Videoconferencing FAQ - by Charles E. Hendricks ------------------------------ 1.01) Summary of changes from the last version - first generation and revisions, because this is version 2.0 ------------------------------ 1.02) Videoconferencing Frequently Asked Questions - Introduction These questions and answers are a starting point address the topic of Videoconferencing. Please post any comments or new material that you have, or e-mail them to the current FAQ editor, chendricks@bitscout.com. This FAQ consists entirely of information about the hardware, software, issues, and protocols of videoconferencing. This FAQ is posted monthly to the comp.dcom.videoconf news group. This FAQ is available via anonymous ftp to host , in the directory . It's also accessible via the e-mail server -- send the command "send usenet/news.answers/videoconferencing-faq/*" (without the quotes) in the body of a e-mail message to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu. If you have Web access, I recommend you access BitScout's Videoconferencing Web page at http://www.bitscout.com, which has even more Videoconferencing information. I would like to thank Jon Steer for providing guidance and resources for me to create FAQ. His work is responsible for the majority of the information gathered here. I am grateful to Jon for giving me the opportunity to create this document. ------------------------------ 1.03) Table of Contents Section 1: Subject: 1.01) Summary of changes from the last version Subject: 1.02) comp.dcom.videoconf Frequently Asked Questions - Introduction Subject: 1.03) Table of Contents Subject: 1.04) To Do List Subject: 1.05) Who do I have to thank for this list? Section 2: Taking a Stand on Video; Overview of Videoconferencing Standards Subject: 2.01) What is H.320? Subject: 2.011) Why not just use video over LAN rather than H.320? Subject: 2.02) What is H.321? Subject: 2.03) What is H.323? Subject: 2.04) What is H.324? Subject: 2.05) What is H.242? Subject: 2.06) What is H.221? Subject: 2.07) What is H.222? Subject: 2.08) What are the T.120 series? Subject: 2.09) What is H.261? Subject: 2.091) Is H261 Lossless compression? Subject: 2.092) What is the difference between Indeo and H.261? Subject: 2.093) What other standards are there? Subject: 2.10) Why can't I use MPEG? Subject: 2.11) What are the RTP standards? Section 3: The Major "What's" and "How's" of Videoconferencing Subject: 3.01) What is videoconferencing? Subject: 3.02) What is dataconferencing? Subject: 3.03) What is audio conferencing? Subject: 3.04) What kind of videoconferencing systems are there? Subject: 3.08) What should I look for in a videoconferencing board? Subject: 3.09) What does fps really mean? Subject: 3.10) How can I test if my H.320 system works? Subject: 3.11) How do I get ISDN installed and hooked up? Subject: 3.12) What is application sharing and where can I get some? Subject: 3.13) What groupware will run simultaneously with my video? Subject: 3.14) What is the difference between circuit switching and packet switching and videoconferencing? Subject: 3.15) What is BOnDInG? Subject: 3.16) What percentage of videoconference calls use multiple B channels bonded together? Subject: 3.17) What is MCU? Subject: 3.18) How is H.320 compliant desktop videoconferencing over LAN accomplished? Subject: 3.19) What is the difference between the A law and U law? Section 4: Video-Guts; Videoconferencing Hardware, Software and Vendors Subject: 4.01) What are some camerass? Subject: 4.011) Canon Subject: 4.012) Sony Subject: 4.013) Howard Subject: 4.014) Sharp Subject: 4.015) Connectrix Subject: 4.016) VideoLabs Subject: 4.02) What are some Speakers? Subject: 4.03) What are some Microphones? Subject: 4.031) Shure Subject: 4.04) What are some MCU Vendors? Subject: 4.041) AT&T Subject: 4.042) MultiLink Subject: 4.043) Teleos Communications, Inc. Subject: 4.044) VideoServer Subject: 4.05) What are some system vendors? Subject: 4.0501) PictureTel Subject: 4.0502) VTEL Subject: 4.0503) Intel Subject: 4.0504) Nortel Subject: 4.0505) AT&T Subject: 4.0506) CLI Subject: 4.0507) TeamVISION Subject: 4.0508) Tanberg Subject: 4.0509) MMC Subject: 4.0510) Pierce-Phelps Subject: 4.0511) Apple Subject: 4.0512) RSI Systems, Inc. Subject: 4.0513) Intel Subject: 4.0514) Synapse Subject: 4.0515) Creative Software Technologies Subject: 4.06) What are some board vendors? Subject: 4.061) Zydacron Subject: 4.062) PictureTel Subject: 4.063) BitField Oy Subject: 4.064) Motion Media Technology Subject: 4.065) Creative Software Technologies Subject: 4.07) What are some chip vendors? Subject: 4.071) AT&T MicroElectronics Subject: 4.072) IIT Subject: 4.073) Phillips Subject: 4.074) Advanced Micro Devices Subject: 4.075) Texas Instruments Subject: 4.08) What are some software vendors? Subject: 4.081) Vivo Subject: 4.082) InSoft Subject: 4.083) Cu-SeeMe Subject: 4.09) What are some videoconferencing shareware/freeware available through Internet? Subject: 4.091) VAT Subject: 4.092) NV Subject: 4.093) VIC Subject: 4.094) MBONE Subject: 4.095) IVS Subject: 4.1) What are some audioconferencing system vendors available through Internet? Subject: 4.101) Teleconferencing Technologies Inc. Subject 4.102) Coherent Communications Systems Corporation Subject: 4.11) What are some videoconferencing videophones? Subject: 4.111) BT Presence Section 5: What's Next?; Other Videoconferencing Resources and Info Subject: 5.01) What are some industry cosortiums on videoconferencing? Subject: 5.011) IMTC Subject: 5.012) PCWG Subject: 5.013) ITU Subject: 5.02) What are some industry shows on videoconferencing? Subject: 5.021) DVC Subject: 5.022) Telecon Subject: 5.023) ITCA Subject: 5.024) COS Subject: 5.03) What is some videoconferencing research being done on the Internet? Subject: 5.031) MICE Project Subject: 5.032) University College, London Subject: 5.033) H.320 Videoconferencing Subject: 5.04) What are some videoconferencing mailing lists? Subject: 5.041) rem-conf@es.net Subject: 5.042) videophone@es.net Subject: 5.043) MBONE Subject: 5.05) What are some videoconferencing consultants? Subject: 5.051) BitScout Software Subject: 5.032) Advisory Group on Computer Graphics Subject: 5.033) H.320 Videoconferencing Subject: 5.034) JLWhitaker Associates Subject: 5.06) What are some videoconferencing distributors? Subject: 5.051) Medical Systems Subject: 5.062) Distance Learning Subject 5.07) What are some public videoconferencing sites one can call? ------------------------------ Subject: 2.01) What is H.320? Narrow-band visual telephone systems and terminal equipment It is availa- ble via gopher. It is also accessible through the ITU. Subject: 2.17) Why not just use video over LAN rather than H.320? Subject: 2.02) What is H.321? Subject: 2.03) What is H.323? H.323 is the LAN standard for Ethernet, currently being developed by the ITU Subject: 2.04) What is H.324? The draft standard for PSTN is called H.324 . It is not completed yet. Subject: 2.05) What is H.242? H.242 is a system for reestablishing communication between audiovisual term- inals using digital channels up to 2 Mbit/s. It is available via gopher. Subject: 2.06) What is H.221? H.221 frame structure for a 64 to 1920 kbit/s channel in audiovisual tele- services. It is available via gopher. H.221 is the protocol definition for carrying the family of protocols under H.320, across the network. H.221 works without bitstuffing, other HDLC-ish stuff or start and stop bits usually used for framing on a WAN link, but rather with a framing protocol. H.221 sends fixed sized frames of 80 bytes across the network. The first few bytes of an H.221 frame look something like this (shortened and oversimplified), for the initial channel: AADDVVVS AADDVVVS AADDVVVS AADDVVVS AADDVVVS AADDVVVS AADDVVVV AADDVVVV AADDVVVV The A bits are audio data, the D inband data, the V video, and the S are the service channel (otherwise known as Frame Alignment Signal and Bit Alloca- tion Signal or FAS and BAS). (There's a lot more video, but in the other channels.) Each of the first few bytes in the transmitted data contains two bits of audio, two bits of data, three bits of video and one bit of service-chan- nel (in this example). The wierd thing is the presence of the service chan- nel signal spread out bit-by-bit over a dozen bytes. Why is this like this? Well, the signal on an audio link over ISDN (simple telephone audio) without H.221 looks like this, not surprisingly: AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA When a video call is starting up, the signal emitted by a videophone looks like this (again, shortened). AAAAAAAS AAAAAAAS AAAAAAAS AAAAAAAS AAAAAAAS AAAAAAAS AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA Notice that the videophone steps on the low order bit of the plain-old eight-bit log audio signal for twelve samples out of eighty to transmit the service channel. Guess what? If the videophone connects to a plain-old phone (and the network doesn't lose byte alignment ...a story for another day) they can talk to one another even with the service channel present, with minimal loss of fidelity. Once H.221 acquires framing (when the receiver recognizes the service chan- nel) the videophone endpoints involved in the call negotiate the activation on video and compressed audio, using a protocol with messages exchanged in the service channel. Remember that many WAN links lose byte alignment in the payload, and that the receiver of such a signal must recover the byte alignment somehow. H.221 