Videoconferencing Systems: A Shortlist of Vendors and Products

Transcription

1 Donald A. Stuart Operational Management Report 17 December 2003 conferencing Systems: A Shortlist of Vendors and s Summary New video compression standards allow videoconferencing systems to provide high-quality video at half the transmission bandwidth previously required. Understand the technology and the market before you buy. Table of Contents conferencing Systems and Technologies conferencing Systems Vendors and s Insight References Vendors U.S. Vendors List Of Tables Table 1: conferencing Systems Table 2: conferencing Systems (Part 2) Table 3: conferencing Systems (Part 3) Table 4: conferencing Systems (Part 4) Gartner Reproduction of this publication in any form without prior written permission is forbidden. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Gartner disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. Gartner shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained herein or for interpretations thereof. The reader assumes sole responsibility for the selection of these materials to achieve its intended results. The opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.

2 conferencing Systems and Technologies While most of the vendors and products on the market today support a variety of industry standards to ensure compatibility/interoperability among multiple vendors/products, some vendors do still offer products that utilize proprietary video and audio technologies (but generally as an option). The vendors generally advise that using their proprietary technologies will result in higher quality for the user the drawback being that the equipment (if set up to run under these proprietary formats) will not be fully compatible or interoperable with equipment from other vendors. At any rate, clients should be familiar with the most common technologies and standards and have some understanding of their meaning and purpose before sitting down to talk with a potential videoconferencing equipment vendor. And for that purpose, a quick overview on the common standards and technologies in use is provided. conferencing standards are primarily grouped under three umbrella standards, namely, the H.320 (Integrated Services Digital Network [ISDN]), H.323 (LAN) and H.324 (Plain Old Telephone Service [POTS]) protocols that define the standards for videoconferencing over ISDN lines, over a LAN or using POTS facilities. These umbrella standards then include various standards on video compression algorithms, video resolution, audio, video transmission and control, and /data sharing. H.320 is the umbrella standard for narrowband ISDN videoconferencing and includes separate substandards to deal with video coding, audio coding and data format as follows: H.261 coder/decoder (codec) defines how the picture information is compressed and coded for transmission over low-bandwidth networks. H.261 Annex D graphics defines the coding format for the transmission of still images. H.263 codec is a variation of the H.261 standard that is specifically designed for lower transmission rates (at 64 Kbps to 128 Kbps). H.243 defines the protocol for conferencing (that is, for communicating between three or more videoconferencing units) at up to Mbps. H.281 is the standard for far-end control (that is, for controlling the at a remote videoconferencing site from the local site). H.221 defines the frame structure for audiovisual channels at 64 Kbps to Mbps for conferencing at up to Mbps. H.230 is the standard for frame synchronous control and indication signals used in conferencing equipment. H.242 deals with the standards for establishing communications between terminals in H.320 conference systems at speeds up to 2 Mbps. T.120 is actually another umbrella standard or a series of standards dealing with data sharing within a videoconference and includes the T.121, T.122, T.123, T.124, T.125, T.126, T.127 and T.128 standards. Among the areas addressed by the T.120 standards are the interoperability for file transfer, still image exchange and shared whiteboards across a videoconference. G.711 is the basic audio-coding standard that is mandatory in videoconferencing systems to ensure audio interoperability between systems. This coding has an upper frequency limit of 3.4kHz (which is telephone-quality voice) and occupies 56 Kbps to 64 Kbps of data using pulse code modulation (PCM) techniques. Other audio standards offered include G.722 (for 7kHz audio coding at 48/56/64 17 December

