Audio/Video Conferencing Concepts, Applications and Resources
(Presented at the Classroom Connect '98 Conference in Anaheim, California)
by John Kuzmich, Jr.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jkuzmich/
November 11, 12, and 13, 1998
Background:
More e-mail messages sent in 1995 than United States postal mail sent!
Audio Telephony
Telephony: Interactive two-way phone conversations on the Internet without long-distance charges.
Audio Telephony prerequisites:
1. 14,400 modem or faster
2. Full-duplex sound card
3. SLIP or PPP Internet accounts with World Wide Web capabilities
4. Microphone connected to a sound card.
5. 486 DX-33 CPU processor (Pentium recommended)
6. Telephony software designed for telephone transmission over the Internet
7. Speaker(s) connected to your sound card.
Telephony Technology:
The heart of any Internet phone product is its coder-decoder, or codec, the software that compresses the digitized voice data and decompresses it at the other end. Many products included an entire suite of codecs designed to handle modem connection speeds between 2,400 bps and 33.6 Kbps. A fast modem connection is required. Special features include: voice mail, answering machines, multiple phone lines, multiparty teleconferencing, e-mail voice messaging, and more.
Telephony (audio conferencing) software:
1. CoolTalk by Netscape Communications as part of version 3.0. Free with Netscape Navigator 3.0 and beyond. Phone: 415-937-2555. http://www.netscape.com.
2. Intel Internet Phone by Intel Corporation. Free. Phone: 800-538-3373. http://www.intel.com.
3. Internet Phone by VocalTec. $49.95. Phone: 201-768-9400. http://www.vocaltec.com.
4. Microsoft NetMeeting by Microsoft. Free. Phone: 800-426-9400. http://www.microsoft.com/netmeeting/.
5. PowWow by Tribal Voice. Free. Phone: 719-687-0716. http://www.powwow.com.
6. WebTalk by Quarterdeck. $49.95. Phone: 800-683-6696. http://www.quarterdeck.com.
7. TeleVox by Voxware. Free. Phone: 609-514-4100. http://www.voxware.com.
8. WebPhone by Netspeak. $49.95. Phone: 888-638-7732. http://www.netspeak.com.
9. Digiphone by Third Planet Publishing. $89. Phone: 214-713-2607. http://www.planeteers.com.
Telephony (audio conferencing) Product Features:
Native support for Windows 3.X/95/NT/Mac
Full documentation via help
Full documentation via Internet
Support via e-mail
Support via Web
Toll-free support
Multipoint phone capability
Can search global/online users
Personal address book
Connection timer
Can specify proxy server (firewall
Off-line call notification
Connections:
Internet/modem/network
Direct dial using IP addresses
Direct dial using e-mail addresses
IRC-based directory
Web server-based directory
White Pages Provider (ULS)
Minimum recommended speed (9,600 or 14,4000
Variable Sampling rates
Audio tuning wizard
Audio test facility
Microphone volume control
Speaker volume control
Automatic gain control
Voice encryption
Can record
Visual feedback on voice levels
Connection statistics
Call blocking
Voice mail
Standalone voice mail reader
File transfer
Whiteboard
Chat
AudioGraphic Conferencing Facilities (AGC): Voice plus still image.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC): Interactive text.
Multimedia Conferencing Facilities (MMC): text, voice, still image, video / motion video over ISDN and other broadband communication environments.
Multiparty Multimedia Session Control (MMUSIC): text, voice, still image, video / motion video over the Internet.
RTP: A Transport Protocol for Real-Time Applications: real-time data, such as audio, video or simulation data, over multicast or unicast network services over the Internet.
Videotelephony: Voice and video.
Eventually, the same computer equipment will be used for both business and consumers, with computer either competing with or merging with the TV, as we move from "Computer Telephony" to Multimedia Telephony."
Videoconferencing:
If bandwidth is constricted for Internet phones, they're potentially crippling for video conferencing. Video data is much denser than audio and transmitting both sound and video requires bandwidth for two codecs' output.
Videoconferencing Glossary of Terms:
Bandwidth: A term that defines the information carrying capacity of a channel - its throughput. In analog systems, it is the difference between the highest frequency that a channel can carry and the lowest, measured in hertz. In digital system, the unit of measure of bandwidth is bits per second.
