April 1999

Price: $799 without an ISDN NT1 Terminator

Video conferencing has come a long way since the early days when video conference images appeared so slow that a person could take a nap and wake up a couple of minutes later with no one on the other side of the conference even noticing. Thankfully, the use of devices such as 14.4 Kbps modems is gone, and faster methods have taken their place.

The Intel ProShare Video System 500 uses either ISDN or LAN (TCP/IP) connections for business video conferencing. It integrates Microsoft NetMeeting with the ProShare software (version 5.1) so that it can take advantage of full video, audio, and data capabilities.

INSTALLATION
Before we can talk about the installation process for the Intel ProShare Video System 500, we must first explain the difference between software versions 5.0 and 5.1. In November 1998, we were originally sent version 5.0 with the cameras (we needed two cameras to test the product adequately). Version 5.0 works with the Windows 95 and NT operating systems. Suspiciously missing, however, was its compatibility with Windows 98. After all, the Windows 98 operating system had been out already by the time this version was released. As you probably guessed, we were prepared to work with Windows 98, so this omission became very significant to our setup. Eventually, we were able to download version 5.1 (a 106 MB download), which had Windows 98 compatibility. As a matter of fact, this was the only addition to the software. Hence, we could safely say that we reviewed version 5.1, even though the cameras we received came with Version 5.0.

Once the slow process of downloading the software from the Intel Web site was finished, we were ready to really begin the installation process. And to put it frankly, the download was the most time-consuming part of the installation. The rest of the process was downright easy.

Before we actually installed the software, we turned off and unplugged the computer and installed the ISDN, audio, and video capture card that came with each camera. It fit into one PCI board, so we didn't have to search for open slots on the computer. The included headset, microphone, and audio equipment with corresponding cables were color-coded - and it did not take a brain surgeon to figure out where each plug went. After we finished, we went through the same process with the other client that we were going to use for our testing. Then, we installed the software on both computers. Really, the only annoying factor about the whole process (besides the download) was having to reboot twice for each installation of the software.

DOCUMENTATION
Both the online help documentation and the Reviewer's Guide were solid. They explained virtually everything we needed to know in an understandable and concise manner, and we never had to hunt down elusive information that may have cost us valuable time if not found quickly. The only minor complaints we had about the Reviewer's Guide was that it was a little too marketing-oriented (at times, the sales spiel dragged on a little bit), and it could have used a few more troubleshooting tips.

FEATURES
The Intel ProShare Video System 500 has most of the necessary features associated with video conferencing. The following is a list of the most important features:

• Supports H.323, H.320, and T.120 data conferencing standards; supports G.711, G.723, and G.728 audio codec standards.
• PPP and MPPP desktop conferencing over LANs and/or ISDN lines; supports up to 800 Kbps LAN bandwidth (bi-directional), for improved audio and video.
• Integrates with Microsoft NetMeeting to share applications, transfer files, use a whiteboard, or communicate through a text-based chat.
• Can make outgoing calls through a gateway (avoiding unnecessary ISDN charges); can make secure video and audio conferencing through proxy-based firewalls.
• Specifies up to four Internet Locator Servers (ILS) as address lists.
• Exchanges high-resolution photos while in a conference by using a fully integrated application called Photo Exchange.

The two most notable features missing from this list are: No video ability to zoom in and out, and no support for the G.729 or G.729A codec standards.

OPERATIONAL TESTING
Three windows appeared when we opened the Intel ProShare Video System 500 version 5.1 software: A Conference Manager window, a Video window, and the Microsoft NetMeeting version we were using. The Conference Manager allowed us to pick from three nifty-looking scenarios to view - Office, Room, and Auditorium settings. The Video window showed a small local video and a larger remote video. On a call, we saw both ourselves and the other party with satisfactory clarity (once we focused the camera for the best possible view). We could also change the layout of the Video window, including hiding the local display, remote left local right, local top remote bottom, and a local in remote display. We could even view the video on the entire screen of our monitor. We viewed all of these settings and displays, and they looked appealing. We found that the only layout missing was the ability to enlarge the local video if we wanted while in a conference.

