About videoconferencing at IU

Several options are available at Indiana University for video- and audio-enabled meetings and real-time online collaboration, including videoconferencing and client- or web-based meeting software.

On this page:

Videoconferencing in meeting rooms

At IU, most H.323 compliant (video conferencing) hardware and software are supported. Polycom and Tandberg systems are the recommended stand-alone H.323 solution.

To find conference rooms at IU equipped with H.323 hardware, see Search Videoconference Rooms.

To reserve a videoconferencing system or schedule a videoconference, see the Scheduling Videoconferences page. Typically, you will use Microsoft Outlook to reserve a video conference room. For help, see the instructions for Outlook 2007, Outlook 2003 and earlier, or OWA.

Video- and audio-enabled meetings from your desktop

Desktop videoconferencing allows you to participate in video- and audio-enabled meetings from your computer.

To participate in an H.323 video conference from your desktop computer, you will need:

Desktop videoconferencing hardware and software installed on your computer
Note: UITS recommends using Polycom PVX for Windows; see Purchasing videoconferencing equipment at IU If you need to use a Mac, see Desktop videoconferencing using XMeeting
Audio capabilities (e.g., a sound card and speakers)
A reliable high-bandwidth network connection
A standard USB webcam (e.g., the Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000)

For help setting up the software, see Polycom PVX: Installation Guide or XMeeting setup guide, or call 812-856-2020.

Video Bridge and multipoint conferencing

Multipoint conferencing involves three or more participants. Three types of multipoint conferencing are available: Video Bridge, Ad Hoc, and Private Conferences. These must take place on a video conferencing bridge. More information about multipoint conferences is available from Digital Media Network Services.

Client- and web-based meeting software

Live Meeting

With Microsoft Office Live Meeting, you can meet online with small or large groups of participants. Live Meeting allows participants to share and interact with content such as shared files. At IU, Live Meeting is distributed with Office Communicator as part of the UniCom service. For more, see Getting started with Live Meeting.

Note: Live Meeting is not standard H.323 compliant software, and will not connect directly to H.323 machines or software.

Connect Meeting Service

IU's Connect Meeting Service (formerly called the IU Breeze Meeting Service) offers a central web-based conferencing and collaboration environment based on Adobe's Connect Enterprise Server software. With Connect Meeting, people can access a virtual meeting room through the web and collaborate online on shared content without installing videoconference software.

Note: Connect Meeting is not standard H.323 compliant software, and will not connect directly to H.323 machines or software.

Getting help

For help with Indiana University streaming and videoconferencing services, call 812-856-2020 or send email to Video Conferencing Support. For more, see Digital Media Network Services.