The Telecommunications Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-T): One of the four organs of the ITU. This is the primary standards-making body for the video conferencing industry, as well as the international organization that defines standards for telegraphic and telephone equipment. A United Nations-sponsored standard body is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network. ITU-T standard for a digital connection between user and network. A multiplicity of services, voiced, data, full-motion video and image can be delivered. Maximum rate of transfer is 128 Kps.
Codec: A sophistical digital signal-processing unit that takes an analog input and converts it to digital on the sending end. At the receiving end, another codec reverses the by reconverting the digital signal back to analog. Any hardware or software mechanism that translates video or audio streams between an analog signal and compressed digital format.
CU SeeMe: CU-SEEMe is a videoconferencing program (under copyright of Cornell University and its collaborators available to anyone with a Macintosh or Windows and a connection tot eh Internet. CU-SEEMe allows a user to set up an Internet-based videoconference with another site anywhere in the world. By using a reflector, multiple parties at different locations can participate in a CU-SEEMe conference, each from his or her own desktop computer.
Flourescent lights: Used for illumination in many corporate and public settings. These lights produce spectral frequencies of a less balanced nature than incandescent lights, and cause problems in a videoconference or video production process. They may also cause 60 Hz flicker.
FPS: Frames per second. The number of frames contained in a single second of a moving series of video images. 30 fps is considered to be "full-motion" video in Japan and the U.S., while 25 fps is considered to be full-motion in Europe.
Interoperability: The ability of electronic components produced by different manufacturers to communicate across product lines. The trend to ward embracing standards has greatly furthered the interoperability process.
Internet: The Internet is a vast collection of computer networks throughout the world. Videoconferencing now traverses the Internet, aided by the ITU-T's H.323 Recommendation and the Real-Time transfer Protocol (RTP).
NetMeeting: Microsoft NetMeeting is a real-time Internet-oriented videophone. The NetMeeting client includes support for the ITU's T.120 and H.323 standard and provides multi-user application sharing and data conferencing. NetMeeting also includes a whiteboard and a chat function.
PictureTel: One of the largest manufacturers of videoconferencing equipment (both desktop and systems and room-based systems) in the world.
POTS: Plain Old Telephone Service. Analog narrowband telecommunications service designed for transmitting voice calls.
TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A defacto standard and a set of Internet working protocol originally developed by the Department of Defense.
Video capture board: A PC circuit board that can capture the two fields that comprised a single video frame. Most 386SX PC's can support such boards.
Videoconferencing: A collection of technologies that integrate video with audio, data, or both and convey the appregate signal, RealTime, over distance for the purposes of a meeting between dispersed sites.
Whiteboarding: The ability for multiple users to share a drawing space, generally a bit-mapped image that all conferees can make changes to. The ability to perform remote mark-up mimics the whiteboard in a physical conference room. Some whiteboarding applications allow the user to generate text that can be saved as such, while others convert text to a bit map.
International Multimedia Teleconferencing Consortium (IMTC): A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the ongoing development and adoption of international standards for multipoint document conference (T.120 series) and video conferencing (H.329 series) and for educating end users on the technology.
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is one of two technical working bodies of the Internet Activities Board. The IETF is the primary working body developing new Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) standards for the Internet.
H.320 A suite of standards for videoconferencing over digital switched media such as ISDN, Switched 56, and T-1 lines. It includes the H.261 video codec and the G.711, G.722 and G.728 audio codecs.
H.323 A suite of standards designed for videoconferencing over packet-switched networks such as the Internet and Ethernet. H.323 also defines the H.263 video codec and the G.723.1 audio codec and incorporates the IETF's RTP standard.
H.324 A suite of standards designed for video conferencing over analog phone lines and V.34 modems. The specifications define the V.80 modem protocol, which enables V.34 modems to manage synchronous audio/video data streams more efficiently.
International Multimedia Teleconferencing Consortium (IMTC). A videoconferencing industry organization that helps define requirements for international standards.
International Telecommunications Union (ITU). A branch of the United Nations that coordinates and standardizes telecommunications technologies.
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). A consortium of engineers, users, vendors, and researchers that develops Internet standards. It promotes standards such as RTP, RSVP, and HOPS in an effort to make the Internet more hospitable for time-sensitive multimedia traffic.
