LifeSize - High-def video conferencing over a 1Mbps connection
By Peter Rojas 
posted Apr 18th 2005 10:34AM
posted Apr 18th 2005 10:34AM
Our pal Om Malik has a little something today on LifeSize, a new company which has created a line of video conferencing gear that combines some special software they've written with off-the-shelf components to deliver high-definition video conferencing over a 1Mbps connection. Apparently there will be some excellent non-porn uses for their high-def video conferencing system, and LifeSize are going after corporate customers looking for an alternative to Polycom.
As someone who uses videoconferencing day-to-day I would love to see 1MP resolutions. However with only 256Kb/s upstream I suffer from over compression of my VGA web cam outgoing signal (MSN messenger). Until the "fast" internet providers upgrade the upload speed for home users I think we are all stuck with a pipe-dream.
On a side note, does anyone know of (free?) windows video conferencing software with better CODEC/ picture-quality over such a bandwidth than messenger v7
What ever happened to Skype's promised video conferencing feature?
I just got Verison's fiber optic service in my home. 2Mbps upstream. It is so choice.
The H.264 codec used by Apple for their iChat service does provide impressive temporal resolution in a video conference. Setting up a dedicated system with a Mac Mini, iSight camera, wireless keyboard/mouse, a table top conference mic and broadband connection could be a very cost effective solution. It would run about $1000 per site (excluding the display). And unlike most other options, iChat permits up to four locations to conference together at one time. It could be one of the most cost effective quality options available in the market.
(Even if you have an organization that normally shuns Mac's, it could make sense as a single purpose dedicated system.)
jm
#3
Sounds good, but I need Windows or a multi-platform solution (that included windows binary) as all my familly and friends use windows XP (only).
Multiple video streams is a VERY good feature, but agian, until I can get affordable >256KB/s upload speed I'll happly stick to one stream and get the best image quality I can. :-)
that looks like a relative of the iSight camera on there.
Man, it seems like everyone is finding non-porn uses for their equipment these days. I say let's not lose sight of what's most important. Harry Reems.
since when has 1 megapixel been hi-def?
brandon, it's megabit per second, not one megapixel.
it's 1280x720 so it's both 1mbit/s and ~1MP
HD Formats are described by the number of lines:
720p -> 1280x720
1080i -> 1920x1080
1280x720 is a bit shy of a mega pixel, but in the range.
This camera is easily HD.
and let's not forget the fact that there are very few consumer tv's that actually display 1920x1080 (i think sony has a 70" one that cost 13k). Most don't do more than 1280x720 and they just scale the 1920x1080 down to fit. It's kind of sad but that's marketing for you.
Nemi wrote:
"On a side note, does anyone know of (free?) windows video conferencing software with better CODEC/ picture-quality over such a bandwidth than messenger v7"
You might give these a try.
"xten-eyebeam" based free Ineen:
http://www.ineen.com/
FWD_pulverCommunicator(video+other features):
http://www.pulver.com/communicator/
Better quality might be achieved with xten's eyebeam; however it is not free:
http://www.xten.com/index.php?menu=products&smenu=eyebeam
Alex