Video Conferencing

These are your options regarding videoconferencing at CSU.

Classroom & Group Meeting Use

• Adobe Connect
  Available in the Academic Village Classroom and the Viking Electronic Classroom, and potentially available in your own meeting room.
  • Notes:
    • The videoconferencing equipment in the above named classrooms is supported by ENS. The Adobe Connect software is not. You will need to obtain your own technical support for the software and your own operator for each session.
    • The software is web-based, making it very convenient to use anywhere, even with a mobile camera. This solution is highly portable. All that is required are a video camera, audio capture and speakers, and a high-speed internet connection. Technically, you could use it with a laptop and a webcam. The software is also fairly easy to use.
    • The software is expensive to purchase. Engineering does not have a site license, so you will need to obtain the software yourself.
• Access Grid
  Available in the Sun Microsystems Electronic Classroom and the Viking Electronic Classroom.
  • Notes:
    • The videoconferencing equipment and software is supported by ENS. You will need to provide your own operator for each session. ENS will provide initial training to the operator and/or instructor.
    • The Access Grid is a fairly complex but robust videoconferencing system. It requires an operator with some videoconferencing or audio/visual skills.
    • The software is free and open source. It is also a standard for many federal grant institutions. Some research grants require this videoconferencing system.
• CSU videoconferencing rooms
  • Notes:
    • These rooms are supported by ACNS and utilize Polycom equipment. They are free for anyone within CSU to use.
    • ACNS prefers two weeks notice before a conference with a new person. You will need to reserve the rooms through ACNS.
• Transportation Learning Network (TLN)
  Available in the Titan TLN Studio Classroom.
  • Notes:
    • The TLN videoconferencing system is used in conjunction with transportation courses through the Civil & Environmental Engineering department. The system only works within these courses and is not available for general use.
    • The videoconferencing equipment is supported by ENS. You will need to provide your own operator for each session. ENS will provide initial training to the operator and/or instructor.

Individual Use

• Polycom desktop software
  • Notes:
    • This software is supported by ACNS. It is used on a PC with your own video camera (Logitech brand is recommended.) You can video conference at any time or date from within your own office/desk.
    • You will need to buy the software (cost is $150) from ACNS.
• Skype software
  • Notes:
    • This software is free and is used on a Windows, Mac or Linux computer with your own video camera. You can video conference at any time or date from within your own office/desk.
• Google Talk software
  • Notes:
    • This software is free and is used on a Windows computer with your own video camera. (Mac and Linux users can use other IM clients to connect to Google Talk.) You can video conference at any time or date from within your own office/desk.
    • There is limited tech support due to the software's free price tag. All parties must have a Google account and must be set up completely before the initial connection.
• Yahoo messenger software
  • Notes:
    • This software is free and is used on a Windows or Mac computer with your own video camera. You can video conference at any time or date from within your own office/desk.
    • There is limited tech support due to the software's free price tag. All parties must have a Yahoo account and must be set up completely before the initial connection.
• GCN software
  • Notes:
    • This software is free and is used on a PC with your own video camera.
    • The GCN software does not work from outside CSU, unless the VPN software provided by ACNS is used. (In other words, you can only talk with someone off campus if that person is affiliated with CSU and is using the VPN to put themselves on our network.)
• Apple iChat AV software
  • Notes:
    • This software is included with Mac OS X and is used on a Mac only.

This is by no means an exhaustive listing of videoconferencing software and capabilities. There are many more options available. A Google search on video conferencing will return many more options for you to choose from. Most will entail additional knowledge from you to set it up. You should know that some of the higher-end software packages can also enable you to simultaneously edit a file or provide interactive content.

Also, the choice of which video camera or webcam to choose is outside the realm of this web page, but recommendations can be given if you contact ENS or ACNS. For the most part, however, the expense and additional options of a video camera are usually not needed if a cheaper but good quality webcam will work well for your needs. Remember that the quality of your camera will reflect directly on the quality of the video feed at the receiving end.