Video Conferencing in RCH/102e - University of York · Video Conferencing in RCH/102e Ensure the cameras are all on. Adjust the volume of output as required (the default is generally

Video Conferencing in RCH/102eAaron Turner

Table of ContentsContact Information ......................................................................................................3Introduction ....................................................................................................................3Overview of Capabilities .............................................................................................3Using it for other purposes ..........................................................................................4Getting Help ...................................................................................................................4Setting up the System ...................................................................................................4Recording your Experience ........................................................................................13Choosing a Video Conference Type .........................................................................13Detailed Instructions for Each Package...................................................................14Training..........................................................................................................................22Appendicies ..................................................................................................................22

Version Date Change Author

1.0 2012-04-23 Initial version inthis format

A Turner

1.1 2012-08-09 Numerousrevisions andupdates

A Turner

1.2 2012-10-24 Fixed typos,added advisories

A Turner

Contact InformationAaron Turner, [email protected], extension 5630

IntroductionThis document provides information about the video conferencing system in theRon Cooke Hub, RCH102e

NB: This document has yet to have various photos and screen captures addedand will be revised.

Overview of CapabilitiesThe system comprises:

• A screen of approximately 4m diagnonal size, in a 4:1 configuration.

• Four flat desktop microphones (not all need be used at once).

• One tie clip microphone.

• Patch panels under the table for attachment of the microphones, room console,monitors, and laptops.

• Three cameras directed at seated participants.

• One camera arranged to show the room and a presenter.

• A pair of speakers (attached to the wall either side of the screen).

• A courtesy monitor on the tabletop.

• A courtesy wireless keyboard (on the tabletop).

• An audio visual control panel.

• An additional control screen in the system rack.

• A number of video conferencing applications installed on a PC.

• Access Grid Toolkit / INSoRS

• IOCOMM Visimeet

• Google Chat / Talk / Hangout

• Skype

• Yahoo! Messenger

• Microsoft Live Messenger

• Ekiga SIP and H.323 conferencing software

• Polycomm Telepresence m100 H.323 software client

• Mirial H.323 and SIP conferencing software.

• JVCS (Janet Video Conferencing)

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Video Conferencing in RCH/102e

• EVO (formerly VRVS)

• WebEx

• Ekiga

• A rack containing various equipment.

Using it for other purposesThe room and equipment can be used for standard meeting room uses, and lap-tops can be connected to the projectors and audio to the speakers provided theappropriate options are selected on the setup console. In some cases (e.g. if videoconferencing on an Apple Mac needed to be used) this may be a way to run avideo conference, but doing it this way cannot make use of all three screens, orthe higher quality microphones and echo cancellation so is not recommended.

Getting HelpFor help contact [email protected] or Aaron Turner on extension5630). If Aaron Turner is not available, contact Audio Visual. The equipmentitself is owned by Computer Science.

Setting up the System

Overall Procedure

1. Capture all requirements.

2. Book room

3. Consider any support requirements.

4. Gain access to the room

5. Prepare the courtesy monitor and keyboard

6. Turn on PC and logon.

7. Set up the room with the room setup console.

8. Set up the microphones.

9. Start the video conferencing software in test mode.

10. Setup and test the cameras.

11. Run the video conference

12. Provide feedback

Detailed setup

Consider your requirementsSee the form at https://docs.google.com/a/york.ac.uk/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHRxR2hzVGZwYzBZSjhwWWtOWVRfWUE6MQ#gid=0for assistance. (NB: the URL shuld be one line).

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Gaining Access and booking the room.The room should be booked via PlanOn.

You should also consider contacting [email protected] to ensure thatyour video conference can be supported on the equipment, and to get any assis-tance you require.

You should ideally book well in advance to ensure that assistance is available ifrequired, and potentially to book a test session. Experience has shown that sometypes of video conference to some sites can be problematic and so a test is advised.

Your kaba card should allow you access to the external (to the corridor) door ofRCH102e

Courtesy monitor and keyboard

Figure 1. Courtesy Monitor and Console Overview

These should already be on the table.

