Videoconference with conferenceXP on RCTS “Estúdios” Videoconference with conferenceXP on RCTS “Estúdios”

The Next StepThe Next Step

TNC2006, May16 Catania, Italy

Nuno GonçalvesFCCN - Portugal

Foundation for National Scientific Computing

nuno@fccn.pt

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Summary

• Overview;• “Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell;• Technological Platform;• Case Studies; • Cost Analysis;• Advantages/Disadvantages;• Short-Term Conclusions;• Future Developments;

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Overview

• Setup a multicast/unicast/IPv6 videoconference network, in order to provide collaboration activities with ConferenceXP;

• Provide a central venue service;

• Provide a central reflector to support unicast bridging to the multicast world;

• Alternative to H.323 videoconference technology;

http://www.conferencexp.net

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“Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 1/3

Multipurpose rooms with custom specifications;

Installed in 6 Portuguese Educational Institutions;

To be used by all Institutions and users connected to the Portuguese NREN;

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“Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 2/3

“Estúdios” Features:• Videoconference Meetings;• Collaboration Activities;• Audio/Video content producing;• Reception of high bandwidth content;• Streaming Activities;• Experimentation on videoconference and streaming

technologies; • Premium IP network with multicast and IPv6;• With support staff on site;• Web Scheduling System;

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“Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 3/3

“Estúdios” Locations

• IPB – Bragança

• IRIC UP – Porto

• UA – Aveiro

• UTL – Lisboa

• UE – Évora

• UALG - Faro

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Technological Platform 1/6

Main Hardware Used“Estúdios” CXP clients:• PIV, 2 Gb RAM;

– Gigabit Ethernet Board;– 2 PCI video cards ;

• ClearOne for Echo Cancellation• Digital 360º Microphones;• 5.1 Amplifier;• 5.1 Speakers;• 2 PTZ cameras;• 2 DLP projectors;• Smart board

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Technological Platform 2/6

Software Used

CXP Clients:• Windows Xp Professional ;• Conference Xp Client V3.2

(currently CXP is V3.5);• .NET Framework AND its SP1;

Central Venue Server:• W2K3 Server with OS updates;• IIS 6.0 for venues announcements;• CXP Venue Server;• Reflector Service to support unicast bridging;

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Technological Platform 3/6

Network:• All “estúdios” are multicast and IPv6 enabled

with QoS; • All CXP clients have gigabit Ethernet;

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Technological Platform 4/6• Multicast tests with Vic / Vat, VLC and QuickTime:

– Tests were made with vic and vat in order to operate CXP’s multicast with other applications;

– The use of WMV codec was a required feature in order to view the multicaststream;

– VLC (www.videolan.org) was used to play the stream. It was unsuccessful without WMV codec;

– .sdp files were usedto test with QuickTimeplayer;

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Technological Platform 5/6

• Unicast to Multicast:– The use of a central reflector service permits to a

unicast only network to receive multicast transmissions;

Reflector Service

Unicast / Multicast

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Technological Platform 6/6

• Other Similar Platforms:– VRVS;

FCCN is a VRVS partner.FCCN provides a central reflector to the RCTS community;

– Access Grid (AGTk);

– Macromedia Breeze (Licensed);

http://www.macromedia.com/software/breeze/

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Case Studies 1/5

• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240)– 2 Terminal end points with 4 video streams;

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Case Studies 2/5• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (640x480)

– 2 Terminal end points full screen;– Video stream with strong movement;

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Case Studies 3/5

• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240) – 3 Multicast terminal end points (MCU Like);– 1 Unicast terminal end point through reflector;

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Case Studies 4/5

• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240)– 3 terminal end points sharing applications using a

smart board collaboration environment;

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Case Studies 5/5

• PSTN integration through echo canceller successfully tested;

Costs AnalysisMinimum Hardware Requisites Costs Analysis:• Traditional H.323 Videoconference:

– H.323 hardware codec with microphone;

– PTZ cameras;

– Projection area (Plasma with speakers);

Cost ≈ 12500€

• Videoconference with ConferenceXp:– Personal computer;– Microphone and an Echo canceller;– PTZ cameras;– Projection area (Plasma with speakers);

Room Setup Cost ≈ 8500€

Personal Setup Cost ≈ 3500€

Advantages/Disadvantages

ConferenceXp• Advantages

– Low cost;– Creating a personal videoconference node;– Also supports multipoint and collaboration;– Uses Multicast, with Unicast integration;

• Disadvantages– Still in a development stage;– OS dependent and inherent to its risks;– Not stable as a H.323 codec;– Only works with other ConferenceXp Clients;

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Short-Term Conclusions

• General room preset in order to provide a fast environment setup;

• Gather user feedback in to make setup improvements;

• To Complete Documentation and How-To;

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Future Developments

• Implement a central session archive;

• Integrate and centralize the venue server, reflector and archive service;

• More marketing;

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WG-Multimedia Team

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Nuno Gonçalvesnuno@fccn.pt

FCCNhttp://www.fccn.pt

SIP:nuno@fccn.ptGDS: 00351400102239

Portugal