The Big Picture

  • extensive overview of videoconferencing in present and future

  • accessible to all readers

Behind the Curtain

  • videoconferencing technology discussed in depth

  • assumes engineering and software background

  • readers can skip and go on to

Down the Road

  • views of future videoconferencing capability and usage

  • accessible to all readers

 

Preface

1. WHY WE'RE HERE
Visions, Metaphors, Expectations, Realities * Benefits, Limits, Growth * Technology Bottlenecks & Bumps in the Road * Representative System Characteristics * Applications * The Future

2. WHERE WE CAME FROM
Telephony * Television * NEC, CLI, PictureTel, VTEL, Intel, ... * Role of Computing * Role of Standards

3. STARTING ON THE DESKTOP
Establishing Contact * Do You Hear Me? * Can You See Me? * My Computer Will Get Back to You

4. ROOMS WITH A VIEW
Stretching the Conference Table * "Multimedia" * Computers

5. ALL TOGETHER NOW
Three is Not a Crowd * Audio Independence * Video Control * Harder Stuff * Getting Connected

6. FINISHING THE PICTURE
Everyday Meetings * Employment Recruiting * Legal * Product Technical Assistance * Manufacturing * Kiosks * Trading Floor * Classrooms * Clinics * Entertainment

7. ANALOG, DIGITAL, AND TELEVISION
Analog to Digital to Analog * Analog - Low Cost Terminals, High Cost Transmission * Color Representation * Video cameras

8. COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
Switched Digital Connections * Practical Considerations with Switched Digital Connections * Other Types of Networks * Specifics of Wide Area Networks * Specifics of Local Area Networks * Satellite * U.S. Regulatory Issues

9. VIDEO
Compression * Video Processing in an H.320 Codec * Video Quality Metrics

10. AUDIO
Compression * Echo Canceling * Some Practical Considerations

11. PUTTING IT TOGETHER WITH MULTIPOINT
General Design Considerations * H.231 * H.243 (& H.242)

12. MULTIPOINT DATA
Sharing Images and Drawings * ITU-T T.120 Recommendations * Distributed Data in Larger Conferences

13. BARRIERS BREAKING DOWN
Fibers and Ropes (connecting systems) * Web Threads * Quilts and Future Fabric * Clearer Pictures * Sounding Better * Free MIPS Meet Free Bauds * Better Than Being There * Main Streams

14. THINGS TO COME
How to Stretch the Table Better * Table Stretching Variations - Break rooms, offices, and halls * Time/Space Quadrants * Internet and Virtual Reality Influences * Revisiting the Meeting Room

APPENDIX I - SUMMARY OF ITU-T STANDARDS
The International Telecommunication Union * Study Group 15 G-Series Recommendations (Audio) * Study Group 15 H-Series Recommendations * Study Group 8 T.12x and T.13x Recommendations

APPENDIX II - WEB RESOURCES

Glossary

Index