ActVisual  << Multimedia solutions >>
home | site map | contact | german
 
registration newsletter
Download


Multimedia Solutions

products | services | about | glossary | download | contact



Glossary




av - infos

systems
multipoint conferencing
streaming media
visual collaboration
presentation media
room recommendations

return on investment
f.a.q.
dictionary
standards
links



Room Recommendations

Size | Display medium | Lighting | Décor | Acoustics | Furniture | Power | Conduit | Network

Download PDF
Suggested video conferencing floor layout (50 kb)
Suggested lighting layout for VC-Room (61 kb)
Suggested floor plan for VC-Room with rear screen projection (45 kb)

The following recommendations are offered as guidelines to maximize the effectiveness of a videoconference facility. Deviations from these recommendations are possible. However, it is suggested that an ActVisual videoconferencing representative be notified about the variation to ensure compatibility. The following are recommendations outlining the suggested layout for standard videoconference rooms.

Size
In designing a videoconferencing room for group videoconferences (more than two people), several considerations must be taken into account. Once it has been decided what the typical number of users will be and the equipment that will be used, a room size can be determined.

The table should be set back approximately 5 ft to 6 ft from the display screens so that participants sitting close to the screens will avoid feeling 'too close' to the other sites. Another reason for having the table set back is so that the people sitting nearest to the monitors will be included in the camera's field of view.

For meetings of approximately seven people, a room of approximately 15 ft by 25 ft is recommended. For more than ten people, a videoconference room of approximately 16 ft by 28 ft is recommended. These sizes will vary depending on the type of equipment in the rooms, in particular, the type of display screen (projectors will require a larger facility).

Display Medium
An important factor to keep in mind when designing a room is the display medium that will be viewed by the participants. There are several ways that multimedia and videoconferencing can be displayed in a room. While many of these methods are acceptable, the challenge is to determine which display is most appropriate for the facility.

It is recommended that two display screens be used. One of these screens is used to display the site(s) that you are conferencing with, while the other screen is used to display a combination of local video, graphics and high resolution data. These display screens can be televisions, high resolution data monitors and / or projectors.

Televisions, used to view composite video and S-video, allow you to view graphics / snapshots.

High resolution monitors: capable of switching between XGA data, S-video and composite video, allows you to view graphics / snapshots and local computers.

Projectors:
capable of switching between XGA data, S-video and composite video, allows you to view graphics / snapshots and local computers. The large viewing area is ideal for local presentations from any video source (i.e., computer, slide projector).
An important aspect to keep in mind when selecting the type of display is provision for the videoconference camera to be located as close as possible to the display of the site you are videoconferencing with. Referred to as 'gaze awareness', the closer the camera is located to the screen on which you see the other site(s), the more realistic the sensation is for the other site that you are looking directly at them.

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.

Decor
There are a couple colours ActVisual videoconferencing 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 of 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 videoconferencing 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 can 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 videoconferencing 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 videoconferencing)
  • LAN / WAN connection at document camera location for laptop plug-in and one at the intended location of the videoconferencing 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)

Services
 

© Copyright 1999 - 2004 ActVisual GmbH. - All rights reserved
Legal Notices - Contact ActVisual