Results of the Gigaconference: High Definition Video Conferencing Special Event

On Dec 5, 2006 a special event was held which demonstrated the current state of the art in high-definition Industry-standard H.323 video conferencing. This technology is to normal video conferencing, as high-definition television is to normal television. The event was
centered at the Internet2 Fall Member Meeting in Chicago. The performance level was 720p at 30 frames/sec.
Data rates ranged from 1.5 to 4 Mbits/sec. This was the second annual Gigaconference.

The biggest great news is that the major vendors of high-definition video conferencing equipment are now fully INTEROPERABLE! Codian (MCU), LifeSize (endpoint), Polycom (MCU and endpoint) and Tandberg (endpoint) all demonstrated interoperability in all combinations of
endpoints and MCUs. This is the first time this has been achieved, and is a milestone which shows that the high-definition industry has matured from the gee-whiz level to the production level. All the vendors worked hard to make this possible, with software changes being made up to an hour
before the event. All the vendors cooperated with one another wonderfully to help with mutual problems and solutions.

Other firsts achieved include:

Largest-ever HD video conference. 24 locations and 2 MCUs. Locations included Australia, Finland, Netherlands and all over the United States. Thanks to those who stayed up until the wee hours in their part of the world!

First large use of the new Codian HD MCU (which was flown in from England just for this event).

First cascade between the Polycom HD MCU and the Codian HD MCU.

First large use of the new Polycom RSS HD recorder in an HD conference (which was brought to the conference by Polycom just for
this event). We plan to distribute DVD copies of this event.

Demonstrates that extra-high speeds are not needed for HD video conferencing.
1.5 Mbits/sec provides excellent quality. The H.264 video codec does wonders.

Each of the vendors made a brief presentation locally and then had a longer presentation from some remote location where their HD product
was being used for a real-world application.

In addition to the vendor presentations, there was a special show of high-definition computer art and animation. This was presented by Prof. Charles Csuri, who is widely recognized as the Father of Computer Art and Digital Animation. See http://www.csuri.com . He is based at the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD), which is located at the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC).

All of the venders, the local audience and the remote audience were very pleased and congratulatory about the event. Megan Troyer of Ohio State University ran the technical side of the event behind the scenes, and did the advance testing. A background chat facility was provided by Indiana University to coordinate the event in real time.

Monetary support for the event was received from Polycom ($5000), LifeSize ($2500) and Codian ($2500) to rent the special HD projector
used for the event.
Door prizes were provided by Polycom and Tandberg

The Internet2 Commons Polycom MCU was upgraded to HD capability just for this event, so the Commons can now support HD video conferencing
events as needed. Thanks to Polycom for this assistance.