pendleton...
Aside from the microphone and speakers, the computers will
also need to have a sound card installed. This may seem
obvious, but I emphasize it simply because many business
computers in the past did not come equipped with them.
In order to see each other, all computers would need to
be equipped with a webcam. It would also be preferable
for all computers to have a broadband connection to the
internet, such as a cable modem, digital subscriber line
(DSL), or local area network connection (LAN). Sending
and receiving video over a standard, dial–up internet
connection is possible but performance improves greatly
with a broadband connection. If you opt for the faster
video perfomance available with a broadband connection,
the computers will need to be equipped with the hardware
required by the type of connection you use, such as a
DSL modem, or a network card for use with a cable modem.
For hardware availability and pricing, I personally recommend
Pricewatch.com as the most up-to-date source for the lowest
prices on hardware items. You can search for specific products,
or search a category for the least expensive options.
For webcams, go to the 'Input' category and click on 'webcams'.
"Price Watch is a service that allows retailers to advertise
their prices in real time, using our proprietary Price Watch
Info-Link system. Price Watch presents advertisements to
users sorted in ascending order by price. Price Watch was
first presented on the Web in August '95"
http://www.pricewatch.com/
As for software, the simplest choice would be to use a
program which comes with Windows (and I'm making the
assumption that your computers have Windows installed).
This would be Microsoft's NetMeeting, which comes with
almost all versions of Windows, and is included as the
first choice on About.com's netconferencing site in
the 'top 5' videoconferencing programs for use with
Windows, as put together by Laura Schneider:
http://netconference.about.com/library/products/aatp_winvideoconf.htm
---------------------------------------------------
1) Microsoft NetMeeting
NetMeeting contains many advanced features such as text chat,
whiteboard, file transfers and it is set up to make larger
conferences easy to use. This program is not only popular
but it's free.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting/
2) ICUII (I See You Too)
Fully MMX optimized, uses a large photo quality 320x240
video display. Text chat and audio are also included with
a list of features like a built in directory, caller ID,
and a Do Not Disturb feature. You get all this for under
$40.
http://www.icuii.com/
3) iVisit
Multiparty video chat software. Number of users depends
on your network connection. Free download. iVisit also
comes equipped with color video and a bookmark management
system.
http://www.ivisit.info/
4) PalTalk
Paltalk is referred to as the total communication solution.
With it you can make voice calls, videoconference, participate
in group videoconferencing, instant messaging, group text chat,
voice mail, and even file transfers.
http://www.paltalk.com/PalTalkSite/
5) ClearPhone
Offers high-speed videoconferencing, video and voice email,
and a Web page movie maker. Free demo. The purchase price
is $39.95.
http://www.clearphone.com/
---------------------------------------------------
As for Windows XP, you can now use Windows Messenger 4.0 - 4.7
to videoconference. Windows Messenger, which used to be a simple
chat program, has been enhanced with the ability to send files
and video. Windows Messenger comes free with Windows 2000 and XP.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/videoconf.asp
And, finally, if you choose to utilize a broadband connection,
I would strongly recommend the installation of a secure firewall,
such as ZoneLabs free, basic version of ZoneAlarm, or ZoneAlarm
Pro. You can determine your needs with this comparison chart:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/comparison.jsp?lid=pdb_za2
This should provide a solid foundation on which to build
your videoconferencing platform, however there are many
additional links available in the results of the Google
search I link to below.
Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that
the answer cannot be improved upon by means of a dialog
established through the "Request for Clarification" process.
sublime1-ga
Searches done, via Google:
windows videoconferencing
://www.google.com/search?q=windows+videoconferencing |
Clarification of Answer by
sublime1-ga
on
06 Sep 2003 19:57 PDT
John...
I'm not sure if you're confused when you speak of
"sending files...videos", but that phrasing seems
to imply that you think "sending videos" is like
sending a file in video format, e.g. an .mpg format,
as well as other types of files...say, a text files.
Although that's certainly possible to do, when
the programs speak of "sending video", it means
a live broadcast of streamed video, not a file.
The 'stream' amounts to live images, captured from
your webcam (or video camera, if you prefer), and
sent in rapid succession to the other participants
in the conference. The images will not flow with the
continuity you'll see on a television, since the
speed is limited by your internet connection speed.
With a cable connection, however, the image seen will
be updated as quickly as one 'frame' per second.
If you are on a dialup connection, it will update
less frequently, of course.
This, combined with live audio 'chat', constitutes
'videoconferencing', as such.
Many programs, such as NetMeeting, additionally
provide a chat function, allowing live (typed)
chat between all participants, and the ability
to send files to each other. NetMeeting also
provides a 'whiteboard' function, which
allows sharing of images and more:
-Review, create, and update graphic information.
-Manipulate contents by clicking, dragging, and dropping
information on the whiteboard with the mouse.
-Cut, copy and paste information from any Windows-based
application into the Whiteboard.
-Use different-colored pointers to easily differentiate
participants' comments.
-Save the Whiteboard contents for future reference.
-Load saved Whiteboard pages, enabling you to prepare
information before a conference, then drag and drop it
into the Whiteboard during a meeting.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/NetMeeting/Features/Whiteboard/default.ASP
Taken together, this is a very complete videoconferencing
package. I hope that helps clarify things.
sublime1-ga
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