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.

The Dead Disk Bounce: Does An SSD Get A Second Act?

July 15, 2015
Michael Graves
Computing

My desktop PC is just now passing three years old. When it arrived I imaged the factory installed 2 TB hard drive, replacing it with a Crucial m4 256GB SSD for the boot volume. With a small registry tweak the 2 TB drive became home to the user profiles and related files.

The boot time of the computer was improved by the SSD. Since the boot volume was just the OS & apps it was quick & easy to backup by making an image of that volume. The fact that I make routine backups became important recently, when the SSD failed outright.

In this case I had just installed some updated to the OS, when a reboot was required. However, upon rebooting the system could not find the boot volume.

Proving An Unregistered IP Desk Phone Can Still be Useful

July 14, 2015
Michael Graves
VoIP

Here’s an admission of sorts. I quite admire Dave Michels' friend Colin Berkshire. He’s a consistent source of both wit and wisdom. For example, today he describes his somewhat unusual use of a Grandstream GXP2160 IP Telephone in My Line-less…

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.

Bytes Must Flow – Backup Strategies for SOHO Internet Access

June 29, 2015
Michael Graves
Broadband, DSL

Late last evening there was a fire at Oxford & Barkley, or so we’re told, that took out Comcast service some neighborhoods in Houston, including where we live in The Woodland Heights. As such we are presently without cable TV or our primary internet access.

The loss of cable TV is potentially stressful for Estella, but she’s off to work for the day so it won’t be a problem until this evening. Given my home-office-based work-life the loss of internet access is potentially a show-stopper for me. It’s at times like this that I’m glad we have backup internet access.