Check the cabling for the monitor as sometimes this gets moved around. Thecable should be the one other than the ones marked ’laptop 1’ or ’laptop 2’

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Logging onto the PC

Figure 2. PC in rack

Ensure the PC (top PC in the rack) is on

Logon with standard credentials. Note that the courtesy keyboard does not workwith all passwords due to keymapping, but the console in the rack does supportthese.

Ensure that the courtesy keyboard is on by hitting the ’Fn’ key. If it does not thengo to the rack and there is a grey dongle hanging at eye level on the right handside. On this there is a small grey button. Press this and try the ’Fn’ key again. Ifthis still does not work then check the batteries in the keyboard (4xAAA).

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Room setup console

Figure 3. Console initial screen

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Figure 4. Console setting up for Video Conferencing after hitting ’Access Grid’

Figure 5. Console for Video Conferencing (aka Access Grid)

A small touch screen allows this to be set up.

Select ’Access Grid’

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Ensure the cameras are all on.

Adjust the volume of output as required (the default is generally too quiet).

MicrophonesTwo should be already present on the tables.

A third is available in the top drawer in the equipment rack, and requires cablingto the relevant floor port.

They are sensitive to paper shuffling noise.

A tie clip microphone and wireless unit is available in the top drawer of the rack.Often the battery is left flat. Spare batteries should be in the drawer, or can beobtained from Computer Science stores if not.

Two microphones should cover up to four people, and generally there are two onthe table. If you need to use additional microphones these and their associatedcables can be found in the drawer in the rack. These must be connected to thepatch panel which is under the table. The smaller end of the cable (male) goesinto the microphone and the larger end (female) into the floor panel.

You may need to adjust the mixer levels for the microphones in Windows.

Cameras

Figure 6. Front cameras

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Figure 7. Rear Camera

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Figure 8. Camera Detail

There are three at the front, and one at the rear, but many video conferencingprograms only support a single one at a time, but this can be selected:

1. Find the video control application by searching the application set (via thestandard Windows 7 application search system) for ’Videum Video ControlPanel’ and run this appliation.

2.

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Figure 9. Camera Selection Tool

Ensure that ’board one, channel 1’ is mapped to the required source.

3.

Figure 10. Camera Selection Tool with Skype

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Figure 11. Camera Selection Tool with Skype, Camera Feed Not Working

In your program ensure that the driver/camera seleced is ’Videum 1.1 cap’

For the control panel the cameras are labelled: 1 (right front), 2 (centre front), 3(left front), (rear)

For the video control panel the cameras are labelled: 1 (rear), 2 (left front), 3 (cen-tre front), 4 (right front)

NB: There is an ongoing action to make the above consistent.

The rear camera can be used to show a presenter.

The room setup console can be used to control the cameras (on and off, pan, tilt,zoom).

It is possible to replace a camera feed to a remote site with a feed from a laptopby using the laptop cables and the setup console, provided the laptop uses thecorrect broadcast resolution, which may vary depending on the type of connec-tion being made. This can be useful when a presentation or application demon-stration needs to be shown and the video conferencing tool does not otherwisesupport this. However some video conferencing tools allows simultaneous dis-play of desktop visuals and this is generally a better option when it is supported,but has to be done from the PC running the video conferencing via the courtesykeyboard.

ScreensThese should be on if the correct setup is used on the setup console.

Recording your ExperiencePlease consider using the feeback form (URL here) to record your experience ofusing the system and to allow tracking of the deferred travel from using the sys-tem.

Choosing a Video Conference TypeThere are several types of video conferencing protocols, and there is variable in-teroperability between them or even support for clients ostensibly using the sameprotocols, and so unless your details match a known good combination (see Ap-pendicies) then it is wise to book a test session if at all possible.

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The broad categories are:

• Multiple end point video chat

• Google Chat and Hangouts

Much like Skype, but supports multiple participants and uses central serversso quality of experience is more consistent.

• Access Grid / INSoRS

Has the best multi-site capability, and with INSoRS a fairly usable interface.Used extensively in the Mathematics MAGIC network.

