The video conferencing studio in 14.1 LC South is available for University-related use. Up to 12 people can easily use this facility. Larger groups can be handled in other facilities. The following four pictures give different views of room 14.1 LC.

Entry into room. Table and chairs are in a U shape facing the conferencing video monitors.	The room desk and chairs accommodate 12 people comfortably. A document camera is available.
Drapes have been added to the room to improve acoustics. Additional lighting can be adjusted to improve the video image.

It’s worth the trip to Lindquist Center to use this facility, because the room has:

• support staff who will assist you

• appropriate furniture, lighting, and acoustical treatment for optimal video conferencing

• a high-quality video conferencing unit (Polycom 512 FX)

• two large plasma monitors, one for viewing other sites and one for checking what is being sent to other sites

• two video cameras, one built into the video conferencing unit and the other on a tripod

• a document camera

• a separate network connection for computer-based message and application sharing

Additional collaborative tools are being planned for this room, such as an integrated computer output display.

A Polycom FX Viewstation is the centerpiece of the video conferencing technology in the room. Its camera can be set for automatic tracking to the current speaker or be controlled by a handheld remote. It sits on top of one of the two video monitors in the room, at approximately eye-level of meeting participants.	The Polycom omni-directional microphone can pick up a wide-range of sound levels, including whispers. A mute button in the middle of the unit can be used to stop the transmission of sound to the other conference sites.
Two monitors are in front of the video conference participants. The left picture typically shows the other sites. The right picture typically shows what is being transmitted to the other sites from this video conferencing room. The Polycom handheld remote can be used to determine what source (e,g., main camera, secondary camera, document camera, …) will be transmitted to the other sites. The remote can also be used to control the zoom and direction of the local camera (“near”) and, if equipment is compatible at the other site, of the camera at that site (“far”).
A document camera lets you share information that is on a sheet of paper or even a three-dimensional object. The Polycom remote control can be used to switch the input source from the primary camera to the document camera.	A second fixed camera can be set to focus on a stationary item that will be part of the video conference. The primary Polycom remote control can be used to switch the input source from the primary camera to this secondary camera. Another separate remote control can be used to redirect this secondary camera to a different object.

To tour or schedule the use of this studio, contact Video Services at 335-5898 or send email to its-video@uiowa.edu.

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