You've heard of the Big Three TV networks, but what about the Big Two focus group TV networks?While both VCAN (the Video Conferencing Alliance Network) and the FocusVision Network add their own twists to the process, they offer essentially the same basic service - live video transmission and remote viewing of focus groups.

Say, for example, you're in Cincinnati and some important focus groups are being held in Los Angeles. You can still check out the proceedings using one of the networks, either on a video monitor in your office conference room or at a nearby facility that's a member of one of the networks.

Both networks have affiliations with focus group facilities across the country. FocusVision works with independents like San Francisco's Ecker & Associates and larger national operations like Fieldwork, Inc. and Quality Controlled Services.VCAN offers its GroupNet video conferencing through independently owned and operated firms like the Philadelphia area's Group Dynamics in Focus and Consumer Opinion Services, Seattle, says Ken Altschul, partner in Wolf/Altschul/Callahan Inc., a New York City research firm that's also a member of VCAN.

Since many large client companies have already installed equipment for video conferencing, both services allow clients to use their own equipment as long as the systems are compatible.To record the groups, FocusVision uses two cameras, hidden behind smoked glass, in a movable unit about the size of a refrigerator that sits in the room with respondents. "Respondents are always told that the group is being transmitted to people who want to see it but can't be here today," says John Houlahan. founder and president of FocusVision, New York City. Cameras are controlled from the client end and a FocusVision facilitator is always with the client to move the cameras and monitor the audio.VCAN takes a slightly different approach. Instead of placing the camera unit in with ...