Abstract: A videoconference system includes a plurality of computers associated with the system to collectively send and receive video data streams. A video encoding program is stored in a memory and is executable by at least a first computer. When executed, the executing computer encodes video data using one or more encoding parameters. A decode information set request monitoring program is stored in a memory and is executable by at least the first computer, causing the first computer to perform the steps of monitoring the network for receipt of a decode information set request message and responding to the received request message by querying the received message for an ID and, if the ID of the received message corresponds to a video data stream generated from the first computer, communicating the corresponding decode information set including the encoding parameters to at least a computer that transmitted the message.

Abstract: A videoconference system includes a camera at each several user locations, a computer at each user location linked to the camera at each location, and one or more bridges linking the computers to one another. A video encoding program stored on each computer causes each computer to encode video data received from the camera at the user location. A decode information set request monitoring program stored on at least one of the computers causes the computer to monitor the bridges for reception of a decode information set request message; and respond to the decode information set request message by querying the request message for an ID. If the ID of the request message matches an ID assigned to the computer, the computer generates a decode information set based on video data received from the camera, and communicates the decode information set to all of the other computers.

Abstract: A method for selecting a compression setting to use during a communications session to compress streaming video data includes the steps of determining processor performance data for at least one processor, determining a video data acquisition rate, and using the processor performance data and the acquisition rate to identify a compression setting for the data communications session.