Safari Montage Live 5 Adds Screen Sharing, Improved Video Quality

  • By Mike Hohenbrink
  • 11/28/11

Safari Montage has unveiled version 5 of Safari Montage Live (SML5), its IP-based interactive videoconferencing system, with upgrades such as enhancements to its screen sharing capabilities and improvements to video and audio.

The newest launch utilizes a Safari Montage Live server, the Internet, and a district's wide area network (WAN) to manage interactive group discussions with one or more broadcasters. The only hardware components needed are a camera and a microphone.

Key features of the newest release include:

  • Improved video quality (480x360);
  • Enhanced audio quality (44kbps);
  • Remote control of a participant's desktop;
  • Screen sharing during the videoconference;
  • Playback of video recordings from the broadcaster's desktop or from YouTube;
  • An option to pre-build polls;
  • The ability to save participant data;
  • The ability to have multiple users for the interactive whiteboard.

The videoconferencing system is in use currently for school-to-school or school-to-home and can be used for distance learning, professional development, and virtual field trips at less cost than traditional field trips and with savings of gas and time for districts trying to make ends meet on reduced budgets.

"Safari Montage has changed the way we do staff development," said Joe Griffin, chief technology officer at Keller Independent School District. "Even with the budget cuts we've faced, SAFARI Montage Live-5! has provided us with a cost-effective way to conduct superintendent cabinet meetings, secretary meetings and other professional development."

In addition to its new features, Safari Montage servers come with educational titles from video publishers such as Schlessinger Media, PBS, The History Channel, National Geographic, Scholastic, Disney Educational Production, and BBC. Districts can also load their own material and control the extent to which that media is disseminated to users.

For more information, visit safarimontage.com.

Featured

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • interlocking blue and orange blocks merge at the center against a beige background decorated with subtle technology and education-themed icons

    Cambium Learning Group to Combine ExploreLearning and Learning A-Z Brands

    Ed tech company Cambium Learning Group has announced plans to combine its ExploreLearning and Learning A-Z brands, with a new name and brand identity to be introduced in early 2026.

  • Digital clouds with data points and network connections

    Microsoft's Windows 365 Cloud Apps Available in Public Preview

    Microsoft has announced that its Windows 365 Cloud Apps are now available in public preview. This allows IT administrators to stream individual Windows applications from the cloud, removing the need to assign Cloud PCs to every user.

  • magnifying glass highlighting a human profile silhouette, set over a collage of framed icons including landscapes, charts, and education symbols

    New AI Detector Identifies AI-Generated Multimedia Content

    Amazon Web Services and DeepBrain AI have launched AI Detector, an enterprise-grade solution designed to identify and manage AI-generated content across multiple media types. The collaboration targets organizations in government, finance, media, law, and education sectors that need to validate content authenticity at scale.