For Immediate Release
April 1, 2004
Siemon Helps Education Market Prepare for the Latest Videoconferencing Technologies
WATERTOWN, CT - Recent advancements in technology have brought videoconferencing from its jerky infancy to a viable and mature product, and the education sector has been quick to take advantage of the opportunities this offers.
New developments such as Video on Demand (VOD), digitized video, interactive video, streaming video, real-time audio/video and electronic whiteboards are opening up opportunities for schools, colleges and universities in ways that were just not possible a year or two ago. In contrast with earlier technology, Video over IP transmissions are scalable, cost effective and very flexible because they allow video signals to be captured, digitized, streamed and managed over IP networks.
Carrie Higbie, Global Network Applications Market Manager for Siemon, a technology leader of network cabling solutions, explains, "In its early days, videoconferencing technology had restrictions on usage costs and users had to maintain dedicated equipment in a single location. In contrast, IP-based services allow the conference to be initiated from any PC on the network that has the proper equipment. The signals travel over the network infrastructure and equipment, eliminating the need for dedicated lines and usage charges."
The issue for the education sector is not whether videoconferencing is the best route forward, but whether their existing infrastructure can cope with the additional burdens placed upon it by these technologically advanced products.
Higbie comments, "A solid cabling system foundation with plenty of headroom, bandwidth and capacity will be the single greatest factor in supporting the growing trend of converging IP services. Organizations have placed new applications on their networks, only to realize that the needed bandwidth is not there."
Today's video applications can utilize video compression and video coding technology to reduce bandwidth consumption. Compressed, the feed will consume less resources, but there is a trade-off between compression and video quality. The greater the compression, the greater the chance of pixilation, particularly in congested networks. Compression algorithms were developed to address lack of bandwidth or low speed links. With many of the bandwidth constraints being lifted due to higher speed last mile options, video is more viable and easier to transmit than ever before. Equipment advances are contributing to an increase in IP Video as well. New IP Cameras provide PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) and, in some instances, are powered via the data cable using the new IEEE 802.3ak power over Ethernet standard. The ability to store videos on disk provides faster access and easier rewinding and fast forwarding than traditional video tape.
"The key to success," according to Higbie, "is having a network in excellent working order. Recent advancements in cabling have been made to answer the growing demand for new IP-based applications at speeds up to 10 Gb/s and higher. The latest technology, good planning and installation are essential. Any network is as good or bad as its underlying infrastructure. The total network investment is only protected when installed on a quality cabling system."
Siemon's 10G ip™ next generation cabling system has been developed to handle the added demands of converging applications and provide the quality and security essential for videoconferencing applications. Given the fast pace of technology, a high performance cabling system offers the necessary peace of mind that it can support new and emerging applications such as IP video and videoconferencing.
For more detailed information on the latest videoconferencing technology and details of the industry standards relating to videoconferencing, please refer to Siemon's White Paper 'Video over IP'.
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- About Siemon
- Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specializing in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, with global offices, manufacturing and service partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) category 5e, category 6 (Class E), augmented category 6/category 6A(Class EA) and category 7/7A (Class F/FA), and multimode and singlemode fiber cabling systems available. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, from patch cords to patch panels, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company's long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.
- Press Contact:
- Brian Duval
- Marketing Communication Manager
- Siemon
- 101 Siemon Company Drive
- Watertown, CT 06795
- Phone : (1) 860 945-4380
- Fax : (1) 860 945-8503
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