Re: Desktop VideoConferencing
Lance Eggleston (legglest@buffnet.net)
Thu, 25 Jan 1996 01:07:02 EST
>We are looking at the possibility of using desktop video conferencing
>technology as a means to improve the level of communications between
>members of faculty and student teachers when they are out in the schools
>doing "practice teaching". We want to test it out using basic ISDN service
>between two sites in our city. Our local phone company indicates that we
>have ISDN level access between the sites that we are interested in. They
>will also provide the NP1 device as part of the monthly service charges for
>the line.
>
>We are initially looking at the Picture Tel PCS 50 versus the Intel
>Proshare desktop products. We are interested in how many other
>organizations are doing similiar types of things and what your experiences
>have been with these or comparable products.
>
>Thanks in advance for your responses
>** Les... We have been experimenting with CuSeeMe on Macs and Win machines
>using Connectix QuickCams. We have a mixed Mac / Win LAN using a Cathedra
>Linux box and an SGI Indy video reflector. We have also experimented with
>Internet phone and Web phone.
CuSeeMe works OK with 486 SX PC and LC III or better Macs. Frame rate is
not real smooth, but we have run four simultaneous BW videos and Internet
access over the same lines. Web phone needs better than a 486 SX or it
chops the message.
We have a wireless modem connection to our ISP. We avoided ISDN since the
line charges are usage sensitive and the modems and NP1 are very expensive.
What level of voice / video do you need? The system we use is very
inexpensive, but it is also not the smoothest video. Picture TEL etc are
costly, CuSeeMe is not. Also, does the school site have equipment with
enough RAM and CPU speed to run this well, or will the project supply end
equipment.
Oh, one additional thing, using the Indy reflector we can broadcast the
video over the LAN for all to receive, but I'm not sure what great value
that is yet.
Lance Eggleston
Director of Instructional Technology
Hamburg Central Schools
5305 Abbott Road
Hamburg NY 14075 USA
legglest@buffnet.net