Video - livelink to remote location

[tempsc]

Hello.

 

We are looking into the possibility of transmitting live video to a remote location within the UK. Of course, we would have to involve professional assistance to help technically advise on the optimum methods and technology, whilst ensuring a tight control on the spend. I just wonder if someone out there could perhaps advise what aspects we should be considering and which organisations are best suited to assist us. BT perhaps?

 

Appreciate any info.

 

Tempsc

[David Lee]

Depends on what quality you are after. If web casting is an option I have worked alongside these guys occasionally http://www.groovygecko.com/. They should be able to advise you on what they would require for a given level of quality.

 

Another option is Satellite. This is, of course, more expensive but has the ability of being broadcast quality dependant on what you feed it, and able to work in any location.

[bruce]

Or ISDN.

Or H.323 over public internet

Or H.323 over a private circuit

Or a tape and a guy on a motorbike...

 

we need to know what sort of quality you need, what sort of latency is acceptable, whether it's a single or multiple endpoints, what sort of IT infrastructure (specifically IP connectivity) exists at each end etc.

[tempsc]

Bruce/David.

 

Thanks for the responses. The guy on the bike with a tape is certainly one of the options that is on the list for consideration. It would be helpful to know a bit more info on the H.323 references you have made or, what would the minimum specifications need to be for ISDN or private circuit internet. One other query at this stage, is it possible to 'hire' private circuit internet connectivity for the time that you need it, as opposed to outright purchase without a view to regulalry use it? Any idea of costs and providers?

 

Tks

[bruce]

H.323 is the ITU standard for videoconferencing-over-IP.

 

What are you trying to transmit? What sort of resolution? Is it a "talking head"? Something that needs high resolution, or would "VHS-quality" be good enough?

[tempsc]

We are looking to transmit a presentation that would probably last for anything up to 90 minutes. The VHS quality would probably be fine, although we would be interested to know the cost implications of increasing the quality if possible. I don't know if this is important in terms of technical aspects and cost implications, but would just add that the transmission would probably not be for viewing outside of the UK.

[Shez]

We are looking into the possibility of transmitting live video to a remote location within the UK.

 

How remote is remote? Are we talking middle of a field miles from anywhere? Small village? Or do you simply mean a certain distance to another location that has all mod cons?

[tempsc]

No - not that remote. Reasonable sized towns, where we may hire public theatres, school halls, cinemas etc.

[bruce]

So it's not a one-off event.

 

Since you can't guarantee having high speed IP connectivity (nb - not "Broadband"), it's probably worth looking at something like a ISDN-6 link - or higher - into a H320 codec (polycom/tandberg/whatever), with a H.239 channel to provide an XGA link for the presentation.

 

So basically, you need ISDN-6 at each site. Most major hotels and conference venues will have this. Others may need it installed.

 

ISDN, of course, is "old technology", but it's guaranteed bandwidth.

 

If you can get high bandwith IP connectivity - I typically use 2-3 Mb/s for this sort of thing - you could use that with the same hardware.

 

You need a codec (probably a hardware one) at each site.

 

At the sending site, you feed audio, video input (typically composite) and XGA powerpoint into the box.

 

At the receiving site, you connect the outputs to 2 displays and the PA.

 

Remote audience sees the speaker and their powerpoint. Speaker can see the remote audience.

 

Belt and braces option - have a copy of the speaker's slides at the remote site, and a standard telephone channel. If the video link dies, you can still display the audio and slides.

[tempsc]

Wow. That's brilliant. As for 'one offs' - no, we hope that they may become fairly frequent but will have to wait and see. How much are 'codecs' or are they able to be hired? Similarly, if ISDN isn't actually installed into any of the sites we identify, what are the options? Is it possible, for example, to have ISDN to the nearest local output then tap into other lines to deliver into the hired venue?

[bruce]

The last codecs I bought were fairly high-end ones (Tandberg MX6000MXP - but it was a while ago - technology has moved on) - cost a 5 figure sum each. They can be hired. Look for brands like polycom or tandberg.

 

If you have no ISDN, you'll need to speak to those nice people at BT and get it installed.

 

If you have good IP connectivity (not broadband/adsl) you could use that instead.... but perhaps less reliable.

