The Observer 5.0
Titel
Spreker
Datum
Design of a Usability Lab
La Villette, November 24th 2004Dimitri GerebtzoffField Sales Engineer - France
Innovative Solutions forUsability Testing
The Observer 5.0
Core Activities
Software Development• Standard software packages• Custom development on contract basis
System Integration• Noldus software• Computer hardware• Video and multimedia equipment• Portable or stationary observational laboratories
Training and ConsultingServices (support, conference organisation…)
The Observer 5.0
Integrated Solutions
Tailor-made observational labs and systems
System configurations• Stationary Lab• Portable Lab• Mobile Data Collection Systems• Mobile Device Camera
The Observer 5.0
The LUTIN lab
Architecture constrains• 1 lab around a fireproof structure (ceiling, floor, external walls)
• 6 rooms divided in•1 observation room with 2 main Observer Stations•5 test rooms with 6 test environments
The Observer 5.0
Prerequisites for Test Rooms
• Each rooms has to be equipped with camera, microphone, loudspeakers and a tool to capture the screen of the test PC in high resolution
• Position of cameras and microphone can be chosen depending on test protocol
• Cameras can be controlled from the Observation room
• Additional video input for other hardware (miniature camera, VCR, mobile device camera)
The Observer 5.0
Prerequisites for Observation Room
• 2 Observation stations• Each station can control independently all cameras, in/out audio signals and test PC
• Each station can record the video/audio/screen data from a chosen test room (can be identical for both stations)
• Information from the camera and screen of a test room can be visualised at the Observation Station
• Information is recorded digitally and analysed with chosen level of details: use of The Observer Video-Pro
The Observer 5.0
Technical choices
Centralized Processing• All data from test rooms are sent via high quality shielded cables to a central management and processing unit and then dispatched to the two Observation Stations
The Observer 5.0
High Quality Components
Components have been tested for perfect compatibility and preassembled at Noldus
The Observer 5.0
Controls
All video data can be visualized and controlled from the Observation StationsUse of matrix system, dome cameras and several preview and recording monitors
The Observer 5.0
Selection of data
• We used video quad units and splitters to allow the best possible choice of camera view angles• Overlay boards and Mpeg encoders allow to display and record simultaneously the camera images and screen capture of the test PC
The Observer 5.0
Screen Capture
• We used advanced KVM switcher and CAT5 network based solution to provide high quality and fast screen capture of the Test PCs• Scan converter was not a viable solution in this case
The Observer 5.0
Final Solution
Provided with integration, installation, on-site training, tailor-made manual and technical support(and nice dutch-french-belgian mood )