SightSpeed

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SightSpeed
Developed by	SightSpeed Inc.
Latest release	6.0 (1st March 2007)
OS	Windows or Mac OS X; NOT Linux
Genre	Videoconferencing/P2P/VoIP/Instant messenger
License	Freeware
Website	www.sightspeed.com

SightSpeed is a videoconferencing, VoIP and instant messaging client 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.

1 Technology
2 Features
3 Limitations
4 Product Reviews
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Technology

SightSpeed uses a proprietary algorithm for video compression. The video conferencing technology is capable of transmitting 30 fps 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.

[edit] 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 four 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.

[edit] 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. By contrast, the Gizmo service for example shows the customer's phone-in number on caller ID.^[1]