One issue that my business struggles with on a daily basis is video communication. Simply put, there is no perfect solution out there that even covers the majority of needs. Here, let me explain.
With our business, we talk to clients, contractors, and various other businesspeople of all stripes:
- Deaf contractors with iChat or VP
- Hearing contractors via VRS, AIM, Email, or Text Message
- Deaf businesses via VP
- Hearing people at deaf-related businesses via VP
When I use the word “VP” though, that includes the whole spectrum of videophone solutions, namely:
- Hardware-based videophones like the VPAD, VP-200, Z-340, etc.
- Softphones like the z4 or P3
- Web-based softphones like Convo Anywhere
So with any given contact with our business, we might be talking via iChat, FaceTime, AIM, email, text message, directly via VP, indirectly via VRS, or sometimes even using other video services like OoVoo or Skype.
We are going to get a small office space soon, and wanted ONE video solution to sit in the corner so that we could advertise one number or IP that people can easily reach us. But out of the bewildering array of solutions above, which to pick? None of the solutions are that great by themselves. We also need the following things:
- Ability to have more than one person in front of the product comfortably
- Use modern standards (like SIP) and modern video codecs for high quality video. Blockiness or low resolution is not acceptable.
- Phone number and proven interoperability with most videophones. I know this conflicts with modern standards like SIP; I would be willing to give up some interoperability for modernness though.
- Some kind of ringing alert (flashing lights or ability to add-on some kind of flashing alert)
- Point-to-point capability (call anyone you want)
- Bonus: HD quality
- Bonus: Multipoint (more than one person)
- Bonus: ability to switch inputs to display various things, such as a presentation, a computer screen, etc.
My dream solution is one that is high definition, uses modern standards like SIP, and can do multipoint.
Let’s take care of the obvious suggestions first:
Hardware-based
- VP-200. The grandaddy of them all — We are disgusted by its reliance on TV, the lockdown in the hardware (preventing us from easily tweaking settings), lack of technological progress in the last four years, and the practices of the parent company, Sorenson. H323, which the VP-200 uses, is ancient.
- VPAD. It was a good choice a few years ago before Viable folded, but now has two distinct problems. The hardware is prone to fail (out of five VPADs that we have, three are falling apart already). No significant development seems to be being made on the software anymore; SnapVRS seems to be just keeping the status quo.
Software-based
- Z4 from ZVRS. Buggy software, awkward user interface. Works in a pinch but is not great as a standalone and permanent VP solution.
- P3 from Purple. Same.
- iChat/FaceTime — we will probably set these up on a kiosk anyway for Mac-based communication, but this can’t be a primary videophone just yet. Our fingers are crossed though for the future.
I know I don’t include a lot of hardware based products above, and that’s where you come in. I’m interested in hearing ideas and opinions from deaf people who work, especially entrepreneurs and business owners. What works for your business? What video phone products have actually worked well for you?
