Looking for H.264 video conferencing software to connect to IP Address
HI all
We have a few Tandberg video conf systems here, and are looking for (preferably free for corporate use) PC software that can communicate with it. This means that the software must support the H.264 codec and it should allow us to type in an Internet IP address or ISDN to connect to.
I quickly tried Skype but as far as I can tell, you can only call proper phone numbers and those who have Skype accounts. I assume the same will obviously prove true with GoogleTalk and MSN Live.
Are there any programs out there that can fulfill our needs? Thanks.
We are using Win XP Pro and have the Tandberg 1700 MXP and 3000 MXP. Both have static IP's that can be accessed from the Internet.
We have a few Tandberg video conf systems here, and are looking for (preferably free for corporate use) PC software that can communicate with it. This means that the software must support the H.264 codec and it should allow us to type in an Internet IP address or ISDN to connect to.
I quickly tried Skype but as far as I can tell, you can only call proper phone numbers and those who have Skype accounts. I assume the same will obviously prove true with GoogleTalk and MSN Live.
Are there any programs out there that can fulfill our needs? Thanks.
We are using Win XP Pro and have the Tandberg 1700 MXP and 3000 MXP. Both have static IP's that can be accessed from the Internet.
ASKER
I know and love VLC as a media player (and have used it for streaming music to varying degrees of success in the past), but never thought of it for Video Conferencing.
I'll give it a shot
I'll give it a shot
ASKER
Unless you've got some great instructions, I don't think I'll be able to get it to work. VLC doesn't exactly have a way to 'call' the Tandberg unit (not that I'd know which streaming protocol to pick in teh first place), and the PC sits behind a WiFi router, and therefore uses NAT.
Can't help you there. I know VLC does streaming. You'd need to look at the Tandberg documentation and VLC documentation.
>> The PC sits behind a WiFi router, and therefore uses NAT.
That shouldn't be a problem. That's on the inside of the network. You'd specify the IP address of Tandberg and the port number to use to address it. The router should handle outgoing and ingoing traffic with no problems.
>> which streaming protocol
You'd have to look at what the Tandberg supports. Looked at the VLC settings and it is very configurable. Does handle H.264 but how does the Tandberg expect it.
>> The PC sits behind a WiFi router, and therefore uses NAT.
That shouldn't be a problem. That's on the inside of the network. You'd specify the IP address of Tandberg and the port number to use to address it. The router should handle outgoing and ingoing traffic with no problems.
>> which streaming protocol
You'd have to look at what the Tandberg supports. Looked at the VLC settings and it is very configurable. Does handle H.264 but how does the Tandberg expect it.
ASKER
I'll dig out the manual after. I've also got Deakin University support staff looking into it.
I suppose it's similar in a way as to try to use VLC to stream audio as an alternative to a VoIP app. Apparently software known as Cisco VT Advantage can be used, but it requires a Cisco phone and Cisco web camera. While we have those items here, the remote office (who would be using the PC) doesn't.
I suppose it's similar in a way as to try to use VLC to stream audio as an alternative to a VoIP app. Apparently software known as Cisco VT Advantage can be used, but it requires a Cisco phone and Cisco web camera. While we have those items here, the remote office (who would be using the PC) doesn't.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
More info + links would be handy thanks. If it gets the job done I'm sure the managers will consider paying for it.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
I'm not a Tanberg Expert - so the more detailed you can make your posts, the better.
As far as I knew, NetMeeting is very old and not included in the newer versions of Windows - they replaced it with that 'Live' software as a service thingo from memory.
As far as I knew, NetMeeting is very old and not included in the newer versions of Windows - they replaced it with that 'Live' software as a service thingo from memory.
I have XP SP3 and I still have NetMeeting.
Go to Program Files\NetMeeting and run conf.exe
- Fill the required info.
- Don't check "Log on Directory Server" and "Do not list my name in the directory"
- Check the wan speed you have
- Place shortcut or not
- Test your microphone
After that, you are ready to go. Just fill the Tandberg's IP and you're done :)
From the Tandberg, call the computer's IP, and you'll have incoming call.
I didn't test the connection from internet to inside LAN with NetMeeting. I think that for this you would have to set the router to forward H.323 calls (made on the internet IP) from internet to the internal IP of the computer with Netmeeting.
But from inside the network, you have no problem in calling a Tandberg with an internet IP, as long as your firewall allows H.323 communication.
Carefull with H.323 and firewall. H.323 communication needs a hell lot of opened ports.
Go to Program Files\NetMeeting and run conf.exe
- Fill the required info.
- Don't check "Log on Directory Server" and "Do not list my name in the directory"
- Check the wan speed you have
- Place shortcut or not
- Test your microphone
After that, you are ready to go. Just fill the Tandberg's IP and you're done :)
From the Tandberg, call the computer's IP, and you'll have incoming call.
I didn't test the connection from internet to inside LAN with NetMeeting. I think that for this you would have to set the router to forward H.323 calls (made on the internet IP) from internet to the internal IP of the computer with Netmeeting.
But from inside the network, you have no problem in calling a Tandberg with an internet IP, as long as your firewall allows H.323 communication.
Carefull with H.323 and firewall. H.323 communication needs a hell lot of opened ports.
ASKER
Well I managed to get it connected which is great. There are a few problems with this though. Firstly NetMeeting doesn't recognize the built-in camera in the Toshiba Portege R600. That and the fact that we''l need different software when we move to Windows 7 makes me want to keep searching for something a bit better now. I'll definately reserve some points for that comment though.
Is there anything more up to date and better supported? We can forget about freeware now - just as long as there's a trial version I can make use of for testing.
TIA
Is there anything more up to date and better supported? We can forget about freeware now - just as long as there's a trial version I can make use of for testing.
TIA
ASKER
Currently investigating Movi...
Well, in the business I used only Tandberg. I used NetMeeting only for testing or field back-up.
I can't give you a professional opinion about business client software, because I didn't use them, but I can point you this awesome forum used by the VTC community:
http://www.vtctalk.com
In here, you find one of the best VTC professionals worldwide.
Here is a section of the forum dedicated to VTC software:
http://www.vtctalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21
I can't give you a professional opinion about business client software, because I didn't use them, but I can point you this awesome forum used by the VTC community:
http://www.vtctalk.com
In here, you find one of the best VTC professionals worldwide.
Here is a section of the forum dedicated to VTC software:
http://www.vtctalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21
ASKER
Thanks for the info guys, this should be enough to keep my manager happy.
Ryan_R
If you require further info on Movi and need assistance with specifying it/installing it let me know and I can help you further. For the time being check out the Tandberg website: www.tandberg.com and look at Products > Movi
Best of luck! Thanks
If you require further info on Movi and need assistance with specifying it/installing it let me know and I can help you further. For the time being check out the Tandberg website: www.tandberg.com and look at Products > Movi
Best of luck! Thanks
You'd have to have a look at what's there and probably their documentation and see if that's sufficient for you.