Streaming & RecordingStreaming & RecordingVideoconferencesVideoconferences

Kenneth TannerKenneth Tanner

LSU Health Sciences Center – ShreveportLSU Health Sciences Center – Shreveport

Doug PearsonDoug Pearson

Indiana UniversityIndiana University

March 25, 2003March 25, 2003

Streaming a videoconferenceStreaming a videoconference

Streaming a videoconference makes it possible Streaming a videoconference makes it possible for any number of people to view a conference – for any number of people to view a conference – either live or recorded for on-demand access.either live or recorded for on-demand access.

View on desktop computers using standard View on desktop computers using standard media players such as Real, Windows Media or media players such as Real, Windows Media or QuickTime.QuickTime.

What kinds of things can you do?What kinds of things can you do?

Classes or lectures available live and on-demandClasses or lectures available live and on-demand

Save the proceedings of a meeting.Save the proceedings of a meeting.

Permit key individuals of a conference Permit key individuals of a conference participate interactively, while a large audience participate interactively, while a large audience views the live stream.views the live stream.

Doesn’t have to be a multiparty VC – can use the Doesn’t have to be a multiparty VC – can use the VC endpoint as a streaming source.VC endpoint as a streaming source.

Four technologies for VC streamingFour technologies for VC streaming

All-in-oneAll-in-one: a server that has the VC and : a server that has the VC and streaming functions all in a single systemstreaming functions all in a single system

ComboCombo: a system built of separate VC terminal : a system built of separate VC terminal and standard streaming encoderand standard streaming encoder

Built-inBuilt-in: VC terminals with built-in multicast or : VC terminals with built-in multicast or unicast streamingunicast streaming

ASPASP: Application service providers: Application service providers

All-In-OneAll-In-One

Comes in two flavors – as a streaming gateway Comes in two flavors – as a streaming gateway only, or in conjunction with an MCUonly, or in conjunction with an MCU

Works by taking H.26x/G.7xx video/audio out of Works by taking H.26x/G.7xx video/audio out of the H.323 envelope and stuffs into an envelope of the H.323 envelope and stuffs into an envelope of a common streaming format such as Real, a common streaming format such as Real, Windows Media or QuickTimeWindows Media or QuickTime

Can do unicast or multicast streamingCan do unicast or multicast streaming

Can store the stream for VODCan store the stream for VOD

All-In-OneAll-In-One

Chat and slide presenter featuresChat and slide presenter features

Examples:Examples:– STARBAK TorrentSTARBAK Torrent

– FVC Conference Server with Streaming SupportFVC Conference Server with Streaming Support

– Virtual Rooms Videoconference Service (VRVS)Virtual Rooms Videoconference Service (VRVS)

ComboCombo

Two standard devices – a VC terminal and a Two standard devices – a VC terminal and a streaming encoder, are interconnected. A/V out streaming encoder, are interconnected. A/V out of the VC terminal into the encoderof the VC terminal into the encoder

Encoder can be just about anything, e.g. Real, Encoder can be just about anything, e.g. Real, WM, QT, or MPEG-1,-2,-4; unicast or multicastWM, QT, or MPEG-1,-2,-4; unicast or multicast

Can store the stream for VODCan store the stream for VOD

Built-InBuilt-In

Some high-end terminals have built-in Some high-end terminals have built-in streaming, e.g. Polycom FX and Tandberg 880.streaming, e.g. Polycom FX and Tandberg 880.

Utilizes IP multicast.Utilizes IP multicast.

Takes the H.26x/G.7xx video/audio out of the Takes the H.26x/G.7xx video/audio out of the H.323 envelope and stuffs into RTP.H.323 envelope and stuffs into RTP.

No ability to record for VODNo ability to record for VOD

ASPASP

Many videoconference bridging service Many videoconference bridging service providers also provide streaming option.providers also provide streaming option.

Video/Audio ComparisonVideo/Audio Comparison

Both the Both the All-In-OneAll-In-One and and Built-InBuilt-In methods strip methods strip the H.26x/G.7xx video/audio out of the H.323 the H.26x/G.7xx video/audio out of the H.323 envelope and stuff that into the envelope of Real, envelope and stuff that into the envelope of Real, WM, QT or RTP.WM, QT or RTP.

The The ComboCombo method takes baseband video and method takes baseband video and audio output of a VC terminal and encodes to a audio output of a VC terminal and encodes to a made for streaming format.made for streaming format.

