Standards-Based VC vs. Skype The Showdown! Janine Lim janine.lim@berrienresa.org www.berrienresa.org/technology/vc/ Blog: vcoutonalim.org Twitter: outonalim VC Continuum Free Skype, iChat, web based proprietary Free open source H323 Desktop VC: XMeeting OpenPhone, Ekiga H323 Desktop VC Polycom PVX H323/320 Tandberg Large Group 1000 or Room Telepresence Systems H323 standard Three Comparisons Access to Content Technical Quality Network Issues Access to Content: Authors Skype H.323 Authors Authors Skype an Author Network TWICE ASK, VC Content providers, etc. Access to Content: Guest Speakers Skype Guest speakers (easy to connect) H.323 Guest speakers (may have trouble if they don’t have access) Grandparents by ryanrocketship NASA VC by Hays CISD Access to Content Providers Skype H.323 Under 10 content providers Skypecontentproviders. wikispaces.com Over 250 content providers (zoos etc.) VCcontentproviders.org Access to Content: Collaborations Skype Easier international Skype in the Classroom: 3500 H.323 CAPspace: Huge community 9000 educators in 30 countries Technical Quality Skype H.323 Picture quality varies widely More likely to have a higher quality picture Multipoint for $10 / month Can multipoint Free plus $100-$200 webcam $2000-$10,000 for a cart depending on many extras you purchase Network Issues: Security Skype H.323 Concerns over security Can make secure calls Concerns over Peer to Peer technology Can allow certain traffic to certain IPs Difficult to create Quality of Service Student safety issues: student accounts? Allow contacts from non friends? Quality of Service guarantees VCs on the busy school network Less student safety concerns A third option: H.323 Desktop VC Interactive whiteboard potential for display and sound systems H.323: Mirial Clearsea H.323: Polycom CMA Desktop H.323: Radvision Scopia Desktop H.323: Tandberg MOVI Hybrid: BlueJeans Network Hybrid: Vidyo Olympian interview by langwitches Desktop VC vs. VC Cart: Classroom Layout Desktop VC vs. VC Cart: Peripherals Desktop VC / Skype H.323 Cart Can share your desktop with another site Inputs for DVD, document camera, computer, S-Video May not be able to share document camera Multiple types of visuals can be shared with the other site Desktop VC vs. VC Cart: Cameras Skype / Desktop VC H.323 Cart Unless connected to a projector; difficult for the whole class to see Monitor/projector usually designed for the whole class to see Web cam with no zoom or presets. Lower camera quality Camera: pan, tilt, and zoom. 10 or more presets. Additional inputs: document camera. Desktop vs. VC Cart: Microphones Desktop VC / Skype VC Cart Mic is designed for one person at the computer. Mike designed for whole group. Cable length for microphone can be an issue. 30 foot cord; easy use in room May not have echo cancellation. Built in echo cancellation Adults speak anywhere in room Need to be at the mic to talk. Students best at mic. Desktop vs. VC Cart: Remote Control Desktop VC / Skype Can only control the VC from the computer. H.323 Cart An infrared remote control allows controlling the VC from anywhere in the room. Desktop vs. VC Cart: Bandwidth Usage Desktop VC / Skype Potential that you could overwhelm the school’s bandwidth if every teacher did a videoconference at the same time. H.323 Cart With a cart, there is a physical limitation to only do one videoconference at a time. Easier to control the bandwidth used. Desktop vs. VC Cart: Access Desktop VC / Skype Access right in your classroom all the time Easy to just jump in and use it Higher use when access where education occurs (?). Think 1-to-1 initiatives… H.323 Cart Shared cart Scheduling may be an issue May only have access in certain buildings Cart may be hard to move around the school What do YOU think? Janine Lim, janine.lim@berrienresa.org TWICE: www.twice.cc CAPspace: projects.twice.cc Berrien RESA DL: www.berrienresa.org/technology/vc/ Blog: vcoutonalim.org Twitter: outonalim Wiki: collaborativeVCs.pbwiki.com