Bruce pointed out to me the recent gnhlug-org discussions on video conferencing
(I'm not on the org list). As I've explored that a bit before, I thought that I'd
add in my own two cents.
Probably the oldest and most stable video support under Linux is for BTTV cards
under video4linux (http://www.metzlerbros.de/bttv.html). There are other drivers
(http://roadrunner.swansea.uk.linux.org/v4l.shtml) and other projects (such as
GATOS), but bttv/v4l is definitely the most popular. However, it has been my
experience that Linux software has been limited to tv tuning, video display, and
video capture. I wasn't aware of any video conferencing tools that have a Linux
video client.
Doing what anyone would expect, I checked out freshmeat. I turned up VIC
(http://www-mice.cs.ucl.ac.uk/multimedia/software/vic/). I appears to support video
conferencing on Linux using video4linux (with a bttv card recommended, of course).
I can't vouch for the software, but it sounds intriguing, and would be interested in
hearing about it if anyone has the hardware to check it out.
Bruce McCulley wrote:
> Bob, don't know if you are monitoring the GNHLUG org discussions about
> the LBS, but since you just posted knowledgeably about the TV tuner card
> discussion I wanted to make sure you'd seen this. Thx. --lbm
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: [LBS] Video conf. company (?)
> Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 10:16:29 -0400
> From: Bruce McCulley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: Benjamin Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> References: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> Is there an Ethernet connection in the Conference Room? We just had a discussion
> of TV Tuner cards, I'd expect there must be some sort of video capture and replay
> (a/k/a video conferencing?) software that runs under Linux? We've got two or
> three days, what's the problem? :-)
>
> BTW, I have a fancy video card (Raffles?) that came in the home PC, haven't tried
> it with Linux but if it will help I can make it available. Doubt I can spend any
> time on the project though, at least not before Friday. I'd suggest we consider
> the hard-cabled VCR setup the design center, and the video conference software a
> dark horse to be investigated as/if time permits, what do others think?
>
> --Bruce McCulley
>
> PS - if it comes down to stringing fifty feet of coax, we were talking about
> paperclips and duct tape Monday nite, for this one I'd start by trying to suspend
> it from the drop ceiling with paper clips rather than running it over the
> ceiling...
>
> PPS - we still might want to string 50' of ethernet even if we do the video
> conferencing just to keep it on a private segment.
>
> Benjamin Scott wrote:
>
> > On Wed, 26 Apr 2000, Jerry Kubeck wrote:
> > > Can someone bring a TV and a vcr?
> >
> > I can bring a VCR, but my TV is only a 19-inch model, not very big.
> >
> > Maybe we could look into using a video projector?
> >
> > > We found out yesterday that the school had no means to doing an actual
> > > broadcast to another room with their equipment.
> >
> > All we need is fifty feet of RCA A/V cable. We can get it at Wal-Mart if
> > the school doesn't have it. It'll go from the camera's output (hopefully it
> > has one?) to the input on the back of the VCR. Then the VCR sends the signal
> > to the TV. We can simply toss the cable over the wall, above the suspended
> > ceiling.
> >
> > --
> > Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > Net Technologies, Inc. <http://www.ntisys.com>
> > Voice: (800)905-3049 x18 Fax: (978)499-7839
--
Bob Bell Compaq Computer Corporation
Software Engineer 110 Spit Brook Rd - ZKO3-3U/14
TruCluster Group Nashua, NH 03062-2698
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 603-884-0595