Multipoint Teleconference. Any audio, video, or data conference that links more than two sites. H.323 and T.120 have built-in multipoint capabilities, but H.324 and H.320 require an external device called a multipoint control unit to conduct multipoint sessions.
H.320. When the ITU-T approved in 1990 the two principal communications standards for video interoperability over ISDN (H.320 and the H.261-codec), different manufacturers video conferencing systems could communicate with each other for the first time. A key component of H.320 is the H.261 video-compression algorithm, which defines two video resolutions: 352 X 288 CIF (Common Intermediate Format) and 176 X 144 QCIF (Quarter Common Intermediate Format). H.320 also includes three audio codecs to handle a broad range of applications: G.711, which uses 64 Kbps of bandwidth to provide 3-Hkz telephone-quality audio; G.722, a higher-quality algorithm that produces 7.5-Hkz audio but consumes up to 64 Kbps of bandwidth; and G.728, which, despite providing near-telephone audio, requires on 16 Kbps.
H.310 and H.321. These adapt H.320 to next-generation technologies such as ATM and broadband ISDN. H.321 provides backward compatibility by retaining H.323's overall structure and some of its components, including H.261. H.321 adds the ISO's MPEG-2 video-compression algorithm for high definition video quality.
H.322. It is an enhanced version of H.320 optimized for networks that guarantee Quality of Service (QoS) to handle time-dependent data traffic such as real-time video.
H.323. It extends H.310 to Ethernet, Token-Ring and other packet-switched networks that don't guarantee QoS. It supports both point-to-point and multipoint operations. H.323 is important, since, although the bulk of video conferencing takes place over circuit-switched telephone lines (such as ISDN or Switched 56) or over dedicated lines, the two computers communicating with each other tend to be on a LAN so a LAN is used for the initial and final legs of the connection. In addition to H.320's H.261 video codec and G.711 audio codec, H.323 implementations can be also include H.320 and H.324 components such as H.263, G.722, G.723.1 and G.728.
H.324. The H.324 standard now specifies a common method for video, voice and data to be shared simultaneously over 28.8 Kbps modem connections over a single analog line. The ITU-T has formalized the new H.324 standard, which has an improved compression algorithm yielding better audio and video quality over POTS lines. It is a protocol suite for very low bit rate H.320-like video telephony through V.34 modems and over the POTS phone network. The H.324 suite consists of five documents: H.324 (systems, H.223 (multiplex), H.325 (control), H.263 (video codec) and G.723.1 (speech codec - formerly G.723.
MPEG. A competitor to H.324. It's an image compression scheme for full motion video proposed by the Motion Picture Experts Group, an ISO-sanctioned gaggle, MPEG image scheme offers more compression than the JPEG scheme, which is largely for still images.
T.120. This standard permits document sharing during any H.32x conference, with or without video component. The T.120 codec sets out rules ;for joint documents and file transfers. DataBeam's FarSite and Microsoft's NetMeeting already supports T.120 and is built into Windows 95.
V.8 bis. Ensures that produces are capable of using voice-call-first, which causes videophone calls to be initiated as a normal phone call.
V.80. It is the application interface defined in the H.324 ITU video conferencing standard. A V.80 modem provides a standard method for H.324 applications to communicate over modems.
Videoconferencing Software:
1. VideoPhone by Connectix. $99. Phone: 415-571-5100. http://www.connectix.com
2. Enhanced CU-SEEMe by White Pine Software. $99. Phone: 603-886-9050. http://wpine.com. CU-SeeMe 3.11 is good because it lets you use groups.
3. VDOPhone by VDOnet. $99. http://www.clubvdo.net/clubvdo/Default.asp. VDOPhone 3.0 has slightly better video than NetMeeting. VDOPhone doesn't have that much technical support.
4. Summersoft WebCam by Summersoft, http://www.Summersoft.com/. Summersoft is not standards based but offers great quality product with relatively very few users.
5. NetMeeting by Microsoft, shareware. http://www.microsoft.com/netmeeting/ . Most complete for business uses, it is free of charge (the others mentioned are NOT free), and because by the end of the 1997 more than 100 million people will have NetMeeting. It's data conferencing applications (whiteboard and application sharing).
