Category Archives: Technology

Videoconferencing Definition Confusion

One of my pet peeves this summer has been the absolute confusion around videoconferencing definitions. Even I am struggling with the right terms to use to explain what I mean!

Comments I heard at the ISTE 2010 conference

We use Skype because it’s IP.

Huh?! People using “standards-based videoconferencing” use “IP” to mean “H.323” as opposed to “H.320”. (Remember that, H.320/ISDN?)

But Skype doesn’t connect to “IP/H.323” or at least not without herculean efforts that aren’t easily replicable.

What is IVC?

I got this question at ISTE due to the SIG name – SIG IVC. We’re not doing a very good job if people don’t know what “IVC” stands for.

By the way, it’s interactive videoconferencing. (IVC)

Desktop videoconferencing doesn’t connect to zoos and museums with room systems (content providers).

That’s not true! There are now a whole slew of H.323 compatible desktop videoconferencing solutions. What this person probably meant was that Skype doesn’t connect to those content providers. But “desktop videoconferencing” doesn’t mean “Skype”.

“Desktop videoconferencing” no longer means “not H.323”. But some people are still using it that way!

I use Adobe Connect for videoconferencing.

Adobe Connect! It’s a webinar platform that has videoconferencing added on. Most webinars I’ve seen may show video one way – from the presenter to the audience, but it is rarely both ways.

Elluminate, a webinar platform, has added videoconferencing, even H323 support, with their new Elluminate VCS product.

That sure blurs the lines!

How do you explain the difference between videoconferencing and web conferencing? It used to be you could say web conferencing was on your computer. But now we have desktop videoconferencing too….

Remember the days…

Do you remember these terms?

  • electronic education
  • ITV
  • IVDL
  • virtual field trips
  • two way interactive videoconferencing

These terms are not consistently used, so it seemed simpler to use the term business and industry were using… videoconferencing. But that term has been muddied. It’s not clear anymore! How do I write descriptions for workshops? How do I differentiate between my Skype workshops and H323 workshops? I would like to call it “real videoconferencing”. Hear my bias?! But that’s not really fair! Standards based videoconferencing? It seems to be the most accurate, but isn’t a very teacher friendly term. How do we keep the communication clear?

What about “telepresence”?

Telepresence only a few years ago meant videoconferencing at very high bandwidth, with very high end cameras, with rooms designed identically so that it feels you’re in the same room: paint, walls, windows, furniture… the whole works!

Recently, Bob Dixon made this comment on the Megaconference listserv:

My only suggestion is to recognize that there is no real line between “telepresence” and “video conferencing”, and we now have vendors
using the telepresence term to mean almost anything. There will be interconnections among all levels of system sophistication.  So whatever new protocols are developed for signalling and negotiation among disparate systems should be applicable even to the most basic systems, and not just to those which call themselves “telepresence”.  This would allow interoperation throughout the complete continuum of video products, and might even improve interoperation among systems which do NOT call themselves “telepresence”.  Of course all the vendors at all levels would have to incorporate these protocols to make that happen.

What do you think?

How are you navigating the ever changing world of videoconferencing terms? How do you explain it clearly to teachers you serve? What words do you use to compare H323 to Skype in a clear way?

Hovering Makes Videconferencing Look Hard

Do you know any techs who insist on being “onsite” for every videoconference?

I’m coming to the conclusion that hovering makes it look hard. If the tech has to come out for every videoconference, how can the teacher or media aide feel that they can do it themselves?

The fact is, teachers can use the VC remote on their own!

A teacher in Jazz Workshop uses the videoconference remote.

In the Jazz Workshop, on Monday afternoon, we send participants off to small groups to practice dialing, moving the camera, setting presets, and adjusting the volume. On their own! And they do fine!!

Here is a comment from a teacher participating in the July Jazz 2010 workshop. Emphasis is mine.

There are a plethora of resources to enhance learning with students with videoconferencing.  Why haven’t I used these resources before?  Fear of technology is the response. However, after this workshop, my perception has been changed.  It is easy to use the equipment and find a videoconference appropriate for your classroom.

I came into this class very apprehensive about videoconferencing.  I wasn’t sure I could run the equipment and felt it was going to be over my head. However, I feel I have grown so much as a VC newbie!  I feel comfortable looking for programs, filling out registration forms, and confident in my ability to be a leader in our building.  I am really excited about sharing this information with our school through a staff meeting or allowing teachers to come in and observe during a videoconference.

How do we help teachers move past their fear?

