Even some of the fastest connections can fail to deliver a broadcast-quality video, generally considered to be 30 frames per second. The Ohio prison system uses videoconferencing to examine inmates and even at the partial T1 speed of 768Kbps tolerates minor latency. Latency worsens as bandwidth declines. On a 28.8Kbps modem, Microsoft's NetMeeting software delivers a small picture between three and seven frames per second, says Lead Product Manager for NetMeeting Brent Ethington. Conn. Picture quality aside, connections can falter.
Most users keep technicians on hand to make sure video links work smoothly.
Many users experience difficulty purchasing ISDN lines. And now for the good news. Furthermore, the ITU has also approved a standard that prescribes data and application sharing over videoconferencing systems. This T.120 standard means viewers can swap data over their video screens regardless of which software program they run. And finally, video is benefiting from the infrastructure upgrades that many companies have implemented to support ambitious data projects.