Videoconferencing and Webconferencing

The ATC provides two remote conferencing options for individuals or groups on campus who need to conduct a conference with remote individuals or groups. Videoconferencing provides live video-based interaction with remote participants. Webconferencing via Interwise iMeeting provides live voice and graphic-based interaction. A comparison of the two options is provided below. Contact the ATC for more details at atc@wpi.edu or 508-831-5220.

	Videoconferencing	Webconferencing (Interwise iMeeting)
What is it?	Videoconferencing uses audio and video to bring people at different sites together at the same time for a meeting. A videoconference can be as simple as connecting two people in different locations (point-to-point) or it can involve several people at one or more locations (multi-point). All of the videoconferencing systems (codecs) on campus are IP-based (i.e. use the Internet), but the TV studio system, in addition to using IP technology, also has ISDN capabilities (which uses bundled digital telephone lines.) Available functionality depends on which videoconferencing system you use. Sharing computer screens is possible on the videoconferencing systems with fixed locations (TV studio and AK218), but is not possible with the portable system that is available to borrow from the ATC. Videoconferencing sessions in the TV studio can be recorded for later reference.	Interwise iMeeting is a Web conferencing tool that allows groups of individuals to communicate real-time via voice and graphics over the Internet. iMeeting events typically have a presenter and participants who collaborate to conduct meetings or class events. iMeeting features include:: Voice conferencing A shared whiteboard for annotation and drawing Application sharing Sharing of documents/slides On-the-fly polling Quizzes and surveys Public and private text chats Event recording Live video streaming for individual participants
When should it be used?	Consider using videoconferencing when: The participants are dispersed. A live conversation is needed. Visual communication is important to the conversation. Some examples of videoconferencing include: Collaborative meetings with colleagues at other institutions. Faculty member participates in a thesis defense at another institution. Interviews of faculty and staff candidates. Meetings with remote project groups or project sponsors. Incorporating a remote guest speaker into your class.	Use Interwise when: The participants are dispersed. Face-to-face interaction and visual communication is not critical. The meeting or class event can be conducted in a short period of time (i.e. 1-2 hours or less). Interactive activities can be included. Participants can be at their own computers. Some examples of Interwise use includes: Distance learning class discussions and student presentations. Incorporating a remote guest speaker into your class. Meetings with remote project groups or project sponsors. Collaborative meetings with colleagues at other institutions.
Who can use it?	Any members of the WPI community can use the videoconferencing systems on campus.	Faculty and staff can use Interwise at any time. They need to contact the ATC for a scheduling account. Students can use Interwise for academic purposes. Students use generic accounts that are set up for classes using Interwise. Contact the ATC for details. Attendees do not need accounts. Accounts are provided for scheduling purposes only.
Where is it available?	Videoconferencing systems are installed in the TV studio in Fuller Labs and in AK218. A portable system is available for videoconferencing in most locations on campus.	Interwise can be used from any location in the world with high speed Internet access. On the WPI campus, Interwise is preinstalled on e-classroom PCs, ATC laptops, in Library Tech Suites and in public labs. Other users do a quick automatic installation the first time they use Interwise.
When can it be used?	For AK218, contact the ECE department at ecesec@ece.wpi.edu or 508-831-5231 for scheduling. For the TV studio or portable system, contact the ATC at 508-831-5220 or atc@wpi.edu for scheduling. Access to the TV studio and AK218 is limited to normal campus office hours, although arrangements may be able to be made for events outside of office hours with enough advanced notice.	Interwise can be used around the clock.
What do users technically need in order to use it?	Users at both videoconference sites need access to a videoconferencing system. WPI uses Tandberg videoconferencing systems, but the users on the other end can use any videoconference system as long as they work on the same technology platform. Contact the ATC for details. A WPI local area network Internet connection is required. A computer is not required.	System Requirements PC with Windows 98, 2000, XP, or Vista 233 MHz processor minimum (330 MHz or faster is preferred) 64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM or higher is preferred) Disk space: 5 MB for the application installation 100 MB for storage of event materials Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x or Firefox v1.0.4 or later. Other browsers (i.e. Netscape, Safari, etc.) are not supported. Monitor with 800 x 600 resolution and high color (16 bit) display definition. Administrative access to the machine if you are running Windows 2000/XP/Vista. Cookies must be enabled and pop-ups allowed from connect.wpi.edu. Connectivity Requirements The minimum bandwidth requirements are as follows, based on the type of event: 56 Kbps - Voice and slides only 64 Kbps - Voice, slides, and application sharing 128 Kbps - Voice, slides, application sharing, and live streaming video.
Who do I contact to get started?	atc@wpi.edu or 508-831-5220	connect@wpi.edu or 508-831-5220 Also, visit the Interwise Help & Support site for more details.

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Last modified: Jan 31, 2008, 14:58 EST