INTERNET VIDEO CONFERENCING

Written March 2002 - Requires update

In addition to a PC and an internet connection, in order to video conference via the internet you will need a webcam or video camera ,and a microphone/ speaker (most people use a combined head set) linked to each PC involved. Although sound quality is pretty good, video quality is highly dependant on the speed of connection at each end of the conversation, and how busy the internet is at the time:

1. One to Group (One way presentation):
Real Audio and Video is the most common format on the web. It allows one to stream (data is sent as a continuous stream, and played as it is received) video and audio files, either live or pre-recorded. The alternative is to send the whole data packet (video files can be very large) and play it once all the data has been received. Check out the www.real.com website for more information.

2. One to One (Two way chat):
I have played around with Microsoft's Netmeeting as a video conferencing tool. This software is free (it may already be included on your PC in your windows package, or visit www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting), and allows two people to connect via the internet and share video and voice. Alternatively/ additionally Netmeeting has a chat feature in which the conversation can be typed. Netmeeting also allows one to share file/ applications; and a white board feature which allows freehand drawings to be produced in a separate window during the conversation. To connect to each other there are a number of options. One is to each log on to an 'ils' server, and then connect to each other. The other is to register with a third party directory service (I use www.visitalk.com which is a free service - you can also use their software to make a free PC to phone call (to phones in the USA and a few other selected countries)). Once your are on the net, you can then connect to each other without the need to log on to an 'ils' server.

3. Group (Two way chat):
You can use Netmeeting for this also. The issue, as I understand it, is the version of Netmeeting that you use. The latest version is 3.01, and this does not directly support group conversations, where as version 2.1 does. However, version 3.01 does meet agreed international protocols which allow it to connect to other kinds of software - It is recommended that you use 3.01. In order to group meet with 3.01, one must join a 3rd party chat room. Visitalk provides such a facility, and allows you to create a private room to which only authorised people can meet. To avoid problems, you should make sure that all participants use the same version of Netmeeting.

If you are connecting to the internet through a firewall (electronic security barrier) you may have some system problems. You should speak with your company's system administrator.

The Netmeeting website www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting offers a lot more information, and the www.devx.com/netmeeting/ site also offers a lot of user info and help.