Bandwidth requirements, hardware and software recommendations

Bandwidth requirements and utilization

IHETS Interactive requires a broadband Internet connection. Most consumer-grade DSL or cable Internet services offer sufficient bandwidth for home users. A T1 or better is required for campus locations. Modem access is not supported.

The actual amount of bandwidth used during an IHETS Interactive session depends on three variables: (1) the room bandwidth determined by the instructor (should always be set to DSL, regardless of connection speed at originating location); (2) client connection speed set by the end user (should be set to DSL or LAN); and (3) the specific activities taking place within the meeting room. With both the room bandwidth and the client connection speed set to DSL, the average utilization per connected PC is 230-250 Kbps.

Hardware and software recommendations

For the best possible experience using IHETS Interactive, the desktop computers and peripherals meeting these specifications is recommended. Authorized IHETS Interactive receive sites must meet or exceed these specifications to be validated. Other users are not required to meet them, but may experience audio and/or video delays or sluggish performance with less powerful hardware. See the Macromedia Web site for the minimum system requirements.

	PC desktop	PC laptop	Macintosh desktop	Macintosh laptop
Operating system	Windows 2000 SP4 Windows XP SP2	Windows 2000 SP4 Windows XP SP2	OS X 10.2.5 or higher	OS X 10.2.5 or higher
Processor	Pentium 4 or equivalent	Pentium 3 or higher	G5	G4
Processor speed	2.4 GHz or faster	1 GHz or faster	1.6 GHz or faster	1 GHz or faster
RAM	1 GB or more	1 GB or more	1 GB or more	1 GB or more
Browser	Internet Explorer 6.0.2900 or higher Firefox 1.0.6 or higher	Internet Explorer 6.0.2900 or higher Firefox 1.0.6 or higher	Safari 1.2 or higher Firefox 1.0.6 or higher	Safari 1.2 or higher Firefox 1.0.6 or higher
Flash plug-in	Version 7 or higher	Version 7 or higher	Version 7 or higher	Version 7 or higher
Macromedia Breeze Add-in	Latest version	Latest version	Latest version	Latest version
Network connection	Cable, DSL, T1 or faster	Cable, DSL, T1 or faster	Cable, DSL, T1 or faster	Cable, DSL, T1 or faster
Peripherals for classroom use
Projector	Native resolution 1028 x 764; 2000 lumens recommended
Speakers*	Any	Any	Any	Any
Microphone†
Webcam*	Any; optional	Any; optional	Any; optional	Any; optional
Peripherals for home/office use
Headset†
Webcam*	Any; optional	Any; optional	Optional	Option
† Please see headset and microphone recommendations. *Almost any PC- or Mac-compatible speakers and Webcam will work with IHETS Interactive. When purchasing these devices, keep two things in mind: You get what you pay for. You can buy peripherals and accessories for under $10, but spending $25 or more will yield much better results. Make sure you have an available port on your computer to accommodate the device. For example, if you purchase a USB headset, you'll need an available USB port (Tip: Increase the number of USB ports available on your computer by adding a USB hub to your computer). If you purchase an analog headset, you may need to unplug your speakers when using the headset.