Video Linking 3 separate locations

[LeonDan]

Hi all.

Semi-frequent lurker, first time poster, so here goes...

In preperation for a school-wide presentation later this year, I have been charged with investigating the possibility of video linking 3 separate locations around school.
The idea being that each area can see each other area live, on a large screen, with one area at a time being the 'active' camera that the other areas pay attention to - there is even talk of someone running around from area to area, presenting in an Anneka Rice-like fashion...
The whole thing will last about an hour or two.
I haven't a clue how best to go about doing something like this - is it something I should approach from a Skype-type angle, or am I way off there?
I'm thinking I don't have any suitable equipment for this kind of 'show', so it might need all to be brought in.
Anyone got any useful leads about who I could speak to even - AV hire-companies?
Has anyone done anything like this before?

Just wish we had an indoor space large enough for the whole school then we wouldn't need any of this faff... (there is a possibility of doing this outside with a huge marquee, but we want to compare likely costs before we decide)

Thanks in advance,

Dan

[LeeBirdptinstalls]

You could try Skype group calling. You can connect up to 10 people at once.....and its free as far as I know. Not sure on image quality through. I'm assuming you will be connecting to the large screens via a laptop/PC??

[LeonDan]

Ok thanks for the tip. Skype had tentatively been suggested as a way forward, so it's something I will definitely explore.
I guess we will have laptops in each of the 3 areas - I can always do a dummy run well in advance in my office using

[LeonDan]

... the intended equipment.

Thanks,

Dan

[mdench]

depending on cost vs quality of picture and sound you could get 3 ip cameras plug them into the network in the 3 seperate locations and have a few browser windows pointing at the various cameras?

[mavhc]

Google Plus Hangouts? It will switch to whoever is talking (which could be whichever microphone is unmuted)

[JJanisch]

Google Plus Hangouts? It will switch to whoever is talking (which could be whichever microphone is unmuted)

That's a point I was about to make. A Google Hangout can also be uploaded to YouTube (maybe something for the kids to look back on in their final year!)

Other than that, if you want to do a profesh-CCTV-like jobbie, there's a program on Linux called "ZoneMinder". Maybe for the sake of quick configuration and possibly a one-time use I'd stick to Hangouts, but may be useful if this becomes a 'thing'.

[LeonDan]

Thanks for the pointers guys. When I get time (wishful thinking...) I will have a look at this Google Hangout.
I did speak to Skype about Group Calling - all I would need is a Skype Business account on 1 computer (the 'host') at 5 quid a month, which was much cheaper than I expected.