Skype with video capability

[Keisuke Hashimoto]

What kind of impact will Skype have on conventional video endpoints if it will have video capability as well?
According to local newspaper here in Japan today, it reports that Skype will have video capability sometime next year or so allowing to hold multi-point video meeting.

[Glen Sykes]

It's difficult to say. MSN messenger has video capability but is it having a measurable effect on our industry?

I guess what would make the difference as to whether skype has an effect on conventional video endpoints is whether it will interoperate with them.

[tom9933]

Did a little reading at the Skype forum today and ran across this link.
http://security.web.cern.ch/security/skype/
Seems like this puts an interesting wrinkle on things.

[Keisuke Hashimoto]

I am wandering how grave this violation is as a problem.Why did Skype violate the CERN's Computing Rules? Why did Skype need to violate the rule? Was it intentional or not?
Does this mean that Skpye must change its behavior in order to correct the violation or is it a time for CERN to consider to change its rule? How is CERN viewing this violation? These are basic questions.

[TelehealthMan]

I'm sure SKYPE is planning on implementing Video, why wouldn't they? It is interesting that nobody has come out with a really good software based video conferencing program that can come close to the quality of the videoconferencing appliances that Polycom or Tandberg sell.

Sean

[tom9933]

Sean,
Have you looked at Vpoint (VCON), Econf (Radvision), Mirial or PVX (Polycom)? If not I’d suggest a quick download. We use PVX here and with a good webcam it looks and sounds almost as good as VSX endpoint. The software not only does H.264 video, Siren 14 audio and AES encryption, but it also includes content support.
Now don’t get me wrong a free version is always better but so far I’m pretty happy with the quality from the newer software.
Cheers,

[TelehealthMan]

I actually downloaded PVX a while ago. It looks good, I would like to test it more thoroughly. I think that this type of software running on a PC architecture is going to start nipping at the heels of the Videoconferencing appliance market. This will be due to a significant price difference between the 2 platforms.
Nice that PVX does AES encryption too.

What do you folks think?
Cheers
Sean

[tom9933]

Sean,
I have to agree from a price perspective PVX with a decent camera is hard to beat. On the downside though it’s not the best for a large audience and with a pc you always have the associated support headaches. At this point we are using PVX in offices and conventional hardware based codecs in anything other than that. Now because of the support issues we’ve also talked about using the VSX500 in some of those same offices.

[tom9933]

Just ran across a link to this new box while reading Toms Hardware guide. Basically it allows you to integrate Skype with your existing Pots setup.
http://www.actiontec.com/products/communications/ipw_usb/minreq.php

Also while looking for pricing on the above box I also found another one that claims to have the same or better capabilities.
http://www.rapidvoip.com/products.html

[summitcircle]

I have been collecting links to Skype stuff for some time and have founds dozens of "Skype phone vendors".

I created a directory of Skype phones and add-ons (http://www.summitcircle.com/) at SummitCircle.com.. if you are interested, you will find tons of links to Skype phones, Skype "answering machines" and other Skype stuff.

[Keisuke Hashimoto]

I am wandering if Skype will support whiteboarding and application sharing features for conference mode.