3 Kbps using Sub-Band Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation or SB-ADPCM, for higher-quality audio), G.723 (for ultra-low-bandwidth audio coding at 5.3 Kbps and 6.3 Kbps), (for low-bit-rate coding with an upper frequency limit of 3.4kHz, but occupying only 16 Kbps) and G.729 (for lowbandwidth coding at 8 Kbps). H.321 is the umbrella standard for adaptation of the H.320 standards for narrowband ISDN videoconferencing to broadband ISDN (B-ISDN) environments and also includes the separate substandards to deal with video coding, audio coding and data format. H.322 is the umbrella standard for videoconferencing connections where the transmission path includes one or more LANs, each of which is configured and managed to provide a guaranteed quality of service equivalent to that of the narrowband ISDN network. H.323 standards address those cases where the LANs are unable to provide the performance guarantees assumed in the H.322 standard. This is also the umbrella standard for IP conferencing and includes similar audio/video coding as the H.320 standard, but using different data formats that is, it covers packet-based networks, which may not provide a guaranteed quality of service (such as LANs, metropolitan-area networks [MANs], the Internet and others). H.324 standards cover the needs for very-low-bandwidth conferencing, such as over the standard telephone network. Some of the additional sub-standards offered to deal with different needs and applications include the following: H.223 specifies a packet-oriented multiplexing protocol for low-bit-rate multimedia communications, such as the transfer of a combination of digital voice/audio, digital video/image and data information over a single communications link. H.224 is a protocol for real-time simplex (one-way) control for applications such as far-end control. H.225 addresses the packet multiplex controls for H.323 conferences involving LANs or other networks that cannot provide a guaranteed quality of service. H.231 defines standards associated with control units by which three or more videoconferencing systems may connect together at up to Mbps. H.233, H.234 and H.235 define various standards for confidentiality, encryption and security in connecting videoconferencing systems. H.243 defines the procedures for establishing communications between three or more videoconferencing systems (that is, conferencing) using digital connections at speeds up to Mbps. H.245 defines the control protocol for multimedia communications. H.246 describes gateways to provide the required translation of control and media streams to allow interworking among terminals running different protocols, such as interworking between H-series multimedia systems and other H-series multimedia systems, voice terminals on the public telephone network or ISDN, V.70 terminals on the public telephone network and others. The H.264 standard is supported for videoconferencing over both ISDN (H.320) and IP (H.3232). It is a video compression standard that effectively achieves two or three times the efficiency of 17 December

4 established Motion Picture Experts Group 2 (MPEG-2) solutions (the de facto standard for the digital TV market). Systems employing the H.264 standard can achieve video transmission quality using about half of the transmission bandwidth of videoconferencing systems that do not support the H.264 standard. H.282 is the standard for remote device control (that is, for controlling a remote device, such as a microphone, or slide projector, at a remote videoconferencing site from the local site). H.283 describes the remote device control logical channel transport for the control protocols on H.323-type systems. H.331 is the standard associated with broadcast-mode videoconferencing. H.350 is the standard that addresses the way videoconferencing systems store address data. This standard will support searching for and finding a user s video (or voice)-over-ip address and will allow enterprises to more easily maintain this information. In addition to the standards, there are some other technology issues to be dealt with when selecting a videoconferencing system (or network of systems). These include video resolution, frame rates and motion compensation. For video resolution, there are generally two offerings Common Intermediate Format (CIF, also known as Full Common Intermediate Format or FCIF), which provides a picture resolution of 352 x 288, and Quarter Common Intermediate Format (QCIF), which provides a picture resolution a quarter of full CIF, or 176 x 144. While QCIF operation may be satisfactory in some instances, it often appears blocky or distorted, and it is highly recommended to utilize equipment running at full CIF to ensure the highest possible quality of the video picture. Frame rates (measured in frames per second, or fps) impact the smoothness of the video transmission, and generally, the higher the frame rate, the less jerky and more natural the video. Typical systems on the market support frame rates of 7.5 fps, 10 fps, 15 fps and up to 30 fps. For comparison purposes, North American television broadcast video operates at 30 fps. Motion compensation determines how much (video) information must be encoded and transmitted in each frame. For example, selecting only those sections of a frame that have experienced change or motion to be encoded and transmitted can greatly help to reduce the bandwidth needed for the transmission. Some systems only have the ability to decode the motion compensation information, others support encoding and decoding and still others support higher levels of quality in their encoding and decoding capabilities. The network facilities being used to connect and transmit the videoconference are also important. Considering the installed base of videoconferencing systems, the most popular interface in use today is ISDN connections (generally running at 128 Kbps to 384 Kbps) due to availability, reliability and cost. However, the majority of videoconferencing systems shipping today are using IP connectivity. connections can also be made over private network facilities and using frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) or and, more recently, using video over IP connections (as available on systems supporting the H.323 standards). All of these are viable solutions, provided the carriers can guarantee a proper service level to ensure a high-quality audio/videoconference. Many of the videoconferencing vendors are also offering or collaborating with other vendors offering Webbased conferencing tools and services. Enterprise services should consider and investigate issues related to availability and compatibility in these areas should these capabilities be required. And lastly, users should take some consideration in the videoconferencing room itself. That is, it should be well lit, have good acoustics and permit videoconferencing participants to use the equipment in a relaxed and comfortable manner as if they were participating in any other on-site conference. 17 December

