Workable Skype solution for elderly?

[RGUN]

I am looking for an extremely simple Skype solution that is independent of a computer. The best solution would be something that integrates into a television, alternately a standalone screen without computer. I initially looked into an add on for televisions that used wifi, found logitechs offering, but the need to switch inputs will not be acceptable.

Do televisions exist that integrate well with Skype? It would need to be dead simple, no input changes. What I am hoping for is something that would be on and available to receive any time their television was on. If someone calls, it will pop up on screen, they can hit ONE button to answer or reject, and upon closing the call, it automatically goes back to the show they were watching.

Does such a product exist?

 

[sdifox]

http://www.amazon.com/Tely-Labs-tely...words=skype+tv

 

[RGUN]

Correct me if I am wrong but this fails the criteria as it would require the user to change inputs does it not?

 

[sdifox]

Correct me if I am wrong but this fails the criteria as it would require the user to change inputs does it not?

If you don't know how to change input...nothing will work. No addon can issue a command to the TV to change input.


You could couple with harmony macros perhaps.


Another option is perhaps a TV with built in skype, those might have the auto switch programmed in.

 

[Kaido]

Correct me if I am wrong but this fails the criteria as it would require the user to change inputs does it not?

I'm not sure if the product you're looking for exists off-the-shelf, but you might be able to cobble one together with the help of an HDMI auto-switch:

http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-3-In-1-Ou.../dp/B0018DQYQ2

But those typically activated based on the power-on of the device, and I'd imagine the Skype TV cams stay on all the time and just wait for a phone call.

Sounds tricky

 

[sdifox]

I'm not sure if the product you're looking for exists off-the-shelf, but you might be able to cobble one together with the help of an HDMI auto-switch:

http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-3-In-1-Ou.../dp/B0018DQYQ2

But those typically activated based on the power-on of the device, and I'd imagine the Skype TV cams stay on all the time and just wait for a phone call.

Sounds tricky

That won't work. Most tvs have auto-switch, problem is there is no priority setting, so 2 active signals means the current one wins. some do have new input wins as default but that gets annoying.

 

[Kaido]

That won't work. Most tvs have auto-switch, problem is there is no priority setting, so 2 active signals means the current one wins. some do have new input wins as default but that gets annoying.

Yeah, that's what I figured. If it weren't for CEC's flakiness, all of this would be a piece of cake. OP, I'd recommend doing some research per Logitech's CEC profile:

http://logitech-en-emea.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/33904

The Logitech TV Cam will work with many CEC-enabled TVs, allowing it to automatically turn the TV on and switch it to the camera's HDMI input. With a CEC-enabled TV, you can accept an incoming call by pressing the OK button on the TV Cam HD remote control. Press the Back button to ignore an incoming call. To see who's calling and to navigate to the Skype interface, press any of directional pad or zoom buttons. The Home button is not enabled for any of these actions.

NOTE: This feature isn't universally compatible with all TVs. Even if the manufacturer indicates it is CEC-enabled, we can't guarantee this feature will work with your TV.

 

[Thump553]

Good luck. My MIL (who spends hours on the phone) has never figured out how to answer Skype on the computer, much less make an outgoing call.

The added frustration to all involved is often just not worth the financial savings.

 

[RGUN]

If you don't know how to change input...nothing will work. No addon can issue a command to the TV to change input.


You could couple with harmony macros perhaps.


Another option is perhaps a TV with built in skype, those might have the auto switch programmed in.

Yes what I was specifically inquiring about was if anyone knew of a tv with built in Skype functionality or integration that satisfies my criteria. Is there a television sold on the market that can accept a Skype call with a single button press and know to go back to whatever show once the call is over. I was hoping that a someone would suggest a TV with built in Skype that had this feature.

For those wondering why, it's for a person in a long term care facility who is largely not physically able to leave. My main concern is not communication in particular, but specifically engaging them visually and making them feel less isolated.

