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What is video conferencing?
What do I need to know about it, and
how can I use it at Purdue?
Quick Links:
What
is Videoconferencing?
Videoconferencing is an
interactive tool that uses video, computing, and communication technologies
to allow people in different locations to meet face-to-face and perform
most of the same meeting activities they would perform if all participants
were in the same room. Participants can be at two locations or many
different locations, domestic locations or international locations.
In other words, videoconferencing
is the process of conducting a conference between two or more people
at different locations by using computer networks to transmit audio
and video data. This
technology can be used to send two-way video and audio over a variety
of telecommunications services to facilitate university business meetings,
classroom access to outside expertise, and distance learning.
Videoconferencing is becoming
more popular on college and university campuses and is being used
to reach remote students, faculty, researchers, etc to bring them
together.
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What
are the formats and protocols of videoconferencing?
There are mainly two formats
for Videoconferencing:
-
Point-to-Point
Videoconferencing: This is conferencing with video and audio
on the network much like a video telephone. It is a conference
between two sites where each site can have capabilities like document
sharing, chatting, etc.
-
Multiple
Point Videoconferencing: Multipoint videoconferencing allows
three or more participants to sit in a virtual conference room
and communicate as if they were sitting right next to each other.
Related to multiple site videoconferencing is bridging where sites
connect through a meeting point software that supports capabilities
like document sharing, chatting, etc.
H.323:
Internet-Based connection that is the cheapest way to go with. Basically,
you use the Internet as the medium to transmit audio and video.
H.320: or what
is known by ISDN which is transmitted through digital telephone
lines. There is a cost associated with the usage of this protocol.
There are some other protocols
that are less popular.
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Are
all the systems compatible with one another?
Systems that work on the
same protocol are compatible with one another. In other words, if
you have an Internet-based videoconferencing unit (H.323), it can
be connected to another one that also works over the Internet even
if it does not necessarily use the same camera. Similarly, you can
connect to different videoconferencing units that work via ISDN digital
telephone lines (H.320).
Compatibility becomes
an issue when you have multiple sites and you want to connect them
over a bridge.
The bridging software might not be compatible with all the systems,
which makes a connection impossible. A rule of thumb is to check the
equipment on all the sites in advance and see whether they are compatible
with the bridging software.
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Who
provides access to videoconferencing equipment at Purdue University?
College
of Education:
- Education IT (EdIT):
Internet-Based Videoconferencing Units -- Room-Based and Desktop
based
-
Polycom
ViewStations Room-Based Videoconferencing capable of Point-to-Point
Videoconferencing up to 768 kbps
-
Polycom
ViaVideo Desktop Videoconferencing capable of Point-to-Point
Videoconferencing up to 384 kbps
-
Teacher Education Video Conferencing Group
-
Contact Wanda Fox or Jennifer Richardson
ITaP
Stewart Center
Two-Way Video Facility
The Distance
Learning Classroom facility seats 40 in a classroom configuration.
Television courses can be distributed with two-way video and audio
to remote locations using:
-
Indiana
Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS) (one-way video;
two-way audio)
-
Satellites
-
ISDN
high-speed data lines
-
Access
Indiana state backbone
-
The
Internet
-
Two-Way
Videoconferencing
Purdue
faculty and staff have access to two-way videoconferencing facilities
in Stewart Center, campus television studios, and in a limited
number of classrooms. This technology can be used to send two-way
video and audio over a variety of telecommunications services
to facilitate university business meetings, classroom access to
outside expertise, and distance learning. The Stewart Center facility
includes advanced capabilities as remote control of cameras, computer
interfaces, and transmission of high-resolution, still images.
In addition to the Stewart Center facility, two-way videoconferencing is possible from campus television studios and from
over 55 classrooms in Heavilon Hall, Krannert, Beering Hall, and the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall.
The classroom
facility contains three remote-controlled cameras and an auto-mix
audio system, which can detect and automatically switch on the microphones
of classroom instructors and participants. A slide projector, overhead
camera, multimedia computer, and a character generator are available.
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Who
should I contact if I wish to use videoconferencing equipment?
EdIT Contact Information
Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP)
For classroom videoconferencing
or use of the Distance Learning Classroom, contact the Broadcast Network & Service (BNS) Control Room:
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How
can I equip a lab or class to enable videoconferencing?
Download
an information sheet that contains details, specs, and pricings
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Where can I get videoconferencing
support in Education?
-
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What
are some general terms in videoconferencing?
If you need to know more
about videoconferencing terms, symbols or numbers, visit the TCCT
Center Videoconferencing Glossary
- 112,
128, 224, 256, 336, 384, 512, 768, 1024, 1280, 1600, and 1920
kbps: refers to the speed at which data (voice and video)
is transmitted over the telecommunications service during a videoconference.
- Audio conference or teleconference: A telephone call
involving three or more different locations.
