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February 23, 2006 5:27 AM

I need to videoconference with people in multiple locations simultanously. I'm looking for software and hardware recommendations. Inexpensive is a must.

I'd like to set up a videoconference with 3 locations. People in each location should be able to see all 3 webcams simultaneously. Can you recommend inexpensive software that will do this? What should I be looking for in a webcam?

posted by Could it be, El Guapo ... to technology (8 comments total)

Mac or PC?
posted by kimota at 6:09 AM on February 23, 2006

Sorry, I should have been more specific. This will be in a PC environment on a WAN with reasonable throughput.
posted by Could it be, El Guapo ... at 8:20 AM on February 23, 2006

How about Accessgrid? The software is free, and available for Mac, PC, and Linux.
posted by sanitycheck at 9:09 AM on February 23, 2006

This will mostly suck. The cheaper you go, the more suck you will get.

You are better off doing a voice call with a powerpoint (label the slides with numbers) or whatever. There is really not much need to see the others, espeically with only three people.

More expensive option ($300ish each) : Polycom ViaVideo II. This camera has some processing on board, so it can have good quality.

Otherwise, just buy the cheapest webcams you can and use net meeting. One important tip if you decide to go this route: GET headset mics. This is the only way you'll get audio that's even passable. You'll look like drivethru employees, but hey, that's the cost of hearing what people say (and not some weird distorted echo of what you said 3 seconds ago).
posted by zpousman at 9:10 AM on February 23, 2006

The accessgrid is not what you need btw. That is the software for running high bandwidth videowalls and crazy scientific collaboration systems. It's cool, but it's a bazooka to your requirement for a potato-gun.
posted by zpousman at 9:12 AM on February 23, 2006

Some good feedback so far. Just to clarify, I'm talking about 3 rooms full of people, not just 3 people. We are currently using netmeeting with powerpoint and it does the job. However, we'd like to add some video.

I thought about just using netmeeting with webcams, but it seems like only 2 locations could participate (based on netmeeting help).

Btw, I probably couldn't spend more than $100 per camera.
posted by Could it be, El Guapo ... at 9:20 AM on February 23, 2006

Sight speed has very good video conferencing quality. It allows multi-person video conferences. It is relatively inexpensive ($50/year for the pro version) and it comes with a free webcam.
posted by blueyellow at 10:51 AM on February 23, 2006

The accessgrid is not what you need btw. That is the software for running high bandwidth videowalls and crazy scientific collaboration systems. It's cool, but it's a bazooka to your requirement for a potato-gun.

I'd respectfully disagree here. It may be a bazooka but it is a free bazooka. And there's no need to set up your own super-powerful node or anything. I use the AG client from my laptop to videoconference with a research group with which I am affiliated, and it works quite well.
posted by sanitycheck at 5:52 PM on February 23, 2006