Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

Skype equipment - what do you use?

9 replies

Erac · 03/10/2011 19:50

Not sure where to post this, but would love any suggestions.

We want to Skype our long distance relatives so that they can see the baby "in person". We have 2 headsets, but getting a 7 month old to wear a headset so that she can hear her Grandma is becoming quite a frustrating comedy routine.

Clearly we need some sort of Skype speakerphone, but the ones on the Skype's site run over 100 pounds. Any suggestions on a cheaper option?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

InmaculadaConcepcion · 03/10/2011 20:29

What type of computer are you using? Our MacBook has its own built-in camera and microphone, so we don't need any extra equipment, which has been ideal for DD being able to interact with people on Skype. I suspect a lot of other computers, especially laptops will be the same....

Octaviapink · 04/10/2011 07:18

You can buy a plain old set of computer speakers that amplify the sound coming out of the computer - can you put Skype on 'speakerphone' so that it uses the computer's normal speaker? If so, then a set of speakers would work.

hayleysd · 04/10/2011 07:21

I use my iPhone 4 that way you can point the camera where you want and use the front and back and no headset is needed we also have an iPad 2 and a 4th gen iPod and use them to skype between us if my dp is working sway etc, my friend borrowed it to skype family in Canada and said it was much easier than a laptop as she could follow her 2 year old round the room without having to make him sit and look at the laptop. Maybe doesn't help if you dont have any of these.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General parenting

PotteringAlong · 04/10/2011 07:23

We got a camera off eBay for £10 and the speakers were built in.

Try eBay?

Byeckerslike · 04/10/2011 07:44

I have a web cam that sits on top of the monitor, and the sound comes out of the speakers

Byeckerslike · 04/10/2011 07:44

The computers speakers, not the webcams....

TastyMuffins · 04/10/2011 07:49

Macbook, iPad or iPhone, never tried with a headset which may actually make it easier to hear my parents when DS is jabbering away next to me.

LiegeAndLief · 04/10/2011 21:48

We have a normal set of computer speakers and a free standing microphone, although recently got a new webcam which has a microphone built in. You definitely don't need a special Skype speakerphone (not sure what that is), any old speakers will do.

If you go to Tools>Options>Audio settings on Skype, you can change where the sound comes out (iyswim). So if your computer has inbuilt speakers you can "redirect" the sound there instead of your headset.

Original poster

Erac · 04/10/2011 22:02

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. If it's as simple as using the equipment already on my laptop and maybe buying some speakers, I'll be both elated and slightly embarrassed for overlooking the obvious. And if that doesn't work, then it's a great excuse to get an iPad!

OP posts:

Flip