Video conferencing

Video Conferencing  Videoconferencing is an interactive tool that incorporates audio, video, and computing, and communications technologies to allow people in different locations to e

Group One

Video Conferencing Hall

 Our case sturdy was taken from

Uganda Management Institute

(UMI) department of Global

Distance Learning Center (GDLC) and IT.

 GDLC it is a project funded by the World Bank to support Distance learning and Conferencing between Uganda and the rest of the Globe Our sturdy was conducted from the Video Conferencing Hall with a live conferencing between us and

Tanzania with an aim of illustrating how Video Conferencing works We also got access to most of the tools used.

 More was discussed to us by Mr

Keneth Ojock ( Pictured right ) the

VC administrator and we managed

to come with the final report on

Video conferencing as below

Introduction/Background

Video Conferencing

 Videoconferencing is an

interactive tool that incorporates audio, video, and computing, and communications technologies to allow people in different locations

to electronically collaborate to-face, in real time, and share all types of information including data, documents, sound and

face-picture In essence

videoconferencing removes the barrier of distance that separates

us

Uses of Video Conferencing

 The following examples show how videoconferencing can be beneficial when incorporated into various

environments.

Business

 Videoconferencing provides businesses with the ability to meet and to work with others over a distance The following list includes several examples of the benefits for businesses using videoconferencing:

 Reduce travel costs

 Improve use of executive time

 Allows virtual project management via video and data conferencing with

geographically dispersed peer groups at short notice

 Provides an effective way of delivering cost-efficient training to individuals without the requirement to consistently travel to central locations

Distance Learning

 Videoconferencing is an

exciting technology for

education Teachers and

students are able to see each

other, share documents and

discuss topics together in a

situation similar to a

traditional classroom

setting The main difference

being that the teachers and

the students may be in

different states or even

countries.

Distance Learning

 Distance Learning Videoconferencing increases

efficiency by:

 Saving travel time and expenses

 Increasing an instructor’s audience

 Maintaining the ability for interaction between teachers and students

Telecommuting / Home Office

 Working out of home has never

been easier or more practical

Videoconferencing makes it

possible to stay connected with

people in a very real way

Videoconferencing allows users to

save resources by meeting with

clients and/or colleagues via

videoconference This reduces

travel expenses, while

maintaining face-to-face contact

 For a minimal cost, it is possible

to set-up a fully functional

videoconferencing system that

works in a professional and

reliable way from your home

office.

Legal Environment

 The use of videoconferencing

technology is becoming more

prevalent in today’s courtrooms

Videoconferencing systems are used

to enable testifying witnesses to

“appear” in court without having to

travel to the courtroom Expert

witnesses, prisoners, and various

other witnesses can provide the same

testimonies from remote locations

From the prison, prisoners will see

and hear everything that takes place

in the courtroom and will be able to

answer questions posed to them by

the presiding judges and lawyers

Videoconferencing in the court

system offers significant cost savings

and improved security by reducing

the need for high-security prisoner

transport The entire courtroom

experience will be made shorter, safer

and more cost-effective

Telemedicine

 There are times when a person needs medical advice but is

unable to visit their personal

physician or even more likely, a specialist In such situations using videoconferencing can make all the difference A patient in a rural location can easily “meet” with a specialist from anywhere in the world Videoconferencing enables patients to get the necessary

information and expert guidance they need quickly and easily

While videoconferencing cannot replace all visits to a medical

professional, in some instances it can be the only method of

meeting with a specific doctor, and in a difficult situation it may prove to be a lifesaver.

Rules of Videoconferencing

 Avoid wearing bright colors such

as red, white because they tend to

 Avoid unnecessary movements

and gestures in the

videoconferencing room

 One site should speak at a time

Dull colors are recommended like

that man in a picture

Steps to Choosing A Videoconferencing

System

 1) Intended use for your system?

Generally speaking, how do you wish to use the equipment and whom are you going to talk to?

 3) Number of participants per site?

How many people do you want to participate in video calls at your various locations?

