Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing is a two-way communication system for both audio and video. This service enables real-time interaction between people located anywhere around the world. This enables meetings to be held or remote events to be viewed with the possibility of interaction and without the need for physical travel.

The FIB offers videoconferencing over IP as well as over XDSI (Integrated Digital Services Network).
We have two sets of videoconferencing equipment. One of these is permanently set up in the Meeting Room in building B6 (B6 Floor 1) and the other is mobile - it can be taken to the other presentation rooms in the same building (Boardroom and Conference Hall).

The Meeting Room with the permanent videoconferencing setup may only be used for sessions or meetings with fewer than 10 participants.

Description of the equipment:

-Permanent setup in the Meeting Room:
• Model: Polycom HDX 7000
• Built-in high definition camera.
• Omnidirectional tabletop microphone.
• 40” flat-screen television for use in viewing videoconferences or for use with DVD or the VGA input.
• A PC or notebook may be connected directly to the VGA port.
• A VGA signal may be output to the videoconference
• DVD
• Network: connection to an IP network or to the XDSI network. .
• Transmission quality:
• using the IP network, up to 2 Mbps,
• using the XDSI network, up to 384 Kbps

–Mobile equipment for use in any room:
• Model: Tandberg 800
• Integrated S-VHS camera
• Omnidirectional desktop microphone
• Video connection: document camera, S-VHS camera, Video Cassette Recorder, and so on
• A PC or notebook may be connected directly to the VGA port.
• Audio connection: microphones, PCs, and so on.
• The videoconference may be viewed on a TV or using a projector.
• Network: connection to an IP network (Internet, i2cat, and so on) or to the XDSI network.
• Transmission quality: 

• using the IP network, up to 768 Kbps, 

• using the XDSI network, up to 384 Kbps

• The videoconference may be recorded on video (also on DVD in the Conference Hall)
• The videoconference may be streamed (this option is not available with the XDSI connection)


Reservation:
This is a pay service with a reduced price if you are a member of the UPC community and completely free if you are a member of the FIB's teaching and research staff.
Making a videoconference reservation also involves the reservation of the room where the videoconference will be held. This will be done when you reserve the videoconference.

To make a reservation, you can call or send an email to the Àrea de Recursos i Serveis.

The data you must supply to make the reservation are as follows:
– Subject or reason for the videoconference
– Name of the user’s department
– Number of attendees
– Date and time
– If the XDSI or IP networks will be used
– If a notebook computer reservation is required or the user will bring their own
– If the conference is to be recorded.

On receipt of this information and if there are no room availability or technical problems then the resources division will send a final estimate for the applicant to accept and after that the videoconference may be held. A test will always be performed a few days in advance of the scheduled videoconference.

Recommendations for videoconference participants:
- Wherever possible, avoid very light-coloured clothing; it is much better to wear dark-coloured clothing.
- Avoid sudden and rapid movements
- If you wish to make a presentation with a notebook or PC, use large font sizes (minimum 32 point) wherever possible and ensure that there is plenty of contrast between the background and the letters.