framing is robust against bit-slips in the network. The receiver of one of these AAASAAAA signals (oops, I mean AAAAAAAS, I must have bit- slipped :-) can figure out how the bytes are aligned, by searching for a valid service-channel signal in all bit positions. Oliver Jones Vivo Software, Inc. oj@world.std.com Subject: 2.07) What is H.222? H.222 is the proposed MPEG II standard. It is available via gopher. It is also accessible through the ITU. Subject: 2.08) What are the T.120 series? The T.120 standards are for audiographic conferencing. They are available at the ITU archives The following offers an overview of each member of the series is available at the ITU. The recent request for T.120 overview information on the reflector trig- gers this message: DataBeam has produced a T.120 Primer that many of you may find helpful. It is free and may even be duplicated (provided the full document is repro- duced intact) without violating our copyright. For a copy you can contact Steve Powell powell@databeam.com) and give him your snail-mail address. An html version of this document will also be showing up shortly on the IMTC home page (www.imtc.org/imtc). <"Starkey, Neil" > The T.120 series of recommendations: At a glance: T.120 - Transmission Protocols For Multimedia Data - provides a Multipoint data communications service that has application in all forms of multimedia communication. - provides Real time speech and video. - runs on PSTN, ISDN, CSDN, PSDN, B-ISDNs, LANs. - encapsulates the concepts involved in all the following protocols. T.121 - Generic Application Template - defines a template to which specific application functionality can be added. - guide to application protocol developers ensuring a consistent approach to the development of application protocols. T.122 - Multipoint Communication Service for Audiographics Conferenc- ing - Generic connection-oriented data service that collects point to point transport connections and combines them to form a Multipoint Domain. - provides broadcast, with flow control. - provides multipoint addressing (one to (all, sub-group, one)). - ensures shortest path to each receiver and uniform sequencing of data. - resource contention (availability of channels) is resolved using tokens. - assumes error free transport connections with flow control. T.123 - Protocol Stacks for Audiographic Teleconferencing - presents a uniform OSI Transport interface and services to the MCS layer above. - Basically a profile of the ISDN, CSDN, PSDN, PSTN networks in comparison to the OSI 7 layer network architecture. A preliminary LAN profile is also mentioned. T.124 - Generic Conference Control (work in progress) - provides functions such as conference establishment and termina- tion, managing roster of participating terminals, managing roster of applications and application capabilities within a conference, coordination of conference conductorship. T.125 - Multipoint Communication Service Protocol Specification - specifies the format of protocol messages and procedures for implementing MCS defined by T.122. T.126 - Multipoint Still Image and Annotation Protocol - provides a protocol to support shared "whiteboard" and exchange of still images with annotations. - application control using keystrokes and mouse. - fax functionality. T.127 - Multipoint Binary File Transfer - a protocol to support interchange of binary files within a conference. - allows broadcast of multiple files simultaneously. - private distribution of files to a selected subgroup. - conductor control of file distribution. T.128 - Audio Visual Control for Multipoint Multimedia Systems (work in progress) - a control application that sets out procedures for the management of real-time audio and video channels in a conference. - transmits control signals directly using a top priority static channel where necessary. Subject: 2.09) What is H.261? The H.261 standard is the video code for audiovisual services at p x 64 kbit/s. It is available via gopher. It is also available at the ITU archives. Subject: 2.091) Is H261 Lossless compression? No. Subject: 2.092) What is the difference between Indeo and H.261? Subject: 2.093) What other standards are there? Subject: 3.11) How do I get ISDN installed and hooked up? In ISDN, video isn't a "service being offered" - at least not for low/midrange quality. You buy the proper equipment for both subscribers, plug it in, and place the call. Just like speaking French on ISDN isn't something being offered - it is something you just do, yourself. Video telephony over narrowband ISDN is governed by a suite of ITU-T (formerly CCITT) interoperability standards. The overall vi- deo telephony suite is known informally as p * 64 (and pronounced 'p star 64'), and formally as standard H.320. H.320 is an "umbrel- la" standard; it specifies H.261 for video compression, H.221, H.230, and H.242 for communications, control, and indication, G.711, G.722, and G.728 for audio signals, and several others for specialized purposes. A common misconception, exploited by some e- quipment manufacturers, is that compliance with H.261 (the video com- pression standard) is enough to guarantee interoperability. Bandwidth can be divided up among video, voice, and data in a bewildering variety of ways. Typically, 56kbps might be allocated to voice, with 1.6kbps to signalling (control and indication signals) and the balance allocated to video. An H.320-compatible terminal can support audio and video in one B channel using G.728 audio at 16 kb/s. For a 64 kb/s channel, this leaves 46.4 kb/s for video (after subtracting 1.6 kb/s for H.221 framing). The resolution of a H.261 video image is either 352x288 (known as CIF) or 176x144 (known as quarter-CIF or QCIF). The frame rate can be anything from 30 frames/second and down. Configurations ty- pically use a 2B (BRI) or a 6B (switched-384 or 3xBRI with an in- verse multiplexer) service, depending on the desired cost and vi- deo quality. In a 384kbps call, a video conferencing system can a- chieve 30 frames/second at CIF, and looks comparable to a VHS vide- otape picture. In a 2B BRI call, a standard video phone can a- chieve 15 frames/second at CIF. Those who have seen the 1B video call in operation generally agree that the quality is not sufficient for anything useful like compu- ter based training - only for the social aspect of being able to *see* Grandma as well as hear her (sort of like the snapshot pic- tures you make with that $5 camera with no controls). A 2B picture, on the other hand, is for all practical purposes sufficient for remote education, presentations etc. Rapidly changing scenes are still not very well handled, but as soon as the picture calms down, the sharpness and color quality are impressive (considering that only two plain phone channels are being used). With 2B+D being the standard BRI, this kind of picturephone will be usable "everywhere" (including private homes). However, it should still be noted that 6xB or H0 does allow for dra- matic improvement in picture quality compared to 2xB. In partic- ular, H.320 video/audio applications will often allocate 56kbps for audio, leaving only 68.8kbps for video when using 2xB. On the o- ther hand, using H0 would get you 326.4kbps for video with 56kbps for audio. Alternative audio algorithms can improve picture quality over 2xB by not stealing as many bits. Note that 6B is not identical to H0; the latter is a single channel which will give you 80kbps above that of six separate B channels. Inverse multiplexors can be used to combine B channels. ketil@edb.tih.no (Ketil Albertsen,TIH) kevin@newshost.pictel.com (Kevin Davis) oj@world.std.com (Oliver Jones) Check out Dan Kegel's ISDN Homepage for further information on set- ting up ISDN at Subject: 3.15)What is BOnDInG? BOnDInG is the Bandwidth On Demand Interoperability Group. There are lots of good ways of aggregating B channels, and BOnDInG is just one of them. BOnDInG is one good way of aggregating channels for vid- eo conferencing. It is commonly used in setups which include both a video codec running at speeds of 168kbps (3x56kbps) or higher. These setups or- dinarily include both an H.320 codec box and a BOnDInG inverse-multiplexing box. H.221 channel aggregation can handle up to 6 B channels, but most connections, in North America anyway, over 2B, use BOnDInG. for more information regarding BOnDInG, please visit Dan Kegel's ISDN page at Subject: 3.17) What is MCU? Historically, MCU has the connotation of an H.320 bridge for supporting multiple H.320 terminals. It's functions include decoding, mixing, and re- encoding the audio so people here what other people are saying; H.243-style conference control functions like chair control / directorship, selecting a particular terminal to be the broadcast video, muting video and audio from particular terminals as desired, etc.. Now that T.120 has come along, "old-style" H.320 MCUs will certainly move towards supporting the added component of T.120 carried in the MLP channel. But there is also now the possibility of non-H.320 conferencing that sup- ports subsets of the audio + video + data combinations; especially data (T.120) only, and audio + data but no video. These "bridges" can continue to be called "MCUs". But to distinguish these non-H.320 MCUs, my company's marketing group has decided to call all these permutations "multimedia con- ferencing servers", or "MCS's" to distinguish from traditional H.320-style MCU's (a moniker which I will here neither