Voice Over Internet Phones (Skype); Is it worth it?

Thought I would comment on the results that I have been getting with friends around the world via Skype (VOIP). Is it worth it? Of course it is! I have not had the success that Scott Yee has had re jamming with someone else. There is too much delay in the connections that I have been getting to play with someone else. BUT, it is certainly possible to play one at a time and share your music with the other person (or persons) on the line. Bill Norrie and I have talked and shared our music many times. He and I have been able to play for each other as long as only one person is playing the keyboard at a time. This has also been the case with Scott and I. So, if you want to instantly share your music with someone else half way around the world you can certainly do so. It is also wonderful to stay in touch with friends on a person-to-person basis this way. I often talk with Bill and Scott as well as Bob Rifle, Johnny Barr, and other friends around the world. I just got off the phone with Colin Leaney and was finally able to personally thank him for his wonderful music and for his work with the Jay Birds. All of this is totally free, folks.

The KN7000 is ideally suited for this kind of stuff. Since you already have a USB connection with your computer, all you have to do is connect the microphone of your headset to the KN7000 and use the KN7000 to feed your voice and your music to the computer via USB for your VOIP software. When Bill Norrie (and just a few minutes ago with Colin) is playing his KN7000 it almost sounds like my headphones are plugged into his KN7000. It is important though, to use a head set with headphones and microphone because if you use your KN7000 speakers, feedback through the mike is inevitable and the other person will hear undesirable echoes.

This is a great way to share our music and to stay in touch.

....Agree 100% Bob

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Willum

I should have mentioned that this stuff only works well if you have a high speed (cable or dsl) internet connection. Dialup internet connections are too slow.

Hi Bob
Scott and I have had limited success except for echos. It was much better with the speakers off,as you say. You mention a headset with microphone. Do you mean an intigrated unit,as opposed to a separate headphone and mic ?

Bernie

Bob,

Download Skype to give it a look. When it asked to search my address book for other Skype users I got some laughs. It found 12.
Bob and John North. The other 10 were same name but not same person. My brother-in while in the army was in Graves Registration and has used "diggah" as his handle. Was surprised to find another "diggah" in Europe.

Fran in Florida

For Skype use on my laptop, I use the following Headset :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002ZDSB6/qid%3D1117023212/026-6511452-2348408

In USA :
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/det...e&s=pc&n=507846

Or a USB Version :
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/det...e&s=pc&n=507846




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Willum

The idea of SKYPE is wonderful! What fun it will be when it really works well! So far it has been a very frustrating exercise in futility for me. However, it is not my intention to quit trying to make it work ...providing others are willing to help.

SCOTT has been VERY helpful & exceedingly patient in our attempts to communicate via Skype. The challenges seem to be with my system as he does well communicating with others.

My Sony Viao laptop (2 to 3 yrs old), is connected to a wireless network...Wi-Fi system. It has WinXP... The transformer (?) is on a tall pole less than 100 yds & within sight through the windshield of my motorhome. I have a headset earphone/mic that plugs into the back of the Sony & have made numerous adjustments to the sound in order to clear the voice distortions that have sometimes occured during conversations. The last chat with Scott was fine in that regard.

The other problem has been with voices cutting out...my cursor "freezes" & there is a loss/cutting out of the other person's voice. It has been suggested that perhaps my computer gets "busy" elsewhere which causes the cursor to freeze???? I am not a "techie".... (I am a TECHNIC-ie)!!!

BOB HENDERSHOT....has mentioned how "ideally suited" the 7K is to "this kind of stuff...all you have to do is connect the microphone of your headset to the KN7000 and use the KN7000 to feed your voice and your music to the computer via USB for your VOIP software". (I think I understand this thought).

The two "plugs" on my mic/earphones voice/audio combo that fit into the voice/audio ports on the back of the Sony are very very small stereo plugs (two black lines around each plug)......They are far too small to connect to the mic port on the back of the 7K! If an adapter is available...which one to ask for at Radio Shack? As there is only a 4" wire to each of the two plugs from where they converge to a single wire leading to/from the headset.....the distance is considerably further from the mic port on the 7K & to where the computer sits on the music rack to connect the Sony to the 7K USB port.

As I also have a different headset mic already plugged into the mic port on the 7K....is there some way to use it in the equation with the Sony & maybe the other mic/earphones set??? (I told you, I am not a computer techie) ...

I certainly will look forward to responses to this rather detailed & long post! I really do want to play with y'all!

ELIZABETH....(Skype name: e2luvzmusic)

WILLUM...That headset mic/earphones looks just about like mine....cost about the same at Wal*Mart here in the U.S.A.

We used to do this several years ago using a duplex sound card. I forgot the software name but it was free and worked reasonably well. we used it for a year or so and then it just seem to run out of momentum.
Bebop

I have had Skype on the computer for about 9 months, and never found anybody to talk to!!!!! Walter.

Hey Bill
Thanks for the info on headsets. A pair is on the way. I opted for a Sennheiser 150,on sale at Amazon for $39.00.
Bernie

Bernie said: Do you mean an intigrated unit,as opposed to a separate headphone and mic?

It doesn't matter, Bernie. I prefer a headset because it leaves my hands free and I don't have to worry about moving my head too far away or too close to the mic.

Elizabeth said: The two "plugs" on my mic/earphones voice/audio combo that fit into the voice/audio ports on the back of the Sony are very very small stereo plugs (two black lines around each plug)......They are far too small to connect to the mic port on the back of the 7K!

