Integrator's Reference Manual for Polycom HDX ... - 1 PC Network Inc

Room Design and Layoutwish to “show” or “view” must be translated to video, most often with somesort of camera mechanism. Document cameras, 35mm slide-to-video units,video scanners and scan conversion devices all are designed to take one formatof source material and convert it to a standard video signal that can bedigitized, shipped to the far-end(s), and converted back to composite video fordisplay. Which devices are selected and how they are used depends entirelyon the needs and goals of the end-users of the system(s) and the format of theirsource materials.Room Control ElementsTo give all participants the easiest use of the room for any and all presentationor conference purposes, a fully integrated room controller is recommended. Itis important that one controller operate all devices in the room so that only oneuser interface needs to be learned by those managing the facility. The commoncontroller also makes it much easier to expand and enhance room capabilitiesover time by adding or upgrading equipment. A proper room controller canoperate and coordinate the use of lighting, curtains, displays, audio devices,VCRs and slide projectors, as well as all the conferencing equipment,including any network-related control needed. In lieu of a complete controlsystem, a limited functionality controller can be located at the presentationinterface panel to control the switching and routing of the computer graphicsand configure the overhead camera video paths.It is strongly advised that at least 20 percent of the time spent developing avideoconferencing room be devoted to this important sub-system, as it willcomplete the integration of the conference and presentation environment.And remember that simpler is always better. People do not pay for technology.They pay for the benefits that technology can bring. The doorway to thosebenefits is a simple, straightforward and intuitive user control.A - 13