5 Generally, the videoconferencing equipment vendors or their distributors should be able to provide assistance in these areas. conferencing Systems Vendors and s There are less than 10 vendors of videoconferencing systems today, and five of those will be addressed within this report, including,, VCON, VTEL and Sony. While there are other vendors, they primarily deal with desktop or personal videoconferencing equipment. The types of videoconferencing equipment that will be covered in this report include set-top boxes (or video codec/control units, usually with included) with which clients can utilize their own TV monitor, complete roll-about systems (that include the video codec/control unit, s, monitors and, generally, a stand that can be rolled from room to room) and fixed room systems (similar to the roll-about systems, but not mobile and generally equipped with larger monitors). So on with the vendors and products: Table 1: conferencing Systems VCON Falcon IP VTEL Vista EZ VTEL Vista MX/VX-P Type of Equipment Transmission Speeds Resolution Frame Rates Audio Set-top Set-top Set-top Desktop or settop Set-top (MX) or rack-mount (VX-P) To 384-Kbps To 384-Kbps Model 1: 56/64-56-Kbps to 56-Kbps to 512- H.320; to 768- H.320; to 768- Kbps to Mbps Kbps H.320; 56- Kbps H.323 Kbps H.323 Kbps H.320 or H.323 Kbps to Kbps to Mbps H Kbps H.323 Model 3: 56/64- Kbps to 384- Kbps H.320 or 128-Kbps to 768-Kbps H.323 H.320, H.323, H.320, H.323, H.320, H.323, H.323, H.261, H.320, H.323, H.261, H.263, H.261, H.263, H.221, H.243, H.263, H.281 H.261, H.263, H.264, H.281, H.264, H.281, H.261, H.263, H.281 H.243 H.243 H.281 QCIF, FCIF, QCIF, FCIF, QCIF, FCIF QCIF, FCIF, QCIF, FCIF, Extended XGA (1,024 XGA (1,024 XGA (1,024 Graphics Array (XGA) (1, fps from fps from 56 To 30 fps To 30 fps To 30 fps Kbps to 128 Kbps to 128 Kbps; 30 fps Kbps; 30 fps from 168 Kbps from 168 Kbps to 768 Kbps to 768 Kbps G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, 17 December

6 Table 1: conferencing Systems VCON Falcon IP VTEL Vista EZ VTEL Vista MX/VX-P Data and Interfaces IP,LAN,DSL, cable modem, 10/100 IP,LAN,DSL, cable modem, 10/100 IP,10 T.120, IP, LAN, DSL, cable modem, 10/100 T.120, IP, ISDN, LAN, DSL, cable modem, 10/100 (plus V.35/RS- 449 for VX-P) Inputs Main or, presentation PC, microphone Main auxiliary, presentation PC, two microphones Main secondary, presentation PC, microphone Main secondary, two microphones Main secondary, two microphones (VX-P has five inputs and three microphone inputs) Outputs Additional Capabilities wideangle view 15 near- and farend presets, wireless LANcompatible, optional cart, embedded (audio/video) server wideangle view internal (four-point) control unit option, 15 nearend presets, wireless LANcompatible, embedded (audio/video) server, optional cart 10 near-end presets, 10 far-end presets, optional rollabout cart, integrated multicast electronic whiteboard, far-end control, integrated PC, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi, also known as Wireless Fidelity) card option (VX-P has a third monitor input) electronic whiteboard, 15 near-end and far-end presets, wireless LANcompatible; VX- P model is offered as rackmount, shelfmount or tabletop version; integrated PC, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) card option 17 December

