Video – Page 10 – Graves On SOHO Technology

Zoom Integrates PTZ Control of Logitech ConferenceCams

July 24, 2015
Michael Graves
Video

ConferenceCam_Family This week the recently rebranded Logitech has launched a new program known as the Logitech Collaboration Program. The program aims to foster enhanced collaborative experience through the integration of Logitech products with various services. The program launches with Blue Jeans Network, Broadsoft, C2G, LifeSize Communications, Vidyo and Zoom as a foundation.

The first signs of life from the program come from Zoom, who have announced that they have integrated PTZ control of Logitech ConferenceCams into their online video conference platform.

vMix HD: Tools For Desktop Video

July 17, 2015
Michael Graves
Video

For the past several weeks I’ve been experimenting with vMix HD, a software based tool for real-time video production on the desktop. I’ve been running the free 60 day trial version of vMix HD, which runs on Windows.

It now seems very likely that I will purchase a license for the Basic HD version, since it’s very capable and costs only $60.

To understand why I’m so very appreciative of vMix HD, it helps if you know what I’ve been using in this role for the past few years…Telestream’s Wirecast.

Webcams 8: Vaddio RoboSHOT 12 – A USB 3.0 Webcam

June 30, 2015
Michael Graves
Video

roboshot-12-usb-front-300px Vaddio has today announced that their RoboSHOT 12 camera is now shipping. This device is notable for supporting both streaming H.264 over IP and delivering uncompressed 1080p60 over a USB 3.0 interface. It also has an HDMI output. All three output methods are simultaneously live.

The various specifications of the RobotShot 12 are all top-of-the line. The camera is aimed at enterprise installations. It will surely find it’s way into video conference suites, surveillance/monitoring, and even tele-production.

It was a couple of years ago that I set out to find a USB 3.0 webcam. At the time there basically none to be found, so little reason to consider their merits. Now that there are a few such cameras on the market, you may be asking, “what does it get me, exactly?” Good question.

Remember that to deliver 1080p video* any USB 2.0 attached webcam must compress the video using either MJPEG or H.264. Only by compressing the stream in-camera can it deliver the that resolution over the 480 Mbps USB 2.0 connection. Once the video is delivered cross the USB link, in many cases it must be decompressed to allow further manipulation before final delivery to it’s ultimate destination.

Chromebox For Meetings: Large Room Bundle

June 24, 2015
Michael Graves
Video

Chromebox for Meetings is a nice idea. It’s a tidy little bundle of goodies that delivers what is essentially an appliance for use with Hangouts. At $999 it’s even a pretty good value. What it isn’t is terribly flexible, largely…

Interconnecting Jitsi Video Bridge, ZipDX & YouTube Live – Part 2

June 12, 2015
Michael Graves
Video, VoIP

If my first approach was too much for my desktop, then perhaps I could split the workload between my desktop and my laptop. This presents a different set of problems, but ultimately makes the process more robust.

In this arrangement my laptop joins the JVB session. It’s running VoiceMeeter, Chrome & Bria. It provides the audio mix-minus feeds.

Interconnecting Jitsi Video Bridge, ZipDX & YouTube Live

May 12, 2015
Michael Graves
Video, VoIP

In the production of over 530 VUC sessions we’ve undertaken some odd and occasionally rather complicated arrangements. Quite possibly the most complex is when we interconnect the WebRTC-based Jitsi Video Bridge with YouTube Live and the ZipDX conference bridge. I set about described aspects of this process a year ago, but stopped short of describing how the entire arrangement worked. Well, worked most of the time. This article will bring you current with my various attempts to make this process robust and repeatable.

Preface: When we use Jitsi Video Bridge we lose a couple of the conveniences that come with a Hangout-On-Air. Where a Hangout-On-Air has an automatic link to a YouTube Live event, we must do this manually when we use JVB.