TradeoffsTradeoffs

  All-In-One Combo Built-In

Initial set upmoderate to moderate to

complexcomplexcomplexcomplex simplesimple

Management and operation

moderatemoderate complexcomplex simplesimple

Networktransmission

unicast orunicast ormulticastmulticast

unicast orunicast ormulticastmulticast

requires requires multicastmulticast

Transmission speed

fixed to speed fixed to speed of conferenceof conference

flexible modem flexible modem to broadbandto broadband

fixed to speed fixed to speed of conferenceof conference

Perf under net congestion

fair to poorfair to poor goodgood fair to poorfair to poor

Record for VOD

yesyes yesyesonly w/ extra only w/ extra special techspecial tech

  All-In-One Combo Built-In

Cost for a small number of concurrent conferences

highhigh moderatemoderate lowlow

Cost for a large number of concurrent conferences

moderatemoderate highhighmoderate-to-moderate-to-

lowlow

LSUHSC-S BackgroundLSUHSC-S Background

LSU Health Sciences Center – Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – Shreveport network consist ofnetwork consist of– ~20 H.323 & 15 H.320 Endpoints, Accord MCU, and ~20 H.323 & 15 H.320 Endpoints, Accord MCU, and

a Radvision ECS-100 Gatekeepera Radvision ECS-100 Gatekeeper

– Accord MCU bridges H.320 & H.323 systemsAccord MCU bridges H.320 & H.323 systems

– Neighbored with LICRN & ViDeNet’s GDSNeighbored with LICRN & ViDeNet’s GDS Manages Louisiana’s Interactive & Manages Louisiana’s Interactive &

Collaborative Research Network (LICRN) – A Collaborative Research Network (LICRN) – A statewide H.323 videoconferencing network.statewide H.323 videoconferencing network.

LICRN BackgroundLICRN Background

Managed by LSUHSC-SManaged by LSUHSC-S Created in part by NSF GrantCreated in part by NSF Grant 12 Higher Educational Research Institutions within 12 Higher Educational Research Institutions within

LouisianaLouisiana Deployed 72 H.323 endpoints amongst the 12 Deployed 72 H.323 endpoints amongst the 12

institutionsinstitutions Radvision ECS-100 GK deployed at each institution (all Radvision ECS-100 GK deployed at each institution (all

neighbored together and with ViDeNet’s GDS)neighbored together and with ViDeNet’s GDS) Established MCU hub using an LSUHSC-S Accord Established MCU hub using an LSUHSC-S Accord

MCU in Baton RougeMCU in Baton Rouge– Initially supported H.323 only connectionsInitially supported H.323 only connections– Presently supports both H.323 & H.320 (bridging networks)Presently supports both H.323 & H.320 (bridging networks)

LSUHSC-S & LICRN Network LSUHSC-S & LICRN Network DiagramDiagram

Missing piece to the puzzle: streaming and archiving of Missing piece to the puzzle: streaming and archiving of conferences.conferences.

IP Network(H.323)

H.320

H.323 Endpoints

H.323 Gatekeepers

Initial Streaming & Archiving Initial Streaming & Archiving SolutionSolution

Connect codec to streaming device (PC or server).Connect codec to streaming device (PC or server).– Advantage: Supports various streaming/archiving Advantage: Supports various streaming/archiving

technologies.technologies.– Disadvantage: Cost of codec/server bank & one conference Disadvantage: Cost of codec/server bank & one conference

stream and/or archive per bank – Success means more banks.stream and/or archive per bank – Success means more banks.

H.323 Codec

Streaming/ArchivingServer

Analog A/V

Features of Streaming & Archiving Features of Streaming & Archiving Unit DesiredUnit Desired

Utilizes the Utilizes the All-In-One All-In-One approach (single approach (single standalone unit) standalone unit)

Capable of both Streaming and Archiving Capable of both Streaming and Archiving conferences conferences

Support multiple streaming/archiving sessions Support multiple streaming/archiving sessions on same uniton same unit

Support major media players (QuickTime, Support major media players (QuickTime, Windows Media Player, RealOne)Windows Media Player, RealOne)

Starbak’s Torrent VCGStarbak’s Torrent VCGwww.starbak.comwww.starbak.com

Streams and archives H.323 connectionsStreams and archives H.323 connections Supports up to 10 H.323 connections on one unit Supports up to 10 H.323 connections on one unit

(cost varies depending on # of H.323 connections (cost varies depending on # of H.323 connections supported).supported).

Supported formatsSupported formats– Windows Media PlayerWindows Media Player– Apple’s QuickTimeApple’s QuickTime– RealNetworks’ RealOne PlayerRealNetworks’ RealOne Player

Call Formats: Call Formats: – Video Only, Video & Chat, Video & Slides, Video, Chat, Video Only, Video & Chat, Video & Slides, Video, Chat,

Slides.Slides.

Starbak’s Torrent VCGStarbak’s Torrent VCGContinuesContinues

H.323 Version 3 Compliant H.323 Version 3 Compliant Supported data rates: 128Kb, 256Kb, 384Kb, 512, Supported data rates: 128Kb, 256Kb, 384Kb, 512,

768Kb, 1.5Mb768Kb, 1.5Mb Supports registration with gatekeeperSupports registration with gatekeeper Can dial using E.164, H.323 aliasing, IP addresses, etc.Can dial using E.164, H.323 aliasing, IP addresses, etc. Gigabit Ethernet connectionGigabit Ethernet connection 700 Mbps sustained throughput 700 Mbps sustained throughput 100 GB internal hard drive; fiber channel or SCSI 100 GB internal hard drive; fiber channel or SCSI

interface for external hard drive addition.interface for external hard drive addition.