7 Table 2: conferencing Systems (Part 2) SP128 SP384 VSX 7000 EX Sony PCS-1P Type of Equipment Transmission Speeds Resolution Frame Rates Audio Data and Interfaces Inputs Set-top Set-top Set-top Set-top Desktop or settop 56-Kbps to Kbps to-384 To 512 Kbps To 512 Kbps 56/64 Kbps to Kbps H.320; 64- Kbps H.320; 56- H.320; to 2 H.320; to Kbps, (to Kbps to 768- Kbps to 768- Mbps H.323 Kbps H Kbps Kbps H.323 Kbps H.323 option) H.320; to2mbps H.323 H.320, H.323, H.320, H.323, H.320, H.323, H.320, H.323, H.320, H.323, H.261, H.263, H.261, H.263, H.221, H.225, H.221, H.225, H.221, H.225, H.221, H.281 H.221, H.281 H.243, H.261, H.261, H.263, H.261, H.263, H.263, H.264, H.281 H.264, H.281 H.281 QCIF, FCIF QCIF, FCIF QCIF, FCIF, QCIF, FCIF, QCIF, FCIF, XGA (1,024 XGA (1,024 XGA (1, fps at fps at fps at fps to 30 fps, 15 fps at 128 Kbps to 128 Kbps to 128 Kbps to 2 Mbps, plus 60 fields Kbps, 30 fps at Kbps; 30 fps at Kbps; 30 fps at plus 60 fields per second at 384 Kbps (and 384 Kbps and 384 Kbps and per second at 512 Kbps and higher); 60 fps above above 512 Kbps and above (for TVquality also available above (for TVquality video) video) point-to-point point-to-point G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, (and, G.729 Siren 14 proprietary) T.120, IP, T.120, IP, T.120, IP, IP, IP, ISDN, LAN, ISDN, LAN, ISDN, LAN, 10/100 10/100 DSL, cable DSL, cable 10/100 modem, modem, 10/100, 10/100, V.35/RS-449 V.35/RS-449 Main Main Main Main Main and digital and digital microphone microphone,, (object) pod, PC for file pod, PC for file microphone, PC microphone, PC two auxiliary, sharing sharing for file sharing for file sharing built-in and external microphone 17 December

8 Table 2: conferencing Systems (Part 2) SP128 SP384 VSX 7000 EX Sony PCS-1P Outputs second monitor or second monitor or auxiliary Additional Capabilities 10 near-end presets, 10 far-end presets, voice-tracking single or dual monitors, optional rollabout cart 10 near-end presets, 10 far-end presets, voice-tracking single or dual monitors, optional rollabout cart internal (four-point) control unit, supports plasma displays or standard TV monitor, dual monitor emulation allows side-byside near and far video on one monitor 10 local and 10 farend presets, voice tracking internal (four-point) control unit, embedded multicast capability electronic whiteboard, six near-end presets, internal (sixpoint) control unit Table 3: conferencing Systems (Part 3) 128, H.323, 512 and V MP (was PictureTel) ipower 9000 Series 6000 Type of Equipment Roll-about Set-top/rollabout Set-top/rollabout Roll-about Roll-about Transmission Speeds 128 Kbps, 384 Kbps, 512 Kbps, to 768 Kbps To 384-Kbps H.320; to 768- Kbps H.323 To 512 Kbps; to 768 Kbps To 2-Mbps H.320; to 4- Mbps H.323 To 2-Mbps H.320; to 3- Mbps H.323 H.320, H.323, H.221, H.261, H.263, H.281 H.320, H.323, H.243, H.261, H.264, H.263, H.281, H.331 H.320, H.323, H.221, H.261, H.263, H.281 H.320, H.323, H.243, H.261, H.263, H.264, H.231, H.281 H.320, H.323, H.243, H.261, H.264, H.263, H.281, H.331 Resolution QCIF, FCIF QCIF, FCIF, XGA (1,024 QCIF, FCIF, XGA (1,024 QCIF, FCIF, XGA (1,024 QCIF, FCIF, XGA (1, December

9 Table 3: conferencing Systems (Part 3) 128, H.323, 512 and V MP (was PictureTel) ipower 9000 Series 6000 Frame Rates 15 fps at 128 Kbps to 320 Kbps; 30 fps at 384 Kbps to 768 Kbps 15 fps from 56 Kbps to 128 Kbps; 30 fps from 168 Kbps to 768 Kbps; plus 60 fields per second from 336 Kbps to 768 Kbps (called Natural ) for point-to-point 15 fps at 56/64 Kbps to 320 Kbps; 30 fps at 336 Kbps to 768 Kbps 15 fps below 256 Kbps; 30 fps at 256 Kbps and above; plus 60 fields per second (called Pro Motion ) as default from 336 Kbps to 4 Mbps 15 fps from 56 Kbps to 128 Kbps; 30 fps from 168 Kbps to3mbps;plus 60 fields per second from 336 Kbps to 3 Mbps (called Natural ) for point-topoint Audio Data and Interfaces G.711, G.722, IP, 10/100, V.35, T1/E1 G.711, G.722, IP,LAN,DSL, cable modem, V.35, 10/100 G.711, G.722, 10/100 G.711, G.722,, G.729 (and Siren 14 proprietary) IP,LAN,DSL, cable modem, V.35, 10/100 G.711, G.722, IP,LAN,DSL, cable modem, V.35, 10/100, E1/T1 Inputs Main two microphones,, PC for file sharing Main auxiliary or PC for file sharing,, telephone-only add-on, two microphones and auxiliary audio Main two microphones, Main an auxiliary input, PC for file sharing,, two microphones Main auxiliary or PC for file sharing,, telephone-only add-on, three microphones and auxiliary audio (and includes audio amplifier and three 50-watt speakers) Outputs an auxiliary output, an auxiliary output, an auxiliary output, 17 December

