How to reduce the Skype video settings to work with an older computer

Question

When making a Skype video call with a Logitech C600 webcam the video received on the other end often freezes. The local computer is has a single core AMD processor. The video being received from the other computer (Windows7 Intel T2250 @ 1.75 GHz) using the same webcam appears fine.

I suspect the issue is Skype trying to send video at higher a resolution and/or frame rate than the local processor can support.

How can I force Skype to use a lower resolution to see if that improves the video output?

There doesn't appear to be an option to adjust this under Tools > Options > Video settings.

Answer 1

It appears that you need to edit the config.xml file to edit the video settings.

1. Close Skype - Make sure you have the latest version.

2. Open "config.xml" with notepad which is found in "C:\Documents and Settings\your_windows_user_name\Application Data\Skype\your_skype_name" on Windows XP.

3. Find the element and add the following 3 lines above and below your webcam entry

<Video> <CaptureHeight>480</CaptureHeight> <CaptureWidth>640</CaptureWidth> <Device>Quickcam Pro for Notebooks</Device> <Fps>25</Fps> </Video>

Source