What is ISDN?

ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. ISDN is a type of digital phone service supporting videoconferencing in that you dial much as you would to make a telephone call. We use one to three ISDN lines: @128Kbps with one line, @256Kbps with two, and @384Kbps with three lines.

What kind of quality can I expect in an ISDN conference?

Audio quality is good with desktop systems that are intended for one-to-one use rather than group use. Video quality is fair to good with desktop systems, ranging from a "herky-jerky" strobe effect when there is a lot of motion to good when there is minimal motion. Single ISDN line calls can obtain motion video in a range of approximately 10-15 frames per second (fps). As such, one line calls are not always recommended for group instruction.

Audio quality is excellent with conference room systems that are designed for group use. Video quality is good (e.g. VHS quality) when using three ISDN lines (@384Kbps) to achieve full motion video at 30 fps (the U.S. broadcast standard).

What is IP?

IP is the abbreviation for Internet Protocol. We can use the commodity Internet (the original Internet) or Internet 2 (I2) for videoconferencing. I2 is preferred because there is generally much less potential for bandwidth contention than on the original Internet. Microsoft's NetMeeting is one common application used for voice and/or video IP calls. Our Polycom ViewStation can use bandwidth up to 784Kbps with generally good results at 384Kbps (VHS quality) or higher data rates, especially when videoconferencing with I2 sites. A Polycom VSX 7400 is available with a maximum bandwidth of 1920Kbps.

What kind of quality can I expect in an IP conference?

IP conference quality is similar to that of ISDN at lower data rates. Lower data rates (e.g. 128-256Kbps) can be problematic if there is a lot of motion. IP video quality is generally better than ISDN video at higher data rates (e.g. 512Kbps or greater), but you run an increased possibility of bandwidth congestion interfering with calls using higher data rates.

What equipment does SU have?

Many departments have their own videoconferencing capabilities. However, ITS provides campus-wide videoconferencing support with Polycom ViewStation 512 ISDN/IP, Polycom VSX 7400 ISDN/IP, and ViaVideo IP systems (the ViaVideo system is a desktop system appropriate only for individual use).

Syracuse University's ISDN systems are able to connect with other ISDN systems operating under H.320 standards. IP systems can connect with other systems adhering to H.323 standards.

Where can videoconferencing be done at SU?

ITS's primary videoconferencing facility is 269 NCCII. Since ISDN conferencing relies on installed lines it can be done only in certain locations. ITS supports ISDN videoconferencing in the following Newhouse II rooms: Studios A (up to 200 seats) & B (up to 100 seats), 268 (35 seat Registrar classroom), 269 (15 seats), & the Bartlett Room (262, up to 70 seats). IP videoconferencing can be done from nearly any appropriate campus facility with a network connection.

In addition, there are various departmental videoconferencing capabilities in Continuing Education, ECS, SOE, Greenberg House (Washington, D.C.), IST, Living Schoolbook, Lubin House (NYC), Maxwell, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, Physics, SUCE, VPA, WSOM, etc.

Can our systems connect with more than one site at a time? Yes, we can connect with up to three other sites for IP and/or ISDN. To connect to more than three other sites we must contract with a bridging service that coordinates and connects multiple sites for videoconference calls in much the same manner as telephone conference calls are arranged. ITS is currently certified to use the bridging services of AT&T, Binghamton University Video Center, GTE, LINK-VTC, and Sprint.

Can I operate the equipment by myself or is an operator required?

For uses in 269 NCCII during regular operating hours, ITS will have equipment set up and ready to go. Uses in other NCCII rooms require a set-up and/or operator charge. Both the desktop and the conference room systems are simple enough to operate that a brief training session is all one needs to be competent in basic system operations. ITS will also train GAs or TAs to operate the systems for their faculty. Or, if you prefer, ITS can provide an operator (required outside of normal office hours).

How much does it cost to do a videoconference?

As with telephone calls, ISDN costs vary depending on the length of the call, time of day, and the distance involved. ISDN connect charges for a call can range from as little as $2 per hour for a local one-line connection to about $100/hour for a domestic long distance three-line connection during business hours. If you wish to conference simultaneously with multiple sites, bridging service charges are about $50 per hour per site. These figures are given for planning purposes only. Direct IP calls between two sites incur no billable network charges.

ITS does not charge an equipment fee for unassisted conferencing in direct support of a regularly scheduled currently offered SU academic credit-bearing course. Thus, there is no ITS charge for unassisted class use when an ISDN call to 269 NCCII is initiated from the other end during normal office hours. An ID from the requesting department is required to cover the cost of connection time if an ISDN call for a class is initiated by SU and/or for any related labor charges, including setup in a room other than 269 NCCII. There are no direct billable costs for point-to-point IP calls regardless of who initiates the call. ITS will provide a student operator at $15 per hour during office hours ($30 per hour for regular ITS staff, required for after hours or non-class conferences).

