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Sales
0118 9740125
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VideoCentric
VC COMMANDER
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VC Commander for
LifeSize Codecs running on the Samsung Q1 Tablet PC
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The
VideoConference Commander designed, developed and distributed
by VideoCentric is a Touch Screen controller for all
modern VideoConferencing systems and their associated
peripherals. Like higher cost alternatives from AMX
and Crestron, the VC Commander can be tailored to suite
your environment, but has been developed to control
a wide range of Plasmas and LCDs, Projectors, Amplifiers,
Visualisers, Auxiliary PTZ Cameras, DVD/Video recorders
as well as the most popular VC Codecs.
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All
the leading manufacturers systems are supported including…… |
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Some
customers own multiple video conferencing systems often
through different manufacturers or they are different
models with different remote control handsets & on-screen
menus. This is confusing for users who prefer a consistent
interface. VC Commander offers consolidation of look and
feel for all systems, making it easier for users to become
familiar with their controls regardless of whether they
are using a Polycom, a Tandberg, a Lifesize or a mixture
of all three. Additionally, rather than having to search
for different remote controls for different functions,
eg recoding your conference, operating a second PTZ camera
etc, all actions can be undertaken from the one touchscreen.
Unlike well known alternatives from AMX and Crestron,
the new VC-Commander is MS Windows based for ease of maintenance
and adding new modules, and the hardware platform is one
which can fit in with your own corporate buying policy,
eg Compaq, Dell, HP etc, or you can select an off-the-shelf
package from VideoCentric with a choice of touch screens
to suit your environment. |
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Wireless
or Wired ? – its your choice !
VC Commander uses
TCP/IP wired or wireless networking so that a wide range
of controllers (IR, RS232 or Telnet) can control a variety
of devices including VC codec, SKY box, DVD, VCR, Plasma,
LCD display, Projector, Projector-screen …. in
fact any device that can be controlled by means of an
automation API or Infra-Red remote.
Tablet
PC or Tower PC – its your choice !
If your corporate
policy is to always buy one brand of PC, then VC-Commander
fits perfectly. Simply purchase the PC-less integration
pack and we’ll load the control software on to
your nominated PC at the time of installation. Alternatively
if you require VideoCentric or one of its integration
partners to supply a complete solution with touch panel
tablet built into an approved notebook PC – eg
the flexible 12” HP Pavilion or miniature 7”
Samsung Q1, we can supply & fit the entire package
with little more than one week’s lead time.
In hard-wired form
we have a wider range of touchscreens including 12”,
15”, & 17” models, most self standing,
and some with wall or table mount fittings. Where an
application demands high levels of storage, eg where
lengthy video recording is planned, it is recommended
that a Tower PC be used as the platform and this can
be self-supplied or a Dell purchased as part of the
package via VideoCentric.
Integrated
Data Sharing – without wires !
VC Commander runs
under Microsoft XP or Vista operating systems (licence
included) and is additionally supplied with MicroSoft
Excel, Word and Powerpoint Viewers. Provided data sharing
has been enabled on your VideoConferencing system, eg
Tandberg NPP, Tandberg PP, Polycom People & Content
IP or is integral in your Lifesize Team or Room system,
then you can simply “hide” your VC Commander
Control screen and begin sharing your presentation off
the same wireless tablet. No need for hardware data
sharing pods or further wires cluttering the boardroom
table.
SMART-enabled
option
It is becoming
more popular in classroom and corporate training environments
to drive a PC from a large touch-screen projection surface.
The worldwide leaders of such systems are SMART Technologies
from Canada. VideoCentric is also SMART accredited and
supplies and fits their entire range of products in
education, healthcare, government and business premises.
One such product is the SMART Sympodium, a 17”
LCD panel-based touch controller which works in conjunction
with a PC to allow interactive annotation and PC-application
control (powerpoint, word, excel, www access etc). VideoCentric
has adopted the same controller as one of the options
for VC Commander. Being SMART-enabled, its software
suite includes Smart Notebook software & Image Gallery
making it ideal for sharing data inside or outside your
video conference. In non-VC mode it resorts to a standard
touch screen controller and annotation device which
can be used in conjunction with a large or out-of-reach
projector screen, an envonment in which standard SMARTBoards
are unsuitable.