6. PictureTel, http://www.picturetel.com. Most prestigious videoconferencing company, especially with proprietary ISDN
hardware/software format.
7. VTEL, http://www.vtel.com. Premium videoconferencing company. VTEL currently has three product lines of Digital
Visual Communications equipment: the ESA (or room) systems, Workgroup and SmartStation (desktop). Each of these
platforms currently support H.320 (ISDN/T1-based) connectivity. However, H.323 technologies are a major direction in
their development group. Expect some great announcements and transition to take place out of VTEL in the next 3 months or
so. As for H.324 (POTS-based) videoconferencing, the multimedia capabilities of VTEL Digital Visual Communications
make the bandwidth requirements, and their own requirements for excellence, a real issue. The very-low-end consumer
market is not a primary focus at VTEL so H.324 currently has a rather low priority.
8. WebPhone, $49.95. http://www.netspeak.com. WebPhone is now standards based. Particularly good technical support
Video Mail Software
VisualMail by World Connect, http://worldconnectcomm.com. Up to 600 to 1 file compression. Makes for doing lectures with minimize size data file.
VideoLink Mail by SmithMicro Software, 800-964-7674, 714-362-5811. http://www.smithmicro.com. Leading edge
compression of 30 seconds in under 500 KB. Import .AVI video to add special effects.
CVideo-Mail by Cubic Videocomm, 888-295-0833, 619-505-2030. http://www.cvideomail.com. Works seamlessly in
Eudora PRO 4.0. One minute of video can be as small as 500 KB.
Internet Video Conferencing Features:
List price:
Native support for Windows 3.X/95/NT/Mac
Full documentation via Internet
Full documentation via help
Support via e-mail
support via Wb
Toll-free support
Multipoint capability
Can search global/online users
Personal address book
Connection timer
Off-line notification
Internet connection
Modem connection
Network connection
Minimum recommended connection speed
Feature negotiation
Adoptive encoding
Video Features:
Maximum resolution - 160 X 120 to 320 X 240
Self-view
Half-size video scaling
Double-sized video scaling
Audio Features:
Variable sampling rates
Audio tuning wizard
Microphone/speaker volume control
Automatic gain control
Can record
Visual feedback on voice levels
connection statistics
Voice mail
Call blocking
Other Conferencing Features:
Application sharing
File transfer
Whiteboard
Chat
A Video capture board
28,800, 33,600 or 56K modem, ISDN phone line or T-1 Internet connection
A standard video camera
A full-duplex sound card is recommended
Desktop Videoconferencing Kits:
The first desktop videoconferencing systems ran over 128-Kbs ISDN lines back in the early 1990's.
Two standards drawn up by the ITU (International Telecommunications Union), H.323 and H.324, have given rise to the first generation of consumer-targeted videoconferencing upgrade kits that communicate over POTS (plain old telephone service ) lines.
H.324 standard allows for significant improvement in video quality, frame rate, and interoperability.
Many of these products are difficult to set up. Few offer true interoperability, which means that the same product must be used on both ends of the connection. They require V.80 class modems (newer V.34 modems and most K56-Kbps products are V.80 capable) and work best on powerful MMX systems with 150 MHZ or faster processors. Anything less will produce video that's sluggish and jittery.
Price for a POTS upgrade kit generally sells for $200 to $400 depending on whether it includes a modem. Most kits include
data-conferencing software, which lets you work jointly on graphics or text, or even share third-party applications. Available
H.324 POTS videophone add-on kits:
Each kit includes a camera, capture board, and software. Comparably priced network and POTS-based systems have been around for about three years. LAN-based products sometimes provided video quality superior to that seen over ISDN connections, but they require an unrealistic amount of bandwidth. Desktop POTS solutions are less attractive, producing video streams better measured in frames per minute, with little or no interoperability.
The H.324 standard holds promise. But only two units have interoperability: Gallant InterVision Pro and the 3 Com Bigpicture Video Kit 1622. The standard also improves video quality via the H.263 codec algorithm, which provides efficient video compression and decompression over analog connections. Unlike earlier ITU codecs, H.263 is fast enough to manage 15 fps video streams without requiring an expensive add-in board. These products produce streams in the 8 to 15 fps range which is acceptable but a far cry from television quality video.
