Table of Contents

Introduction

Network Considerations

Videoconference Equipment

Videoconference Room

Adding Your Endpoint to the UH H.323 Directory

Multi-point Videoconference Information

Videoconference Equipment Recommendations

Videoconference models have certain similarities and can interoperate, but have differing features of scale, complexity, capabilities and support. The underlying commonality of all models is the H.323 standard that utilize standard IP data networking to communicate with similar videoconferencing units (endpoints).

There are two types of videoconference units (endpoint):

Room Units
Room units are suited for most small to large conference rooms. Most UH departments use the Polycom Viewstation 128, the Polycom FX videoconferencing terminal or the Polycom VX7000. All three provide a built-in pan/tilt/zoom camera, room microphone, inputs for document camera and VCR, remote control and audiovisual transmission at speed and quality up to 768 kbps. A minimum of 384 kpbs is recommended. The FX and VX 7000 additionally provide control of two cameras, transmission up to 2 Mbps (between FXs), multicast video streaming and a built in four-port MCU. Four-port MCU allows up to 4 callers to simultaneously connect at one time.

Desktop Units
Desktop units typically support one participant. Personal desktop units utilize a desktop computer and monitor with local hardware that does compression/decompressing (CODEC) for H.323. Typical videoconference software/hardware are Microsoft’s Net meeting with third party hardware web camera and microphone. Polycom’s Via Video (a USB based camera and microphone system) can also be used for desktop videoconferencing. ITS does not recommend or provide support for desktop videoconferencing as there are too many variables with personal desktop software/hardware being utilized.