Classroom Video Conf

[Gongalong]

Hi folks,

 

Does anyone have any experience of classroom video conferencing systems?

 

At the moment the requirement is somewhat up in the air, but the crux of it is that we want to be able to link two of the on-site classrooms together so that one teacher can teach to both classrooms. It could be a permanent install, or a mobile setup if that’s possible. Also it’s not defined whether the teacher wants to be able to see and hear the other classroom, although I think that would be sensible.

 

I think this is going to need to be more than a webcam and a Skype call, to ensure decent video and sound.

 

Has anyone used a system along these lines that they can either recommend or not?

 

TIA

[Domino]

You're using Office365? Would Lync not be up to the task?

 

Video, audio, adaptive codecs and screensharing all in a single client?

[3s-gtech]

You'll find that with the right webcam and speakers, Skype/Lync will be just as up to the task as anything. We use Lync extensively (onsite, not O365) with Logitech BCC950 conference cameras for meetings etc. With meaty bandwidth and HD cameras, it's pretty awesome. Skype is very similar underneath, if you don't want the cost or setup hassle.

[synaesthesia]

Same thing these days, Lync is gone and is now called Skype for Business.

[Domino]

Which is a reskinned lync client, not the skype client ;-)

[synaesthesia]

Indeed -works rather well!

[Domino]

The skype bleeps and bloops are driving me up the wall though...

[Gongalong]

Both classrooms will have projectors and speakers at least, the big unknown for me was what camera and mic to use, and whether a webcam could cut the mustard.

 

Thanks for the 3s-gtech for the Logitech mention.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

We do have O365, but as this is just a single camera to the projector in the other room I'm guessing it won't matter too much what account's used with Skype/Lync.