H.324 further improves performance by defining the V.80 modem protocol, which switches V.34 modems into a video friendly synchronous mode and shuts off high-overhead V.42 error correction. Despite their shortcomings, H.324 POTS videoconferencing solutions are poised to hit the marketplace. Last year, Intel began providing videoconferencing kits to PC vendors.
These kits include all you need to get up and running: a video capture board, color camera, and software. Two products also include V.80 modems (Diamond Supra Video Phone Kit 3000 and the 3 Com Bigpicture Video Kit 1622. For best results, consider upgrading your speakers and adding a microphone. All the boards let you capture both still and motion video, except the Boca which only captures motion video. Audio quality was similar among all products: arguably adequate, comparable to that of a cheap speaker phone. Most cameras contain a built-in microphone, but you might consider a lapel mike for particularly noisy surroundings. Try Andrea headsets for better audio: http://www.andreaelectronics.com/. All kits- supply third-party H.324 videophone software. Once you connect, the software lets you adjust frame rate, brightness, contrast, and sharpness. Most kits also include proprietary Internet videophone capabilities. Expected to add H.323 compliance soon. Criteria: picture quality is between 8 to 15 fps. Important criteria includes: ease of setup and use, price and interoperability.
Videoconferencing Educators
Tanya Baxter: e-mail: TB933@aol.com
1. Video conferencing software being used.
I use CU-SeeMe. It only cost $79 for the color version. For video, I use the Connectix Quick Cam Color Camera ($200). I didn't realize, until during the workshop, that digital cameras and video cameras were also appropriate sources of inputting images.
2. Hardware being used (computer, RAM, video capture card).
IBM Aptiva Multimedia Computer (32 MB RAM and 200 MHZ Pentium chip).
3. Theme of video conferencing used for educational benefits.
Initially, we've just been dazzled by our ability to actually see and speak with others around the world. Even when other educators conference with us, it's to simply chat and share our Internet experiences. However, this school year will have an educational focus. I want to focus on interacting with "experts" to use as virtual classroom speakers.
4. If no theme, please share a few comments about how you incorporating video conferencing in your teaching (extra-curricular, in class, etc.) and/or instructional resources.
I teach Microcomputer Applications. Part of the curriculum deals with the Internet and various Internet technologies. This is a projects-based course. Most projects are completed independently by students; however, several projects are group-based.
5. Approximate number of hours per day, week, month and/or semester devoted to video conferencing activities. You can estimate.
Each group of students will work no more than two weeks on this project.
6. List of other educators (e-mail address and their names) that use video conferencing.
I listed my name and address on the Global Schoolhouse Network's site, http://www.gsn.org/. Other educators will contact you.
7. Links to educational Web sites that have video conferencing link capabilities, such as Global SchoolNet Foundation with Al Rogers.
Sharen E. Arakaki: Sharen@kalama.doe.Hawaii.Edu
1. Video conferencing software being used.
CU-SeeMe
2. Hardware being used (computer, RAM, video capture card).
Mac 660av 16 MB, Millennia Transport Micron, 16 MB: both video capture cards came installed.
3. Theme of video conferencing used for educational benefits.
Meetings that are follow up to face to face workshops. Some project-based learning curriculum when interaction is needed
4. If no theme, please share a few comments about how you incorporate video conferencing in your teaching (extra-curricular, in class, etc.) and/or instructional resources.
Generally a videoconference is planned as a culminating activity that follows email, web and fax planning and sharing between two to four sites. Most are for professional development to encourage building support networks and some are curriculum related for student projects. The video conferences are well planned as you would a live tv broadcast and the time frame is short. For student activities including testing time, it would not exceed 20 minutes with a moderator; for professional development, each interaction would be ten minutes each then moderated interaction.
5. Approximate number of hours per day, week, month and/or semester devoted to video conferencing activities. You can estimate.
Once a quarter.
6. List of other educators (e-mail address and their names) that use videoconferencing.
7. Links to educational Web sites that have video conferencing link capabilities, such as Global SchoolNet Foundation with Al Rogers.
