Overview of Videoconferencing

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Overview of Videoconferencing

• Brad Paleg
• CIT Distance Learning
• January 22, 2002

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"Facing the Challenge of a New Age"

• This new world of geographical togetherness has
  been brought about, to a great extent, by man's
  scientific and technological genius. Man has been
  able to dwarf distance, place time in chains and
  carve highways through the stratosphere. Through
  our scientific genius, we have made the world a
  neighborhood
• Martin Luther King, Jr., December, 1956

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Learner Goals

• Describe videoconferencing concepts, including
  situations where videoconferencing may be used
• Identify the videoconferencing equipment
• Locate and utilize AGNR specific
  videoconferencing information on the web
• Describe who to contact for scheduling a
  videoconference
• Describe how to prepare for a videoconference

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Videoconferencing What Is It?

• Video conferencing in its most basic form is the
  transmission of image (video) and speech (audio)
  back and forth between two or more physically
  separate locations.
• Video Conferencing Cookbook.
• http//www.vide.gatech.edu/cookbook2.0/

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Videoconferencing Components

• Cameras (to capture and send video from your
  local endpoint)
• Video displays (to display video received from
  remote endpoints)
• Microphones (to capture and send audio from your
  local endpoint)
• Speakers (to play audio received from remote
  endpoints)

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In Addition, Two Additional Requirements

• Codec - "compressor/de-compressor - makes the
  audio/video data "small enough" to be practical
  for sending over expensive network connections. A
  codec takes analog signals, compresses and
  digitizes them, and transmits the signals over
  digital phone lines.
• The Supporting System and the Network Connection

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H.323 Its Not a Disease

• Standard for interoperability in audio, video and
  data transmissions as well as Internet phone and
  voice-over-IP (VoIP)
• Enables videoconferencing without usage fees
• But does not have QOS (quality of service)

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POP QUIZ (multiple choice)

• A polycom is
• A) one of those geometric atrocities whose angles
  add up to heck of a lot more than the sum of its
  sides
• B) A tame parrot (Polycalm, get it?)
• C) A triangular representation of the USS
  Starship.
• D) None of the above

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Polycom

• Polycom is the market leader in endpoint voice
  and video communications.
• AGNR has been a user of Polycom equipment for
  roughly two years.
• This past summer, University System of Maryland
  upgraded its Interactive Video Network (IVN),
  standardizing on Polycom videoconferencing
  equipment.

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Polycom Units

• Large conference room units
• ViewStation FX and the VS 4000
• Medium conference room units
• ViewStation MP
• Personal units
• ViaVideo

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Show Me The Money

• Medium / Large Room Systems
• ViewStation FX - 8,000 10,000
• Small Room Systems
• ViewStation H.323 - 4,000 - 6,000
• Desktop Systems
• ViaVideo - 400

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Point-to-point Conferences

• Point-to-point A videoconference that connects
  two locations.
• Each site sees and hears the other sites at all
  times

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Multipoint Conferences

• Point-to-multipoint A videoconference that
  connects to more than two sites through the use
  of a multi-point control unit, or MCU.
• Participants at all sites can hear one another at
  all times and see the site that is currently
  speaking.
• Voice activated switching
• Multi-point conferencing can be effective
  although the scheduling, technical, and
  logistical dimensions of MCU conferences can be
  imposing.

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Multipoint Conferences

• AGNR has two different capabilities of
  participating in multipoint conferences
• Utilize a bridge maintained by the USM Office of
  Information Technology
• Some of the Polycom units (Gudelsky Center,
  LESREC, UMD - Plant Sciences, and UMES) include
  four point MCU functionality

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But Its Much More Than Video

• Computer presentations
• Other media
• CDs, DVDs,
• ELMO visual presenter (hardcopies, photos)

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Various Uses

• Presentations
• Virtual meetings
• Videoconference-based learning
• JIT (just in time) events
• Recruitment/search committees
• General meetings

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Additional Uses

• Project coordination
• Informal work sessions
• Alumni relations
• Question and answer sessions

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Videoconferencing Is Passé Terminology

• Traditional videoconferencing was about
  audio-video communications to facilitate meetings
  without the burden of travel.
• Visual collaboration is much more it is the
  combination of audio and video and data in both
  real-time and store-and-forward applications.
• Its not just about meetings anymore.

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Visual Collaboration

• Meetings Meetings, presentations,
  training
• Work alone Teaming, local and remote
• On-site training Distance learning, online
  training
• Save Money Be more productive
• Reliable connections Managed network services
• Videoconferencing Visual collaboration

Visual Collaboration Andrew W. Davis Wainhouse
Research June 1999
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Benefits of Videoconferencing

• Can improve work quality
• Increase productivity
• Reduce costs
• Improves communication
• Groups can meet more frequently
• Critical meetings can be convened in less time
• More faculty and staff can be involved

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Benefits of Videoconference-based Learning

• Closely resembles traditional classroom-based
  education permits learners to be active
  participants in the process
• Faculty and staff needs can be met more quickly
  through just-in-time training
• More faculty and staff can be trained faster
  without increasing training resources
• Guest lecturers can be easily integrated into the
  course

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Benefits of Videoconference-based Learning

• Enables any site to be the provider of the
  learning activities.
• Videoconferencing is cost-effective, when you
  consider the traveling costs for traditional
  training.
• Videoconference-based learning exploits the
  already acquired videoconferencing technologies
  and network infrastructure.
• H.323 standards provide for learners in any H.323
  compliant site to be active participants.

