Costs

Web-based

 * U-Stream & Yugma - Free
 * Elluminate (Not H.323) - Free for up to 3 in your room
 * AIM, Skype (Not H.323) - Free
 * iChat (Not H.323) - Bundled with MAC OS

Desktop - software for PC or MAC, webcam, microphone, speakers

 * MAC - Xmeeting - free
 * PC - Microsoft NetMeeting - now part of the Vista system software - Internet version free for 30 days for older versions
 * Both - Web X - $12.95-$59 a month
 * Polycom PVX - $155 single user license)

Personal Desktop Systems - codec, mic and camera built in

 * Polycom V500 - VSX3000 ($2059 - $6699)
 * [|Polycom Online store]

Mobile and Installed Room Units

 * **Polycom pricing**
 * VSX 7000s Presenter: $3360.94
 * VSX 7400s Presenter: $4320.85
 * VSX 7800s Presenter: $5760.99
 * VSX 8800s IP Presenter: $8643,16

A competing brand to Polycom is Tandberg. Their system prices are comparable.

Installation

 * IU13 purchases VSX 7800s for participating schools with Act 183 grant funding.
 * Hempfield School District installed a VSX 8000s room system with a full install for $60,000

Training Costs
Our IT staff was trained in one afternoon session on how to "run the room." Joanne Jones and I have attended 4 free videoconferencing sessions offered by CILC on how to set-up, promote, maintain and grow and videoconferencing program in a K-12 environment. We use Google Docs for our documentation. Joanne Jones was hired as a technician to facilitate all videoconferencing events that take place in the Distance Lab rm 119.

Maintenance Costs
To date all maintenance has been completed by in-house IT staff as part of their daily responsibilities. The desktop computer has needed to be replaced and a document camera was added to the system to facilitate the Chinese teacher's desire to use flashcards and other artifacts for instruction.