Videoconferencing at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Prof. Dr. Ir. Wim Van Petegem Erik Luyten K.U.Leuven Founded in staff members students in K.U.Leuven students in the Association K.U.Leuven (+ 12 technical colleges) Member of the LERU and Combra group More than SCIE publications 427 phds (117 international doctoral students) 60 spin-offs GEOGRAPHICAL DISPERSION 225 km UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL Campus Gasthuisberg Campus Sint-Pieter and Sint-Rafal Campus Pellenberg and Lubbeek VZN K.U.Leuven Flemish Hospital Network K.U.Leuven 17 Flemish hospitals AVNet To provide integrated, multidisciplinary support and expertise, taking into account media science, organisational, didactical and technological aspects, for the benefit of education, including networked e-learning and distance education, both at K.U.Leuven and within its Association, in an international context.To provide integrated, multidisciplinary support and expertise, taking into account media science, organisational, didactical and technological aspects, for the benefit of education, including networked e-learning and distance education, both at K.U.Leuven and within its Association, in an international context. Videoconferencing at K.U.Leuven 1994 First videoconferencing facilities at K.U.Leuven AVDienst (now AVNet). AVNet is a centralised K.U.Leuven service specialising in MultiMedia implementation and not in IT technology. While good IT implementation is essential the real challenge lies in the media support. Putting the presenter, cameras, microphones and screens in the right spot is the path to a successful videoconference experience. Our first envolvements resulted in two projects supported by the European Commission. (Savie and Bic)linklinklink PENTALFA the challenge 1996: The Dean of the faculty of medicine ordered a feasibility study in an effort to replace a centralised continuous education programme with a distributed videoconferencing solution. 1998: Pharmaceutical firms sponsored the installation of one central and four remote videoconferencing facilities. In addition to the installation of a multipoint videoconferencing bridge AVNet designed propriety solutions for distributing full quality computer presentations and for fast camera control. The Pentalfa steering committee is responsible for the scientific support. Administrative and technical support is secured using 1.5 FTE dedicated to the project. Special attention is given to the training of the lecturers, moderators and technicians. PENTALFA video rtsp://escher.avnet.kuleuven.be/Pentalfa_eng.mp4 PENTALFA results Originally designed for a 3 year period (in 1998). Since 1998 almost 240 successful sessions (Thursday evenings participants). Four technical fall-outs (one remote site unable to connect due to ISDN provider difficulties and firewall issues) the original ISDN-only equipment is replaced with new ISDN and IP capable units. In addition to the original 5 systems around 10 new systems were permanently installed in hospitals around Flanders. Investigation the possibilities to replace the propriety solution for high resolution presentations with the h.239 standard. New technologies, new challenges Move from ISDN to IP H.239 implementation Fixed installations Training and support Recording capabilities Streaming capabilities Three layers of support DIY We will help the customer to setup there own private (desktop) infrastructure for videoconferencing and/or webconferencing. Using our facilities The customer books our facilities and can operate the units himself. We provide a short introduction to the systems. Complete service We organise the complete event and take care of technical, administrative, educational and media aspects. Equipment Fixed installations in key lecture theaters (now 4 upgrading to 9) (f.i. Polycom VSX8000) Mobile unit to deploy in university buildings (cooperation with network and telephony departments) Around 13 installations in Flemish hospitals Tandberg MPS200 multipoint control unit Tandberg Gatekeeper Tandberg Management System Codian IPVCR 2220 conference recorder Network setup Close cooperation with K.U.Leuven network services One VLAN network for all videoconferencing equipment spread around the university. VLAN in DMZ Other projects Venus Global Issues for the European Citizen Prof. Derrick de Kerckhove - Culture and TechnologyVenus Prof. Derrick de Kerckhove - Culture and Technology e-Leru Top Science program on the e-Leru virtual campus Prof. Marc Waelkens - Sagalassos Archaeological Research Projecte-Leru Prof. Marc Waelkens - Sagalassos Archaeological Research Project Sputnic To raise awareness about the beneficial impact of and spread know-how in educational technologies that enhance international collaboration.Sputnic Videoconferences at K.U.Leuven The next step ? Moving from CIF format videoconferencing resolution to High-Definition videoconferencing At a reasonable cost ?