So Much to Learn About IP Video Teleconferencing

by Joseph Scotti , AUDITEL, Inc.

 

This is part three of a three-part article which will discuss various peripherals associated with videoconferencing that are bringing real, practical applications to this re-emerging industry.

 

BusinessTV, Long Distance Learning, Telemedicine. Yes, just a few more techno terms you need to add to your vocabulary. These terms describe various videoconferencing applications. What is really important is that if it weren’t for the various peripherals that are now available for add-ons to videoconferencing equipment, none of these applications would exist today.

 

Let’s begin with cameras. The VTC industry has collaborated with various manufacturers to develop lenses and cameras for just about any application.

 

PTZ (Pan / Tilt / Zoom) Camera. This camera is the staple for the industry. It provides the ability to move-in and focus on an objective. It is controlled by an infrared remote control or can also be voice activated.

 

Fixed-Focus Camera. A fixed focus camera is exactly what is says. It is a stationary camera that can utilize various lenses and is permanently fixed on an objective in a classroom or conference room.

 

Document Camera. Elmo is the leader in this industry. This camera also known a "visual presenter" has the ability to fix focus or pan, tilt and zoom on any object. The peripheral is a video camera mounted on a stand and is used for showing images of photos, transparencies, illustrations, etc. Images as small as a human hair or up to letter size can be shown and displayed.

 

LCD Projector. These projectors are LCD based - liquid crystal display - it's basically the same technology used in laptop displays, "lcd" monitors and many other applications.

They provide a portable, high-resolution image, which can be projected on a screen or SmartBoard (see below). It is very important that the amount

of Lumens be taken into careful consideration when purchasing an LCD

project. Remember the higher the Lumens, the brighter the image

and of course the increase in cost of

the projector.

 

Lumens are the primary method of measuring the light output of projectors. A quick guide: 500 lumens can do a decent job on a small screen (60" diagonal) with moderate lighting, or handle an auditorium almost completely darkened (25 ft screen). 800 Lumens, can do a good job on almost any small screen and handle that auditorium with low lighting (able to read a newspaper). 1000 lumens can do great on that small screen in almost anything short of sunlight, and can do a medium size screen (10 ft screen) under moderate lighting (read a paperback), and auditorium under low lighting, but with better results. 2000 lumens will almost blind you on that 60 inch screen and effortlessly handle a 10 ft screen under moderate to bright light, and do that 25 ft auditorium screen under moderate lighting. 3000 lumens - 25 ft screens look fine under almost any lighting.

 

Smart Boards – Remember the old fashioned blackboard? Well, things have changed, and changed in a big way. The Smart Board is an interactive whiteboard that improves the way you meet, teach, train, and present. It combines the look and feel of a regular whiteboard with the power of a computer so you can save and print notes, collaborate on electronic documents, share information, and run multimedia materials.

 

With the Smart Board, you can quickly and easily save all of your notes to a computer file, print them from your computer printer, email them to participants, or post them as HTML files that can be viewed by a Web browser.

When combined with an LCD projector, the SMART Board becomes a large, touch-sensitive screen. You can use your finger on the Board just as you would use a mouse at your desktop to move between spreadsheets, word-processing documents, and presentation software, CD ROMs, or Web sites. Using a conventional dry eraser pen, you can write notes over your applications in electronic ink. Once you are done, you can then save or print your notes to create handouts.

 

Now that you have received this brief overview of the various peripherals associated with VTC technology, you might ask yourself, "How do I make all this work?" Well, I can’t preach this advice enough. Get outside assistance. Be sure that you understand your application and do overkill it with product and peripherals.

 

 

Always remember to try it before your buy it. Obtain references and the names of companies (similar to yours) that are using the technology. Find out how they deployed and integrated it, the level of support from the vendor, the acceptance by the user.

 

About the Author

Joseph Scotti is President & CEO of AUDITEL, Inc. AUDITEL specializes in the design and integration of voice, video and data systems for multihousing, municipalities, health care facilities and other institutions.

The author may be reached via email at joe.scotti@auditel.com