Summary for IOCOM Visimeet evaluation - a Janet-connected desktop client

Regarding the evaluation of Visimeet, the Janet-connected desktop client, these are the conclusions from our advisers Geoff Constable and Shafiq Latif. The full document can be read by following this link to our library page.

With its easy to use interface, multi-way communications and presence awareness, as well as the ability to inter-work with the Janet videoconferencing system and standards-based equipment, Visimeet combines ‘the best of both worlds’ in that it offers the functions and features of a proprietary product (like Skype) with most of the advantages of a desktop H.323 system.

It has a simple and intuitive interface, with no ‘technical’ configuration necessary, and has useful ‘extras’ like the instant messaging and recording features.

A small niggle is that the data sharing window always starts in a ridiculously small mode. The biggest failing in interworking with H.323 during the VTAS testing was not being able to send data without it replacing the video (speaker) image – in either direction. IOCOM is working on enabling this in the next version of the software.

Also, when H.323 participants conference with a multi-way Visimeet meeting, there is no automatic voice-switching, so if this is not done manually by the visimeet user selecting the appropriate window, the H.323 participant(s) do not always see the person who is currently speaking.. This can be resolved if the videoconference is enabled via the Janet videoconferencing service (which uses an H.323 MCU and performs automatic voice switching).

The software has a different default pricing model to the other desktop videoconferencing systems reviewed in this series, as it is generally by a monthly fee (although free for one-to-one use and as ‘webinar’ recipients). It is also possible to host a licensed version on–site, or purchase the software for a one-off payment (although this is not apparent from the website). With current charging models, some of the other desk-top systems reviewed would be paid for after just four months of using Visimeet. It appears to be a trend that the monthly charge model (instead of a one-off purchase) is becoming more prevalent as videoconferencing becomes a cloud-based service and there are many alternative products that perform the same functions as Visimeet with similar pricing models. What this Janet version of Visimeet has over those others is that it is Janet-connected (its hosted on the Janet network), and it inter-works directly with standards-based equipment (which most clients don’t do).

One extra advantage of the software is that once the user has created an account at IOCOM (which is necessary to download the software), their single registration allows them to download and install the software on all their devices: office PC or Mac; office laptop, Android/iOS phone or tablet. There is also a web-client version of the software which requires no Flash or Java (etc.) installation – this does not include audio or video transmit however. It is also possible to join any meeting by telephone.  This was tested and worked well. The experience for the person on the end of the phone is similar to being in a conference call.

Only limited ad-hoc testing of these versions for other devices was conducted but was generally successful.

Pros:

• Turns a PC into a videoconferencing unit effectively and affordably
• Fully compatible with the Janet videoconferencing system and H.323 endpoints
• Excellent quality High Definition (720p) received
• Quick and easy to call other Visimeet users
• Clean, simple, intuitive user interface.
• Meeting recording facility
• Single sign-in can be used on multiple devices
• Single registered user can invite multiple guests into a meeting

Cons:

• Lack of user control over default bandwidth and call settings
• Did not appear to support data and video simultaneously with H.323 devices
• Not possible to download recorded meetings
• Lower quality audio when conferencing to the Janet videoconferencing system or H.323 clients
• Shared data window is unshared when minimised