  • Give them the remote!
  • Let them play with it!!
  • Give them short, easy cheatsheets and let them practice in a non-threatening environment (i.e. first when they aren’t in front of kids!)
  • Help them see how easy it us!

What do you think? Do you agree? How do you reduce the fear for your teachers?

Comparing Skype and VC Carts in the Jazz Workshop

This week in the Jazz Workshop, my participants and I keep coming back to comparing Skype and videoconferencing carts (or standards based videoconferencing – i.e. H323). We’ve been discussing it all week. (For reference, here’s a previous comparison.)

Today, we did a 5 minute call with a group of teachers in OH who learning about Skype in an afternoon workshop.

Computer Sharing

  • Is pretty easy on Skype, but you can’t show the desktop and the video at the same time.
  • On H323 VC carts, you can share the computer and in some cases, the computer and the video/presenter at the same time.

Other Video Sources

  • On the H323 videoconferencing system, we could easily share the document camera by pressing a number to jump to a preset.
  • On Skype, we are not sure. In theory a USB document camera could be shared with the other site. But do you have to disconnect or end the video part of the call to change video settings? It seems likely.

Audio

  • The mic on our Polycom VSX 7000 is obviously designed for a whole classroom and works great.
  • I was very surprised that the audio we were sending to the group in OH seemed to work fine from across the room. That was using the built in mic on my Mac. I also had my Mac hooked up to the SmartCart with speakers so they could hear. And that did not cause an echo for the remote site as I thought it would. I was pleasantly surprised!
  • The group in Ohio had a hand held mic that sounded GREAT. But when they switched to their logitech mic it was kind of tinny and not as clear. I don’t know which logitech webcam they were using or how they connected the hand held mic. I would like to learn that!

Camera Presets

  • On both sides we had the camera set to show the whole room.
  • Of course with Skype/webcams, we don’t have a way to do presets or easily switch to a document camera.
  • With the H323 system, it’s easy to set presets to just hit a number to jump/zoom to a specific area of the room. (Zoom, pan, tilt, preset cameras!)

Consistency

  • The participants shared some of their experiences with Skype and how sometimes it’s great and other times not so much. And sometimes it won’t connect at all.

Conclusions

We discussed how Skype is good for short learning experiences that aren’t critical/frustrating if it can’t connect right then.

Standards based (h323) videoconferencing carts are better when

  • you’ve paid for the program
  • need it at a specific time
  • have a guest speaker only at a specific time,
  • or have a more in depth interaction.

What do you think? Do you agree? Do you have more to add to the list? Please comment!

Diverse Networks and Desktop Videoconferencing

Background: As you know, I continue to investigate and test potential desktop videoconferencing solutions. I really want to be able to provide desktop videoconferencing to my districts (most of whom aren’t on my network or have enterprise firewalls between my network and theirs); and also to be able to bring in authors, guest speakers and others who are completely off my network and in scenarios where I have no control over the network.

Polycom CMA Desktop & Diverse Networks

I’ve learned more about how the Polycom CMA Desktop works with the client software and why there have been seemingly inconsistent results in testing it from various locations (based on my conversations and tests with others who have the server installed).

Disclaimer: I’m not a techie or an expert in this. I’m throwing this out here to stimulate conversation and to encourage clarification. Please, please comment!

The videoconference connection between the desktop client software and the server is basically an H323 call with additional services such as LDAP, presence, and provisioning. So similar firewall traversal scenarios occur with the desktop client as with a regular videoconferencing system (appliance/codec). (It’s not quite the same, but close.)

In a scenario where the Polycom CMA server and Video Border Proxy ST are installed and the desktop clients are off the server’s network, here are the likely results:

  • If the desktop client is behind a soho (small office / home office) router such as a Linksys, DLink, or other dynamic router, it probably will work fine.
  • If the desktop client is behind an enterprise firewall (such as most schools have installed), it probably will not connect. There are three potential solutions: (1) use a VPN to connect to CMA, (2) install a VBP at the remote site; (3) provide a public IP at the remote site; (4) open ports to allow the traffic through.

I’m guessing that any other vendor’s solution that is H323-based will be the same. Is that true? Please, please comment!

I am still learning about all these desktop VC tools work and the vendor-intended and best ways to install them. If you have further comments, please share. Be sure also to read all the comments so you benefit from the additional information.

More Desktop Video Reports and Resources

This is also from the Megaconference Listserv:

Internet2 Members had a session on desktop videoconferencing at their member meeting in April.

More resources to assist in our research and consideration!

