TrueConf
Encyclopedia
TrueConf is a Russian company that designs and produces video conferencing
solutions. Headquartered in Moscow, Russia, the company has offices in Ukraine, Thailand and Australia.
Initially TrueConf software was designed to provide stable audio-visual communication on low and unreliable Internet connections. Since launching in 2004, TrueConf has gone on to produce multiple software suites, specialized hardware, and web-based video conferencing programs.
TrueConf provides video conferencing services for a number of non-profit social projects, and supports a number of conferences devoted to developing inclusive education in Russia and elsewhere.
The first official software was presented in summer 2003. MSU soon took interest in the new development. The university was the first customer of the original Visicron company. In that same year, several Russian companies and state educational establishments became the first clients of TrueConf. The technology was specially designed to work on low (approximately 128 Kb/s) and unreliable channels. This limitation was conditioned by peculiarities of local Internet connections in the years 2002-2003. As network technology developed, the recommended internet requirements grew up to 256 Kb/s
along with video and audio quality.
TrueConf developed a video codec, Cyclon, which is designed especially for video conferencing. TrueConf experts said that featuring adaptive noise reduction, Cyclon was designed to be able to detect moving objects and recognize the positioning of hands and faces as they appeared on video feed. This facial recognition algorithm (licensed by Vicinium) enabled acceptable visual quality with connection speeds of only 20-40 Kb/s.
In October 2010 the WebM video codec (VP8) became the default for all TrueConf products. Cyclon is still used, but only on computers with insufficient CPU efficiency (Pentium III or less), enabling videoconferencing on older computers and narrow connections.
In 2011, TrueConf demonstrated prototypes of its latest developments: TrueConf 3D (the first solution for 3D
video conferencing), TrueConf Mobile for the Android devices, and TrueConf Terminal, their hardware video conferencing system
As of 2011, TrueConf supports high definition video with resolutions approximating 720p and 720p at 30 frames per second.
Among other projects that TrueConf company supported was the international online video conference devoted to including children with disabilities in public education. At the conference, Keith Venables, the founder of Educational Psychologists for Inclusion Organization and British scholar of educational psychology, shared his experience with Russian experts.
In October 2010, a theoretical and practical conference devoted to the problem of IT implementation into modern ophthalmology was held with TrueConf's support. Visual broadcasting of cataract phacoemulsification and microinvasive glaucoma
surgery between Moscow and Madras was provided by TrueConf.
TrueConf also supports non-profit educational events. The 9th International Internet Contest "Erudite of the planet 2010", workshop "The day of Free Access to Information" and a number of events was held under TrueConf technical support.
TrueConf Server – dedicated video conferencing software server;
TrueConf Online – cloud-based video conferencing service
TrueConf Terminal – hardware-based system for visual communication;
TrueConf Gateway – inter operability solution that enables connection between of H.323/SIP devices to TrueConf Server;
TrueConf under development
TrueConf Mobile – client application for mobile devices on the Android platform;
TrueConf 3D – soft- and hardware based solution that enables 3D visual communication.
Other designs
VZOchat, , is a free, inclusive software solution that enables remote video communication. The application was handed over detached company and upgraded to a video-service. Currently VZOchat has 1.8 million subscribers.
video calls one-to-one;
text chat;
file transfer;
whiteboard;
participation (not initialization) in multipoint video conferences.
Paid
multipoint conferences up to 100 participants at the same time;
video conference record;
screen share;
screenshow;
roaming between dedicated servers;
high definition video calls;
server scalability.
Customers: MSU, Ministry of Health and Social Development, Moscow Aviation Institute, Nestle S.A, and others.
TrueConf solutions were also acknowledged as Success of the Year 2010 in the category "Video" according to LAN magazine. “The victory was achieved due to development of company's own decoder Cyclon - it is fully adapted to Russian conditions and provides business-quality video and sound on channels with low quality (128 kbps)”.
In March 2011, TrueConf demonstrated the first Russian solution for 3D video conferences.
The first Russian hardware-based solution TrueConf Terminal was also developed by TrueConf experts.
Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing is the conduct of a videoconference by a set of telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously...
solutions. Headquartered in Moscow, Russia, the company has offices in Ukraine, Thailand and Australia.
Initially TrueConf software was designed to provide stable audio-visual communication on low and unreliable Internet connections. Since launching in 2004, TrueConf has gone on to produce multiple software suites, specialized hardware, and web-based video conferencing programs.
TrueConf provides video conferencing services for a number of non-profit social projects, and supports a number of conferences devoted to developing inclusive education in Russia and elsewhere.
History
The company was established by young employees of MSU Computer Graphics Department. The company was launched in 2003.The first official software was presented in summer 2003. MSU soon took interest in the new development. The university was the first customer of the original Visicron company. In that same year, several Russian companies and state educational establishments became the first clients of TrueConf. The technology was specially designed to work on low (approximately 128 Kb/s) and unreliable channels. This limitation was conditioned by peculiarities of local Internet connections in the years 2002-2003. As network technology developed, the recommended internet requirements grew up to 256 Kb/s
Data rate units
In telecommunications, bit rate or data transfer rate is the average number of bits, characters, or blocks per unit time passing between equipment in a data transmission system. This is typically measured in multiples of the unit bit per second or byte per second.- Avoiding confusion :To be as...
along with video and audio quality.
TrueConf developed a video codec, Cyclon, which is designed especially for video conferencing. TrueConf experts said that featuring adaptive noise reduction, Cyclon was designed to be able to detect moving objects and recognize the positioning of hands and faces as they appeared on video feed. This facial recognition algorithm (licensed by Vicinium) enabled acceptable visual quality with connection speeds of only 20-40 Kb/s.
In October 2010 the WebM video codec (VP8) became the default for all TrueConf products. Cyclon is still used, but only on computers with insufficient CPU efficiency (Pentium III or less), enabling videoconferencing on older computers and narrow connections.
In 2011, TrueConf demonstrated prototypes of its latest developments: TrueConf 3D (the first solution for 3D
3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
video conferencing), TrueConf Mobile for the Android devices, and TrueConf Terminal, their hardware video conferencing system
As of 2011, TrueConf supports high definition video with resolutions approximating 720p and 720p at 30 frames per second.
TrueConf cracking attempt
In 2010 the TrueConf Server software was cracked by a 23 year old man from Yekaterinburg. The hacker distributed cracked versions of TrueConf software via email and subject websites, but was caught distributing the software and prosecuted.Social Activity
TrueConf has a long experience of cooperative work with Regional Society of Disabled People Perspektiva, a Russian Non-Govermental Organization. During their collaboration, TrueConf has developed a free video application designed for people who suffer from hearing disorders. VZOmobile is a disability-inclusive application for communicators and smartphones that enables visual communication on the Windows Mobile platform. This solution was also the basis for TrueConf Mobile, a client application for mobile devices using the Android platform.Among other projects that TrueConf company supported was the international online video conference devoted to including children with disabilities in public education. At the conference, Keith Venables, the founder of Educational Psychologists for Inclusion Organization and British scholar of educational psychology, shared his experience with Russian experts.
In October 2010, a theoretical and practical conference devoted to the problem of IT implementation into modern ophthalmology was held with TrueConf's support. Visual broadcasting of cataract phacoemulsification and microinvasive glaucoma
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye...
surgery between Moscow and Madras was provided by TrueConf.
TrueConf also supports non-profit educational events. The 9th International Internet Contest "Erudite of the planet 2010", workshop "The day of Free Access to Information" and a number of events was held under TrueConf technical support.
Products and services
TrueConf leading product lineTrueConf Server – dedicated video conferencing software server;
TrueConf Online – cloud-based video conferencing service
TrueConf Terminal – hardware-based system for visual communication;
TrueConf Gateway – inter operability solution that enables connection between of H.323/SIP devices to TrueConf Server;
TrueConf under development
TrueConf Mobile – client application for mobile devices on the Android platform;
TrueConf 3D – soft- and hardware based solution that enables 3D visual communication.
Other designs
VZOchat, , is a free, inclusive software solution that enables remote video communication. The application was handed over detached company and upgraded to a video-service. Currently VZOchat has 1.8 million subscribers.
Features
Freevideo calls one-to-one;
text chat;
file transfer;
whiteboard;
participation (not initialization) in multipoint video conferences.
Paid
multipoint conferences up to 100 participants at the same time;
video conference record;
screen share;
screenshow;
roaming between dedicated servers;
high definition video calls;
server scalability.
Customers: MSU, Ministry of Health and Social Development, Moscow Aviation Institute, Nestle S.A, and others.
Awards and accolades
TrueConf solutions were acknowledged as the Project of the Year 2007 according to PC Magazine Re Russian edition of which is published under license from Ziff-Davis Inc., New York.TrueConf solutions were also acknowledged as Success of the Year 2010 in the category "Video" according to LAN magazine. “The victory was achieved due to development of company's own decoder Cyclon - it is fully adapted to Russian conditions and provides business-quality video and sound on channels with low quality (128 kbps)”.
In March 2011, TrueConf demonstrated the first Russian solution for 3D video conferences.
The first Russian hardware-based solution TrueConf Terminal was also developed by TrueConf experts.