 Desktop Video Conferencing
© 2008 Max Lent
Introduction
I don't understand why everyone connected to the Net
isn't desktop video conferencing. It is easy and inexpensive.
It dramatically increases the human quality of communication over email,
telephone, and even real-time chat.
A year or two ago there were many good reasons not to
get involved in desktop video. Computers were too slow, the
cameras had low resolution and were black & White, connections to the
Internet were too slow, and the cost was too high. The image
practical image size was about the size of a postage stamp. The
motion within the postage stamp was jerky and fuzzy. Sound quality
was poor and the sound dropped out a lot. The servers that
supported video conferencing were nearly always filled to capacity, so
it was difficult to connect to anyone. Even with these limitations
desktop video was still far more enjoyable than a phone call.
Nearly all of the old limitations have been overcome.
Computers are now fast enough to adequately process video. DSL and
cable modem connections are fast enough to adequately send and receive
video. High quality desktop video cameras now cost less than $100.
Adequate quality cameras can often be purchased for as little as nothing
with rebates. Thanks to the availability of low cost head sets,
sound quality is now adequate.
Getting started
Hardware requirements
It is assumed that you are using a computer and access
to the Internet, but that you may not have the following hardware.
Only Intel-based computers and software are listed below. Apple
computers are often have far more advanced video features.
Unfortunately, I have not had experience with Apple computers and
therefore cannot write about them.
Software requirements
-
Windows 98 or newer.
-
Older versions of Windows will work, but not as well.
-
Some desktop video cameras may lack Windows NT or
Windows 2000 drivers. Read the camera technical specifications
carefully.
Rules
-
Faster computers handle videoconferencing better than
slower computers.
-
Faster Internet connections handle videoconferencing
better than slower ones. Check with your ISP to find out the
speed of your upload bandwidth. You may be surprised to discover
that you can download much faster than you can upload. This is
one reason why videoconferencing often appears to work more poorly
than expected.
-
Faster video cards with more memory work handle
videoconferencing than slower ones.
-
Headsets with built in microphones work better than
speakers and desktop microphones.
Video cameras for the desktop
My current recommendation is the
3COM HomeConnect video camera (no longer available). Unlike the
many other cameras I have experimented with, this camera works well in
low light conditions.
One of the best sources for reviews of desktop video
cameras is Cowboy Frank's Reviews at
http://cowboyfrank.net/webcams/index.htm.
The best desktop video camera solution is to use a
consumer grade digital video camcorder and a Firewire cable and a WebCam
DV driver available from OrangeWare
http://www.orangeware.com/endusers/webcamdv.html. Once you
have used this type of set up you will discover how poorly most of the
desktop Web Cams perform.
Applications
The most successful application I have implemented was
several years ago. The event was Take Our Daughters to Work Day at
Global Crossing in Rochester, NY. The goal was to show of
telecommunication technology to the children who visited our offices.
Using, intentionally, an old slow portable computer with a dial-up modem
and a cheap video camera, I made arrangements with the National Science
Foundation to video conference with one of their researchers at the
South Pole. The children loved the demonstration. Also
important, their parents were impressed. Within days of the
demonstration, my group had several inquiries from sales groups wanting
to use the technology to reduce their travel budgets. The
resulting benefits of the demonstration were reduced travel costs,
increased productivity, and better knowledge management.
Other Resources
Video Conferencing and Conference Calling
http://www.thinkofit.com/webconf/video.htm. |
