Setting up Skype on the Android Mini PC

Skype is often listed as a supported feature by the retailers of the Android Mini PCs such as the MK808, Ugoos UG802 and Rikomagic MK802 III. However, what is not mentioned that while the Android OS does have drivers to support USB webcams, getting a webcam to work properly with both audio and video working is more of an art than science.

There are many things that you may have to consider while setting up Skype on the Android Mini PC. Unfortunately, it is more than just downloading the Skype app from the Google Play Store and plugging in a USB webcam into the Android Mini PC.

This guide is written specifically for getting Skype to work on the dual core Rockchip RK3066 based Android Mini PC. The specific Android Mini PC models that use this chipset are:

If you are a Rikomagic MK802 or MK802 II user, I have written another Skype guide specifically for the MK802.

How to Use Skype on TV Do you want to use Skype from the comfort of your living room with your TV? Here are three easy ways to get Skype running on your non Smart TV. The lowest cost method is only under $100.

Running Skype – Things to consider

skype

First of all, not all USB webcams are supported. Only a handful and they are mostly Logitech and Microsoft branded webcams, that will work.

The second most important piece of the puzzle is the firmware on the Android Mini PC. While some devices will work with the webcam on Skype out of the box, others require a firmware change.

Thirdly, an important piece of the puzzle that is often overlooked is that the webcam needs to be sufficiently powered. USB webcams are powered off the USB connection. This is either a direct connection to one of the USB ports on the Android Mini PC itself or through a USB port that is connected to the Android Mini PC.

If you need help in upgrading the firmware on the Android Mini PC, check out my firmware and Linux upgrade guide for Rockchip RK3066 based Android Mini PCs.

If the Android Mini PC itself is powered via a USB port on the TV, there may not be sufficient power to power the Android Mini PC, the webcam plus any other connected peripherals such as a keyboard or an RF transceiver for a wireless keyboard.

There are many reported cases of users who managed to get their webcams to work simply by plugging their Android Mini PC directly to a 1.5A or higher USB power adapter or using a good quality powered USB hub for the webcam and other peripherals to reduce the power strain on the Android Mini PC itself.

Another item that may be a factor is the Skype version itself. Some versions of Skype tend to crash the moment a call is initiated. The way to determine if Skype itself is at fault is by using a different app such as Google Talk or the default camera app to check if the camera itself is recognized and working properly.

If you know of a USB webcam that is working on Skype for any of the dual core Android Mini PCs but is not listed in the guide below, please leave a message in the comments section at the bottom of this page. Please leave details of the Android Mini PC model, webcam model, firmware used and Skype version if possible. Thank you.

Best Powered USB Hubs for Android Mini PC

Best USB Power Adapter for Android Mini PC

How to use this Skype guide

This guide is divided by Android Mini PC model as each model has its specific firmware. Similar models such as the MK802 III and MK802 IIIS are grouped together as they are basically the same model with only slight differences in hardware. However it is not guaranteed that the same parameters will always work for both versions but they often do.

There is a listing of working webcams for each model and if available the firmware version is provided as well. Please take note that the information on this guide is mostly extracted from feedback provided by other users on my own articles on Squidoo as well as from other websites. A link to the original source is provided wherever possible.

I have not personally tested all the webcams listed in this guide as it is not feasible to do so although I do personally own a few Logitech webcams for testing purposes.

Skype on MK808/MK808B

A user on the Freak Tab Forums, tomek, shared that the Creative Live! Cam Chat works well on his MK808. He is using the Finless 1.5A Custom ROM.

Source: FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.5A Custom ROM

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User szantinge on the ArmTvTech forums has the Logitech C270 webcam working out of the box. He is using the rooted and Play Store fixed ICS firmware.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums

Firmware: Rooted and Play Store fixed MK808 ICS firmware

Comments: I have the same camera and I couldn’t get it to work on the same setup as Skype keeps crashing. It is possible it is due to Skype itself.

User palicaj from the ArmTvTech forums has reported that the Logitech C910 webcam works on his MK808 with Skype. He is using Finless 1.5A firmware.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.5A Custom ROM

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User antieco from ArmTvTech forums reported that the Logitech C525 webcam works flawlessly running under Finless 1.5A firmware.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.5A Custom ROM

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User EnderA from FreakTab forums reported that the Logitech C310 HD webcam has both sound and video working well in Skype. Firmware is Finless 1.5A ROM.

Source: FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.5A Custom ROM

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User mutton from FreakTab forums reported that the Microsoft LifeCam HD-5000 work well in Skype. ROM is Finless 1.5A.

Source: FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.5A Custom ROM

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User TommyAndroid from ArmTvTech forums reported that the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 work well in Skype.User Old Man from FreakTab forums has posted that the Logitech 9000 works.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums, FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Not provided

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User beyondwind from ArmTvTech forums reported that the Logitech Webcam C905 well in Skype and Google Voice Search. The webcam only worked with a direct connection to the OTG USB port and not on the other USB port or from a powered USB hub.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums

Firmware: rooted_update_mk808b_01

Comments: The camera driv`er does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User pintui ban from FreakTab forums has posted that the Logitech C110 Webcam works.

