Posted on Tue, Aug 31, 2010
This is one of our latest installs at the new cutting-edge Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science in South L.A. The spanking-new nursing facility includes laboratory, research and classroom space.
http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/08/31/so-ls-charles-drew-university-43million-dollar-nur/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+KpccLatestNews+%28KPCC%3A+Latest+News%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Posted on Wed, Aug 25, 2010
Component #3 - How much should you expect to pay for a good conference room video system?
If you’re starting out the process in evaluating video systems, the first question you may have is “how much should I expect to pay for a good conference room video system”. This should be used as a good guideline for budgeting. Of course there are many variations, and different organizations have different needs, but we will try to cover most of the main elements.
Here are the main features that are options when choosing a video system:
- Resolution
- PC Sharing
- Multipoint (more than a 1 to 1 video call)
Resolution
In the video world there are 2 HD resolutions available. They are the same as you would see on any TV at Best Buy which is 720p and 1080p. Both are considered HD but 1080p is generally referred to FULL HD. All of the big 3 make 1080p capable systems and one makes some 720p only systems. We get this question all the time “do I really need 1080p for a video call”? The answer is that today you don’t. Very few calls are made at 1080p. BUT we recommend that everyone invests in systems that support 1080p for two reasons. First, is that 1080p does NOT cost more, so there are no extra costs involved. So of course 1080p is preferable to 720p if they are the same price. Secondly, while you may not be doing 1080p calls today, in a couple of years 1080p will be the standard and you will want to do calls at 1080p. The user base will demand it. The last thing you want to do is have to buy a whole new system in 3 years when you can future proof yourself for when that time comes. It’s just like when you go to Best Buy and can hardly find a TV that doesn’t support 1080p. In the TV market it is already the standard.
Bottom Line: there is no longer a cost difference.
PC Sharing
This allows you to show the other location(s) both your camera image of the people in the room and allows you to plug in your PC/Laptop (PC or MAC) and show a file. This is known in the industry as h.329 or dual stream (2 simultaneous streams). This is now a standard feature across all of the systems on the market. It used to be that this feature was an extra cost on some systems, but now it’s standard.
Bottom Line: this is no longer a cost difference.
Multipoint (MP)
This is a key feature where costs do come into play. All systems can do what is called a point to point call, meaning I can call from my system to your system in a 1 to 1 call. A multipoint call is a call that involves three or more systems into a single call. All of the big 3 make systems that do single point calls, and all make systems that support units that do a 4-way call. One provider (Lifesize) makes a 6 and an 8-way system.
Most companies deploy the Multipoint capable system in HQ and/or the other bigger locations as needed, while putting in the single point systems at the remote/smaller sites. Only the “host” or “hub” location needs to have this capability to connect all the calls.
Typical deployment
4 locations, HQ: gets 4-way MP system with dual monitors mounted on the wall with 1 year of support
Expected cost to deploy: $15,000
Extended Sites: gets a single point system, with a single monitor on the wall with 1 year of support
Expected cost to deploy: $10,000
If you have gotten proposals for more than these numbers then you should call us right away and we will get you the right solution at the right price.
Posted on Wed, Aug 11, 2010
Component #2 - Bandwidth Efficiency
In the video conferencing world there are 3 components that make up the video “solution”. The video unit itself, the monitor/display you view it on, and the network connection between the locations that connect the call.
Of these 3 the more important element is the network connection. Given enough bandwidth, all of the systems on the market produce fantastic looking video and great sounding audio. But in the real world, bandwidth is the ultimate limitation in this industry. The amount of bandwidth available for videoconferencing varies between different organizations, but there is always a limit on how much an organization can provide. Most video calls today are made between 512 Kb and 1.0 Mb. This is where the different systems vary significantly in how good of a picture they can render at a given bandwidth.
The “bandwidth efficiency” is critical in the experience that you will get out of any system. Typically there is a fixed bandwidth available per call and you will want to compare the performance of each system based on how much resolution they can generate which is based on the specific speed of the call. If a system states that it can make a call at 1080p30 but it requires a 2.5 Mb connection on each end to achieve this (actually Tandberg C Series capabilities) then unless you have massive bandwidth, you won’t ever get 1080p. Additionally, if you have 768 Kb to give to the video systems you will need to know what each platform will generate.
You may be surprised to know that one vendor is about 2x more bandwidth efficient than the other two, meaning that for a given speed, they can generally deliver twice the resolution than the other two. Contact me wsomsel@conferencingadvisors.com to get your complete bandwidth chart that gives the real bandwidth consumed by each vendor at each bandwidth speed.