• EVO / VRVS

Simple interface based on java. Underlying capabilities similar to AccessGrid but easier to use.

• Mirial Softphone aka LifeSize Softphone

Currently trial only. Works with SIP and H.323 and allows initiation of multisite connections too. Allows document and applications sharing simultane-ously via share icon similar to those seen on other applications (like a lessthan symbol), provided the remote end is H.239 compatible and the relevantclient-side options are selected.

• Single end point video chat

• IOCOMM Visimeet

Uses own network. Some H.323 connectivity.

• Skype

Well known system. Offers only point-to-point video (only one participantat each end) on feee version and uses a peer-to-peer networking model sowhilst the quality is generally good it can vary suddenly.

• Microsoft Live Messenger

Requires Microsoft ID. Central servers for good quality.

• Yahoo! Messenger

Requires Yahoo! ID. Central servers for good quality.

• Ekiga (H.323)

Covers a number of H.323 systems, such as Tandberg, Cisco, and Polycomhardware systems.

• Polycomm Telepresence m100 (H.323)

Commercial but easy to use

• JVCS (H.323 via JVCS)

Requires booking via the JANET video conferencing website, but is easy touse and workable.

Detailed Instructions for Each Package

Access GridThis currently requires that the machine be booted into Access Grid mode (boot:pc069) but this requirement may be removed soon. If you cannot see the AccessGrid application installed then you must reboot the PC and select the correctoption at boot.

Access Grid supports all four cameras, and which ones are used can be selectedas required, but ensure that they are on.

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Access Grid supports multiple end points with video, i.e. you can have videogoing between multiple participants.

To set up a meeting you must know the name of the virtual room (venue) that themeeting is being held in. York does not have the ability to create meetings, butthere are venues that can be booked via JANET for this purpose, and some ’dropin’ venues for informal meetings. See (URL) for more details.

For further help on the software refer to (URL).

INSoRS (AKA IOCOMM)This requires that the machine be booted into INSoRs mode (boot: pc069) for allfour cameras, or standard for one at a time. (It will soon be modified to removethis restriction). If you cannot see the INSoRs/IOCOMM application installedthen you must reboot the PC and select the Access Grid option at boot.

INSoRs supports all four cameras, and which ones are used can be selected asrequired, but ensure that they are on.

INSoRS supports multiple end points with video, i.e. you can have video goingbetween multiple participants.

To set up a meeting you must know the name of the virtual room (venue) that themeeting is being held in. York does not have the ability to create meetings, butthere are venues that can be booked via JANET for this purpose, and some ’dropin’ venues for informal meetings. See (URL) for more details.

For further help on the software refer to (URL).

Microsoft Live MessengerThis is available only on the ’Skype etc’ boot.

This only supports a single camera, the one nearest the door.

For further help refer to the Microsoft Live Messenger documentation at mi-crosoft.com

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IOCOM Visimeet

Figure 12. Visimeet

This is available only on the ’Skype etc’ boot.

Uses own network, with H.323 connections possible.

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Yahoo! Messenger

Figure 13. Yahoo login screen


This only supports a single camera, the one nearest the door.

For further help refer to the Yahoo! Messenger documentation at yahoo.com

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Skype

Figure 14. Skype main screen


This only supports a single camera, the centre one (or select another in theVideum software).

For further help refer to the Skype documentation at skype.com

EVOThis is available only on the ’Skype etc’ boot.


For further help refer to the Skype documentation at vrvs.org

GoogleThis is available only on the ’Skype etc’ boot.


For further help refer to the Google documentation at google.com

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Ekiga

Figure 15. Ekiga main screen


This software supports connection to H.323 sessions (e.g. Polycom, Tandberg andCisco hardware systems).


For further help refer to the Ekiga documentation aty ekiga.org.

This software not always easy-to-use or reliable.

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Polycom m100

Figure 16. Polycom Telepresence m100


This software supports connection to H.323 sessions (e.g. Polycom, Tandberg andCisco hardware systems)

This only supports a single camera.

