Macquarie University Emerging Technologies Grant – Round 1

Project BriefHigh definition and panorama format web-based video teaching for music, dance and other refined movement based learning applications.

Project Leader and contact detailsDr. Adrian McNeil MMCCS x2196 adrian.mcneil@mq.edu.au

Names of other participants and contact detailsMr. Alex Mesker MMCCS x2197 alex.mesker@mq.edu.auDr. Pauline Manley MMCCS x2195 pauline.manley@mq.edu.au

Report prepared by Alex Mesker and Adrian McNeil

Project RationalePerforming arts practice and pedagogy commonly focuses on subtle physical movement, the refinement of motor skills and the intensely precise placement of the body. A good instrumentalist, for example, is constantly in the process of refining techniques of touch and movement of the hands and how the body interacts with the instrument. A dancer equally relies on elements of gestures and the formation of fluid moving postures in the development of their technique in particular, and artistic practice in general.

When considering web based video streaming teaching platforms for the performing arts, a problem arises when dealing with the limitations of video frames per second encountered with programs such as Skype, Adobe Connect and so on. In such contexts, e.g. rapid movements of fingers across an instrument or complex gestures in dance, are not seen as fluid or unbroken flows, but tend to come across as stilted or jerky. This technical limitation can also lead to sound and the video appearing to be slightly out of sync, especially in instrumental music performance involving the swift movement of the fingers, hands or other parts of the body. For these reasons, creative arts practice needs a more refined version of video streaming software than might be considered appropriate in other disciplines.

This project seeks to explore the use of web based conferencing software as an extension to normal teaching practice by allowing live remote lecturers to present F2F performance based seminars and master classes to musicians and dancers. The project is designed to specifically evaluate a range of suitable software that surmount the above issues. The project fits into the category of a Stage 1 development.

Enhanced video capability would extend the university’s reach out to the world community, by providing creative arts students with exposure to the practical expertise of guest lecturers from anywhere on the planet. Outside of the performing arts, such video streaming capacity also has potential relevance to other disciplines that involve refined movements. It has been suggested that this technology would have application to the teaching of Auslan studies, that requires the accurate representation of rapid signing and body language and the teaching of a second language, which also can rely on accurate depictions of face, mouth, breath and tongue movements.

Project DescriptionThe bulk of activity for this stage of project will involve the identification and evaluation of a range of software (and hardware) potentially applicable to the requirements of performing arts and allied activity. The objective of the project will be to narrow this down into one or two programs that can be taken to the next level of assessment via practical application in a classroom. It is proposed that the identification and evaluation process will be undertaken by a research assistant with prior technological expertise in this area.

The range of video streaming software to be investigated will vary from fairly straightforward open source programs such as dimdim, to video panorama streaming programs such as yellowBird, and On-Stage Holographic Video Conferencing, such as Musion.

Round 1

FeasibilityAs a Round 1 Macquarie University Emerging Technologies grant, this is the first in a series of studies on the possibilities and applications of videoconferencing in a pedagogical setting.

The overall brief at this stage is to explore:● Feasibility of implementing video capture/conferencing technology● Technical feasibility (eg. what equipment is required, associated hardware ‘nuts and

bots’, adaptive capabilities given a number of required scenarios, potential drawbacks)● Pedagogical feasibility (assessment of pracitcal use teaching applications)● Practical feasibility (a proposed theoretical case study of implementation feasibility,

linking Y3A building with a single point in Mumbai)● How the system could be extended if special hardware is required (eg. explore

possibilities with the USA, Europe or Asia too).

A majority of the research at this state will focus on existing software and hardware in the market.

Once we have an idea of the technical feasibility, we can then investigate the associated hardware required to undergo the project.

This would include:1. A technological feasibility study of the web infrastructure2. If it’s not feasible now, when might it be, and under what conditions3. A look at hardware4. Point to point data-casting5. Look at Satellite in the Flexible Learning centre (whether such a solution would be

prohibitively expensive)

A number of these issues will be relegated to a Round 2 Grant Scheme application.

Videoconferencing Hardware/Software Survey

What is videoconferencing?Videoconferencing in the context of this study, entails the real-time transmission of multiplexed audio and video content. The conference involves real-time collaboration by two or more parties in two different locations, and will foster a visual form of collaboration.

The basic requirements for videoconferencing are:

● Video input: video camera or webcam● Video output: computer monitor, television or projector● Audio input: microphones, CD/DVD player, cassette player, or any other source of

PreAmp audio outlet.● Audio output: usually loudspeakers associated with the display device or telephone● Data transfer: analog or digital telephone network, LAN or Internet

(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videoconferencing)

In terms of videoconferencing systems, there are two differing forms of setup, where the tradeoff for functionality is portability, and where cost is often proportional to quality and functionality:

● Dedicated systems have all required components packaged into a single piece of equipment, usually a console with a high quality remote controlled video camera. These cameras can be controlled at a distance to pan left and right, tilt up and down, and zoom. They became known as PTZ cameras. The console contains all electrical interfaces, the control computer, and the software or hardware-based codec. Omnidirectional microphones are connected to the console, as well as a TV monitor with loudspeakers and/or a video projector. There are several types of dedicated videoconferencing devices:

1. Large group videoconferencing are non-portable, large, more expensive devices used for large rooms and auditoriums.

2. Small group videoconferencing are non-portable or portable, smaller, less expensive devices used for small meeting rooms.

3. Individual videoconferencing are usually portable devices, meant for single users, have fixed cameras, microphones and loudspeakers integrated into the console.

● Desktop systems are add-ons (hardware boards, usually) to normal PCs, transforming them into videoconferencing devices. A range of different cameras and microphones can be used with the board, which contains the necessary codec and transmission interfaces. Most of the desktops systems work with the H.323 standard. Videoconferences carried out via dispersed PCs are also known as e-meetings.

(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videoconferencing)

Both Desktop and Dedicated systems will be surveyed.

Network Requirements

Videoconferencing is a continuous stream of video and audio being uploaded to and downloaded from a third-party collaborator in real-time. The amount of information being sent and received is referred to as the upstream and downstream datarates respectively.

A fundamental part of this study is predicated on the notion that viable solutions must satisfy the conditions of offering CD quality stereo audio and DVD quality video. While the initial project brief calls for HD video (and while DVDs have Standard Definition frame sizes), a standard of quality equivalent to that of DVD (in terms of visual clarity and frame size) will be proposed as the baseline.

CD quality audio consists of 44.1kHz sample-rate audio at 16bit sample depth.DVD (or SD) quality video consists of 720x576 pixels (576i) at 8bit colour depth.HD quality video consist of either 1280x720 (720p) or 1920x1080 (1080p) pixels at 8bit color depth.

A discussion of datarates of audio and video and the bandwidth throughput required to transmit audio and video is discussed below.

Uncompressed/Raw Data

● CD quality raw audio has a datarate of 1411.2kbps.● DVD quality raw video has a datarate of 248.83 Mbps*

Continuous transmission of datarates of these sizes would be excessive (over 200GB per hour for SD video), so video that is streamed over the web gets compressed on-the-fly.

*Calculated at http://web.forret.com/tools/video_fps.asp

Video CompressionOne of the most common formats for video compression on the web today is H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC). One of the most common formats for audio compression on the web today is AAC (MPEG-4 audio). MPEG-4 video and audio compression has a variable compression ratio, however the typical compression ratio of video is 100:1 (and up to 500:1) without significant detriment to visual quality, and audio is roughly 10:1 without significant detriment to aural quality.

“MPEG-4 is a collection of methods defining compression of audio and visual (AV) digital data. It was introduced in late 1998 and designated a standard for a group of audio and video coding formats and related technology agreed upon by the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) (ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11) under the formal standard ISO/IEC 14496 - Coding of audio-visual objects. Uses of MPEG-4 include compression of AV data for web (streaming media) and CD distribution, voice (telephone, videophone) and broadcast television applications.” (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG-4)

An selection of articles on MPEG-4 compression methods are available here:

● http :// www . marchnetworks . com / Files / MPEG 4_ WP _ EN _11-07. pdf ● http :// www . eetimes . com / design / communications - design /4018012/ An - Overview - of - Video -

Compression - Algorithms / ● http :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / H .264/ MPEG -4_ AVC

While the technological specifics of how MPEG-4 works is beyond the scope of this research, it is important to identify the need for powerful hardware to efficiently compress video on the fly. A number of entry level consumer applications for videoconferencing encode MPEG-4 video in the most computationally efficient method, not necessarily the most bandwidth efficient, hence the quality of video suffers in terms of visual quality and frame rate. A discussion of the differences between dedicated hardware-based encoding and decoding of H.264 video can be found here: http :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / H .264/ MPEG -4_ AVC # Hardware - based _ encoding _ and _ decoding

High Definition VideoVideo frame size is an important factor in deciding what is the most suitable option for this project. To be used in a pedagogical (or performance) context, live videoconferencing should be presented fullscreen. Data projectors (or large screen LCD/Plasma televisions) tend to produce best results when supplied with a digital video signal (so as to circumvent analog noise) at resolutions greater than SD. It is therefore important to prioritise software/hardware services that offer frame sizes greater than 640x480px (or 480p, a standard in videoconferencing)—as smaller frame sizes will need to be moderately upscaled on-the-fly. The most efficient upscaling and antialiasing methods for realtime video at this stage are done using bilinear interpolation. While it provides a satisfactory method for scaling video, a result of dramatic upscaling can leave images ‘smeared’ or blurry.

