video conferencing
- Thread starter VeNT
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Soldato
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I looked into this a good while back, we used Microsoft Netmeeting. Although it's not officially included with Windows XP it is included, Google will tell you how to install it.
Most professional video conferencing solutions use dedicated hardware, not a PC. Where I work have just invested in a system from Lifesize, however I can't comment on it because it's not up and running yet. My boss was very impressed with a demo he received.
Most professional video conferencing solutions use dedicated hardware, not a PC. Where I work have just invested in a system from Lifesize, however I can't comment on it because it's not up and running yet. My boss was very impressed with a demo he received.
Strangely enough I've been looking at this today. The place I currently work for is just trialling a piece of software for a one off conference with another company, with the view of setting something more permanent up. The software I'm looking at is called SightSpeed.
I've also used Microsoft Live Communications Server in the past, which works great if the person is on the same network as you, but costs extra if you want to link it into the outside world.
I've also used Microsoft Live Communications Server in the past, which works great if the person is on the same network as you, but costs extra if you want to link it into the outside world.
i would be very grateful for any feedback you can provide about the lifesize solution as one of my customers is also looking...we're a way off yet, since we need to get them a proper managed internet connection before we can proceed...but within the next 3 months i would imagine they will want to bring it on-stream so to speak.
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Moving away from this these days actually, more and more solutions are based around desktop video conferencing or at least have the capability. I've been promised a demo of a rather cool product called vidyo some time soon by a friend who's a specialist on this sort of thing.
Cisco have a big product range is the area, from meeting place express to telepresence and if you have a cisco phone system it likely makes sense in terms of integration but the opinions of people who do this full time seems to be it's not the best product out there.
Soldato
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From a Cisco perspective there are many options starting with Call Manager Express using desktop webcams and vt advantage, Call Manager using similar products and IP Camera's, through to Meeting Place which is a full suite of voice, video and web conferancing facilities up to the daddy being Telepresence.
It's realy a question of how deep your pockets are. Call Manager express will set you back a few thousand depending on the hardware platform, Telepresence costs approx £250 for a single suite but features surround sound audio and hdtv streams onto 42" plasma's.
There are also other providers such a Polycom who focus heavily on the above, from a personal perspective i havent had many people request it but think it's a nice to have feature, ive found it very effective for demonstrations but havent yet deployed to suite a business need.
It's realy a question of how deep your pockets are. Call Manager express will set you back a few thousand depending on the hardware platform, Telepresence costs approx £250 for a single suite but features surround sound audio and hdtv streams onto 42" plasma's.
There are also other providers such a Polycom who focus heavily on the above, from a personal perspective i havent had many people request it but think it's a nice to have feature, ive found it very effective for demonstrations but havent yet deployed to suite a business need.
As the others have said, it depends what type of need you are trying to fulfil and how you see this fitting within the business. Whether you want to push this out to mobile workers or use it to replace travel for regular board meetings for example will give you a steer on the type of solution.
If your interested in any further info then let me know as I would be happy to help out and can provides loads of info on LifeSize or just VC solutions in general.
If your interested in any further info then let me know as I would be happy to help out and can provides loads of info on LifeSize or just VC solutions in general.
we have been using lifesize team mp and express units. betweeen the uk, china and usa office it works really well, its dam expensive a replacement camera is 4k!
we do use MPLS for the connection to make it solid.
you can download a client on to a pc and get a laptop in the loop as well.
i would say avoid the expres units as it can only initiate 1 call but can take 10 calls in. but is limited in other ways.
Spam bot ahoy?
I've just dropped a bit on this. We have done it sporadically over the years but never really made the proper effort with it. Due to that it's very flakey, drops out, video and sound quality wasn't great etc etc to the point people stopped using it. S I made the conscious choice this year to rip out all the old **** and do it properly one last time to see if I can bring people back on board. Going for a Cisco solution based around the MCU, VCS control & Expressway, TMS, Condecco (for room and resource booking alongside hot desk booking) and to start with 6 of the 42" MX units, 2 of the dual 65" telepresence and some of the camera only units. With the premium 1080p video option it all came in around £350k, kit should be here in a few weeks and installed in April. If it works I've been having a chat with Cisco around two of the 3000 series installed, but they are around £60k plus fitting each and need a dedicated room!
A replacement Lifesize camera should not be costing you 4k! Who is that through?
Also, what limitations do you have with an Express codec? Not sure what you mean by 'take 10 calls in' - the Express does not have any built-in MCU capability so it can join a multi-party call that is hosted elsewhere but cannot host a multi-way call itself.
charter house voice and data for the camera.
correct it cant host a multi party but if say i called 1 unit from it then another 2 units called me it would work but i could not initiate more then 1 call.