Desktop Video Conferencing Recommendations
| Important Update (posted 10/27/2004)
If you are using Desktop Video Conferencing to hold a meeting between two (2) users and are not using Penn State's Video Conference Bridge, the information below for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems is current.
If you are using Desktop Video Conferencing with two (2) or more users and will be using Penn State's Videoconference Bridge, the following stipulations apply:
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Desktop Video Conferencing (DVC) is a computer-based technology combining
both voice and video into an interactive format. In order to employ DVC
the computer requires an application that supports the use of a camera
to send video to and from the desktop environment and a method to send
and receive audio. Received video is displayed on the computer monitor
in a less than full screen window in order to present a clear, detailed
image. The computer sends the audio from the DVC package and plays audio
that is received from another desktop video user.
In addition to real-time interaction, some DVC packages may include collaborative
white boarding, where the two participants share the same virtual board,
and document sharing, where a document is reviewed on both computers simultaneously.
These additional features exist without standards, therefore products
from various vendors may not always operate correctly with your DVC package.
Penn State DVC users connect to each other through the Penn State network.
Connections within the Penn State network (such as a connection that might
link University Park to any non-UP location) are considered as having
adequate performance to support DVC. Connections to the commodity Internet
(sites that are typically .com sites) may experience poor performance.
Connections to sites that utilize Internet 2 (typically .edu and .gov
sites) are known to have adequate performance for DVC.
Connecting to another desktop video user is accomplished by calling to
that user's IP address by using your desktop video software. To find
your IP address, click here for instructions.
Testing and Troubleshooting
Users are able to test their desktop video connection within Penn State by trying a test call.
A test call will help you determine if your computer or if the local network is causing a problem.
Enter the IP address of 146.186.47.11 into your desktop video software
in order to connect as a test. The test system will echo back your video
and sound. We recommend that you either use a headset or mute your microphone
to avoid audio feedback.
If you do not see a picture and hear audio, then your desktop video system may
be incorrectly configured or your local network is experiencing problems.
The Help Desk can be reached at 814-863-2494.
Some local networks are configured to used dynamic addressing (where
a new IP address is assigned every time you connect to the network) that
can cause problems with DVC applications. Ask your network administrator
if this is the case with your local network. If so, then your IP address
will need to be verified each time you connect to the local network.
Desktop Video Components:
The components used for desktop video are a camera, some type application
software, and a desktop or laptop computer.
The computer relies upon its operating system, such as Linux, Mac, or
Windows. You should be able to determine the operating system from the
system at the time of startup.
Each desktop video package manufacturer offers system requirements that
will help you select the package that will work with your desktop or laptop
computer.
The desktop components listed below have been tested and found to work
in combination with other components.
Headsets recommended for use with desktop applications:
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Certain Apple computers may require an adapter for headset use.
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Plantronics headset and the stereo cord.
Several models are available from your ITS
Consultant or from outside vendors. All will require a stereo
cord to connect to the microphone and speaker inputs on your PC.
List pricing from $30 to $80, depending upon the model selected.
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Other compatible headsets.
These are available from vendors both locally and through mail
order service.
Recommendations for a successful desktop video conference
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Network considerations:
The connection from your computer to the Penn State network uses
a local network. This local network is shared with others in your
college or department. Because of this sharing, the local network
may occasionally experience congestion due to other applications
transferring data through this local network. This congestion often
times will result in a degraded, or in some cases a completely inoperable,
video conferencing application. Connections to other desktop video
sites outside of the Penn State network may experience similar problems.
Wireless connections are not considered as reliable due to shared
bandwidth and the virtual nature of these types of networks.
Your DVC package should be set to connect at a speed of 384K. This
is a capability supported by all of the recommended DVC packages.
In addition, the loopback test will not function at speeds other
than 384K.
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Video considerations:
Lighting plays the crucial role in the presentation of video quality.
Direct frontal lighting should be used to illuminate the face so
that the camera will transmit a clear image. The optimal background
color would be one that is darker than the skin tone of the participant.
A bright background, such as sunlit windows, needs to be avoided.
When sunlight is in the direct view of the camera the result is
a dark picture with little definition. Finally, reducing background
clutter will also improve the picture quality of a desktop video
conference.
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Audio considerations:
The best way to ensure good audio is by employing a headset with
an attached microphone. This will eliminate the problems associated
with feedback that might occur when using a computer with speakers
and a microphone. Some desktop video systems, such as the Polycom
Via Video, include a microphone into the camera assembly. The microphone
includes special circuitry to remove feedback from the system. It
is recommended that the headset and microphone combination be used
rather than to use the computer's speakers and an external
microphone.
Summary:
At this point in the development of desktop video conferencing at Penn
State there is support for point-to-point connections only. It is expected
that further development will address multi-point desktop video conferencing,
where more than two endpoints are able to collaborate.
Connecting to a colleague's desktop video equipment is accomplished
by the entering of an IP address. Future discussions will include a method
to identify an endpoint by some other method, such as an alias that might
be an e-mail address.
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