ICCM Homepage
See ICCM '96 sessions LIVE on the Internet!
We have the hardware and software set up to broadcast video/audio of ICCM '96 sessions over the internet via CU-SeeMe technology. We have conducted several CU-SeeMe tests with people in several locations with varied equipment combinations. We have had mixed results. Because of the mixed results the ICCM '96 CU-SeeMe project will remain an experimental one. This means do not expect too much out of the CU-SeeMe technology - but at least give it a try in order to expand our knowledge of what works!
In our tests some clients were able to see and hear the live tests with no problem and others were able to see but not hear. Those with a fast computer and a fast internet link (56k or better) had the the best results. However, even with fast links the highest video frame rates were 9 or 10 frames a second. Normal video is 30 frames a second. This slow video rate is plenty good enough to see who is speaking, but inadequate for fast moving subjects or showing overhead transpearencies etc. Audio seemed to pose the most problems - several people could not get any audio at all and others heard only bits and pieces or lots of "echoing". The echoing seemed to be correlated to the rate of the link and the speed of the computer.
Here is what you need to see and hear the live ICCM '96 sessions:
You do NOT need a camera or a microphone to see and hear the ICCM '96 sessions. Please ask your local computer guru if you need help locating and installing the software or getting a full internet connection.
CU-SeeMe was designed to be a peer-to-peer videoconferencing system. We will be using it as point-to-multi point system. We are anxious to see how it works in a live situation. Here is a technical description of how the ICCM '96 CU-SeeMe broadcast system will work:
There will be a camera and microphone in the main ICCM '96 conference room along with a Mac A/V computer. The Mac will digitize the signals with the CU-SeeMe software and send it to a "reflector" (server). The reflector allows those with cameras (called "senders") to connect and see/hear each other. In this case we will have only one sender. The reflector also allows those without cameras to attach as "lurkers" and view/listen to the senders. Therefore the ICCM '96 CU-SeeMe broadcast system will take on a hub and spoke architecture:
lurker lurker
\ /
sender =====> reflector
/ \
lurker lurker
We could then add more reflector hubs in other continents:
lurker lurker lurker lurker
\ / \ /
iccm sender ===> usa reflector ===> australian reflector
/ \ / \
lurker lurker lurker lurker
We have not decided on the address of the main reflector at this point. However we do plan to have reflectors at nicolas.acu.edu and genesis.acu.edu Nicolas is faster than genesis - so we assume it will allow more simultaneous connections. We will let you know as soon as we confirm any other reflector sites.
The lurkers who have microphones can talk to each other - the sender can not hear the lurkers - however we plan on having a lurker on another computer in the ICCM '96 conference room to participate in any lurker conversations.
I will be willing to do tests with any of you - please contact me via email (dolan@bible.acu.edu) and we can set up a scheduled time. Some of you may want to conduct a test and try to view and hear me live even if you do not plan to participate in the ICCM '96 CU-SeeMe live broadcasts.
Please feel free to contact me about the ICCM '96 Cu-SeeMe experiement - however I probably won't be able to help with your individual computer configurations.
Thanks and I hope to CU-SeeMe during ICCM '96!