As frame size doubles in width/height, the pixel count quadruples. While the different in height between 480p video and 720p video is only 1.5x the height, the aspect ratio of the video changes from 4:3 to 16:9, and consequently the pixel count triples. Hence there is not a linear relationship between frame size and pixel count, but rather a ‘square law’. Similarly, video compression efficiency of differing frame sizes also does not scale linearly. This notion aside, a post questioning “Is High Definition video conferencing worth it?” on technology blog ZDNet suggests that despite comparable datarates, there is a noticeable increase in video quality between SD and HD videoconferencing.

“What’s happening is that lower resolution of the SD image indiscriminately throws away finer detail by starting with 3 times fewer pixels whereas the H.264 video compression algorithm has the luxury of picking and choosing what it wants to discard if it had a higher resolution stream to work with. The end result is that while HD video conferencing at 1 mbps can’t truly deliver three times the quality of an SD video conferencing at 1 mbps since only 3 mbps HD stream can, it can approximate three times the quality and come close to it under most circumstances when where is little

movement or change in the video... The bottom line is that HD video conferencing is fundamentally superior to SD video conferencing even when you give both of them the same bit rate and you display both on an up sampling display.”(source: http :// www . zdnet . com / blog / ou / is - high - definition - video - conferencing - worth - it /207 )

Compressed DataratesModerately compressed H.264 video and AAC audio at HD resolutions can be roughly 700-2000kbps. The throughput required to download data at these rates is satisfied by ADSL2+, however, since the upstream and downstream throughput differs in asynchronous DSL, the upstream speeds offered by most Australian ISPs peaks at approximately 1000kbps.

Saturating the upstream can have negative effects on data coming downstream, as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocal (TCP/IP) requires acknowledgement (ack) packets to be sent to acknowledge that the connection is established. A discussion on a Broadband Forum sums it up as follows:

“When you transfer data using TCP (you will normally be using this on the net for file transfers, web browsing etc) it requests confirmation that the last lot of packets of data it has sent were received and ok. If these cannot be sent back to the person sending the data because your upstream bandwidth is saturated by your other uploads then this will cause your download to slow as the sending party needs to wait for confirmation before it will continue sending.”

(source: http :// www . geekzone . co . nz / forums . asp ? forumid =49& topicid =8772 )

It is therefore important that a symmetrical Internet connection would be ideal for both videoconferencing collaborators, to both transmit and receive similar quality video. While a T1 would suffice, a T3 or Fibre Optic Internet connection would be recommended for HD video conferencing as they offer symmetrical speeds both upstream and downstream with plenty of data headroom. Macquarie University offers a T3 connection.

Possible Technological DrawbacksWhen delivering live video over the web, a number of technological drawbacks may affect the quality of the transmission. H.264 video compresses video streams using both inter-frame and spatial compression to preserve quality, but reduce the amount of information required to reproduce a changing image.

Video compression is a combination of frames types of either intra (I-frames or keyframes, ie. a full representation of a picture), bi-directional (B-frames—frames that reference previous or future frames), or predicted frames (P-frames—changes from previous frames).

In short:● I-frames are the least compressible but don't require other video frames to decode.

● P-frames can use data from previous frames to decompress and are more compressible than I-frames.

● B-frames can use both previous and forward frames for data reference to get the highest amount of data compression.

(source: http :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / Video _ compression _ picture _ types )

As I-frames typically require more bits to encode than other frame-types, they are commonly used twice per second in DVD or digital television (and a combination of B- and P-frame types are used to reduce the amount of bits to represent the video). In videoconferencing, typically only I-frames and P-frames are used, and since the data rate of videoconferencing is required to be significantly less than that of DVD or DTV, I-frames are much less frequent. This means that the ratio of predicted frames to keyframes is much higher.

Lost packetsIf an information packet is lost during transit when requested over the Internet, “the TCP protocol recognizes a packet is lost and requests that it be sent again. This retry causes at least a round trip delay, and slows down the transfer rate of the data as well. But the net effect on the user is slight, especially in a high speed network, and waiting a couple hundred milliseconds or even a couple of extra seconds is not a problem.” (source: Bartlett, http :// www . nojitter . com / blog /225401670)

In videoconferencing however, there is no time to recover lost packets as data is continuously transmitted in realtime. Therefore, if a keyframe is lost, I-frame dependent P-frames will continue to modify the current picture, which can lead to continuing compression artifacts until the next complete I-frame is received. Some compression algorithms employ packet loss concealment techniques, however Bartlett states that “Packet loss causes a fairly rapid deterioration of quality in both voice and videoconferencing streams. Network loss of 1% is very noticeable in both voice and video unless concealment algorithms are used. Although the concealment algorithms are useful, the best approach is to deploy a clean network with the right QoS [Quality of Service] so that real-time packets are delivered reliably and quickly.” (source: Bartlett, http :// www . nojitter . com / blog /225401670)

More information on packet loss can be found at: ● http :// www . tandberg . com / collateral / white _ papers /

whitepaper _ TANDBERG _ and _ Packet _ Loss . pdf (outline of packet loss recovery techniques and error concealment in TelePresence videoconferencing system)

In addition to packet loss, a post on technology blog TechRepublic identifies other potential adverse affects on videoconferencing performance:

“Video traffic is highly demanding in terms of jitter, packet loss, and latency specifications. Telepresence systems require an even higher level of service because larger amounts of data

are being transmitted at any given moment, and a slight performance disruption can result in noticeable packet loss. Following are the three top performance metrics to consider:

● Packet loss: Typical numbers for acceptable packet loss during a conference range from 0.1% to 2%. Packet loss for telepresence systems typically needs to be under 0.1% to remain unnoticed, with some vendors recommending even tighter specifications for their telepresence systems. The effect of packet loss on the video application is ‘blockiness’ and/or jerkiness of the video, as well as audio drop-outs.

● Latency: Without prioritization of the video conference traffic as a whole, latency can cause the effect of a loss of lip synchronization. Audio packets tend to be small (480 bytes or less), while video packets are typically large (800-1500 bytes). Intermediate routers may prioritize the two packet sizes differently, creating differing transit times so the audio and video packets become out of sync. A typical rule of thumb for latency is < 300 msec round trip between endpoints before users in an interactive call start to notice a delay between the speaker and the receipt of their words by the far end participants. Increased latency can be tolerated, but it will eventually result in awkwardness during the call and a potential hindrance to the free flow of communication as parties talk over each other at > 400 msec. The lesser the interactivity, the more tolerant the latency specification can be, such as in a training situation that is largely one way, even a satellite link might work sufficiently.

● Jitter: Jitter refers to unwanted variation when packets are received. If there is a traffic delay, data can be buffered accordingly; however, when the delay continues to change, processors get overloaded, driving up latency and packet loss. This can result in ‘blockiness’ of the video as well as a frozen or jerky appearance. A good rule of thumb for jitter is < 20 msec for a high-quality videoconference experience.

It is critical to mitigate any negative effects on a videoconference caused by latency, jitter, and packet loss, or the ROI of video deployment will not be realized.”

(source: http :// www . techrepublic . com / blog / networking / is - your - network - ready - to - handle - videoconferencing /1765 )

While a number of these situations can be remedied (or their effects minimised) through the use of T3/Fibre Internet connection, it is important to know that traffic may still have a minor impact on the quality of the videoconference.

Lastly, for this study to be effective (and for any practical implementation to be assessed), a videoconference would require a symbiotic or reciprocal system (ie. the same equipment on the side of the collaborator), as well as a network infrastructure of similar speed/robustness. It is suggested that a test point for a collaborator satisfy the 300 msec round trip rule of thumb for latency outlined above. As with many technological advancements, progress in terms of high-quality videoconferencing does raise a number of dependent issues: as resolution increases, so does bandwidth; ss bandwidth increases, so does potential for packet loss; as distance between collaborators increases, so does latency/lag time.

This section on technical feasibility hopefully addresses possibilities as well as associated potential drawbacks on any videoconferencing system. At this stage of the project, one unknown is the implications of network traffic and its effects on real-time conferencing, namely how the University’s current network will fare and whether lag time will be tolerable or whether frames or quality will be dropped. Some of this will be assessed in a Round 2 Emerging Technologies Grant Scheme application.

Standard Definition OptionsThe main purpose of this Round 1 research is an appraisal of the concept outlined in the project rationale (the initial project brief called for high-resolution video), a number of other interactive video conferencing options will be proposed however.

While the initial brief focused on hi-resolution video to capture and preserve fine movement, it may be that a software based solution might circumvent the initial problem, as opposed to acquiring specialised hardware, or throwing more 'bits' at the problem. A further study concentrating on the feasibility and a rough draft implementation of a software based solution would be required to explored this in full. Given development costs, it therefore may not be financially viable to explore over a commercial system. This possibility however, will still be appraised here.