For non-class uses, an ID is required to cover ISDN connection charges or any labor charges.

Can students schedule a videoconference for their class projects?

Students who would like to schedule a class videoconference using systems maintained by ITS in Newhouse II should ask the faculty member for whose course the project is being done to make initial contact with ITS at 443-1814. After the initial faculty contact, ITS will work with students on videoconferencing details for a regularly scheduled meeting of the class, including which room in Newhouse II is most appropriate.

Whom do I contact to schedule a videoconference?

Eggers Hall: gc@maxwell.syr.edu
Lubin House (NYC): Lynn Clarke (212 826 0320)
Greenberg House (Washington, D.C-ISDN only): Dugald Gillies (202/797-4678)
Newhouse II: Daniel Lowe or David Tiedemann (443-1814)

How far in advance should I plan an ISDN conference?

Although more lead-time is preferable, requests for conferencing should be made at least 72 hours in advance of intended uses to allow proper technical preparation, including test connections with the remote site(s).

Are there local commercial ISDN conference options available for uses that don't relate to SU?

There are a number of local companies that provide conferencing services, including: University Sheraton (475-3000); York Telecom (formerly Univisions, 437-0301); and Visual Technologies (423-2000).

Can you recommend web sites with more information on distance education and videoconferencing?

You may find the following web sites to be of interest.

Distance Learning: General

http://www.cde.psu.edu/ACSDE/
"The American Center for the Study of Distance Education (ACSDE), established in 1988 in the College of Education, Penn State, seeks to promote distance education research, study, scholarship, and teaching and to serve as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of knowledge about distance education."

http://www.uwex.edu/disted/index.cfm
The University of Wisconsin - Extension Distance Education Clearinghouse is a good source of information and links on a variety of distance education issues, including: "Definitions, Glossaries, Overviews and FAQs, Other Distance Education Sites."

http://www.unc.edu/cit/guides/irg-06.html
"Distance Learning Resources, compiled by: Carolyn Kotlas, MSLS, Institute for Academic Technology. Last revised: January 6, 1997. Resources for information on distance learning and for contacting others in the field for assistance. Includes World Wide Web sites, addresses for journals and newsletters, and information on electronic discussion lists".

http://www.teletrain.com/
"The Teletraining Institute was founded in 1993 on the premise that even the best technology will not allow educators to achieve the full potential of distance learning unless those educators are appropriately trained to adapt their teaching styles and methodologies to the medium. To date, The Teletraining Institute has trained more than 10,000 professionals through its publicly offered programs, customized training, and curriculum that are offered at a distance. In 1999, a new service unit, eTraining Soultions, was launched to serve the ever-growing demand to support clients' initiatives to move to web-based learning. In 2004, this business unit was established as a new company - eLearning Innovations, Inc.

http://www.eurodl.org/
EURODL, "The European Journal of Open and Distance Learning, will explore the potential of electronic publishing and thus lead the way towards a new concept of what a journal may be in the future. It will publish scholarly work and solid information about open and distance learning, education through telematics, multimedia, on-line learning and co-operation, ..... or whatever you prefer to call this field."

http://www.gnacademy.org/
The Globewide Network Academy: "The Globewide Network Academy is dedicated to the promote access to educational opportunities for anybody, anywhere. To do this, GNA pioneers and develops distance learning relationships and facilities for the worldwide public to use. GNA's tools are created under the open-source, copyleft philosophy, and we encourage others to copy our products and build upon them in the spirit of the open source community."

http://www-icdl.open.ac.uk/
"The International Centre for Distance Learning (iCDL) is a documentation centre specialising in collecting and disseminating information on distance education worldwide. ICDL is part of the Open University Institute of Educational Technology, which received world class rating in the 1992 and 1996 Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) Research Assessment Exercises."

http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/
"To foster student success, the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (mcli) at the Maricopa Community Colleges, is dedicated to supporting and advancing teaching and learning by working collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and district-wide groups to provide quality services, programs, and resources."

http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/teachdemo
New Tools for Teaching by James J. O'Donnell, University of Pennsylvania. "This page leads to others that introduce, describe, and exemplify new Internet-based resources for teaching that are already available and in the main astonishingly easy to use." Last updated October 2001.

http://www.open.ac.uk/
The Open University: the original.