To test other features on the Conference Manager GUI before making a conference call, we pressed the Tools button and clicked Preferences. Here, we could set different options for Addresses and Numbers, Audio/Video, Business Card, Conference Manager, and Photo Exchange. Different tabs in each category allowed us to set preferences, including setting the program to the speakers or headsets we wanted; changing the clock display (time of day, remaining time, and elapsed time of call); making the local window mirroring preference; and setting the preferences for which connection type we wanted to use (ISDN or LAN).

We were now ready to make conference calls to our other client. We pressed the Call button and a keypad that looked like a cordless phone appeared with a "Ready to dial" display at the top of it. Here, we could dial a regular phone number, an IP address, or the name of a person if he/she was already in the dial list. If it was the first time we called a number or an IP address, a dialog box appeared asking us which method (ISDN or LAN) we would like to use for the conference call. If we called the same number again, it assumed that we would call using the same connection type as the last time. Also, once a phone number or IP address was dialed, it could "autocomplete" (finish the number for us) the next time we dialed that number.

Unfortunately, before we were able to call using either connection type, an error message displayed. It stated that we had a "H323cce" error. We pressed the close button, and it froze up the screen. Since we were using a beta version of NetMeeting (2.11) on this particular client, we immediately assumed that this was the problem, so we tried to call on our other client that used NetMeeting 2.1. We were able to make an ISDN call through a Teltone ISDN simulator to the other client (after starting that application again), but shortly after, the error popped up again. We closed the program on both clients and reopened them. Without even making another call, the error appeared again on both clients. Since the error appeared on both versions of NetMeeting, this eliminated the possibility of the beta being the problem. However, we also realized that the error happened faster on the beta version, signifying that the beta enhanced the likelihood of the H323cce error.

We called technical support, and they suggested taking the clients off the LAN and seeing if the error still persisted. We did this, and sure enough, the error did not appear again until we put the clients back on the LAN. Obviously, there was something on the LAN that conflicted with the ProShare video system. Intel informed us that if a gatekeeper existed on the LAN, this could conflict with their product. We finally isolated the problem and found that certain features of the Cisco IP PBX (formerly Selsius) that we were also testing on the LAN, were the culprits. It seems that while neither product had a problem by itself, putting both of them on the LAN (with the Selsius Conference Bridge feature enabled, for example) caused the H323cce error.

Now, we were finally able to make both an ISDN call and a LAN call without any interference. We viewed the video of both calls - the ISDN video display was only slightly less clear than the LAN video display, although the frame rate for LAN calls was much faster. While the video ran a little slower than real time and it sometimes took a few seconds for the remote screen to display, it was proficient by video conferencing standards for a camera in this price range. We tested audio as well and could hear and understand each other without much difficulty.

One other feature we tested was application sharing. We tried to share Microsoft Word, but we were unable to share the application by pressing the Intel icon that appeared next to the minimize button on every application that could be shared. However, we were able to share Microsoft Word when doing it through Microsoft NetMeeting, which basically offered the same functionality. We assumed that using the icon did not work because of the NetMeeting 2.11 beta we were using.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
There really is not much we would change about the Intel Video System 500 without forcing the price of the camera to increase exponentially. Since the system is now compatible with Windows 98, there are only a few suggestions left to make. First, it would be nice to be able to zoom in and out with the camera. Second, the audio would probably improve with the addition of the G.729 or G.729A codec standard. And last, the GUI could have had an option to enlarge the local screen while in a call conference.

CONCLUSION
For business video conferencing, the Intel ProShare Video System 500 version 5.1 is a quality product. Its nifty user interface, easy installation, and well-rounded feature set make it a sensible selection for our Editors' Choice Award.