Yes, Radio Shack among others has adapters that will convert the mini plugs to a size that fits the KN7000. You can also get an extension cord to separate the mic from the headset and reach the back of the KN7000.

She also said: As I also have a different headset mic already plugged into the mic port on the 7K....is there some way to use it in the equation with the Sony & maybe the other mic/earphones set??? (I told you, I am not a computer techie)

I think you talked with Scott about this. Call me if you need more.

Bebop said: We used to do this several years ago using a duplex sound card.

Right, Bill. Most of us were trying to do it with dialup internet connections which in my opinion was just too slow.

Walter and Fran: I tried to find you with a search of Skype. No Luck. What are your Skype names? Found you, Elizabeth.

As many of you know, it is possible to set up a conference call of up to five (I think) people. So, several people can be on at the same time taking turns playing, although I have not tried this. Conference calls work well with voice.

Bebop,

Some of us on the old Technote forum used a pc telephone for a while but it did not last long.

Elizabeth,

One problem we had with the old phone was dial-up connections and Firewalls.

I will be a few weeks in getting set up as we have the house on the market and will probably be moving very soon. As soon as we are settled I will be on the air.

Fran in Florida (Skype = margnfran)

BOB HENDERSHOT....Earlier this evening I talked with Scott Yee via the SKYPE connection....We finally had a tolerable conversation! Yipee!

Scott had just chatted with you....He said you mentioned that I had refused to allow a connection with you! NOT TRUE!!!! I did receive the notice that you had attempted contact with me & I DID allow your name to be added to my list of contacts....

Please know that I welcome you into my SKYPE space! My challenge so far is in the actual success of the system. It is very frustrating for me to actually accomplish a consistently clear tool for communication with my musical friends! Please do not give up...I won't!

ELIZABETH

Elizabeth, I trust that you realized that I expressed this in lighthearted humourous jest only, and assured you that Bob was not offended or hurt, but more concerned whether you were able to get your Skype internet connection resolved. I trust you guys will finally connect on Skype sooner than later. Skype really brings us all so close together. I encourage others here to download & connect with fellow arranger keyboard friends worldwide on Skype as well.

Scott

Skype name: scottyee

SCOTT...& BOB....YES! YES!... !!!

I AM laughing!!! Of course I knew you were being light hearted!

Today is my shopping day so will not be on-line much till tomorrow!

This retirement life is extremely busy between this little word box & the AWESOME 7K music box!

ENJOY ALL YOU DO ZONIES!

ELIZABETH....Snype= e2luvzmusic

Elizabeth, sorry about the confusion. I wanted to email you to set up a time to talk. Neither of us want our email addresses on the forum, but if you add @comcast.net to my Skype name of bobgrh you have my email address. I am a little confused about your microphone connections. If you already have a headset with mic connected to your KN7000 you shouldn't need anything else, assuming you have your KN7000 connected to your computer via the USB cable.

Enjoy the music, while it is still free
Bebop

[This message has been edited by BEBOP (edited 05-27-2005).]

Quote from Skype Website......

"What does it cost?
For non-commercial use, Skype to Skype calls will always be free. Some features and services of Skype require a paid subscription or prepayment. Our ambition is to keep the basic functionality of Skype (PC to PC calls) free forever."
The 'Paid' subscriptions referred to are for calls to and from Landline telephones.

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Willum

[This message has been edited by Bill Norrie (edited 05-27-2005).]

A further Quote from Skype Website :

"Skype is encrypted end-to-end because it uses the public Internet to transport your voice calls and text messages and sometimes these calls are routed through other peers. Skype encryption ensures that no other party can eavesdrop on your call or read your instant messages.
Calls between Skype software users (PC-to-PC calls) are secure and encrypted. Calls to standard telephone or mobile numbers are encrypted until they reach public switched telephone network. Note that in a conference call where one participant is a PSTN (regular telephone or mobile phone) number/phone number, the padlock icon will not appear indicating that the call is not encrypted."

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Willum

Hi Walter,

Well since last week I installed Skype, because we have deer friends living in Brazil, USA and Norway. Tonight I had a talk with my friend in Brazil very clearly. It worked great. I can imagine if you installed it and nothing else, you won't contact. with ICQ you easier get others. However when you carefully select your friends/relatives that I am sure that you can have some nice conversations.

Regards, Fred (vision4life)

Hey Fellas
Can more than two people talk to one another at the same time on the same line?
A bit like a 'conference' set up?
Rog

[This message has been edited by RMepstead (edited 06-15-2005).]

Rog,

Yep. Up to 4 people can participate in a Skype internet telephone conference call.

- Scott
Skype User Name: scottyee

Now that could be useful for one of John C's 'How to do this or that..' sessions.

I beleiveit was Scott who mentioned that MSN has an even better application, in that it also allows for webcams.

Does anyone have this, and how is it?

Larry

Hi Larry, I feel the primary advantage of MSN is that it includes the 'built-in' webcam feature while Skype requires the 3rd party Spontania 'plug-in': http://www.video4skype.com/

Though both Skype & MSN 7 provide impressive voice conversation connection & webcam transmission, I personally tend to use Skype for dedicated voice only conversations as the sound quality appears (to me) to have a 'slight' edge over MSN's.

Scott

Thanks Scott, I was unaware of the webcam plug in for Skype.
Larry