#1 2009-06-15 15:15:55

**_bschafer_**

Video Conferencing X2?

We produce live events for educational purposes and are interested in a collaborative-type meeting from two separate locations with audio and video feeds. We would also like to record these events to tape for post-editing and archival purposes. We have only used Connect Pro in the past for hosting Presenter presentations, so meetings are new to us.

We would like to broadcast from location 1 and project the video onto a screen at location 2 while recording it. Then, we would like to broadcast and project feedback from location 2 to location 1 creating a seamless interaction between the two locations. It will basically be a video conference X2.

Our questions/concerns are:

What is the best way to accomplish this?
Can this best be achieved in an Adobe Connect Pro "meeting" vs. a "seminar"?
Will we need 2 computers at each location? One to broadcast and one to receive?
Will the delay be too long to have separate locations seamlessly interact?
Will we need any special hardware?
What is the best way to handle the audio?

A lot of questions but we have to start somewhere! Any feedback is welcomed.

Thanks!

Robert Schafer

alistairlee

Re: Video Conferencing X2?

Hey Robert,

There are probably a couple of different ways of doing this.  We do similar things at Adobe quite often by leveraging an existing video conferencing system.

We use the video conferencing system to capture the audio and video of multiple locations.  A computer at one of those locations is set up with a capture card (we use an Osprey audio/video capture card).  The output from the video conferencing system is fed into the input of the capture card.  Connect Pro can see the capture card as a video source and streams it into the Camera and Voice pod.

This not only records the session but also provides a way for other locations (without video conferencing) to attend the meeting.  We've got a tutorial on this here:
http://www.connectusers.com/tutorials/2 … videoconf/

Doing this without a video conferencing system is also possible - but the display at both location 1 and location 2 would be the same.  You could have the camera and voice pod pick up 2 (or more) web cams and audio inputs.  In this case, you would need a single computer, webcam and microphone at each location.

To answer some of your questions:
- You could definitely do this in a Connect Pro meeting - there's no need for a seminar room.
- At most, you shouldn't need more than 1 computer at each location.  Less if you tie it into a video conference.
- There won't be much of a delay regardless of audio type.  The teams should be able to interact.
- Special hardware:  this really depends on you.  At the very least, you'll need a webcam.  If you want to get better results (since there's multiple people at each end), you may want to use a more professional camera.  You'll need a way to plug the camera into the computer - either via firewire, USB, or using a capture card.  As mentioned above, you could also use a video conferencing system if it's already in place.

Lots of questions - but hopefully this helps a bit.

Thanks,
Alistair

**_bschafer_**

Re: Video Conferencing X2?

Thank you alistairlee. and anyone else that would like to chime in. This info is much appreciated. We are going to conduct a test between offices later this week.

If I understand this correctly, we can have both locations (different cities) log into a single meeting room with separate video and audio. The a/v will be viewable in separate pods. Both locations will project the same meeting making it viewable to both audiences. The audio will be broadcast from the computer through the PA system allowing audio interaction. We will not need to use video capture cards or VoIP.

Does this sound correct?

Do you think audio feedback will be an issue?

Thanks!

Robert Schafer

Last edited by **_bschafer_** (2009-06-23 10:56:18)

**_Jorma_at_RealEyes_**

Re: Video Conferencing X2?

The video will be shared in the Camera Pod, but the audio and video will be distinctly different.

With the VoIP tool, audio feedback may be an issue, but I have seen full duplex mic/speakers for computers work very well to prevent the feed back issue.

**_thomasattrp_**

Re: Video Conferencing X2?

We've done this through Meeting without difficulty both ends using VOIP.  Often, one has a webcam and we in our office use a Sony Betacam which works really well.  At the "fast images" setting, the picture quality is excellent--much better than a web cam.  The Sony is basically a home video camera.  It does have and you'll need a firewire connection. Connect Pro immediately recognized the camera without difficulty.  One computer and one camera at each end.  Would show you a screen shot of what it looked like but couldn't figure out how to paste it or import the jpg file into this message.
Thomas

**_bschafer_**

Re: Video Conferencing X2?

We've done this through Meeting without difficulty both ends using VOIP.  Often, one has a webcam and we in our office use a Sony Betacam which works really well.  At the "fast images" setting, the picture quality is excellent--much better than a web cam.  The Sony is basically a home video camera.  It does have and you'll need a firewire connection. Connect Pro immediately recognized the camera without difficulty.  One computer and one camera at each end.  Would show you a screen shot of what it looked like but couldn't figure out how to paste it or import the jpg file into this message.
Thomas

Thank you, Thomas. We will be using Sony PD170 cameras so quality should not be an issue.

Robert