ROI CodingAlthough not with the clarity afforded by high-definition video, recent research into ‘Region Of Interest’ coding (at the Multimedia Communications Lab at SFU) for improving compression quality in specific areas of a picture demonstrates that smarter video compression methods may produce improved results at standard definition. ROI Coding reserves more bandwidth for specific areas of a picture.

Bajić and Ma have authored a number of papers on the application and usefulness of ROI coding to the performing arts:

1. I. V. Bajić and X. Ma, "A testbed and methodology for comparing live video frame rate control methods," IEEE Signal Processing Letters, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 31-34, Jan. 2011 [PDF: http :// ieeexplore . ieee . org / stamp / stamp . jsp ? tp =& arnumber =5620960 ]

2. I. V. Bajić and X. Ma, "Scalable video coding for telepresence in the performing arts," IEEE ComSoc MMTC E-Letter, vol. 4, no. 8, pp. 28-30, Sep. 2009. [PDF: http :// www . sfu . ca /~ ibajic / pubs / SVC _ Max _ MMTC - E _ Letter _ Sept 09. pdf ]

3. I. V. Bajić and X. Ma, "MCL.JIT library for scalable live video in Max/MSP/Jitter," Proc. IEEE CCECE 2010, Calgary, AB, May 2010. [PDF: http :// ieeexplore . ieee . org / stamp / stamp . jsp ? tp =& arnumber =5575244 ]

More information and implementations of ROI coding (for the Max/MSP/Jitter programming environment) can be found at:

● http :// www . sfu . ca /~ xma 2/ Welcome . html ● http :// www . sfu . ca /~ xma 2/ ROI . html ● http :// www . sfu . ca /~ ibajic / mcl . jit . html

There are as yet, no fully fledged commercial applications that embody ROI encoding (that were found during this preliminary technological survey). A draft implementation could be built with Max/MSP/Jitter to the specifications outlined by Bajić and Ma.

Picture in PictureSimilar to an implementation of ROI in Max/MSP/Jitter, ‘Picture in Picture’ may also provide a means to preserve fine movement. ‘Picture in Picture’ would consist of a dual camera feed with a macro-shot embedded within the larger picture. A rough implementation could be composited on the fly, and would require additional hardware (a second camera feed).

These ROI and PiP options however would require a custom-built solution. See Custom-Built Videoconferencing Options below.

Camera Hardware

Providing a list of cameras that would suit videoconferencing applications goes beyond the scope of this research, however it is important to identify useful features of cameras for this project. A majority of the videoconferencing applications discussed below centre on software solutions for video conferencing. A number of applications can be improved through the use of specific cameras that offer high resolution, added functionality, or services that offset image compression from the computer’s CPU.

HD Video CamerasAs outlined earlier, HD video cameras are cameras that sample an image at 1280x720 pixels or 1920x1080 pixels. The current push to HD cameras in the consumer market means that most entry level cameras offer images at these resolutions. For videoconferencing, it is important that external camera hardware offers a digital input to the computer (PCI, USB, or FireWire)

PTZ CamerasPTZ Cameras are video cameras that can pan, tilt and zoom when controlled remotely. While the majority of models are currently aimed at motion tracking and their main applications centre around security and surveillance systems, they are nevertheless worthy of mention in this study as they would have application within a pedagogical context. A important feature when videoconferencing with a large group is the ability to close-in on a member of the crowd (in the

event that they have a comment or ask a question) or during a performance (to zoom in on particular members, or to zoom in on a performer’s hands playing an instrument).

The market for PTZ Cameras for Videoconferencing is not very large, but there are some models that may have application for this study, such as the:

● Sony EVI-D70 Standard Definition Camera (NTSC/PAL)● Sony EVI-HD1 High Definition Camera (720p/1080i)● Vaddio ClearVIEW HD-18 High Definition Camera (1080p)● LifeSize Camera HD PTZ Video Conferencing Camera (720p)

The Vaddio ClearVIEW HD would be the most suitable candidate of these three, as it offers 18x zoom (compared to 4x zoom by the LifeSize Camera) and the largest resolution, and is the most suited to large-room use.

The LifeSize Passport HD Video Conferencing Kit (discussed in the Professional Level Videoconferencing Options section below) can be used with a PTZ Camera, and is appraised in Appendix 1.

It may be that a suitable solution is a combination of software and hardware technologies (eg. ROI coding and a PTZ camera)

Other Camera TypesOther interesting uses for immersive forms of videoconferencing include tracking cameras, panoramic cameras or track based cameras that track movement and offer configurable immersive viewing options. Similarly, projection methods for creating a realistic ‘presence’ for the videoconferencing subjects such as the Musion Eyeliner will be discussed later.

Survey of Videoconferencing Options

Through this preliminary study and technology survey, the following issues have been identified with regard to the feasibility of this project:

● Required software● Required hardware● Hardware options● Cost (software/hardware)● Video resolution● Video compression quality/type

● Video framerate● Audio compression quality/type● Datarate● Possibility of implementation with existing Internet infrastructure offered by Macquarie

University● Alternative proposed options (eg. would zooming functionality circumvent the need for

high-resolution frame-size)● Any other key factors (eg. 2-camera feed, PiP etc.)

The web is ripe with video conferencing applications ranging from commerciallly produced and open-source freeware, to professional-level applications (both standalone, and with associated specialised hardware). The services offered from much of the entry level free software surveyed below is comparatively very good, so a survey of software applications that span from consumer level will be conducted, as well as professional level solutions (and everywhere in between, hereafter termed ‘prosumer’).

A summary of delivery methods and affordances—the main output from this research—ie. platform independence in terms of browser/application, positives/negatives [ie. Mac OS X only, in-browser, open-source, active development] cost, adjustable features, video compression formats, multi-user conferencing etc. is attached in Appendix 1.

Existing Commercial Videoconferencing Applications

The following list is comprised of the some of the most well-known and widely used videoconferencing/audiovisual-collaboration software available. It is fairly comprehensive, but by no means exhaustive. Items not included on the list are either of indeterminable use to this project, or their functionality/features unknown.

The list is broken into three categories: entry-level videoconferencing (the most widely used forms); semi-professional systems (free/low cost solutions that offer features above entry-level, such as the ability to be augmented by hardware that can extend the applications functionality); and professional videoconferencing systems (often termed TelePresence and targeted at videoconferencing in the corporate sector). The general focus of this study is on software applications, however a number of hardware options are also assessed. This is due to the fact that Consumer level solutions are mainly software-based (using existing hardware bundled with most desktop PCs), Prosumer solutions include affordable software with optional hardware, and Professional solutions are often complete systems of dedicated hardware and software tailored to commercial markets.

Consumer Level Video Conferencing Options

Consumer level video conferencing options refer to freely available or lost cost options for video conferencing.

Survey of consumer level videoconferencing options include:

● Google Video Chat● iChat● Skype● dimdim (obsolete – bought out early 2011)● AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)● Camfrog ( chat room service ) ● CU - SeeMe ( obsolete ) ● OpenCU● Ekiga ● FilmOn ● Meetcam● Microsoft : Windows Live Messenger ● Microsoft : Windows Live Video Messages ● ooVoo ● Paltalk (now PaltalkScene)● SightSpeed ● Skype ( listed in both consumer and prosumer ) ● Stickam ● Tokbox ● Yahoo Messenger ● MeBeam

Prosumer Level Video Conferencing Options

Prosumer solutions refer to high end consumer level applications.

Survey of Prosumer level videoconferencing options:

● Adobe Connect● iLecture● BrightCom: Visual Collaboration System - VCS● Cisco : WebEx● Glance Networks ● GlobalMedia : " EasyShareVC "● InterCall ● IVèS: Live Video Plugin● LifeSize : Desktop● MegaMeeting

● Microsoft : NetMeeting● Microsoft : Office Live Meeting ● Mirial s . u . r . l . : Mirial Softphone● Nefsis : Nefsis Professional● ooVoo : ooVoo (Only for Windows & Mac)● Radvision : MTF, VTA & IMS Applications● SightSpeed : Video Chat● Skype ( modified ) ● Stickam ● Tandberg : Movi● Tokbox ● Vidyo : VidyoConferencing● vzRoom

Professional Level Video Conferencing Options

Professional level video conferencing applications are often termed TelePresence. They are most often found in the corporate sector to facilitate realtime interaction in board meetings etc.

A number of the TelePresence systems come as complete integrated packages of hardware and software. As an example, Cisco offer a number of TelePresence options: Immersive TelePresence, Multipurpose TelePresence and Personal TelePresence, with peripherals such as PrecisionHD Cameras (offering 1080p or 720p video), HD USB Cameras, and Touch Screens.

Survey of Professional level video conferencing options includes:

● yellowBird● Musion Eyeliner● LifeSize : Team, Room & Conference (United States)● Panasonic : VC500 (Japan)● Cisco Systems : Cisco TelePresence (United States, but appears to be available in

Australia)● Teliris Telepresence● PolyCom QDX 6000

Important note: while the systems above deliver outstanding quality of audio and video in HD resolution, it may be worthwhile to consider a PTZ camera if the conferencing consists of a musical (or visual in terms of dance) performance as the scale of the setting and position of onscreen participants will become an important factor for isolating and focusing on different areas of the viewport content.

