Vizio to roll out Skype-enabled smart HDTVs
updated 03:40 pm EST, Fri March 2, 2012
Future connected Vizio TVs to have Skype built-in
Budget HDTV maker Vizio and VoIP video chat and Internet calling service provider Skype have just revealed that some of the former's upcoming Internet App TVs will be Skype-enabled out of the box. When a call comes in, users won't have to stop watching a show during a call, though we assume the TV audio will be muted in order to accommodate the call. The TVs will require a camera accessory that also contains four microphones that are capable of picking up a user's voice from up to sixteen feet away.
When the unnamed compatible TVs are connected to the web, the Skype app will automatically appear in their app dock. The users will see their callers in up to 720p quality when network conditions and speeds permit. Minimum sustained download and upload speeds of 1.5Mbps are necessary for this. The officially required XCV100 camera costs $150, though if a camera from a third-party is compatible isn't specified.
