Mac OS X version of TeraMedia due next year

A Mac OS X version of TeraMedia is in the works and should see the light of day next year, Jeff King of TeraGlobal told MacCentral. TeraGlobal develops real-time collaboration software with integrated IP voice and video communication tools.

TeraMedia is video conferencing and collaboration software that uses broadband or ATM connections. Its collaboration tools include application sharing, a shared whiteboard, synchronized Web touring and assessment tools. TeraMedia’s integrated communications features include full screen, 30 frames per second video and pure digital audio.

TeraMedia is a standards-based suite of IP applications that run on desktop computers over existing packet networks. TeraMedia runs over any network that delivers IP packets, including IP, Ethernet, ATM, ISDN, DSL, Cable Modem, LMDS and MMDS wireless, 802.11 wireless, the Internet, Intranets and Extranets. It takes advantage of the Quality of Service or Class of Service metrics of the underlying network, to deliver the best quality service available for the network infrastructure, according to the folks at TeraGlobal.

TeraMedia’s integrated communication capabilities eliminate the need for special purpose hardware for audio or video conferencing, reducing them to simple desktop applications. Its interfaces let users reach, teach and engage with a mouse click, TeraGlobal said. Group sessions, like conference calls, are handled automatically in software, without the need for dial in numbers, Multi-point Control Units, scheduling or outside services. The TeraMedia collaborative applications include:

The TeraMedia Whiteboard, which provides a common workspace for sharing and interacting and provides tools not found in other Whiteboard solutions. It supports just about any type of digital media including text, graphics, audio, video, 3D images or virtual reality. The whiteboard provides the ability to save contents in the QuickTime movie format for later playback and review.

TeraMedia Assessment, which provides immediate feedback on student learning and program effectiveness. An instructor can form questions in advance or on the fly to conduct pop quizzes, formal examinations or informal polling. Assessment immediately compiles the results.

TeraMedia Matinee, sort of “PowerPoint on steroids,” is a real-time collaborative content distribution tool designed to work with a variety of media types. Matinee productions can contain any number of media elements that can reside anywhere in the user’s network or the Internet. And it can be used at the same time as other TeraMedia applications.

TeraGlobal’s video compression and decompression is handled entirely in software using a wavelet algorithm running on a desktop or laptop computer. Live, interactive video is available at up to 30 frames per second, all delivered in software running on off-the-shelf desktop computers over existing data access networks including DSL, Cable, 802.11 wireless, King said.

TeraMedia also includes a Small Message Service that enables instant communication with messages appearing as small alert boxes giving the message recipient the ability to respond at their convenience.

To use the collaboration software, you’ll need a Power Mac G4 running at 500MHz with 256MB memory and Mac OS 9.1/9.2. You’ll also need a FireWire compliant camera. An external microphone and speaker set is required for most applications.