Video Conferencing Alternatives

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Revision as of 13:55, 2 November 2012 by Cmeyer (Talk | contribs) (ESnet (H.323))

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In fall 2012 it was announced that the EVO video conferencing service would be transitioning into a private service requiring a subscription. (Previously, use of the system was free.) We contacted the new service provider SeeVough and they estimated that the cost for one year based on the previous year's usage for GlueX would be $5k.

This page collects some alternatives so we can decide how to proceed with video conferencing within GlueX in the future.

Protocol Options

ESnet (H.323)

The ESnet system is in use by a large fraction of the collaboration already. It works well with the Polycom video systems used at JLab and several Universities within GlueX. It uses the H.323 protocol for communications so it is possible to connect to this via PC clients.

Desktop Clients

  • XMeeting :Mac OS X: is a product that has been around for a while, but has not been updated since 2009 (website says 2007, but the actual download is a little more recent.)
    • We have noticed that when people connect in using XMeeting, that we very often get an echo. People may need to purchase head phone/microphone sets for this with some echo cancellation on it.
  • YateClient :Linux/Windows/Mac OS X: is product that supports multiple protocols including H.323
  • Ekiga :Linux/Windows:is the product formerly known as Gnome Meeting.
  • Polycom RealPresence Mobile App for Android or iOS.
    • The limited testing that we have done with this application shows that it does not seem to introduce a echo in the system. The echo cancellation seems quite good.


Pros

  • Couples to ReadyTalk (paid for by ECS so free for us)

Cons

  • Does not have ability to share desktop
  • Requires registration and approval for both user, then equipment this is apparently not true since the folks have been connecting via the RealPresence apps without any registration

Adobe Connect

The Adobe Connect product has been tested at JLab by the IT division. ... more to follow

Pros

Cons

  • Full support only for Windows Clients (Linux and Mac can join via Browser, but cannot share screens and cannot use advanced features like echo cancellation)
  • ~$4k for sitewide support

ReadyTalk

ReadyTalk is a Audio and Web conferencing service (no streaming video). JLab already pays for this service. It could be an alternative for folks not needing full video since it couples directly into the ESnet.


Testing and Testimonials

XMeeting

  • From Paul E.
    ...I starting playing around with XMeeting for OSX. There is some outdated information for setting up XMeeting to use with ESnet. With that and some other information I cobbled together, I have managed to get XMeeting working. There is a slight problem with echo suppression for which lowering the built in mic gain reduces the problem. It was not clear to me, but unlike the polycom, I had to connect to "8542533@gk.es.net" rather than just the number. I include my XMeeting preferences settings below. Note: you can select the tools via the little hammer button. From the tools, you can access the mic gain settings and also a keypad (good for entering the "#" to start an ESnet session).
  • From Paul E.
    ... I used XMeeting on my mac to participate in Wednesday meeting. It worked fine on my end. I manually lowered the gain of my mic, but later heard that my volume was a bit low. Turning up the mic should not cause problems....
  • Will B. was able to successfully use this to connect to and participate in a Calorimetry meeting

Polycom RealPresence Mobile App

iOS

  • From Matt S.
    ... there is a Polycom iPad app that is available from the app store (for free!) that turns your iPad into a Polycom unit. I downloaded this and called: 8542553@198.129.252.168 (the IP is the ESNET gatekeeper) and it just worked, perfectly, no account setup, no configuration, no headset, nothing. The software does echo cancellation and you have nice video and audio....
  • From Curtis M.
    ... Matt and I have installed Polycom RealPresence on our iPads and it works very well. You do not need to register the device and it is free. When you start it, enter your email then "skip login". On the connection page enter 8542553@198.129.252.168 which I believe is gk1.es.net ...

Android

  • From Beni Z.
    there is an app for the android phone too (search for "polycom"). I installed it and it works like a charm from home using wifi as Matt reports. Of course it does not work at jlab because some ports are probably blocked. There is also a version for tablets. I could not install it on my nook color as it is not compatible with it but may be with others.