ooVoo Test

As promised, I have tested my next videoconferencing platform.

During the SIGIVC Executive Committee meeting, Howie DiBlasi and I discovered we had both tried ooVoo about a year ago. We're were far from thrilled last year, but had been receiving emails which touted that it had been much improved. We decided it was worth a bit of exploration.

It took us a while to get acclaimated to the product. Thus, it was not overly user friendly at the outset. HOWEVER, once we got it figured out, we were VERY surprised and pleased!

(Of course, if we'd downloaded their magnificent help documents, we might have gotten up to speed a bit faster--ya, think?)

Anyway, once we got the hang of it, it was very easy to use. And the best part is that the Audio AND the Video were GREAT! We tried it again today, and were equally pleased.

ooVoo is a web based platform. I could not see anyway that it could connect to H.323 units. It is a good choice for a one-on-one videoconference. Personally, I like it a lot better than Skype and will soon be contacting my daughter in GA to try it. I think both my grandson and I will be able to see and hear each other much better!

We did not pay the $39.95 for the upgraded version which offers desktop sharing and the ability to record the video session. Has anyone else done that? Were you satisfied?

Here are some details about our experience with ooVoo.

PROS

• Great Video
• Great Audio
• Can send an email invite to anyone
• The invitee does NOT need to have the product downloaded to accept your call or click on the email link. (I think!)
• Your room is private: you can even have it password protected
• Includes a Chat Feature
• Really nice help documents

CONS

• Only 2 participants at a time on free plan
• ADs appeared below video screen and in chat were large and distracting
• Chat window is separate from video window which was awkward
• Email invite within ooVoo does seem to work with someone who is not a contact
• to be considered a contact, you must have downloaded ooVoo for yourself

FEATURES WE DIDN'T TRY

• Can add up to 6 people as an audio chat -- that combines with the two who are videoconferencing
• Record a 30 second video message to email as an invitation to join you

Have a For Fee Option with added options. See Here.

Well, that's my take on ooVoo. Again, it's not technical, but then, neither am I. Just a practical gal who is excited to learn more about web-based videoconferencing options.

I must also say that I totally believe that H.323 standard and equipment are awesome for classrooms and and large groups. I do not see these two in conflict, but rather that each one is right for a different use and audience.

So long until next time,

Dawn

An Inspiration

Last Friday evening I went to the movies with my friend, Sandy, to see Julie & Julia. No, I'm not going to cook French meals, but I did have a sudden inspiration that seemed like fun to me. The idea spawned after a videoconference with Craig Mollerstuen from GCI today.

Over the course of this next school year, I want to experience as many different venues for videoconferencing as I can and blog about each experience.

Craig and I videoconferenced via my H.323 unit AND over Vidyo.

Here's what I learned:

• Vidyo works on both Mac & PC Platforms


• The internal microphone on my PC worked better than the microphone on my webcam.


• My headset works so well that I need to keep the microphone a good distance from my mouth. (Craig assured me this had nothing to do with my "once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader" voice--I think he was just being kind.)


• It's easy to mute and unmute both the speakers and the microphone in Vidyo.


• Vidyo can host multipoint conferencing


• Vidyo can connect to H.323, but requires certain hardward to do so.


• Vidyo offers a group appliance as well as the desktop video application


• The audio and video were both good.

Craig and I agreed that for group classroom use, hooking up a desktop application to a projector is not the best solution. The videoconferencing systems with good cameras definitely win out here. It is important to choose the solution that fits the application.

Not rocket science and maybe not new news for anyone reading, but it was a good learning experience for me.

What's next? I'm starting a list. The first three that come to mind are:

• ooVOO


• Elluminate's VCS


• Tinychat

Anyone want to suggest a solution to add to my list?

I'm planning on blogging about once a week--definitely not more.

'til then,

Dawn