Videoconferencing Versatility/USB Range

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braidman

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I work for a local lawfirm. We have a really cool touchscreen computer/Tv in our large conference room. The computer for this presentation tool is located across the hall (with 15fts ceilings). So the separation between the screen and the computer is about 40ft.

My bosses are now requesting to video conference on this screen, so I need some kind of camera to connect to the computer and give a good clear picture (1080p would be preferred but at least 720p is needed). We would like to have the options open like Skype, GotoMeeting, Google Chat etc...

We need a good camera located in the conference room, preferably above the center of the screen. USB only reaches about 15ft and putting hubs between the computer and the device has been known to cause issues with higher bandwidth devices (like 1080p capable cameras). We already have the conf. room wired with cat 5 and have some usb->Cat5 range extenders already in place. I would consider an ip/wifi security camera but all of them I have seen weren't sending 30-60frames per second. Also it needs to show up in Windows7 as a video camera.

Supposedly a firewire camcorder will show up as a video camera in windows, but firewire has a similar length limit to USB.

I'm not opposed to installing a smaller box closer to the screen (like a netbox) and running the video over network cables. But I dont know what kind of software could use that as an input.

Here's some options I've found in my searching, I'm just really hoping someone has some experience with any of these options or constructing a setup similar to this..

I've previously tested this camera and it makes a great picture
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-1080p-Webcam-Pro-C910/dp/B003M2YT96"]Amazon.com: Logitech 1080p Webcam Pro C910: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41QsObWW8OL.@@AMEPARAM@@41QsObWW8OL[/ame]

http://www.appbrain.com/app/droidcam-wireless-webcam/com.dev47apps.droidcam
DroidCam can use an android device over wifi as your webcam, seems a good option to me..

http://www.webcamxp.com/home.aspx
This software lists several options for camera hookups (analog, ip) that would allow a longer distance.

http://www.usbfirewire.com/parts/rr-usb2-ext-65ft.html
A usb active extension cable, no idea whether it would work or not.

http://www.ekiga.org/ekiga-softphone-features
Video Codecs Version 3.2

THEORA Video Codec (SIP only)
H.264 Video Codec (SIP only)
H.263 Video Codec (SIP only)
H.263+ Video Codec (SIP only)
H.261 Video Codec (SIP and H323)
MPEG4 Video Codec (SIP only)
These options could be handy for connecting with someone with a standalone solution, like...

http://www.323.tv/products/video-conferencing/conference-room/polycom-hdx-7002-1080

or
http://www.lifesize.com/

Any thoughts on hypothetical solutions or real world experience would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks..

P.s. They make it look so easy in the movies!!
 
I do not have hands on experience but the first thing I'd like to try is the powered USB cable. Keep it future proof, they want to change cameras just plug in another USB model.

For conferencing you will also want to have an appropriate tabletop microphone that's made to be omni-directional so it picks up sound from all around you. (Hence, all around the table) Sometimes a USB microphone made for podcasting, that's marked as not uni-directional, will work well for you for around or under $100.
 
A microphone is probably a good idea. Would run into cord length problems as well (should be able to extend that).

I contacted logitech support and they said adding cords would probably degrade the video quality.

Is there maybe some kind of video connection box that we could hook the camera into, and locate the box halfway (as in: camera->hdmi/component->Box->Usb->computer )?
 
just a few thoughts. If you're deadset on making it PC based. Look into the USB/Cat6 Baluns. You can get them @ Monoprice for like $20/set. Using those I've run 50-60' runs with high bandwidth usb devices before.

Definately a microphone array, Crown makes some nice PZM (Boundary mics) that you can mount in the ceiling and run through a small mic mixer and then back into the sound card on the PC. I've got quite a few board/presentation rooms using these for meeting recording and such. If you want more info, hit me up.

Beyond that, Why not a traditional video conferenceing setup, i.e. Polycom? Some of their units have remote mounted cameras, and inputs for interfacing with their high-end conference room phones.
 
Alternatively, for the microphone, consider getting a good omnidirectional (condenser optional, but a condenser will be extremely sensitive - I've had nice condensers pick up a piece of paper I dropped on the floor).

