Considering VSX 7000 for distance learning

[rubenmiranda]

Hello everyone,
I work for a school that has several students who are not able to attend class because of illness. I was asked to come up with a solution that would allow students to participate in class remotely with the ability to receive and transmit audio and video. I am considering the purchase of an AXIS 213 PTZ (http://www.axis.com/products/cam_213/index.htm), but from what I have read a system like the VSX 7000 is more of a true video conferencing system. I think $7000 would be the limit of the budget per student. The students have cable modems and the school is planning to dedicate a T-1 to this. I would apprecaite hearing opinions on which direction to take with hardware. BTW, I am a complete newbie doing my best to understand the technology.
Thank You

[Skylark]

IP or ISDN?

ISDN:
I would choose the VSX

IP:
If your talking about individual students then there is no need to buy a large confrence system for them. you can use Polycom PVX + USBcamera + PC with a very good quality of video audio and it supports H239 data shareing

[rubenmiranda]

Thanks for replying, I'm glad I'm not the only one up this early. I guess this will be IP because we do not have any ISDN lines. We plan to connect the camera to our LAN and have the data go over our T-1 Internet connection. We also have two firewalls (PIX 515 and ISA).

Are you saying we do not need the VSX-7000 if we are doing IP? We want the student to be able to control the PTZ camera and we want the best quality we can get over our T-1 and the student's cable modem connection. I am guessing that the PVX software will perform similar audio and video compression to the VSX but using the PC 's hardware instead of a dedicated VSX.

[mazzarak]

On the classroom side, you clearly want something considered a "room based" system, like a VSX7000. On the student side, if you are thinking that they will be sitting in an individual desktop environment, then the PVX solution that Skylark mentioned will provide an adequate connection. I'm not sure how far end camera control functions through PVX, someone else will have to chime in on that one. I doubt all webcams have FECC facility, so you might think about the smaller members of the Polycom family VSX3000 or V500.

[CamSys]

I just wanted to let you know that we can easily meet $7000 per student for your a VSX7000.


If it's a lower end system you're looking for, you may want to consider a Polycom V500 for just under $1600 per student.

Hope this helps
CamSys

[mazzarak]

CamSys

you are welcome to the forum, but before dropping into the many hardware discussions telling us about your deals and leaving links to your online store, it is wise to at least introduce yourself to the fellow forum-users. Most of us choose to demonstrate our knowledge of a product before trying to sell it, and the forum will respect you more because of it :).

[dfreeman]

How many students? I've seen success at the lower price points with the Sony PCS-1 systems. You could put one with the multipoint option at the classroom site, and dial out to the students. They are easy to use and the embedded microphone will work just fine for a single student. The classroom unit will need the optional external microphone. The embedded MCU will allow for up to 5 students to join the class without having to invest in any other bridging solution. Another important point, the Polycom units won't do multipoint at the H.264 algorithm, the Sony will. This will allow for a higher video quality at the lower bandwidth required by your configuration.

[CamSys]

mazzarak,

Not a problem. We've been in the videoconferencing industry for over 15 years, and have sold and designed systems built on everything from board based solutions to out-of-the-box codecs. Not meaning to drop ads in, but figured I'd pipe up when someone know what they want. :)

dfreeman has a good point. If you're looking for a system to do 264 using a low bandwidth internet service, you'll definately want to look at the Sony PCS-1.

Thanks
CamSys

[rubenmiranda]

I didn't know Sony made such a product. Because of the time constraints I did not do a sufficient amount of research prior to making a decision. From the little that I can understand, it sounds as though Sony might be a better choice. I would appreciate it if someone could tell me how it compares to the VSX 7000. There will usually be one student at home for a given class.
I appreciate all the help.

[USA.MGC]

The little time I spent with PVX on cable connection was not that great. PVX seems to be bandwidth hungry. don't think you will get a good user experience with PVX on cable or DSL, unless you upgrade to cable pro or DSL extreme. other then the bandwidth issues with PVX I think it is the greatest product polycom has ever made.

[Skylark]

PVX should use exacly the same amount of bandwith as any other VC unit during a calll of the same type. but the DSL consern is valid, is't your lower bandwith rate that will determin how good call you make (upload).

PVX can do "far end" camera controle but not "near end".

PVX will only cost you around 250 dollars (+computer) so buying 1-2 and tying them out might be the best way set this up and test the network, then if you decide to go for larger units (small meeting rooom) you can still use the PVX for techsupport and backup system.

[Toney]

My 2 cents worth.. If it's just individual students at the far ends, then what about Tandberg 1000's? They have everything integrated, so you don't need any additional hardware... From memory, their price range falls between the VSX and the V500...