Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3540
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Skype newbie issues
I finally got Skype on my HP Netbook so I could phone home and it's been a resounding failure. I paid for the international calling and used it maybe
four or five times, calling my home number in USA. Only one time was the call quality good enough you could actually carry on a conversation. The
rest of the time the person stateside could not hear me or had that double echo thing happening. Is this typical? Is is better to Skype
computer-to-computer? Does a headset help with these issues?
Sheeesh, Baja is getting complicated.....
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movinguy
Nomad
Posts: 257
Registered: 3-19-2004
Location: Chula Vista, CA and Tijuana, MX
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Are you using a wireless connection? If so, try hardwired (directly to your modem/router).
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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Computer to computer works (with delay) for me and no charges. I have the camera built into my iMac and so we do video calling too. If your computer
doesn't have the camera you can buy an after market one pretty cheap. It's pretty cool.
edit
Oh yeah, I'm on Hughes and wireless too
[Edited on 3-31-2011 by Russ]
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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goldhuntress
Senior Nomad
Posts: 663
Registered: 1-28-2010
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In my experience Skype to Skype works better than Skype to landline, but it's not as bad a s you describe, just a little warble in sound or it blanks
out once in awhile. With the problems your having it sounds like your wifi connection is to slow to support Skype.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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with SAT internet you NEVER will be SATisfied...
if you use DSL its purrfect even with wireless
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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Mood: up on step
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we've had skype here in mulege now for a few years and for the most part not had a problem with it..our internet is with infinitum through our phone
provider...once in a great while it will freeze up but nothing like you're talking about.
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1499
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
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My skype isn't too good either. I have a Magiejack that has been working for me pretty well since last october. Others down here are having problems
with Magicjack, so it seems to be just the luck of the draw. I do remember that on skype there is a check mark that lets skype adjust something
automatically. I unchecked that box and it improved. sorry I can't remember exactly what it was.
Larry
PS I am on a satelite connection
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CDB
Junior Nomad
Posts: 68
Registered: 2-11-2011
Location: San Felipe
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We have skype and rarely have problems whether computer to computer or computer to land line(dsl connection). We tried the Magicjack, but it was a
miserable failure. The only time we had a real problem with skype went away when we unplugged the magicjack. Not sure why, but they don't seem to
coexist.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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The connection speed is the big factor in using Skype. And on a slow connection, do not have anything else running - no downloads, e mail arriving,
etc. - and NO vidio. All these compete with the bandwidth necessary for Skype. My connection in Mex. is not too much faster then dial-up but I don't
have problems if I don't have anything else running. Actually, when I first got it, I used it on dial-up and it was acceptable.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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Have been using Skype for years here in Nopolo/Loreto.
Have a Infinitum/DSL connection. We call all over the world and seldom have a problem. Sometimes it seems that the farther away, the better the sound
quality. China and Europe for instance.
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Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
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Skype to Skype (computer to computer)... with headphones...
my Baja friends and I have been communicating this way for years with excellent results.
It's free. Sound quality is very good.
Each of us is using hard-wired equipment, not wi-fi.
Tried Magic Jack. Might as well have tied a string between two cans.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3296
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Mood: Tranquilo
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We found the same thing as CDB, if my magicjack is plugged in the skype won't work properly. We have both and they both work fine, we usually use the
magicjack unless we want to do a video call. We have wireless dsl / infinitum router through our Telmex land line in Buena Vista BCS......dt
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
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If you have an iPhone or Android phone try http://line2.com. you get a week free. Then it's 9.95/month.
It supports a softphone at 14.95 but you get a lot more features as well.
U.S. & Canada calls and Text are free.
It works great on this side, but packet latency is usually the problem, and it's unavoidable when using a Satellite connection.
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akshadow
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 2-1-2007
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head sets work better for us.
if connection is bad we just hang up and try again. Usually works very well
Ron San Felipe Oct, Nov. Feb. Mar. April. remainder in Juneau Ak
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1336
Registered: 9-2-2006
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I used a netbook with Skype and my ipod with the Skype app in Los Barriles this winter in two different communal wireless settings. I used both
set-ups with high-quality cover the ears headphones with a woofer/ or ear buds/mic. Overall, the ipod performed better and this service was hard to
beat for 4 bucks/month.
My calls were to land line phones in Canada. Those on the other end could hear me very well, but my end was uncleaar at times. There were time-delays
and a few disconnects. Seemed worse when it was windy, cloudy or during possible peak use periods. I think both the netbook speed and the wireless
signal strength might be the issues.
When my netbook is connected to a landline or I plug the ipod into my netbook which is connected to a landline, calls are much better and like being
in the same room.
You might find some on-line help beyond Skype to speed up your particular model of netbook (e.g clean-up of files, etc.), but what I tried was just
minimally helpful. Closing other programs didn't seem to make any difference.
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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mulegejim
Nomad
Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
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I use Skype both here at home (San Clemente, CA) and in Mulege. Use two different laptops without a mic or headphones - the computers are fairly new
so the built-in speakers are duplex type - with no problems. Both locations are using a wireless network and DSL. I keep Skype updated, however, I
doubt that could be an issue in sound quality. Jim
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
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Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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Thanks to all... it all helps...
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