When either party starts a NetMeeting session, the software automatically launches NetMeeting on the remote site if the software is not automatically running. The Zydacron software, as is the case with most desktop videoconferencing products, is configured to send data automatically through the ISDN network connection. On the videophone, NetMeeting is initiated on the attached PC or laptop just like any other Windows application. With the videophone, however, after NetMeeting is running, a NetMeeting call must be placed to inform the software to send its output direct to the computer serial port. Data conferencing has negligible effect on the audio and video quality.
Most systems allow the user to set a maximum bandwidth for the data channel.
The T.120 application uses the maximum allowable during file transfers and screen updates, but between times uses practically none of the bandwidth, leaving those resources to the video stream. NetMeeting supports four types of collaboration, each enabled by a button in the toolbar. Whatever is written by either conference participant shows up on the other participants screen. Whiteboards can be saved by either party at any time for future reference. A second button opens a chat board window.