endorse nor condemn). It [could be] a standalone computer at user's site or a computer system at the telephone company's office? Just like in the case of telephone switching equipment, a customer has the choice of using Central Office telephone equipment, or Customer Premises Equipment, based on cost decisions. A customer can either use MCUs located at the telephone company (as now happens), or can buy their own MCU (as now happens). [An MCU'S] hardware configuration depends on what the customer needs. But basically the components are: a) network interface(s) b) audio processing (usually) including decode, mixing, and re-encode c) video switching d) data processing (a-la T.120) e) conference control f) miscellaneous like billing and accounting info, conference reservations, etc. An MCU can dial the LAN/WAN gateway, or they can be directly connected. Subject: 3.18) How is H.320 compliant desktop videoconferencing over LAN accomplished? I know about several solutions: 1. Use iso-enet for H.320 (H32z.1) (SAT MeetMe, Zydacron Intervu, MFKS IAT) 2. Use ethernet. Proprietary packetise video and audio and make it H.320 on the gateway ISDN-LAN, gateway is a kind of PBX (more PC's 1 ISDN line) (OnLan Radvision) 3. Use ethernet. Proprietary broadcast video and audio analog and make it H.320 on the gateway ISDN-LAN, gateway is a kind of PBX (more PC's 1 ISDN line) (Target Technologies C-Phone) 4. Use ethernet. Proprietary packetise it on the LAN or use H.320 on ISDN. (1 PC 1 ISDN line) (Bitfield, Mentec, Unisys (?), Nuts, Performance Computing (?), Eyetell (?), Armada (?)) Solution 2 and 3 are in my opinion most hopefull because nobody has iso -enet yet. There is no standard yet for packetizing over ethernet although the ITU, IMTC and 3COM (PACE, supported by Novel) are working on it. My questions are: 1. What are the expectations of iso-enet? (supported by Siemens and Erick- son) 2. Who knows anything about the 3COM initiative? 3. Who knows more solutions that fit in category 2 or 3? 4. who knows more about any LAN standardisation initiative and support for this standard? Subject: 4.01) What are some cameras? Subject: 4.011) Canon VC-C1 MKII Communication Camera - MSLP $2,395.00 Motorized pan, tilt, zoom camera that is controllable via IR or rs-232c interface. RE-650 MKII Video Visualizer - MSLP $3,495.00 Video document camera ideal for presenting flat or 3D objects to a TV monitor or transmited via videoconferencing. RE-150 Two-Way Camera - MSLP $1,295.00 Small, Light weight high resloution video camera that can be used as a desktop video camera or as a document camera. Subject: 4.012) Sony Subject: 4.013) Howard Subject: 4.014) Sharp The Sharp YH-7B60 is a videoconferencing camera available for pur- chase Subject: 4.015) Connectrix Connectrix video cameras are available for both MAC and PC's at . Connectix's rep- resentatives can also be contacted via telephone at 415-571-5100. Subject: 4.016) VideoLabs VideoLabs can be contacted via telephone at 612-897-1995 SuSuject: 4.04) What are some MCU Vendors? Subject: 4.041) AT&T Subject: 4.042) MultiLink Subject: 4.043) Teleos Communications, Inc. Teleos Communications, Inc. announces their New VideoRouter(TM) Product Family Providing Standards-based Multipoint Video Conferen- cing The VideoRouter(TM) Product Line Description The Teleos VideoRouter product line is an H.320 standards-based family of Video Multipoint Conferencing Units (MCUs). Full port- to-port and line-to-line switching is provided. All features of the Teleos AccessSwitch product line are included in the VideoRou- ter family. Network Attachment: T1/E1, PRI and BRI. Room/Desktop Video Attachment: T1/E1/PRI, BRI, V.35/RS-449/X.21. The Video Router(TM) Express The entry-level VideoRouter Express is available in four configurations. Prices start at $19,995 with 4 MCU ports and full network switching. Four (4) Port MCU Availability: US/CA - Now (8 port in 4Q95) Europe - 2Q95 Asia - 4Q95 The Multi VideoRouter(TM) and the Enterprise VideoRouter(TM) The mid-range Multi VideoRouter and high-capacity Enterprise Video- Router products will support a mixture of up to (72) MCU ports, (80) T1/E1/PRI (152) BRI interfaces, and (72) synchronous inter- faces. Upgrade existing AccessSwitches by adding the VideoRouter Pro card. Availability: 4Q95 MCU Features In addition to the advanced, integrated network access features of the AccessSwitch product family, the VideoRouter includes: + Advanced Audio Support - G.711, G.722, G.728 at 16 Kbps + Conference Control from Front Key Pad (Express only) + Multiple Meeting Control Modes: (1) Voice Activated Switching, (2) Lecture Mode with AutoScan and (3)* H.243 Director Control + Auto Mode Negotiation + Integrated Network Access Features + Inverse Multiplexing for MCU and Sync Ports (IS 13871, BON- DING) + Standards Based Multipoint Control (ITU-TSS H.243). + Support for the following Per-Port Conference Speeds: 2 x 56/64 kbit/s 112 - 384 kbit/s (768K*) + Cascading with H.243 Director Control* + T.120 Data Conferencing* + Dial in Broadcast Server for up to 900 Sites* * Indicates Next Release Customer support and network design services are available around the clock, around the world. VideoRouter, AccessSwitch and Teleos are trademarks of Teleos Communications, Inc. PRODUCT: VideoRouter(TM) Family US CONTACT: Dan Acquafredda COMPANY: Teleos Communications, Inc. 2 Meridian Road Eatontown, NJ 07724 USA voice: +1 908-544-6278 fax: +1 908-544-9890 email: info@teleoscom.com web: http://www.teleoscom.com/ Teleos Europe: Teunis deVries: (v) +32 2 725 5211 Teleos Asia: Terence Tan: (v) +65 321 8920 Subject: 4.044) Videoserver Subject: 4.05) What are some system vendors? DESKTOP VIDEO CONFERENCING There are about 80 commercially desktop videoconferencing systems available. Data Communications of March 1994 and WWW-page Desktop Videoconferencing Products will give a good summary. Desktop video conferencing (DTVC) systems are PC based videophones. Usually they also support application sharing and other data communications. Most systems work on ISDN, some on LANs or even both. There are also systems available for the Internet. The ITU standard for desktop video conferencing over ISDN is H.320 (video H.261) It supports image sizes CIF (352 pixels x 288 pixels) and QCIF (176 pixels x 144 pixels). The desktop video conferencing products which support CIF are usually of better quality than those who support QCIF. Some products use Indeo in stead of H.320. It's image quality is far less than H.320 products. The videophone mailing list discusses all topics related to desktop video conferencing and H.320. See also the videoconferencing newsgroup. Most packages use proprietary application sharing protocols, although there is a standard: T.120. The IMTC is an organisation, which promotes H.320 and T.120. The PCWG is an organisation, which promotes standard based videoconferencing from a user perspective. Versit is another industrial initiative for computer integrated telephony. There is no LAN standard for Ethernet yet, though the ITU is working on it (H.323). The internet standard, prepared by the Audio-Video Transport working group of the IETF (Internet Engeneering Task Force), is RTP and is, although still a draft, implemented in most Internet products. The draft standard for PSTN is called H.324. It is not completed yet. One can find product evaluations in Byte of November 1994, Byte September 1994 and PC Magazine June 1994 and more recently Byte of May 1995. If you live in Europe: Byte's European reseller of June 1994 also contains a desktop video conferencing product evaluation. Another source might be Applied Business teleCommunication's (ABC)'s "Desktop Videoconferencing Report" . The report is a 3-ring binder that is updated quarterly. It includes essays from industry leaders, comparative product atrices and individual write-ups on products and manufacturer and distributor contact listings. From: janicewolf@aol.com (Janicewolf). They also have a DTVC magazine. Finally Softwright has a quarterly newsletter called Insight Subject: 4.0501) PictureTel We currently ship a software only product for video/audio/data conferencing on the LAN. It is called LiveLAN. It works with off the shelf audio and video cards. We do sell a LiveLAN bundle that includes a Logitec Audio and Video card and a camera. This is really the same strategy as Vivo. <75663.377@compuserve.com (Mike McNally)> Director of Engineering, Personal Systems Division PictureTel Corporation. Subject: 4.0502) VTEL Subject: 4.0503) Intel Subject: 4.0504) Nortel Subject: 4.0505) AT&T Subject: 4.0506) CLI Subject: 4.0507) TeamVISION TeamVISION - A Brief Description ================================ CL's TeamVISION product is a complete upgrade package for a standard AT/ISA bus PC. The package comprises a Card, camera, telephone handset, connection unit (these elements sourced from BT) and the TeamVISION software which incorporates Fujitsu's desktop data confer- encing package integrated into a simple to use graphical user interface. The video telephony elements (which are H.320 compliant) provide for QCIF video at 15-20 frames per second giving near lip-synch movement over a single ISDN basic rate line (2B+D). The audio unit supplied as part of the package is a full feature hands-free telephone with a buit-in headset jack which is also usable for normal voice calls across the PSTN network. The connection unit allows for the addition of extra cameras (or even a vcr) and audio equipment