Results from Australia Desktop Videoconferencing Project Group

I learned from a post on the Megaconference listserv about this work that was just completed in Australia. Quoting their website:

The Desktop Video Project Group (DVPG) was formed to evaluate desktop based video conferencing solutions to be used in Australian Universities and Research institutions. This group believes that there is no “one‐size fits all” when it comes to desktop video conferencing. … This group has completed a review of a broader range of “off‐the‐shelf” applications that are grouped into particular “types” that have been evaluated to offer a broader and greater relevance for institutional users and support teams.

Tools
Their project evaluated the following tools:

  • Mirial Softphone
  • Polycom PVX
  • Xmeeting 0.4P2
  • Emblaze-VCON’s vPoint HD
  • Kedacom PCMT
  • EVO
  • Vidyo
  • Tandberg Movi 2.0
  • Microsoft Office Communicator
  • Polycom Converged Management Application

Definitions
The project also includes some very helpful definitions of different types of conferencing. Given the blurring of lines between room, desktop, H323, nonH323, etc. and the growing casual undefined use of the term telepresence, these definitions are very helpful.

The project includes lists of different scenarios of use for desktop videoconferencing -the scope and range of the list is very comprehensive!

Checklist

  • The checklist used to evaluate each product is very helpful and can be used adapted by any organization.

The full report is online here in PDF.

A picture of the workgroup testing is posted on twitpic:

Polycom HDX at the ISTE 2010 SIG IVC Playground

Background: The SIG IVC Playground at ISTE 2010 featured six videoconferencing islands. Participants tried out two HD units and four desktop videoconferencing solutions. We used a pirate theme to make the learning and exploration fun. At each island, attendees had to talk to people in mystery locations to figure out where they were and which content provider they were.

In this blog post, I share the experience from the Polycom HDX island.

Polycom HDX Setup

Polycom provided the HDX equipment that was used in the playground and in the SIG IVC room throughout the rest of the conference.

In this picture, Danny Maas from Edmonton, Alberta is the pirate guide.

We used the Promethean board display and projector (supplied with the playground) as a screen and method to show the video from the HD system. These systems are more often set up with carts in schools as shown in pictures here.

In the picture above, note the equipment. The microphone (designed for room systems) is sitting on the stool. The remote control for the system is in the participant’s hand. The camera is to the right of the Promethean board on a small table. The videoconference system itself (sometimes called the codec) is also on the table to the right of the Promethean board. These are typical basic components of all videoconference hardware solutions.

In this picture (by Lori Colwill), you can see the microphone on the stool if you look carefully. Note also how well this island handled groups of people.

In this picture you can see how good the quality is and also how the picture in picture (or self-view) shows up in the top corner (can be moved around).

At this island, participants dialed out to:

  1. National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
  2. CET Challenger Learning Center
  3. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
  4. Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

I Learned

I have the same comments as on the Tandberg Edge:

  • Since my daily job is connecting my schools (with Polycom VSX 7000s and Viewstations) to lots of similar systems around the country, including all different kinds of Polycom systems, I didn’t really learn anything new. This island worked successfully and steadily just as I would have expected!
  • Also, as expected, this island handled groups of people much better than the desktop videoconferencing islands.
  • One thing I wanted to learn though, is how to use the far end camera control to change the layout of the conference when dialed into a Codian bridge. We did have a Codian from REMC 1 on the list of places to dial, but I never got a chance to play with it and figure it out. Too busy solving other problems and issues with the playground. Do you know? Please comment!

What about you?

Did you make it to the ISTE IVC Playground? Or have you played with Polycom HDX before? What would you add?

TANDBERG Edge HD at the ISTE 2010 SIG IVC Playground

Background: The SIG IVC Playground at ISTE 2010 featured six videoconferencing islands. Participants tried out two HD units and four desktop videoconferencing solutions. We used a pirate theme to make the learning and exploration fun. At each island, attendees had to talk to people in mystery locations to figure out where they were and which content provider they were.

In this blog post, I share the experience at the TANDBERG HD Edge island.

Tandberg Edge Setup

Tandberg/Cisco provided the HD equipment that was used in the playground and in the SIG IVC room throughout the rest of the conference. Several Tandberg staff from the booth came by to help out at this island during the playground as well.

In this picture, Amy Spath from NY is the pirate guide. She is behind the attendee and has a parrot on her pirate hat.

We used the Promethean board display and projector (supplied with the playground) as a screen and method to show the video from the HD system. These systems are more often set up with carts in schools as shown in pictures here.

In the picture above, note the equipment. The microphone (designed for room systems) is sitting on the stool. The remote control for the system is in the participant’s hand. The camera is to the right of the Promethean board on a small table. The videoconference system itself (sometimes called the codec) is on the floor to the left of the Promethean board. These are typical basic components of all videoconference hardware solutions.

