Skype continues to evolve and change under the Microsoft banner, and now the company is stretching into the broadcasting arena with the new Skype TX, the company’s “studio grade software that delivers high quality audio and video output to seamlessly connect broadcast and media productions with people around the world.”
Skype TX will be available “in the coming year”
Skype TX will be available “in the coming year”, and the product is a result of a recent acquisition of its long-time partner Cat and Mouse. This basically now means that Skype will be better integrated into a professional studio set-up.
Some highlights of Skype TX include:
- Powerful – Seamlessly adds full-frame Skype video and audio via SDI.
- Responsive – User experience is optimized for broadcast workflow with API integration and call management.
- Quality – A single, integrated production grade system to deliver professional audio and video calls. Skype video feeds processed into broadcast formats:
- Free of audio/visual distractions such as call notifications and ads.
- HD-SDI Video output/input
- Balanced audio output/input
- Auto aspect ratio conversion
- Total control – Empowers a single operator to manage multi-channel calls and create compelling, new formats with HD-SDI Skype video feeds direct to your switcher.
- Go anywhere – Cost effective for use in studio and outside broadcast integration.
- Reliability – Built for always-on operation in a dynamic environment, including call handling management for multiple, simultaneous Skype calls on one management interface, plus operator previews, auto fall back to still and call quality monitoring.
- Support – Fully supported by a team of specialist Microsoft-trained broadcast technical team.
There’s no denying that this is a big move for Skype, which is facing enormous competition in the calling app space. With Skype TX, one can’t help but wonder what the next evolution of Skype will be.