VideoConferencing
Modules
All VideoConferencing
systems are different in the way that their software
and user interfaces are presented to the user. VideoCentric’s
experience in working with all the major manufacturers
sets it apart from AMX or Crestron AV integrators in
that it has a better understanding of what videoconferencing
customers require and how the similarities of various
manufacturers systems can be brought together to provide
consistency of interface, even though they are not all
exactly the same. VC Commander is written with a set
of pre-programmed “VideoConference Modules”
although there is scope for adding to or modifying buttons
and styling if required.
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Module
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The
TANDBERG module for VC commander provides full remote
control of a TANDBERG MXP system as well as one button
access to volume levels, camera selection, presentation
selection, layouts, presets and far-end camera control,
features which are less accessible on Tandberg’s
own remote controller.
The VCC TANDBERG
module also controls the “VNC” function
of Tandberg PP/NPP systems directly, so pressing either
of the VNC buttons will result in a PC desktop or Interactive
SMARTBoard being displayed to near and far end participants
in the VideoConference. It requiring NO extra cabling
and no extra hardware whatsoever.
For meeting participants
who bring in their own laptop PC to a meeting and plug
it into the Tandberg using a VGA cable, the decision
to “show” or “hide” the PC screen
can then be managed from the VCC touch screen controller
allowing the meeting to flow seamlessly.
A selection
of screen layouts can be selected in a point-to-point
video call and similarly, if the Tandberg is equipped
with MultiSite (MS) option, control of the multiple
site screen layouts couldn’t be easier.
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For
a free demo version of the VC Commander software for TANDBERG
MXP systems,
click here |
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Module
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For
Polycom Viewstation/VSX and HDX Videoconferencing systems
the POLYCOM Module for the VideoCentric Commander provides
simple and easy navigation and control of your system.
The POLYCOM module
for the VC Commander provides full remote control of
any Polycom Viewstation, VSX5000, VSX6000, VSX7000,
VSX8000 or HDX9000 system as well as one button access
to volume levels, camera selection, presentation selection,
home menu, presets and far-end camera control.
The VC Commander’s
POLYCOM module also controls the “People &
Content IP” function of VSX systems directly,
so pressing either of the IP buttons will result in
the PC desktop or Interactive SMARTBoard being displayed
in the VideoConference, requiring NO extra cabling and
no extra hardware whatsoever. Only if a meeting participant
wishes to connect in an external laptop PC on an ad-hoc
basis would a Visual Concert Data pod be required to
show both people and data content.
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For
a free demo version of the VC Commander software for Polycom
systems,
click here |
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Module
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High
Definition Videoconferencing systems from Lifesize including
LifeSize Team, LifeSize Room and LifeSize Express will
benefit from the VC Commander touch panel solution. The
VC Commander’s LIFESIZE module interfaces seamlessly
with LifeSize videoconferencing systems providing one
touch camera and presentation source selection and volume
control. |
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One
of the weaknesses of the LifeSize system is regarded as
its very basic remote controller which is viewed as difficult
to use by some novices. “An easy-to-use system is
generally a well used system”, and so improvement
of the LifeSize controller is seen as essential if such
systems are to be adopted in the numbers they deserve
to be. VC Commander make it easy and for customers who
have purchased a mixture of Polycom standard definition
systems and newer LifeSize HD systems will appreciate
the consistency of look and feel that VCC brings. |
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For
a free demo version of the VC Commander software for LifeSize
systems,
click here |
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Additional
Device Module |
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Many
videoconferencing systems have extra peripherals connected
to their input/output ports, but users face a constant
battle with finding the right remote, ensuring it has
working batteries and knowing how to operate the plethora
of buttons. The VC Commander Device Module already controls
a number of popular devices, such as Sony EVI-D70, D31,
D100, HD1 cameras, Canon VCC50i, VCC4 and VC-C50iR cameras,
Sony amplifiers, NEC, Canon, Sony and other projectors
etc. The Device Module is flexible enough to be tailored
to control almost any additional device providing it has
a remote control or a RS232 input.
Therefore
DVD’s, VCR’s, Additional Cameras, Document
Cameras, Projectors, SKY TV, Plasma and LCD Screens,
Amplifiers and a host of other peripherals can be added
to your bespoke system upon request.
