Skype goes living room, embeds on LG, Panasonic HDTVs

Skype on Tuesday said it is embedding its service on a bevy of HDTVs. The company added that it is supporting video calls in 720p HD on PCs.

With the move Skype is aiming to make video conferencing something that can be conducted from the living room while making high-definition connections mainstream.

Skype said its latest Windows version can deliver HD calls as long as users have an HD webcam and a chip running at least 1.8 GHz. The HD webcams are expected to be unveiled at CES for early 2010 arrival.

More interesting is Skype's distribution move to embed its service on Internet-connected HDTVs (blog, statement). With Skype embedded---the company cut deals with LG and Panasonic---it is gaining distribution on future competitors such as Cisco, which also has key pieces of the digital living room puzzle.

Specifically, Skype will be embedded into Panasonic's 2010 VIERA CAST HDTVs and LG's 26-inch LCD and plasma HDTVs. Both of those product lines will be available in mid-2010. Skype also noted that LG and Panasonic will offer HD webcams that can pick up sound and video from "a couch distance."