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Videoconferencing News, Notes and Events
Videoconferencing Services Subscriber User Login
 
An Overview Of Videoconferencing Programs, Events And Services Provided By BOCES Videoconferencing Services
A Technical Overview Of Videoconferencing
Step-By-Step Proceedures For Choosing Content, Planning And Scheduling A Videoconference
Sites In Our Region Using BOCES Videoconferencing Services
A Guide to Choosing a Virtual Field Trip / Video Conference Content Provider
BOCES Videoconferencing Services Support And Associate Contacts
Links To Other Videoconference Resourses And Information
BOCES Videoconferencing Services - Home Page
BOCES Distance Learning - Home Page
Northeastern Regional Information Center - Home Page
Some Basics of Videoconferencing Technology
Videoconferencing requires that at each connecting end of the conference there is at least a video monitor, camera, speaker and microphone.

The equipment may be configured in many different ways: a complete television studio, an all-in-one portable videoconferencing unit or an integrated Distance Learning classroom.

There must also be a system to transmit the audio/video signals between the sites.

Videoconferencing connections are generally made using two main "flavors": ISDN or IP.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) are special, higher-bandwidth phone lines that are available from many telephone companies. ISDN has been popular because it is an economical solution for high-quality videoconferencing. ISDN works over regular copper telephone lines and provides dedicated bandwidth for smooth audio and video (15-30 frames per second). ISDN calls can be made at a variety of different speeds, although 384 Kbps conferences are the most predominant. Another term for ISDN videoconferencing is H.320 videoconferencing.

IP (Internet Protocol) is videoconferencing over the Internet. IP videoconferencing sites can connect through either a closed IP network, such as a district local area network (LAN) or a regional wide area network (WAN), or an open IP network, such as the public Internet. IP-based videoconferencing has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years as the Internet becomes more sophisticated and mature. Another term for IP videoconferencing is H.323 videoconferencing.

Which to Use: ISDN versus IP?

Ultimately, the choice between ISDN and IP, when both are available, depends on the individual videoconference. Videoconference Services staff will help you determine which connection is better for your videoconference based on your individual situation.

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