Do you want the same videoconferencing set-up for every location? Or, do you want to have a more deluxe system for your headquarters?

 4) Size of your rooms?

Where do you want to put the equipment? For example, is your current conference or meeting room big enough to add a system? Does your current meeting environment offer sufficient size, lighting and ancillary resources to accommodate an appropriate videoconferencing solution?

UMI has enough conferencing room and there is room for expansion.

Steps to Choosing A Videoconferencing

System

 5) Connectivity?

ISDN, BRI, PRI, T-1, Fractional T, ATM, Frame Relay, xDSL, Cable-modem? What

connectivity best suits your internal communication requirements? Will the

connection be dedicated to the conferencing system? What types of communications

do you plan? Voice,video,data? (The type of communication will determine

bandwidth requirements.) Also, what connectivity will remote sites make use of? UMI uses ISDN (circuit switched) with a bandwidth of 128kb/s.

 6) What type of systems or formats will you be calling?

An ISDN system typically sends and receives voice and video data using the h.320 standard An IP based (network) system typically communicates using the h.323

voice/video standard You can only call between systems that subscribe to the same standard However, gateway and bridge devices are available that will allow you to translate calls between the common standards (Standards are defined by the

International Telecommunications Union and are the same worldwide.)

 7) Do you need data capability in addition to video & audio?

Are you just looking to only see and talk to the other people, or are you going to

require the ability to do collaborative computing and share data? Do you want to

share computer files and documents on screen? Will you need to show PowerPoint presentations?

videoconferencing will be the next driver for productivity because you will be able

to keep in closer contact with customers This closeness will lead to new ideas on how to speed up the development of new products and services.

 Improves Communication & Reinforce Relationships

During a videoconference you can see the facial expressions and body language of conference participants These are both important aspects of communication that are lost with a basic telephone call Videoconferencing also allows the

opportunity for more of your staff to have contact with your customers From your customer’s perspective, the only person ever seen is the salesperson from your company Wouldn’t it improve your business relationship with your best

customers if they got to meet more of your internal employees?

Benefits of Videoconferencing

 Reduces Travel Expenses

In today’s economy, cutting down on company travel expenses is usually a real

attention grabber In practice, the results are mixed Individuals still like to go places and visit clients and associates in person Nothing can replace meeting someone face

to face for the first time and shaking hands There are, however, numerous situations where you can save a lot of money on airfare and hotel costs, not to mention saving the loss in productivity from being out of the office.

 Allows Multi-point Meetings Across Time Zones & International Boundaries

Videoconferencing lets you put together a meeting of various people, from different locations, for a common discussion Participants can be across the country or on the other side of the globe For example, you can have sites in London, New York and

Tokyo, all with multiple personnel, participate in the same videoconference!

 Improves Effectiveness

We all know that "a picture is worth a thousand words." Videoconferencing is the

perfect example of how true this statement is A live video call is much more effective than a phone call in many situations For example, your engineering staff needs to show one of your vendors a problem with a purchased component Visually seeing the part during a videoconference is far more effective and meaningful than trying to describe it over the phone

 Videoconferencing Codec Unit (End Points)

The Codec is the “BRAIN and HEART” of the Videoconferencing System

It is also known as the Coder-Decoder This component takes the video and audio from the camera and microphone and Compresses it down, transmits it over a network/digital phone line and expands (or

Decompresses) the incoming video and audio signal so that it can be

viewed on a display.

UMI uses Polycom V5400 video conferencing codec.

Components of Videoconferencing

 Camera

The camera types range

from a small desktop camera that sits on top of a

computer monitor in a

desktop system to a

high-quality camera that has

remote control pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) features in a

room-sized system The

room-sized systems often come with a document

camera and other

peripherals.

 UMI uses a Sony camera as shown in the picture.

