Video Conference

CenterNET 2 Description

VSX 3000

VTEL

Videoconferencing: An Introduction

Video conferencing has been used within higher education for over a decade and within the world of business for a while longer. The technology enables people to see and hear each other by using a combination of computer and communication technologies. Users can communicate at a distance, share the same computer-based workspaces and visually collaborate.

RIGHT: A Videoconference in progress.

Desktop Video Conference Systems

There are two kinds of connection currently available. Analogue videoconferencing relies on modem technology and connects on a dial up basis.

This is a fairly cheap option, as the user needs only to purchase a modem and video conference kit, which can be as little as $200. One telephone line is used to make the connection, but the visual images are poor.

Digital networks such as ISDN provide a higher quality method but are more expensive to use. ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network and is a public network. Normally, two digital lines are used to give the system enough bandwidth to send moving pictures. ISDN2 will typically yield around 12-15 frames each second, providing reasonable audio and video quality.

RIGHT: A desktop videoconference system
(Courtesy of PictureTel Corporation)

Sharing Applications

Imagine you have a colleague who is working with you on an important piece of written work. You are both using a word processor on personal computers in your respective offices. Unfortunately, your colleague is 500 miles away in another part of the country, and it is impossible to travel to meet each other regularly. The solution...application sharing through video conference. With most videoconference systems, users are able to share the software they are using with a remotely connected site. This means that if you are using Excel spreadsheet, you can share the work stored on this software with your partner for discussion.

Multi-Point Conferences

There are times when more than two sites wish to communicate together using video conferencing. This can be achieved by the use of a video bridge. Video bridges are specialized systems that enable several video conference sites to dial in together. At a receive site, the user will see their own local picture and a set of pictures showing all the other participating sites. In this kind of situation it is advisable to designate a chair person who can ensure that one site speaks at a time, to avoid confusion!

Room based systems

Another (more expensive) higher quality system is room based or 'roll about' technology. These systems use large monitors and usually more than two digital lines (combinations of 3 or 6 lines are the most common configurations).

Current Uses

CenterNet2 video conferencing is used regularly for teaching sessions, seminars, meetings, conferences virtual field trips and research. Each CenterNET site is equipped with room based video systems, and there are also several desk top pc video conference systems in place.

Video conferencing is set to save individuals with a great deal of time which would have been taken up traveling from one site to another.