CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.1. Introduction
Conducting a conference between two or more participants at different sites by using computer networks to transmit audio and video data. The point-to-point (two-person) video conferencing system works much like a video telephone. Each participant has a video camera, microphone, and speakers mounted on his or her computer. As the two participants speak to one another, their voices are carried over the network and delivered to the other's speakers, and whatever images appear in front of the video camera appear in a window on the other participant's monitor. Other method is a multipoint videoconferencing allows three or more participants to sit in a virtual conference room and communicate as if they were sitting right next to each other. Until the mid 90s, the hardware costs made videoconferencing prohibitively expensive for most organizations, but that situation is changing rapidly. Many analysts believe that videoconferencing will be one of the fastest-growing segments of the computer industry in the latter half of the decade.

1.2. Video Conference Applications

Video conferencing software facilitates initiating and conducting live conferences between two or more participants at different sites by using computer networks to transmit audio, video and text data.

Video conferencing and Web conferencing software applications enable both point-to-point (two-person) and multipoint (three or more participants) video conferences. One of the videoconferencing application is whiteboarding which is the term used to describe the placement of shared documents on a participant's on-screen whiteboard. This is a feature included with many videoconferencing software packages. Other features of whiteboarding are built-in tools for editing and marking up the electronic document, much would when using a traditional, physical whiteboard. Other feature of many videoconferencing applications is sharing applications which enables the conference participants to simultaneously run the same application. The application itself resides on only one of the machines connected to the conference. Video-on-Demand (VoD), is an umbrella term for a wide set of technologies and companies whose common goal is to enable individuals to select videos from a central server for viewing on a television or computer screen. VoD can be used for entertainment (ordering movies transmitted digitally), education (viewing training videos), and

videoconferencing (enhancing presentations with video clips). Although VoD is being used somewhat in all these areas, it is not yet widely implemented. VoD's biggest obstacle is the lack of a network infrastructure that can handle the large amounts of data required by video. Quarter Common Intermediate Format (QCIF), is a

videoconferencing format that specifies data rates of 30 frames per second (fps), with each frame containing 144 lines and 176 pixels per line and its one of videoconferencing standard.

1.3. Video Conferencing Types

When implementing a video conferencing, it's important to understand the basics. That starts with the types of video conferencing best suited to business or work. The major types of video conferencing equipment and systems include: y Telepresence Most closely simulates a live meeting. Large screens mounted on the wall or above conference tables show people at life size. Similar furniture, directional acoustics and cameras mounted at eye level make it seem as though participants are sitting around the same table and looking at one another. y Room-based Video conferencing systems include large screens that are fixed to the walls in a meeting room. y Desktop Video conferencing resides on desktop computers and laptops and other devices such as IP phones for individual use. y Hybrid Video conferencing systems combine elements of multiple types. Telepresence and room-based conferencing often overlap and can be used differently depending on the environment. y Service-based

Video conferencing is a fully managed product often available from telecom carriers, who have a great deal of control over the underlying network infrastructure.

1.4. Video Conference Features

y Synchronous groupware Groupware works in real-time and allowing multiple participants to collaborate in groups at the same time. Examples of synchronous groupware include whiteboarding, text-based chat systems or

videoconferencing. Contrast with asynchronous groupware. y Video Bridge In videoconferencing, a video bridge is a computerized switching system that allows for multipoint videoconferencing.

1.5. Advantages and Disadvantages

While many businesses have taken this technology under wing as a useful tool, there are advantages and disadvantages of video conferencing which must be considered before decide if it will work for meeting needs or not. y Advantages 1. Reach anyone needs to reach immediately, no matter what time of day it may be for anyone involved. Time differences between states and countries can be overlooked without anyone traveling long distances for the conference.

