In a Tuesday announcement, Skype said that some of the forthcoming high-definition televisions (HD TVs) boasting Internet capabilities, scheduled to hit the markets by the middle of this year, will feature its voice and video-conferencing technology. Thus far, Skype has been offering its videoconferencing service only on small desktop computer screens and laptops.

Some of the new HD TV models that will have Skype's Internet phone service embedded in them include the 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled HD TVs from Panasonic; and LG Electronics' wide range of LCD and plasma HD TVs with NetCast Entertainment Access.

The VOIP provider Skype, which separated from eBay some time back, further elaborated that for users who are already members of the Skype service, the home videoconferencing facility will be provided free of charge. However, users will need to buy Web cameras with microphones to avail the service on the new LG and Panasonic HD TV sets.

Skype further elucidated that both LG and Panasonic will sell webcams that will facilitate video calling via televisions - these webcams will support the 720p high-definition format.

Furthermore, Skype also added that the 720p high-definition video calling facility will also become available for consumers using Skype on their PCs, provided that they have a computer with a 1.8 GHz dual-core processor; a high-speed Internet connection; Skype 4.2 Beta for Windows; and one of several soon-to-be-released webcams from faceVision and In Store Solutions.