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| Videoconferencing has been highlighted in recent years as a fast moving, technology driven marketplace that has tremendous growth potential. A prominent video switch manufacturer had need of a software application interface at the desktop to control and connect local video calls between devices and users, as well as the ability to connect calls between campuses over the Public Switched Network. Local calls needed to be transmitted over an analog network at full NTSC (TV) quality while calls over the Public Switched Network were digitized, compressed and decompressed at the transmission channel bandwidth; i.e. ISDN, PRI, T1 or ATM. The challenge was to develop a user interface operating on desktop PC's that allowed the user to conference over the video network as easily as using the telephone. | |
The Challenge was to have a videoconferencing desktop that communicated over the Public Switched Network. |
The VNS Solution
The VNS team designed and developed a total solution for videoconferencing using the switch manufacturer's hardware and a third-party CODEC and network interface card for wide-area network transmission. The system architecture and functionality mimicked that of a voice PBX, utilizing Gateways (trunks) for remote dialing. Video and audio channels were opened over the Public Switched Network facilities, as well as a data channel for sharing applications simultaneously with videoconferencing. The data channel is also used for control of remote devices such as VCRs, laserdisks and cameras. In addition, a video archiving system was added to the architecture to allow both local and remote users to access compressed video using an internet browser. |
 The following prominent videoconferencing features were implemented:
Multi-sessions; i.e. two simultaneous calls per Desktop Gateways capable of ISDN, T1, and PRI dialing Remote Standalone for remote user videoconferencing Multi-party boxes for multi-conferencing Shared applications over LAN and WAN facilities Remote device control; i.e. VCRs, cameras, laser disks Identical user interface at both local and remote desktops Directory Services for quick look up Speed and Direct dialing for ease-of-use LAN update of system information Architecture supporting third-party CODEC/Network cards Video Archiving over TCP/IP using Netscape browser Broadcast and Selectcast teacher capabilities
System Designers and Architectural layout Total turnkey videoconferencing solution Architecture design parameters Applications programmers in C++, Visual Basic Script writing/Programming for Third-party software APIs QC Testers for assured system reliability Telecommunications and networking expertise LAN, ISDN, T1, TCP/IP and LAN networking expertise Total turnkey videoconferencing solution Video archiving and compressed video skills Installation software for ease-of-distribution Graphical Interface design with ergonomic considerations Help files, technical, and user documentation Technical Sales support Customer demonstrations |
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