Audio, Video and Web Conferencing Services
Conferencing hardware and software systems allow you to communicate and collaborate using voice and video. Some tools include features such as shared white boards, chat and moderated question-and-answer sessions. We support a variety of services to meet different needs. If you have questions about conferencing services after reviewing this material, contact the OIT Service Desk to request a consultation with OIT's Interactive Technology Services group, or contact your local school/departmental IT professional.
Since there are so many options, we've created some conferencing grids to provide an overview to the different services.
| Audio, Text & Web Conferencing |
Video Conferencing & TelePresence |
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You can also use the links below to find out more detailed information about the different conferencing options.
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Video conferencing
Cisco TelePresence
Combining state-of-the-art high definitation video, spacial audio and simple controls, Cisco TelePresence offers a sense of having your collaborators in the room with you, even when you are separated by great distances. Cisco TelePresence locations are managed by the staffs of the individual school or deparment staff. There are currently no publically bookable Cisco TelePresence systems.
Visit our Cisco TelePresence page for more information on:
- Purchasing and installing Cisco TelePresence systems
- Multi-participant Cisco conferences
- Connecting traditional video conference and Cisco TelePresence systems (Interop Service)
Hardware Video Conferencing
Traditional hardware-based video conferencing services (also known as IP video conferencing or H.323 video conferencing) are managed by school and department IT staffs. OIT does not offer any publically available video conferencing locations. If you wish to connect to more than two participants using traditional video conferencing systems, Duke University has created a virtual conference room service for ad hoc video conferences and made arrangements with MCNC to provide monitored bridging services for scheduled video confernences. For more information, visit our video conferencing page.
Software Video Conferencing (Cisco Movi)
Using your personal computer camera and microphone, Cisco Movi allows you to communicate to other Cisco Movi clients, most traditional hardware-based video conferencing systems, and even Cisco TelePresence Interop sessions (see above). Your local school or department IT/media professional can help by performing the initial computer setup and providing ongoing support. For more information on this service and a list of schools and departments in the Cisco Movi program, visit the Desktop Video Conferencing page. If your school or department is not listed, please complete this interest form to learn how your school or department can participate.
Personal Video Conferencing
Tools like Skype and iChat are useful for quick meetings between two people, including chat and screen-sharing. Because they are easy to use and often free, You can usually aquire these tools and learn to use them on your own.
Web Conferencing
While web conferencing solutions don't offer the same high-quality audio and video as the video conferencing services described above, they do provide additional collaboration tools such as white boards, chat, remote screen control and moderated Q&A. They are often used for webcasts, where one person presents to hundreds of viewers without the need for special software or hardware. We support Adobe Connect for web conferencing, and you'll find information about many other solutions on our web conferencing page.
Audio Conferencing
Audio conferencing (or teleconferencing) puts many people together on a single telephone call. There are free and paid services available with different features. Find information on audio conferencing services on our audio conferencing tools page.