Jan 5

Video conferencing actually encompasses a range of technologies used in a wide range of situations, often it is not just video and audio that is transmitted, but also data, allowing collaborative working though shared applications. All of this means having sufficient bandwidth supporting your network is the critical performance factor.

Video conferencing may be……

* One-to-one meetings, also known as point to point communications, usually involving full two-way audio and video.

* One-to-many involving full audio and video broadcast from the main site, where other sites may be able to send audio. For example in a lecture situation, students could ask questions.

* Many-to-many, known as multi-point communication, provides audio and video between more than two sites. With most multi-point systems only one site in a conference can be seen at time, with switching between sites either controlled manually or voice activated (i.e., the loudest site is on screen).

Physically, the most common scenarios of video conferencing are:

* desktop video conferencing – usually a small camera is located on top of the PC or workstation monitor. The actual video is usually displayed in a small window, and shared applications, such as a shared whiteboard are often used.

* studio-based systems – a studio is specially equipped for video conferencing. This will normally include one or more cameras, microphones, one or more large monitors, and possibly other equipment such as an overhead camera for document viewing. Usually used for more formal meetings

In practice a ’studio’ may not be a dedicated room, but a standard seminar room with portable equipment that can be set up when required.

Bandwidth and Compression……

The bandwidth, or baud rate, is the amount of information which can be transmitted every second. The higher the bandwidth, the better quality the signal that can be transmitted. For a video conference audio and video signals must be transmitted in real time, i.e., a lot of information has to be sent every second, requiring a very high bandwidth. For example a ‘true colour’ image will need 24 bits (3 bytes) per pixel. A full screen image might be 640×480 pixels, over 7 million bits. For full motion video, the image is refreshed 25 times per second. This adds to over 184 million bits per second. It is not realistically possible to transmit this amount of information, and your PC certainly could not receive it at this rate. Therefore for digital video some form of compression is required. The type and degree of compression used varies from system to system. It is interesting to note that for most uses, we are more tolerant of poor video than poor audio, and so some systems concentrate on providing consistently good audio.

How To Get The Right Bandwidth To Meet Your Needs…….

Don’t take a chance at guessing what bandwidth you’ll need…..or in selecting the provider for that bandwidth. You may need a fractional, full, integrated, or bonded T1, DS3, or OC3 network depending on many factors. Solutions offered by providers will vary by cost, Quality of Service (QoS), and Service Level Agreement (SLA). I strongly recommend you use the services of an independant Telecommunications Consultant to help you assess your needs and find the provider who best meets your requirements. For unbiased free advice….as well as real time rate quotes from multiple providers, indepth research, and negotiations with providers on your behalf….I recommend you use FreedomFire Communications.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire
Communications….including DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you’re always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.

Aug 31

Nokia have decieded that they want to release a device in unknown territory, the netbook market. Nokia have courageously entered the fiercely competitive notebook computer market with their 3g computer called ‘The Booklet’. They hope their fantastically strong brand name, and the increasing association between cellular telephones and the internet will put them in a strong place to compete with competitors such as Dell, Acer, Asus, and Sony.

Features of the Nokia Booklet include built-in 3g hardware, bluetooth and wireless network receiving systems, an Intel Atom Z530 processor, and a GPS receiver The 10 inch display is set perfectly with in the fashionable case, and the battery life of 10 hrs is a real bonus for owners of the device. There is speculation about the timing for the announcement of the Nokia Booklet, which will probably include information about the specs and release date. Early indications are suggesting the beginning of September.

The notebook market has matured significantly over the last few years, largely because the uptake of 3G technology; offering users access to the internet whilst on the go. It looks as if the inclusion of a 3g receiver within the device’s internal features is the way all laptops and notebooks will be going, whereas previously, an external USB dongle has been required to supply internet to laptop computers on the go. There are still many 3g free laptop deals available on the marketplace for savvy shoppers, where a mobile broadband contract can be bought that comes with a free laptop computer or notebook.

For existing laptop owners who want to economically take advantage of mobile broadband, there are many pay as you go mobile broadband deals.