both in-bound and out-bound. The integrated Fujitsu DeskTop Conferencing package allows for the real-time sharing of applications (whilst video and audio calls are still in progress) and also incorporates whiteboarding and file transfer facilities. The whole package is integrated under the TeamVISION graphical user interface which has been designed to be user friendly and extremely easy to use. You don't have to be a Windows Wizard to use the product effectively. The product currently has an RRP of #2750 (though ICL supply a starterpack consisting of your first two systems priced at #5000 i.e. #2500 per unit). If you need more information please contact Tony Sherwood at ICL in Bracknell on +44-(0)1344-472195. Subject: 4.0508) Tanberg I recently completed a weeklong trial of the Tanberg CompactVision. The CompactVision is an exeuctive videophone that is H.320 compliant. The footprint of the product make it an acceptable replacement for the typical executive's ISDN phone. Being able to transparently in- troduce H.320 to my user community, I believe, has great potiential. The following is my list of observations regarding the CompactVision. Products used for interoperability testing: Picture Tel 4427 v5.00.02, 4127 v4.1, 1527 v1.1C, 1320 v1.1C, PCS100 v1.12 & M8000 v2.0 Vtel BK127 MW3.0.1 & MCUII --------------------- Audio - G.711, G.728 Pluses -Using the handset you recieve full duplex communications with adequate volume. In the office environment the speakerphone delivered acceptable prefomance providing modern audio conferencing. Minus -In my lab environment, with elevate background noise, the handfree mode was not always workable. --------------------- Video - H.320 Pluses - Acceptable picture, and G.728 implementation gives the best possible in todays standards market. Minus - Alot of comments about the jerky image, at far-end, when using G.711. --------------------- Dialing Pluses - One hundred speed dials with telephone like operation. Auto connects second B channel! When you hang-up the handset you hang-up the phone. I like the consistency with the way a modern phone operates. Minus - I was unable to place a call to a regular ISDN 7506 phone, receiving worked everytime. The Tanberg is a type A device and the 7506s are type d devices. However,I was a- ble to get PCS100, using the same BRI, to place and call to a ISDN 7506. That should have elimanated our AT&T 5ESS set- tings from the problem. This really prevents the transpar- ent introduction of the product to the users. The demo provider, Tripp Communications Sales, had it working at their office. Anyone with a good explanation please post it. --------------------- Keypad & Menus Pluses - Acceptable copy of modern teleplone layout (simple & elegant). All functions are available through via keypad\screen menus. The brightness & volume controls are directly available on the arrow keys, during calls. Minus - None --------------------- Accessories Pluses - aux compsite video input & 9 pin RS232 dataport. Minus - None ---------------------------------- Sandia/DOE DISCLAIMER Information in this mail was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, nor any of their contractors, subcontractors, or their employees, makes any warranty, ex- press or implied, or assumes any legal liability or respon- sibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, products, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or serve by trade name, trademark, manu- facturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, any agency thereof, or any of their contractors or subcontractors. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof or any of their contractors or subcontractors. ---------------------------------- Jim Berry's DISCLAIMER These opinions are my own. Any resemblances to the opinions of my employer will be cause for reevaluation of my opinions. Subject: 4.0509) MMC Multimedia Collaboration (MMC) ------------------------------ The BERKOM Multimedia Collaboration Service (MMC) meets the upcoming needs for distant and distributed conferencing with participants working together electronically. The MMC application service is part of the BERKOM Multimedia Tele- services activities in the wellknown BERKOM (Berliner Kom- munikationssystem) trial project. The primary aim of the Multimedia Collaboration project is to design and develop a multi-vendor, multipoint conferencing system, using state- of-the-art technology. Interworking is achieved between workstations and PCs, including: Digital Equipment Alpha, IBM/RS6000, Sun, Sparc, Siemens/SGI, IBM PC/Compatibles and HP Series 9000/700. A solution for Apple Macintosh is expec- ted in the near future. This document describes the HP Series 9000/700 implementa- tion, which has been developed by the Technical University Berlin (TUB) in close cooperation with Hewlett-Packard Laboratories in Bristol, England and GMD Fokus, Berlin. 1 CSCW ------ MMC is one of the Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW) applications. The main objective of CSCW is to pro- vide work group applications, which require multi-user ap- plication access and control, and coordination of all users' activities. It is essential to provide a collabora- tion environment which is strongly oriented towards real work group operation in terms of emulating real working sessions and awareness of audiovisual communications among the partners. In the CSCW research, two main approaches may be identified: - Collaborative work is based on dedicated, collaboration- aware applications (e.g. joint editors), which distribute themselves among the group of users. - Basic mechanisms are provided to distribute off-the-shelf applications for the collaborative work. Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages, however in the BERKOM project the general approach was chosen mainly because of its versatility. 1.1 Application Sharing ----------------------- Most CSCW solutions are based on the distribution of the view and control of a single application among several users. This implies a similar (and, for some special appli- cations, identical) presentation of the application's out- put to all users, and a consistent application's state by input coordination among all users. This common view and control of the application is commonly called application sharing. In MMC, any application running on the local window system may be selected for application sharing. This is achieved by intercepting the communication between the application and the window system, together with distributing the input/output of the application to other, remote windowing systems. 1.2 Audiovisual Communication ----------------------------- It is important for work groups to communicate easily with the other partners. This implies each partner may see and hear all other partners in the group, and his image and voice is presented to all other partners in turn. As a result, most of the necessary coordination may be achieved in a well-trained manner. MMC supports this feature by using latest high-speed networking technology and video hardware, together with so- phisticated audiovisual management among the partners and dedicated multimedia communication protocols. 1.3 Group Management -------------------- Building up and administering a workgroup is very similar to generic conference management. This includes conference creation, the extension by joining users, and the reduction by users who leave the conference. Several actions in a conference may be combined with certain roles, e.g. there may be observers who may track the course of a conference, but are not allowed to take active parts. Another require- ment is that only one privileged user (the chair) may ex- clude participants or terminate the whole conferencing ses- sion. Access to a conference has to be controllable to allow ses- sions for closed user groups, and there must be a mechanism provided to inform others about ongoing and projected con- ferences. Last, but not least, there has to be some kind of direc- tory, where needed information about all users may be found. MMC comprises all functionality to meet those requi- rements for conference management. 