Netmeeting Video Freezes Momentarily

[Mark Z.]

I'm using Netmeeting 3.01 in a conference call between
two Windows XP computers with a high-speed broadband
connection. During the session, the video will freeze
unexpectedly for about 30 seconds, then resume as normal.
This happens periodically and at random (from every few
minutes to every 45 minutes). The problem seems to be
cumulative in nature; the video seems to freeze more
frequently with time. Rebooting the system does appear to
help, but I'm not certain of this yet.

I have Comcast Cable (3000kbps down/256 kbps up) on one
computer and Speakeasy DSL (4500kbps down/ 650 kbps up)
on the other. The network bandwidth settings in
Netmeeting are set to "Cable, xDSL or ISDN." There are no
programs running in the background that would interfere.

I'm wondering if the extremely fast DSL connection is
somehow overwhelming the cable connection.

Any ideas?

Mark

[Brian Sullivan MVP]

Post by Mark Z.
I'm using Netmeeting 3.01 in a conference call between
two Windows XP computers with a high-speed broadband
connection. During the session, the video will freeze
unexpectedly for about 30 seconds, then resume as normal.
This happens periodically and at random (from every few
minutes to every 45 minutes). The problem seems to be
cumulative in nature; the video seems to freeze more
frequently with time. Rebooting the system does appear to
help, but I'm not certain of this yet.
I have Comcast Cable (3000kbps down/256 kbps up) on one
computer and Speakeasy DSL (4500kbps down/ 650 kbps up)
on the other. The network bandwidth settings in
Netmeeting are set to "Cable, xDSL or ISDN." There are no
programs running in the background that would interfere.
I'm wondering if the extremely fast DSL connection is
somehow overwhelming the cable connection.
Any ideas?

My suspicion would be a busy router somewhere in the transfer chain.

What size video are you using? My general recommendation is to run with
medium size video both ways and use the 28.8 bandwidth setting. The
bandwidth setting affects only the codec chosen for audio and since audio by
design has priority using codec that needs less bandwidth should allow more
bandwidth for video.

Generally the large video setting/higher bandwidth audio codec should only
be used on intra LAN connections.

[Mark Z.]

I need to use the large size video for what I'm doing
(collaborative learning with piano instruction). I opted
to set it to medium and double the window size to 200%
and that seems to help a lot. The movements are more
smooth and audio is better quality. However the video is
more pixilated (always a trade-off!. Higher quality video
helps me to see finger positions, locations, etc.

Do you know of any conferencing software besides
netmeeting? I know there's XP messenger, but I understand
from your website that the conference window cannot be
resized.

Mark

-----Original Message-----

Post by Mark Z.
I'm using Netmeeting 3.01 in a conference call between
two Windows XP computers with a high-speed broadband
connection. During the session, the video will freeze
unexpectedly for about 30 seconds, then resume as

normal.

Post by Mark Z.
This happens periodically and at random (from every few
minutes to every 45 minutes). The problem seems to be
cumulative in nature; the video seems to freeze more
frequently with time. Rebooting the system does appear

to

Post by Mark Z.
help, but I'm not certain of this yet.
I have Comcast Cable (3000kbps down/256 kbps up) on one
computer and Speakeasy DSL (4500kbps down/ 650 kbps up)
on the other. The network bandwidth settings in
Netmeeting are set to "Cable, xDSL or ISDN." There are

no

Post by Mark Z.
programs running in the background that would

interfere.

Post by Mark Z.
I'm wondering if the extremely fast DSL connection is
somehow overwhelming the cable connection.
Any ideas?

My suspicion would be a busy router somewhere in the

transfer chain.

What size video are you using? My general recommendation

is to run with

medium size video both ways and use the 28.8 bandwidth

setting. The

bandwidth setting affects only the codec chosen for

audio and since audio by

design has priority using codec that needs less

bandwidth should allow more

bandwidth for video.
Generally the large video setting/higher bandwidth audio

codec should only

be used on intra LAN connections.
--
Brian Sullivan
Meeting by Wire ( http://www.meetingbywire.com)
------------
Is your PC protected? --
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp
.

[Brian Sullivan MVP]

Post by Mark Z.
I need to use the large size video for what I'm doing
(collaborative learning with piano instruction). I opted
to set it to medium and double the window size to 200%
and that seems to help a lot. The movements are more
smooth and audio is better quality. However the video is
more pixilated (always a trade-off!. Higher quality video
helps me to see finger positions, locations, etc.
Do you know of any conferencing software besides
netmeeting? I know there's XP messenger, but I understand
from your website that the conference window cannot be
resized.

Yes - Messenger would not be a good choice for your situation from the
sounds of it.

Ivisit (www.ivisit.com ) might be an option but I suspect the limitation
will still be end to end bandwidth -- the large size video just requires
more bandwidth than your end to end connection will deliver.

As I said before changing the bandwidth setting to 28.8 might buy a little
extra. Good lighting, neutral clothing, minimizing visual background
clutter, minimizing movements might help -- enough to get by. But the
problem is that no matter what the isp says is the "connection speed" it is
always considerably higher than the actual sustainable end to end available
bandwidth.