Ask S&V

TV Skype

Scott Wilkinson  |  May 18, 2011

I purchased a Panasonic TC-P58VT25 TV from Best Buy in early January. When I asked about the Panasonic webcam to use with Skype, the price was too high. I asked if any USB webcam would work, and I was told that it probably would.

Later, I got a good deal on a Logitech 1080p HD webcam—not cheap, but about half the price of the Panasonic. However, it does not work; the TV doesn't recognize it. A little research leads me to believe that the Best Buy folks gave me bad info, and the Panasonic webcam is the only one that will work.

Can you shed any light on this? Do you know of a workaround so I can use a less expensive webcam for Skype calls on my new Panasonic TV? I really think others should be warned of this problem.

Jerry Gifford

You are correct—the Best Buy folks gave you bad info (though they covered their asses by using the word "probably"). The Panasonic webcam is the only one that will work with the VT25, which is a 2010 model. Logitech and Freetalk each offer one webcam that will work with the 2011 Skype-enabled models, but not the 2010 sets. And that Logitech webcam is 720p, so your 1080p unit won't work with them, either.

I'm afraid you're out of luck, and there is no workaround I know of. If you want to use Skype with the VT25, you'll have to bite the bullet and get the Panasonic webcam.

If you have an A/V question, please send it to askscottwilkinson@gmail.com.

X