Overview

Since 1967, IHETS has provided consortium members—and their affiliated educational and public sector partners including K-12 schools, public libraries, public broadcasting, and state government—with video services.

As new, emerging technologies have been introduced over the years, IHETS has researched and adopted the most powerful, cost-effective technologies for serving members.

NEW! Spring 2008: IHETS has introduced high resolution IP video conferencing capability that can provide a higher quality learning experience when used with appropriate endpoint equipment.  New possible learning uses of video conferencing can now include the fields of biology, architecture, and other resolution-sensitive applications.

How does video conferencing work?

A video conference is a two-way virtual "meeting" in which participants use software and hardware to see, hear, communicate, and collaborate. It allows individuals at geographically distant locations to interact in real-time with full-motion video and audio.

Two video conferencing sites can interact "face-to-face” or join a call with several other sites in a virtual meeting room. Audio is provided through special equipment, the telephone, or a PC. The conference is transmitted via video codecs at both ends linked by digital circuits.

IHETS uses a software-based IP video bridge from Click to Meet to manage the consortium's video conferencing needs. The Click to Meet conference client must be installed in order for members to participate in video conferencing.

Accessing a video conference from a PC or receive site

Two-way IP video conferencing, both live and archived, can also be delivered to and accessed at more than 250 sites across the state. IHETS certifies and registers members interested in becoming video conferencing receive site endpoints.

Getting started

If you are new to video conferencing, please explore the tutorials and tips we've developed to help you get started. Should you encounter technical terms or phrases that are unfamiliar, consult our technology fundamentals glossary.

Scheduling a video conference

Scheduling a video conference is easy from our menu-driven Web interface. When possible, scheduling requests should be submitted two weeks prior to the meeting date. There is a maximum capacity of 36 participants.

NOTE: Receive site staff may be aware that Polycom, a major manufacturer and supplier of codecs, has developed a new line of codecs and is phasing out older products. Those using Polycom equipment may be interested in Evaluation of IP/ISDN Video Conferencing Equipment. This UKERNA report provides objective information on several codecs and compares audio and video protocols across bandwidths ranging from 128 kbps to 4Mbps (the bandwidth required for high-quality video and audio is diminishing, although in some cases it is still substantial).

Need more information?

For general questions about IHETS video conferencing services, please e-mail dms@ihets.org. For more specific questions, contact:

George Khazal
Digital media services consultant
Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS)
714 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3112
Phone: 317.263.8870
E-mail