Skype

October 2, 2012 12:30 PM

Alternatives to Skype for video teleconferencing -- bummed out by crappy audio quality.

I'm involved with a nonprofit that currently uses a paid Skype subscription for video teleconferencing. On our last call, the audio quality was extremely choppy, to the point that we could barely track what people were saying, even when we turned off the video to conserve bandwidth.

Can you recommend alternatives with better audio quality?

We know about Oovoo -- can you provide first-hand experience of using it for a situation like this?

Requirements:
* Video and audio for up to 12 people
* Participants on multiple platforms (Mac/Windows/mobile)
* Ability to phone in with no computer
* IM
* Free/low cost (less than $20/month)
* Easy setup

Nice to have:
* More participants
* Screen sharing
* Usable for participants on older computers or crappy connections

posted by ottereroticist to Technology (4 answers total)

Sounds like network congestion. Do you have IT people? A cheap and/or low-bandwidth internet connection?
posted by rhizome at 1:57 PM on October 2, 2012

Response by poster: We have no central location or IT staff. Volunteer participants are in various locations, with a range of platforms, connection speeds, hardware and OS configurations, etc.
posted by ottereroticist at 2:18 PM on October 2, 2012

Have you tried Google+ "Hangouts"? It's abhorrently named, but the one time I used it for a group vid conference it was far superior to anything I've done on Skype.
posted by mcstayinskool at 3:47 PM on October 2, 2012

But for the "no computer" requirement, I'd suggest you give Buzzumi a look-see. Otherwise it sounds like it might work for you.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 9:13 PM on October 2, 2012