[OPLINTECH] OPLIN and Video Services

[OPLIN Support Center]

This announcement has been posted to several lists.  Our apologies for
any duplication.

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OPLIN and Video Services

 

At its February 13th meeting, the OPLIN Board voted to discontinue the
underwriting of multipoint video scheduling services for public
libraries.  Because we have been out of contract for several months now,
the impact of this decision is that we will discontinue scheduling
multipoint video conferences immediately.  Conferences already scheduled
will go on as scheduled, but we will schedule no more conferences.

 

The Board believes that multipoint scheduling services are not a
cost-effective use of OPLIN's resources for several reasons:

 

*         Costs continue to be high.  The commitment we would have to
make to continue is double what we have been paying (with limited use),
or three times what we have been paying (for unlimited use).

*         Usage continues to be low.  Even at current rates, each
conference costs thousands of dollars.

*         Implementation has been slow.  A very small percentage of
libraries have video units, and that number is not growing.

*         Almost half of the units that do participate are not in
individual public libraries, but in state or regional offices.  The
service was intended to benefit libraries.

 

In other words, demand is low and costs are high, which is not a good
value equation.

 

When public libraries began to implement video over IP (or H.323 video,
or Internet video) a few years ago, OPLIN sponsored the multipoint
scheduling or "gateway" services.  We did this to encourage usage, and
did not want fees for gateway services (usually a monthly fee whether
the service is used or not) to be a barrier to participation during a
time when it was uncertain what sort of content would be created for
video.

 

Libraries with interactive video units can contact any other unit
point-to-point over the Internet with no intervention.  Much of the
usage of video has been point-to-point in this manner, and has been used
for meetings and discussions.  There are some notable exceptions.  Kent
State SLIS's distance learning program has been highly successful, and
the gateway services for that have been and will continue to be provided
under the university banner.  OPLIN's decision will not impact that
program.  There have also been a few excellent CE programs involving
multiple points.  We hope the providers will explore other options and
continue to explore ways to use the technology effectively.

 

Libraries that wish to use gateway services have a number of options:

 

*         DAS Network Services is adding H.323 and full scheduling
services to its gateway services.  That service is $325 per month per
certified unit.  You can find more information at
http://das.ohio.gov/itsd/telecom/vid.htm  H.323 (IP) support is not yet
listed but all other information applies.  They expect to have IP video
service official in the next few weeks. 

*         Dataserv has offered the services to their customers in the
past.  They are currently not working directly with individual schools
and libraries for gateway services.  However, they expect that situation
to be temporary.  No cost data is available.  For information you could
call them at 800-276-6564. 

*         OARnet provides Kent State's services.  Our impression is that
they generally fold gateway services into their network services to the
universities that use video.   

 

For its part, OPLIN will continue to configure library network services
for video Quality of Service, prioritizing video traffic when in use.
We will ourselves continue to use video in point-to-point mode and will
explore streaming and archiving in the coming months.

 

OPLIN Support Center

support at oplin.org

614-728-5252

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