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For
bespoke developments, for which a fixed price quote will
be given, VideoCentric may request that we have access
to your device with its remote controls in order to capture
the remote commands. The module itself can be added as
an additional screen to a videoconference module, run
stand-alone in a separate window for instant access or
just run stand-alone without a videoconferencing system
to control your meeting room AV equipment. |
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Camera
Control Module |
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Suitable
for controlling a wide range of Sony and Canon Cameras
including the popular Sony EVI-D70 and Canon VC-C50i.
The Camera control module interfaces directly with the
cameras for control of movement, zoom etc as well as providing
one touch recording and snapshots. The module can also
be interfaced with a full range of video switching devices
allowing multiple cameras to be controlled and viewed,
regardless of model. |
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Video
Conference Recorder |
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Need
to record conferences for archive? DVDs or streaming?
The Recorder module provides just that. An Audio and Video
feed are taken from the VideoConferencing systems record
outputs and at the touch of a button recorded onto a PC
or network hardrive in the format you require (MPEG4,
MPEG2, AVI, WMV). |
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The
Recorder Module requires a Windows XP/Vista PC with .NET
1.1 and comes complete with a video capture/encoding device. |
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Successes |
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Although
February 2008 sees the launch of VC Commander, several
successful installations have already taken place, not
only in VideoConferencing environments, but also in AV
and Training environments previously popular with Crestron
and AMX.
One of the first live VCC applications installed by VideoCentric
at a customer site was Dental Training application whereby
11 PTZ cameras and various screens needed to be managed
from the system in addition to other devices. This has
been so successful that orders for other similar projects
have already been taken based on word of mouth recommendation.
In a separate AV Boardroom
application, VCC has been installed with wall-mounted
12” touch controller to replace an aging AMX system.
For
bespoke developments using an existing PC network, the
Device Module requires a Windows XP/Vista PC with .NET
1.1. The VC Commander application will be supplied complete
with a LAN based IR encoding device and either high
power IR emitters, or, low power attachable emitters
for equipment placed inside cupboards etc.
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Configuration
Options |
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1.
Choose your screen
a) 7” wireless
with built-in notebook PC
b) 12” wireless with built-in notebook PC
c) 17” wireless + SMART-enabled
d) 12” wired
e) 15” wired
f) 17” wired
2.
If wired or SMART-enabled screen chosen, now choose
your PC
a) Self-supply
b) VideoCentric-supplied Tower PC
3.
State whether MS Office 2007 licence is required
4.
Determine how many devices need to be controlled
a) VC codec
b) LCD/Plasma screen/s
c) Projector/s
d) Amplifier
e) DVD playback-only
f) DVD recorder
g) VCR recorder
h) Document Camera/Visualiser
i) Medical Imaging Scanner
j) Additional PTZ camera/s
For standard VideoConferencing
applications a price may be given without site visit.
In more complex applications where hosting of equipment
may be in a separate room to the users, a site survey
is always recommended, to take care of bracketry, cabling,
rack-mounting etc.
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Support
& Maintenance |
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Off-the-shelf
pre-programmed modules mean that lead time is minimised
and levels of support maximised. Unlike part-time contract
programmers employed by the vast majority of AMX and Crestron
Integrators, VCC is developed in-house by VideoCentric,
a Company committed to the long term future of visual
communications, and therefore future support is assured.
Ongoing software
maintenance is a chargeable option and because all parts
used in the solution are readily available components,
hardware warranty can be backed off to respective manufacturers
by VideoCentric to ensure a faster and more professional
service.
On-Site Support
(Business Hours) is also offered and in some exceptional
circumstances out-of-hours support will also be given.
VideoCentric’s
Technical Help desk is staffed 9am-5.30pm and Video
Dial-In over ISDN and IP is available 24x7, ensuring
a maximum level of professional technical help for our
valued customers.
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High-Bandwidth
Applications |
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Customers
requiring control of high bandwidth applications such
as IP or High Definition MultiPoint should talk to VideoCentric
before assuming that it will be hosted in the VC endpoint.
It may be better hosted off-site at the Thames Valley
Data Centre operated under ISO27001 conditions by VideoCentric’s
networking partner/ISP. With up to 100Mbps available for
HD-MCUs at the central site, VC Commander is able to steer
the VC endpoint at the customer’s premises to use
the centrally located MCU where bandwidth is plentiful,
rather than consuming valuable bandwidth locally which
is better directed towards data traffic. |
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VideoCentric
Ltd VC COMMANDER |
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