P&TS provides two forms of video conferencing to the campus community, H.323 and Access Grid Node. Depending on the type of equipment at the distant location, one of these two forms may be used for the conference.

H.323 provides a single "active voice switched" video stream for multiple sites. H.323 is analogous to traditional "MetNet" technology, but uses updated A/V equipment and carries signals between sites over the internet rather than leased ISDN phones lines. An operator is required.

Access Grid Node is an emerging video conferencing platform, providing multiple video streams between multiple sites. Multiple video streams allow for greater audience presence, sharing of computer presentations, and other application displays. Due to the technical nature of AGN, an operator is required for each session.

Centrally Managed Sites Available

LA 106: H.323 in a classroom format (max. 40 people)

SS-127: H.323 and AGN in a flexible presentation format (max. 18 people)

Current facilities have been built with external funds, rather than "state" money.  As a result

1. Facilities will be provided for use only on a strict cost recovery basis.  Costs vary according to the room and equipment (details below), but always include support for equipment upkeep, normal network access, and a mandatory operator/technician.
2. Preference in scheduling will be provided to those units who have contributed to the creation of these facilities.

Within constraints implied by #1 and #2, every effort will be made to accommodate needs of all campus units, and when possible, non-campus users.

Room Specific Capabilities, Policies, and Procedures

SS 127 - INRA/IT H.323/AGN Video Conferencing and Classroom

1. Preferential scheduling: for INRA and IT
2. Format : Conference/classroom with max. 18 participants; white board plus standard "high-tech classroom" control system and capabilities: document camera, video player, (Windows) presentation computer, wireless microphone, etc.
3. H.323 : Polycom Viewstation VS4000 with projector display, 3 cameras, push-to-talk microphones, and S-VHS session capture
4. AGN : 3 projectors, 3 cameras, laptop integration, application display, distributed PowerPoint, push-to-talk microphones, and H.323 bridging
5. Multi-site capacity : DHC-023 plus three H.323 remote sites without external switching. AGN allows an unspecified number of remote sites.

Cost

- UMM unit : $25/hour

- Non UMM unit : $50/hour

The price includes local operator and equipment plus normal network access, but not extra session charges
(e.g., telephone/network bridging, external switching, remote site charges)

1. Preferential scheduling : MCLL
2. Format : Classroom with fixed tables with max. 40 participants; white board, video projector, VHS/DVD Player, Presentation computer
3. H.323 : Polycom Viewstation, video projector display, and S-VHS session capture
4. Multi-site capacity : only via external bridging

- UMM unit : $25/hour

- Non-UMM unit : $50/hour

The price includes local operator and equipment plus normal network access, but not extra session charges (e.g., telephone/network bridging, external switching, remote site charges)