News from VTAS
JANET Video Services User Requirements Survey 26/11/2009
We have recently conducted a user requirements survey as part of the JANET Videoconferencing Strategic Review. We would like to thank everyone who took part in this survey - your responses will be used to ensure future developments in this area meet the requirements of our users. The results of this survey will be published on the Review page once they are available.
H.239 data sharing is now always enabled 12/10/2009
The JANET Videoconferencing Service (JVCS) has made a change to the default settings for conference bookings. When you book or launch a videoconference through the JVCS Booking Service, the Content Channel (H.239), which provides dual image transmission to allow the simultaneous display from a camera and a presentation source, will now be automatically enabled.
This provides a number of benefits including:
- no need to remember to enable the Content Channel (H.239) if you are planning to share a presentation
- removes a compatibility issue at present on the MCU infrastructure causing some studios to have difficulties when H.239 is not enabled.
If you would like to disable the Content Channel (H.239) on a conference, please speak to the JVCS Operators on +44 (0)131 650 4933 or via email vidconf@jvcs.ja.net.
JANET Videoconferencing Strategic Review 17/08/2009
Information about the three key project areas (SIP, Data and Application Sharing, Gatekeepers and Addressing) currently under review is available here.
Videoconferencing Endpoint Interoperability with JVCS 14/08/2009
It has come to our attention that some organisations have been experiencing difficulties in multisite conferences with JVCS because of interoperability issues between their endpoint equipment and JVCS multipoint control units (MCUs).
Videoconferencing equipment manufacturers undertake a continual development programme to introduce new features and to ensure maximum interoperability between endpoints and MCUs from a wide range of manufacturers. To ensure optimum interoperability, software/firmware updates are regularly released for both endpoint and MCU systems.
Keeping videoconferencing equipment under a maintenance contract will ensure that cost effective access to software/firmware updates is available from endpoint manufacturers. Some manufacturers charge a recertification fee if maintenance is allowed to lapse, and therefore waiting for a problem to occur before paying for maintenance can be very expensive. Often, the first thing a manufacturer will request, irrespective of the nature of the problem, is that endpoints are upgraded to the latest version of software before they will investigate an issue. Some manufacturers do not charge for software updates.
If software/firmware updates are allowed to lapse, this may result in interoperability issues between your endpoint and the JVCS MCUs (in addition to other endpoints). Also, using out-of-date software/firmware may compromise system security at organisations.
Before upgrading, it is worth reviewing the software release notes. These are useful for indicating what is fixed, what remains a problem, whether it's a major or maintenance release, and some compatibility info. If you have a number of the same systems, it is also good practice to upgrade one or two systems first and then test thoroughly, before upgrading all the rest.
JVCS MCUs are updated with new and fully tested software/firmware releases to ensure that we can introduce new service features, deliver interoperability with new endpoints and maintain the security of JVCS.