Illinois Video Network Glossary |
The Illinois Video Network Glossary provides a specific listing of terms frequently used in the regular course of regularly-conducted business activity within the Illinois Video Network. They have become inherent terminology that is now naturally and readily used in video discussions, analysis, training, contractual negotiations, and marketing distribution channels.
C
CODEC Shorthand for Coder/Decoder. This device is a hardware device that converts the video and audio signals from your microphones and cameras into digital signals that can be transmitted to the far site(s) over your network circuits, and then converts the digital signals back into audio and video signals you can hear and see on your speakers and monitors.
CONTINUOUS PRESENCE A multi-point conference feature supplied by the IVN Bridging Service. Continuous Presence allows sites in a multi-point conference to see more than one remote site at a time. DOCUMENT CAMERA A codec peripheral that allows users to transmit images of a hard copy document, similar in appearance to an overhead projector.
E
ELMO A manufacturer of document cameras. Most IVN sites are equipped with ELMO document cameras. GRAPHICS BUTTON The button on the Polycom remote control that when pressed, displays a laptop connected to the Polycom Visual Concert on the monitor in native resolution.
I
ILLINOIS VIDEO NETWORK The State of Illinois Videoconferencing Network (IVN).
ISDN Shorthand for Integrated Services Digital Network.
K
KBPS Shorthand for kilobits per second.
LINE SPEED This is the requested bandwidth for a video connection. The default line speed for IVN video calls is 384 kbps. This setting can be fixed to 384 for your address book numbers, but if a connection is to be made through a hand dialer, it MUST be set to 384 before the call is attempted.
M
MCU Shorthand for Multipoint Control Unit. MCUs are also called "bridges". They connect 3 or more videoconferencing systems into a common video call, similar to a three way or conference call. MCUs operate on a voice activation basis; that is, whichever site is speaking will be sent to all other users in the conference as the far end site. If another site begins to speak, the MCU will continue to send the previous speaker for a few seconds, and then will begin to send the video of the new speaker's site as the far end to the other users. The sound must be sustained, however, for a few seconds; saying "yes", "no", or "here" will generally NOT cause the MCU to switch to the new site. Also, please note that the microphones on most IVN systems will pick up all noise from the room, including shuffling papers, HVAC, coughing, and so on, and if they are loud and long enough, they will cause the MCU to switch to the site making them. Normal mulitpoint etiquette is for all sites in a multipoint to mute their microphones unless they are speaking.
MGC Polycom's MCU. The IVN operates a large MGC at its core.
MBPS Shorthand for megabits per second.
MULTIPOINT A video connection involving three or more sites. On the IVN, all multipoint calls are automated, with the network equipment calling each site at a predetermined time. If the end user's equipment is on, the connection will be automatic-they will not have to do anything. However, if the equipment is turned off, the end users will have to contact CMS Video Scheduling, for the phone number of their bridge port, and manually dial into the call.
P
POLYCOM Videoconferencing manufacturer. The IVN has standardized on Polycom videoconferencing equipment. POINT TO POINT A video connection between two sites. A point to point call must be originated by one of the two participating sites. Like a normal phone call, both sites CANNOT call each other at the same time, or both will be unable to connect (this is known as "call crashing"; both ends will get a busy signal).
T
T-1 A digital transmission link (a circuit) with a capacity of 1544 mbps. A T-1 has twenty-four 64kbps channels. The default line speed for calls on the IVN, 384 kbps, utilizes 6 of these channels.
TILING Tiling is the appearance of small squares or pixels on the video screen. Usually, this is either from T-1 line errors, bad lighting and/or background colors, or excessive/ quick movements.
V
VIDEO OVER IP The Illinois Video Network now operates all Polycom endpoints via IP, utilizing the State of Illinois IP network.
VISUAL CONCERT A Polycom device connected to the codec, which allows a laptop to be connected to the video system and displayed on the monitor in native resolution.
W
WEB COMMANDER Polycom's web based interface, utilized by users to manipulate the MGC bridge.
WEB DIRECTOR Polycoms web based interface, utilized by users to manipulate a Polycom videoconferencing room system.