• About ERC
• Photography
• Design
• Media Production
• Going Nuts with Macadamia
• Videoconferencing
• Medical Photography System (MPS)
• Web Development
• Gallery
• Cost & timelines
• Staff
• Contact ERC

Service Delivery and Location

Videoconferencing can be conducted using dedicated telephone lines (ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network), secure regional networks (LAN, WAN) or the Internet (IP Internet Protocol).

The ERC videoconferencing unit is a portable Polycom VSX™ 7000s with single site-to-site connection capability.  A bridging company is engaged for multi-point conferences and remote sites can take part using any of the above transmission methods or a combination.

ISDN

There are significant costs associated with using ISDN compared with IP, however the ISDN network connection is far more reliable. There is a line rental fee charged by ERC Media ($15 per hour) and users also incur timed call charges (Telstra) if dialing out to other sites.

For multiple site connection, the host site will incur a per hour bridging fee along with each of the participating sites.  Remote sites connecting using ISDN should be asked to 'dial in' to the bridge so they cover their own call costs. The bridge can dial out to IP connected sites without incurring additional call charges.

There are two areas in the hospital available for videoconferences via ISDN. They are the Ella Latham complex, comprising the Lecture Theatre (seating 200 people), EL Foyer and EL Meeting room (100), and the RCH Boardroom (20) and Annexe (8) on level 5 of the Front Entry Building.  Users need to check the availability of these venues before booking a videoconference with ERC Media.

• View Quicktime VR presentations of the Front Entry Building videoconference rooms.

IP

For IP or secure network conferencing, the unit can be connected to data points almost anywhere in the hospital.

Calls via the Internet (IP) travel over the computer data network. The stability of these connections is sometimes dependent on the time of day and the amount of Internet traffic. RCH has access to various regional health and tertiary networks that improve image quality and offer greater reliability. These include UniMelb, AARNET(CSIRO) and SWARH (South West Region).

There are no call costs associated with using IP, however a multi-site conference will incur bridging fees. Remote sites connecting via ISDN should be asked to 'dial-in' so they cover their own call costs.  A test call to all remote sites prior to your meeting is essential.