[AG-TECH] Sending audio/video/desktop from Access Grid PCs to traditional conferencing systems (Tandberg, Polycom)

[Lloyd Pearson]

Hello Derek,

We currently run AG on Windows XP, and also use Mirial from the same PC's for H.323 conferencing.  
A RadVision bridge is about to be commissioned in New Zealand for H.323 use, and it has Scopia H.323 software with it which can be readily downloaded onto any Windows or Mac desktop.   
It would be highly desirable to be able join H.323 users into AG, particularly for lectures which involve AG equipped universities as well as outside participants who frequently have no access to AG facilities, but who have H.323 equipment freely available.

With Hi Def H.323 becoming readily available, AG is likely to get a thumbs down on video quality since all the main endpoints in NZ universities run AG under Windows.  

We would be happy to help with any integration development. (And even more delighted to improve the AG video quality under Windows!!)


Regards,
Lloyd Pearson
AVCC Operator
University of Otago
Ph +64 3 479 8997
lloyd.pearson at otago.ac.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: ag-tech-bounces at lists.mcs.anl.gov [mailto:ag-tech-bounces at lists.mcs.anl.gov] On Behalf Of Vine, Derek A
Sent: Friday, 5 March 2010 3:13 a.m.
To: Tran, Quang V.; ag-tech at mcs.anl.gov
Subject: Re: [AG-TECH] Sending audio/video/desktop from Access Grid PCs to traditional conferencing systems (Tandberg, Polycom)

We use Polycom PVX on a number of systems on campus, including a copy on my desktop so that I can test with sites before they attempt to connect to our Codian bridge.  At least in my install on Windows XP, I am able to use the Osprey 210 video capture card and a Sony EVI-D30 as my video source.

On a semi-related note, next week I will be attempting to integrate a Polycom into my existing node to test if we can hold cross-platform meetings between AG and standard video conference hardware.  If anyone is interested let me know, we could get you involved in the test.

Derek Vine
Communication Network Specialist
DDN Site Coordinator
The University of South Dakota
Office - 605-677-5042
Cell - 605-677-8215
dvine at usd.edu




-----Original Message-----
From: ag-tech-bounces at lists.mcs.anl.gov [mailto:ag-tech-bounces at lists.mcs.anl.gov] On Behalf Of Tran, Quang V.
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 12:53 PM
To: ag-tech at mcs.anl.gov
Subject: [AG-TECH] Sending audio/video/desktop from Access Grid PCs to traditional conferencing systems (Tandberg, Polycom)

Hi All,

We are testing 2 software from Polycom (Polycom PVX) and from Tandberg
(ConferenceMe) that will allow us to connect existing Access Grid PCs to
traditional video conferencing systems.  These software work on Windows
platform and they allow us to join traditional video conference by
connecting to a Tandberg or a Polycom bridge.  We install the software
on our existing Access Grid computers and are able to send
audio/video/desktop to the bridges.  
Both software only work with USB or DV cameras.  They do not work with
video capture cards but we think that it is possible to convert S-Video
or composite feed from our Sony EVI-D100 PTZ cameras to DV using the
Canopus ADVC110.  More testing will be done and we will post the
results.

Thanks,
Quang Tran
IT Analyst
LSUHSC - New Orleans
(504) 568-2877 Office