Video Monitor, XGA Monitor, Plasma Display, LCD/DLP Projector

 These display devices are options

that can be used to show the

images received from the

videoconferencing codec

Videoconferencing systems can

use multiple displaying options

Desktop systems show the video

in a small window on the

computer monitor Room-sized

systems usually have one or two

large video monitors and can

display the local audience, as well

as the remote audience

Microphone

 Many of the desktop

conferencing units come

with small microphones

that attach to the Personal Computer Most room-sized systems come with a

microphone designed to

work best with a small

group of people In some

Network Connection

 Network Connection

This is the connection that carries data between

video systems communicating with one another

The size of the connection and the ability to access

it in a consistent manner, determines both video

performance and quality of service The connection can range from an ISDN phone line to a dedicated PRI/T-1 connection or access to a local area

network

Guidelines to consider when Making a

connectivity

 When making your connectivity selection, consider the following items to help make the best decision for you:

 Intended Use – Who will you call, using what standard and at

what speed? Who will be calling you, at what standard and at

what speed?

 Quality of Service – What quality you require, expect and receive

In most cases you only have control over half of this equation The combination of connectivity and equipment on both ends of the conference add up to your QOS potential

 Versatility – Will you need to communicate point to point or

multi-point, and in what environment IP or ISDN?

 Cost – Will your investment in videoconferencing connectivity and technology provide an adequate ROI (return on

investment)? How will you measure your ROI?

Guidelines to consider when Making a

connectivity

 NT-1 (for use with ISDN systems)

 These little electronic devices are called terminal

adapters and convert ISDN into a format your

conferencing system can use You need one for each ISDN line that you bring into your system The NT-1 for

example, terminates 1 ISDN line while the NT-3 will

terminate 3 lines.

 Stands & Equipment Carts

 Your room aesthetics are usually improved by having all your equipment neatly organized in one spot Typically, you would place your TV monitor, codec and camera on top of the stand and below you have a cabinet to hold

other equipment, like a computer or VCR, etc.

Types of Videoconferencing Systems and their Differences

 Desktop Videoconferencing

Systems

 Desktop videoconferencing systems bring

video communications into your office

This technology can deliver full-motion

videoconferencing from your PC Desktop

systems have been engineered to

accommodate the industry's requirements

for standards-based videoconferencing

Today, there are systems available that

deliver high quality at a low cost These

systems provide H.323 voice and video, as

well as applications sharing They offer

easy installation and many have no add-in

boards to install or bulky hardware to place

on your desk

Set-top Videoconferencing Systems

Set-top Videoconferencing

Systems

 Set-tops are complete

videoconferencing systems

designed to sit on a monitor They

are useful in small boardrooms

and other small group scenarios

Set-top systems are often

maintained on a cart, making it

possible to roll them around for

use in different rooms Set-tops

have excellent video quality and

work well with auxiliary

equipment, such as document

cameras, to enhance

videoconference presentations.

Integrated Videoconferencing Systems

Integrated Videoconferencing

Systems

 Integrated systems are group

conferencing systems most often used

in conference rooms or classrooms

with multiple participants This type

of system usually consists of a

centralized location for wiring and

processors to be routed The main

camera, displays and peripheral video

sources are usually mounted in the

main conferencing area These

customized configurations are

normally equipped with multiple

features and also allow for the

videoconferencing room to be used

for other various functions as well

Most integrated systems available

today are capable of connecting both

H.320 (ISDN lines) and H.323

(IP/LAN).

Sample System Configurations Desktop PC System for Individual Users

These days everybody has a PC on his or her desk and most are

connected to the corporate LAN Since you already have a PC, why not optimize it further by adding a videoconferencing system?

These systems are typically composed of software and a USB camera Installation is straight forward and almost anyone with basic PC knowledge can do it quickly and efficiently The good thing about these systems is that they are truly versatile The video and audio will be provided by your PC, so you don’t need any additional

equipment You can do h.323 or h.264 conferencing over IP

The featured product Polycom PVX gives you immediate access to all the resources on both your individual PC and your corporate LAN You can incorporate presentations and files that reside

anywhere on your LAN into your videoconference.

Featured Product: Polycom PVX software w/USB Camera