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