Best way to host a video conference

[bort]

I want to host a conference where people can easily join.

I have both Netmeeting and MSN Messenger.

If I start a conf using Netmeeting, can MSN Messenger users join it, or do
they have to have Netmeeting?

I don't want to have to invite each person individually as I want anyone to
be able to join. MSNM seems to only allow me to set up a conf only to ppl on
my contact list.

Recommendations?

 

[Brian Sullivan MVP]

I want to host a conference where people can easily join.

I have both Netmeeting and MSN Messenger.

If I start a conf using Netmeeting, can MSN Messenger users join it, or do
they have to have Netmeeting?

NetMeeting only connects to Netmeeting ( or other H.323 program) in a
audio/video call. Msn/Windows Messenger only connects to Messenger. There
is no cross program capability.

I don't want to have to invite each person individually as I want anyone to
be able to join. MSNM seems to only allow me to set up a conf only to ppl on
my contact list.

Messenger requires other parties have passports and be on your contact list
and currently online to a Messenger to contact them. NetMeeting does not
require server access and can connect or be connected to directly via IP
address.

Neither will support more than one to one audio/video calling though
(Messenger has a webcam feature that allows transmission of video to more
than one receiver -- which might be acceptable -- not exactly sure of your
needs).

 

[bort]

NetMeeting only connects to Netmeeting ( or other H.323 program) in a
audio/video call. Msn/Windows Messenger only connects to Messenger. There
is no cross program capability.

OK, that's no good as I doubt many people have NM installed already.

Messenger requires other parties have passports and be on your contact
list
and currently online to a Messenger to contact them. NetMeeting does not
require server access and can connect or be connected to directly via IP
address.

Neither will support more than one to one audio/video calling though
(Messenger has a webcam feature that allows transmission of video to more
than one receiver -- which might be acceptable -- not exactly sure of your
needs).

I want to provide video to a group, the others will not be sending video.

But I still have to have each and every person in my contact list already?

I tried the Yahoo Messenger and anyone in a chatroom can join the conf,
whcih is what I want... pity the video was very very slow (less than 1 fps).
= unusable

 

[Brian Sullivan MVP]

OK, that's no good as I doubt many people have NM installed already.

Your assessment is probably not accurate -- every Windows system since
Win98 came with NM -- all Win2000 and later systems have NetMeeting
preinstalled. I doubt if there more than a few Windows systems still in use
with no NetMeeting at all installed.

I want to provide video to a group, the others will not be sending video.

NetMeeting (at least NetMeeting) alone then is ruled out - it sends video
to only one participant.

But I still have to have each and every person in my contact list already?

Yes.


I tried the Yahoo Messenger and anyone in a chatroom can join the conf,
whcih is what I want... pity the video was very very slow (less than 1 fps).
= unusable

Depending on the number of people involved, size of video and available
bandwidth Messenger might not be any better.

 

[bort]

NetMeeting (at least NetMeeting) alone then is ruled out - it sends video
to only one participant.

I thought that presenting a videoconference to a group was the whole point
of NM???

Depending on the number of people involved, size of video and available
bandwidth Messenger might not be any better.

I'll probably have about 10 or so participants max. I have a 1MB upstream
connection which should suffice. The Yahoo observation was made watching the
preview window without anyone connected so I assume it was software related.

 

[Brian Sullivan MVP]

I thought that presenting a videoconference to a group was the whole point
of NM???

I am not sure about the "whole point" but NM does have the ability to
participate in a multi-party audio/video call -- only if supported by an
MCU/conference server though.

NetMeeting supports (on its own) two party audio/video calls and
multi-party data calls ( the "meeting"). Its function and ability has been
this way since it was introduced (9 or so years ago).

I'll probably have about 10 or so participants max. I have a 1MB upstream
connection which should suffice. The Yahoo observation was made watching the
preview window without anyone connected so I assume it was software related.

All I can suggest is to try -- the webcam video can routed various ways (
direct IP to IP or through a server if participants are behind NATs) so it
is not easy to predict quality of video. Also your 1MB upsteam is a nominal
maximum speed - whether that is available full bandwidth and in real time
even to the first upsteam router is not easily predicted(but likely not).

 

[bort]

I am not sure about the "whole point" but NM does have the ability to
participate in a multi-party audio/video call -- only if supported by an
MCU/conference server though.

NetMeeting supports (on its own) two party audio/video calls and
multi-party data calls ( the "meeting"). Its function and ability has been
this way since it was introduced (9 or so years ago).






All I can suggest is to try -- the webcam video can routed various ways (
direct IP to IP or through a server if participants are behind NATs) so it
is not easy to predict quality of video. Also your 1MB upsteam is a
nominal
maximum speed - whether that is available full bandwidth and in real time
even to the first upsteam router is not easily predicted(but likely not).

Thanks for all your help, Brian.