Skype movie parties are a great way to stay in touch with friends or loved ones you can't meet in person. You can spend quality time together while watching a movie, making it a great choice for staying connected or celebrating special moments remotely. Create a Skype account and make group calls, then play your favorite movies. Don't forget to prepare popcorn!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Setting Up Group Calls
Step 1. Add friends to Skype
If they have already created an account, befriend them to have their accounts added to the contact list. If they don't have a Skype account, they will need to create one in order to join the movie party.
Tip:
You can invite up to 25 people in one group call on Skype-24 people and you. However, the maximum number of video streams (required for each person to watch a movie) will depend on the device and platform used. Do a test call on Skype before the party starts to see how many streams you can add.
Step 2. Choose the right time when your friends are relaxing
Speak early to determine a schedule that works for everyone. If possible, you can choose a time when everyone has a fast internet connection. It's a good idea to avoid peak internet usage times at home or in your neighborhood (usually in the afternoon on weekdays when people have come home from work or school).
Step 3. Create a movie group
To have a group call with all your friends, you first need to create a group on Skype. To create a group, select the " + New Chat " button, then click " New Group ". Enter a name for the group (eg “The Nobar Gang”). You can add an avatar photo and group color, then press the right arrow key to create a group and add contacts.
Send a few messages to the group to make sure everyone has accepted your invitation. Apart from that, you can also use group chat rooms to plan and prepare for a movie party
Method 2 of 3: Sharing Impressions from Your Screen
Step 1. Download an audio program and configure your computer to share audio via Skype
You should be able to share the audio of the movie during the party, but Skype can't pick up sound if you play it from your computer. Therefore, you will need a third-party audio program such as Virtual Audio Cable (available for free), and then set it up as the primary output or playback device. That way, you and your friends can enjoy the visual and audio elements of the film at the same time.
You will also need to access the “Properties” page of the new wired output device and set it as the device you will use to listen to the sound. That way, you can also listen to the sound from the movie
With this method, you can hear the sound from the movie, but your voice will not be heard.
If you want them to be able to hear both your movie audio and your voice, talk to them through a separate app like Discord when you broadcast your audio and movies via Skype. However, you can still use Skype's text chat function or features.
Step 2. Have a group call in the movie party group
On Skype, access the group and click the camera icon. A video call with all the contacts in the group will start. Wait until everyone is connected to the group call before playing and watching movies.
To see if your friends are networked and ready to watch a movie, look for the green dot next to the user's avatar in the “Contacts” list. You can also send a message to the group chat room to make sure everyone is ready to watch
Step 3. Insert movie DVD into computer or play movie from internet
Once in a call with a group, play a movie or access a streaming website like Netflix. Consider the speed and power of the computer when deciding on a movie playback method! If you are using an older model computer, it may not be “powerful” to play movies and receive Skype calls at the same time.
You can try a test call first to find out how the computer performs when used for streaming and video calls via Skype. If the computer's performance is stuttering, ask another friend to stream it
Step 4. Share your computer screen view once ready
In the lower-right corner of the Skype window, click the button on the two overlapping screens. Your computer screen display will be shared with other friends. Play a movie or hit the play button when everyone is ready.
Step 5. Have fun and enjoy the show
Like a real movie party (in the real world), you can chat about the movie playing or stop playing and just chat, either through the Skype chat room or the microphone (if you're using a separate app). Take this party as an opportunity to chat and ask how each other is doing.
Method 3 of 3: Syncing Screen
Step 1. Make sure everyone has a movie to watch
You need to do further planning to watch movies on different televisions. Everyone needs time to get a copy of a movie that they can watch at home, either on DVD or on a streaming device.
Step 2. Keep whatever you need in a close place so you don't have to stop the movie
If playback is paused, it will be difficult for you to stay “in sync” with the rest of your friends. Therefore, try not to stop the movie too much. Head to the bathroom before the movie starts, and have snacks and drinks ready from the start.
Tip:
If you do need to pause playback, let your friends know first. Count down together from five, then press the stop button at the same time.
Step 3. Have a group call on Skype at the scheduled or promised time
Click the chat room or party group and press the camera button (or the phone button if you just want to make a voice call). You may need to give everyone a few minutes to prepare before they are ready to watch the movie.
From the start, decide whether you want to have a video or audio chat
Step 4. Align the beginning of the movie
You can start playback from the opening or pause the film at a certain frame or scene and show it to everyone so they can match their show with yours. Thus, it will be easier for everyone to sync movies if several people watch movies through different media/devices (eg other streaming content providers).
Step 5. Countdown to play movies simultaneously
This step is the part that is quite complicated. Have someone count, then press the play button at the same time. With a little effort to fast forward and hold movie playback, you can all sync movie playback to keep annoying echoes from being heard over Skype. If you want, you can ask someone to turn up the volume of the television while the other turns the television off.
You can also turn off Skype chat notifications from everyone and use the feature or text chat rooms to chat with friends, without interrupting the audio playing
Tips
- Each method described above has its own advantages and disadvantages. Just choose the method of watching movies that you and your friends prefer.
- Close email accounts or other personal accounts before sharing your computer screen with friends.
