Overview of Videoconferencing IT Services U NIVERSITY OF M ALTA NEW LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES: THE ART OF VIDEOCONFERENCING THE VIDEOCONFERENCING EQUIPMENT AT UOM Overview of Videoconferencing U NIVERSITY OF M ALTA T HE V IDEOCONFERENCING E QUIPMENT AT UOM © 2007, IT Services University of Malta Msida MSD06 Malta Tel: (00356)2340-3004 Fax: (00356)21343397 Website: http://www.its.um.edu.mt E-mail: videoconf@its.um.edu.mt May be reproduced only with permission The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM The Videoconferencing equipment The typical equipment for videoconferencing sessions includes a camera, monitor. The UOM uses PictureTel 900 series. Figure 1 – Camera set on monitor for videoconference sessions An additional microphone is also available and can be found located next to the camera on the main monitor, for better audio quality. © IT Services University of Malta 1 The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM The general classroom set up inside the videoconference suite is mostly suited for tutorial groups of not more than 10-15 students per group. The general layout is that of a semi-circular seating arrangement with the camera and monitor facing the audience. A document camera with accompanying monitor and presentation screen are also at the front so that the audience can follow what the tutor is presenting more accurately. 9 10 11 7 8 6 Figure 1 – General Classroom Setup 1 2 3 5 4 Figure 2 – Camera 1 with monitor showing the remote end © IT Services University of Malta 2 The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM 12 Figure 3 - Front view of camera 1 and projection screen © IT Services University of Malta 3 The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM The videoconferencing suite is equipped with: No. Equipment 1 The main camera or camera 1 is Photo normally used to focus on the main speaker during the videoconference. The camera has automatic panning, tilting and zooming features.. 2 A power mic which is equipped to focus on the speaker/s and eliminate possible background noise. 3 Monitor 1; this is the main monitor normally set to show the remote site/s. This monitor can also be controlled by a hand-held remote control unit. © IT Services University of Malta 4 The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM 4 The console contains the codec with a self contained unit, having all the necessary software and internal hardware. A CD-Rom, floppy drive and the power button can be found at the front. This can also be referred to as the conferencing unit. 5 The two video recorders set on top of the codec are available for recording and playback purposes. The one which is used for recording sessions, will record only the far end video. This can be used for storage and backup purposes1, to be re-viewed at a later stage. The other video recorder can be used for playback if an additional audiovisual resource (on VHS tapes) is required throughout the session. 6 A workstation is also available for displaying MS PowerPoint presentations, to share documents and other applications such as an Internet browser during the session. 1 Requires permission from site coordinator before any type of recording can occur. © IT Services University of Malta 5 The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM 7 The Document camera is mainly used to project printed material either on transparent acetate or else on normal printing paper. Small sized objects or artefacts can also be placed on its tray to be displayed in detail on the connected monitor and sent to the far end. 8 Document displays monitor; this monitor objects/printed material shown on the document camera. The monitor can be operated using a hand-held remote control unit. 9 The auxiliary camera or camera 2; is set to show the tutor as he is facing the audience in class. It is marked as the auxiliary camera on the conferencing system. 10 Monitor 2; is set to show the remote end participants enabling the speaker to see the far end when facing the local audience. © IT Services University of Malta 6 The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM 11 The projection screen is the large screen which can either show a presentation saved on the laptop or the workstation or a presentation from the remote end. This screen can be pulled up to reveal a white board behind to be used as required. Writing on the whiteboard during the videoconference session is however not recommended. 12 The wireless keyboard is designed for both administrative and user tasks. It includes standard keyboard features as well as a trackball, left click and right click button. 13 The remote control is used for the manual zooming, panning and tilting of the camera/s. This becomes useful when all the members of the group are participating equally and the camera needs to be zoomed in on one particular speaker at a time. © IT Services University of Malta 7 The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM Other additional equipment used during videoconferencing The projector is connected to both the codec ( the conferencing unit) and the computer, presentations and (for document display). If the input button of the remote is pressed toggles between the the screen computer presentation and the conferencing Projector image. remote A portable camera system complete with a built-in mic which can be transported to other locations and plugged directly in the network The use of an image sharing device which can be used to feed the laptop screen directly into the system so that lecturers/speakers can use their laptop directly to view PowerPoint presentations or other forms of documentation. A lapel mic which can be worn by the lecturer in case he/she needs to move around in the classroom or laboratory A cordless mic to be shared by the students at the local site during discussion An additional workstation is used in case the technical officers are in charge of running the videoconference suite when the lecturer cannot © IT Services University of Malta 8 The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM take charge of the session himself/herself. The operator/s will control the videoconferencing equipment, and can also handle the presentation for the speaker. © IT Services University of Malta 9