Internet Conferencing – video web meetings

Michael Lemm asked:




A commonly asked question … and one that often causes confusion and headaches …. concerns just how much bandwidth does a business require for video conferencing and multi-media applications.

Let’s get right to it and try to shed some light to clear things up a bit. Here’s some basics to give you a good foundation to move forward.

One location running low traffic to view video could be 256 to 384k … Two locations running and downloading files via the internet with video could be 384k-768 … Three locations feeding off a main location through MPLS on a full T1 burstable is up to 3mg’s. Plus, simultaneous allocation of channels with voice, data and video could work fine.

It’s important to consider area’s of traffic for voice, data, internet, locations, … and software specifications, equipment and any devices connected. Where they are ran from and back to …. and the termination points.

You might use a simple T1, DS3, bonded PRI … ethernet (if corporates headquarters is in NY say … and you’ve got multi locations running back through the main server … then it’s something to consider based on what types of software, devices and bandwidth are being worked into the configuration back to your central point.)

Keep in mind you may need to brush up some other LOC’s or configure them a little differently to free up space…

If your talking pretty basic simple set up … low cost and nothing lagging any latency issues … a fractional T1 all the way to a bonded PRI for simultaneous allocation of channels is cost effective and upgradeable. Having dedicated point to point T1 for moderate use would be fine also.

Headaches for corp use are DSL, BRI, ISDN, Frame Relay. That’s not saying they don’t work well …. but there’s more defects per incident if your serious about running and availability of paths (think quality and reliability).

If you are planning a Halo or TelePresence room, then 10 Mb Ethernet or DS3 is a minimum as the requirements are 3 Mbps per channel.

For units like Tandberg or Polycom, using H.264, you can get away with 384-768 kbps per site. Using H.263, 768 kbps is a minimum for quality; you can use as little as a T1 in these scenarios. How you want to integrate that into your current WAN is up to you … MPLS, FR, ATM, ethernet, etc.

Personally, I would try to use MPLS for my WAN and add the video as a higher priority so I could dynamically allocate bandwidth as opposed to dedicating circuits.

There ya go folks … just the basics.

For the next step of actually finding a bandwidth solution …. take advantage of the free consulting available at DS3-Bandwidth.com.

Delores

Ricky Lim asked:




The advancement in technology and thereby in the field of telecommunications has changed the face of the world considerably. Free online web conferencing is one such way of telecommunication that brings together people round the globe via the World Wide Web; it may be for educational, commercial or recreational purposes. Though there are also alternatives of online chat, instant messaging and message boards for communication, but web conferencing stands a way above all of these.

This is because web conferencing makes use of VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) for a realistic interaction with more than one individual. There are also free web services, which enable both video and audio contact, and make the experience of interaction all the more pleasurable, and real.

There are various chargeable and web conferencing services providers in the market. Genesys, Microsoft, and Raindance are some of them. The cutthroat competition among these service providers is a great benefit to the users as they offer additional facilities to attract users.

Uses And Benefits Of Online Web Conferencing

These free online conferencing services are basically used to attend lectures and seminars for several courses that are offered online. This way an interactive session is held easily without any hassles, which gives an overall realistic experience. Furthermore, making an international call is a lot more expensive otherwise but these services are made available without charging a single penny. So, it also saves a lot of money.

There are various web conferencing software as well that are easily accessible. The first web conferencing software was made by Microsoft in collaboration with NetMeeting. Since then the market has been mushrooming with such software. Oracle, Macromedia, Interwise and Global services are some of the companies that have started making efforts to develop their free online web conferencing software.

With so many benefits of free online web conferencing at hand, no one will be willing to use the traditional ways of communication through phone lines or chatting and many others.

Kathleen

Magdi Mikhail asked:




People are always hesitant about change. For business owners-who want to utilize and take advantage of the benefits of modern technology-it can be hard for them to introduce and explain video conferencing to their employee majority will resist the idea. This is because some people in the company-especially those who have been working there for so long-are not open to the world of new routines and adjustments especially involving technology. But, there is still a way to do this-by explaining how does video conferencing work.

In layman’s terms

To make people understand what is video conferencing, you must make them understand how it works. Basically, video conferencing refers to a communications technology where video and voice are integrated to be able to connect to other people or users that are in other areas. The idea behind it is to break the barriers in communication by creating a way where in people in two different places can talk and see each other as if they were in the same room at real time. Real time refers to the duration where conversation in updated and the parties can exchange thoughts and communicate without so much delay.

