Title : UHD multipoint videoconferencing in multi-domain network for education and science.

Project Lead : Maciej Glowiak From : PSNC (None)

Dates : from 2014-10-09 14:56:24 to 2015-02-04 13:17:00

Description :

Motivation and objectives :
A videoconference is a set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. It has also been called visual collaboration and is a type of groupware. The fact is that, in the information society, the educational system is constantly changing. The new computer and communication technologies bring new possibilities in all areas of human activity, and likewise in the educational models. Today's trend in education is characterised by desire for flexibility and individualization, creating the need for learning whenever and wherever, in the traditional environment and via the Internet. Videoconferencing system can certainly be included among the new forms of distance learning and teaching. Videoconferences enable the participants to attend meetings or lectures while being hundreds of kilometres apart. They can see and hear each other, thus communicating in real time, which is achieved by the use of cameras, screens or projectors, microphones and loudspeakers. Videoconferences are used in numerous fields of activity, offering significant savings in time and travel expenses. One of the areas in which videoconferencing is gaining importance is surely the area of education, where their main use is for remote lectures and tutorials. Presenting a means to convey information, knowledge and ideas, videoconferences act as a support to traditional forms of learning and teaching. Croatian Academic and Research Network (CARNet) has been providing high quality HD videoconferencing service for its users including schools, universities and public authorities for many recent years. One good example is the Schools 2.0 Project. CARNet was chosen as one of the three most innovative initiatives in the category of Initiative for the Education and Research of the European Prize for Innovation in Public Administration. The aim of this project is to enable high-quality and comprehensive distance learning and e-learning for an increasing number of users both teachers and students. So far 23 school classrooms are equipped with HD videoconferencing devices and project is growing and involving new schools into CARNet videoconference network. CARNets project e-Islands (Connected Schools) received an award in 2008 as the project of the year in the category: Most Society Impacting Network. About 40 HD videoconferencing devices are currently deployed in VC network and that is more than 10% of all devices in system. Although HD quality in videoconferencing is sufficient for most of appliances such as virtual meetings among remote participants, there is often a need for more sophisticated service for special applications or user groups. Such an application may be high quality distant video transmission of live lecturer or educational movies for special science or educational use. In 2012 CARNet together with PSNC proceeded a successful demonstration for medical use (streaming from operation) in scope of VISIONAIR TNA. This time, during Carnet Users Conference 2014 in Zagreb, the previous use case will be extended by multipoint videoconference in UHD/4K. The main objectives of new project are: - Bi-directional UHD transmission from Poznan-Zagreb and back - Establish 1Gb multi-domain, international network using GEANT - Image quality assessment and Quality-of-Experience for various appliances: remote lecture, presentation of scientific visualization remotely, e-Learning, e-Health - Network tuning for 1,100 km distance transmission of high bandwidth

Teams :
This project is submitted by CARNet in which various expertise is brought in by different partners: CARNet: network infrastructure, HD videoconferencing, collaboration with Croatian Education and Science PSNC: 4K infrastructure, streaming

Dates :
starting date : 12 November, 2014
ending date : 19 November, 2014

Facilities descriptions :
http://visionair-browser.g-scop.grenoble-inp.fr/visionair/Browser/Catalogs/PSNC.PL.html

Recordings & Results :
Although HD quality in videoconferencing is sufficient for most of appliances such as virtual meetings among remote participants, there is often a need for more sophisticated service for special applications or user groups. Such an application may be high quality distant video transmission of live lecturer or educational movies for special science or educational use. In 2012 CARNet together with PSNC proceeded a successful demonstration for medical use (streaming from operation) in scope of VISIONAIR TNA. This time, during Carnet Users Conference 2014 in Zagreb, the previous use case will be extended by multipoint videoconference in UHD/4K.

Conclusions :
The visit took place in Zagreb on CARNET Users Conference 2014. In order to do the demonstration, a lot of network and technology preparation was required prior to visit. The 1Gb/s multi-domain international network connection using GEANT was provided. This required contacting several domain administrators as well as establishing network connection to Academy of Music in Poznan (the last mile). Academy of Music is located in historical center of Poznan with beautiful view at Poznan Castle. This enabled to show brilliant 4K picture with a lot of details as well as movement of cars passing by. In addition to this, the multipoint videoconference connection was established, so people on the conference were able not only to see 4K live motion picture, but also to talk, comment and discuss things accordingly to specific use case. Several scenarios were tested: remote lecture and e-Learning, e-Health appliances, etc. The use of 4K technology was a part of international conference organized by CARNET, the Croatian NREN providing network and videoconferencing technology for universities, schools and administration. There was a lot of interest in 4K technology, and maybe it will be adopted for scientific and research use in the future. Both network and audiovisual sides worked great what proved that even complex demonstration involving multi-domain GEANT network and integration of different technologies are possible for collaboration and presentation purposes.




Project Images :