10 Table 3: conferencing Systems (Part 3) 128, H.323, 512 and V MP (was PictureTel) ipower 9000 Series 6000 Additional Capabilities 10 local and far-end presets, voice-tracking single or dual monitor with optional roll-about cart wideangle view 15 near- and farend presets, voiceactivated rollabout stand for single or dual 27 or 29 monitors, internal (fourpoint) control unit option, embedded (audio/video) server 10 local and far-end presets, voice-tracking single or dual monitor with optional roll-about cart, internal (fourpoint) control unit Pan/tilt/zoom electronic whiteboard, 34 monitor and basic stand, internal (fourpoint) control unit; ipower 9000 can also be configured with dual 50 or dual 61 plasma displays (sold as the Executive Collection room systems) wideangle view 15 near- and farend presets, voiceactivated rollabout stand for single or dual 32 monitors, internal (fourpoint) control unit option, embedded (audio/video) server Table 4: conferencing Systems (Part 4) VCON MediaConnect 9000 Sony Contact Series VTEL Vista PRO Model 7000 Model 8000 FX/VS4000 Type of Equipment Roll-about Roll-about or room system Set-top/rollabout Room system Room system Set-top/room system/rackmount system 17 December

11 Table 4: conferencing Systems (Part 4) VCON MediaConnect 9000 Sony Contact Series VTEL Vista PRO Model 7000 Model 8000 FX/VS4000 Transmission Speeds Model 1: to 128-Kbps H.320 and 64-Kbps to 1.5-Mbps H.323 Model 3: to 384-Kbps H.320 and 64-Kbps to 1.5-Mbps H /64-Kbps to 1.5-Mbps H.320; 56/64- Kbps to 2- Mbps H Kbps to 1.92-Mbps H.320 or H.323 To 2-Mbps H.320; to 3- Mbps H Mbps H.320 or 3- Mbps H.323 To 2-Mbps H.320 or H.323 H.320, H.323, H.221, H.243, H.261, H.263, H.281 H.320, H.323, H.221, H.225, H.261, H.263 H.320, H.323, H.243, H.261, H.263, H.281 H.320, H.323, H.243, H.261, H.263, H.264, H.281, H.331 H.320, H.323, H.243, H.261, H.263, H.264, H.281, H.331 H.320, H.323, H.221, H.225, H.261, H.263, H.281 Resolution QCIF, FCIF QCIF, FCIF QCIF, FCIF and XGA (1,024 QCIF, FCIF, XGA (1,024 QCIF, FCIF, XGA (1,024 QCIF, FCIF, XGA (1,024 Frame Rates To 30 fps 15 fps and 30 fps To 30 fps 15 fps at 56 Kbps to 128 Kbps; 30 fps at 168 Kbps to3mbps;60 fields per second above 336 Kbps (called Natural ) for point-to-point 15 fps from 56 Kbps to 128 Kbps; 30 fps from 168 Kbps to 3 Mbps; plus 60 fields per second from 336 Kbps to 3 Mbps (called Natural at TV quality) for point-to-point 15 fps at 56/64 Kbps to 320 Kbps; 30 fps at 336 Kbps to 2 Mbps; 60 fields per second at 172 Kbps and above (for TVquality video) for point-topoint Audio G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, G.711, G.722, 17 December