Please see Appendix 1 for an appraisal of these systems and an evaluation of their features, adaptability with hardware, pros, cons, and recommendation.

Other Videoconferencing OptionsA number of other videoconferencing options (currently technologically non-feasible, but with interesting applications to the future of this project) are listed below that offer differing degrees of immersive interaction.

● Live holographic videohttp :// media . smh . com . au / technology / tech - talk / video - conference - with - holograms - 2024738. html http :// news . smh . com . au / breaking - news - technology / holographic - video - takes - step - forward - with - updated - display -20101104-17 ea 6. html

Like the Musion Eyeliner, these are emerging technologies that provide interesting inroads for future directions of videoconferencing. These steps toward ‘quasi-realtime’ holographic video, while at this stage prohibitively slow and with low resolution for any useful form of live videoconferencing, would be a very interesting

With applications outside of the project brief, research has also been undertaken with regard to Mobile Learning Systems for Large Scale Learning, where lectures can be delivered to thousands of students in one sitting, and where students can reciprocally interact with the teacher during the lecture:

● A Mobile Live Video Learning System for Large-Scale Learning—System Design and Evaluationhttp :// portal . acm . org / citation . cfm ? id =1804013

While this has limited use to this particular study, this is an area to be aware of with the increasing trend toward the mobile classroom, the continuing trend in use of omnipresent mobile devices and faster network speeds, constraints on teaching space and funding, and Macquarie’s pursuit of sustainability.

Lastly, while not with particular application to videoconferencing, a number of video systems offer interesting pedagogical applications beyond the notion of real-time collaboration. These include:

● High-speed video capture (to document and analyse fine movement, eg. of a tabla player’s fingers, or the plucking/fingering style of a string instrument virtuoso)

● Motion capture system (for analysing or scoring dance performance)

Custom-Built Video Conferencing Options

In addition to freeware and commercially ready-made videoconferencing solutions, there is also an option to build a customised application for videoconferencing that employs specific features (such as ROI or PiP) not available in commercial packages.

Custom-built solutions could be prototyped with:● Max/MSP/Jitter

A solution built with Max/MSP/Jitter could be prototyped comparatively quickly (as opposed to writing a custom solution in C/C++), and since it would be built with a programming environment equipped to work with multimedia inputs, would interface quite simply with much of the camera hardware on the market. The strengths of developing a custom-built solution would allow us to create a self-sufficient customised solution, however possible drawbacks include the lack of documentation (if such a system were to be implemented symmetrically overseas) and development costs. This is not being proposed as the most viable solution, but one to keep in mind depending on the type of customisability that the project would need.

Project SummaryProblemThe problem identified by Dr. Adrian McNeil (the Project Leader) is that existing tests of videoconferencing in a pedagogical context demonstrated that with existing hardware and software available, the video stream exhibited jittery visuals, blurriness, lack of resolution (to see fine movement), and the audio stream suffered from audio dropouts, and general problems with picture and audio quality.

Non-Circumventable ConstraintsOne constraint that will inevitably exist is that distance will introduce an inevitable lag, if the two parties wish to perform together. Additionally, videoconferencing to some extent suffers from the “In time, on budget, to specification: pick any two” conundrum: video/audio bitrate/throughput is the most fixed constraint; at a fixed frame size, when quality goes up, bitrate goes up; if frame size is to increase, but bitrate stay the same, quality must be reduced; if quality is high and frame size is large, then we will drop frames (to keep within a specified bitrate).

Represented graphically, each of the above sides is desirable, however the closer we get to satisfying one side, it is to the detriment of the others. The goal of this project is to satisfy this as best as possible. Quality is another minor constraint, as compression can only perform to a certain standard with constraints being the CPU speed (or maximum speed for realtime video compression).

SolutionsThe outcome of this initial research has identified that some of the non-circumventable constraints can be minimised. Some hardware and software videoconferencing solutions have been examined, including smart compression methods, ways to address packet loss, and hardware video encoders, that would improve the quality of videoconferencing in pedagogical and performance contexts.

A number of the professional videoconferencing solutions address some of the issues itemised above. With respect to these, the above graphic could be represented in 3D as a triangular based pyramid (with the z-axis indicating price)–where compression efficiency, datarate and frame size converge, circumventing the need for a low bitrate, due to the use of dedicated hardware.

Conclusions

Recommended SystemsWhile a number of the consumer-level options for videoconferencing have been tested in a pedagogical setting prior to this feasibility study (the results of which were the genesis of the initial concept), it has been indicated that a number of the professional level applications would offer enhanced quality and functionality—results that satisfy the initial project brief.

One very important outcome from this study was the identification the potential pitfalls of software-based solutions, and the need for dedicated hardware for the computationally expensive compression of video on-the-fly. For this reason, a majority of the consumer level applications have been marked as unsuitable for this project. For similar reasons, a number of prosumer level videoconferencing options have also been deemed unsuitable for this project.

A number of TelePresence systems (such as the Cisco TelePresence system) have been identified as recommended options (in Appendix 1) for implementation in a Stage 2 grant.

While the system could be acquired by us, for maximum effectiveness it would be recommended that a system of equal quality be set up at a partner institution. The Project Leader of this Stage 1 research grant proposes that a subsequent Stage 2 study involve a prototype system to be set up at Macquarie and in Mumbai, with other conference points added across Europe and USA if this videoconferencing system is successful.

Lastly, a HD data projector would be a good complement to the system.

Possible Futures/Unplanned OutcomesFinally, although not part of the initial brief for this project, an interesting offshoot that could emerge from the acquisition of a professional level videoconferencing system would be the ability to broadcast performances on the web. Macquarie University could become one of the small groups of universities/colleges (like the University of North Texas) to offer Live Streaming of music concerts on the web.

A discussion and archive of UNT’s concert broadcasts can be found here:

● http :// mixguides . com / education / articles / university _ north _ texas / ● http :// recording . music . unt . edu / live

The Center for New Media and Audio Technologies in conjunction with the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society at UC Berkeley have also explored telematic ‘Net Works’—collaborative performances by artists in separate physical locations:

● http :// cnmat . berkeley . edu / event /2011/04/27/ net _ works _ evening _ telematic _ music _ featuring _ pianist _ myra _ melford _

Stage 2 budget of $5000–$20000Stage 3 budget of $20000–$40000

Further Reading:

● http :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / Telepresence ● http :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / LifeSize ● http :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / Videoconferencing ● http :// www . yellowbirdsdonthavewingsbuttheyflytomakeyouexperiencea 3 dreality . com /

products● http :// books . google . com . au / books ?

id =1 fKoJX 40 KtYC & pg = PA 66& lpg = PA 66& dq = cameras + that + compress + h 264+ for + video conferencing & source = bl & ots = oRrgMVGbLl & sig =3 DebsWC 8 ClWCRcAFPWiiJDNnxxI & hl = en & ei =2 t - jTaHtDJSusAPbgtj 4 DA & sa = X & oi = book _ result & ct = result & resnum =10& ved =0 CGAQ 6 AE wCQ # v = onepage & q & f = false

● http :// www . devx . com / HotList / HotList - Polycom / Article /41068

Appendix 1

Recommendation Overview

Google Video Chat ★★

iChat ★

Skype ★★

Dimdim ★

AOL Instant Messenger ★

Camfrog ★

CU-SeeMe/OpenCU ★

Ekiga ★

FilmOn ★

Microsoft: Windows Live Messenger ★

Paltalk/PaltalkScene ★

SightSpeed ★★

Stickam ★

Tokbox/OpenTok ★★

Yahoo Messenger ★

MeBeam ★

Konwy ★★

Adobe Connect ★★

BrightCom VCS ★★

Cisco WebEx ★★

Glance ★

Lotus Sametime ★

GlobalMedia: EasyShare VC ★★

IVèS: Live Video Plugin ★

LifeSize: Desktop ★★★

MegaMeeting ★★

Microsoft NetMeeting/Office Live Meeting ★

Mirial Softphone ★★★

Nefsis Professional ★★★★

ooVoo ★

Radvision SCOPIA ★★★★★

SightSpeed Video Chat ★

Tandberg Movi ★★★

Vidyo: VidyoConferencing ★★★

vzRoom ★★

yellowBird ★★★

Musion Eyeliner ★★★★

Logitech LifeSize ★★★★

Panasonic VC500 ★★★★★

Cisco TelePresence ★★★★★

Teliris TelePresence ★★★★★

Product Survey

Consumer Level Videoconferencing Options

Google Video Chat

Website http://www.google.com/chat/video

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software Installed Video Chat software from Google

Required hardware None

Optional accessories Webcam

Operating system Windows XP or later, Intel Mac OS X 10.4 or later, or Linux

Bandwidth requirements

Broadband

Video quality Information unavailable

Audio quality Information unavailable

Number of connections

1-to-1, possibly more

Cost Free

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros No hardware necessary. Free to use. Widely accessible and available.

Cons Resolution/quality not confirmed.