http://www.usdla.org/
The United States Distance Learning Association is a non-profit association formed in 1987 by Patrick Portway, Dr. Smith Holt of Oklahoma State University and Dr. Ralph Mills of California State University. The association's purpose is to promote the development and application of distance learning for education and training. The constituents we serve include K through 12 education, higher education, continuing education, corporate training, and military and government training.

http://www2.plymouth.ac.uk/distancelearning/vidconf.html
The University of Plymouth provides a Web site with links focusing on distributed learning and emerging technologies as well as a discussion list on these topics. This website presents information about the University's current activities in the development of telematics to deliver and support distance learning.

http://www.wcet.info/
"The Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications is a membership-based organization open to providers and users of educational telecommunications. Established in 1989 by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), the Western Cooperative facilitates resource sharing, information sharing, and policy advocacy in the use of educational technologies and telecommunications."

http://www.directdegree.com/scripts/offer.php?code=RNT-WGU&&offer=WESTGO-001&&file=
M_307337&&session=1
Western Governors University: "As the nation's only online, competency-based university, WGU focuses on developing a highly competent graduate, not just someone who has accumulated credit hours. In fact, WGU does not award degrees based on credit hours or required courses. Your progress is determined by your ability to pass rigorous assessments--typically tests, projects and a portfolio--that measure your knowledge and skills as you move through your degree program."

Distance Learning: Videoconferencing

http://alumni.caltech.edu/~dank/isdn/
Dan Kegel's ISDN Page: this page is mostly a collection of pointers to WWW and FTP documents on other servers. (fairly technical material with few updates since 1996)

http://www.ihets.org/progserv/dms/videoconferencing/ipvtf/index.html
H.323 VIDEO FOR ITN: An Implementation Strategy: "This report will help network designers, technical coordinators, faculty, students, and administrators understand the basic functioning of H.323-based videoconferencing. The section dealing with codecs should provide schools, libraries, and other institutions with guidance on the purchase of equipment." (2001 PDF file)

http://www.sju.edu/IMC/vc_list.html
The International Videoconferencing List: In addition to a country-by-country list of videoconferencing sites, links to other helpful sites are provided. (Maintained by David Lees of St. Joseph's University, last revised 1/2000)

http://www.mega-net.net/megaconference/
Seven Megaconference Internet 2 videoconferencing events have be held in conjunction with the annual I2 User Conference. Over 100 institutions have been simultaneously linked in a videoconference during some of the Megaconference events. Information on the most recent Megaconference can be found at this site.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting/download/
NetMeeting software is available for Windows PCs as a free download from Microsoft. It supports Internet telephony, videoconferencing, application sharing, chat, share whiteboard, and file transfer. ("Windows NetMeeting for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows NT 4.0." - comes with Windows 2000 & XP)

http://www.picturephone.com/
"PicturePhone Direct is the worlds largest supplier of videoconferencing products and accessories. Call us today for your free videoconferencing consultation!"

http://www.pug.com/
"The Polycom User Group is a newly combined user group serving the Polycom Global Community and the PictureTel User Group. Both groups voted on the merger of the two organizations in January 2002."

http://www.fvc.com/
"RADVISION has acquired substantially all the operating assets, intellectual property and customer contracts of First Virtual Communications.": Click to meet has evolved from the commercial version of CUSeeMe and advanced product, MeetingPoint. "In 2001, CUseeMe Networks (formerly White Pine Software) merged with First Virtual Communications and can be found at www.fvc.com. Providers of advanced Internet Business Communication Solutions for today's enterprises, using web conferencing, video conferencing and audio conferencing technologies."

http://wings.buffalo.edu/suny/teleconf/index_old.html
SUNY Videoconferencing Sites: "This is a listing of some of the two-way video teleconferencing sites located at or affiliated with SUNY campuses. These sites are not necessarily SUNYSAT receiving sites. These sites are set up to do live, two-way video conferencing."

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/vidconf/
"The Videoconferencing For Learning Web site supports effective use of videoconferencing technology by providing basic information about videoconferencing technology and instructional applications as well as resources to help you link with other videoconferencing teachers, librarians, and content providers."

http://www.videnet.gatech.edu/cookbook.en/
Video Cookbook: "The new standard, H.323, was recently finalized by the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) and is being introduced in the latest video conferencing products. Those products will be the focus of this cookbook, which will also touch on many other factors required for a thorough understanding of video conferencing: the importance of standards, video conferencing needs assessment and application possibilities, basic equipment selection and use, advanced components and services. It is both hoped and anticipated that this cookbook will help you to move from imagining what you might do with video conferencing to successful and effective video conferencing deployment."

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