You can see why this is critical in your investment decision.
Author: Walter Somsel
Posted on Tue, Aug 10, 2010
I've been going back and forth on comparing
"FaceTime", Apple's new video calling application, to what we consider normal video conferencing. Will this simple application eventually take over those large systems that the corporate world uses, or will it only be used for personal use. FaceTime will expose many into the world of video conferencing, but will it be a temporary trend or will it make some realize they need to purchase the real conferencing equipment to help them in their businesses and day to day lives. I have come up with some Pro's and Con's about Apple's FaceTime:
PROS
- Easy use for the young and the elderly
- It's available at any time in the palm of your hand
- Super affordable compared to a fully serviced video conferencing system
- You don't need large video conferencing equipment to make it connect, just an iPhone 4
- Calls will be more personal with eye contact than with all that texting going on
CONS
- You have to own an iPhone 4 and know someone else who owns one
- iPhone is only available through Apple and is carried exclusively by At&t, there are no other carriers that can provide FaceTime right now
- You can only video chat using FaceTime and no other applications (IM, MSN) will pick this up on the iPhone
- It doesn't work across a variety of phones and wireless networks
- Not a very professional way to connect to a group of clients in a single room
Author: Julie Bertok
Posted on Tue, Aug 10, 2010
Test Drive: Working Remotely With Anybots Telepresence Robot
BY Ariel Schwartz Mon Jun 28, 2010
Telepresence robots aren't much more than Skype bots on wheels, right? That's what we thought before taking part in a scavenger hunt this week using the Anybots QB telepresence robot--an attractive bot set to go on sale this fall for $15,000. The challenge was simple enough: from the comfort of our laptops, a group of us were asked to complete a series of tasks around the Anybots office in Mountain View, California using QB robots as our proxies.
Before the challenge even got underway, we had issues Internet connection issues with our assigned QB bot. After troubleshooting for a moment, we switched to a different bot that worked smoothly. This is what we imagine will be one of the biggest hurdles for QB and all telepresence bots. Any break in Internet connection on either end can result in frustration--especially if, say, a QB bot is in the middle of making a presentation.
It took only a minute or two orient ourselves with QB's controls--the bot can roll in all directions, move a laser pointer with the click of the mouse, sit down, and stand up. A small screen inset on the larger screen showing QB's movements depicts the ground below. This feature helps avoid collisions with inanimate objects.
QB performed surprisingly well in an agility test. We zipped around obstacles and only required human assistance once when our bot became sandwiched between two benches. QB didn't falter even when we accidently rolled over a tangle of wires.
We didn't have any problems with QB's sound, but screen glare made it difficult to look at images on a white board and on an LCD screen.
Overall, we were surprised at how much zipping around with a telepresence bot can feel like actually being in a room. The 35 pound, lithium ion battery-powered bot isn't all that intrusive for people on the other end, either--it has a friendly face and a thin pole-like body that can maneuver through tight spaces. We probably wouldn't send QB to take our place at a party, but the bot could be incredibly useful for companies with staff scattered around the globe.
Ariel Schwartz can be reached on Twitter or by email.
http://www.fastcompany.com/1664886/test-drive-anybots-telepresence-robot
Posted on Tue, Aug 03, 2010
Component #1 - Ease of Use
When evaluating which video solution to invest in, a very important element is how easy the system is to use. Meaning will your users be comfortable with scheduling a meeting, initiating a video call, and using the remote control to control the system during a meeting. The good news is that the systems for the 3 major vendors, Lifesize, Polycom and Tandberg have gotten easier to use over time. The other good news is that there is very little operation required once the call is established. The 3 elements that are key to ease of use are, making the connection, moving the camera, and sharing your PC content (if applicable).
We really like the way Lifesize has focused their attention on making their systems the easiest to use on the market. They have done this in a couple of ways. First off the Lifesize remote control has the fewest buttons on it, which helps reduce user anxiety and makes it easy to find the right button quickly. They have also put most of the actions a user would take on the screen with instructions on what button to push for a certain function. Those directions are also situation sensitive, so you get the most relevant options for immediate application.
We also really like the fact that Lifesize offers the best outlook integration for scheduling a video call which allows a user to schedule a meeting in outlook as they normally do and have the video systems automatically connect with each other at the appropriate time, so the users don’t even have to touch the remote when they walk into the room.