To connect the mic to the computer I'd recommend getting a Shure XLR to USB (which is really just an ADC, but they're super small and can provide phantom power).
 
braidman said:
My bosses are now requesting to video conference on this screen, so I need some kind of camera to connect to the computer and give a good clear picture (1080p would be preferred but at least 720p is needed). We would like to have the options open like Skype, GotoMeeting, Google Chat etc...
Click to expand...

I was at a Cisco demo yesterday, and they stated they needed 5 Mbp/s for 1080p. Something to think about.
 
To build on jtr's statement, and not to be harsh, but would your bosses understand:

a) the difference between VGA, 480p, 720p, and 1080p?
b) What's involved in a latency-sensitive high-bandwidth transfer ?
c) Do you have 5mbps+ upload to spare?
 
Can the human eye even tell the difference between 1080p and 720p? I think 720p drops down to like 2 Mbps? Still, make sure you have the band width to handle whatever direction you go.
 
I meant to ask this earlier.. how come the screen works over 40 ft? Can you move the computer closer?

Maybe your boss can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080p but they can tell if the image looks bad. Yes 720p will still be okay. Won't your software adjust for network speed anyway..
 
I'm afraid we are set on it being a pc based solution.

A Polycom setup would be really great except it's mainly programmed to talk to other similar setups (H.232 protocol).

If a Polycom setup could talk to what our clients or business partners would have available (most likely laptops and skype/google chat) then I can see it would be a wonderful solution. But everything I've seen wants you to buy two polycom (or h.232) boxes to talk to each other.

There are apparently some bridging solutions.. http://skystonevideo.imagicle.com/Home.aspx

A PC based solution still has the most versatility.

A new solution occurred to me today, we could setup a laptop to use the camera and software, then wirelessly transmit the video to the screen using this.. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/WiCast-EW2000-Wireless-Transmitter-Receiver/dp/B0042JST4E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1308150408&sr=8-2"]Amazon.com: ASUS WiCast EW2000 Wireless HD Video Transmitter and Receiver: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31V4ip%2BgyNL.@@AMEPARAM@@31V4ip%2BgyNL[/ame]

Or maybe this would work..to hook up a camcorder via HDMI
http://blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/
 
Nate: The ceiling is possibly too high to be a good location for mics (12-15ft)

cymon: thanks for the input, mics will be the second problem after I get the video worked out. The higher range vixia camcorders from canon have really good mics, and wouldn't require more equipment, but may be too far from the subjects..

adam: the computer is in the nearest location without being in the room. It's best that it is in here (my office). It has some stiff performance requirements that necessitate a tower system with a number of fans.

jtr+nate: The tv displays 1080P, and thats the native resolution coming out of the video card. I have no illusions about what will get transmitted/recieved but it needs to look really good when I demo it.
I dont need to hear its:fuzzy/blocky/stuttering/dark... at least getting 1080p into the computer is a way to help those issues. Plus who knows what other uses they may ask us to employ this for (probably recording meetings or interoffice chats). The tv can display a good clear 1080p picture (its a 2010 samsung 55" LED Lcd).

No we dont have 5+mbps per second to the internet.
 
I've been continuing my research into this matter...
It looks like I can do 1080p a distance.
Using the following..
HD Camcorder->Longish HDMI cable->Black Magic Intensity Card->Camera/Webcam Converter software->Skype\Ekiga\GoogleChat

Here's a guide to doing something very similar
http://stream-recorder.com/forum/br...cam-using-blackmagic-intensity-pro-t6982.html

Here's 3 options for converter software
http://www.willingsoftware.com/help/Video Device.shtml
http://www.shiningmorning.com/faq.html
http://www.webcamxp.com/home.aspx

I think I favor Webcam XP, mainly cause they seem to have the most sensible website. :p

I haven't tested anything yet cause I dont have a camera handy.

We may set the camera on one of these and run a usb extender to control it from the computer...
https://secure.eagletron.com/TCam/

I did attempt to test DroidCam, it immediately hard crashed my computer twice (BSOD).

I think I've got the research to the point where I can ask to buy some stuff.

We can test the black magic intensity with the hdmi stream from my coworker's camcorder, and download some software to begin testing. Then we will look at installing and buying long cables and possibly the remote control mount.

If that doesn't work I will possibly have to look into analog or firewire.
 
Did I miss why the pc can't be put below the tv? I do atom net top usually behind and sound is good with those web cams.
 
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