IP Video Conferencing

Video Conference Contact: Ron Braxley
Email address: rbraxley@uga.edu
Telephone number: 706-542-8007

IP Video address/video number: 128.192.22.96

System type: Polycom VS4000

Videoconference Room Telephone: 706-542-7314

Bandwidth access: Up tp 1.5 Mbs

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time

How do I get started?

Once you have decided that videoconferencing is the right tool for you, it is never too early to begin thinking about dates.

1. You will need to fill out two forms.

COE Teleconferencing Request (Select IP-based videoconference)
Reserve Room 631 Form

2. General Planning

Define your instructional videoconference goals
Make an Agenda and hard copy to far-end in advance
Test all tools required for the conference
Contact Site Coordinator for Far-End
Test Connection
Operator Assistance

What is IP Videoconferencing?

IP video is a videoconferencing technology that uses the Internet as the transmission medium. Using a camera, microphone, monitor, and a piece of equipment called a codec (COMpressor/DECompressor), IP video allows two or more people in different locations to communicate with each other in real time. All parties can see and hear each other simultaneously. This technology opens a rich array of new possibilities for schools and other organizations in a variety of areas such as formal classroom instruction of entire courses, tutoring, connecting with guest speakers, inter-organizational collaboration, professional development, and community events.

Many educators feel videoconferencing is a beneficial supplement to existing curricula. Real-time, face-to-face communication serves to dissolve the obstacle of geography, helping students feel more connected to the subject at hand. Being actively engaged with subjects builds relationships and supports collaboration. Some educators feel that videoconferencing improves retention and makes otherwise static educational experiences more meaningful by bringing in guest speakers or allowing for virtual field trips and other experiences that may not previously have been possible due to geographical, time, or financial limitations.

Basic Components of a Videoconference

Camera - To capture local video. At least one camera must be present at each endpoint or site. Cameras vary in image quality and features like their ability to PTZ (Pan, Tilt, and Zoom).
Monitor - To display remote video. Monitor quality like screen size and resolution affect the size and clarity of the incoming video window.
Speakers - To play remote audio. Within a videoconference audio is as important, and often considered more important, than video. If we lose video or experience poor video quality in a conference but audio remains intact, we can still accomplish many of our communication objectives. The conference would simply become a teleconference rather than a videoconference. In contrast, poor or disrupted audio quality effectively shuts down a videoconference, often sending participants scrambling to find a "native audio" telephone to complete the meeting.
Microphone - To capture local audio. There is a very wide range that can be used for videoconferencing, from a headset mic to an array of room microphones.
Codec

Why & How to use Videoconferencing?

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