skype.com/en-gb/faq/...oes-Skype-need

Originally Posted by essbebe

Confirm how you noted/measured the BW for Skype Video calls .

I use the windows task manager to know the usage.. Its the most accurate one i guess. In task manager,
1. Select network
2. Go to view, select columns.
3. Check Bytes

So, whenever i wanna know how much i use for a certain period of time, i just open the task manager and it keeps counting..
During one session of skype, it takes around 300MB for 1 hour. Even if its around 150-200, its still a lot.

The way you have suggested has been done by me and tested that task manager is very accurate.
How much does 1 hour video calling consume? It depends on the video too, but for normal 1.3 mp web cam how much?

How much does 1 hour video calling consume? It depends on the video too, but for normal 1.3 mp web cam how much?

Task Manager : seems to be your preferred choice.

Skype is quality optimised.

But you should try a VGA or SQCIF cam if quality is not the priority.

Yes it consumes that much data for a pixel camera.

I think if a webcam has good quality even if pixels are not high you should give it a try.. 110mb for an hour is lot too much

What I wonder is, it never used to happen in 2010 like this! I had the same camera...

And now, I just tested Google+ audio chat; Its going with a speed of 17-19kB/s.

I'll ask a few of my friends, and comeback with what solution they have. :|

skype isn't designed for 3rd world internet sadly
On top of that indian internet is one of the worst amongst other 3rd world countries.

it's expected that user plans are either unlimited or at least have a huge download quota (50-100gb i.e. it's irrelevant).

If you want voice chat with lower bandwidth req try
1. Google chat audio
2. Yahoo chat audio (i hate this one but some people like it)
3. Ventrilo/mumble (very low bandwidth voip software)

My suggestion to you would be to either get an unlimited broadband connection or get one which has a higher usage cap instead of trying to find out ways to deteriorate the quality of your video calls. The whole point of a video chat is to be able to see each other and if the picture is crystal clear there is no room to complain but if high bandwidth usage is an issue stick to voice calls. Skype detects your connection speed and the longer your call the better it tunes up your call to get you the best voice and video quality with no effert to save your bandwidth because if some one had bandwidth constraints they wont be using video feature in the first place.
Hope that makes some sense!