The document describes the typical videoconferencing equipment used at the University of Malta. It includes a camera, monitor, microphone, and codec unit to connect sites. Additional equipment includes document cameras, video recorders, workstations, projectors, and various microphones. The classroom is set up with seating facing the front camera and monitors to see the remote participants. Controls and equipment allow presentations, documents, and interactions to be shared between sites during videoconference sessions.

1. Overview of Videoconferencing
IT Services
U NIVERSITY OF M ALTA
NEW LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES: THE ART OF VIDEOCONFERENCING
THE
VIDEOCONFERENCING
EQUIPMENT AT UOM

2. Overview of Videoconferencing
U NIVERSITY OF M ALTA
T HE V IDEOCONFERENCING E QUIPMENT AT UOM
© 2007, IT Services
University of Malta
Msida MSD06
Malta
Tel: (00356)2340-3004
Fax: (00356)21343397
Website: http://www.its.um.edu.mt
E-mail: videoconf@its.um.edu.mt
May be reproduced only with permission

3. The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM
The
Videoconferencing
equipment
The typical equipment for videoconferencing sessions
includes a camera, monitor. The UOM uses PictureTel
900 series.
Figure 1 – Camera set on monitor for videoconference sessions
An additional microphone is also available and can be
found located next to the camera on the main monitor, for
better audio quality.
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University of Malta

4. The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM
The general classroom set up inside the videoconference
suite is mostly suited for tutorial groups of not more than
10-15 students per group.
The general layout is that of a semi-circular seating
arrangement with the camera and monitor facing the
audience. A document camera with accompanying
monitor and presentation screen are also at the front so
that the audience can follow what the tutor is presenting
more accurately.
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Figure 1 – General Classroom Setup
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Figure 2 – Camera 1 with monitor showing the remote end
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University of Malta

5. The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM
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Figure 3 - Front view of camera 1 and projection screen
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University of Malta

6. The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM
The videoconferencing suite is equipped with:
No. Equipment Photo
1 The main camera or camera 1 is
normally used to focus on the main
speaker during the videoconference.
The camera has automatic panning,
tilting and zooming features..
2 A power mic which is equipped to
focus on the speaker/s and eliminate
possible background noise.
3 Monitor 1; this is the main monitor
normally set to show the remote site/s.
This monitor can also be controlled by
a hand-held remote control unit.
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University of Malta

7. The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM
4 The console contains the codec with
a self contained unit, having all the
necessary software and internal
hardware. A CD-Rom, floppy drive
and the power button can be found at
the front. This can also be referred to
as the conferencing unit.
5 The two video recorders set on top of
the codec are available for recording
and playback purposes. The one
which is used for recording sessions,
will record only the far end video. This
can be used for storage and backup
purposes1, to be re-viewed at a later
stage. The other video recorder can
be used for playback if an additional
audiovisual resource (on VHS tapes)
is required throughout the session.
6 A workstation is also available for
displaying MS PowerPoint
presentations, to share documents
and other applications such as an
Internet browser during the session.
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Requires permission from site coordinator before any type of recording can occur.
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University of Malta

8. The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM
7 The Document camera is mainly
used to project printed material either
on transparent acetate or else on
normal printing paper. Small sized
objects or artefacts can also be placed
on its tray to be displayed in detail on
the connected monitor and sent to the
far end.
8 Document monitor; this monitor
displays objects/printed material
shown on the document camera. The
monitor can be operated using a
hand-held remote control unit.
9 The auxiliary camera or camera 2; is
set to show the tutor as he is facing
the audience in class. It is marked as
the auxiliary camera on the
conferencing system.
10 Monitor 2; is set to show the remote
end participants enabling the speaker
to see the far end when facing the
local audience.
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University of Malta

9. The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM
11 The projection screen is the large
screen which can either show a
presentation saved on the laptop or
the workstation or a presentation from
the remote end. This screen can be
pulled up to reveal a white board
behind to be used as required. Writing
on the whiteboard during the
videoconference session is however
not recommended.
12 The wireless keyboard is designed
for both administrative and user tasks.
It includes standard keyboard features
as well as a trackball, left click and
right click button.
13 The remote control is used for the
manual zooming, panning and tilting of
the camera/s. This becomes useful
when all the members of the group are
participating equally and the camera
needs to be zoomed in on one
particular speaker at a time.
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University of Malta

10. The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM
Other additional equipment used during videoconferencing
The projector is connected to both
the codec ( the conferencing unit)
and the computer, (for
presentations and document
display). If the input button of the
remote is pressed the screen
toggles between the computer
presentation and the conferencing
image. Projector
remote
A portable camera system
complete with a built-in mic which
can be transported to other
locations and plugged directly in the
network
The use of an image sharing
device which can be used to feed
the laptop screen directly into the
system so that lecturers/speakers
can use their laptop directly to view
PowerPoint presentations or other
forms of documentation.
A lapel mic which can be worn by the lecturer in case he/she needs to
move around in the classroom or laboratory
A cordless mic to be shared by the students at the local site during
discussion
An additional workstation is used in case the technical officers are in
charge of running the videoconference suite when the lecturer cannot
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University of Malta

11. The Videoconferencing Equipment at UoM
take charge of the session himself/herself. The operator/s will control the
videoconferencing equipment, and can also handle the presentation for
the speaker.
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University of Malta