Video \ Web Conferencing...Need your opinions

[quell]

We are currently looking for a Video/Web conference solution. We are looking for a program, if any that is easy to install for non-pc type folks, user friendly, able to share documents and most importantly excellent video quality. I'm not for sure if this is possable with a software base video solution. But I would like to get your opinions on this matter. We have tried Viack which is an excellent product with great video quality (when it works)
Just setting it up is not user friendly. Anyway Thank you in advance for your opinions.

 

[BigMrC]

We are also looking for something similar. Have tried about twenty trials of various programs and either: they can't get through firewall, the quality is bad, or can't do more than one on one. (And none of them were easy to set up). Anybody help?

 

[quell]

Here are my final thoughts on the web conference solution. As you know you will never find great video quality with a web based solution. There are simply too many variables when dealing with this. Internet connection speed, type of pc etc... The only true video conference solution would be to purchase video conference hardware. Since the video hardware is not mobile this was not a possible solution.

After many demos and testing of a web based video conference solution, there are only two products that stand out. One of them is Viack, This product has great video quality, (when it works) I like the fact that you can see everyone’s video while giving a presentation and I like the instant messaging when not in a meeting. The downfall side to the video is everyone will be paying more attention to each others video then the presentation itself. Also the software that you need to install is not user friendly. I have had many problems setting this up. If you go with the Viack product I’m afraid that people would spend most of the meeting trying to figure out how to get the video and audio working. This would not be a problem with the billing since it is available 24/7. When Viack is working it is a great product.



The second and I feel better of the two products is called Webex, The video is not as clear as Viack but is still pretty good quality. The installation is very user friendly with virtually no setup. In fact it’s much like visiting a web page. It’s that easy to setup. The only down fall to this product that I see is 1. Each person can only see one other person’s video at a time. You can select between people at the meeting but can only view one at a time. This also could be a plus, people would be paying more attention to the presentation then the video plus you can control who sees who. If you wanted you can make so that everyone only sees the presentation. 2. The cost. If you go with Webex, I’m afraid the cost will not be worth it. Webex is a great product and simple to install and you get what you pay for.

Both products are compatible with outlook, make it easy to setup meetings, collaborate on documents and offer VOIP. The Viack is far cheaper then the Webex. Viack charges $200 a month per host. It does no cost anything for attendees. So you can have 20 attendees and one host and it will only cost you $200. The Webex cost $995 for 3 months and with only 5 attendees. It cost $10 for every 15 mins for every extra attendee. Below are two links so you can check out each product. Please keep in mind these are just my recommendations.

http://www.viack.com/

http://try.webex.com/mk/get/buyonline#

 

[tvitt]

Hello,
Thank you for your kind words about VIACK in your earlier comments. I am a Product Manager at VIACK and wanted to find out more about your experience when you set up audio and video in VIA3. We are continually looking for ways to make it fast and easy to get up and running with VIA3. Feel free to e-mail me directly with additional details.

Regards,

Tim Vittetoe
Product Manager
tvittetoe@viack.com
VIACK Corporation

http://www.viack.com