What equipment is required?

GP2U can facilitate video conference connections via Skype, VCoIP (H323 and SIP) or VCoISDN. We expect the majority of Telehealth consultations will be facilitated by software products, running on personal computers. Companies such as Lifesize, Polycom, Skype, Spranto and Vidyo all produce impressive video conferencing software. While there is no doubt that dedicated teleconference equipment performs admirably, the reality is that picture and sound quality only really correlate directly with the speed of the connection. In our testing, excellent sound and picture quality was easily achieved with readily available desktop/laptop computers and broadband Internet using virtually any of the many available software solutions. A high quality webcam, good quality speakers and microphone (or a headset) are also required.

Patients without broadband Internet access should be able to participate in Telehealth video conferences at their GP's surgery, or other suitable locations within their local area, such as the many existing hardware video conferencing facilities.

What is Skype?

Skype is a company that's been at the leading edge of Internet Telephony for many years. Just as "to Google" has become synonymous with the idea of searching the Internet, "to Skype" someone has become synonymous with Internet Telephony. Using Skype's software, anyone with a personal computer and broadband Internet can voice talk, or full screen video conference, with anyone else who is similarly equipped. You will find more information about Skype in our Skype FAQ

What is VCoIP (H323 and SIP)?

VCoIP is short for Video Conferencing over Internet Protocol. While browsing the Internet you may, from time to time, have seen "raw" Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. They look like this: 12.345.678.90. An IP address is the Internet's version of a postal address or a telephone number. It's a unique identifier for a specific location. Most dedicated hardware video conference equipment uses VCoIP in conjunction with the H323 or SIP protocols.

You may be asking yourself the question, how is that different from Skype? The answer is that from the technological point of view it's not really any different. There are however significant differences when you look at cost, availability, accessibility, etc.

Traditionally VCoIP has been dominated by dedicated hardware solutions, however the current trend has seen all the major hardware manufacturers offer software versions of their products.

What is VCoISDN?

VCoISDN is short for Video Conferencing over Integrated Services Digital Network. Equipment using ISDN has a telephone number on an expensive dedicated line. For many years this was the way in which video conferences were conducted, however this connection technology is rapidly being superseded by IP based products.