Recommendation Could investigate in conjunction with a high-definition camera (e.g. Sony EVIHD1, 10x High Definition Color Pan/Tilt/Zoom Camera)

Notes:

iChat

Website http://www.apple.com/macosx/what-is-macosx/ichat.html

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software Mac OS X (with default iChat application pre-installed)

Required hardware None (aside from webcam/microphone available on most Apple computers)

Optional accessories Webcam

Operating system Mac OS

Bandwidth requirements

Any (quality affected)

Video quality Depends on bandwidth

Audio quality Depends on bandwidth

Number of connections

Multiple (3+)

Cost Free with Mac OS

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Can use with alternative USB webcams such as AGENT V5 Full HD Webcam: File transfer manager and screen sharing

Cons Resolution/quality not confirmed. Mac OS only.

Recommendation

Notes:

Skype

Website http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/video-call/

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software Skype software

Required hardware None

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Mac/Windows/Linux

Bandwidth requirements

512 kbit/s for HD video

Video quality Supports HD video

Audio quality ?

Number of connections

Multiple

Cost Free

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros File sharing, screen sharing available

Cons

Recommendation ?

Notes:

dimdim

Website http://www.dimdim.com/

Suggested model(s) NA

Required software NA

Required hardware NA

Optional accessories Webcam

Operating system Platform independent, browser-based.

Bandwidth requirements

Broadband

Video quality NA

Audio quality NA

Number of connections

Multiple

Cost NA

Availability in Australia NA

Pros Can be integrated with e-learning platforms (eg. Moodle)

Cons Development status and features currently unknown

Recommendation NA

Notes:

According to their website, dimdim is “Easy, open, affordable collaboration for online meetings, eLearning, desktop sharing, training, distance education, webinar, free web meetings.”

Unfortunately, since the beginning time of this study, dimdim has been bought out in early 2011 by Salesforce.com. At this point it is uncertain what dimdim will continue to offer, or what usage of the service will require.

AOL Instant Messenger

Website http://www.aim.com/

Suggested model(s) Current version

Required software AOL Instant Messenger Desktop (downloadable)

Required hardware Video camera connection

Optional accessories None offered

Operating system Windows or Macintosh

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

N/A

Cost Free

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros Connect to Facebook friends and Google Talk contacts: update Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, foursquare and more using the built-in Lifestream features

Cons Difficult to ascertain specs

Recommendation No

Notes:

Camfrog (chat room service)

Website http://www.camfrog.com/

Suggested model(s) Camfrog Pro

Required software Camfrog (Free or Pro)

Required hardware Webcam

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Windows XP, Windows 7, and Mac OS X

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

More than 1

Cost $49.95 USD

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Also available on iPhone/iPad

Cons Appears to be a lower-level consumer desktop option. Few feature details available.

Recommendation No

Notes:

CU-SeeMe (obsolete)

Website http://www.sattlers.org/mickey/CU-SeeMe/index.html

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software N/A

Required hardware Webcam

Optional accessories N/A

Operating system N/A

Bandwidth requirements

14.4 kbps

Video quality 4-bit grayscale windows at either 320x240 or 160x120

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

1-to-1

Cost N/A

Availability in N/A

Australia

Pros

Cons Obsolete

Recommendation No

Notes:

An offshoot from CU-Seeme is VChat, a CU-Seeme Client for MacOS X: http :// www . vchat . org

OpenCU

Website http://opencu.org/

Suggested model(s) Current version

Required software OpenCU software

Required hardware Webcam

Optional accessories N/A

Operating system Windows XP and Vista

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

N/A

Cost None

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros Open source (free)

Cons Open source: active development still underwayFew details available on current developments and features

Recommendation No

Notes:OpenCU is designed as a successor to Cu-SeeMe, stating, “Our goal with openCU (open see you ) , is to create an NEW , highly reliable, opensource, cross-platform, multiconferencing Implementation of the outdated cuseeme control protocol , with a social approach.”

Ekiga

Website http://ekiga.org/

Suggested model(s) Current version

Required software Ekiga

Required hardware Webcam

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Windows and GNU/Linux

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality Up to DVD size/quality

Audio quality HD sound quality

Number of connections

1-to-1

Cost None

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros “It is interoperable with many other standard compliant softwares, hardwares and service providers as it uses both the major telephony standards (SIP and H.323)”.

Cons 1-to-1 only

Recommendation No

Notes:

FilmOn (BattleCam)

Website http://www.battlecam.com/

Suggested model(s) N/A (web browser service)

Required software Web browser

Required hardware Webcam

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Any

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

N/A

Cost Free

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Primarily for entertainment, not business or education

Cons Few feature specifications available. Seems to be primarily for broadcast rather than live transmission: similar to YouTube

Recommendation No

Notes:

Microsoft: Windows Live Messenger

Website http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials?os=other

Suggested model(s) Current version

Required software Messenger

Required hardware Webcam, microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system 32- or 64-bit version of Windows 7, or Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 and the Platform Update for Windows Vista, or Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows Server 2008 with Service Pack 2 and the Platform Update for Windows Server 2008: Mac also possible

Bandwidth requirements

“High-speed Internet access”

Video quality Up to HD

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

Multiparty

Cost Free

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Free

Cons Few feature specifications available

Recommendation ?

Notes:

ooVoo

Website http://www.oovoo.com

Suggested model(s) Current version

Required software ooVoo or ooVoo web client

Required hardware Webcam/microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Microsoft Windows XP, Vista or 7: Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard (OSX 10.4 and up)

Bandwidth requirements

Broadband

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

Up to 6

Cost 3-way chats are free: more participants require monthly or per-use fees (amount dependent on usage)

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros Can record video/audio calls

Cons Advertising banner in free version: ongoing costs for certain features

Recommendation No

Notes:

Paltalk (or PaltalkScene)

Website http://www.paltalk.com

Suggested model(s) Current version

Required software Paltalk

Required hardware Webcam, microphone

Optional accessories N/A

Operating system N/A

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality HD video coming soon according to website

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

10-way video calls

Cost Free up to $150 USD per year, depending on features used

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros

Cons Very few details on feature specs, installation, and usage available

Recommendation No

Notes:

SightSpeed

Website http://www.sightspeed.com/business

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software N/A

Required hardware Webcam/microphone

Optional accessories N/A

Operating system N/A

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

9-way videoconferencing (business model)

Cost 30-day free trial: $200–$7000 yearly depending on usage

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros

Cons Expensive: few feature specs available: site apparently not updated since 2009

Recommendation No

Notes:

Stickam

Website http://www.stickam.com/

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software Browser-based: “internet connection and a browser with the most recent version of Macromedia Flash Player installed”

Required hardware Webcam/microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system N/A

Bandwidth requirements

“DSL or T1 broadband is not required, but it is strongly recommended.”

Video quality “The Stickam player is currently available in several different sizes ranging from: 160x160, to 820x490”

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

Live broadcast service: potentially any number of connections

Cost Free

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros Free

Cons May not allow private broadcasting

Recommendation ?

Notes:

Tokbox (obsolete): OpenTok API

Website http://www.tokbox.com

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software Macromedia Flash

Required hardware Webcam, Microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Windows XP, Windows Vista & Windows 7: Mac 0.4 (Tiger or higher)

Bandwidth requirements

Standard DSL line with a minimum upload and download speed of 160kb per call participant

Video quality Depends on user

Audio quality Depends on user

Number of connections

Up to 20 streams can be on-screen (published), but thousands can subscribe as viewers.

Cost Free (as far as can be discerned)

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros Flexible API can be used to develop custom solutions

Cons Tokbox program obsolete as of April 2011

Recommendation Maybe

Notes:OpenTok is still available but is an API for developing video chat applications rather than a program/client in itself.Review: “This is a platform, not just a canned widget, so web developers have control over how the in-browser video conference looks and behaves. This essentially enables you to integrate video conferencing anywhere Flash works.”

Yahoo Messenger

Website http://messenger.yahoo.com/features/

Suggested model(s) Current version

Required software Yahoo Messenger

Required hardware Webcam, microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Mac OS X 10.4 - 10.6: Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

N/A

Cost Free

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros

Cons A lower-level consumer option: few feature specs available

Recommendation No

Notes:

MeBeam (obsolete)

Website http://www.MeBeam.com

Suggested model(s) N/A (browser-based)

Required software N/A (browser-based), Macromedia Flash installed

Required hardware Webcam, microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system N/A (browser-based)

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

10 or more

Cost Free

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Free and easy to use

Cons Defunct as of 2010: few feature specifications available

Recommendation No

Notes: The site now forwards to koowy . com (see below)

Koowy

Website http://www.koowy.com

Suggested model(s) N/A (browser-based)

Required software N/A (browser-based)

Required hardware Webcam, microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system N/A (browser-based)

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

Up to 6

Cost None

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros Easy to use.

Cons Few feature specs available.

Recommendation Maybe

Notes:Possibly the most easy to use and set up. “To start a chat type in a title for your room or find an existing chat to join. From there, you will have to make sure your webcam is adjusted properly and you can use your microphone too. Once that's all in place, invite your friends by telling them the name of your room or giving them the address of the room by copying it from your browsers address bar.”

Prosumer Level Videoconferencing Options

Adobe Connect

Website http://www.adobe.com/products/adobeconnect/

Suggested model(s) Adobe Connect (hosted)

Required software Adobe Flash player

Required hardware Any third-party camera: “Adobe Connect can integrate industry-standard H.264 audio and video streams from VTC solutions, organizations can leverage their existing investments in VTC platforms within Adobe Connect for seamless interoperability and a vendor-neutral approach to unified communications.”

