This is the first in Athabasca University’s series of evaluation reports to feature online Webcam and videoconferencing products. While Webcam software generates a simple visual presentation from a live online camera, videoconferencing products contain a wider range of interactive features serving multi-point interactions between participants. In many online situations, the addition of video images to a live presentation can add substantially to its educational effectiveness. Ten products/ online services are reviewed, supporting a wide range of video-based activities.
Video-based communication routines are rarely provided in isolation of other online collaborative methods, and most conferencing products reviewed in this study are, in fact, integrated products containing other features. For example, all are audio products that also feature video components. They have been chosen for this cross product comparison, not having been featured in earlier integrated product reviews in the current series. The quality of interactions provided by these products and the different configurations they allow, were evaluated in two user interactions each lasting a minimum of one continuous hour.
The evaluation criteria applied in the study were based on those developed for the comparison of audio-conferencing packages earlier in this report series, with the addition of definitions relating to the products’ video components. The new criteria were:
The full list of criteria is presented at the evaluation Web site accompanying these reports.
1) ClicktoMeet is a server-based conferencing product, which is the outcome of a recent merger between CuseeMe Networks and First Virtual Communications. Though primarily aimed at corporate users, ClicktoMeet contains numerous educationally useful features, including high-quality multi-point audio/ videoconferencing with customisable displays, file and whiteboard-sharing, and co-browsing (the ability for participants to lead one another on Web tours). At present the product’s use is restricted to the Internet Explorer browser, and does not support Macintosh platforms.
2) CometCam is a free software product that is easy to install and learn. It provides high-quality two-way audio and videoconferencing, and private chat rooms with video and text. The names of online contact are indicated, and communication may take place with more than one contact simultaneously. Problems were experienced in our tests with the hands free audio transmission mode, and with audio lag times.
3) Dwyco is advanced software for Windows platforms. It allows users to send and receive real time video, audio, and text. The software is flexible and works equally well as a video chat tool and a video broadcast server. It provides private rooms, each with password protection. Inconsistencies were experienced in the current tests regarding the quality of audio and the speed of text message delivery. Technical support for the product is limited.
4) Eyeball Chat is a free, integrated software package permitting live video chat, sharing of video messages, and transfer of graphic and audio files. Eyeball Chat provides reliable video quality, integrated chat rooms with privacy settings, and is compatible with the AIM, MSN and Yahoo Messenger tools. It provides an easy method for contacting others, and indicates whether or not contacts are online. In our tests, the audio was occasionally fuzzy, and lag periods of several seconds were experienced.
5) FocusFocus is a free, browser based, video-telephone software, providing multi-point video/ audio connectivity and chat services. Private chat rooms are available for use by up to 25 people. FocusFocus includes a simple procedure for the resolution of audio and video problems, though these did not prevent audio delays and interference noises from occurring during the evaluation.
6) ChatTown is a free Web site service providing email, Web page hosting, text, and video chat rooms. ChatTown appears to support an active online community, providing users with links to current news, weather, and special interest topics. ChatTown has a marked commercial image.
7) EarthCamTV is a free Web site that allows users to broadcast and receive live video images. Registered users receive a unique channel within the EarthCamTV system, which permits one-on-one chats.
8) Video Connection is a free Web site similar to the previous two Web sites. Video Connection provides real time text and video chats with screen shots and fast video refresh rates.
9) WebCam is an online resource for Webcam users. WebCam’s hosting services use a proprietary proxy server, allowing the user to present live, reality type content on their Web pages: e.g., video of traffic conditions, day care facilities, and transmissions from content providers such as radio and television stations and corporations. Fees are payable per channel, on a per minute or month basis.
10) WebCamNow is an interactive video network supporting live Webcam presentations, video chat, and the ability to link to a Web page. A maximum video rate of six frames per minute is provided, with a refresh rate of 60 frames per minute. WebCamNow is more appropriate for one-on-one communication than for multi-point conferencing. It has limited integration with other educationally useful tools (e.g., file-sharing).
Currently, high quality online Webcam and videoconferencing products come at a price. Problems in video and audio transmissions reliability were encountered with all of the free products tested in this study. Even more costly server-based software such as ClicktoMeet can yield problems such as audio lag when used on low speed dial-up connections. As many distance education students around the world do not have access to high speed Internet connections, distance educators should apply online videoconferencing methods cautiously in their teaching at this stage, pending the availability of products that cater to all types of student connection equally. For general educational conferencing purposes, teachers should examine whether a video component is really necessary. In many of our tests, it proved more convenient to turn the video component off to increase the efficiency of the audio interaction (some students prefer to do this anyway in order to protect their privacy). In conferencing sessions where video demonstrations are essential, it is important to note that online products can give adequate quality without the need to invest in expensive telephone-based video systems.
The next report in this series will compare synchronous chat and instant-messaging tools.
N.B. Owing to the speed with which Web addresses are changed, the online references cited in this report may be outdated. They can be checked at the Athabasca University software evaluation site: http://cde.athabascau.ca/softeval/. Italicised product names in this report are assumed to be registered trademarks.
JPB. Series Editor, Technical Notes