Skype to offer high-definition video telephony on some new TVs

Skype voice and video calling technology will be embedded in the coming high-definition TVs with Internet capabilities.

Skype said Tuesday that its Internet phone service is included in 2010 from Panasonic VIERA CAST-HD televisions are activated and new LG LCD and plasma TVs with HD Netcast Entertainment Access. The TV is expected to be available in the middle of the year.

LG and Panasonic sell webcams that support the 720p high-definition format and the production of video phone calls intended to the television.

Skype, the eBay Inc. sold to an investor group in November, offers free audio and video calls to other Skype users, and charges for calls to cellular or landline phones.

Skype also said that consumers who are using Skype on their computers now in a position to 720p high-definition video calls.

They typically need a high-speed Internet connection, one of several soon-again-cams will be published and a computer with a 1.8 GHz dual-core processor, and Skype 4.2 Beta for Windows, the company said. Skype did not specify whether and when Mac support would be available.

Skype said faceVision coming webcams and in-store solutions that are planned to be published in February and March will each support the video telephony.