Problem with internet connection using skype and other webcam chats

[phillyfan49]

I just recently bought a webcam. Its a logitech C200. The problem is when I use any kind of chat service to webcam with a friend, I have a bad connection and get kicked out. For example, on skype, it says i have a very slow connection, and on oovoo I am usually I start out in green bar for 2 minutes, than change to red bar and get kicked out. I just recently updated the RAM on my computer so that I could use the webcam. Any ideas on how to fix this please?

Im using an Acer travelmate 4650 laptop with 1.99GB RAM.
I also use Windows XP.

[truenorth]

What type of internet connection do you have and what is the speed you normally get from it? truenorth

[phillyfan49]

I have ptd, and the speed on my laptop is around 54.0Mbps

[Computer_Commando]

What he means is cable, dsl, satellite or other?
54.0Mbps is your connection to the router or the modem, not to the internet.

[rthompson80819]

PTD is an ISP that works mostly by using other providers lines.  They offer cable, DSL and dial up service.  The DSL speeds range from 384 Kbs to a 20 Mbs service.  No speed is given for cable but they offer DOCSIS 3.0 and channel bonding so it should be a decent speed.

The first thing you need to is to check your actual speed.

http://www.speedtest.net/ is a good one.

[phillyfan49]

Oh ok, thank you you for the explanation. I have cable internet. Here are my speedtest results.

[rthompson80819]

That should be more than good enough for Skype, or any webcam.  Check you speed several times a day and see if it changes drastically.

My first guess is that's an interment problem with your cable provider.

[phillyfan49]

yeah, speedtest shows drastically diff results. This is what i just received after testing:


Sometimes though i will get like a 1.00 download, and a .20 upload.
I dont know whats up with that.

[rthompson80819]

That's a huge difference between the two tests, but either is more than enough for Skype or webcams.  There is a little disagreement about the minimum speed needed for video.  Some people say 1 Mbs down is the minimun and some say 1.5 Mbs is the minimum, so based on those tests you are more than good.

If it sometimes drops to .2 Mbs upstream that could be part of the problem.

I'd test the speeds often for a couple of days and keep a log of the results and times.  Also, keep a record of the times you are kicked off.  See if there is any common ground.

If you are only having a problem with one person it could also be on their end.

Based on what you have posted so far it may not be a quick fix, but I'm sure it's fixable.

[truenorth]

I would be contacting your ISP at this point with your speed test results and seeking their input as to why there is such a huge variance. If you are able to detect the huge changes that you have it is very reasonable to suspect that there are instances of where it drops even lower. Which then accounts for the loss of connection. You certainly do NOT have a stable connection. I would go there 1st before i started changing your own equipment. If your having these results with your provider  i suspect so are all other customers. If it is only you then it could be their interaction with you via equipment they have provided. good luck,truenorth

[Computer_Commando]

What are modem power levels, upstream & downstream?
http://192.168.100.1/