Gigaconference Videoconferencing Event

5 August 2005
12-4:00pm EDT (GMT-4)

(Updated 3 October 2005)

Event Summary:

The first-ever Gigaconference was held on Aug 5, 2005, from 12-4 EDT. The purpose of the event was to assess and demonstrate the state of the art for H.323 and other video conferencing systems.  Organizations and vendors were invited to give presentations that utilized the highest video performance possible, with fast motion and high resolution.  The minimum requirements were 1 Mbit/sec speed and 4 times the normal H.323 resolution (4CIF). The Codian MCU of the Internet2 Commons at Ohio State University was used to link all the presenting sites together. Video streaming from a Codian IPVCR provided wide access at high speed to many locations throughout the world who did not participate directly in the conference.  The Internet2 chat facility gave people the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters.  The event was recorded and DVD copies were provided to all who ordered them, by OARnet.  A highlights version was presented at the Fall Internet2 Member meeting in Philadelphia, Sept 19-22.

All the major vendors were invited. Codian, Polycom and Sony all sent representatives to Ohio State University for their presentations, because they did not have adequate bandwidth at their corporate headquarters.  Tandberg and Radvision initially expressed interest, but did not make presentations.  Life Size was not far enough along on their development to work via an MCU.

There was extensive testing and rehearsing in advance of the event. This led to the discovery that the initial requirements could not be met by most presenters and vendors.  It appears that Polycom, Sony and Tandberg endpoints are all capable of at least 1 Mbit/sec speed and 4 CIF resolution but only at 15 frames/sec, not the usual 30 frames/sec.   They could do 4 CIF at 15 fps, or 1 CIF at 30 fps. Polycom has a mode which does 2 CIF.   So presenters were given the choice of doing fine detail at 4 CIF/15fps, or fast motion at 1 CIF/30 fps.  There are rumors that by next year's Gigaconference, all the vendors will be capable of 4 CIF at 30 fps.

A surprising exception to this is the Polycom PVX software endpoint. Running in a fast PC provided by Polycom, it ran 4 CIF at 30 fps. So here we have the first example of a software codec outperforming a hardware codec, at least in this instance.

There were about 10 presentations, all successfully demonstrated high-end video conferencing performance.  The large distance learning conference at Wisconsin participated in the Gigaconference as audience members.  There are plans being made for higher-level coordination between the 2006 Gigaconference and the Distance Learning 2006 events.

Presenters using technologies other than H.323 were invited to participate, assuming that appropriate gateways could be used, but there we no proposals.   The idea for the Gigaconference was originally suggested by Jim Christopolous of Codian to Bob Dixon of Ohio State, who then organized the event with his colleagues Megan Troyer and Gabe Moulton.  The Wisconsin event participation was supported by David Devereaux-Weber of the University of Wisconsin, and Jamie Poindexter of the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Watch the archives:

Open a browser to http://192.148.244.146 Select View recordings list Play the desired stream.

Presenting participants included:

2005 Distance Teaching and Learning Conference, WI  

Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under Served Areas (CERMUSA), PA  

Cleveland Institute of Music, OH

Codian, OH  

Mote Marine Laboratory, FL  

New World Symphony, FL

Ohio State University, OH

Ohio Supercomputer Center, OH

Pier Wisconsin, WI  

Polycom, OH

SONY, OH

University of Helsinki, Finland

University of Wisconsin-Extension, WI

Observing participants included:

AARNet, Australia  

Association for Computing Machinery at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, MN

Chinese Academy of Sciences

GCI Corp, AL

Hypermedia Education, CA

Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System, IN

North Dakota State University, ND

ONEnet, OK

TIES, MN

University of North Dakota, ND

Université du Québec À Montréal, QB

Contact Information

Acknowledgements:

Codian is acknowledged for co-sponsoring this event, and providing technical support for the Codian MCU regarding compatibility issues with various types of endpoints. We also thank Codian for donating an IPVCR for streaming and recording the event.

Polycom is thanked for providing two VSX 8000 systems and a PVX PC system, all with the latest beta code. One of the VSX 8000 systems will be used at the Distance Learning 2005 conference at the University of Wisconsin.   The other VSX8000 and the PVX system will be used at Ohio State, and demonstrated during the event.  We also appreciate the technical assistance to Ohio State and University of Wisconsin.

Sony we thank for providing a G-70 system and two cameras, and technical assistance.  The G-70 will be demonstrated from Ohio State during the event.

All of the above vendors will have representatives on site at Ohio State during the event, and will make presentations.

