Both provide a 128Kbs remote uplinks. Students all over the state will be able to talk, live, to real people doing real things - a drawbridge operator, an archeologist in the field or OHSU researchers. It provides live, talk-back television. Only 1 or 2 people are required for remote operations. Webcasts from the teleconferencing room require no operators.
Viewers switch cameras, eliminating camera operators.
Microwave relays, satellite trucks and cabling requirements are eliminated. No custom installation is required. No special skills are needed to use or view the webcast.