The
video conferencing equipment can be cataloged into two types.
One is desktop level device for very small group of participants,
and web cam is one commonly used device under this category.
The other type of video conferencing device is more advanced
and sophisticated, and we usually called this video conferencing
equipment as "Room System".
There
are two kinds of connections for video conferencing. They
are ISDN and IP network. ISDN uses digital telephone line
while IP uses computer network, and they have irreplaceable
characteristics. ISDN line is dedicated and more stable when
compared to the IP network. However, the charge for ISDN network
is quite high for overseas connection, for example, 384Kb/s
speed to the U.S. needs about $3,600 per hour. Video conferencing
parties are normally required to have the same connection
type, so if one party provides ISDN connection and the other
one does not have ISDN line installed, then an "ISDN
gateway" will be necessary. In the CityU, this "ISDN
gateway" was installed in the CSC computer room. When
video conferencing equipment on campus that supports IP network
connects to this gateway, it "translates" the traffic
to ISDN. As a result, all rooms on campus basically support
the ISDN connection. In spite of this, a direct connection
using ISDN line is preferred as it is believed a certain downgrade
of the video quality will be encountered if via gateway. This
is the reason we encourage colleagues to use the designated
rooms for video conferencing. There are at least 5 rooms on
campus that can perform the suit the video conferencing function.
They are either permanently equipped with video conferencing
equipment, or can be set up for video conferencing within
a short time. The rooms are listed in the following table.
The CityU,
together with other tertiary institutions in Hong Kong, owns
a multi-point conferencing unit called Accord MGC-100 MCU.
With this device, it is possible for 8 participants to join
in the same video conferencing session. However, advanced
booking with other institutions is required. If the number
of participant is less than four, CityU has its own multi-point
units that can meet such need.
Some video
conferencing sessions may need to use computer output. Most
of the equipment we have in CityU is capable of supporting
the transmission of video, sound and computer signals. This
makes remote lecture possible as documents and computer slide
shows can be displayed to the remote parties.
Availability Video Conferencing Room
There
are 5 well-equipped video conferencing rooms that the CSC
may help to accommodate your need, and you may find the details
in the following table:
Room |
Capacity
(no.
of participants)
|
VC
equipment |
Most
suitable functions |
Room
N, CSC |
1-100 |
PolyCom
FX
(IP and ISDN)
- a Room System |
Dynamic
set up suitable for all conferencing functions |
Room
P, CSC |
1-50 |
PictureTel
9000
(IP and ISDN)
- a Room System |
Most
suitable for remote classes |
Room
Q, CSC |
1-38 |
PictureTel
9000
(IP and ISDN)
- a Room System |
Most
suitable for remote classes |
Multi-Media
Conference Room (FMO provides room supported) |
1-100 |
PictureTel
4500 unit (ISDN only)
- a Room System |
Small
or large meeting and seminar |
Board
Room, 6/F CYC Building (MB provides room support) |
1-30 |
Tanberg
880
(IP and ISDN)
- a Room System |
Depends
on the room's set up |
Other
conference rooms |
Vary |
Tanberg
880
(IP and ISDN thro' ISDN Gateway)
- a Room System |
Depends
on the room's set up |
Your
desktop |
1-2 |
PolyCom
ViaVideo
(IP or ISDN thro' ISDN Gateway)
*Available for short-term loan
- a desktop level device |
Small
video conferencing functions |
Figure
1. Rooms and Facilities for Video Conferencing in CityU
Making a Booking
To book
for the video conferencing service, you just need to submit
a CSC Work Request Form through your departmental network
administrator. Or you may simply contact our Help Desk (2788-7658)
for more information. No student can make booking directly.
Things To Ask the People at the Other End
You should
ask the people who you are going to work with: