[asterisk-users] Video IVR Asterisk ?

[Gordon Henderson]

On Wed, 21 Jul 2010, Leif Madsen wrote:

> On 10-07-16 02:38 PM, Anita Hall wrote:
>> Is it possible to receive video calls using Asterisk and then process
>> them as an IVR ? One of our clients wants to set-up a video IVR system
>> in the US and we are evaluation possible options.
>>
>> Also, what is the bandwidth of receiving a video call in US ? What
>> protocols and codecs are supported and does it work on DID numbers ? Can
>> I rent a hosted solution for this ?
>>
>> Thanks in anticipation of your valuable inputs.
>
> If you have a device that supports H.264 or H.263 (I can't remember which
> flavour Asterisk supports) then you can record your prompts with the Record()
> application and it will save both the audio and video.

1.4 and onwards supports H.264. 1.2 didn't.

> However Asterisk can't transcode video, so your clients will have to connect
> with the appropriate codecs that you've recorded with, or record prompts in
> multiple formats. There is probably software that will transcode it for you
> (ffmpeg or something?).
>
> I've not delved into this area very far, but playing around with it for a bit a
> couple of months ago produced results ;)

I've had a bunch of Grandstream GXP3000's for some time now - just for 
friends and family. (Mostly for grandparents who can barely use a PC, so 
Skype is out of the question, but can dial a phone to see grandchild 1000 
miles away)

They're mostly OK, although I'm sure there is some codec negotiation 
issues with either the phones or asterisk, and maybe the latest firmware 
for the GXV3000's is suspect. I've also tried my Nokia N900 and Ekiga. The 
N900 supports H264, but Ekiga needs an extra codec plugin. Issues I see 
involve no video or one-way video which I'm sure is something doing the 
wrong thing with regard to codec negotiation.

As for recording video - sure - works a treat and you can play it back to 
a non video device when you just get audio.

Personally, while video conferencing does seem to work (well, mostly), I'm 
not convinced the business world is ready for a videophone on everyones 
desk, but who knows what will happen in the future...

Gordon