This picture gives a better view of the codec on the floor to the right and the camera on the table to the left. The participants at this island just got a special prize because they found the pirate at The Mariners’ Museum!

At this island, participants dialed out to:

  1. Center for Puppetry Arts
  2. The Mariners’ Museum
  3. Royal Botanical Gardens
  4. Baseball Hall of Fame

I Learned

  • Since my daily job is connecting my schools (with Polycom VSX 7000s and Viewstations) to lots of similar systems around the country, including all different kinds of Tandberg systems, I didn’t really learn anything new. This island worked successfully and steadily just as I would have expected!
  • Also, as expected, this island handled groups of people much better than the desktop videoconferencing islands.
  • One thing I wanted to learn though, is how to use the far end camera control to change the layout of the conference when dialed into a Codian bridge. We did have a Codian from REMC 1 on the list of places to dial, but I never got a chance to play with it and figure it out. Too busy solving other problems and issues with the playground. Do you know? Please comment!

What about you?

Did you make it to the ISTE IVC Playground? Or have you played with Tandberg Edge HD before? What would you add?

Vidyo at the ISTE 2010 SIG IVC Playground

Background: The SIG IVC Playground at ISTE 2010 featured six videoconferencing islands. Participants tried out two HD units and four desktop videoconferencing solutions. We used a pirate theme to make the learning and exploration fun. At each island, attendees had to talk to people in mystery locations to figure out where they were and which content provider they were.

In this blog post, I share what we learned at the Vidyo station.

Vidyo Setup

GCI Alaska assisted us with the Vidyo island setup and provided pirate guides for that island.


In this picture, Craig Moellerstuen explains Vidyo to an attendee.

At this station, the web cam used is a Logitech Quickcam. The audio/speakers used were the Phoenix Duet Executive.

At this island, participants dialed out to:

  1. Amon Carter Museum
  2. Kennedy Space Center
  3. REMC 1 (not a content provider – an educational service agency in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan)
  4. The Sixth Floor Museum

I Learned / Questions I Have

  • I have played with Vidyo several times before (here, here, here, here), and from what I noticed at the playground, it worked very well as expected. Quality was awesome!
  • Vidyo is a great solution for bringing in remote sites to H323 calls – i.e. Craig uses it to bring in guest speakers to talk to students, to connect students who are at remote locations in Alaska to their VC classes, etc. The beauty of it is that you just send a link to the participant – and they just download a little tiny app to get started. Very easy and no messing with the firewall to make it work for the end user.
  • One thing we ran into is dialing aliases. We had planned to put only straight IP address dialing on the Vidyo island; but I messed up and assigned an alias@IP format to it. We weren’t able to get it to connect directly. How does Vidyo handle the Codian menu structure, the Tandberg MPS / endpoint behind a firewall format of alias@IP, and the Polycom IP##alias format. How do we make it do that? I would like to learn. Please comment if you know!

What about you?

Did you make it to the ISTE IVC Playground? Or have you played with Vidyo before? What features should be mentioned? Please comment and be sure to read the comments!

Elluminate LIVE! at the ISTE 2010 SIG IVC Playground

Background: The SIG IVC Playground at ISTE 2010 featured six videoconferencing islands. Participants tried out two HD units and four desktop videoconferencing solutions. We used a pirate theme to make the learning and exploration fun. At each island, attendees had to talk to people in mystery locations to figure out where they were and which content provider they were.

In this blog post, I share what we learned at the Elluminate Live station.

Elluminate Live Setup and Connections

In this picture, you can see that James Yasko, of The Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson. This station did not feature H323 videoconferencing. Instead we were featuring web conferencing. The Hermitage is one of several content providers who are exploring offering their programs to schools in the web conference format so as to reach a wider audience. We stayed connected with The Hermitage for the whole playground time.

This island was set up with a headset and a Logitech QuickCam Orbit. The laptop, headset and webcam were provided by Whirlidurb.

In this picture, you can see that one of the participants was talking with James, while the others are making notes about this island on their “letter of marque“.

At times the Elluminate island was jam packed and crowded!

What I Learned

  • The content is the main feature of webconferencing; video is “on the side”. This format works well for PowerPoint-like presentations.
  • Elluminate has another product – Elluminate VCS – which connects to H323 systems. I would like to know more about Elluminate VCS. Maybe next year!

What about you?

Did you make it to the ISTE IVC Playground? Or have you played with Elluminate Live or VCS before? What features did I miss?