2 The MMC Model --------------- MMC merges traditional conferencing models with the infor- mation processing capabilities of the electronic office. Once a conference is established by one user, others may join using data communication link setup between the parti- cipants. A new conference may be announced by sending invitations to selected users, found in a conference directory. This global directory contains information about users, user groups and ongoing conferences. MMC provides two ways for creating a new conference: - a quick conference start-up using default conferencing options and no invitations and - a conference start-up with selected conferencing options and invitation list setup. Conference options include: a conference subject providing more information about the conference, the joining mode of the conference, and the desired audiovisual connectivity (AV mode) among the participants. Once a conference has been created, users may join the con- ference. An attempt to join a conference will be refused, if the conference has been set to `CLOSED' and the new user does not possess a valid invitation for that conference. If the joining mode has been set to `JOINABLE', the user may apply to the chair for joining without invita- tion. If the joining operation is successful, new audiovisual links are created between the new user and the other mem- bers, in accordance with the AV mode selected at conference reation time. The audiovisual connectivity will be chosen automatically to establish the best-possible quality among the participants, depending on the audiovisual capabilities (e.g. coding hardware) of each user. Conference members may assume different roles such as chair- person, active participant or observer. The initial role in a conference is determined when setting up the invitation list for this conference. The conference chairmanship can be transferred to someone else during an ongoing conference. Remote collaboration is based on the sharing of applications with others, such that each participant is provided with free access and the same view of the applica- tion. Rights to get access to a shared application may be controlled by a token passing scheme. Application access is restricted to one active participant (so-called token hol- der) at a time. Observers will not be able to request the input right. An application may be detached only by request of the application owner himself (the user who submitted the application). Or in a so called `Free Mode`, every au- thorized participant can get the token, if the actual token holder does not make any changes in a defined period. Since whiteboard applications are widely used in conferen- cing, the HP\x11MPower whiteboard may be launched from the MMC user interface. Additionally, the user interface pro- vides controls for audio input/output-connections and -gains. During a conference, participants may leave the conference at any time, whereas latecomers may join according to the predefined status of the conference (`closed' conferences require an invitation as `ticket', `open' conferences may be joined freely). The chairperson of the conference can send invitations during a current conference, too. A conference is closed implicitly if the chairperson leaves the conference. 3 System Requirements ---------------------- The prototype support of this version is restricted to a single configuration, called the Reference Platform. In addition to this configuration, some deviating configura- tions are supported to a certain extent (limited support). Limited support means no guarantee for stable operation and for future support. For video operation, Parallax PowerVideo700 is recommended. 3.1Reference Platform for MMC ------------------------------- Hardware -------- - HP Series 9000 Workstations, Model 725, 735 or 755 - 64 MB RAM - 500 MB Harddisk - Audiovisual equipment (headset, active speakers, video camera) - Parallax PowerVideo700 (for JPEG video only) - HP Integrated FDDI adaptor (for FDDI option) - HP Azure ATM adaptor (for ATM option) Software -------- - HP-UX Operating System, Version 9.01 or above - HP MPower, Version 2.0 or above Subject: 4.0510) Pierce-Phelps Subject: 4.0511) Apple Apple's featured Quicktime Videoconferencing Technology enables cross platform conferencing and multimedia communications. It is relies on sotware based architecture and is H.320 comliant. This technology is packaged in three Macintosh-based flavors; the Apple Media Conference Kit, the Apple Media Conference Pro Kit, and the Complete Media Conferencing System. "To use the Apple Media Conference Kit on the Macintosh, users need at least 16 Megabytes of RAM, a 68040 or PowerPC-based Macintosh, System 7.5, a network interface such as Ethernet, ISDN, Token Ring, and optionally the ability to digitize audio and video using the built-in AV subsystem or a third party digitizer card. To use the Apple Media Conference Pro Kit on Macintosh, users need at least 16 Megabytes of RAM, an AV PowerPC-based Macintosh and an ISDN connection. To communicate with QuickTime Conferencing users from the PC and other platforms, users will need an H.320 compatible codec on their machine, available from a variety of vendors" forwarded message of . The complete press release can be found at: Subject: 4.0512) RSI Systems, Inc. RSI INTRODUCES FIRST PLUG-AND-PLAY DESKTOP VIDEO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM .... MINNEAPOLIS ( , 1994) - A new plug-and-play personal video commu- nication system introduced by RSI Systems, Inc. is the first to let both Windows and Macintosh personal computers use digital or stan- dard telephone lines for videoconferencing. Designed to be extremely easy to use, the Eris Personal Video Communications System is self-contained, portable and affordable at under $5,000 for a complete system. Eris combines real-time screen sharing technology with the highest quality video and audio available. Professionals can share and col- laborate on documents from any software application while conferen- cing with full video and audio. Because it meets all international standards for video and audio communication, Eris works with any other standards-based videoconferencing system. Flexible and Easy The Eris system works with Macintosh and PC-based laptop and desktop computers as a self-contained SCSI or PCMCIA peripheral. A complete system consists of the desktop unit with an integrated speakerphone, color video camera, cables, software and documentation ... ... Eris software includes a photo-based, computer phone book that can import existing phone lists from any popular database. Users can make calls by clicking the mouse on the name or photo of the individual they are calling. Using the automatic update option, the Eris phone book will update with the photo, name, and phone number of each incoming call. The system also offers extensive and flexible call-logging feature, sorting calls according to any of ten different criteria. Cross-platform Screen Sharing Supported ... These windows can be shared Macintosh-to-Macintosh, Windows-to-Windows, or across platforms between two different comp- uters. Both high-speed and background file transfers are supported. Self-contained and powerful "Eris puts the hardware firepower in the peripheral, where it be- longs, so users don't need a Pentium- or PowerPC-based computer to get a full screen of fast video," said Leese. "Competing systems may require users to install two or more boards in their computer, and may assume the user has access to digital phone lines and tech- nical support." Because Eris is self-contained, it does not require any board installation, and can be easily plugged in to multiple -- and even different -- systems. Eris also uses the latest AT&T video compres- sion chip set for the highest video quality possible. Superior quality and convenience Although video quality is best with ISDN Basic Rate Interface ser- vice, Eris also works with standard lines, allowing users to video- conference viaa standard telephone jack. A built-in 28,800 baud V.34 modem makes it easy and practical for users to take advantage of this capability. Eris comes with a high-quality color desktop video camera, but can be used with any NTSC or PAL video device, including most camcorders, VCRs, and televisions. This allows users to capture video images from a remote site and view them on any standard TV/VCR system. RSI Systems, Inc. was founded in 1993 in Minneapolis, Minn., to bring full-motion video and audio communication, document collaboration, and high-speed file transfer to the desktop. For more information, please contact RSI at One Corporate Plaza, 7400 Metro Blvd., Suite 475, Edina, Minnesota, 55439 USA, (800) 496-4304. Fax: (612) 896-3030. RSI Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSIS) has corporate offices at RSI Systems, Inc. One Corporate Plaza 7400 Metro Boulevard, Suite 475 Edina, MN 55439. 800.496.4304; 612.896.3020 (phone) 612.896.3030 (fax) rocketscience.com (email) U.K. and Europe: RSI System Limited P.O. Box N 53 Dewsbury West Yorkshire WF12 OXH, U.K. 44.0.1924.840446 (phone) 44.0.1924.840812 (fax) Asia, Pacific Rim: RSI Systems Level 24 State Bank Centre 91 King Williams Street Adelaide, South Australia 5000 (08) 233.5866 (phone) (08) 233.5858 (fax) Erisą Visual Communications System Product Specifications System Requirements Macintosh: System 7.0 Mac OS or greater; 68040 or better processor recommended; 8 megabytes RAM; Ability to display "Thousands of colors" (16-bit color); NT1; Video camera. PC: '486 or better recommended; Video card supporting 64,000 colors; Windows 3.1 operating system or greater; 8 megabytes RAM; 2 meg video RAM; Standard SCSI or PCMCIA interface; NT1; video camera Computer interfaces SCSI I; SCSI II PCMCIA (with optional cable) Telephone interfaces ISDN BRI (RJ-45) Standards Compatibility CCITT standard H.320 Video coding H.261 Channel coding H.221 Narrowband Audio G.728 (16 Kbps) Narrowband Audio G.711 (48-64 Kbps) Wideband Audio G.722 (48-64 Kbps) Video Inputs Composite NTSC/PAL Main Composit e NTSC/PAL Aux Component NTSC/PAL (S-Video) Main Component NTSC/PAL (S-Video) Aux Video Outputs Composite NTSC/PAL Component NTSC/PAL (S-Video) Audio Inputs Built-in microphone Main (2 v Line Level) Aux (2 v Line Level) External (70 mv) Microphone input Audio Outputs Internal 8 Ohm, 3 watt, 31/2" high-quality speaker Remote (2 v Line Level) Local (2 v Line Level) RJ-11 port for privacy telephone Audio Options Mute Audio; Speaker Volume Video Out Options Display Local, Remote or Side-by-Side on NTSC or PAL monitor Video In Options Main or Aux video camera; "Playthrough" of Aux audio Video Controls Brightness, Color, Contrast, Tint Video Options QCIF, CIF, Full Screen or fully resizable video window; video