DESKTOP VIDEOCONFERENCING

After Viewing This Slide Show You Will Be Able To: Distinguish desktop videoconferencing from traditional videoconferencing Describe different types of desktop videoconferencing Explain various applications and benefits of desktop videoconferencing for distance learning and business Identify barriers to implementation of desktop videoconferencing Recognize the basic hardware components necessary to set up a desktop videoconferencing system Name currently available desktop videoconferencing software

What Is Videoconferencing? Videoconferencing supports two-way audio and video communication Two or more people at different locations can see and hear each other at the same time Creates a “virtual reality” of being in the same room with people who may be thousands of miles away Easy and effective way to work with others at a distance

Traditional Videoconferencing Started in the 1980’s Participants gather in a specific conference room equipped as a videoconferencing transmission and reception center A portable, or “rollabout”, system can be used Or a rent-by-the-hour commercial or public facility as that offered by Kinko’s

Desktop Videoconferencing Videoconferencing integrated with a personal computer Uses special hardware and software to combine voice and images into a single high-speed data stream that is coded and compressed then decoded on the receiving end Includes the capability for users to share windows into which they can place text, tables or graphics that can be seen and modified by all the participants Has all the benefits of the traditional system plus shared document, collaborative computing Ideal tool for communication, collaboration, and learning for individuals and small groups

Forms Of Desktop Videoconferencing Point-to-Point – This form involves two sites, each of which can send and receive audio and video signals network

Forms Of Desktop Videoconferencing Point-to-Multipoint or Multicasting – In this form one Web videoserver is sending audio and video signals while all are receiving network

Forms Of Desktop Videoconferencing Multipoint-to-Multipoint – This is the most complex form of group collaboration, where all sites can send and receive audio and video signals network

Why Use Desktop Videoconferencing? Desktop videoconferencing is the perfect medium for interactive discussions and graphic illustration It should be used when: – Communication Is two-way – Information is time-sensitive – Information is needed in several places at once – Immediate feedback/interaction is desired – Input from several locations is desired – Visual clarification may be required – People from different departments/ organizations are involved – Discussion items will include objects, or computer files – The people involved have not met before

Applications and Benefits of Desktop Videoconferencing Distance Learning Business Applications

Distance Learning - Videoconferencing systems can be used for distance learning, linking distant teachers and learners for instruction Courses, Lessons, and Tutoring – Community colleges can team up with businesses to offer employee training or certification – Schools and community colleges can offer classes during off- hours and to students who cannot attend traditional classes – Teachers can team-teach with remote teachers, sharing subject matter expertise or a unique approach to a topic – Students can meet with tutors for enrichment, remediation or personal attention

Remote Guest Speakers and Experts – Students can communicate first-hand with experts in many fields, to enhance understanding, improve motivation and retention – Students could organize and moderate a panel discussion – A librarian could answer questions about research – A vocational teacher could videoconference with a business partner to discuss internship projects and evaluation Distance Learning Applications

Multi-School Projects – Videoconferencing provides unique opportunities to collaborate on projects with schools across the country – Students can communicate with video pen-pals to experience diverse cultures and ways of life, both economic and ethnic – Schools known for outstanding programs or projects can model those projects for other schools – Videoconferencing can facilitate distributed cooperative learning, where groups at distant sites take on a learning task and teach remote peers Distance Learning Applications

Business Applications Large Corporations – Desktop videoconferencing ensures more productive office time, less travel time and expense – Strengthens teamwork between managers at different locations – Faster, better decision making, while accelerating time to reach consensus

Business Applications Project Management – Ideal for complex projects requiring continual information sharing and technical support Sales and Marketing – Can improve customer relations through interactive multimedia kiosks – Better, quicker communication with suppliers and clients

Business Applications Human Resources – Desktop videoconferencing is used for remote interviewing and recruiting – Faster, cost-effective training with less off the job time – Performance and transfer evaluations

Major Uses of Videoconferencing * From Szuprowicz, Multimedia Tools for Managers, 1997

The Future Of Desktop Videoconferencing By 1993, an estimated 20,000 systems were in use This type of collaborative computing is expected to be mainstream within the next 5 years Cost per unit will soon be less than $1000 and will be an option for PC’s like modems or multimedia capabilities are today

Specific Hardware Involved Network access Transmission network MCU camera microphone codec monitor speakers

Specific Hardware Involved Cameras – Mounted on the monitor or on the desk – Designed to frame 1 or 2 people (may have a limited range of focus) Audio system – Can use a microphone built into the system, a table microphone, or a speakerphone – A headphone set is recommended for an open office environment to screen out ambient noises – Uses a regular telephone connection Monitors – A regular computer monitor configured to display two or more windows simultaneously with different kinds of information

Specific Hardware Involved Codec – Short for coder/decoder – Heart of the videoconferencing system – Converts the analog sounds and images into digital data, compresses it for transmission – The receiving codec decompresses and decodes the digital stream back into analog sound and picture – The codec saves time by transmitting only those parts of the image that have changed significantly since the previous frame – Minimal movement creates minimal image change – Broad gestures create too much information to effectively transmit in real time, so the codec discards a few frames, resulting in a choppy image in the receiving end

Specific Hardware Involved Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) – Enables the system to connect to more than one site at a time – Could be on-site or provided by a long distance carrier or Webserver System Control Unit – For desktop videoconferencing this is a mouse-driven menu that allows the user to select and dial up remote sites, and control the cameras and audio

Software Currently Available New vendors with low-cost, PC-based videoconferencing systems are popularizing the concept Software like CU-SeeMe from White Pine Software, is based on using the Internet as a networking infrastructure CU-SeeMe System Requirements – Can handle up to 8 users and provides 30fps (frames per second) video rate in small windows on the screen – Requires a minimum PC 386sx processor or higher – Windows 3.1 or Mac w/68020 processor – Offers point-to-point, multicasting, or multipoint-to-multipoint conferencing connectivity – Camera, video board, audio and monitor – Internet connection

Current Videoconferencing Systems From Szuprowicz, Intranets and Groupware, 1997

Barriers To Desktop Videoconferencing Cost is still significant Technology and standards are changing very rapidly Value not understood, misperceived as a “toy” Camera shyness and uncomplimentary lighting Technology can be disruptive to aislemates Process is invasive Sophistication of broadcast television produces unrealistic expectations for videoconferencing, which can seem dull in comparison Ingrained habits of “tuning out” while watching television can present a barrier to optimal learning