Video conference system for families living in different cou

[Michael.j2ee]

I have got idea from the situation I am now in. I live in the US while my family is located in Europe. Many times I was thinking that it would be so nice to have a dinner with my parents from time to time. But the problem is that I they are so far away from me, 8 hours to fly across the Atlantic. So here is my idea... There are video conference systems which are widely used in business. Why not to use them to be in touch with parents and relatives living in other countries?

Technically it looks as follows. One of the existing video conference systems is installed in my apartment in the US and in the apartment of my parents in Europe. It must be a big monitor in a living room, video camera and a loud-speaking system that allows you to talk from any place of the room. This will creates an effect of physical presence - you can see and hear your family members all the time while you are in the room. It means that you can chat, have dinner or just spend time together with your family.

There might be expensive or affordable solutions based on one of the existing video conference system and Internet connection. The company that provides this service will specifically market it as a system for people who live away from their families. There also will be delivery and support of this service in different countries and in different languages.

The technology behind this idea is well known and widely used but it mostly targets business/corporate clients. Nobody markets this service at this angle.


One more thought...

I don't want to use a PC to provide this service. There are a lot of systems like that when you use a computer, you can use Skype or any other system, even for free.

The disadvantage of this is that you have to have your computer turned on. But, my mother, for example, doesn't know how to use a computer at all.

My idea is to provide service that will be as simple as TV. You come home, press a button and can see, talk and spend time with your family that is far away from you.



I appreciate your comments and suggestion regarding my idea.

Thank you,

michael.j2ee@gmail.com

[MississippiInventor]

1) How much will someone pay for the service?


2.1) What costs are involved on the business end?
2.2) What percent on top of that do you think you deserve as profit?


3) How many people will sign up for the service?


These three will give you a rough estimate of the value of your idea.

use the equation below with respect to the questions above to figure out the value of your idea.
((1 - (2.1 + 2.2)) X 3)

You have alread identified major problems for your idea -- you have competition that is free! Computers are easy to hook to televisions, and it is becoming easier at very fast rate.

(For free stuff other than skype, look up NetMeeting if you have Windows XP.)


The video conferencing systems do a poor job of creating the feel of a physical presence.

Even high dollar systems with dedicated internet bandwidth and extremely nice tracking video cameras do a poor job, especially for long distance runs. I have the experienced the disappointing performance of some of these systems on our campus.

Video can not recreate the connection felt when in the same room with another person.

Step 1, Quickly and roughly calculate the cost of the system you propose.
Step 2, Compare that with what you think someone will pay and the cost of your current compeition.
Step 3, Go / No-Go.

[GT Bulmer]

Hi, Michael:

I think this is a great concept and definitely the wave of the future.

Of course, the idea isn't entirely new. One of my favourite writers, Isaac Asimov, wrote aout this "trimensional" method of communication back in the 1950s (maybe earlier).

However, we now have the technology to make it practical, economical and experientially satisfying.

The audio/visual components exist. The Internet makes transmission simple, cheap and immediate. And if it doesn't already exist, a simple "switch box" can be programmed to turn the system on and connect to the Internet at the flip of a switch (like a modem) so anybody can use it without any technical knowledge. The user should then be able to speed-dial the desired person or persons to connect with and once they "answer" the system at their end, it's a go!

With Asimov's system, each person has a dedicated communications room and if you want, you can make each person's room identical, along with a wall-to-wall screen at one end. Then, when you connect, it gives the appearance that you are on opposite sides of the same room. You can walk around, or whatever. If you had a little wireless mic and ear bud, you could even leave the room and continue talking.

Again, I think it is a concept who's time has come! We need someone to get the ball rolling on this: go for it!

GT

[JBunion]

I hate to be the devil's advocate, but let me say that webcams have served this purpose for the most recent portion of modern history. We do not have to spend any additional money on 'specific' services to have teleconferencing with familes, friends, or business associates. However, to suggest that we can have anything else over satellite or other connections would be arrogant because webcams nowadays are very high quality. Likewise, VOIP provides free communications (through providers like SKYPE) where international long distance fees are no longer an issue. I think there may be a market however for integrating it ALL into a nicely packaged suite that is affordable and provides 'fun' extras that families may do together, but being so far away cannot do with one another. Good luck with your venture!

[Michael.j2ee]

Hi!

Here is more comprehensive description of my idea:
http://videoconferencingforfamiliesabroad.blogspot.com/

I was thinking of using Polycom equipment, which is quite expensive though.
Less expansive solution can be based on a videophone device connected to a TV and a web camera.

This service will be on demand by people from other countries who live and work in the US. Some of them, for example, high qualified workers can definitely afford it.

There are a lot of companies that currently provide videoconferencing, I was thinking to start with reselling one of the existing services targeting specific customers.

I appreciate any comments and advices regarding this.

Thank you
michael.ntcp@gmail.com

[TannyL]

Hi Michael,
So, you DO want to base this on a computer.

It looks very expansive, and I don't know if it will work when you have other cheaper and free possibilities.

We have conference calls with my mother in low, she knows nothing about computers, but the PC is on all the time and she just have to click once to answer.

If you buy a computer + Modem + paying for service it will be cheaper. and there are already video conference avialable on cell phone, so you just have to connect it to a big screen.

Just me thinking.

[TannyL]

Thank you yuio709o for spamming the forum with text from my favorite book.

[mbrand2222]

I'm going out on a limb here, but would it be possible to actually have a satellite channel that would be dedicated to this very usage? You would attach the webcam and some converter device to your family t.v. and it would have everything it needed to convert the talking into sound as well. Maybe someone else already mentioned this. I don't understand a lot about IT equipment and capabilities but it sounded like you would really just like to have them use their current t.v. and then all the cost would just be in the converter/webcam portion.