Room-based Turnkey Videoconference System

This video collaboration system configuration is a high capability “Room-Based” installation, suitable for large groups of participants.

The suggested equipment includes:
Computer Equipment

• 2 x Dell T3500 Computers
• Display and Audio Machine
• Video Capture Machine
• Both systems running Linux (Fedora Linux)
• Additional presentation machine

Display Machine - Dell Precision T3500 details

• 2.4GHz  Quad-core CPU or better
• Dual 512MB PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX580
• 4GB of Memory
• 160GB SATA (7200RPM)  Hard Disk Drive or better
• Gigabit NIC
• 16X max DVD+/-RW Drive
• 1394 Port (Firewire)
• 4 DisplayPort-to-VGA Adaptors

Capture Machine - Dell Precision T3500 details

• 2.4GHz  Quad-core CPU or better
• Single 512MB PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX580
• 4GB of Memory
• 160GB SATA (7200RPM)  Hard Disk Drive or better
• Gigabit NIC
• 16X max DVD+/-RW Drive
• 1394 Port (Firewire)
• IVCE-8784 4-port capture card

Presentation Machine - Dell Precision Optiplex 960

• MiniTower Chassis
• Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor E8600, 3.33GHz,6M,1333FSB
• 2GB of Memory
• 160GB SATA HDD or better
• 16X max DVD+/-RW Drive

Extras

• 4-port KVM Switch

Audio Equipment

• Clearone Converge Pro 880
• Optional telephone interface
• Australian Monitor AV2.2P Stereo Amplifier
• 4 x Shure MX393/C Boundary microphones

• 4 x Bose DS16S flush mount full range ceiling speakers (Ceiling mounted)

Video Capture Equipment

• Video Device - IVCE-8784 4-port capture card and three Sony EVID100 Cameras
• See http://www.accessgrid.org/test/taxonomy/term/15 for camera details
• See http://www.icp-australia.com.au/DataSheets/IVCE8784.html for capture card details

Video Display Equipment

• Mitsubishi  XD490 DLP data projectors, 3000 ANSI lumens

Other Equipment

• 28RU Rack with Perspex front door
• Audio XLR patch panels
• Video patch panel
• ELGEE 8-way horizontal power board
• 3 x 4RU rack shelves
• Velbon "Sherpa" tripod

Room Equipment considerations

• Network ports
• Power
• Desk
• Chairs
• Lighting / Lighting Switches
• see this image for a generic room layout for this type of facility

Description
This system has higher cost, but is of a high capacity with higher-quality audio gear.
Pros:

• Three Data Projectors provide much larger area for screen real estate and provides greater visibility.  This means that more video streams and presentation material can be displayed which in turn means that you can connect to more AG sites and be able to seen everything clearly.
• With the use of a proper audio device (converge pro), ambient room noise and other audio artefacts can be removed, thereby providing superior audio quality.
• Using three cameras allows an improved view of participants and surroundings from external sites.
• Additionally, being a large installation, the system can be easily configured to use extra microphones, cameras and other devices.

Cons:

• High costs for installation
• Requires a larger room for installation