Videoconferencing at CSU
CSU has a significant IP videoconferencing infrastructure. Although many of the videoconferencing devices and rooms are owned by specific departments, ACNS maintains a list of these resources and relationships with the corresponding departments. On your behalf, ACNS can request videoconferencing resources for CSU faculty, staff and students at no charge. Availability of the devices varies.
Interested parties may call Anthony DeNardo at ACNS for all videoconferencing needs. We can provide additional direction, if necessary, as well as reserve resources to facilitate your event.
Contact: Anthony DeNardo III, ad3@colostate.edu, (970) 297-3710 (work/mobile)
Note, there are two types of videoconferencing:
- H.320 or ISDN - video conferencing via telephone lines
- H.323 or IP - video conferencing via the internet
CSU supports H.323, and we have no H.320 capabilities at this time.
Videoconferencing Over IP
Think about a telephone call, then add video, and broadcast the video and audio packets in a two-way stream over the Internet. That is videoconferencing over IP.
Videoconferences can be set up between two or more people and two points (a point-to-point conference), or more than two points (a multipoint conference). The delay from the time that the packets are sent to the time the packets are received on the other end must be minimal.
Videoconferencing requires a broadband connection to the Internet. Even a desktop system requires at least a switched 10Mbps Ethernet connection, although a switched 100Mbps connection is preferred.
Colorado State University currently supports three videoconferencing scenarios:
- Desktop videoconferencing
Best used by one or two individuals at their desks. Requires a personal computer equipped with a videoconferencing system, speakers, and a microphone or headset.
- Small room videoconferencing
Best used by groups of 10-12 participants in a conference room or other small room. Requires a stand-alone videoconferencing unit with pre-installed software, wide-angle video cameras, microphones, large monitors, and a remote control unit.
- Large room videoconferencing
Best used by groups of more than 10-12 participants. Requires a classroom or lecture hall equipped with sophisticated videoconferencing hardware and software.
Desktop Videoconferencing
You can implement inexpensive, entry-level videoconferencing by purchasing a desktop videoconferencing system. These systems typically consist of a small camera, software, and sometimes a hardware card installed in a desktop or laptop PC. The camera connects either to an external PC port, such as a USB port, or to the hardware card that comes with the conferencing system. Software installed on the user's PC communicates with the camera and sound card installed in the PC. These systems require at least a switched 10Mbps Ethernet connection, although a switched 100Mbps connection is preferred. Because the video encoding is done in software, these systems require a Pentium II PC or better for acceptable video quality. These systems are appropriate for one or two people at each camera, but become unmanageable beyond that.
Required equipment:
- Camera,
- speakers and microphone or headset,
- PC.
Recommended equipment
- Polycom VX including camera with built in microphone, Polycom VX videoconferencing software, AC power adapter, and USB connection to PC ($350-$400);
- speakers;
- Desktop or laptop PC with USB port, 350 MHz Pentium II compatible MMX processor, 64 MB RAM, 4 MB video memory, 120 MB available hard disk space, SVGA monitor (800 x 600), 16-bit color or higher, broadband IP network access, and headphones, headset, or internal speakers. (Consider a headset for better audio quality and normal speaking volume.)
Small Room Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing in a traditional conference room requires more than just a PC with a camera. Small room videoconferencing systems are stand-alone hardware systems consisting of a "set-top" box including a camera and one or two TV monitors. These systems generally provide more features, such as connecting a second camera or a document camera and loading PowerPoint slides. The camera is controlled via a remote control or, in some instances, automatically follows a voice. The set-top box requires a switched 10Mbps Ethernet connection, although a switched 100Mbps connection is recommended. Operating these systems is no small task. Lots of cables are involved, and the user interface requires a fair amount of technical knowledge. These systems are appropriate in a medium-sized conference room for up to 10-12 people. The ACNS conference room is available for testing or use.
Required equipment:
Stand-alone Videoconferencing unit
Recommended equipment:
- Polycom ViewStation FX includes built-in camera, two daisy-chained tabletop microphones, factory preinstalled Polycom ViewStation videoconferencing software, remote control, connections for document camera, VCR, and additional camera ($7,500-$8,000);
- two 27-inch TV monitors ($400-$500 each);
- two carts ($350 each);
Optional equipment:
Polycom Visual Concert unit ($1500). (Connects PC to Polycom ViewStation allowing high resolution screen sharing.)
Large Room Videoconferencing
More than 10-12 people requires a larger videoconferencing system. These systems require a dedicated classroom that is specially set up for videoconferencing. A typical video classroom might include several cameras mounted on the wall that could be remotely controlled by an operator, multiple projectors and screens, microphones located in several places, stereo speakers mounted on the walls, and special lighting to allow for crisp, clear video. In a well-designed video classroom, these systems would be appropriate for any size class that physically fits into the room.
Required equipment:
Videoconferencing unit that plugs into a distance learning room.
Recommended equipment:
- Polycom VS4000 with factory preinstalled software and connections for document camera, VCR, and additional camera (about $6,400);
- controller (user interface for Polycom VS4000 ($3,800);
Optional equipment:
Polycom Visual Concert unit ($1500). (Connects PC to Polycom ViewStation allowing high resolution screen sharing.)
NOTE: The Office of Instructional Services purchased two VS4000 and two Visual Concert units for placement in distance learning rooms.
Distance learning rooms include four or more cameras, microphones wired from ceiling/desktop for audience, one wireless microphone for presenter, two or more TV monitors, and an instructor station that includes document camera monitoring and outgoing monitoring, and an operator control console with appropriate source monitoring, switching and camera control. Optional video sources include document camera, computer input via scan conversion, and videotape.
For help getting started, please contact Anthony DeNardo (ad3@colostate.edu) or Dick Hill Dick.Hill@colostate.edu.