12 Table 4: conferencing Systems (Part 4) VCON MediaConnect 9000 Sony Contact Series VTEL Vista PRO Model 7000 Model 8000 FX/VS4000 Data and Interfaces IP/LAN, 10/100 IP/LAN, 10/100, T1/E1, V.35/RS-449 IP, LAN, DSL, cable modem, V.35/RS-449, 10/100, ATM, T1/E1 option IP/LAN, DSL, cable modem, 10/100, T1/E1, V.35/RS-449 IP, LAN, DSL, cable modem, V.35/RS-449, 10/100, T1/E1 IP, LAN, V.35, 10/100, T1/E1 Inputs Main up to two additional s,, microphone Main (object) two auxiliary inputs, microphone Main an auxiliary input,, three microphone inputs Main auxiliary/docu ment, three microphones, PC for file sharing Main two auxiliary/docu ment s,, PC for file sharing, three microphones, audio auxiliary Dual s,, microphones, PC for file sharing Outputs Model 1: one or two monitors Model 3: one to three monitors, second monitor, an auxiliary output second monitor, second monitor, (includes audio amplifier and three 50-watt speakers) Dual 50 plasma screens standard, three additional video outputs for or other devices (plus audio amplifier and three 50-watt speakers) second monitor, third and fourth monitor, Graphics Array (VGA) monitor, 17 December

13 Table 4: conferencing Systems (Part 4) VCON MediaConnect 9000 Sony Contact Series VTEL Vista PRO Model 7000 Model 8000 FX/VS4000 Additional Capabilities Pan/tilt/zoom ; electronic whiteboard; six local and remote presets; voiceactivated tracking; single, dual or triple 29 monitors; rollabout cart; option for built-in (eightpoint) control unit; integrated multicast six presets, autotracking optional rollabout cart, internal (sixpoint) control unit 15 near- and farend presets, autotracking electronic whiteboard, roll-about cart, single or dual monitors, integrated PC, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) card option wideangle view 15 near- and farend presets, dual 30 widescreen monitors supported, internal (fourpoint) control unit, embedded (audio/video) server wideangle view 15 near- and farend presets, voiceactivated telephoneonly add-on, dual 50 widescreen plasma monitors, internal (fourpoint) control unit, embedded (audio/video) server 10 local and farend presets, voicetracking internal (fourpoint) control unit; note that the VS4000 is a rack-mount version of the FX system; VS4000 can also be configured with dual 50 or dual 61 plasma displays (sold as the Executive Collection room systems) Note that there are other vendors and products on the market, including many versions of desktop or personal videoconferencing equipment. This report, however, was meant to provide a shortened list of the leading vendors/products for group conferencing applications, and this report will be updated from time to time to add or remove vendors and products from those covered herein. Insight As mentioned at the beginning of this report, quality and ease of use are two of the most important factors in selecting a videoconferencing system and in determining its successful deployment in an organization. If the equipment is hard to use, then the vast majority of people in a company will not use it make sure it is very easy and intuitive to operate or have dedicated personnel on site to facilitate the setup of meetings for those who need it. And if the quality of the video and audio transmission is not at a reasonable level, then people won t use it either they would rather stick to a telephone conversation or 17 December

14 try to set up personal face-to-face meetings. Therefore, do not sacrifice quality to save a few dollars on equipment or transmission costs. That usually means buying a higher-end system capable of supporting higher frame rates and running at higher bandwidth speeds (generally, 30 fps and 336/384 Kbps or higher speeds) or buying a system that supports the newer H.264 standard that can provide good video quality at significantly lower bandwidths. But those dollars can result in much more interactive and productive meetings for your organization, improved training and involvement of remote locations, real-time collaboration on a variety of projects, improved relationships with clients, tremendous savings on travel expenses and many other benefits. Keep in mind that the cost of videoconferencing equipment has declined significantly over the past few years. A good-quality room system used to cost about $30,000 to $40,000 a few years ago. A goodquality set-top/room system can be had for $5,000 to $10,000 today. Lower prices, proliferation of standards and new technologies make videoconferencing a very attractive tool for today s enterprise business user (as well as for users in the legal/judicial, criminal justice, education, security and other areas). References Management Update: Who Will Own the Web-Conferencing Market, IGG Internet Webcasting: Comparison Columns, DPRO The Real-Time Enterprise and the Network, SPA Vendors U.S. Vendors U.S. headquarters locations for the vendors referenced in this report are as follows: 1565 Barber Lane Milpitas, CA 95035, U.S.A. Tel: ; Internet: Sony Corporation of America 550 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022, U.S.A. Tel: ; Internet: USA 1860 Michael Faraday Drive, Suite 250 Reston, VA 20190, U.S.A. Tel: December

15 Internet: or VCON Americas Boyer Boulevard, Suite 300 Austin, TX 78758, U.S.A. Tel: Internet: VTEL s 9208 Waterford Centre Boulevard Austin, TX 78758, U.S.A. Tel: ; Internet: 17 December