2. While a phone call may suffice for two people who need to have a short conversation, web-based conferencing allows large rooms of people at different locations to interact with one another effectively. Ten business execs in Amsterdam can easily interact with five others in New York and two in Tokyo to create a full conference with everyone able to see and hear perfectly. 3. PowerPoint and other visual displays can be shared with everyone attending the conference at the same time, giving the feel of everyone being in one room and keeping everyone on task and focused. 4. Virtual whiteboards allow people from different locations to add in their own thoughts or ideas into one collaborative space. This enables everyone to form a plan of action or collaborate on a design or slogan instantly. 5. It is possible, with some services, for everyone to gain access to another computer, seeing whatever is on that computer screen. With more advanced services, a document can even be changed and typed into directly from other computers connected into the conference. Businesses that require active collaboration on one project form can be greatly enhanced with this possibility. y Disadvantages 1. The price may be the biggest drawback for some people, though there are very cheap options if do not require the more advanced features. Usually, a business that can make good use of the more advanced features often finds that the money they save flying clients or employees around the country or world more than makes up for the cost of the service provider. As fuel becomes more of an issue around the world, the price becomes less of a disadvantage and more of an advantage.

2. There are some human ways of communicating that do not translate very well over a distance, such as eye contact. When a sit in the same room with someone and listen to a speech or presentation you will make eye contact and they will judge who is paying attention by looking around the room. Much of this contact is not easily delivered through a webcam.

1.6. Goal of Project

The goal of project is study a video conferencing based on using software of Windows such as (NetMeeting or Live Messenger).

1.7. Project Layout

Chapter Two: Discuss the principles of video conference and video streaming techniques. Also, will discuss the applications used in some video conferencing software. Finally in this chapter will discuss the principles and fundamentals of network communications especially focus on TCP/IP which will be part of the proposed work. Chapter Three: Discussed the one of video conference software which is Windows NetMeeting preview each step from communication between client and server to details of each application available in Windows NetMeeting. Chapter Four: The conclusion and suggestion future work be discussed in this chapter.

CHAPTER TWO VIDEO CONFERENCING

2.1. Video Conferencing Overview

Videoconferencing uses audio and video telecommunications to bring people at different sites together. This can be as simple as a conversation between people in private offices (point-to-point) or involve several (multipoint) sites in large rooms at multiple locations. Besides the audio and visual transmission of meeting activities, allied

videoconferencing technologies can be used to share documents and display information on whiteboards. Simple analog videophone communication could be established as early as the invention of the television. Such a videoconferencing antecedent usually consisted of two closed-circuit television systems connected via coax cable or radio. During the first manned space flights, NASA used two radiofrequency (UHF or VHF) video links, one in each direction. TV channels routinely use this kind of videotelephony when reporting from distant locations. The news media were to become regular users of mobile links to satellites using specially equipped trucks, and much later via special satellite videophones in a briefcase. Recent technological developments have extended the capabilities of video conferencing systems beyond the boardroom for use with handheld mobile devices that combine the use of video, audio and on-screen drawing capabilities broadcasting in real-time over secure networks,

independent of location. Mobile collaboration systems allow multiple people in previously unreachable locations, such as workers on an offshore oil rig, the ability to view and discuss issues with colleagues thousands of miles away. Traditional video conferencing system manufacturers have begun providing mobile applications as well.

2.2. Video Conferencing Technologies

The core technology used in a videoconferencing system is digital compression of audio and video streams in real time. The hardware or software that performs compression is called a codec (coder/decoder). Compression rates of up to 1:500 can be achieved. The resulting digital stream of 1s and 0s is subdivided into labeled packets, which are then transmitted through a digital network of some kind (usually IP). The use of audio modems in the transmission line allow for the use of Plain Old Telephone System (POTS), in some low-speed applications, such as videotelephony, because they convert the digital pulses to/from analog waves in the audio spectrum range. The other components required for a videoconferencing system include as shown on figure (2.1).

Video Input Codec (coder) streaming

Audio Input

LAN Or Internet

Video Output

Codec (decoder) streaming

Audio Output

Figure (2.1) Video Conferencing System

The description of component of the video conferencing is described below: y Video input: video camera or webcam y Video output: computer monitor, television or projector y Audio input: microphones, CD/DVD player, cassette player, or any other source of PreAmp audio outlet. y Audio output: usually loudspeakers associated with the display device or telephone y Data transfer: analog or digital telephone network, LAN or Internet y Computer: a data processing unit that ties together the other components, does the compressing and decompressing, and initiates and maintains the data linkage via the network.

