RSI’s MEDIAPRO 384 is a fully H.320 standards-based videoconferencing system. The
system can work with simply a remote control, TV, and video camera, or it can be
controlled in computer mode with the addition of either a desktop or laptop computer. A
video conference can link via an Ethernet connection or via an ISDN BRI line that can be
bonded with more lines if needed. Since there are three ISDN BRI ports, we did some simple
math (128 x 3) to conclude that the number in the name of the product corresponds to the
number of all three ISDN BRI lines bonded together. Coincidence? We think not!
INSTALLATION
When we opened the package that RSI sent us, we immediately noticed the large number of
cables included. For this reason, we thought that connecting cables for the entire system
might be difficult. Fortunately, once we organized the cables and the two power supplies,
we found that the set-up was not difficult, due in part to the color scheme coding of the
cables. All of the slots that you might need to connect (including the TV, microphone,
speakers, Ethernet, three ISDN ports, and two camera ports) are on the back of the
MEDIAPRO. There are also slots for a SCSI connection (that can be terminated) and a data
serial connection to your laptop or desktop. We easily inserted and configured an Adaptec
SCSI card into our Windows 98 client before connecting the SCSI cable to it.
When first entering the MEDIAPRO system with the nifty hand-held remote control, you
initially go through the Setup Genie (you can bypass this but must eventually go through
the screens in order to complete the initial configuration). The most difficult part about
going through these screens is knowing where to point the remote control since infrared
sensors are located on the TV, camera, and the MEDIAPRO system. We pointed it at the TV,
and it didn’t work. Next, we tried pointing it at the camera, and that only worked
occasionally. Then, we realized that the MEDIAPRO was behind the camera and that this was
the only device capable of controlling the camera’s movements.
As for the Setup Genie, first we selected the only language available (English). We
assume that eventually some other languages will be offered. Then we selected the correct
video input and output signal (composite or S-Video), the ISDN network type (usually
NT-1), switch vendor, phone numbers, SPID numbers, and the IP address for the system.
By pressing the “Config” button on the remote control, you can make
additional configuration changes by selecting one of six topics: audio, video, ISDN, data
ports, advanced, and Ethernet/IP. To reset the MEDIAPRO system, you can enter the advanced
screen and press the “Enter” button twice or turn it off and on from the back of
the system. You must do this every time you change major configuration settings, such as
ISDN numbers. The system takes around 70 seconds to reboot.
Installing the software so that the MEDIAPRO system could work on a PC or laptop took
only a few minutes. You can configure all of your settings from your client by entering
the Windows-based configuration interface. If these settings have been entered, it will
already appear in the appropriate place. If you want to change from computer mode to
remote control mode, you can make that selection from the control mode tab, and the system
will automatically reset.
DOCUMENTATION
We received two quick start guides: one for the installation and configuration of the
Windows software and one for controlling the system in the remote control mode. We also
received a guide for the operation of the MEDIAPRO system in the remote control mode. (The
operational section of the guide will soon be exclusively available from RSI’s Web
site, which is not a bad idea since this documentation can easily be updated as features
are added or changed. For now, we received this information from an RSI representative.)
However, we did not receive operational documentation for the system when in the computer
mode. We assume that this information does not yet exist. Even though the windows software
is easy to figure out, there should still be operational documentation for it.
While there is a diagram showing where to connect the abundant number of cables, it is not
clear enough to fully understand how everything fits together. There is some explanation
available in the quick guides, not enough to allow you to feel confident that you can
connect everything correctly. Fortunately, once you begin to understand how the system
works, the connections become more obvious.
As the MEDIAPRO system currently stands, there are no help files with the exception of
an “About the System” section, which is not very helpful. Luckily, you can
figure out most of the features and functionality with little difficulty.
FEATURES
RSI’s MEDIAPRO 384 does nearly everything that a good video conferencing system
should do. Some of the most impressive features are the ability for the system to work on
a PC or laptop, the ability to use more than one camera, and the ability to control the
camera(s) on the remote end of your video conference. Additional features include a strong
zoom lens, the ability to bond three ISDN BRI connections, the ability to preset camera
locations, and the ability to use NetMeeting with the system so that certain applications,
such as Microsoft PowerPoint, can be shared during a video conference. Also, you can
manually dial or redial the number you wish to video conference, or you can use speed
dials to the same effect.
OPERATIONAL TESTING
We first looked at the system in the remote control mode, which uses a TV monitor instead
of the PC’s screen. We zoomed in and out and moved the camera with the remote
control. Then we called up an RSI representative and successfully performed a video
conference over an ISDN BRI connection. We attempted to connect via an Ethernet connection
but were unsuccessful because the data could not pass through our firewall.
During this video conference, we were able to move the smaller local screen to a few
different locations on the TV, control RSI’s camera, and preset certain camera
locations so that the camera would move to that location when pressing the associated
number on our remote control. Overall, the picture of both the remote and local locations
looked clear — better than many other video conferencing systems, especially because
of its autofocus capability. We also tested the sound quality which could have been better
(this was partly because of the microphone and speakers we were using). There was also a
very slight lag time between speaking and hearing the words.
During remote control operation, we attempted to send and receive a snapshot during the
video conference. While we were successful in sending a snapshot, for some reason we could
not receive one. It turned out that this was because we didn’t have the latest system
software release. We obtained the software and were easily able to download it to our
system in only a few minutes. We tried to receive the snapshot again, and this time we had
no problem. Unfortunately, we could not save the snapshot in the remote control mode,
although we could do so in the computer mode.
When we called RSI the second time to make sure we could receive a snapshot, we also
tested MEDIAPRO’s compatibility with NetMeeting. We found that we could easily work
with NetMeeting 2.0 and utilize all of this version’s capabilities, including
application sharing. Unfortunately, the MEDIAPRO’s system does not work well with
higher versions of NetMeeting. This is a serious flaw and should be addressed as quickly
as possible so that the system can be compatible with NetMeeting 3.0.
Navigating through the windows software is not difficult. You can receive most of the
same functionality as using the remote control, although the camera moves a little slower
in the computer mode (pressing the “alt” key when moving the camera speeds it up
but still not to the speed that is achieved by using the remote control). Of all the
windows screens, we found ourselves using the Camera Control screen the most for its sheer
ease of use.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
As always, we have some suggestions that might improve the MEDIAPRO 384 system. One of the
major improvements would be for the system to be compatible with NetMeeting 3.0. Other
improvements would be to add more documentation (especially help files); to have
right-click functionality for the windows screens; to have a remote control that can be
pointed at the TV, the camera, or the MEDIAPRO unit; and to include an option for either a
fast or slow zoom button.
As the system stands now, video conferencing with multiple sites involves the use of a
bridging service. A bridging service is a third party supplier that each location calls
(or else the bridge could call into each location). A bridge call can support a large
number of sites. RSI will be releasing (soon, we hope) a version of software for the
MEDIAPRO 384 that will support multiple sites so that a bridging service will no longer be
needed when video conferencing up to four locations (your site and three others). When you
connect to three other sites, each site would be in a 128K call (there are three ISDN
ports on each MEDIAPRO system). This release should greatly improve the system.
CONCLUSION
There is much to cheer about the MEDIAPRO 384 system. Many businesses can benefit from
this system because it is easy to use. The images on the TV or monitor are clearly shown
and there are many good features for whichever system you prefer (remote control or
computer mode). TMC Labs was very pleased with MEDIAPRO’s feature set, video quality,
and the ability to bond up to three ISDN lines. |
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