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The National Library of Medicine
provides a testbed environment demonstrating the use of MPEG-2 videoconferencing and NTSC
quality video over Internet2 networks and the Next Generation Internet (NGI) for use in
telemedicine/consultation and distance learning programs. Quality of service requirements
for healthcare applications on high-performance networks are being researched concerning
the integrity of the information being transmitted and the value added by real-time
interaction. The testbed environment allows point to point and multi-point
videoconferencing (via multicast) between collaborating sites, and also allows
transmission of a range of medical content from varied sources, including presentation
stands, videomicroscopes, videotape, digital stethoscopes, and otoscopes. Demonstrations
of the technology are ongoing and configuration of the testbed continues to evolve. |