SightSpeed

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SightSpeed
Developer(s) SightSpeed Inc.
Stable release 6.0 (1st March 2007)
Operating system Windows or Mac OS X
Type Videoconferencing/P2P/VoIP/Instant messenger
License Unknown
Website www.sightspeed.com

SightSpeed is a videoconferencing company, supplying VoIP and instant messaging solutions for Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh operating systems. The service allows people to make video calls, computer-to-computer voice calls, and calls to regular telephones, with free and paid versions.

In October 2008, the company was acquired by Logitech for $30 million.[1] The Logitech Vid service is based on SightSpeed's technology. Due to competing software, the Logitech Vid video calling service will be discontinued as of July 1, 2013 and the downloading of the product has already been terminated. As a result, Logitech is no longer accepting new account registrations.[2]

Technology

SightSpeed uses a proprietary algorithm for video compression. The video conferencing technology is capable of transmitting 30 frame/s video, and uses the standards-based H263 codec.

SightSpeed's video codec was originally developed at Cornell University's Discover Lab and is based on H263.

SightSpeed's network technology is SIP based.

Features

  • SightSpeed users are able to have free video calls with each other.
  • Video Mail messages can be sent to any e-mail address.
  • The SightSpeed software is able to host video conferences with up to nine participants.
  • "Phone Out" is the name of the service that allows users to make phone calls to landlines and mobile phones, paying with pre-paid credit. "Phone In" allows SightSpeed users to receive phone calls from regular telephones.

Limitations

The main criticisms are:

  • Lack of true privacy features such as encryption.
  • SightSpeed "Phone Out" does not support outbound caller ID in the United States, where people commonly reject calls from unrecognized numbers. The recipient sees "unknown" or a blank field instead of the caller ID number.
  • Though it uses the SIP standard it is not interoperable with SIP networks and can only be used with a SightSpeed account.

Competitors

References

  1. ↑ Robin Wauters (Oct 29, 2008). "Logitech Coughs Up $30 Million To Acquire SightSpeed". TechCrunch. 
  2. ↑ http://www.logitech.com/en-us/support/6164?section=downloads

Product reviews

External links

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