You Look Great!!
by Gary Woods

Videophones have been around a long time. In 1956 Bell Labs showed a prototype of a phone system called the PicturePhone that transmitted video images in addition to audio. I've seen a lot of different manifestations of this concept over the years, but recently I saw one that really looked GREAT!

The Motorola OJO Personal Video Phone is incredible but for its' $799 price tag it better be. The Video on the OJO remains smooth, even at relatively low bandwidth that causes a lot of pixilation and low frame rates on competing products.

Unlike traditional Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, the OJO requires both a broadband connection and an analog phone line. To set up the phone you register the OJO to your existing analog phone number, and then plug it into that phone line. When you initiate a phone call, OJO first checks to see if the number you're dialing is also an OJO subscriber. If so, a video call is initiated; the OJO server crates a peer-to-peer connection between your phone and the OJO that you're calling. If the number you're calling does not have an OJO subscription, your call is routed over your traditional phone line. So in addition to the cost of the devices, you must sign up for a subscription ($14.95 per month) to enable your video calls, and you've got to maintain an analog phone line with your regional Baby Bell for non OJO calls.

If you have any suggestions or questions for me please drop me a note at garyandlaury@santabarbaraproperties.com or see my column on the Internet at http://www.santabarbaraproperties.com or call me at (805) 729-0910