High Definition Video Conferencing

In the fall of 2010, we began the long process of specing and pricing high-definition video conference components for an interactive video classroom installation.  We’re mostly a Polycom operation with about 14 total endpoints across 4 campuses, so we leaned heavily towards a Polycom solution at the outset.  However, we did consider some Tandberg options, to try and take a balanced approach.

We chose a classroom that seats 30 people and already has an older conferencing system in it with some components we could to recycle into the new system, such as a pair of 42 inch flat panels for instructor viewing, HD ready projector with 16×9 screen, table mics with two Shure mixers, and ceiling speakers hooked to a TOA amp.  There were several components we knew would have to go, including 8 CRT monitors (yes 8!), a Polycom VS4000, and an Extron 8×12 AV mixer.  So we had some components that could stay and some that could be used with the new HD system.

We had three different vendors come in and take a look at configurations and make recommendations on equipment.  The price tag for a vendor solution with upgrading and integrating one room came back with an average price tag between 62,000 and 64,000!  Granted, that included three new 55 inch flat panels, an HD codec with two HD pan-tilt-zoom cameras, AMX programming, a high def 12×12 switcher, and the integration/installation services.  Even with all that covered in the price tag, it didn’t seem to be a wise way to spend the university’s money- on one room.

After recovering from the initial shock, we reassessed and tried to approach the upgrade project with fresh eyes.  What components did we absolutely need?  What could we live without?  What (if any) of the installation and integration could we handle ourselves?

To start with, we knew we had to have the codec.  Sure, there are several web conferencing apps, but we haven’t found many that will do high-def quality with all the different hardware video components tied together.  So, we went with a Polycom HDX 8000 codec for the heart of our HD conferencing system.  (One of our executive conference rooms already had one of these units in place so we had a chance to do some testing on that system before deciding on a codec.)  This particular model will do 720p resolution.  The next tier model does 1080p video, but in addition to costing a good chunk more, we would have had to throttle call speeds wide open to get that resolution.  We currently don’t have a surplus of bandwidth, so 720p seemed more than adequate.  We can run calls at 768 kbps and achieve 720p resolution.

Next we asked ourselves, did we really need 3 new flat panels?  We already had two flat panels for the instructor for preview and receiving video.  Also, we already have a nice large projection screen at the front of the room for student viewing.  This was with an Epson G5200 throwing an image from about 30 feet back.

In theory, we could have used “dual emulation” in the codec menu to split the image at the front into “distant site” and “near site” images-sort of a split screen effect.  However, this would have limited effective use of the “screen real-estate,” and might not yield a large enough image for content viewing in a big room.  Furthermore, instructors and students have often lamented not being able to send or receive more than one video source at a time.  Ideally, one would want to be able to send both computer content and video from a camera source simultaneously.  This could possibly be done on two separate displays: one projector screen and one flat panel.

(To be clear, this can be achieved with some of Polycom’s VSX hardware, but the HDX series codecs have it built right in, seemingly without a need for extra licensing or components.)

So we decided to scale back on the number of flat panels.  We had one 55 inch LG LED installed next to the projector screen up front.  So now we had a total of four displays in the room.  We felt this would be sufficient for most classes.  If push comes to shove, we can add more displays at a later time.

Since we scaled back the total number of displays, we decided we really didn’t need a 12×12 switcher.  That was a substantial cost savings right there.  We decided we could achieve the desired signal distribution using a couple of VGA  DAs which cost far less than the 12×12 switcher.  Plus, we figured we could use the HDX 8000 codec’s inputs and outputs for all the switching and routing we’d need.  (More on that another time…)

Lastly, we thought long and hard about the AMX control system.  The existing standard-def system had an AMX system in-place, but we’d have to have it reprogrammed and configured to accommodate the newer hi-def set-up.  Having all components centrally controlled with a nice GUI is very handy from an instructor’s standpoint.  (Also from a support standpoint as with Netlinx we could remotely control/manage the room.)  We looked at Polycom’s Touch Control as a possible scaled back approach.  We think it runs around 2,000 or so, but it only controls the codec and attached Polycom devices.  We decided to forgo reprogramming the current AMX system for the time being and revisit after some “hard time” using the Polycom hand-held remote control.

We’re handling most of the installation/integration ourselves.  We’re in the third day of ripping out the old components and putting new ones in place.  We’ll keep posting as we go along, but we’re happy to say we have the new codec in the rack, ran all the VGA cables where they need to go, and have done a few preliminary test calls to check audio and network connectivity.  It works…so far!

Permanent link to this article: http://sites.tamuc.edu/innovations/high-definition-video-conferencing/

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