3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveAgendaWhyvideoconferencingTypes of videoconferencingLifeSize 200 series modelsMultiple monitorsTechnicalguidelinesMeeting Room adjustmentsAdditionalequipment

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveWhyvideoconferencing?Videoconferencing is the ideal solution todramatically lower travel costsimprove time efficiencyMeet more regularly with your teams, partners, customersGreen, less CO2 emissions!

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveMarket & competitionThe professional videoconference market is headed by 4 companies:Polycomwww.polycom.comTandberg www.tandberg.comLifeSizewww.lifesize.comCisco Telepresencewww.cisco.comLifeSize delivers superior quality flexibility at unmatched price performanceCisco is out of competition, and delivers incredible telepresence solutions at incredible prices (> 100k)

Types of videoconferencingHigh Definition videoconference, deep dive3 October, 2009

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveWeb conferencingStarting at €50Use from any locationLow to medium quality, not guaranteedGood for short conversations, where eye-contact is not essentialPopular softwareSkypeLive MessengerOffice CommunicatorGoogle TalkWebExLiveMeeting….

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveHD VideoconferencingStarting at €8.000Meeting room, large screenHigh quality, for short to long meetingsEye-contact possible

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveTelepresenceStarting around €200.000Dedicated, specially designed telepresence roomVery high quality, for medium to long meetingsNear-real-experience, feels like the person is present

LifeSize 200 series models October 2009* Prices excluding VAT, monitor, installation and support contracts.High Definition videoconference, deep dive3 October, 2009

LifeSize Express 200€6.499 *No multipointDual monitor (2nd monitor onlyfor PC signal)Up to 1280x720 resolution, 30 frames/sec3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

LifeSize Team 200€10.299 * (withdualmicpod)€11.199 * (withphone system)4-way multipointDual monitor supportUp to 1280x720 resolution, 30 frames/sec3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

LifeSize Room 200€15.899 * 6-way multipointUp to 1920x1080 pixels at 30 frames/secDual monitor support3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

LifeSize Phone€1.099 *Very good audio quality, even in less ideal situationsIdeal for larger rooms16 microphones circulararrayUse stand-alone Alternative to PolycomSoundStationOr connect to LifeSize Team/RoomPower over Ethernet (PoE)Connect to VoIP PBXSIP, H.323Also compatible with analogue phone line3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Typical scenarioInternational company with 3 offices:Brussels (headquarters)New-YorkLondonLifeSize Team 200 in BrusselsLifeSize Express 200 in New-York and LondonTotal costIncluding 50” Plasma monitors, installation and 3-year support contractApproximately €45.000 excl VAT3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

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MonitorsPopular modelsHigh Definition videoconference, deep dive3 October, 2009

SAMSUNG 400MX-2 40” LCDResolution 1920x1080 (full)€1.492, includesHDMI interfaceSpeakersDifferent mounting availableTable/cabinetFloor standMobile standWall mount3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Panasonic TH-50PH11EK 50“ lasmaResolution 1366x768 (HD ready)€1.990, includesHDMI interfaceSpeakersDifferent mounting availableTable/cabinetFloor standMobile standWall mount3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Panasonic TH-58PF11EK 58“ Plasma Resolution 1920x1080 (full HD)€5.290, includesHDMI interfaceSpeakersDifferent mounting availableTable/cabinetFloor standMobile standWall mount3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Multiple monitorsAdvantages of a 2nd monitorHigh Definition videoconference, deep dive3 October, 2009

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveMultiple monitorsPowerPoint presentationThe speaker on the left screenThe PowerPoint (PC signal) on the right screenYourself in the small window on the right bottom of the left screen

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveMultiple monitors3-way conferenceParty one on the left screenParty two on the right screenYourself in the small window on the right bottom of the left screenNot available on LifeSize ExpressSystem automatically detects active speaker

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveMultiple monitors4-6 way conferenceThe speaking party on the left screenThe other 2 meeting rooms on the right screenYourself in the small window on the right bottom of the left screenNot available on LifeSize ExpressSystem automatically detects active speaker

TechnicalguidelinesHigh Definition videoconference, deep dive3 October, 2009

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveSD vs HD quality Standard Definition (HD)Since 199?Up to 768x432 pixelsUp to 30 frames per secondHigh Definition (HD)since approx 2006Up to 1920x1080 pixelsUp to 60 frames per secondAllows for eye-contact

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveISDN vs IPOld technology: ISDN64k per channelExpensive in usageLimited to low bandwidth (mostly up to 384k)Call initialization typically takes 30-60 secondsNow and future: IP over InternetUnlimited bandwidthFlat-fee, no usage costsClick and connect, no waitingNo guarantees, unless you have end-to-end QoSAll new models support IP, Some organisations only allow for ISDN calls

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveMultipoint (MCU)Conference between two meeting rooms is called point-to-point. Does not require any special equipment, one room simply calls the other.Simultaneous videoconferencing among three or more remote points is possible by means of a Multipoint Control Unit (MCU). Types of MCU:Embedded in a video endpointHigh-end videoconference systems, such as the LifeSize Team 200 and Room 200 have a build-in MCU. Up to 4 or 6 participants.Dedicated MCULocated in datacenter / server room12-48 participantsExtra functionality such as recording, web-sharing, ...Popular brands:

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveTranscodingWithout transcoding, all participants get video and audio quality of the least powerfull deviceWith transcoding, everyone gets the best possible qualityVideo transcodingReal-time conversion of video resolution between videoconference participants.Audio transcodingReal-time conversion of audio codex and quality between videoconference participants.Bandwidth transcodingReal-time conversion of connection bandwidth between videoconference participants.