There are basically two kinds of videoconferencing systems: 1. Dedicated systems have all required components packaged into a single piece of equipment, usually a console with a high quality remote controlled video camera. These cameras can be controlled at a distance to pan left and right, tilt up and down, and zoom. They became known as PTZ cameras. The console contains all electrical interfaces, the control computer, and the software or hardwarebased codec. Omnidirectional microphones are connected to the console, as well as a TV monitor with loudspeakers and/or a video projector. There are several types of dedicated videoconferencing devices: 1. Large group videoconferencing are non-portable, large, more expensive devices used for large rooms and auditoriums. 2. Small group videoconferencing are non-portable or portable, smaller, less expensive devices used for small meeting rooms. 3. Individual videoconferencing are usually portable devices, meant for single users, have fixed cameras, microphones and loudspeakers integrated into the console. 2. Desktop systems are add-ons (hardware boards, usually) to normal PCs, transforming them into videoconferencing devices. A range of different cameras and microphones can be used with the board, which contains the necessary codec and transmission interfaces. Most of the desktops systems work with the H.323 standard. Videoconferences carried out via dispersed PCs are also known as e-meetings.

2.3. Conferencing Layers

The components within a Conferencing System can be divided up into several different layers: User Interface, Conference Control, Control or Signal Plane and Media Plane. Below will describing the component of conferencing system in details. y Video Conferencing User Interfaces could either be graphical or voice responsive. Many of us have encountered both types of interfaces, normally encounter graphical interfaces on the computer or television, and Voice Responsive we normally get on the phone, where we are told to select a number of choices by either saying it or pressing a number. User interfaces for conferencing have a number of different uses; it could be used for scheduling, setup, and making the call. Through the User Interface the administrator is able to control the other three layers of the system. y Conference Control performs resource allocation, management and routing. This layer along with the User Interface creates meetings (scheduled or unscheduled) or adds and removes participants from a conference. y Control (Signaling) Plane contains the stacks that signal different endpoints to create a call and/or a conference. Signals can be, but arent limited to, H.323 and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Protocols. These signals control incoming and outgoing

connections as well as session parameters. y The Media Plane controls the audio and video mixing and streaming. This layer manages Real-Time Transport Protocols, User Datagram Packets (UDP) and Real-Time Transport Control Protocols (RTCP). The RTP and UDP normally carry information such the payload type which is the type of codec, frame rate, video

size and many others. RTCP on the other hand acts as a quality control Protocol for detecting errors during streaming.

Windows NetMeeting
Windows NetMeeting is video and audio conferencing software for Windows PCs. Windows XP is the last version that can use NetMeeting. (In the future, Live Meeting will replace NetMeeting.) NetMeeting enables to conference over the Internet and work with other participants. With audio and video, NetMeeting allows seeing and hearing other people. Also can chat (instant messenger), share programs, whiteboard, and transfer files as seen in figure (**).

Figure () Windows NetMeeting Application

The features of Windows NetMeeting described below:

y

Using Chat
With chat can communicate with an individual or a group by text

messaging. These conversations can be saved as a richtext file for later reference. Options such as "Whisper" mode allow private messages between the host and an individual during a group session.
y

Using Whiteboard

With Whiteboard can review, create and update graphic information. This option allows loading saved Whiteboard pages into a conference by dragging and dropping the saved pages into the Whiteboard window.
y

Sharing Programs

Shared Programs allows meeting participants to view and work on files together even if they do not have the program. Only one participant at a time can be in control of the shared program.
y

Remote Desktop Sharing

Remote Desktop Sharing allows access a computer from another computer at another location. To use Remote Desktop Sharing, you activate it and then close NetMeeting.
y

Transferring Files

Files can also be transferred in the background while in a NetMeeting conference and can be sent either to an individual or a group.

Windows Live Messenger

Windows Messenger is a text messaging application that comes bundled with every copy of Windows XP. Windows Live Messenger, formerly MSN Messenger, is a more fully featured version of Windows Messenger that also adds live video and audio capability. The following instructions explain how to use Windows Live Messenger for video conferencing.

Figure () Windows Live Messenger Application

IM and File Transfers

IM (Instant Messaging) is possible along with the video and audio conversations within the same window. Through IM, any kind of file can be quickly transferred to another user by simply dragging and dropping the file into the chat window. If a picture is being transferred, a thumbnail of the picture will appear in the message window.
y

Sharing Folders

Sharing Folders is an alternative option to file transfers. It allows the contacts access to the same files, even when someone is offline. Adjustments made to these files are automatically updated for the next time they are opened.