videophones
 

What are these videophones that reporters in Iraq are using? Anyone have pics of them?

I believe this is the actual device that CNN and MSNBC is using:

http://www.scotty.at/cms/cms.php?pageId=23

Here is a link to news articles in relation to the networks using them:

http://www.scotty.at/cms/cms.php?pageId=17

For the broadcast-quality footage (like one of the skirmishes at Um Qasr that was broadcast live on CNN) I believe they were using a swe-dish SNG briefcase rig and a PD150 or XL-1:

http://www.swe-dish.com/templates/page.asp?id=1857

fun stuff - I want one!

-Phil

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there were a couple of edits to this post--I was learning how to make the hyperlink clickable...

cheers,

-Phil

Wow, that's some pretty cool stuff!

Price on these anyone?
 

I'd also like to know how much the uplink service is.

I know Sat phones are anywhere from $1 to $4/min

No prices posted. I wonder how much the SWE DISH goes for?

Web research and data mining is one of the primary responsibilites of my day job, as well as part time for Google Answers. http://answers.google.com/answers/main

Out of curiosity, I did some more research on the videophones. The basic models out there primarily utilize a PC running Microsoft's netmeeting!!! It allows you to jack-in external video and audio sources via S-video and RCA. (At a resolution of 240x180, I don't understand the S-video...)

Here is another popular unit used by the networks:

http://www.7e.com/content/products/th_1.htm

Videophones primarily use the Inmarsat constellation of satellites and the Global Area Network services (GAN).

http://www.inmarsat.org/GAN/gan_index.htm

For those who are curious, INMARSAT stands for International Maritime Satellite Organization. Inmarsat is an international cooperative of more than 50 countries that operates a global system of satellites for mobile communications.

GAN provides "on-demand" bandwidth, without the need for a IP lease. Basically, you turn on the unit, press connect, and voila! you have an IP address on their 64kbs network

As a matter of fact, Inmarsat had to create a new coverage region to handle the additional bandwidth required by so many videophones in the region.

http://www.inmarsat.org/news_story.cfm?id=273

As far as pricing, it seems the average price for GAN high speed data is around $8.00 or so per minute.

http://www.xantic.net/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=3199

This probably plays a large role in the answer to my question elsewhere on this forum about noticing less "live" coverage from the networks.

By the way, here's some more links on the SWE-Dish

http://www.satnews.com/stories2/2oct2001-8.html

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/104/C888/

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SWE-Dish runs in the neighborhood of $80,000-$100,000 per unit, depending on which model you get.

</edit>

As time permits, I'll add some more information about this mode of communication.

cheers

-Phil