 

[sdifox]

Yes what I was specifically inquiring about was if anyone knew of a tv with built in Skype functionality or integration that satisfies my criteria. Is there a television sold on the market that can accept a Skype call with a single button press and know to go back to whatever show once the call is over. I was hoping that a someone would suggest a TV with built in Skype that had this feature.

For those wondering why, it's for a person in a long term care facility who is largely not physically able to leave. My main concern is not communication in particular, but specifically engaging them visually and making them feel less isolated.

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-tv/skype-ready-tv/


that says skype ready tv does do the incoming call notice thing, you still have to press a button to accept call.

"Yes, if your TV is switched on you will see an incoming call notice on screen and then you can choose to answer the call or decline it. Even if your TV is switched off you can set it to automatically keep Skype running when it is in standby and incoming calls will be sent to voicemail or can be forwarded to any phone, if you have this feature enabled."

The biggest issue is still the person's mental state. If they don't pick up, nothing will help you.

 

[RGUN]

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-tv/skype-ready-tv/


that says skype ready tv does do the incoming call notice thing, you still have to press a button to accept call.

"Yes, if your TV is switched on you will see an incoming call notice on screen and then you can choose to answer the call or decline it. Even if your TV is switched off you can set it to automatically keep Skype running when it is in standby and incoming calls will be sent to voicemail or can be forwarded to any phone, if you have this feature enabled."

The biggest issue is still the person's mental state. If they don't pick up, nothing will help you.

Yes I had read the information available from Skype. I was hoping that someone would have personal experience with this setup and comment on my questions specifically, like when the call ends does it go back to the show you were watching or does it go to the skype screen.

The biggest issue as I stated was the seamless integration and one button functionality, not mental state. Input switching is not tolerated because as my experience with elderly people with a cable box dictates, as soon as you have to switch the remote control between different devices to control different features, they will be calling saying they cant get their TV/cable box to turn on.

 

[sdifox]

Yes I had read the information available from Skype. I was hoping that someone would have personal experience with this setup and comment on my questions specifically, like when the call ends does it go back to the show you were watching or does it go to the skype screen.

The biggest issue as I stated was the seamless integration and one button functionality, not mental state. Input switching is not tolerated because as my experience with elderly people with a cable box dictates, as soon as you have to switch the remote control between different devices to control different features, they will be calling saying they cant get their TV/cable box to turn on.

Can't help you there. I have not used one.

 

[detucker52]

Logitech HD TV Cam for Skype, and Biscotti Smart TV Cam for Google Voice and Video Chat and Android Talk APP. No computer required. On Biscotti,the HDMI pass through will automatically switch the call to Video (or voice) and can be preset to auto answer specific calls. When the call is over, the TV returns to the original program setting. Logitech has an HDMI feature that will change the TV to the input the TV Cam is on, but someone will still have to accept the call from the second remote. Both require HDMI inputs, and a TV that has a feature called CEC, which is a standard for controlling various functions of the TV through the HDMI ports.

 

[RGUN]

Logitech HD TV Cam for Skype, and Biscotti Smart TV Cam for Google Voice and Video Chat and Android Talk APP. No computer required. On Biscotti,the HDMI pass through will automatically switch the call to Video (or voice) and can be preset to auto answer specific calls. When the call is over, the TV returns to the original program setting. Logitech has an HDMI feature that will change the TV to the input the TV Cam is on, but someone will still have to accept the call from the second remote. Both require HDMI inputs, and a TV that has a feature called CEC, which is a standard for controlling various functions of the TV through the HDMI ports.

Thank you very much for registering to tell me this! That biscotti device looks like a potential perfect solution. If you happen to come back and you have experience with this device, can you answer something that I dont find in the manual? It says to accept a call, navigate to the accept button on screen and hit the yellow button on the remote. When a call comes in, on screen is the accept button highlighted by default meaning that the user really only needs to hit the yellow button?

Also, if the other party ends the call, does the screen return to the TV without any input from the biscotti user?

Thanks again!

 

[slackerinabox]

iPad!

 

[Lee Lee]

Does such a product exist?

Hi, did you ever find what you were looking for?