I use Global SchoolNet
Bruce Daley: chipper@nevada.edu. Administrator Specialist, Technology
Patsy Lanclos: planclos@tenet.edu
1. Video conferencing software being used.
CU-SeeMe
2. Hardware being used (computer, RAM, video capture card).
Macintoshes of all sorts, Connectix camera
3. Theme of video conferencing used for educational benefits.
Curriculum meetings, support, interactions with students in remote locations, interactions with adults/mentors, NASA watches. One theme which was used was Crime in Schools where middle school students interacted with middle schools students in Hawaii and also with Rep Arakaki from Hawaii. Another theme was the awareness sessions given for superintendents and top administrators at the past two years Administrative Mid-Winter Conference in Austin. I gave a presentation on the power of using multimedia in the classroom and then attendees interview student authors at their home campus in Houston.
4. If no theme, please share a few comments about how you incorporate video conferencing in your teaching (extra-curricular, in class, etc.) and/or instructional resources.
See above
5. Approximate number of hours per day, week, month and/or semester devoted to video conferencing activities. You can estimate.
This varies depending on need and occasions, but perhaps 3 to 10 times/month.
6. List of other educators (e-mail address and their names) that use video conferencing.
Bill Handlin (bhandlin@tenet.edu) would be a good source.
Jana and Jeff Gilbert: Email: jgilbert@pottersschool.com
Delivering math instruction weekly via CU-SEEMe this past school year to high school students through a pilot program with our local school district as well as offering the same courses privately to students all over the U.S.A. We have taught Pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry with great success. We are assisting others in duplicating our model and in the process have formed a cooperative of instructors. We also consult with schools to do the same thing.
1. Video conferencing software(s) being used. CUSeeMe ClassPoint
2. Hardware being used (computer, RAM, video capture card). Pentium 133, 166, and 200 Videum camera Wacom Artz Pad Head set
3. Theme of video conferencing used for educational benefits. The Potter's School uses CU-SeeMe to provide direct instruction to secondary school students via the Internet. We employ CU audio and the shared interactive WhitePineBoard, as well as CU video for live demonstrations. In the 1997-1998 academic year We taught a popular series of math courses, including Pre-algebra, Algebra, and Geometry, to public school and homeschooled students. Some students accessed via 28.8 modems from home and others participated from the LAN at their public school in Washington State's Central Kitsap School District. These courses were so successful that The Potter's School has expanded their 1998-1999 curriculum to include a variety of other core courses, including American Literature, World History, World Geography, Biology, and Chemistry.
4. If no theme, please share a few comments about how you incorporate video conferencing in your teaching (extra-curricular, in class, etc.) and/or instructional resources. Students also use CU for collaborative projects throughout the year with fellow students.
5. Approximate number of hours per day, week, month and/or semester devoted to video conferencing activities. You can estimate.
10+ hours per week
6. List of other educators (e-mail address and their names) that use video conferencing. GSH maintains a good list of fellow CU users
7. Links to educational Web sites that have video conferencing link capabilities, such as Global SchoolNet Foundation with Al Rogers. This page gives a thorough description of our pilot project with the Central Kitsap School District in WA State. http://www.pottersschool.com/mrsgsmath/pilot/pilot.html We have developed a FAQ page regarding installation and set-up of CU for our students. They have found it very useful. http://www.pottersschool.com/pottersschool/tech/techfaq.html
Videoconferencing URL's
Global SchoolNet Foundation is a pioneer education organization promoting safe education videoconferencing since 1992. URL: http://gsn.org
Schools who are using CU-SEEMe: to subscribe to CU-SEEMe schools
Send a message to lists@gsn.org
SUBSCRIBE CU-SEEMe-schools
This list will put you in touch with other schools AROUND THE WORLD who have the capability to do CU-SEEMe video conferencing over the Internet. The list will be used to announce upcoming special events and opportunities for schools to participate in live videoconferences with schools, scientists, authors, government, business, and community leaders.
However, "live" interactive video requires the availability of a real-time community focused on accomplishing a task. A video conference is very much like a meeting that is more effective when there is a moderator and an agenda. Holding a "meeting" in cyberspace introduces the additional challenge of different times zones and school schedules.
* announce events that other K-12 schools are invited to participate in
* to share lesson plans and implementation strategies for utilizing live inter-active video to enhance the learning environment
* to explore the use of CU-SEEMe to facilitate long distance learning
* identify an audience to view and critique your presentations
* to DISCOVER and DOCUMENT what works and what does not work!