aspect ratio maintained; Grab/Save Image; Moveable Picture-in- Picture Preview of local video File Transfer Macintosh to Macintosh, PC to PC, or cross platform Document Conferencing Real-time Macintosh to Macintosh, PC to PC, or cross platform window sharing from any application; Save Shared Image to File Dialing & Call Options Via PhoneBook, Typing, Updating Call Menu, or On-Screen Keypad. Line Access Prefix option. Auto-answer. Voice-only calling to ISDN or POTS. Call logging (Macintosh). Single B-Channel calling. Restricted 56K calling. Support for all major ISDN networks and switch types. PhoneBook Integrated, photo-based; Add, Delete Entry (Windows & Macintosh); Find, Find Again; Text, Text & Photo, and Photo Only views; Import/Export PhoneBook (Macintosh) Weight 5.5 pounds Power Universal switching power supply (100-240 VAC; 50-60 Hz., 2.5A) Power consumption 65 watts (maximum) Operating Temperature 10-50 degrees Celsius Approvals and certifications Eris manufacturing fully ISO 9000; UL Approved; FCC Class A Approved; CISPR22 Approved; Austel certified (Australia); Net3 cer- tified (U.K. and Europe) Subject: 4.0513) Intel Intel's Proshare (TM) products are two complete videoconferencing kits. They both feature document sharing and audio headset/microphone. The ProShare Video System 150 is designed for a minimum 33MHz 486 running Windows 3.1 with at least 8 MB RAM. The System 150 does not require an ISDN connection. It can be set up over LAN with the additional LANDesk(tm) Personal Conferencing Manger For more information, visit the Intel Proshare 150 homepage at The ProShare Video System 200 is designed for a minimum 33MHz 486 running Windows 3.1 with at least 8 MB RAM. The ProShare Video System 200 is compatible with H.320 The System 200 does require an ISDN connection. It can be set up over LAN or WAN with the additional LANDesk(tm) Personal Conferencing Manger. For more information, visit the Intel Proshare 200 homepage at Subject: 4.0514) Synapse Based in Chicago, Illinois, Synapse has worked intimately with the Planet-ISDN card to develop videoconferencing systems. Their fea- tured package called MeetMe, and includes contains H.320 codec board with an ISDN daugterboard, a Sony camera/microphone, an NT1, and Whiteboard/EasyTransfer software, selling for about $2995. For more information, please visit their homepage. Subject: 4.0515) Creative Software Technologies CST's featured CollabOrator family of multimedia conferencing pro- ducts, an ITU H.320/T.120 based family products that are indepen- dent of physical network thus able to call over POTS, ISDN, LAN or Internet. Introductory information is located at . I would welcome any questions that you may have at simonc@cst.com.au. Subject: 4.06) What are some board vendors? Subject: 4.061) Zydacron Subject: 4.062) PictureTel Subject: 4.063) BitField Bitfield Oy, started in 1990, is focused on developing products for PC-based videoconferencing systems. Their products apply to a wide variety of applications, such as desktop videoconferencing, distance learning, and surveillance. Bitfield's board/software packages can communicate via ISDN and LAN connections. It "is the first company to provide a complete H.320 compatible video codec on a single PC adapter board" (). They are designed to build on preexisting system configurations, to cut costs. Bitfield's boards compress and decompressed transferred audio and video data. Bitfield's full board descriptions can be found at Subject: 4.064) Motion Media Technology Motion Media Tecnology Product Datasheet: Xyclops 900 ===================================================== Video telephony board for ISA-bus personal computers * Basic rate ISDN * Single board videophone * Embedded Super VGA controller * Application Programming Interface * Full-screen or arbitrarily sized videophone images * CIF and QCIF images at up to 30 frames per second * Embedded microprocessors reduce load on host PC * Compliant with ITU-T (formerly CCITT) standards for interoperability The Xyclops range is a set of video telephony products designed for use with personal computers. The Xyclops 900 is an ISA-bus PC add-in card and controller software that allows an IBM PC compatible computer system to execute videophone applications. Interoperability with other videophones and video conference systems, including those from other manufacturers, is guaranteed by compliance with the ITU-T (formerly CCITT) ISDN videophone protocol recommendations. Recent advances in semiconductor integration have made it possible to provide on a single PC card the kind of functionality that was previously available only in large rack-mounted systems. Features ======== * Single standard height, full slot ISA board * ITU-T H.320 compliant * ITU-T H.261 video encoding/decoding standard * CIF (352 x 288 pixel) images at up to 30 frames per second * QCIF (176 x 144 pixel) images at up to 30 frames per second * Pre and Post Video Signal Filtering * ITU-T H.221 multimedia multiplexing standard * ITU-T H.242 signalling standard * ITU-T G.711 3.1 kHz audio over 64/56 kbit/s channel * ITU-T G.728 3.1 kHz audio over 16 kbit/s channel * ISDN basic rate interface (2B + D) * Data transfer over ISDN at up to 128 kbit/s * Full-screen or arbitrarily sized images * Embedded SVGA controller - up to 1280x1024 (16 colours) or 1024x768 (256 colours) * Video drivers for Windows and other applications * Videophone images in 24-bit colour independent of SVGA colour mode and resolution * 2 camera inputs * PAL or NTSC cameras supported * Up to four video windows supported * Embedded microprocessors reduce the load on the host PC * Host PC requirements: - Windows 3.1 - 386/486/Pentium based systems - VGA monitor - 400K available memory (plus application requirements) User interface ============== * Telephone handset or hands-free operation using headset or microphone and loudspeaker * Operates with PAL and NTSC cameras * Application Programming Interface for easy integration with Windows applications. API provides: - Video and audio operations (see below) - Control of video, audio and data channels - Access to all data streams - ISDN call control - Notification of events (incoming calls, etc.) * Video operations supported: - Self view (allowing user to check appearance, focus camera, etc.) - Mirrored image - Split-screen - Freeze-frame - Re-size video display window to any size, including full-screen - Choose between CIF and QCIF encode image size - Adjust frame rate - Privacy (block video whilst keeping call connected) - Brightness, contrast and saturation controls - Write/Grab still images - Document camera mode (allows appropriate encoding and display for detailed, static images) * Audio operations supported: - Volume control - Privacy/Mute - Lip sync adjustment - Handset/Hands-free * OEM support * Software Developer's Kit available ------------------------------------------------------------------- For further information contact the Marketing Department at: Motion Media Technology Limited Horton Hall Horton Bristol BS17 6QN United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1454 313444 Fax: +44 (0) 1454 313678 E-mail: market@mmtech.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------- The information contained in this document has been checked and is believed to be correct. However, Motion Media Technology Limited assumes no liability for inaccuracies and reserves the right to make changes to this document and to the products described herein without notice. The information contained in this document does not grant any licence under the patents, trademarks or copyrights claimed and owned by Motion Media Technology Limited. This document or parts of this document may not form part of a contract without the prior written permission of Motion Media Technology Limited. The Xyclops logo and brand name are trademarks of Motion Media Technology Limited. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corporation. All other trademarks are acknowledged. ------------------------------------------------------------------- -- *******************Gerwyn Davies***************** * Motion Media Technology Limited * * Horton Hall, Horton, Bristol, UK, BS17 6QN * * Tel: +44-1454-313444 Fax: +44-1454-313678 * **************gerwynd@mmtech.co.uk*************** Subject: 4.065) Creative Software Technologies [Creative Software Technologies would like to] drop a line to introduce you to our CollabOrator family of multimedia conferencing products, an ITU H.320/T.120 based family products that are independednt of physical network thus able to call over POTS, ISDN, LAN or Internet. Introductory information is located at www.cst.com.au. I would welcome any questions that you may have on simonc@cst.com.au. Subject: 4.07) What are some chip vendors? Subject: 4.071) AT&T MicroElectronics AT&T Microelectronics can be reached on the web at by telephone at 800-553-2448 Subject: 4.072) IIT IIT is an innovator in programmable silicon architecture and software solutions for multimedia and communications systems. IIT pioneered the development of low-cost, highly integrated silicon compression and decompression devices for video phone and video conferencing applications, including the industry's first MPEG decoder to combine video, audio and system level control functions on a single chip. The company's Multimedia Processor Architecture provides a programmable, general purpose solution that allows a designer to standardize on a common hardware and