AV Technology - February/March 2009 - (Page 55) THE CONTENT SERVER DEFINED The Tandberg Content Server is a digital content management and storage device (600 hours internally; more by adding external network-attached storage). Connected to the University of Akron’s distance learning network, each TCS can record and output dual stream presentations (using H.239 standard) from any H.323 or SIP videoconferencing unit, over an IP network. The TCS can stream up to five feeds at a time (two of them live) using up to 2 Mbps of video bandwidth. Content on the TCS can be accessed in real time over the web. The University of Akron has two TCS units in its distance learning network. “Each of them is connected to the network as if they are actual LESSONS LEARNED Since being implemented in early 2007, University of Akron ‘s Tandberg Content Servers have recorded over 800 hours of distance learning classes. Besides being available for viewing online, the University has packaged its video for downloading onto iPods and as audio-only files. “We want people to be able to use this content wherever they can,” says Jevack, “whether they are commuting to class, working out, or prepar- Wireless Projection with Video Introducing the Black Box® Wireless VGA Video Presentation System Wirelessly display presentations, including video and audio, from up to 200 feet away. » Collaborate with up to 254 Wi-Fi® laptop users. » No more swapping cables. » Works with any projector or display with a VGA port. » Connect it to the Web or your LAN. INFO minutes after each session ends. They can access these classes via the web, by logging onto their particular course’s home page.” These same sessions can be reviewed by students wanting to improve their notes, and by instructors seeking to evaluate their in-class performance. “Some of our speech class students use these videos for self-critique,” Carson adds. “They can see just how well they are doing, from an objective perspective.” remote/receive classrooms,” says University of Akron network engineer Walter Jevack. In class, the audio/video capture is done using Sony EVI-D100 cameras, AutoPatch 1Y-16 and Half-Y matrix switchers, and Revolab wireless and Shure tabletop microphones. “This means that the TCS ‘sees and hears’ everything that the participating distant classrooms do. The unit simply records this content digitally in real time. When the class ends, it takes just a few minutes for the TCS to finalize the recording and serve it to the appropriate course home page.” The TCS units are connected to the feeds via the University’s Cisco campus network. They are housed in a Middle Atlantic rack in the distance learning control room. ing the night before for a test.” Functionally, this Tandberg archiving solution has performed well. “We had very few problems integrating the TCS units onto our distance learning network, and the software has made it easy to serve the archived video to the public,” Carson says. AMX: www.amx.com AutoPatch: www.amx.com Cisco: www.cisco.com Dell: www.dell.com Elmo: www.elmousa.com Epson: www.epson.com Middle Atlantic: www.middleatlantic.com Panasonic: www.panasonic.com Polycom: www.polycom.com Revolabs: www.revolabs.com Shure: www.shure.com Smart Technologies: www.smarttech.com Sony: pro.sony.com Tandberg Systems: www.tandberg.com JBL: www.jblpro.com Projector not included. AC1130A See the video demo at: blackbox.com/go/vps | 888-225-6921 http://www.amx.com http://www.amx.com http://www.cisco.com http://www.dell.com http://www.elmousa.coom http://www.epson.com http://www.middleatlantic.com http://www.panasonic.com http://www.polycom.com http://www.revolabs.com http://www.shure.com http://www.smarttech.com http://www.smarttech.com http://pro.sony.com http://www.tandberg.com http://www.jblpro.com http://www.blackbox.com/go/vps http://www.blackbox.com/go/vps
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