Source: FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Finless Rom 1.7 (released for UG802) + Kizs Kernel (release date Nov 30, 2012) made for 1080p HDMI output

Comments: No HD video but autofocus functions.

The Microsoft LifeCam VX2000 webcam has been reported by user nick111 from the FreakTab Forums to be working with the MK808.

Source: FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Finless ROM 1.6

Comments: None

User geekbuying on the TabletRepublic Forums has reported that the Logitech C170 webcam is supported by the MK808.

Source: TabletRepublic Forums

Firmware: Stock firmware

Comments: GeekBuying commented that the use of a good USB hub is important as swapping to a poor quality one caused the camera not to work.

Skype on UG802/UG007

The Microsoft LifeCam VX2000 webcam has been reported by users valcs and rayjr13 from the ArmTvTech Forums to be working with the UG802.

User dorbp from FreakTab forums also confirms that the Microsoft LifeCam VX-2000 runs with perfect audio and video for Skype. Firmware is Finless ROM 1.6.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums, FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Not provided, Finless ROM 1.6

Comments: None

User mashera from the ArmTvTech Forums has confirmed that the Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF works out of the box. However, it is not possible to control the camera’s motorized pan and tilt function.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums

Firmware: Not provided

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User zol77 from the FreakTab forums has reported that the Logitech C310 HD works in Skype. Firmware is Finless ROM 1.6 Custom Jelly Bean.

Source: FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.6 Jelly Bean Custom ROM

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User Sigismundpower from FreakTab forums has posted that the Logitech C210 webcam works.
User Sniglar from FreakTab forums has posted that the Logitech C210 webcam works on Skype and Google Voice Search.

Source: FreakTab Forums, FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.6 Jelly Bean Custom ROM<

Comments: None

User rayjr13 from FreakTab forums has posted that the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 works.

Source: FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.6 Jelly Bean Custom ROM

Comments: None

User xiacon from FreakTab forums has posted that the Logitech C615 Webcam works.

Source: FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.7 Custom ROM

Comments: No HD video but autofocus functions.

Skype on MK802 III/MK802 IIIS

User warden_ro on the Rikomagic.uk forums reported that the Logitech HD Pro C920 works with Skype for both video and audio.

Source: Rikomagic.uk Forums

Firmware: Not provided

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User shishir332 on the Rikomagic.uk forums has the Logitech C270 webcam working with Skype on the latest 20121129 firmware.
User geejay on the ArmTvTech forums has the Logitech C270 webcam working after he used an old 1.5A iPhone 2G charger to power his MK802 III.User Promnx commented on the Squidoo MK802 Skype article that the Logitech C270 webcam works fine when connected to an externally powered USB hub. The hub needed at least a 700 mA power supply.

Source: Rikomagic.uk Forums, ArmTvTech Forums, Squidoo

Firmware: 20121129 firmware, not mentioned, March 1 2013 firmware

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User digiPixel from FreakTab forums reported that the Logitech C525 webcam microphone works very well with Google Now, full video and sound with Camera ICS.

Source: FreakTab Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.5 (for iMito MX1)

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

Skype on Neo G4

The LifeCam VX-800 has been verified by Minix themselves as working with the Neo G4. However Minix does not really recommend the VX-800 as it heavily loads the system.

Source: NA

Firmware: ICS 4.0.4 firmware

Comments: None

The Logitech C110 has been verified by Rockchip to be working with the Neo G4. It also does not tax the system like the Microsoft LifeCam VX-800.

Source: Minix Forums

Firmware: ICS 4.0.4 firmware

Comments: None

User muncis on the Minix forums has the Logitech C270 webcam is working okay for him.

Source: Minix Forums

Firmware: Not mentioned but probably ICS 4.0.4 firmware

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

Skype on MX1

User darkness on the ArmTvTech Forums has the Logitech C310 working using the 1080p beta firmware. It also works with Google Voice Search.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums

Firmware: 1080p beta firmware

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User geekbuying on the ArmTvTech Forums has tested the Logitech C170 webcam and it is working.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums

Firmware: Not mentioned.

Comments: None

User geekbuying on the ArmTvTech Forums has tested the Logitech C270 webcam with Skype.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums

Firmware: Not mentioned.

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User jefflessard on the ArmTvTech Forums has the Microsoft Lifecam HD3000 working out of the box using Finless 1.5 ROM but he had to downgrade Skype to v 2.9.0.315. Voice search works as well.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.5 ROM

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

User hidefguy from ArmTvTech Forums has posted that he got the HP-2200 webcam to work using Finless 1.5 ROM.

Source: ArmTvTech Forums

Firmware: Finless 1.5 ROM

Comments: The camera driver does not support HD resolution and is limited to standard resolution on Skype.

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