Chapter 4: ISDN Puts Video To Work

Video Equipment: An Overview

A breathtaking array of video systems is becoming available, most designed specifically to use the digital speeds and dialed flexibility of ISDN.

The traditional industrial video system. At their best, these full-motion, full-color systems can rival broadcast television in image and sound quality. Designed for transmission through larger digital channels, usually at speeds of 384Kbps and above, these systems have in the past required dedicated broadband lines set up especially for the purpose, or leased virtual connections scheduled for specific daily or weekly time segments. With ISDN the same high-quality video meetings can be transmitted either by allocating six B channels in a corporate PRI (6 x 64Kbps equals 384Kbps), or by combining the B channels in three standard BRI connections. Not only are costs significantly less, but the convenience and flexibility of ISDN mean that meetings can be scheduled when they're needed, rather than around the availability of specialized facilities. After a meeting, the six B channels can be returned to the pool available for general communications.

Midsize, Portable Video Systems. A growing number of midsize video systems has been specifically designed to respond to a range of environments and bandwidths - ranging from f ull 384Kbps of six B channels to the 64kbps of a single channel. Often called "roll-about" systems, they can adapt, through either reduced color or slower refresh rates, to the line speed actually available.

Desktop Video Systems. One of the most rapidly growing areas in the marketplace is ISDN desktop video. Using the high-resolution monitor of a standard desktop computer or workstation, these systems offer one-on-one video that is more than acceptable, according to most users - for telecommuting, small executive meetings, face-to-face collaborations, sales follow-up, and a host of other activities.

Most of these video systems, large and small, have been engineered or updated to meet standard H.320 specifications - which means that it is technically possible to link virtually any two video systems anywhere in the nation, and even in the world. Many of these emerging systems are also beginning to incorporate the new set of personal conferencing specifications, which means that collaborative video, voice and data conferences can be designed and assembled.

Most of today's systems also have built-in facilities to accept overhead and other special cameras for presenting maps, documents, printed pieces and other items.

Subsections Of This Chapter:

Beginning Of Chapter 4
Better, Less Costly Meetings
Video Equipment: An Overview
Putting Video To Work
Video Collaborations
Video Banking
Distance Learning
Video Security
A Video Revolution

ISDN Home Page | Next Chapter | Table of Contents