Lifesize also has an automatic PC sharing feature that auto starts your presentation as soon as you plug in the cable to your PC. Again there is no need to touch a remote and nothing additional to learn for the user. It really is plug and play.
When comparing the systems for purchase, play close attention to how easy it is to use. Insist on handling the remote during a demo so you can get a real feel for the operation of the system. Even better get a potential user to test drive the system and get feedback. Video conferencing solutions are designed to exceed user expectations with their ease of use and reliability. You will find a video conferencing solution that fits your organization's unique needs.
Posted on Thu, Jul 22, 2010
Are you one of those who really need to call in during your summer vacation? Do you think that your company is going to crumble to the ground without you around?
Whether you are planning a road trip to see the in-laws or lounging on the French Riviera. There is a simple and cost effective solution to quickly touch homebase that will not consume your precious vacation time; the desktop video conferencing system.
Jump in for a company meeting. Check in with your assistant. Touch base with the housesitter. Say hello to the kids and pets. Manage your world in minutes and then enjoy your time away.
Benefits:
- All you need is a laptop and an internet connection
- No need to hurry back or miss important meetings
- You don't have to lug around large equipment
- You can catch up when you have a little downtime
- No need to be constantly on call with a phone glued to your ear
- Face to face communication all over the globe
- Perhaps you can even extend your vacation time!
Desktop video conferencing, the perfect solution that will make everyone in your family happy this summer. Look into video rental systems that are available and fully hosted for every budget.
Author: Julie Bertok
Posted on Tue, Jul 20, 2010
SCOPIA Control Adds Intuitive Multi-Touch Control to SCOPIA XT1000 HD Room System Enabling Extremely Simple to Use HD Video Conferencing
BOSTON Wainhouse Research Collaboration Summit and TEL AVIV, July 20, 2010 – RADVISION® Ltd. (Nasdaq: RVSN), a leading technology and end-to-end solution provider for unified visual communications including video network infrastructure, developer tools and high definition (HD) room, desktop and mobile video conferencing systems, today announced SCOPIA Control for the SCOPIA XT1000 HD room system, the first Apple® iPad™ application for control of video conferencing room systems.
http://www.radvision.com/Corporate/PressCenter/2010/20july2010_scopia_control.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=PR&utm_content=Twitter
Posted on Mon, Jul 19, 2010
A great article on how Video Conferencing benefits the Education sector. Top 5 ways it is used.
http://mashable.com/2010/04/21/classroom-video-conferencing/
From Virtual Field Trips to expanding the Teacher's repertoire and knowledge, Video Conferencing in the classroom is a welcome addition.
Posted on Wed, Jul 07, 2010
It is the best investment you can make with your IT dollar or your travel budget. Why would anyone waste so much valuable time traveling to the next meeting when from your office or conference room you can be there in seconds?
Wednesday, July 7,2010
HD Videoconferencing proves to cut Greenhouse Gas
With today’s current global economy and the rising high cost of fuel, airlines are reducing flights, loading up planes to capacity, starting to charge for luggage, and some have already faced bankruptcy. Why would anyone waste so much valuable time traveling to the next meeting when from your office or conference room you can be there in seconds? It is the best investment you can make with your IT dollar or your travel budget.
By its very nature, videoconferencing is a “green” technology with a wide range of benefits for corporations, individual employees, and the community at large. Video can be an essential tool for developing an integrated environmental program that raises employee satisfaction, reduces costs, and increases productivity and shareholder value. One innovative way for environmentally conscious companies to realize measurable return on their video investment is to develop an effective telecommuting program.
With high definition video communications systems, you can be there without leaving your office – and each car, train or plane trip you don’t take is a direct and measurable. For many companies, air travel is the single greatest variable in their total carbon footprint. While all reductions in carbon dioxide emission are desirable, a single jet trip can completely outstrip the carbon dioxide savings made in other areas. Video communications can reduce or eliminate the need to make routine plane trips all together. Each video call that saves a trip is a direct reduction of carbon dioxide output.
We know that Telepresence is good for business as well as the environment. At Conferencing Advisors, we ourselves use video communications instead of travel and its helped us build a world-class, high-growth company with global development, sales operations with greater speed, better business results and less pollution.
These days you can choose your video system based on the features you want without jeopardizing the HD quality experience. Conferencing Advisors offers a complete range of high definition video communications solutions starting at rock bottom prices yet with Telepresence quality.
By Dave Roth, Service Operations Mgr.