Optional accessories None

Operating system Mac 10.4+/Windows XP or 7/Linux/Solaris/Mobile: Adobe Flash Player required

Bandwidth requirements

100Mbps Ethernet (1Gbps recommended)

Video quality Variable depending on hardware/bandwidth: no upper limit stated

Audio quality Variable depending on hardware/bandwidth: no upper limit stated

Number of connections

Many (not specified)

Cost Not specified: Annual subscription contract

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Has an “e-learning” focus, allowing the construction of virtual classrooms, administration of quizzes, and so onContent can be streamed or on-demand30-day free trial

Cons Adobe Connect is not a videoconference solution per se, but rather a ‘client’ where video can be stored/streamed and accessed by many users using Adobe’s Flash player, either by Adobe’s own server (hosted) or an on-premise server, similar to Blackboard but with more of a video focus

Recommendation Low

Notes: Adobe connect does not focus on high-quality video conferencing, but rather on providing a service extending online communication and collaboration tools; as such few technical details on resolution and audio quality are available.

iLecture

Website None

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software N/A

Required hardware N/A

Optional accessories N/A

Operating system N/A

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

N/A

Cost N/A

Availability in Australia N/A

Pros N/A

Cons N/A

Recommendation N/A

Notes: iLecture does not appear to be a proprietary ‘system’, but rather a generic term (particularly used in Australia) to refer to any digitised video lecture. These iLectures are offered through different systems depending on the institution.

BrightCom: Visual Collaboration System – VCS

Website http://www.brightcom.com/

Suggested model(s) Room Video Conferencing - ClearView CVC2052

Required software Proprietary BrightCom software, on Brightcom’s Visual Collaborations System (VCS)

Required hardware Supplied: 2 52” flatscreen monitors, PTZ camera, built-in microphone, Brightcom Visual Collaborations System (VCS)

Optional accessories N/A

Operating system Proprietary BrightCom software

Bandwidth requirements

Not specified

Video quality HD or DVD quality video incorporating H.264 and H.263 standards, 30fps

Audio quality CD Quality

Number of connections

16

Cost Not specified

Availability in Australia

Not specified

Pros Offboard VCS system compresses/processes image and sound for optimum stream quality

Cons A BrightCom system is required for each participant

Recommendation Low

Notes: BrightCom’s offboard processing of image/sound and PTZ camera are the two best aspects of this system, however information on cost and availability in Australia is undetermined. However PTZ cameras such as the Sony EVI-HD1 are widely available and could be used with other systems.

Cisco: WebEx

Website http://www.webex.com.au/

Suggested model(s) Cisco WebEx Meeting Centre

Required software WebEx Meeting Centre software

Required hardware Web Camera, microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Windows, Mac, Linux, and Solaris: within-browser

Bandwidth requirements

Not specified

Video quality “High quality” but not specified

Audio quality Not specified

Number of connections

Up to 25

Cost $49/month

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Free Trial available

Cons Video/audio quality not confirmed

Recommendation Low

Notes:

Glance Networks

Website http://www.glance.net/

Suggested model(s) Glance (one model only)

Required software Glance software

Required hardware None

Optional accessories Not specified

Operating system Glance works on Macs running anything from Mac OS X v10.4 (Tiger) to v10.6 (Snow Leopard). The PC version of Glance can run on Windows 2000 or higher.

Bandwidth requirements

Not specified

Video quality Not specified

Audio quality Not specified

Number of connections

Up to 100

Cost $499 yearly or $49 monthly

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros Easy to use

Cons Appears to offer desktop sharing only, no camera transmission

Recommendation No

Notes:

Lotus Sametime

Website http://www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/products/sametime/

Suggested model(s) IBM Lotus Sametime Standard

Required software Sametime Standard

Required hardware Web camera, microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Windows, Mac, Solaris, Linux

Bandwidth requirements

Not specified

Video quality Not specified

Audio quality Not specified

Number of connections

Not specified

Cost Not specified

Availability in Australia

Not specified

Pros

Cons Very little available detail on technical specifications and cost. Appears to be more for web video meetings than higher-quality video conferencing.

Recommendation Low

Notes:

GlobalMedia: "EasyShareVC"

Website http://www.globalmedia.com/

Suggested model(s) EasyShare software (one model only)

Required software EasyShare software

Required hardware Uses third-party PTZ camera such as iREZ i5990, and microphone.

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Windows only

Bandwidth requirements

Not specified

Video quality Not specified

Audio quality Not specified

Number of connections

Not specified

Cost Not specified for software: hardware prices (camera, microphone etc.) are listed online

Availability in Australia

Not specified

Pros Allows far-end camera control: parent company GlobalMedia also a reseller of conference camera equipment (e.g. http://store.globalmedia.com/page/GD/PROD/Web-Conference/GMK6008i)

Cons Product appears to not have been updated since 2007

Recommendation Low

Notes: EasyShare is developed for teleconferencing for medical applications. Although EasyShare may be outdated it shows how PTZ cameras can be used for remote viewing of detailed visuals.

IVèS: Live Video Plugin

Website http://www.ives.fr/index.php/about-us/technologies

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software N/A

Required hardware N/A

Optional accessories N/A

Operating system N/A

Bandwidth requirements

N/A

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

N/A

Cost N/A

Availability in Australia

N/A

Pros

Cons Ivés is not a end-user product, it a company which develops web videoconferencing solutions and offers a custom-built video plugin.

Recommendation Low

Notes:

LifeSize: Desktop

Website http://www.lifesize.com/Products/Video/LifeSize_Desktop/Desktop.aspx

Suggested model(s)

LifeSize® Desktop™

Required software LifeSize® Desktop™

Required hardware None, but HD camera input recommended.

Optional accessories

Logitech B910 or C910, Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000

Operating system Windows OS

Bandwidth requirements

Variable. Default call bandwidth of 1Mbps receive, 384kbps transmit.

Video quality HD

Audio quality Wideband

Number of connections

2

Cost NA

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Offers a 30-day trial. Offers 720p (@ 30fps depending on hardware) HD video. Supports ‘off the shelf’ webcams, as well as PTZ-like ‘Far end camera control’

Cons

Recommendation Moderate

Notes:

Lifesize is a division of Logitech.

MegaMeeting

Website http://www.megameeting.com/

Suggested model(s)

Professional

Required software None, except a browser

Required hardware None

Optional accessories

http://www.megameeting.com/videoconferencingequipment_codes.html

Operating system Platform independent, browser based.

Bandwidth requirements

NA

Video quality NA

Audio quality High, uses integrated VoIP

Number of connections

Up to 16

Cost NA

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros As it is browser based, it is platform independent. Allows streams to be recorded.

Cons Limited information offered on website suggests that while it would be good for collaborative conferencing, it might not be HD.

Recommendation Low

Notes:

MegaMeeting appears to cater more to interactive webinars with a number of parties than to HD videoconferencing. MegaMeeting states: “MegaMeeting provides the highest quality and most flexible video streams of any browser-based system.” However, most browser based solutions have not been ranked highly.

Microsoft: NetMeeting

Website http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=26c9da7c-f778-4422-a6f4-efb8abba021e

Suggested model(s)

NA

Required software Microsoft NetMeeting

Required hardware NA

Optional accessories

Operating system Windows

Bandwidth requirements

Variable. Minimal requirements

Video quality Low

Audio quality Low

Number of connections

2+

Cost Free

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Free. Would be a good pedagogical workspace.

Cons More of a collaborative workspace than a viable videoconferencing solution for performance. Not HD.

Recommendation No

Notes:

According to the website, “NetMeeting delivers a complete Internet conferencing solution for all Windows users with multi-point data conferencing, text chat, whiteboard, and file transfer, as well as point-to-point audio and video.”

Largely outdated. Recently superseded by Windows Meeting Space. Windows Meeting Space is not included as it largely caters to the same usage outlined above.

Microsoft: Office Live Meeting

Website http://www.microsoft.com/business/en-us/products/officelivemeeting/default.aspx?fbid=jFgVWZTlmtd

Suggested model(s) Professional

Required software Microsoft Office Live Meeting

Required hardware NA

Optional accessories

Operating system Windows

Bandwidth requirements

Video quality NA

Audio quality NA

Number of connections

2+

Cost $16 per user per month (minimum of 5 users for acquisition)

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Would be a good pedagogical workspace.

Cons More of a collaborative workspace tailored for business/productivity than a viable videoconferencing solution for performance. Not HD.

Recommendation No

Notes:

According to the website, “Reducing travel time and making meetings and conference calls more productive can lower your costs and increase your efficiency. Microsoft Office Live Meeting can help you stay connected with your customers without leaving your office. As a collaboration tool for employees who may be on the road or working from home, Office Live Meeting helps you do more: promote shorter, more efficient and productive meetings; reduce project cycle time; and experience faster problem resolution... Office Live Meeting helps your attendees stay focused on the task at hand through interactive tools such as live webcam video, white board, application sharing, and chat. You can record a meeting with a single click of a mouse and you can receive real-time feedback to promote faster decision-making.”