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Limitations of Videoconferencing

• The initial cost of the equipment and leasing the
  lines to transmit conferences may be prohibitive.
  
• Unless a strong effort is made by the instructor,
  students not located with the instructor may
  remain uninvolved in the course.
• If visuals, like handwritten or copied materials,
  are not properly prepared, students may have a
  difficult time reading them.

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Limitations of Videoconferencing

• If the pipe that carries the transmission among
  sites is not large enough, the students may
  observe ghost images when rapid movement occurs
  in real time
• If the system is not properly configured, class
  members may observe an audio echo effect. The
  result is audio interference that detracts from
  the learning environment.

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Limitations of Videoconferencing

• The absence of QOS (Quality of Service) provides
  virtually no guarantee of a satisfying and
  successful experience
• Though the technology is improving, a successful
  videoconference is dependent upon the connections
  and technologies at all of the participating
  sites, AND the network infrastructure
• Security issues

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Tricks Of The Trade

• At the beginning of a videoconference make sure
  that participants introduce themselves. It is
  often helpful to have a sign in the background
  that gives your location.
• Look directly at the camera as often as possible
  when speaking.
• Wear neutral, solid colors. Avoid checks and
  stripes. Avoid white and shades of red. Red is
  not codec-friendly. Bright fluorescent objects
  also cause halo effects and other distracting
  artifacts.

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Tricks Of The Trade

• Be natural, but try to minimize motion.
• Try to arrange a simple, uncluttered, static
  background in neutral or darker solid colors. Do
  not sit in front of windows. Tilt pictures,
  framed degrees, awards or any other glass-covered
  wall hanging downward to eliminate reflection and
  glare.

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Tricks Of The Trade

• Try to have direct light on the face of the
  person speaking. Too much light from behind
  causes silhouetting, too much from above causes
  shadows under the eyes.
• Avoid placing videoconferencing equipment in
  rooms prone to echo effects or exposed to outside
  noise. Eliminate in-room sources of extraneous
  noise. On multipoint video conferences mute your
  location when not speaking.

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Tricks Of The Trade

• Be aware of the transmission delay ... pause for
  others to comment.
• When asking questions in a group conference,
  direct the question to a specific individual if
  possible.
• Use a real or even a fake plant to humanize the
  setting.

Visual Collaboration Andrew W. Davis Wainhouse
Research
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AGNR Videoconferencing Facilities
Washington County CES
Wye

• Gudelsky Center
• UMD Plant Sciences Building
• UMD, Symons Hall

Salisbury Facility (LESREC)
UMES, Henson Center
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AGNR Videoconferencing Facilities

• Gudelsky Center, Al Ingling
• UMD, Plant Sciences, Chris Sargent
• Salisbury Facility (LESREC),
  Expected to be operational - Feb '02,
  Vanessa Fitzmaurice
• Symons Hall, Brad Paleg
• UMES, Henson Building, Kat Harting
• Washington County Cooperative Extension Office,
  Steve Rogowsky
• Wye, Nan Stenzel

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AGNR Videoconferencing Info

• http//www.agnr.umd.edu/CIT/DL/
• Click on Videoconferencing

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Videoconference-basedLearning Strategies

• Establish Class Expectations
• It aint MTV
• At the begging of the session, prepare the
  preparing learners for an active experience
• Reduce Distractions
• Engage Students with Variety and Interaction
• Encourage Dialogue

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Video Conferencing Etiquette

• This is new and we are learning.
• Those who come from a television (production, not
  watching) as opposed to a computer background
  tend to be more effective.

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Prepare for the Worst Case Scenario

• Find out who handles difficult technical problems
  and how to contact him/her.
• Designate a remote facilitator.
• Develop a contingency plan for the remote site
  and share it with the remote facilitator. You
  might, for example, have a discussion topic or
  activity that supports the videoconference
  outcomes.

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Prepare for the Worst Case Scenario

• Share telephone numbers with your remote
  facilitator and troubleshooters.
• Make sure you (and your troubleshooters) are
  familiar with the equipment.
• Establish your connection 15-30 minutes prior to
  the meeting time. Most technical problems are
  observable when establishing a connection.
• If you have never connected with your remote site
  plan a "dry run" a week or so ahead of time.

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Video Conferencing Etiquette

• Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3,
• Connect and test PRIOR to the scheduled time
• Utilize the picture-in-picture to get a sense of
  what the remote sites are seeing
• Leaving well enough alone
• If the videoconference is satisfactory make as
  few adjustments as possible
• Unnecessary "twiddling" of audio or video can
  have very distracting results.

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Video Conferencing Etiquette

• Are you still with me?
• Videoconferencing is much more like an in person
  exchange than a telephone call body language
  and facial expression count!
• Avoid "multi-tasking" with other work, looking at
  other applications on the computer screen,
  talking to other local participants.

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Video Conferencing Etiquette

• Talking out of turn
• Stray noises and side conversations within a
  video conference distract from the primary
  conversation.
• Side conversations at remote sites seem to spring
  up more readily than they would if everyone were
  in the same actual room, which causes problems to
  voice-activated switching.

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Videoconferencing Resources

• AGNR information
• http//www.agnr.umd.edu/cit/dl/, click on
  Videoconferencing
• Video Conferencing Cookbook.
• http//www.vide.gatech.edu/cookbook2.0/
• Distance Education at a Glance Guide 10
• http//www.uidaho.edu/evo/dist10.html
• Videoconferencing for Learning
• http//www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/vidconf/