Skype in the Living Room

asfish · **Joined:** 5th Dec, 2010 **Posts:** 3353

Now that my dad has finally got fibre at his house he wants to have Skype in his living room with the camera on the TV

I do this via an Xbox One, but not sure this is the most cost effective solution for my Dad as he won't be playing games and won't like paying a Gold subscription just to use Skype.

I've not discounted the Xbox One totally as he could also use my Plex server and he has One Drive

Just wondered if anyone has any other options\ideas?

Grim... · **Posted:** Mon Sep 05, 2016 12:43

What TV does he have?

devilman · **Posted:** Mon Sep 05, 2016 12:45

I toyed with idea of getting my parents a TV that would support Skype but support for Skype for TV was discontinued in June, so that rather put paid to that.

What about just a half-decent tablet instead?

asfish · **Joined:** 5th Dec, 2010 **Posts:** 3353

Grim... wrote:

What TV does he have?

A flat screen Sony, its not smart though (in that is has no apps)

asfish · **Joined:** 5th Dec, 2010 **Posts:** 3353

devilman wrote:

I toyed with idea of getting my parents a TV that would support Skype but support for Skype for TV was discontinued in June, so that rather put paid to that.

What about just a half-decent tablet instead?

They have Ipads but he wants to have Skype in the living room.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49244

Get an Apple TV and mirror the iPad to it? Camera would still be on the iPad, mind.

devilman · **Posted:** Mon Sep 05, 2016 12:59

Something like this maybe?

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

asfish wrote:

devilman wrote:

I toyed with idea of getting my parents a TV that would support Skype but support for Skype for TV was discontinued in June, so that rather put paid to that.

What about just a half-decent tablet instead?

They have Ipads but he wants to have Skype in the living room.

Put the iPad in the living room.

asfish · **Joined:** 5th Dec, 2010 **Posts:** 3353

devilman wrote:

Something like this maybe?

That looks like it might so the job, did try to find a similar device shown on the Skype website but its out of stock everywhere-Thanks!

ApplePieOfDestiny · **Joined:** 17th Dec, 2008 **Posts:** 8293

Grim... wrote:

What TV does he have?

I know where you're going with this but iirc, Skype pulled all ongoing support for TV a while back and the smart TV apps couldn't be downloaded any more.

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

Actual attempt at being helpful:
If you do end up doing for an Xbox One + Kinect for Skype, I think this is the best offer on the console plus Kinect
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B017QUTGU6/

Scroll down and there's at least one that's Factory Sealed for £208.

Dr Zoidberg · **Joined:** 15th Oct, 2010 **Posts:** 5413

A little compute stick and USB webcam would do the trick I'd have thought.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/01/22/int ... 16-review/ or similar.

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

Can probably do the same with an Android box for cheaper, right?

Sir Taxalot · **Joined:** 5th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 4842

Cras wrote:

Get an Apple TV and mirror the iPad to it? Camera would still be on the iPad, mind.

We do this to stop the kids squabbling and running off with the iphone/ipad when grandparents are doing 'The Facetime'.

Also has an advantage for the younger cousins who get really excited that the can see themeslves on the telly at our house. We use the Apple TV for other things too, it's quite useful.

Not sure it quite suits asfish but it works OK for us. Otherwise I think a really cheap PC/computerstick/box with a webcam sat on top would work OK. The issue will be finding a nice simple way of controlling said PC

Bobbyaro · **Joined:** 18th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 11898

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00E31 ... ref=plSrch

First one I found, surely cheaper/more relevant options out there.

asfish · **Joined:** 5th Dec, 2010 **Posts:** 3353

Bobbyaro wrote:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00E31CE92/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1473140085&sr=8-3&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=skype+tv+webcam&dpPl=1&dpID=41KILkLPdvL&ref=plSrch

First one I found, surely cheaper/more relevant options out there.

That looks like it will do the job, it will connect to a HDMI port on my dads TV then runs as a standalone device with an Android OS.

Does Skype and DNLA as well as any number of other apps from the Google store

A lot cheaper than an Xbox as well!

devilman · **Posted:** Tue Sep 06, 2016 9:01

Bobbyaro wrote:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00E31CE92/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1473140085&sr=8-3&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=skype+tv+webcam&dpPl=1&dpID=41KILkLPdvL&ref=plSrch

First one I found, surely cheaper/more relevant options out there.

That was the first one I found too (further up the page)

asfish · **Joined:** 5th Dec, 2010 **Posts:** 3353

devilman wrote:

Bobbyaro wrote:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00E31CE92/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1473140085&sr=8-3&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=skype+tv+webcam&dpPl=1&dpID=41KILkLPdvL&ref=plSrch

First one I found, surely cheaper/more relevant options out there.

That was the first one I found too (further up the page)

Yes sorry I know

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Skype in the Living Room
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Skype in the Living Room
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