Mirial s.u.r.l.: Mirial Softphone

Website http://www.mirial.com/products/Mirial_Softphone_HD.html

Suggested model(s) Mirial Softphone

Required software Mirial Softphone client

Required hardware NA

Optional accessories

HD webcam

Operating system Windows/Mac OS

Bandwidth requirements

2Mbps

Video quality Natural, full-motion video up to 2Mbps @ 30fps @ H.264 @ 1080p

Audio quality Crystal clear audio with full duplex echo canceller

Number of connections

2

Cost 169 Euro per license

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Full-HD 1080p support. Video calls can be recorded and exported.

Cons

Recommendation Moderate

Notes:

In addition to videoconferencing, allows “Presentation: H.239 (dual monitor support) and DesktopSharing”.

Full data specs available at: http :// www . mirial . com / pdf / Datasheet / MirialSoftphone _ Datasheet . pdf

Nefsis: Nefsis Professional

Website http://www.nefsis.com/Best-Video-Conferencing-Software/hd-video-conferencing.html

Suggested model(s) Room/HD Video Conferencing

Required software Nefsis Professional

Required hardware None (other than multicore CPU)

Optional accessories HD webcam, eg. Sony® EVI-HD1

Operating system Windows

Bandwidth requirements

Broadband

Video quality High, however also variable depending on connection

Audio quality High

Number of connections

2

Cost Quote required.

Availability in Australia

NA

Pros Cost effective. HD

Cons Unsure

Recommendation Moderate-High

Notes:

Nefsis Professional offers HD Video Conferencing at 720 & 1080, using standard video peripherals. According to their website, Nefsis promises HD videoconferencing without the need for dedicated hardware (such as TelePresence systems). This option would warrant further examination.

Nefsis Basic is an alternative to Dimdim.

ooVoo

Website http://www.oovoo.com

Suggested model(s) Current version

Required software ooVoo or ooVoo web client

Required hardware Webcam/microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Microsoft Windows XP, Vista or 7: Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard (OSX 10.4 and up)

Bandwidth requirements

Broadband

Video quality N/A

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

Up to 6

Cost 3-way chats are free: more participants require monthly or per-use fees (amount dependent on usage)

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros Can record video/audio calls

Cons Advertising banner in free version: ongoing costs for certain features

Recommendation No

Notes:

Radvision: Scopia Systems

Website http://www.radvision.com/Products/Video-Conference-Systems/Conference-Room-Systems/

Suggested model(s) SCOPIA XT1000 HD Room System

Required software NA

Required hardware Scopia Room System

Optional accessories Second camera

Operating system NA. Appears to be a standalone system.

Bandwidth requirements

Broadband (up to 12Mbps)

Video quality Full HD 1080p @ 30fps

Audio quality High

Number of connections

2

Cost NA

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Audio/Video can be recorded. Specifically mentions use in Education and Distance Learning. Comes with a 10x zoom PTZ camera. Can be controlled by iPad

Cons

Recommendation High

Notes:

Although listed in the Prosumer list of products (as Radvision products start from ‘Desktop Videoconferencing’ solutions), Radvision offer “a high-end system without a high-end price tag”.

Detailed catalogue of products and requirements can be found here:http :// www . radvision . com / NR / rdonlyres / FEF 8 D 1 A 4-3912-4531-9 F 8 A - AC 985 FC 6 BC 02/0/ Product _ catalogue _ MKT 1018 AEN _ web . pdf http :// www . radvision . com / NR / rdonlyres /256062 FB -9637-4566- A 29 D - F 64606 D 9 E 9 D 0/0/ SCOPIA _ XT 1000_ Quick _ Setup _ Guide _ MKTDI 210610 A 01_ web . pdf

SightSpeed: Video Chat

Website http://www.sightspeed.com/business

Suggested model(s) SightSpeed Business

Required software SightSpeed Business

Required hardware None

Optional accessories Webcam

Operating system Windows/Mac OS

Bandwidth requirements

“High-speed Internet Connection such as DSL or Cable Required for Full Motion Video”

Video quality Unknown

Audio quality Unknown

Number of connections

Up to 9

Cost $189.95 Yearly for a single seat

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros

Cons Does not suit the Project Brief

Recommendation No

Notes:

A service of Logitech.

While tailored to business use, the site identifies SightSpeed as “The first high quality, cost-effective and easy-to-use video conferencing solution for every business. Unlike traditional high cost, room-based hardware systems, SightSpeed Business also is fully portable -- all you need is a webcam and broadband connection.” SightSpeed appears to be more of an alternative for phone services, or basic videoconferencing.

Skype

Website http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/video-call/

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software Skype software

Required hardware None

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system Mac/Windows/Linux

Bandwidth requirements

512 kbit/s for HD video

Video quality Supports ‘HD’ video

Audio quality ?

Number of connections

Multiple

Cost Free

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros File sharing, screen sharing available

Cons

Recommendation Low

Notes:

Listed in the Prosumer options, as its use can be improved with additional hardware like the LifeSize Passport HD Video Conferencing Kit with PTZ Camera and MicPod.

Skype HD hack:http :// www . engadget . com /2007/02/11/ skype - hack - enables - higher - resolution - video - calls / (alters the defaults of 320 x 240 / 15 fps to 640 x 480)

Stickam

Website http://www.stickam.com/

Suggested model(s) N/A

Required software Browser-based: “internet connection and a browser with the most recent version of Macromedia Flash Player installed”

Required hardware Webcam/microphone

Optional accessories None suggested

Operating system N/A

Bandwidth requirements

“DSL or T1 broadband is not required, but it is strongly recommended.”

Video quality “The Stickam player is currently available in several different sizes ranging from: 160x160, to 820x490”

Audio quality N/A

Number of connections

Live broadcast service: potentially any number of connections

Cost Free

Availability in Australia Yes

Pros Free

Cons May not allow private broadcasting

Recommendation No

Notes:

Tandberg: Movi

Website http://www.tandberg.com/personal-video-conferencing/pc-mac-video-movi-v2.jsp

Suggested model(s) Movi

Required software Movi

Required hardware None

Optional accessories HD Webcam

Operating system Windows/Mac OS

Bandwidth requirements

Broadband (however quality is reported to be outstanding with a T3)

Video quality Good

Audio quality Good

Number of connections

2+

Cost NA

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros A portable HD solution for videoconferencing (720p)

Cons A desktop solution, as opposed to a room-based solution

Recommendation Medium

Notes:

Although a Prosumer option, Tandberg offers a powerful software backbone (controlling packet loss etc). Movi is referred to as Personal TelePresence and should be considered a possible option, however Tandberg’s other TelePresence systems are listed in the Professional options, and are more suited to this project.

Product brochure available here: http :// www . tandberg . com / collateral / product _ brochures / TANDBERG %20 Movi %20 Product %20 Sheet . pdf

Tokbox

Website http://www.tokbox.com/

Suggested model(s)

Required software

Required hardware

Optional accessories

Operating system

Bandwidth requirements

Video quality

Audio quality

Number of connections

Cost

Availability in Australia

Pros

Cons

Recommendation No

Notes:

Standalone product is obsolete. Now an API for web apps. See notes in Consumer section.

Vidyo: VidyoConferencing

Website http://www.vidyo.com/

Suggested model(s) VidyoDesktop™

Required software VidyoPortal™

Required hardware None

Optional accessories Webcam

Operating system Windows/Mac OS/iOS (iPad)/SmartPhone

Bandwidth requirements

Broadband

Video quality ‘telepresence-quality’, but variable

Audio quality Good

Number of connections 2+

Cost NA

Availability in Australia NA

Pros Encodes up to 720p HD video, Supports off-the-shelf webcams, Far end camera control (Windows only) allows a desktop participant to Pan/Tilt/Zoom a

camera in a remote VidyoRoom

Cons

Recommendation Medium

Notes:

Termed ‘Personal TelePresence’. According to their website: “We make natural video communication available to everyone—from the office, home or while traveling—over general purpose IP networks, including the Internet. Vidyo has made telepresence-quality video conferences easy and affordable on PCs, Macs and HD room systems.”

Datasheet can be found here: http :// www . vidyo . com / documents / datasheets - brochures / VidyoDesktop _ DS _ US . pdf

vzRoom

Website http :// www . vzroom . com / eng / video _ conferencing _ what . html / http :// www . vzroom . com / eng / video _ conferencing _ what . html

Suggested model(s) vzRoom Superior

Required software vzRoom

Required hardware None

Optional accessories

Webcam

Operating system Windows

Bandwidth requirements

500kbps

Video quality Supports 1024x768 video

Audio quality Good

Number of connections

2+

Cost Free (a paid service for hosting your own server is available)

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros

Cons More suited to desktop videoconferencing

Recommendation Low

Notes:

According to the website: “vzRoom™ requires no special hardware to conduct superior quality of video conference. Instead, it only needs personal computers to be its servers and clients, plus some basic accessories. Below are the server and client requirements in different performance perspectives.”

