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High-Definition PC Video Conferencing?

Posted by Cliff on from the don't-cross-out-the-travel-budget-just-yet dept.

dsginter asks: "This year's spring Networld+Interop has ended with little fanfare. However, I noticed that a small nugget slipped between the cracks - HD video-conferencing. Two different manufacturers demonstrated such products which means that we'll probably have interoperability soon. After seeing the massive pricing estimates for such products, I couldn't help but think that I should try my hand at my own HD product (a Mac Mini, some H.264, a pinch of AAC and the glue that is H.323 or SIP). However, I'm missing one piece - a small, 720P camera for video acquisition. I've scoured Google but can't come up with anything suitable. Is there an answer? HD video-conferencing is an important step in complete communication between remote parties. While there will be those that joke about the possibilities, it is important to remember that the bulk of business travel still happens for the sake of face-to-face communication. HD video-conferencing might prove to be a panacea."

5 of 206 comments (clear)

  1. Re:The real acid-test of these technologies... by Drakonian · · Score: 2, Funny

    Right, because porn stars teleconference ALL THE TIME.

    --
    Random is the New Order.
  2. airlines by k4_pacific · · Score: 2, Funny

    "... it is important to remember that the bulk of business travel still happens for the sake of face-to-face communication."

    Yes, and teleconferencing, not terrorism, is why the airline industry is in such a slump. I'm surprised teleconferencing hasn't been banned to help the airlines. I guess the airlines haven't figured this out yet and started lobyying.

    --
    Unknown host pong.
  3. Re:Potential difficulties by smittyoneeach · · Score: 2, Funny
    Only several 'pro-sumer' HD video cameras exist nowadays, and neither of them could be classed as small.
    Me and my monkey are making tracks to the Mandalay Bay Hotel
    to see those non-small pro-sumos this fall, in fact.
    --
    Get thee glass eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see things thou dost not.--King Lear
  4. Re:Does HD really matter in this instance? by klugerama · · Score: 2, Funny

    Besides, HD is never going to be anywhere near "f2f" until they perfect HD Smell-o-rama.

    Of course, that might not be so great for the porn industry. Eew.

  5. Re:I don't see the point... by Anita+Coney · · Score: 3, Funny

    So instead of simply emailing or putting those documents or materials on an FTP server somewhere, so we can see them firsthand, we're supposed to have someone hold them up to a camera while a guy on the other side squints into a HD monitor.

    Oh yeah, that's yet another solution looking for a problem.

    --
    If someone says he and his monkey have nothing to hide, they almost certainly do.