- Auto-tracking camera: A feature that enables the camera
to follow you around a room by the sounds you make.
Some Videoconferencing
basic controls:
1.Video call - establishing the connection
2.Video controls - selecting sources, preview of images before sending,
sending the images
3.Audio - muting the microphone and adjusting the volume
4.Camera controls - pan, tilt and zoom.
- Bridge: Software
on a dedicated server that provides multipoint conferencing, some
new videoconferencing units have a built in MCU (Multiple Connection
Unit) that allows multiple site connections.
- Codec:
The piece of the videoconference that COdes and DECodes the videoconference
signal so that it can be sent over the network or telephone lines.
- Compressed
Site: Refers to a videoconference site that uses telephone lines
to make the connection.
- Computer
Interface: Equipment used to connect a computer to a videoconference
unit.
- Continuous Presence: Multiple squares (usually four) on
one television monitor, displaying a different site in each square.
This feature is built into the Polycom products and some other units
or your bridge provider can provide it as a service within your
videoconference.
- Desktop Videoconferencing: using a personal computer to
videoconference.
- Dial (Dial-Up)
Numbers: The IP addresses or the phone numbers assigned to the
videoconference unit.
- Far-end : Refers to the videoconference site you are connected
to.
- Far-end Control:
Refers to when you control the videoconference equipment at a site
other than the one where you are physically located. Can only be
used in point-to-point videoconferences and only if that option
is enabled on the equipment at the far-end.
- Gateway: Equipment that allows videoconference equipment
on one network to talk to videoconference on another network - i.e.
compressed sites connecting to LAN-based sites.
- High Speed: Refers to a videoconference that is connected
at a speed of 256kbps or higher.
- Internet-based videoconferencing: Internet-based videoconferencing:
where the internet is used to connect the videoconference instead
of telephone lines. The most important benefit is that there are
no long distance costs.
- ISDN:
Integrated Services Digital Network, basically a digital telephone
network.
- KBPS or kbps: kilobits per second, the speed at which data
- video and voice - can travel over telephone lines.
- Low Speed: Refers to a videoconference that is connected
at a speed of 128 kbps or lower.
- Multipoint: A videoconference involving three or more sites.
- Mute: Each site is equipped with the mute function, either
in the form of a button that is pressed on the remote control or
keypad operating the system or on the microphone itself.
When your site is muted no one else can hear your audio. Having
all sites except the presenting site on mute improves the audio
quality of the videoconference by blocking the noise of paper shuffling,
pencil tapping etc. and eliminates unnecessary switching of the
camera from site to site in response to sounds.
- Near-End: Refers to the videoconference site you are at
- the other site is/are the far-end.
- Picture-in-picture: When a television monitor displays
a small picture of a different image than the one being displayed
full-screen. In videoconferencing picture-in-picture is often used
to avoid having two monitors.
- Pre-sets: Refers to the ability to preprogram camera shots
so that with the press of one button the camera will zoom/pan/tilt
to a previously arranged camera position.
- Room-Based Videoconferencing: Using a videoconference unit
that is designed solely for videoconferencing - unlike a desktop
unit where the desktop computer is used for videoconferencing and
a host of other applications, a room-based unit does only videoconferencing.
-
Suitable
for use in classrooms, meeting rooms, and conference rooms
-
Usually
capable of higher levels of connection than the desktop
-
Good
for groups of 3 or more on a site
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Is
there any etiquette to follow in a videoconference?
The following are some suggested practices to ensure a successful
videoconference for all participants and presenters.
Procedures for Participants
-
Arrive
15 minutes before the videoconference: Arriving early provides
an opportunity to find a seat, conduct introductions among participants,
and organize materials for the meeting.
-
Ensure
you can be heard. Speak clearly and towards the microphone.
-
Avoid
shuffling papers or tapping objects near the microphones.
-
Keep
your microphone on mute at all times until the host/facilitator
asks your site to respond (good practice). This improves the
audio quality for everyone in
-
the
videoconference by removing extraneous room noise (chairs, paper
shuffling etc.)
-
Avoid
side conversations that would exclude the far-end sites from your
conversation. Interactivity between all locations is the key to
a successful video conference.
- Ideas and comments
from each remote site should be encouraged and discussed within
the timeframe of the agenda.
- Once the connections
have been made with the sites in the conference, all participants
should introduce themselves. This helps to establish appropriate
audio levels in all the meeting rooms. Remember, just because the
other participants are not in the same room, proper business protocol
should still be followed.
Procedures for Site
Hosts/Facilitators/Presenters
- Familiarize yourself
with the room and the equipment in general. Presenters that will
be using a number of devices (document camera, vcr, computer) may
want to arrange a visit to the room a week or so before the videoconference,
to practice operating the equipment. If the event will be large,
complex or critical we highly recommend a rehearsal session.
- Participants should
remember to pause for reaction.