Professional Level Videoconferencing options

yellowBird

Website http://www.yellowbirdsdonthavewingsbuttheyflytomakeyouexperiencea3dreality.com/

Suggested model(s)

yellowBird

Required software

yellowBird Studio

Required hardware

yellowBird Camera

Optional accessories

yellowBird Cameras

Operating system Delivered via web browser

Bandwidth requirements

1200Mbps (for recording)

Video quality High

Audio quality NA

Number of connections

NA

Cost Unknown

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Hi resolution panoramic video.

Cons Technically, may be more than required for the project brief. It appears that it may only be one-way, so would be suitable for a lecture, but not a videoconference. Appears to also be an ‘offline’ non-realtime solution.

Recommendation Medium (for pedagogical purposes), Low (for interactive live performance)

Notes:

yellowBird offers a unique experience, not offered by any of the other videoconferencing options, namely 360º video.

Information about the camera, studio etc. can be found here:http :// www . yellowbirdsdonthavewingsbuttheyflytomakeyouexperiencea 3 dreality . com / products / technology

Musion Eyeliner

Website http://www.musion.co.uk/

Suggested model(s) Eyeliner

Required software Much information supplied by the website is limited to registered users, so limited information is available here.

Required hardware Musion system (projector/stage/foil screen)

Optional accessories

Operating system Much information supplied by the website is limited to registered users, so limited information is available here.

Bandwidth requirements

As above

Video quality Good

Audio quality Good

Number of connections

2

Cost NA

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Could be used to create a collaborative performance. In terms of TelePresence the Eyeliner system is fully bi-directional.

Cons

Recommendation Medium-High

Notes:

Like yellowBird, Musion offers a unique solution to videoconferencing, namely 3D holographic video projection.

While this similarly goes beyond the project brief somewhat, it would be an excellent tool for networked performance. According to the website: “Musion Eyeliner is a high definition 3D holographic video projection system allowing a spectacular 3-dimensional moving life-size hologram to appear within a live stage setting using Peppers Ghost technology. Eyeliner brings dramatic, previously unseen 21st century video film effects to live events, including audiovisual artistic performances, conference or trade show presentations, retail displays and large-scale digital signage.”

Their website also demonstrates the use of Musion in a TelePresence context, using FibreOptic cable:http :// www . musion . co . uk / musion _ telepresence . html

It appears that the Musion system could be used in conjunction with another TelePresence system (or with camera hardware of your choice).

Although not catering to videoconferencing, a company in Australia, Shirley Spectra creates hardware projection systems similar to that of Musion. http :// www . shirleyspectra . com . au /

LifeSize (Logitech)

Website http://www.lifesize.com/

Suggested model(s) LifeSize Desktop

Required software LifeSize Desktop Software (30-day free trial available) standalone desktop client

Required hardware Webcam (Logitech models recommended) and USB speakerphones

Optional accessories HD Videoconferencing cameras: LifeSize® Camera 10x™, with 10x optical zoom has point/tilt/zoom (PTZ) controlMicPod omnidirectional microphone for high definition audio

Operating system Windows Vista/XP

Bandwidth requirements

1Mbps receive, 384kbps transmit by default but lower/higher bandwidths available

Video quality 720p30 video in full 16:9

Audio quality HD audio (AAC)

Number of connections

1

Cost Dependent on model. $4000+

Availability in Australia Yes (software)

Pros 30-day free trial available, PTZ HD camera

Cons Windows OS only. May require a ‘1-year Assurance Maintenance Services Contract’ to be purchased with the system.

Recommendation Recommended

Notes:

A third party webstore offers the LifeSize Passport HD Video Conferencing Kit with PTZ Camera and MicPod for $3500US.http :// www . videoconferencingsupply . com / LifeSize - Room -1000-0000-1124- p / lifesize -1000-0000-1124- vcs . htm

The site also states that the hardware can be used with Skype:

“LifeSize Passport is the first and only HD video system to deliver telepresence-quality and unmatched simplicity at a price point that enables broad deployment to every knowledge worker in your organization. And with its compact form factor, LifeSize Passport is the first truly portable telepresence-quality system; Passport is so small, it fits in the palm of your hand.

With LifeSize Passport you get true HD video quality - 720p30 - for natural, realistic interactions at only 1Mbps over any internet connection. And LifeSize Passport is the first HD video communication system that works with Skype™, making connecting with colleagues and customers easier than ever.

Ideal for individual offices, teleworkers, and collaboration rooms, Passport enables you to stay connected, anywhere, anytime. Easy to set-up, easy to connect, and easy to use, with LifeSize Passport, you will be communicating face-to-face in minutes.

In today's fast-moving global economy, the telephone and e-mail are not enough. Frequent face-to-face meetings and meaningful dialog are vital for success, but travel is expensive and time-consuming. LifeSize Passport enables you to maximize productivity and to eliminate wasted travel time. The return on your investment has never been more clear.”

The LifeSize Camera HD PTZ Video Conferencing Camera alone is $3000US.http :// www . videoconferencingsupply . com / LifeSize - Camera - HD - PTZ -1000-0000-0107- p / lifesize -1000- 0000-0107- vcs . htm

“LifeSize Camera is the videoconferencing industry's first high definition pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera. LifeSize Camera provides video resolution support up to 1280 x 720p at 30 frames per second, and features a wide angle lens with a 70 degree field of view and 4x optical zoom.

Pan, tilt and zoom functions can be controlled easily by both ends of the call. LifeSize Camera is a powerful yet simple plug and play solution that delivers an optimal video communication experience.

Designed entirely by LifeSize for its high definition video communications solution, the LifeSize Camera provides the best price/performance in the industry for any PTZ camera.”

Panasonic: VC500

Website http://www.panasonic.com/promos/hdvisual-communications/hd-video-conferencing.asp

Suggested model(s) VC500

Required software NA, standalone system

Required hardware Supplied

Optional accessories HD Cameras

Operating system NA, standalone system

Bandwidth requirements

3Mbps (100baseT network only)

Video quality High

Audio quality High

Number of connections

Up to 3

Cost Would need to contact Australian distributor.

Availability in Australia

Yes

Pros Full HD video and 360º audio. Easy to install and use. Supports a number of camera inputs. Mobile HD camera offers PTZ functionality.

Cons Cameras need HDMI connections for HD inputs

Recommendation High

Notes:

The Panasonic VC500 offers HD video at lower bitrates: “The VC500 delivers full HD video even down to 3 Mbps, allowing for more cost-effective use of bandwidth. Other systems require 6 Mbps for HD resolution”.

Product is sold as an integrated package. Package includes: 50” Plasma TV, 2 HD Video Camcorders, HD Video Controller, VPN Router, 360º HD Audio Microphone and Remote Control.

Product brochure can be found here: http :// www . panasonic . com / promos / hdvisual - communications / includes / pdf / vc 500_ brochure . pdf ? cm _ sp = PSNA -_- HDVC - Landing - Page -_- Download - Brochure

Cisco Systems: Cisco TelePresence

Website http :// www . tandberg . com / http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps7060/index.html

Suggested model(s)

Required software

Required hardware TelePresence Server/Media Processing System

Optional accessories

Operating system

Bandwidth requirements

56 kbps – 2 Mbps

Video quality Excellent

Audio quality Excellent

Number of connections

Multiple

Cost

Availability in Australia

Pros Works with TelePresence systems offered by other vendors as well as other video conferencing endpoints. Customisable quality/bitrate/resolution settings.

Cons Requires additional hardware (TelePresence Server or Media Processing System). Despite the use of 1080p HD cameras, the Media Processing System appears to only support 720p video.

Recommendation Highly recommended.

Notes:

Formerly Tandberg TelePresence (eg. TANDBERG T3 TelePresence high definition conference room)http :// www . tandberg . com / press - room / video - conferencing - telepresence - photo - gallery . jsp

A series of 5 TelePresence options are offered by Cisco/Tandberg:● Telepresence T3● Telepresence T3 Custom Edition● Cisco TelePresence System 1300● Cisco TelePresence System 3010● Cisco TelePresence System 3210

A comprehensive book entitled “Cisco TelePresence Fundamentals” by Szigeti, McMenamy, Saville and Glowacki outlines a number of issues discussed in this research project. On page 66, a table demonstrates trade-offs between resolution, framerate, motion-handling and bitrate options. Page 67 addresses packet loss and frame intervals. A large majority of the book can be preview at: http :// books . google . com . au / books ? id =1 fKoJX 40 KtYC & printsec = frontcover

Teliris Telepresence

Website http://www.teliris.com/

Suggested model(s) Teliris Personal Telepresence (or Teliris Home Telepresence or Teliris Nano Telepresence)

Required software Proprietary Teliris software

Required hardware Single 40” display (provided) for Personal Telepresence option

Optional accessories Additional screens depending on model

Operating system N/A: proprietary 6G platform/hardware

Bandwidth requirements

Video/audio dynamically scales depending on available bandwidth

Video quality HD/SD (up to 720p) video, 60/30 FPS. Other models can broadcast in 3D.

Audio quality DVD or HD quality true duplex audio and Dolby-Digital sound. AAC/LC up to 22kHz.

Number of connections

Multiple, depending on model/cost

Cost ?

Availability in Australia ?

Pros Accurate eyeline contact

Cons May only be cost effective for large organisations ordering multiple systemsDoes not seem to interface easily with computers, instead requiring custom Teliris easels/Touchtables

Recommendation High

Notes: