I do not have enough bandwidth for good video calls. How can I lower the amount of bandwidth used on the calls?

We have suggestions on how to lower your bandwidth usage and recommend that you share this with others on your call to lower the overall amount of bandwidth:

1)    Start the video call in Low Resolution; this will lower the amount you need for the upload and download. You may notice your video is a little grainier. This setting is located in the ooVoo program:

File>Settings>Audio & Video and Change the Video Resolution to Low Resolution 176x144 and click SAVE

2)    From the Audio & Video setting you can also lower the FPS on your camera but that could introduce other performance problems so be sure to test it.

3)    For extreme situations you can turn your camera off during a video call and others will hear you but only see your Profile Photo. On the bottom of the video window turn off your camera.

If you want to pursue increasing your internet bandwidth with your internet provider you will need a minimum of 180kbps of available bandwidth for the upload (standard resolution) and an additional 128MB required for the download per video window added to the video call. If you are sending Hi-resolution video you will need a minimum of 384kbps for the upload speed.

Each video window added to your call conversation increases the needed download bandwidth. The video quality also depends on the available bandwidth the others have; if there is more available bandwidth, then the video and audio quality will be better.  

If desired, you can check your bandwidth during a video call. Perform an online test to evaluate performance of your internet bandwidth and overall quality

·       Go to: http://myvoipspeed.visualware.com/  (you may have to download Java if you don’t have it)                          

·       When the world map loads, please click on the part of the world that you live in, and then select the city closest to you for the test.

   a)   Click on the "Speed" Link on the right.

   b)   When the Window opens, click on the "Click to start test" button at the top of the graph.

   c)   When the test is done, a "Summary" tab, with a traffic light symbol will appear on the left.

   d)   Click on the Summary tab.

   e)   Copy down the "download speed", the "upload speed", the "quality of service", AND the color light next to each one.

   f)    Next, click on the "VOIP" link on the right  

   g)   When the Window opens up, click on the "Click to start test" button at the top of the graph.

   h)   When the test is done, a "Summary" tab, with a traffic light symbol will appear on the left.

   i)     Click on the Summary tab. Copy down the "Jitter", "Packet loss AND the color light next to each one. 

Once the two tests are complete you will have data in 5 areas that measure the quality of your internet service. If you have Red, Yellow lights you will experience problems during calls, especially in the Jitter rate. Also, if your overall Quality of Service (QOS) is less than 90% you will experience problems.