If you have access to the World-Wide-Web, you can meet other schools who are using CU- SEEMe video-conferencing by going to:
To read about "Effective Elements of CU-SeeMe Videoconferencing" go to: URL:
http://www.gsn.org/teach/articles/videoconf.html
To learn more about the Global SchoolNet Foundation and all the exciting collaborative projects, please go to: URL:
To find a listing of collaborative projects on the Internet, please go to:
CU-Schools is partially funded by Canon Visual Communications
2. Winnov: 888-4-WINNOV. A leading manufacturer of video capture cards for both desktop and PCMCIA cards. http://www.winov.com
3. Nogatech: 408-342-1400. Leading manufacturer of video capture cards for notebook computers. http://www.nogatech.com
3. CU-SEEMe: leading manufacturer of multipoint videoconferencing software. Offers a web page devoted to education video conferencing applications: http://www.wpine.com
4. Vivid Communications: They sell the Winnov videocams, White Pine products and use of a reflector site for educational videoconferencing. They also sell the 3Com BigPicture cameras, and PictureTel products. Educational discounts and volume buying discounts are offered. http://www-VividCommunicatons.com.
Bibliography
Magazine Articles:
Mehrbians, Raphael, "Modems must provide V.80 support," Electronic Engineering Times, November 25, 1996, Issue 894.
Dickinson, Sarah. "Videoconferencing: hard sell, soft dollars," Data Communications, May, 1996, v25 n6 p.35.
Portway, Patrick. "Videoconferencing Market Forecasts," Teleconference: Telecon XVI Show Issue, October, 1996, Volume 15, Number 5.
Persenson, Melissa J. "Electronic field trips for the '90's," PC Magazine, February 8, 1994, p. 30.
Fritz, Jeffrey N. "From LAN to WAN with ISDN," Byte, November, 1996, v21 n11, p. 104NA3.
Earls, Alan R. "PCs bring people face to face," Computerworld, April 29, 1996, v30, n18, p. 95.
"Give 'em Hell!" PC Week, September 21, 1996.
"What's Wrong With This Picture," PC World, August, 1998. pp. 171-182.
Books:
Britton, Mike and Van Cleve,Suzanne. Discover Desktop Conferencing with NetMeeting 2.0. Foster City, California: IDG Books Worldwide, 1997. 283 pp.
Trowt-Bayard, Toby and Bayard, Michel L. Video Terms, Concepts and Applications Conferencing and Interactive Multimedia: Chelsea, Michigan: BookCrafters. 1997, 557 pp.
Web Sites:
Molta, Dave, "Buyer's Guide: Videoconferencing: The Better To See You With," http://techweb.cmp.com/nc/704buyers.html
Hudson, Rhett D. "DT-5: Enabling Technologies Desktop Video Conferencing," URL: http://www.visc.vt.edu/succeed/videoconf.html
"Effective Elements of CU-SeeMe Videoconferencing," http://www.gsn.org/teach/articles/videoconf.html
"Desktop Videconferencing Frequently Asked Questions," http://www.bitscout.com/FAWBS4.htm
"Desktop Videoconferencing Products," http://www.vtel.com:80/products
"Czeck, Rita. "Desktop "Videoconferencing: The Benefits and Disadvantages to Communications," http://ils.unc.edu/~czecr/papers/cscwpaperl.html
Desktop Videoconferencing Products: http://www3.ncsu.edu/dox/video/products.html
"Desktop Videoconferencing - Telecommuting Solutions:" http://;www.ctcnet.com/tips/commute/video.htm
"Desktop Videoconferencing Features," http://www3.ncsu.edu/dox/video/features.html
Hendricks, Charles E. and Steer, Jonathan P. "Videoconferencing FAQ," http://www.bitscout.com/faqtoc.htm
Sullivan, Kristina B. "Videoconferencing on the Internet," PC Week, August 19, 1996, http://www.pcweek.com/archive/1333/pcwk0043.htm
Rettinger, Leigh Anne. "DT5: Desktop Videoconferencing Product Survey," Curriculum 21 Succeed, http://www3ncsu.edu/dox/video/survey.html
Andrea Electronics Corporation (headsets): http://www.andreaelectronics.com/