For a video conferencing to work, each party should have a personal computer with high memory, a web cam, a microphone, and a broadband Internet with high-speed connection. These pieces of equipment are the basic ones that are needed for a simple video conference. In more sophisticated areas and business set-ups such as offices, more pieces of video conferencing equipment are being used.

These include video, wall mounts, table tops microphones, and such. They also have more complex video conferencing systems and avail of video conferencing services to ensure hassle free communication during meetings.

Unlike in the voice-only technology, video conferencing enables people to natural conversations using a good bandwidth. A good bandwidth is quite important for video conferencing because it makes seamless voice and video streaming possible.

When it comes to options, there are different types of video conferencing where people can choose from: the “point-to-point” or the “multi-point”. The “point-to-point” video conferencing is considered as the most common and basic type that is being used by so many users worldwide. It uses individual IP addresses and connects two different users from different places directly. This type of video conferencing is quite popular in home set ups and in some other small offices. “Point-to-point” video conferencing also serves as a form video phone to many. However, it can only connect two personal computers.

The “multi-point” conferencing, on the other hand, come is several variations. It has a reflector and a multipoint connector unit (MCU) that serves as “multipoint bridge” that enables two or more three or more users. Here, a central hub is used to connect users and can also serves a “stand-alone” device or as a computer server itself. In multi-point, room systems as well as roll-about systems can be added to the personal computers themselves.

In more technical terms, the “IEEE” standard serves as a guide to the status and development of video conferencing. Here, there are two guides: the H.320 standard that says how the process operates using ISDN telephone circuits and the “H.323″ that explains how video conferencing operates using an Internet (TCP/IP or just IP).

Understanding how video conferencing work primarily depends on the willingness of the person to adapt to changes. If you think that your employee is not into understanding it, it will be better not to train him or her because it will only be a waste of time.

Yolanda

Chris Robertson asked:




Almost everyone is familiar with video conferencing today, and for good reason. Video conferencing is convenient. Video conferencing saves money. Video conferencing makes money. And it is so much easier than it used to be.

I know because I installed one of the first video conferencing systems for a former employer when I ran the information systems department of a large company. In those days that meant a very substantial investment in equipment and installing a dedicated ISDN line (that was when 56kpbs was considered blindingly fast!). At first it wasn’t easy to convince people to sit in front of a 25-inch TV for a 30-minute video conference instead of traveling and giving up those nice travel reimbursements, but soon they realized the many benefits. The rest is history.

Today, of course, video conferencing has become part of doing business. There is no longer a need to waste time and money traveling, and the technology has advanced to a point where there is a solution for every conferencing need. Audio, web and video all combine to provide cutting edge conferencing solutions tailored to anything from one-on-one to large conferences with Q&A sessions and private chat. There are even solutions specific to industries such as accounting, banking, insurance or legal.

Why is video conferencing so successful when other technologies have come and gone? Because it is convenient and cost-effective. At a time of skyrocketing costs for gas, air travel and hotel accommodations, conducting video conference meetings makes more sense than ever. And in addition to saving time and money, video conferencing from one’s office or board room is a lot less stressful than a meeting after a day of hassling with cabs, airport security, delayed flights and bungled hotel reservations.

But cutting edge conferencing has grown beyond mere time and cost savings; it has become a business opportunity and strategic advantage. Conferences can be recorded and made available for call-in playback. Moderation tools allow for large conferences with operator services, toll-free audio call-in and unique PINs to track attendance. For especially important calls, conferencing companies and service providers can assist for a professional touch, making sure that everything goes right.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to new and exciting uses for web casting and video conferencing. We’ve seen new product announcements using the technology, reaching far more potential customers than conventional press conferences. Webinars provide new ways of training people or making sales presentations. And today’s office tools can easily be integrated into a conference. Sharing PowerPoint presentations, documents and even applications is easy, as are multiparty video and virtual whiteboards.

Best of all, video conferencing no longer requires a large capital investment. Web, video and audio conferencing service providers can quickly get you up and running, often without setup fees, steep per minute charges or pesky contracts. With all that’s available today, the question is no longer if a business can afford professional, cutting edge video conferencing, but whether it can afford not to use it.

Cheryl