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For further help refer to the Polycom documentation at polycom.org

Mirial Softphone aka LifeSize SoftPhone

Figure 17. Polycom Telepresence m100


This software supports connection to H.323 sessions (e.g. Polycom, Tandberg andCisco hardware systems) and is easy to use.

This only supports a single camera.

Via H.239, if end points support it, it offers good sharing abilities, including si-multaneous video and application sharing (e.g. video plus powerpoint at thesame time

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It supports multiple end points and multiple end point initiation

JVCS

Figure 18. JVCS

This is available only on the default ’Skype etc’ boot.

This software supports connection to H.323 sessions (e.g. Polycom, Tandberg andCisco hardware systems)

This only supports a single camera, defaulting to the centre one unless a differentone is selected in the Videum tool.

For further help refer to the JVCS documentation at ja.net

Note that for this to work a session must be booked via JVCS.

Issues have been experienced with this software using very low camera resolu-tions for sending video.

TrainingPlease check POD for courses or contact the support email address for bespoketraining

Appendicies

Troubleshooting

1. No video on courtesy monitor

Check PC on

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Check monitor connected to power

Check monitor connected to video (often people disconnect this)

2. Courtesy keyboard unresponsive

Press and hold ’Fn’ key for 5 seconds.

Figure 19. Keyboard Dongle Reset Button

Press reset button on dongle (photo)

Replace batteries (4 AAA). There may be replacement batteries in thedrawer in the rack.

3. No display on large screen

Check that room is set to ’Access Grid’ on control console

4. Cannot log on

Check credentials

5. Cannot find expected software

Check booted in correct version of Windows 7 (Access Grid or Skype)

Check software is in the provided list.

6. Cannot see anything from cameras

Check cameras are on

Other camera related issues are more complex to solve, but rare

7. Cannot connect to session

Check software versions

Check remote site to see if software compatible.

8. Audio too quiet from remote site.

Use control console to increase volume locally

9. Remote site complains my audio is too low

Ensure microphones are the right way round.

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Increase number of microphones

Move microphones closer

10. Audio quality poor

Probably bandwidth related. No easy solution

11. Video quality poor

Probably bandwidth related. No easy solution

Tested Combinations

Table 1. List of tested combinations

Local Remote Worked? Comments

Mirial Softphoneaka. LifeSizeSoftphone,H.323/SIP

Polycom/H.323 -France andSweden

Fully, apart fromvideo feed inFrance (problemat originatingend), includingsharing apresentation, andinitiating aconference tomultiple sites.

None.

Ekiga Polycom, France Partially Ekiga wouldconnect then lockup

Perulia (H.323) Polycom, Mexico Yes Occasional dropouts (networkbandwidth) aboutevery 45 minutes.Slight annoyancesas can only showdesktop orpresenter

Skype Skype (London) Partially No video

Google Google (UK andFrance - multiple)

Yes

JVCS Polycom via JVCS(UK)

Yes Video send lowresolution forunknown reasonand requiredwebcam as wouldnot work withfixed camera

Polycom m100 Polycom (UK) No Connection toremote portblocked byfirewall?

Glossary

• End point

A video conferencing location. E.g. RCH102e is an end point

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• H.323

A protocol used in video conferencing, typically by systems from Tandberg,Cisco, Polycom

• H.239

A protocol used in video conferencing which allows multiple video streams.

• H.264

A protocol for encoding video streams

• SIP

Simple Initiation Protocol. Used to start calls/conferences.

• Multiple End point capability

Can be used for a conference of more than two people.

• Single end point capability

Technically incorrect, but often used to describe software that can only handlea conference of two sites

• Point-to-point

Describes software that only allows two participating sites at any given time

• Codec

Stringly COder DECoder (i.e. something that compresses video and audio forsending and receiving efficiently over the network), but sometimes used todescribe an end point

• Access Grid

Strictly a form of multiple end-point capability system for video conferencing,but here a euphemism for a video conferencing system in general

• Latency

The delay in sending video and audio and the far end receiving it. High latencyis bad.

• Bandwidth

A measure of how much video and audio a network can handle. Low band-width is bad.

