Video and Audio Conferencing Services

Videoconferencing services overview

The videoconferencing services of the Hawaii Department of Education include point to point, multi-point and gateway conference capability. With over 200 locations throughout the state, videoconferencing allows schools and offices the ability to conduct 2-way video and phone communications for a variety of purposes. Communications are not only limited to DOE locations. Other organizations and educational institutions in Hawaii such as the University of Hawaii system can be accessed. Mainland and international connections are also available using ISDN or IP connections.

Point-to-point conferences

A point-to-point IP conference involves 2 sites and does not require a reservation or coordination with the Video Technology Videoconferencing Technicians. A directory is available in each videoconference unit which makes dialing DOE locations convenient. To dial non-DOE sites a dialing number may be required or an IP address. The DOE videoconference system is configured to use the Global Dialing Scheme also known as GDS which most universities have adopted including the University of Hawaii. The dialing number will consist of at least 13 digits.

Point-to-point conferences using ISDN will require coordination with the Video Technology Videoconferencing Technicians. Typically the outside party will call the DOE party. This requires that the non-DOE party have the DOE ISDN telephone number to dial that will connect to the designated DOE party. This is also known as a gateway service.

Multi-point conferences

Multi-point conferences can consist of as few as 3 locations or as many as 15. Technically the videoconference system can connect more than 15 locations in a single conference but it is not recommended for the following reasons:

• Technical problems are more likely to occur with video and audio quality.
• It is also well established by research that videoconferencing works best in smaller settings rather than large in order to take advantage of the interactive capabilities of the system.

Multi-point conferences require coordination with the Videoconferencing Technicians in the form of a reservation request.

Audioconferencing services overview

The audioconferencing services of the Hawaii Department of Education include multi-participant phone conferences as well as the ability to combine phone and videoconference units in the same conference.

Phone conferencing

Phone conferencing can accommodate 3 to 86 participants. Simple procedures in using the system include dialing a phone number and entering a "caller ID" which places the caller in the proper conference. Coordination is required with the Videoconferencing Technicians. A phone number and caller ID are assigned when a reservation is made.

Phone and IP audioconferencing

As part of the audioconferencing services, videoconference systems and phones can be combined in a conference. This arrangement allows a participant without videoconferencing equipment to join a videoconference with audio only. Another application is the use of the videoconference equipment as an audio-only device, (IP audio) while conferencing with other phone callers. The videoconference equipment acts as an IP speaker phone system.

Video archiving and streaming services overview

Video archiving and streaming is a service that provides the ability to record a videoconference and view it later through the Polycom videoconference unit or a web browser on the PC. A request to record the videoconference can be made at the time of a conference request. Streaming formats include Real Player, Quicktime, and Windows Media Player.