In order to coordinate the audio and the video coming from a site
there is a delay that you have to take into consideration.
The video picture is compressed before being transmitted and decompressed
at the receiving sites. The higher data rate produces a higher quality
visual image.
- The compression process
will sometimes make the other sites move on the monitor in a jerky
motion. This distortion is called artifacting or pixelation. Movement
should be kept to a minimum to reduce this effect. With the higher
transmission rate, the jerky movement is less noticeable. Most participants
grow accustomed to this effect quite quickly.
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How can I teach or present through videoconferencing?
Planning on paper:
Phase 1 - splitting up the content
-
determine the content
-
establish the structure
-
draw
up the list of subdivisions
Phase
2 - establishing a rough timing
-
allocate an approximate length to subdivisions
-
set
time aside for breaks and introductions
Phase
3 - planning the learning and teaching activities bearing in mind:
-
Variation
-
On-line versus off-line
-
Interaction versus no interaction
-
Icebreaker
Some
possibilities:
lecture, guest speaker, video/audio, demonstration, questions
and answers, silent reading, reading aloud, written exercise,
oral exercise, discussion, brainstorming, role play, chatting,
sharing, group work and assignments, transferring files, and
presenting capabilities.
Phase
4 - selecting and designing support material bearing in mind:
- On-line versus off-line
Some
Possibilities:
Ready-made slides, Documents on a document Camera, spontaneous
slides, tables and diagrams, photographs and drawings, video,
audio, computer applications, telephone, fax, lesson outline,
articles, books and textbooks, demonstration objects, WebPages,
etc...
Phase
5 - evaluating
-
From the learner's point of view
-
From
the teacher's point of view
Phase
6 - final timing
Leaving
space for:
-
Introductions, agreements and going over the outline
-
Breaks
-
Informal
questions and - if necessary - feedback
Phase
7 - contingency planning
In case of technical problems or what you call plan B, or you need
on site support that is good in trouble shooting the problems.
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What
practical arrangements do I need to do to enhance the conference?
Before
the class
-
Organize
-
draw
up a checklist of everything you need
-
make
arrangements with your own videoconferencing administrator
-
make
arrangements with the videoconferencing administrator at the far
end
-
make
arrangements with your guest speakers
-
Inform
-
draw
up a letter for the learners
-
send
out the letter with the material you can't transmit during the lesson
-
introduce
the learners to the technology
During
the class session
-
-
Choose them well and
arrange them logically
-
Presentation
techniques
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What
are the features and requirements of various systems?
Room
Based:
Polycom SP Viewstation (Max 768 kbps)
-
Exceptionally
clear images at 15 fps at 128 kbps
-
Maximum
clarity full duplex digital audio with noise suppression and echo
cancellation
-
Embedded
Web capabilities enable remote system management,diagnostics,
simple software upgrades and more powerful presentations.
-
H.323/H.320
flexibility for push button Internet, intranet or ISDN conferencing
-
Unique
voice-tracking camera and track-to-preset function focuses automatically
on the speaker.
-
Remote
control operates easily from anywhere in the room
-
Polycom
FX Viewstation (Max 1920 kbps)
-
Connect
up to four sites at 384 kbps or three sites at 512 kbps with no
outside bridging
over H.320 (ISDN) or H.323 (Internet)
-
Voice
tracking camera and track-to-preset function automatically focus
on the
speaker
-
Web-based
presentation system makes it easy to use graphics and slides
-
Full
duplex digital audio with noise suppression and echo cancellation
-
Full-motion
video at 30 frames per second; TV quality beginning at 512 Kbps
-
Address
book records numbers frequently dialed
-
An
embedded Web server handles diagnostics and simple software upgrades
over the Net
-
There are some other Room-Based
equipment offered by Polycom and other companies.
Desktop Videoconferencing:
-
Polycom
ViaVideo
-
No
additional hardware needed
-
Clarity
by Polycom technology for full-duplex digital audio with noise
suppression and echo cancellation
-
Simple
GUI makes setup fast and foolproof
-
Integrated
Microsoft NetMeeting data collaboration capabilities
-
Business
quality in a portable package
-
Small
enough to fit in your shirt pocket
-
Supports
IP-based (H.323)
-
Communications
over LAN, DSL and cable networks Business-quality video at up
to 30 fps FXIP
-
PC
Operating system compatibility with Windows 98, Windows ME and
Windows 2000
Hardware Requirements
-
USB Port
- 350 MHz processor,
Pentium® II compatible MMX
- 64 MB RAM
- 4 MB video memory
- 120 MB available
hard disk space (may be less, if required software already installed)
- SVGA monitor (800
x 600)
- 16 bit color or
higher
- Broadband IP network
access (32 KB and above)
- Desktop PC with
headphones, headset or external speakers OR
- Laptop PC with
headphones, headset or internal speakers
Software Requirements
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