Note: Streams and archives are performed at H.323 data Note: Streams and archives are performed at H.323 data rate (384kbps H.323 = 384kbps stream)rate (384kbps H.323 = 384kbps stream)

Videoconferencing NetworkVideoconferencing Network

IP Network(H.323)H.320

H.323 Endpoints

LSUHSC-S & LICRN CapabilitiesLSUHSC-S & LICRN Capabilities

Support multipoint H.323, H.320 and combination of Support multipoint H.323, H.320 and combination of both using Accord MCUboth using Accord MCU

Stream and/archive multipoint conferences by adding a Stream and/archive multipoint conferences by adding a VCG port to a conference just like any other H.323 VCG port to a conference just like any other H.323 endpoint.endpoint.

Stream and/or archive sessions from an individual H.323 Stream and/or archive sessions from an individual H.323 endpoint – Point to Point connection between H.323 endpoint – Point to Point connection between H.323 endpoint & VCG.endpoint & VCG.

Support 10 H.323/Streaming/Archiving concurrent Support 10 H.323/Streaming/Archiving concurrent sessionssessions

LSUHSC-S & LICRN CapabilityLSUHSC-S & LICRN Capability

Call Catalogs are in the form of http://[domain or IP address]/<user>/

DemoDemo

Internet 2

H.323 Endpoint

Cable TV

Analog A/V

H.323

H.323

H.323 & Streaming

VCR

H.323 Codec

Stream

Presentation PC

DemoDemo

http://csc-118o5-torrent-vcg.vconf.lsu.edu:8080http://csc-118o5-torrent-vcg.vconf.lsu.edu:8080

ReferencesReferences

http://www.sh.lsuhsc.edu/h323http://www.sh.lsuhsc.edu/h323 http://www.starbak.com/products/videoconferencing_solhttp://www.starbak.com/products/videoconferencing_sol

utions.htmlutions.html Special thanks to Ric Simmons and Serge Special thanks to Ric Simmons and Serge

Razafindrakoto from LSU Baton Rouge campus for their Razafindrakoto from LSU Baton Rouge campus for their support.support.

Indiana University Indiana University BackgroundBackground

8 campuses + extension centers, ~110k students8 campuses + extension centers, ~110k students Virtual Indiana ClassroomVirtual Indiana Classroom ~145 H.323 group systems, ~200 desktop~145 H.323 group systems, ~200 desktop 2 Accord MGC-100, H.323 with H.320 gateway2 Accord MGC-100, H.323 with H.320 gateway Radvision ECS GK; centralRadvision ECS GK; central Polycom GMSPolycom GMS

IStreamIStream

IU’s VC-to-streaming serviceIU’s VC-to-streaming service

Currently supports eight concurrent sessions; can Currently supports eight concurrent sessions; can scale to demandscale to demand

Been in full service 2 semestersBeen in full service 2 semesters

Currently recording 29 classes; plus events and Currently recording 29 classes; plus events and meetingsmeetings

IStreamIStream

Streams live and records for on-demand accessStreams live and records for on-demand access

Video and live stream in Real formatVideo and live stream in Real format

Option for audio-only MP3; can stream on-Option for audio-only MP3; can stream on-demand or download to desktop or personal demand or download to desktop or personal MP3 appliances; can’t stream MP3 liveMP3 appliances; can’t stream MP3 live

IStreamIStream

Utilizes the Utilizes the combocombo approach approach

Chose Chose combocombo approach for flexibility approach for flexibility– Transmission speeds from modem to broadbandTransmission speeds from modem to broadband

– Robust delivery over congested commercial Internet Robust delivery over congested commercial Internet

– Custom interface, management and operations, and Custom interface, management and operations, and featuresfeatures

Custom scheduling, control, management and Custom scheduling, control, management and operations, and user access system developed operations, and user access system developed

Scheduling

Control

Management and Operations

User Access

Web Server MCU

StreamingServer

VC terminal andstreaming encoder

combos

System Architecture

IStream – Planned EnhancementsIStream – Planned Enhancements

Version 2 of scheduling system; based on Version 2 of scheduling system; based on databasedatabase

Automated monitoring tools; listen for audio and Automated monitoring tools; listen for audio and raise flag if no audio present for a scheduled raise flag if no audio present for a scheduled eventevent

Incorporate with data collaboration tool for Incorporate with data collaboration tool for multimediamultimedia

Batched downloads of MP3s to desktop or Batched downloads of MP3s to desktop or personal audio appliancepersonal audio appliance

ReferencesReferences

IStreamIStream– http://www.indiana.edu/~video/istream.htmlhttp://www.indiana.edu/~video/istream.html

Credits to James McGookey and Chris Golden Credits to James McGookey and Chris Golden for IStream development.for IStream development.