Will a T1 be enough

[jonwilbanks]

Hi all,

I work for a Junior College and we are considering distributed classrooms in local area highschools using video teleconferencing. We have a T1 with well over 500 users already. Will the T1 be enough if we start using it for the video conferencing in the remote classrooms?

 

[lopes1211]

Via ISDN or IP? Are you refering to a voice PRI, internet T-1, or some type of point to point? -CL

 

[jonwilbanks]

We are currently using internet T1 but purchasing a seperate ISDN connection is being considered. I was just wondering if the additional ISDN was necessary or if the T1 could handle it all.

 

[kcbell]

The number of users has nothing to do with the bandwidth usage of the Internet T1. Of course, if you have heavy duty users one can clog up your bandwidth. I assume you have the full 1.544Mb T1 for Internet. Talk with you provider if you cannot get bandwidth usage report within your equipment. I know ATT and Verizon both can provide dairy or weekly reports.

When you add video over IP, your bandwidth usage will go up 384k more than you average bandwidth usage; if you choose to have 384k videoconference. That is why you must know the usage first before you can put video over the Internet service. Advantage of Internet is free. ISDN will cost more because you pay per minute usage unless you have a leased line between two site.

I would not go ISDN because of the cost. If necessary, I suggest additional T1 with Internet service but just use it for video then you know for sure you have the whole T1 bandwidth for video. Check out the price before you make the decision for ISDN. Your latency should be excellent for video with the Internet option if the other site is within the city.

Hope this help!

 

[terrahawk]

Can someone please point me to a good resource/FAQ or provide me with some advice on video/web cam connection options between two offices. Options suitable for desktop computers are fine. It is mainly for meetings between a couple people in different states.

We have a full T1. We cannot afford the 10k video conference units. I have seen Polycom units (Polycom Viavideo Desktop Video) that sell for about $600 each.

Thanks,
Peter

 

[kcbell]

Terrahawk:

The ViaVideo is very good choice for desktop for one to one conference. The bandwidth can be adjusted from 64k to 384K. For small conference with more than two person, I would suggest the Polycom ViewStation H.323. The unit itself is more than $5K. I don't know exactly how much.

Do you have a T1 to the Internet? If you do then either hardware will do very well. A desktop unit lack of autofocus and autobackground adjust etc. Viavideo is the best web cam I've seen for business applications.

 

[terrahawk]

Thank you KC. Yes, T1 to the internet. I am going to see if I can have a demo unit of the ViaVideo sent out to test.

Peter