[peternewman]

It kind of strikes me, that if the content of the slides is known in advance, then you might be able to go down a cheaper route if you want, I guess it all depends what quality you want. If you can have a copy of the slides at the remote location, either triggered by the main presenter over an IP link, or manually cued by someone on site, then you're only talking about getting the presenters video and audio to the other end. We use software called VPoint (I've not tried the HD version) at work, as part of a range of tools available, it generally prioritises the audio, so video would breakup first but is pretty reliable if the background is fairly still/quiet. Also as Bruce mentioned, if they don't need to be able to talk back from the remote site to the presenter, you could just have something with a large buffer and then you might even be able to use normal old ADSL.

 

At the other end of the scale, if you talk to SIS they should be able to sort you out a broadcast quality satellite link for a fee... :** laughs out loud **:

[soundo26]

Hello.

 

We are looking into the possibility of transmitting live video to a remote location within the UK. Of course, we would have to involve professional assistance to help technically advise on the optimum methods and technology, whilst ensuring a tight control on the spend. I just wonder if someone out there could perhaps advise what aspects we should be considering and which organisations are best suited to assist us. BT perhaps?

 

Appreciate any info.

 

Tempsc

 

The most cost effective way would definitely be to use ISDN based videoconferencing, it's much cheaper than a satellite link and not time specific.

 

You state that it is a remote destination but do not give other details, so the best advice would be to see if there is a well known hotel chain in the area as (as previously stated) you will need ISDN connections which will usually only be found in these hotels.

 

You will then need to check how many ISDN lines can be supplied as this factor will affect your transmission quality. A single ISDN2 euro socket will provide 2x64Kbps lines making a 128Kbps connection, this will provide a useable connection but the frame update will be slow and pixellated. To get close to full motion Video you will need a 384Kbps bandwidth, that's 3x euro ISDN sockets (6 lines), most modern Videoconferencing units can go up to 512Kbps. If the venue has the required qmount you will need to get them checked before the event because you will find that if they haven't been used within the last few weeks the service provider will probably have switched the service off to use the bandwidth somewhere else (they deny this when challenged but it definitely does happen). You will also need to check the way the ISDN istallation has been done in the venue, many hotels have it installed into a comms room then split it out into the rooms via a patch system, this sort of installation carries it's own headaches as they often get the patching wrong which results in non-connection! Look for proper ISDN sockets in the room itselt.

 

The videoconferencing equipment can be hired in for around £3-400 a day and 7 out of 10 times you would probably find that you can operate it but be warned, there are several pitfalls that can be tripped over so you would be best to hire an experienced operator too to save you a headache!

 

Forget Videoconferencing over IP, mostly this is only good enough for desk to desk use and is usually no better than using the webcam with MSN or similar.

 

ISDN call chrges are roughly equivalent to a standard telephone call per 64Kbps line so you will find it is more expensive to call at peak time or abroad and the more lines you use, the more expensive the call is especially at hotel rates.

 

VC is not cheap to do but it is the cheapest option, cheaper that satellite and certainly cheaper than flying somebody from other countries along with all their travel/accommodation costs so is nostly a worthwhile route.

 

Hope this helps, If you need any other help pm me.

[bruce]

Agree with everything soundo26 says, except

Forget Videoconferencing over IP, mostly this is only good enough for desk to desk use and is usually no better than using the webcam with MSN or similar.

 

With respect, that's nonsense - although it was probably true about 10 years ago! I'd agree that it's only appropriate for desktop use when the supporting network infrastructure is domestic or business ADSL. But with a properly provisioned data network, the quality will far exceed anything available via ISDN-6.

 

I've been designing such installations for over 10 years. We're now seeing dual IP/ISDN installations where the ISDN is rarely used, and the last 3 major installations I've done have had no local ISDN at all - it's been completely IP.

 

The difficulty, of course, is finding a venue with such a network...

 

Bruce.

[slim_mcslim]

I would like to add a quick vote for Satellite transmission, as it is nowhere near as expensive as you might imagine.

 

The most cost effective way would definitely be to use ISDN based videoconferencing

 

The last time I had 6 temporary ISDN channels installed in a hotel in London there was a charge of £2600 from BT for install and 3 days line rental, plus my call charges to Australia!!

 

H.323 is definitely the way forward, and depening on your locations, if you can rent space in schools/universites often provide internet which is generally backed up by Janet, which normally offers plenty of bandwidth for video conferencing, and in general you don't need masses, you just need it to be constant.

 

I have done something similar on the cheap in the past, for a scripted presentation, for a PLC announcment, send a man and screen to each location, log into a website to deliver the presentation via html/flash which allows the content to be edited upto the last minute, and then get the audio feed from head office via audio conference call. We successfully did this two way, allowing questions to be asked back from each regional office.

 

P.