Features Comparison



 
DLC, IP-IP
  DLC, IP – ISDN
Office
Classroom
2-way audio & video

yes

yes

yes

no

1-way audio & video

yes

yes

yes

yes

Polycom

yes

yes

no

no

Skype

no

no

yes

yes

Cost

none

$.30/min billed to calling site.

none

none

Training

vital

vital

minimal

minimal

Tech support staff present

yes

yes

no

only during initial implementation

Advance notice

10 business days*

20 business days*

none after training

none after training

Videoconference equipment

Polycom, computer, projector, sound system

Polycom, computer, projector, sound system

computer, microphone/speaker headset, web camera

computer, projector, sound system

Multiple sites support

yes; up to 4

yes; up to 96

only chat, whiteboard, and application sharing

only whiteboard, chat, and application sharing

Send computer output

yes

yes

no

no

Send VCR output

yes,via lectern camera

yes, via lectern camera 

no

no

Send doc camera

yes, via lectern camera

yes, via lectern camera

no

no

Electronic whiteboard

no

no

yes

yes

Software application sharing

no

no

yes

yes

Pros

higher video quality than office or classrooms; free; less notice than ISDN*

higher video quality than office or classrooms; allows connections to businesses with ISDN only

free; easy to use; electronic whiteboard; application sharing; location flexibility; ISS equipment checkout

free; easy to use; electronic whiteboard; application sharing; location flexibility

Cons

complicated interface; required training; tech support present; advance notice

complicated interface; required training; not free; tech support present; several days advance notice

potentially choppy video; limited to IP connections (some businesses have only ISDN)

small video window;; potentially choppy video; limited to IP connections (some businesses have only ISDN)

DLC = Distance Learning Classroom, 204 Cornell
Office and Classroom use Skype, which uses IP only.
IP means the use of a network data port; all Cornell locations use IP only.

ISDN is a subscriber telephone line; connections for remote locations are via MOREnet.

*For one remote site. Add 2 business days for each additional remote site.

Last Edited: 1/26/2010