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveBandwidthusageSome examples128 Kbps (400 x 244 pixels) Widescreen FCIF 384 Kbps (768 x 432 pixels) Cable TV512 Kbps (848 x 480 pixels) DVD Resolution768 Kbps (1088 x 608 pixels) 2x DVD Resolution1.1 Mbps (1280 x 720 pixels) High Definition1.7 Mbps (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HDLifeSize automatically adjusts image quality and frame rate based on available bandwithBoth upstream and downstream are requiredADSL and Cable type connections usually have low upstreamA reliable internet connection is key to success!Tip: test your connection using http://www.speedtest.net

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveNetworklatencyLatency, a synonym for delay, is an expression of how much time it takes for a packet of data to get from one designated point to anotherType of network links:Fibre links: >1msDSL / cable: >10msSatellite links: >500msLatency increases with distanceFibre link from Europe to US: 80-150msSpeed of light is the limiting factor

3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveNetworklatency and videoconferencingTry to keep below 150 millisecondsExcessive latency increases the chances of people "talking over one another" because they don't realize that the person at the other end has started speaking too. This is less significant in calls with less than 50ms of network latency. It can become very troublesome in calls with more than 150ms.Reference table< 50ms: humans do not notice any latency50-150ms: small noticeable latency, interactive conferencing still very comfortable150-250ms: noticeable latency, interactive conferencing possible but need users may need some adaptation (not talk at same time)250-400ms: very noticeable latency, interactive conferencing possible is users wait until other have finished talking>400ms: interactive conferencing becomes very difficult

Firewall configurationPublic IP addressEnable Quality of Service (QoS)!3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Meeting Room adjustmentsHigh Definition videoconference, deep dive3 October, 2009

Table and camera positionExample of idealconfiguration3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Table and camera position(continued)LessoptimalPeopleneed to turn theirhead to face the screen/camera3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Table and camera position (continued)Muchbetter3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Select the right monitor sizeDistance to monitor:< 2 meter: 37 inch monitor (private offices)2-3 meter: 42 inch monitor (very small meeting room)4-5 meter: 50 inch monitor (small meeting room)5-6 meter: 58 inch monitor (medium meeting room)7-8 meter: 65 inch monitor (large boardroom)> 8 meter: High definition projector (large boardroom)Especially important to read small text and PowerPoint graphics3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

LightsLight on participants faces should be between 700-1000lux (vertical light) with less than 200lux variations in the area. Horizontal light should be between 900-1200lux. The area with the monitor screens should have less than 300lux.Things to avoidWindows in the camera view (direct sunlight) Spot lights Halogen lighting Colors: (ea. Walls)Avoid primary & hard colors (such as: pure red, pure green, pure blue,.....)Avoid very bright colors (such as bright/pure white) 3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Lights (continued)RecommendationsUse fluorescent light with a color temperature of 4000K (Kelvin) (ea. Osram 11) Use louvers with reflectors (60x60 - 3 tubes or 120x30 - 2 tubes)Example : ETAP UI44/318 - 60x60 louver normalized yield 0.57 ; 3 light tubes of 26mm/18W/4000K ; color index : 85 ; 4350 lumen luminance Use dimmers on all light circuits Use at least 3 separated light circuitsOne circuit above the table (direct light for participants)One circuit for the background lighting (Back & Side walls)One circuit for additional light (ea. near the system cabinet, door entrance,...) Cover all windows with blinds or curtains. Use a conference table with a 50% reflecting surface (not shining or mirroring). Recommended color is light grey. Colors: Use of any color, situated between off-white/beige and light/medium grey. (ea. pastel/pale colors). Recommended : Blue-grey or green-grey color (as they enhances the natural & flesh tones). Most colors mixed with grey are suitable. Avoid too dark colors and those too white. Note: The human eye is not always a good judge for choosing colors; we tend to choose hard colors.3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Sound / AcousticsThe room reverberation time should be conform to the RT60 specs and less then 400ms. The ambient noise in the room should be conform to the ISO 35 (NR) curve.Things to avoidHard surfaces in microphone pickup ranges , especially windowsHard surfaces are reflectors and create echo!!ea. whiteboard, wooden walls/cupboards/cabinets,..., brick walls, windows, doors,...Noisy (adjacent) rooms and corridors Noisy equipment in the room (ie. HVAC - Air-conditioning, printers & fax) Air-conditioning in- and outlets in the microphone pickup ranges usually from the border of the conference table (nearest to the cabinet) up to the back wall3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

Sound / Acoustics (continued)RecommendationsCEILINGPreferably use a modular T-Grid with acoustic panelsExample : RockfonFibral 567, 25mm (60x60) WALL BEHIND CABINETNo acoustic treatment necessary (may be/preferably a hard surface) if the participants are not in eye contact with each other (color is preferably white or pale) SIDE WALLS and BACK WALLUse an acoustic absorbing or diffusing tissue. (The sound absorption can be enhanced by also using 10-25mm fiber glass isolation material between the tissue/fabric and the wall.) In case windows need to be covered, use an acoustic curtain. Especially the back wall should be strongly absorbing. Note: mind the colors (see ‘Light’)Example : Cover AplixBlue-Grey ; Ref: Nopal 074 ; absorption factor 0.46 ; acoustic isolation : 6dBExample : Mur de SilenceBlue-Grey ; Ref: M20170 ; absorption factor 0.41 ; acoustic isolation : 4dB FLOORUse a (preferably antistatic) carpet. Color is not important, but preferably medium/dark grey 3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep dive

AdditionalequipmentHigh Definition videoconference, deep dive3 October, 2009

Document, object cameras3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep diveTable model Ceiliingvisualizer

Video-friendlylighting3 October, 2009High Definition videoconference, deep divePortableCeilingmounted

High Definition videoconference, deep dive3 October, 2009