Program Schedule:

The timing of each presentation is shown in the chart below, read on for titles and abstracts of each group’s presentation

Presentations:

Attendees at the 2005 Distance Teaching and Learning Conference in Madison, WI, greeted the Gigaconference audience

Bob Mainhart, Gabrielle Cronin, and Gina Litzinger of the Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under Served Areas (CERMUSA) presented, “CERMUSA’s Mobile Communications Platform (MCP)”

Abstract: An exhibit of CERMUSA’s MCP, capable of 1.5 Mbps satellite connections. CERMUSA showed live, high-quality video of a patient's ears, throat, and skin, and talked about other Distance Learning Applications facilitated by the MCP.

A String Quartet consisting of: Maisie Swanson, Violin; David Block, Violin; Jennifer Han, Viola; Katherine Hufnagle, Cello; from the Cleveland Institute of Music presented “Classical Beauty and the IP Prince”

Abstract: How good can classical music sound over an IP connection? Conference participants were treated to a live performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and learned about the Cleveland Music Masters program and other exciting projects for the coming school year.

Jim Christopolous from Codian presented “Fast Action from Codian” 

Abstract: Codian both sponsored and participated in the Gigacoverence. The demonstration featured streamed recordings from the IP VCR while recording the GigaConference! The Gigaconference took place over a Codian bridge.

Kasey Gaylord from Mote Marine Laboratory presented “SeaTrek Showcase”

Abstract: Teachers and administrators were given an exciting overview of the most popular SeaTrek science programs. This presentation was featured as a great way to demonstrate videoconferencing technology and is a popular choice for Professional Development programs.

Tom Snook, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Steve Reich from New World Symphony presented “An Internet2 Afternoon with Steve Reich”

Abstract: Michael Tilson Thomas conducted the New World Symphony in a rehearsal of "Three Movements" by Steve Reich. Reich, one of the world's most significant living composers, attended via Internet2, giving musicians a unique and rare opportunity to receive instant feedback and learn about the piece's creation from the composer himself.

Susan Fisher of Ohio State University presented “When Survival Matters:  Novel Approaches to Teaching Cell Biology to Large Non-majors Classes”

Abstract: A learning object explaining the Krebs Cycle was featured. Students were given 5 different ways to assimilate the information, some of which involved computer graphics and/or the world famous OSU marching band.

Representatives from the Ohio Supercomputer Center presented “Lady Shaves”

Abstract: A short animated film, "Lady Shaves", by Mike Altman and Steve Galgas of the The Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) program at the Ohio Supercomputer Center.

Gaye-Lynn Clyde, Chuck Aumann, and Dan Gross from Pier Wisconsin presented “Taking the Classroom Out to Sea”

Abstract: The sailing vessel, Denis Sullivan navigates the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Seaboard. Using wireless connectivity to Internet2, the presenters are able create a floating platform for students around the world.

Elaine Shuck from Polycom presented “Interactive Videoconferencing (IVC) Trends & Super Cool Science”

Abstract: Elaine discussed latest trends in the IVC industry. The Toledo, Hands-on Science Museum, participated in an interactive videoconference. Andy from COSI demonstrated "Super Cool Science" using liquid nitrogen to show the three states of matter.

Steve Banaszek from Sony presented “Sony's high-quality Videoconferencing Introduction”

Abstract: Sony's PCS-G70 and the new G50 have the industry best video quality at extreme speeds with the advantage of Sony's BRC-300 3CCD and 16:9 wide image Pan Tilt Zoom camera.

Tero Kärkkäinen from the University of Helsinki presented “Using Remote Controlled Equipment in Streaming and Multicasting - Case: Days of Science 2005”

Abstract: University of Helsinki demonstrated a streamed TV studio, showing remote control of cameras and video/audio mixers in the university's main lecture hall. The presentation included some demonstrations as well as some recorded examples of the system in use in one big seminar - Days of Science 2005, which included hours of live broadcasts.

Jamie Poindexter from the University of Wisconsin-Extension will presented “ A Stroll Down Memory Lane”

Abstract: The University of Wisconsin-Extension’s department of Instructional Communications Systems celebrated its 40th anniversary. Reaching this mark makes UW-Extension the oldest continuous provider of teleconferencing services to educational institutions in the world. Today UW-Extension offers the latest synchronous collaboration technologies available. Jamie shared a look at some of the old technologies used before the era of the PC and the Internet.

Contact Information

Please contact Bob Dixon, Chief Research Engineer at OARnet and Ohio State University, (dixon.8@osu.edu) if you would like more information.