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Lighting
Windows should be covered by heavy drapes which
match the room decor. Standard fluorescent fixtures with dual or
quad tubes and an acrylic diffuser should be the sole light source.
Do not use 'egg-crate' diffusers as these concentrate the light,
creating 'hot spots'. Use cool white fluorescent tubes only. The
overall lighting in the room should attain levels of 750-1000 lux
(100 foot candles) If there are to be pot lights and or track lights,
these should have their own switches.
The best results occur when the majority of light is over the centre
of the table, with additional lights around the perimeter to illuminate
the walls. It is recommended that, if there are any lights directly
above the videoconference system, they be on a separate circuit
so that they can be switched off during videoconferences.
It is best to choose a room with no windows. However, if there are
windows they should be covered in such a manner that the outdoor
light cannot enter into the room. The windows are best to be covered
with dark, opaque blinds not drapes.
Décor
There are a couple colours ActVisual video conferencing recommends
for your room.
These colours are actually used in videoconference rooms throughout
ActVisual video conferencing. These colours provide contrast to skin
and hair but is not too light so as to result in the camera's auto
iris to close, causing a dark image from the room. These types of
colours also provide contrast to traditional business clothing such
as white shirts and dark jackets.
The recommended colours are:
1. Benjamin Moore, Regal Aqua Velvet, Paint #1448
(a mauve colour with a Latex HL finish)
2. Pratt and Lambert Hemlock Green Paint (a dark green colour)
It is best to stay away from light colours such as
white. Also, if possible, it is ideal to paint the wall that will
be behind the video conferencing system a darker shade than the rest
of the walls. This helps improve the contrast and allows the videoconference
participants to focus on the monitors and the incoming images better.
Acoustics
Background noise from air conditioners, fans, etc. should be below
50 dB. Noise levels higher than this may be picked up by the room
microphones and passed to the far end.
Furniture
Trapezoidal tables are highly recommended for video conferencing
facilities so that all participants can be seen by the camera and
easily view the display screens. For a seven person conference table
the following dimensions are recommended.
- Table front edge (by monitors) 6 ft
- Table rear edge 3 ft
- Table length 8 ft
- Table height 28 in.
The table should have a 1.5 in. hole in the centre
to pass the microphone cable through. The table top should be of
a lighter colour with a matte finish to minimize glare from lights
yet still allow light to reflect off the table to people's faces,
minimizing potential shadows from the ceiling lights.
It is also useful to have a document camera and scan converter cart.
This cart would ideally have a shelf in it for storing items and
should be on casters so as to be easily moved to whoever needs it.
This means sufficient cable must be used to allow full mobility.
A general purpose side table is also useful for a room telephone
and additional meeting items such as coffee and papers.
Power
Two duplex 15 amp, 220 volt power outlets should be provided within
three feet of the intended location of the video conferencing system.
At each location in the room that is to be used for peripheral equipment
(i.e., document camera, VCR.) provide a duplex 220 volt power receptacle.
Conduit
Assuming all power lines are run in their own conduits installed
by the in house electrician,
the conduit requirements for the video conferencing as described
in this document are as follows:
1" conduit from the videoconference system location
to the document camera location
carrying ONE of the following types of cable:
- RG59/U-Type 95%/BRD/CSA/FT-4
video cable (for PictureTel or Tandberg)
- Or 2x75ohm Coax. with #27AWG
size conductors (for Polycom or Intel)
The in house LAN should also have a 'RJ45' jack near
the document camera cart which will allow a laptop computer to be
connected to the LAN.
If a H.323 System is being used then a "RJ45"
LAN connection should be located near the video conferencing system
to allow for H.323 calls over the LAN and for Browser Management
of the system.
Network
There are three types of network that will be required to be installed
into the room:
- BRI or Switched 56 (Centrex) (for dial-up video conferencing)
- LAN / WAN connection at document camera location
for laptop plug-in and one at the intended location of the video conferencing
system (if system is a Polycom or Intel) forH.323 calls and Browser
Management
- Analog phone line at location of videoconference
system (for analog phone add-on)
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