videoconference with conferencexp on rcts “estúdios” the next step tnc2006, may16 catania,...
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Videoconference with conferenceXP on RCTS “Estúdios” Videoconference with conferenceXP on RCTS “Estúdios”
The Next StepThe Next Step
TNC2006, May16 Catania, Italy
Nuno GonçalvesFCCN - Portugal
Foundation for National Scientific Computing
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Summary
• Overview;• “Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell;• Technological Platform;• Case Studies; • Cost Analysis;• Advantages/Disadvantages;• Short-Term Conclusions;• Future Developments;
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Overview
• Setup a multicast/unicast/IPv6 videoconference network, in order to provide collaboration activities with ConferenceXP;
• Provide a central venue service;
• Provide a central reflector to support unicast bridging to the multicast world;
• Alternative to H.323 videoconference technology;
http://www.conferencexp.net
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“Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 1/3
Multipurpose rooms with custom specifications;
Installed in 6 Portuguese Educational Institutions;
To be used by all Institutions and users connected to the Portuguese NREN;
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“Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 2/3
“Estúdios” Features:• Videoconference Meetings;• Collaboration Activities;• Audio/Video content producing;• Reception of high bandwidth content;• Streaming Activities;• Experimentation on videoconference and streaming
technologies; • Premium IP network with multicast and IPv6;• With support staff on site;• Web Scheduling System;
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“Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 3/3
“Estúdios” Locations
• IPB – Bragança
• IRIC UP – Porto
• UA – Aveiro
• UTL – Lisboa
• UE – Évora
• UALG - Faro
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Technological Platform 1/6
Main Hardware Used“Estúdios” CXP clients:• PIV, 2 Gb RAM;
– Gigabit Ethernet Board;– 2 PCI video cards ;
• ClearOne for Echo Cancellation• Digital 360º Microphones;• 5.1 Amplifier;• 5.1 Speakers;• 2 PTZ cameras;• 2 DLP projectors;• Smart board
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Technological Platform 2/6
Software Used
CXP Clients:• Windows Xp Professional ;• Conference Xp Client V3.2
(currently CXP is V3.5);• .NET Framework AND its SP1;
Central Venue Server:• W2K3 Server with OS updates;• IIS 6.0 for venues announcements;• CXP Venue Server;• Reflector Service to support unicast bridging;
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Technological Platform 3/6
Network:• All “estúdios” are multicast and IPv6 enabled
with QoS; • All CXP clients have gigabit Ethernet;
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Technological Platform 4/6• Multicast tests with Vic / Vat, VLC and QuickTime:
– Tests were made with vic and vat in order to operate CXP’s multicast with other applications;
– The use of WMV codec was a required feature in order to view the multicaststream;
– VLC (www.videolan.org) was used to play the stream. It was unsuccessful without WMV codec;
– .sdp files were usedto test with QuickTimeplayer;
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Technological Platform 5/6
• Unicast to Multicast:– The use of a central reflector service permits to a
unicast only network to receive multicast transmissions;
Reflector Service
Unicast / Multicast
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Technological Platform 6/6
• Other Similar Platforms:– VRVS;
FCCN is a VRVS partner.FCCN provides a central reflector to the RCTS community;
– Access Grid (AGTk);
– Macromedia Breeze (Licensed);
http://www.macromedia.com/software/breeze/
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Case Studies 1/5
• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240)– 2 Terminal end points with 4 video streams;
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Case Studies 2/5• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (640x480)
– 2 Terminal end points full screen;– Video stream with strong movement;
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Case Studies 3/5
• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240) – 3 Multicast terminal end points (MCU Like);– 1 Unicast terminal end point through reflector;
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Case Studies 4/5
• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240)– 3 terminal end points sharing applications using a
smart board collaboration environment;
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Case Studies 5/5
• PSTN integration through echo canceller successfully tested;
Costs AnalysisMinimum Hardware Requisites Costs Analysis:• Traditional H.323 Videoconference:
– H.323 hardware codec with microphone;
– PTZ cameras;
– Projection area (Plasma with speakers);
Cost ≈ 12500€
• Videoconference with ConferenceXp:– Personal computer;– Microphone and an Echo canceller;– PTZ cameras;– Projection area (Plasma with speakers);
Room Setup Cost ≈ 8500€
Personal Setup Cost ≈ 3500€
Advantages/Disadvantages
ConferenceXp• Advantages
– Low cost;– Creating a personal videoconference node;– Also supports multipoint and collaboration;– Uses Multicast, with Unicast integration;
• Disadvantages– Still in a development stage;– OS dependent and inherent to its risks;– Not stable as a H.323 codec;– Only works with other ConferenceXp Clients;
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Short-Term Conclusions
• General room preset in order to provide a fast environment setup;
• Gather user feedback in to make setup improvements;
• To Complete Documentation and How-To;
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Future Developments
• Implement a central session archive;
• Integrate and centralize the venue server, reflector and archive service;
• More marketing;
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WG-Multimedia Team