software platform for: Group video conferencing systems Desktop, PC-based personal video conferencing systems Low-cost, consumer videophones using analog (POTS) lines Embedded MPEG Playback systems - consumer Karaoke and CD-video players PC Add-in MPEG decode cards for games and video playback Low-cost, PC-based multimedia authoring and content editing systems Set-top decoder boxes for Direct Broadcast Satellite and cable TV delivery systems General-purpose multimedia computing The Multimedia Processor Architecture (MPA) Family integrates video processing, communication features and other system level capabilities together with the essential compression and control functions to create a highly-flexible, general-purpose multimedia solution. Products are defined as: IIT 3100 Series - Video Communications Processor (VCP) for high- quality, high-performance group and desktop PC-based business video teleconferencing. IIT 3200 Series - Multimedia Playback Processor (MPP) for low-cost, high volume embedded systems, settop boxes, and PC add-in card for MPEG and other playback applications. IIT 3300 Series - Multimedia Encode Processor (MEP) for multimedia capture, authoring and playback applications. IIT 3400 Series - Low-bitrate Videophone Processor (LVP) for low-cost, high volume consumer-oriented videophones based on analog (POTS) phone lines. The base configuration of each processor is established by applications software written by IIT or its customers. Modules available today include H.320, H.324, MPEG1 Playback, MPEG1 I- frame Encode, GVS, PCS and TrueMotion S. IIT also offers supporting silicon and software products to solve general cost and integration needs of MPA-based system designs, including a PCI bus interface device (VPIC) and software drivers and utility programs meeting major industry standards. For more information about IIT and the MPA series of products call Sales at (408) 727-1885 or email Mike Noonen at miken@iit.com. Subject: 4.073) Phillips Subject: 4.074) Advanced Micro Devices Am79C30A Digital Subscriber Controller (DSC) and the Am79C32A ISDN Data Controller (IDC) ISDN Terminal Devices. Highly integrated basic rate ISDN terminal devices incorporating an integrated I.430 S/T interface, audio DSP/codec with handset interface (79C30A only) and D-channel LAPD processor. Both 79C30A and 79C32A are pin compatible and may be interchanged. Addition of a microcontroller, memory and host interface provides highly integrated solution for an ISDN terminal adapter with audio channel for use as a standard ISDN telephone if necessary. S interface supports European and US ISDN NT1 equipment. Contact local AMD offices for price quotes. Head office Tel: USA 1-800-538-8450 (+1-408-732-2400) Subject: 4.075) Texas Instruments can be contacted via telephone at 214-997- 2598 Subject: 4.08) What are some software vendors? Subject: 4.081) Vivo Vivo Software, Inc., of Waltham, MA, has introduced version 1.5 of Vivo320, the industry's first personal videoconferencing application based on H.320-compliant software compression/ decompression and communications technology. This software allows affordable, standards-based, high-performance personal videoconferencing, and enables desktop-to-desktop and desktop-to-group conferences. VIVO320 VERSION 1.5 The software upgrade includes several advancements including support for DirectDraw, ClearView technology, support for G.722 audio, and international switch types. ClearView is a unique Vivo patent-pending, image-enhancement technology that dramatically increases Vivo320's video quality within the H.320 standard. Version 1.5 incorporates G.722 high-band (7KHz) audio, offering significant improvement in audio fidelity. Version 1.5 of Vivo320 connects to North American and European Basic-Rate ISDN. Version 1.5 includes Vivo TeleWork-5, Vivo's bundle for supporting telecommuting and telework. Vivo320 Version 1.5 starts shipping in June 1995. The product is sold direct through Vivo and through selected VARs. The retail price starts at US$1,495. VIVO320 PRODUCT FACTS * Vivo320 is a complete convenience kit, including all necessary hardware and software to enable a personal computer for video conferencing. * Vivo320's software-based codec and communications offer standards-compliant, cost-effective, high-quality audiovisual communications well-integrated with the PC. * Vivo320 runs on Microsoft Windows 3.1 and later platforms. * Vivo320 runs on Pentium PCs with 8 meg or more of memory and a local-bus graphics display adapter. * Vivo320 can communicate over digital telephone lines (basic rate ISDN) at 112kbps or 128kbps. * Vivo320 includes an ISDN terminal adapter which can also be used for Internet access, remote LAN access, modem operations, and sending and receiving faxes. * Vivo320 can be used for point-to-point conferences. * By using a multipoint conference service provider, Vivo320 can be used for multiway conferences. PRODUCT FEATURES * Vivo320 transmits QCIF (176x144) video images at up to 15 frames/second. * Vivo320 receives CIF (352x288) and QCIF video images at up to 30 frames/second. * Vivo320 offers ClearView image enhancement technology to produce high-quality images. * Vivo320 can send and receive audio using either the G.711 toll-quality audio standard, or the G.722 7KHz high-band audio standard. * Vivo320 offers hands-free speakerphone audio and a privacy earpiece. Interoperability Vivo320 interoperates with any H.320-compliant videoconferencing system, including room-based, roll-about and desktop systems from traditional videoconferencing vendors. In addition, Vivo320 is equipped to allow end-users to participate in video conferences with more than one videoconferencing system through any H.320-com- pliant MCU (Multi-point Conferencing Unit.) Vivo320 users can com- municate with a number of colleagues located at different sites and using different vendor's products. Vivo320 has been certified for interoperability with a wide variety of other H.320 equipment. Document Sharing Vivo320's document sharing capability turns the simple act of sit- ting down at a computer into an opportunity for unlimited collabor- ation, by giving teams of users the ability to work concurrently on word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. Unlike competing videoconferencing solutions that dictate a particular document sharing application to be used, Vivo320 accommodates for preference interoperating with all major third-party document sharing applica- tions. Vivo bundles Databeam's FarSite collaboration software with the Vivo320 convenience kit. ScreenView(tm) Presentation Tool The ScreenView Presentation Tool turns room-based and roll-about videoconferencing systems into high-quality audio visual platforms, allowing individuals to conduct live, dynamic graphics-intensive presentations. Video Business Cards In order to emulate a person-to-person introduction, Vivo320 first transmits an electronic image of the caller's business card to the receiver. For convenience sake, the accepted video business card is automatically included in the receiver's business card directory and can be used for automatic dialing at a later date. VIVO 320 KIT CONTENTS Vivo320 is offered as a complete convenience kit. The kit includes everything you need to equip your personal computer for videoconferencing. * The Vivo320 software application * The Logitech VideoMan digital video camera and microphone * Monitor-top and desktop stands for the VideoMan camera * A speaker for hands-free operation and an earpiece for privacy * The Logitech MovieMan ISA-bus video capture card * The IBM WaveRunner ISA-bus ISDN terminal adapter card and associated driver software * A software installation kit including device drivers * Documentation and technical support WHAT YOU NEED TO USE VIVO320 In order to use Vivo320, you need certain things: * A 486 PC running at 66MHz or better, or a Pentium PC * A PC graphics display adapter using the PC's local bus (PCI, EISA, or VESA) + Vivo takes advantage of graphics display adapters enabled for Microsoft's DirectDraw. + Vivo320 does not require a graphics display adapter with any sort of feature connector or VAFC. * Two free ISA or EISA slots, not necessarily adjacent, in your PC * ISDN Basic Rate Service provided from either + A telephone service provider or + A PBX or ISDN hub in your facility Vivo320's ISDN adapter connects to the ISDN S/T interface. Vivo320 does not include an NT-1 device, so you may have to equip your line with one. SUPPORT Vivo offers comprehensive customer support. Please contact our customer support department by sending email to support@vivo.com, or by phoning our support hotline at +1.617.899.0002. Please fax us at +1.617.899.1400. To order, or for further information, please contact: Vivo Software, Inc. info@vivo.com 411 Waverley Oaks Rd +1.617.899.8900 Waltham, MA 02154-8414 800.VIVO-411 (800.848.6411) USA fax +1.617.899.1400 We invite inquiries from value-added resellers. (All trademarks acknowledged.) Oliver Jones, VP Engineering, Vivo Software, Inc. Subject: 4.082) InSoft Inc. Insoft Incorporated, a vendor stationed in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, InSoft is a member of the PCWG Subject: 4.083) Cu-SeeMe Cu-SeeMe is a videoconferencing program developed by White Pine Software and Cornell University, with White Pine as Master Licensee of CU-SeeMe technology. It is both compatible with Macintosh and Windows systems. It features a 4 bit grayscale 320x240 or 