Echo Canceller ReferenceEcho cancellation is by hardware using a Gentner AP400.

Gentner is now owned by ClearOne, and the AP400 has been superseded by theClearOne XAP400.

Physically this is located in the rack and should never normally need to have itssettings altered. If this does need to be done then there is a program to do this inC:\apware to do so, although it seems to run very slowly on a 64 bit machine (itis a very old program).

To change the settings first start the apware application and open the CS103 site[may need to be changed here]. Then connect and tell the system to sync from theAP400 device. This will load the settings currently on the device. After makingany changes sync from Document back to the AP400 after saving the changes toCS103. Do not overwrite CS103.original as this contains known working settings.

The connections on the back take the four microphone feeds from the patch panelto the microphone level inputs 1 to 4 at the back of the AP400, along with a feedfrom a telephone if required. These are then fed to output D via a noise gate(yellow blocks in the AP400 matrix configuration screen). A and B are unused,but output C then goes into the Access Grid PC into the micophone input (pink3.5mm socket). This is what is used to record the microphone feeds onto the Ac-cess Grid PC, and relay these to the wider world.

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The feed fromÂ the Access Grid PC is fed into input A of the AP400. This is thenrouted internally to the amp and speakers via output D (green block) which isconnected to the input of the amp.

Additionally output D is used as the echo cancelling reference. This means thatthe AP400 prevents a copy of the signal coming in (with a slight delay) fromreentering the microphones and creating feedback or echo.

Figure 20. AP400 Flow Chart

Figure 21. AP400 Matrix

To access the Matrix click on the Matrix button in the Flow Diagram

The matrix shows that the microphone inputs are connected (via gating) to theTeleco Out so that people may be brought into Access Grid and EVO sessionsover the phone, and also to the AG PC Mic in which connects to the input of

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the PC. The output of the PC is also connected to the Telco output (so that otherpeople in the sessions, not just those coming in over the local microphones) can beheard by the remote telephone user. It is finally connected to the output D whichconnects to the amplifier and speakers. Echo cancelling is done by subtracting theoutput sent over output D, hence the ticked box in the lower section.

Gating means that when the signal for any microphone is low (i.e. Noone isspeaking) then the microphone is automatically and temporarily muted.

An Alternative preset that is possible is to add gated connections for all micro-phones to the output, i.e. A column of yellow cells below output D for Mic inputs1 to 4 inclusive, which allows the system to function as a public address for theroom.

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Figure 22. AP400 Channel Strip

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Microphone (Inputs 1-4) gain structure: all strips should be the same.

To access a strip click on the ’Inputs 1-4’ button in the flow page.

Sample Strip

AGC (Automatic gain control) should be enabled. Ppower (Phantom power forthe microphones) should be enabled.

PC Set UpThis is pc069, and is linked to the IT services active directory to allow anyone tolog in.

It runs Windows 7, which is installed twice. However, it may be that the ’AccessGrid’ install (the Skype et al boot is the default) is not required as more work hasbeen done on codecs and camera selection on the Skype install.

Video is output from a Matrox card which has dual non-standard DVI outputs.This is split into four VGA feeds. Three of these feeds go to feed the projectorson the ceiling and then to the main screens. Feed 1 (as Windows sees it) is fed toboth the rack monitor and the courtesy monitor. (There is a cable fault betweenthe rack and the courtesy monitor and unfortunately its colours are wrong)

Keyboard/mouse is either via the combo in the rack, or via wireless to a keyboardon the desk.

Audio is via USB via a Behringer USB-to-RCA convertor which provides a cleaneraudio feed than the analog in/out.

Video input is into a videum capture card. Three of the inputs are straight fromthe cameras, but the one feed is split such that a laptop feed may be substitutedfor a camera. This allows injection of a laptop feed into some types of video con-ference which does not support H.239 dual video feeds from a site.

Wiring DiagramStill awaiting a final and accurate version.

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Video Conferencing in RCH/102e - University of York · Video Conferencing in RCH/102e Ensure the cameras are all on. Adjust the volume of output as required (the default is generally

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