Image via CrunchBase
No question I fall into the category of early adopter. I've been using video for as long as there has been the possibility. CuSeeMe, SightSpeed (former client-exited to Logitech) and of course, Skype. Let's look past the deal with Comcast, which is being powered by Technicolor. Instead let's look at it from a more "personal" perspective.
A few weeks back I was fortunate to inherit a wonderful Samsung DLP 72" monitor that was able to find a home in my living room, the same way some people adopt pets. So, yesterday, after locating a Logitech HD Webcam I connected it to the new MacMini from Apple and pumped up the volume and made a call. A Skype video call, well, actually two and you know what. Skype in my living room has just made it my favorite room in the house.
Today the temproary blinds go up on the sky-lights until the remote control blinds can be installed, you see I'm in a sunny part of the country, and whe the sun shines, it makes it hard to see the screen, but when it's dark, WOW.
But it's not just Skype that will be taking up my screen. Services like Citrix Online's GoToMeeting now supports HD Video. Six party HD video. My client, Counterpath has Bria, and Bria, which is getting installed next on the MacMini works flawlessly with my other client, Telesphere's new Video Connect service (which I have an account for–it's my Telesphere phone account) and that means calls come in, you guessed it, to my TV which is really now one giant work station as either voice or video. Neat huh.
But it's not just the services from clients and clients' partners that makes all this happen for the early adopter. As a matter of fact just about anyone can do it. All you need are:
- Big Bandwidth-my cable provider delivers me 50-90 megs down and a steady 6 megs up
- Big processor-the Mac Mini, like the newer Mac Book Pros are running processers in the 2+ gigahertz range. Even my new MacBook Air can handle it, but just don't run too many apps or you'll drain the processor
- Better web cams-between Logitech and client Freetalk, the HD webcams for the living room are far better, and with beam forming mics the audio is as clear as if the person on the other end was sitting in your living room.
Tomorrow a large portion of my team will be "sitting" with me in my San Diego home office, while a few others are viewing and participating in what will be a regular thing. Virtual face to face meetings that will replace the faceless conference call. With video calling in the living room, or the conference room available for so little money, you have to wonder why people are waiting?
