Video conferencing systems - current product range:

	Model	Price	Availability
	Elmo PTC-450C PTZ ceiling mounted camera Ceiling mounted, 210 degree tilt, 350 pan, pan/tilt speed 100 degrees a second, 12x optical zoom, 16x digital zoom	£512 + VAT	2-5 work days

Camera comparison chart
Interactive whiteboards
Camera mounts

Video conferencing has great cost-saving benefits for many organisations as it saves on time, travel and accommodation expenses normally incurred by travelling to meetings. For instance, if a company has offices in London and Edinburgh and needs monthly meetings with all staff attending, then installing a video conference system at each site would save hundreds of pounds per month.

Simply put, a video call allows you to be in several places at once. It gives access to experts and consultants not otherwise reachable. Real-time document sharing, regardless of time zones, enables executives to make key decisions. Imagine trying to describe artwork over the telephone. With video conferencing you can see the artwork for yourself, and if it is displayed on an interactive whiteboard, then annotations and amendments can be made, discussed and changed as necessary.

A video conferencing system normally comprises a camera, microphone, speaker, base unit where all the clever compression stuff takes place, plus a display screen. The camera and microphone captures the sound and image at one location, a codec converts the video and audio to a digital signal which is compressed and sent over the network. At the other end the codec decompresses the signal and the picture appears on the display monitor and the sound comes out of a speaker. As far as the user is concerned they simply dial the number and press connect.

In healthcare, depending on the unit you choose, for instance, a Sony PCS-G50P, you can use remote operating for second opinion during operations, as the far end side camera can see live images of the operating room and endoscopic camera in parallel.

You can buy a video conferencing base and camera system and purchase your display screen, such as an LCD monitor or plasma screen separately, or you can purchase an integrated video conferencing system with LCD monitor. Another option is to buy a complete package including installation, see link at the end of this page.. Do bear in mind the cost of line installation and rentals need to be taken into account when budgeting for your system. Quality of video conferencing systems varies so it is important to choose carefully so that your system will meet or exceed your expectations.

The main factors contributing to the quality of the images is the quality of the codec and the amount of bandwidth available. Having good audio quality is also crucial to the success of your video conferencing.

There are many new video conferencing systems on the market that allow a very low quality video conferencing over the Internet which normally need broadband to be installed at each site. The main problem with these systems is the image quality sent over broadband is limited to a maximum of 256kbps upload speed which is shared between a number of users on your exchange. If you have ever experimented with Instant Messenger and web cams to 'video conference' you will know just how small an image you see and the jerkiness of the image.

Basically, one line gives you 128k, which only allows so much image data to be transferred, 2 lines can be combined to give 256k and 3 lines combined gives you 386k.

Traditional video conferencing systems require 3 x ISDN lines to be installed at each site so that they can be combined into a single 386kps connection. This is not cheap as you have the ISDN installation and rental costs at each site plus phone charges whenever you are using the video conferencing system. However the image quality is excellent, smooth and full screen as the 386kps is reliable and dedicated to your conferencing.

Installation is straight forward as an installation company can install equipment at both ends and let you know exactly what ISDN telephone packages to order from British Telecom or another telephone provider. Once your system is installed, you connect to other sites by dialling their ISDN telephone number and connecting in a similar way to making a phone call. You can also have meetings with any of your customers or suppliers that have a video conferencing system.

Page last updated:  Sunday 06 July 2008

UK delivery charge is £10 to £15 + VAT per order depending on the product

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How to order from Independent Products

Payment options: bank transfer, cheque, debit card, credit card, 14 and 30 day credit accounts (see below). We do not charge a credit card surcharge.

Independent Products only deliver to the UK mainland. To place an order then please fax your purchase order to 01754 898910, including your invoice/delivery address, goods, delivery charge, total including VAT and method of payment. We are unable to take telephone orders.

If you are an educational establishment, government establishment, large registered charity or blue chip company and wish to pay by 14 or 30 day account please fax your official purchase order.

Please note that Independent Products only supply equipment to businesses, government bodies, educational establishments and charities.  We never sell to private individuals.

Please do not book installation of equipment before goods have arrived and have been fully tested. We accept no liability for installation or other cost occurred in the case of late delivery. Courier delays, manufacturer supply problems, etc, are beyond our responsible control.

E. & O.E. www.independentproducts.co.uk

Tel 01754 898900 | Fax 01754 898910 | Email