The Booklet should be in instant win with prospective buyers in the notebook computer market, with its stunning technology features, and dazzling design. The notebook market looks set to proceed with it’s growth by offering affordable stunning technology. You will no longer need a home office, or a large thick laptop computer to use the internet in the home. The world wide web can be browsed from anywhere in the house with little or no bother. With a stroke of luck, we should see 3g technology being included onboard most new netbooks and laptops.

May 31

A frantic lifestyle makes it troublesome to get around to reading every title you would like to. Sometimes we do not realize that long commutes and various different tasks take up sizable portions of our time. Your favorite interests get pushed to the side for more urgent projects. It’s simple to simply utilize the hours spent commuting to get up to date on novels you can’t get around to reading. Thanks to download technology, you can indulge in Cyber Law by William Brand by Download Audio Book Online, or audio-books brought to life by Martin Dugard without even turning a page. Nowadays multitasking has become essential. Audio books such as Getting Away From The Hype by Brooklyn Porter available from Download Audio Book Online take advantage of the wasted hours everyday, whether it’s time spent waiting in a doctor’s office or taking the kids to music lessons. Many audiobooks may be downloaded immediately in mp3 format these include Tales from the Black Museum: The Hammer Head by Kriswick Jenkinson, so grab your mp3 player and headphones and get ready to hear a thriller or a great novel, for instance audible books by William (Billy) Brand without carrying a cumbersome book with you. Audiobooks offer a multitude of advantages such as the opportunity to rent or buy instructional books and savor them at your own pace. Need to study another language? Why not give audiobooks a try? Maybe new commercial strategies interest you, you can even discover the paranormal. Audiobooks are for sale in a multitude of titles and literary genres. It doesn’t matter if you’re a wine fan, or if you are mad about biographies or even interested in self-help, it’s easy to download many titles immediately. Many programs are available; it’s simple to take a subscription to a rental plan or else buy what interests you. Passionate readers will invariably find a way to read, nevertheless audio books offer a handy alternative. A narrator can enhance the experience of numerous books. Simply reading a novel is not the same experience as savoring an audio book told by Maeve Binchy, with the additional nuances of an actual rendition. Enjoying audiobooks narrated by Alan Colmes can bring something extra to the story and often will mean a great deal more than the written words.

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Mar 16

A busy agenda makes it hard to fit in all the books you might like to enjoy reading. Sometimes we do not realize that lengthy journeys and various other tasks take up large chunks of our precious time. A job, taking care of children or housework can all cut down the free time available to persue your interests. It’s simple to use the hours you spend doing chores to catch up on books you can’t get around to reading. Thanks to media files, it’s easy to spoil yourself with Cold Truth by Mariah Stewart by Download Audio Book Online, or audiobooks narrated by L.M. Boston without even flipping a page.

Multitasking has become an essential these days. Audiobooks such as Pimsleur Russian I & II Complete Courses by Dr. Paul Pimsleur for sale from Download Audio Book Online take advantage of the wasted moments in our daily lives, it could be waiting time in a dental surgery or buying groceries. An enormous variety of audio-books are available to download in mp3 format these include Pimsleur Ingles – English for Spanish Speakers I Part 1 by Dr. Paul Pimsleur, so pick up your mp3 player and headphones you have the opportunity to listen to the current biography, like audiobooks by Andy Hamilton without hauling a cumbersome book with you. Audible books offer many benefits such as hiring or buying the title that interests you then enjoying it at your own pace. Do you wish to study a different language? Why not give audio-books a try? Possibly innovative sales techniques interest you, you can even explore the paranormal.

A tremendous choice of writing styles and titles are accessible. It doesn’t matter if you’re a film devotee, or you are mad about love stories or even interested in self help, you can access most audiobooks straightaway. Many programs are open; you can simply take a subscription to a service and hire titles or instead buy what appeals to you.

Fervent readers will invariably seek out a way to read, but the thousands of audio titles available are so handy. Some narratives, such as audio titles narrated by Janette Oke, are even better when performed by the author or an actor. Reading a title is not the same experience as enjoying an audio book recounted by Joyce Meyer, with the all the niceties of an actual performance. Your enjoyment of the title will be increased when you listen to audiobooks such as Dance Of Death by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child and frequently can mean more to you than the written words.

The next time whenever you are thinking of buying the hard copy of a book that could simply gather dust on the bookshelves, don’t forget about audiobooks as a different alternative.