Anyone have video-conferencing experience
Discussion
We're opening an office in New York and want a decent video-conferencing link. I looked at a few systems on Friday and I was well impressed with the quality (even HD). The big question is do we go with ISDN or Over IP. Seems to the former is slightly better quality but much more expensive on an on-going basis. Also the technology Over IP is improving on a weekly basis. As such, my instincts are to go for the latter. However, I admit I'm no expert and would welcome any advice.
ISDN better quality????
Our IP kit isn't HD but it's as good quality as you'd need (we run on twin 42" plasma and quality is OK). There's a noticeably poorer quality if we're connecting to an ISDN remote than an IP remote (plus we have to chase our tails booking an ISDN bridge for the duration).
Rather depends on your budget really. Ours is Polycomm kit, with 3 table mics and one room mic, motorised camera, data injection and recording capabilities. Was the thick end of £25k a couple of years back, not including the plasmas or any of the furinture it goes in. It does need a very good internet connection though, but we're part of JaNet so that's all a bit different from the real world for us.
Our IP kit isn't HD but it's as good quality as you'd need (we run on twin 42" plasma and quality is OK). There's a noticeably poorer quality if we're connecting to an ISDN remote than an IP remote (plus we have to chase our tails booking an ISDN bridge for the duration).
Rather depends on your budget really. Ours is Polycomm kit, with 3 table mics and one room mic, motorised camera, data injection and recording capabilities. Was the thick end of £25k a couple of years back, not including the plasmas or any of the furinture it goes in. It does need a very good internet connection though, but we're part of JaNet so that's all a bit different from the real world for us.
Why don't you buy a business solution instead of buying a technology? Decide your usage profile, understand the comms options between the two sites and buy from someone who'll take the whole thing into account and can demonstrate to you why their solution will hit the right price/performance/flexibility spot for you. With the right IP network I've seen some impressive results with Tandberg kit. They have a buyer's guide you can download:
www.tandberg.com/vcb/videoconferencing_guide.jsp
www.tandberg.com/vcb/videoconferencing_guide.jsp
Jubal said:
Why don't you buy a business solution instead of buying a technology? Decide your usage profile, understand the comms options between the two sites and buy from someone who'll take the whole thing into account and can demonstrate to you why their solution will hit the right price/performance/flexibility spot for you. With the right IP network I've seen some impressive results with Tandberg kit. They have a buyer's guide you can download:
www.tandberg.com/vcb/videoconferencing_guide.jsp
www.tandberg.com/vcb/videoconferencing_guide.jsp
That's exactly what I'm doing - with Tandberg kit as it happens. I've seen two companies, one is suggesting several ISDN lines and another is suggesting over IP. On the back of a fag packet the ISDN proposal is gonna cost £1000 a month and the IP solution will be nearer £200 a month. It'll cost about £25k-£40k set-up costs with either solution, depending on the hardware we go for. My inclination is to for for an IP solution, not least of all because we don't know for certain whether the office in NY will be a success or not (we're 70% confident it will be). Therer is a difference in quality but it's really marginal. However, it's not my area of expertise so I was just interested to know whether anyone else has a different view.
It sounds a no brainer on the face of it but I'm sure you've realised the IP solution will only be as good as the underlying network. So you may be spending the money saved on decent bandwidth but it has to be the way to go in this day and age. If you ever need to conference into ISDN kit then there are numerous options for adding a bridge or buying a service which will do the trick.
Jubal said:
It sounds a no brainer on the face of it but I'm sure you've realised the IP solution will only be as good as the underlying network. So you may be spending the money saved on decent bandwidth but it has to be the way to go in this day and age. If you ever need to conference into ISDN kit then there are numerous options for adding a bridge or buying a service which will do the trick.
The £200 a month is for the decent bandwidth.
Hi
If you would like any information on Polycom video-conferencing please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am a Polycom dealer and would be happy to help with advice for a fellow Pistonhead.
As for IP or ISDN I would go for IP every time with a analogue connection for audio conference calls..
James
01260 224422
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff