Skype Gets High-Def

What’s better than holding video chats with out-of-state relatives or long-distance significant others? Having those very same conversations–both bubble gum and explicit–in HD. What might be taking it a bit too far? Integrating those conversations into your 42-inch HD television set. No offense, but the living room screen is for sports, movies and mindless TV–the pre-makeup morning mug probably isn’t ready for prime time.

Skype is planning on upgrading its video cameras and software to support 720p HD, a move which should markedly improve your video chat quality. The company’s 4.2 beta software is capable of offering 1280 x 720 video at 30 fps. Four different HD webcams with onboard encoding and processing will be available from manufacturers FaceVision and In Store, ranging from $70 to $140.

As for the TVs, Skype will be partnering with manufacturers LG and Panasonic to offer Skype-enabled television sets, bringing (or pushing) one more aspect of your daily Internet experience onto the comfort of your couch. The televisions will include an integrated a 720p webcam and Skype software, mimicking nearly all the features you enjoy on the computer. Model specifics and pricing information yet to come. [via Gizmodo]