Videoconference with conferenceXP on RCTS “Estúdios” The Next Step TNC2006, May16 Catania, Italy Nuno Gonçalves FCCN - Portugal Foundation for National Scientific Computing

2 Summary Overview; “Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell; Technological Platform; Case Studies; Cost Analysis; Advantages/Disadvantages; Short-Term Conclusions; Future Developments;

3 Overview Setup a multicast/unicast/IPv6 videoconference network, in order to provide collaboration activities with ConferenceXP; Provide a central venue service; Provide a central reflector to support unicast bridging to the multicast world; Alternative to H.323 videoconference technology;

4 “Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 1/3 Multipurpose rooms with custom specifications; Installed in 6 Portuguese Educational Institutions; To be used by all Institutions and users connected to the Portuguese NREN;

5 “Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 2/3 “Estúdios” Features: Videoconference Meetings; Collaboration Activities; Audio/Video content producing; Reception of high bandwidth content; Streaming Activities; Experimentation on videoconference and streaming technologies; Premium IP network with multicast and IPv6; With support staff on site; Web Scheduling System;

6 “Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 3/3 “Estúdios” Locations IPB – Bragança IRIC UP – Porto UA – Aveiro UTL – Lisboa UE – Évora UALG - Faro

7 Technological Platform 1/6 Main Hardware Used “Estúdios” CXP clients: PIV, 2 Gb RAM; –Gigabit Ethernet Board; –2 PCI video cards ; ClearOne for Echo Cancellation Digital 360º Microphones; 5.1 Amplifier; 5.1 Speakers; 2 PTZ cameras; 2 DLP projectors; Smart board

8 Technological Platform 2/6 Software Used CXP Clients: Windows Xp Professional ; Conference Xp Client V3.2 (currently CXP is V3.5);.NET Framework AND its SP1; Central Venue Server: W2K3 Server with OS updates; IIS 6.0 for venues announcements; CXP Venue Server; Reflector Service to support unicast bridging;

9 Technological Platform 3/6 Network: All “estúdios” are multicast and IPv6 enabled with QoS; All CXP clients have gigabit Ethernet;

10 Technological Platform 4/6 Multicast tests with Vic / Vat, VLC and QuickTime: –Tests were made with vic and vat in order to operate CXP’s multicast with other applications; –The use of WMV codec was a required feature in order to view the multicast stream; –VLC ( waswww.videolan.org used to play the stream. It was unsuccessful without WMV codec; –.sdp files were used to test with QuickTime player;

11 Technological Platform 5/6 Unicast to Multicast: –The use of a central reflector service permits to a unicast only network to receive multicast transmissions; Reflector Service Unicast / Multicast

12 Technological Platform 6/6 Other Similar Platforms: –VRVS; FCCN is a VRVS partner. FCCN provides a central reflector to the RCTS community; –Access Grid (AGTk); –Macromedia Breeze (Licensed);

13 Case Studies 1/5 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240) –2 Terminal end points with 4 video streams;

14 Case Studies 2/5 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (640x480) –2 Terminal end points full screen; –Video stream with strong movement;

15 Case Studies 3/5 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240) –3 Multicast terminal end points (MCU Like); –1 Unicast terminal end point through reflector;

16 Case Studies 4/5 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240) –3 terminal end points sharing applications using a smart board collaboration environment;

17 Case Studies 5/5 PSTN integration through echo canceller successfully tested;

Costs Analysis Minimum Hardware Requisites Costs Analysis: Traditional H.323 Videoconference: –H.323 hardware codec with microphone; –PTZ cameras; –Projection area (Plasma with speakers); Cost ≈ 12500€ Videoconference with ConferenceXp: –Personal computer; –Microphone and an Echo canceller; –PTZ cameras; –Projection area (Plasma with speakers); Room Setup Cost ≈ 8500€ Personal Setup Cost ≈ 3500€

Advantages/Disadvantages ConferenceXp Advantages –Low cost; –Creating a personal videoconference node; –Also supports multipoint and collaboration; –Uses Multicast, with Unicast integration; Disadvantages –Still in a development stage; –OS dependent and inherent to its risks; –Not stable as a H.323 codec; –Only works with other ConferenceXp Clients;

20 Short-Term Conclusions General room preset in order to provide a fast environment setup; Gather user feedback in to make setup improvements; To Complete Documentation and How-To;

21 Future Developments Implement a central session archive; Integrate and centralize the venue server, reflector and archive service; More marketing;

22 WG-Multimedia Team

23 Nuno Gonçalves FCCN GDS: Portugal