[AG-TECH] What makes the AG different and that other H.323 wo rld...

[Osland, CD (Chris)]

John,

In a roughly similar situation we are installing both AG hardware
(i.e. computer and separate echo canceller) and 'conventional'
video conferencing codec.  Sources will be presented to both systems
through distribution amps; outputs from the systems will be switched
to projectors/plasma screens/speakers by a comprehensive RGBHV+A
matrix switch, controlled by standard (Crestron or whatever) touch
screen control panel.  That seems, at present, to be the only way
of keeping the easy operability of the standard system, while
using all the AV infrastructure for both systems.  There is no
requirement, as specified by my customer, to use both at the
same time.

Cheers

Chris

____________________________________________________________________
Chris Osland                                               Office tel: +44
(0) 1235 446565
Digital Media and Access Grid                          Medialab tel: +44 (0)
1235 446459
BIT Department                                     Access Grid room tel: +44
(0) 1235 445666
e-mail:   C.D.Osland at rl.ac.uk                                       Fax: +44
(0) 1235 445597
CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Bldg. R18)
Chilton, DIDCOT, Oxon OX11 0QX, UK
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-ag-tech at mcs.anl.gov [mailto:owner-ag-tech at mcs.anl.gov]On
> Behalf Of John I Quebedeaux Jr
> Sent: 09 August 2004 19:08
> To: ag-tech at mcs.anl.gov
> Subject: [AG-TECH] What makes the AG different and that other H.323
> world...
> 
> 
> Hi friendly AG folks! (again)
> 
> The existing video conference system in place is similar enough 
> (compressed video and H.323 is what I hear over and over again) that 
> they're saying "what's different about using the Access Grid 
> instead." 
> I think the AG is experience is overwelmingly different but 
> it's not as 
> polished as the H.323 systems I've been shown. The fact that the AG 
> doesn't utilize MCU's is another and I can "spread out" the 
> participants over many screens for a much better experience 
> is another. 
> I *believe* the audio experience is different, better? I haven't 
> participated in one of their events just yet. I'm, unfortunately, not 
> someone familiar with the other side of this technology - just the AG 
> technology. They "call" people on this system (point to point and 
> multipoint) and content where they can have a presentation and people 
> on the screen. From what they described, they can have MANY 
> sites on at 
> once - (MCU's and the like). They're typically with two 
> cameras (3 if a 
> document camera) and already have the capability of sharing 
> presentations, etc. In the AG's case, it seems that seeing is 
> believing 
> because trying to describe the system to someone who uses the other 
> system doesn't "see" there is a difference in the AG.
> 
> Now, one immediate difference is that they are not "always on" - like 
> we would have in the AG. There is no "virtual venue" that 
> they all surf 
> through to "go to" someone elses room. Bandwidth utilization 
> is higher 
> on the AG. They tell me the video quality is the same as 
> H261. The one 
> audio conference I heard had drop outs, etc, but was told 
> that was NOT 
> typical (it was an I1 connection, not via I2).
> 
> I'm bringing this up for discussion, I might have missed out on it 
> somewhere.
> 
> What I'm being asked now is if our existing node can also be used in 
> H.323 conferencing. The few times I've collaborated with someone on 
> H.323 via VRVS was a mixed bag. One site knew what it was 
> doing and we 
> didn't have a problem from them (I had local network enforcement 
> issues, but that's been long resolved now). The others all had issues 
> or complained they could only pull up one video at a time, etc. The 
> audio was lousy, etc.
> 
> If I were to run H.323 parallel (utilize my existing 
> camaeras/audio/etc. for separate meetings at least) where 
> should I look 
> for the software involved? I would think I have already all the 
> hardware I need. I know groups have been working on a 
> bridge.... where 
> are those along the way? I'm not totally sure what I would need to do 
> to tie in.
> 
> Thanks for the ears,
> 
> John Q.
> 
> -- 
> John I. Quebedeaux, Jr.
> Louisiana State University
> Computer Manager / LBRN & CCT / 131 Life Sciences Bldg. & 339 
> Johnston 
> Hall
> e-mail: johnq at lsu.edu or johnq at cct.lsu.edu / web: 
http://lbrn.lsu.edu & 
http://cct.lsu.edu
phone: 225-578-0062 / fax: 225-578-2597