Types of Videoconferencing Systems

Overview

There are two basic types of H.323 videconferencing systems: group systems (typically installed in conference rooms or classrooms), and personal / desktop systems (typically installed on a Windows-based desktop PC or laptop). Currently, there are approximately 300 group systems installed at IU campuses and extension centers, and an estimated 100 personal desktop systems.
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Group Systems

Recommended Group Systems: Tandberg MXP Series
IU Video Infrastructure recommends Tandberg MXP series high definition group systems (typically: the Edge95 MXP, IU Price approximately $9300) for new purchases or upgrades/life cycle replacements. Because of the many variables in system offerings and features, user needs, and room conditions, we strongly recommend that purchasers contact videoindiana.edu for a personal consultation session and/or site survey of your conference or class room before you buy. Please note that IU currently maintains a preferred vendor relationship with Netech Corporation in Carmel Indiana to leverage special purchase pricing discounts on Tandberg group systems for all IU campuses.

Recommended Room Configuration
While there is no single videoconferencing room configuration that is appropriate for all conference rooms, consider these design guidelines:
  • Display size. Size matters! As a general rule of thumb, consider a 52" flat panel monitor for 4-8 seat rooms, 60"-65" for 8-15 seats, and LCD projection for 15 seats or larger, or for rooms where the displayed image is >15' from the farthest seated viewer. Remember that you will be viewing computer text as well as multi-pane ("Brady Bunch") views of remote conference participants.
  • Flat panel floor stands -vs- wall-mounting. Reinforcing walls to allow large LCD flat panels to be wall-mounted is costly and time-consuming. Certain free-standing flat panel solutions such as the Chief Professional Mounting Solutions MF1 and PF1 stands can be assembled quickly, have a relatively shallow mounting depth (typically, front plane of the LCD TV will stand out from wall only about 23") and the stand and TV may be relocated without damage to existing walls. Rollabouts such as Ergotron LX Video Conferencing Cart are a good choice for mobile systems.
  • Display placement. The display should be centered on the tabletop so that each person has an unobstructed view of the screen. When possible, consider placing the screen on the "wide side" of the tabletop, rather than at the end of the table. The disadvantage of wide-side placement is that fewer seated participants can see the display or be captured by the camera. The great advantage is that the screen is brought much closer to those who are seated opposite the screen, and the camera captures a far superior image of those same participants. However, wide-side placement typically works best only in small, 6-seat conference rooms. The display should be positioned at a height that as much as possible allows the camera to be placed at seated eye-level.
  • Camera placement. The videoconferencing camera should be placed on top of the flat panel monitor (or immediately below the projected image) and centered on the tabletop so as to capture the optimal view of each person's face. The camera should be positioned as close as possible to seated eye level considering the size of the display.
  • Microphones. Physical proximity to the microphone is critical for optimal voice clarity. Microphones must be relatively unobstructed by laptops and other "noisemakers." RFI-shielded microphones can reduce GSM noise injected by Blackberries and other PDA's. Wired microphones are much more reliable than wireless. Typically, a single omni-directional tabletop microphone such as Audio Technical U841 is a good choice for a 4-10 seat table in terms of tradeoffs among proximity, obstruction, "wire clutter at the tabletop" and RFI mitigation.
  • Computer presentation. The ability to present a computer image both to the local participants and to the remote participants easily and reliably is critical. A laptop interface cable (with audio) at the tabletop should be considered a requirement, and power at the tabletop should be considered highly desirable.

Please contact videoindiana.edu to discuss videoconferencing purchase, installation/configuration, and room configuration.

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Personal / Desktop Systems

Personal or desktop videoconferencing allows you to participate in a video- and audio-enabled meeting from your computer. You must have desktop videoconferencing hardware and software installed on your computer. Your computer must also have audio capabilities (e.g., a sound card and speakers) and a reliable network connection. Upon installation of the necessary hardware and software, the user can contact other videoconferencing endpoints and participate in multi-point videoconferences. The video feed from the remote endpoint's camera will display on your computer screen and the audio will play through your speakers. The remote endpoint will see and hear the output from your unit.