160x120 window. It has a sender/receiver/both option, allowing point to point conferencing or group conferencing. It is constantly being upgraded. Subject: 4.09) What are some videoconferencing shareware/freeware available through Internet? Subject: 4.091) VAT The VAT utilities, or Visual Audio Tool, build under the Slackware 1.2.8 distribution, can be used to modify videoconferencing system under linux platforms. These multiway tools are available via anonymous ftp at , Subject: 4.092) NV NV is a software utility similar to VAT designed to modify video aspects of LINUX systems. Subject: 4.093) VIC VIC is a an UCB/LBL audio editting tool vic available via anonymous ftp Subject: 4.094) MBONE MBONE is the name for the Virtual Internet Backbone for Multicast IP. It is a videconferencing format which allows for ""real-time" communications over wide area" ("What Is MBONE?", ) MBONE'S software products support a variety of platforms, including Unix, Windows NT, Windows 95, and DOS systems. For more information or software, their homepage is accessible at Subject: 4.095) IVS IVS' featured INRIA Videoconferencing System, available at is an audio/video transfer program based on the H.261 codec developed for standard workstations such as SPARC, Silicon Graphics, PC/Linux, DEC 5000, DEC ALPHA, PC/FreeBSD2.0, HPSUN, NetBSD/SPARC 1.0, and SGI. For more information, visit IVS's homepage at Subject: 4.10) What are some audioconferencing vendors? Subject: 4.101) Teleconferencing Technologies Inc. TTI, or Teleconferencing Technologies Inc, created in 1992, specializes in audiconferencing and broad-based videoconferencing packages. Their featured package is The Chameleon Audio Conference Bridge Subject: 4.102) Coherent Communications Systems Corporation Coherent Communications Systems Corporation is a company specializing in full-duplex audio systems for videoconferencing. Subject: 4.11) What are some videoconferencing videophones? Subjecct. 4.111) BT Presence The BT Presence videophone is a standalone ISDN desktop product. It measures 11 by 9 inches and is between 2 & 4 inches high. It has a 6 inch LCD display on top. It is H.320 compliant and works either 1B or 2B ISDN. It only does QCIF but the picture quality on the LCD display is excellent. It performs G.711, G.722 & G.728 audio coding. There are lots of phone features such as memory dialling, 100 number directory, missed call log, hands-free operation. Some of these features are controlled by on-screen menus. There is an RS232 data port to allow the transparent transfer of PC data. There is also an add-on module to allow connection of an external camera, monitor & VCR to turn it into a mini-conferencing system. It will be available 2Q95 and the UK price is 2500pounds. Subject: 5.01) What are some industry cosortiums on videoconferencing? Subject: 5.011) IMTC The IMTC (International Multimedia Teleconferencing Consortium), a non-profit organization, works towards the development of international standards in videoconferencing. They sponsor various "IMTC Activity Groups", each specialized in different aspects of standards development (""). For more information, visit IMTC's homepage at Subject: 5.012) PCWG The PCWG (Personal Conferencing Working Group), an organization formed in 1994, is focused on developing new markets in personal conferencing. Specifically, PCWG focuses on establishing standards and specifications for "interoperability across multiple communication infrastructures," (). They encourage collaboration and coordination between different companies in the hopes of forming more easily accessible and usable personal conferencing products. Subject: 5.013) ITU Subject: 5.031) MICE Project The MICE (Multimedia Integrated Conferencing for European researchers) The MICE Project, conducted during the year 1992, set forth to pro- vide multimedia conferencing, which "implies that voice, video, and computer data, are to be shared amongst geographically distributed groups" (Introduction, ) in Europe. Utilizing the preexisting H.261 and H.221 standards and ISDN connections, MICE saught to network European workstations /conference rooms for future networking with US connections. The achieved this by demonstrating multiple ways of internetworking preexisting systems (as opposed to developing new systems/infra- structures) throughout participating European countries. Subject: 5.032) Advisory Group on Computer Graphics The AGOCG has made available a very informative overview on desktop video, its standards, and developmental challenges. The report is available at Subject: 5.033) H.320 Videoconferencing Subject: 5.034) JLWhitaker Associates JLWhitaker Associates is an Educational Technology Consultant Agency based in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. They can be accessed on the web at Subject: 5.04) What are some videoconferencing mailing lists? Subject: 5.041) rem-conf@es.net Subject: 5.042) videophone@es.net The videophone mailing list (request-videophone@es.net) discusses all topics related to desktop video conferencing and H.320. See also the comp.dcom.videoconf videoconferencing newsgroup. Most packages use proprietary application sharing protocols, although there is a standard: T.120 (http://www.csn.net:80/imtc/t120.html). Subject: 5.043) MBONE Australia: mbone-oz-request@internode.com.au Canada: canet-mbone-request@canet.ca Japan: mbone-jp-request@wide.ad.jp Korea: mbone-korea-request@cosmos.kaist.ac.kr Singapore: mbone-sg-request@lincoln.technet.sg UK: mbone-uk-request@cs.ucl.ac.uk Europe: mbone-eu-request@sics.se N. America: mbone-na-request@isi.edu other: mbone-na-request@isi.edu Subject: 5.06) What are some videoconferencing distributors? Subject: 5.051) Medical Systems The marriage between videoconferencing technology and medical systems has given birth to a more sophisticated means of treatment and diagnosis of illness. Also know as "tele-medicine", medical system-related applications of videoconferencing allows for the fast transfer of x-rays, MRI'S, and medical histories which can assist in patient care. The resources from a technologically advanced medical facility can be made instanteously accessible to doctors operating in rural or inner city areas, where assistance may be scarce. Subject: 5.062) Distance Learning Distance learning is an opportunity for teachers to bring outside resources into the classroom utilizing videoconferencing. For example, guest speakers could arrange to "speak" to a class (or multiple classes simultaneously) through a videconferencing link, cutting down on transportation and scheduling. High school biology students could observe the latest experiments performed "live" at sophisticated university labs. Distance Learning also offers the potential for students sick at home to still be in class. Through a videoconferencing link, the student can see, hear, and talk as if she or he were actually in the classroom. Subject 5.07) What are some public videoconferencing sites one can call? Ralph Martin has created a posted list of about 12,500 entries at "The list contains all the UK sites I know of. A few sites in the USA and a couple more I've had dealings with in South America and South Africa. Ok, right now it's not that many, but oak trees start as acorns. I can't just enter the AT&T book because it's copyrighted. I need you to mail me your details. It won't cost you a cent to be added to the list and if we grow together, maybe I can get sponsorship at some stage. If someone else has thought of this idea and has already implemented it then I'll willingly pass over my list and use theirs but so far I haven't found such a list." My email address is ralf@ast.cam.ac.uk Royal Greenwich Observatory Telephone: UK+ 01223-374000 Cambridge CB3 0EZ ISDN: UK+ 01223-328028 United Kingdom ISDN: UK+ 01223-328087 There are various printed lists of video conference providers. One example I use is the AT&T booklet, 'Global Conferencing Source Book' Alternatively you can look at the RGO Guide to Public Videoconference sites on http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/~ralf/vcguide Please mail me your details and I'll include you, or anybody else providing this service. The number of USA sites is small at present but there are links from this guide to other lists in Japan and Australia. if you have a H.320 ISDN videophone or DTVC here are a few numbers you can try (CIF only): European videophone database: +31703012225 Real Estate Service (Experimental) +31703012219 MCU Wait Service (Experimental) +31703012210 Terminal Quality (Experimental) +31703012254 Vidi Mail Service (Experimental) +31703012255 Colour Chart +31703012293 Police Recording +31703012237 Postoffice Commercial +31703012232 Viewpoints Viewpoints are camera's placed on a building in a city. If you call them, you can look around using the buttons on your videophone or DTVC application or DTMF. Bergen (Norway) +4755570122 Lillehammer (Norway) +4722955829 Telecom Finland Turku +358200122 013/14 London Tower +44713885397 Napels (Italy) +39815890180 Venice (Italy) +39412602270 Pisa (Italy) +3950900310 Rome (Italy) +39652278140 Genua (Italy) +39103711610 Videos: Indeo "Much Ado about nothing" +441793420244 H320 "Much Ado about nothing" +441793420687 Denmark CNN +45338 61140 TV in Tokyo +81 354 217106 Telsys TV channel Sky +44489554944 Teles, Berlin, live German television +49 30 399 28159 Teles, Berlin, live German television +49 30 399 28003 PicTel(?), France +3392962991 PicTel(?), France +3392960041