VC Commander for LifeSize Codecs running on the Samsung Q1 Tablet PC

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.

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 touch screens 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 environment 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 “Video Conference Modules” although there is scope for adding to or modifying buttons and styling if required.

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 Video Conference. 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.

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 Video Conference, 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.

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.

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.