What does upload download speeds mean to Skype

[altaprod]

I just tested my upload/download speeds on Speedtest.com and I'm wondering what it means in terms of using Skype?

If I have a good download speed does it mean I'll see my friends image/sound well?
conversely, If I have a good upload speed does it mean they will see/hear me well?

Here are my speeds, if someone could tell me if they are good, average, fair?

download: 20320 kb/s
upload: 868 Kb/s

Thanks for any help

 

[Eidorian]

I use Skype/TeamSpeak and game over a 768/384 kbps just fine.

 

[belvdr]

I just tested my upload/download speeds on Speedtest.com and I'm wondering what it means in terms of using Skype?

If I have a good download speed does it mean I'll see my friends image/sound well?
conversely, If I have a good upload speed does it mean they will see/hear me well?

Here are my speeds, if someone could tell me if they are good, average, fair?

download: 20320 kb/s
upload: 868 Kb/s

Thanks for any help

You have to take both connections into perspective. Regardless of audio or video, if your counterpart's connection is 1Mb upload, and you have 512k download, you'll be restricted by your download speed. Conversely, if your counterpart's connection is 512k upload and you have 1Mb download, you'll be restricted by your counterpart's upload speed.

For audio, you only need 30k - 50k for good quality audio (we're not talking CD quality audio requirements here). For video, that depends on the size and resolution of your video feed.

 

[altaprod]

OK, thanks. I understand better now.

So my speeds are probably more than enough.

 

[gavvymc]

Video Skype?

I'd like to fit my parents up with a microwave Internet connection from their remote house in Spain in order to video Skype with their grandchildren.

Anyone know the up/down bandwidth needed to get this to work?

Skype says 10-60k is needed for low quality video, and 384 for high quality. But in practice whats actually needed?!

I can get them a 256 or 512 microwave link - is that 1/4 that for upload speed? Is it the upload that limits things?

Not sure if the 10-60 and 384 is down or upload speed.

Sorry for all the dim questions! Any pointers i'd be grateful!

 

[belvdr]

I'd like to fit my parents up with a microwave Internet connection from their remote house in Spain in order to video Skype with their grandchildren.

Anyone know the up/down bandwidth needed to get this to work?

Skype says 10-60k is needed for low quality video, and 384 for high quality. But in practice whats actually needed?!

I can get them a 256 or 512 microwave link - is that 1/4 that for upload speed? Is it the upload that limits things?

Not sure if the 10-60 and 384 is down or upload speed.

Sorry for all the dim questions! Any pointers i'd be grateful!

It means that's the least amount of bandwidth needed (upload for the transmitter and down for the receiver). If your parents got the 512k link, and you only had dialup (56k) it wouldn't work. So, you need to get them a link that will support what they want to do. The users on the other end need to do the same. If both sides are doing video, then they each need at least 384k up _and_ down.

See my post above.