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What is the Penn State Video Bridge and when do I need to use it?
Who can schedule the Penn State Video Bridge?
Technical requirements necessary to connect to the Penn State Video Bridge
Conference Mode Options
Dial Direction Options
Resource Summary
Penn State Video Bridge Charges
Use of External Video Bridge Vendors
Lead Times for reserving the Penn State Video Bridge
Reserving the Penn State Video Bridge
Video Reservation
Technical Coordination and Videoconference System Registration
Videoconference System Registration Form
Telecommunications Service Requisition
Confirmations
Cancellation of Penn State Video Bridge Reservations
Video Bridge Etiquette
What do I do if I experience trouble during a Penn State Video Bridge conference?
Penn State Video Bridge Maintenance Period
Penn State Video Bridge Evaluation Form
Additional Videoconferencing Resources
The Penn State Video Bridge
What is the Penn State Video Bridge and when do I need to use it?
- Allows three or more sites to participate in a videoconference.
- Supports simultaneous conferences.
- Has multiple conference modes available.
- Has two Dial Direction options available (dial-in or dial-out).
- Supports ISDN or IP-based end points.
- Supports analog phone voice connections.
- Has two scheduling options either ITS Scheduled or On-Demand See Scheduling Options.
If a videoconference involves more than two sites (Multi-Point Videoconference), you will need to reserve a "video bridge."
The Penn State Video Bridge is operated by Penn State's Telecommunications and Networking Services (TNS) and is located in the Video Operations Center (VOC) of the Telecommunications Building at the University Park campus.
The Penn State Video Bridge:
Who can schedule the Penn State Video Bridge?
The Penn State Video Bridge is available for Penn State related purposes only. At least one participant in the videoconference must be a Penn State faculty or staff member or a student. The Bridge is not for use by non-Penn State groups renting a Penn State videoconference room for non-Penn State related purposes. In these cases, the non-Penn State group will need to reserve an external bridge.
Technical Requirements necessary to connect to the Penn State Video Bridge.
The standard algorithm for videoconferencing is H.320 when using ISDN or H.323 when using video-over-IP. To insure high quality video and audio, Penn State has standardized on a transmission rate of 384 Kbps at 30 fps (frames per second) for video bridge conferences. H.320 and H.323 are ITU-T standards for videoconferencing.
All systems planning to use the Penn State Video Bridge ITS Scheduled Service must go through the Videoconference System Registration and testing process before they can use the Bridge. In order to insure a high quality video bridge service, TNS retains the right to deny the use of the Bridge to any videoconference system that does not meet our technical requirements determined during the testing process. See Technical Coordination and Videoconference System Registration.
Note: Effective July 1, 2009, Penn State's Video Bridge will no longer support ISDN connections. Only IP connections to the Video Bridge will be supported after that date.
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Conference Mode Options
The Penn State Video Bridge supports seven conference mode layout options.
Voice activated full screen switching is the most commonly used conference
mode layout. Continuous Presence is the category name for five conference
mode layouts that allow for the simultaneous display of multiple participants
during a video bridge conference. Continuous Presence enhances the experience
of videoconferencing by providing a “live” feeling and constant interaction
with multiple sites. The conference mode must be selected when the bridge
conference is scheduled.
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| Full Screen | One cell occupies the entire screen. The site shown is based on who is talking. This option provides the most detail to viewers, for example this option can provide a better view of facial expressions. |
| Side By Side | Two cells are displayed side by side on the screen. |
| 4 cell | Four cells are displayed on the screen. Each cell occupies one quarter of the screen. |
| 5 + 1 Cell | Larger cell displays host site. Smaller cells show other sites in conference. |
| 9 cell | Nine cells of equal size are displayed on the screen. There are three rows each containing three cells. |
| Dynamic Continuous Presence | The Video Bridge automatically selects the conference mode layout based on the number of participants in the conference. |
| Lecture Mode | The host site sees the Continuous Presence display while participating sites see a full screen of the host site. The Continuous Presence display can be side by side, 4 cell, 9 cell, or auto. This option provides the most detail to viewers of the presenting site. |
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Dial Direction Options
The Penn State Video Bridge has two dial direction options available – dial-in or dial-out. The dial direction can be set on a per-site basis. The standard dial direction for is to have all sites dial-in to the Penn State Video Bridge.
Penn State Video Bridge clients using ISDN requiring the dial-out option will be charged for per-site line usage. An hourly rate of $16/per channel line usage (billed in ¼ hr increments, with a minimum ½ hour usage) is charged for calls made from University Park. These charges are billed to the budget/fund number specified on the Telecommunications Requisition Form (TSR).
Example of ISDN Dial-out Usage Charges
| Transmission Rate | Number of Channels | Rate per hour |
| 128 Kbps | 2 | $32 |
| 256 Kbps | 4 | $64 |
| 384 Kbps | 6 | $96 |
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Video Bridge Resource and Conference End Point Limits
The bridge is assigned on a first come, first scheduled basis.
The following chart shows the total resources available on the Penn State Video Bridge. Resources can be divided to support multiple simultaneous conferences.
Type of Connection If you are connecting via: |
End Points per 384Kbps The maximum 384 Kbps site per conference is… |
| H.320 (ISDN) | 7 |
| H.323 (IP) | 48 |
| Combined ISDN and IP | 48 |
An end point is a videoconferencing system connecting to the video bridge.
The following chart shows the maximum end points permitted in one conference;
Condition |
Number of End Points permitted in one conference |
End-point under TNS maintenance |
24 |
End-point not under TNS maintenance |
12 |
On-Demand conference |
10 |
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Penn State Video Bridge Charges
- Back up for IP for systems that have both IP and ISDN.
- The far end system does not have IP capability and may not be able to dial into to the Penn State Video Bridge using ISDN due to dial out restrictions.
The Penn State Video Bridging service is offered as an alternative to commercial video bridging services. and is considered a "Common Good" service that is centrally funded.
The Penn State Video Bridge is a no-fee service. However, ISDN dial out charges (if required) are considered "Individual Good" and will be charged to the customer. If ISDN dial out from the bridge is required the department (or individual) reserving the Penn State Video Bridge must obtain and complete a Telecommunications Service Requisition form (TSR) .
Some reasons for ISDN dial out from the Penn State Video Bridge are:
During the scheduling process we will ask; do we have permission to dial out from the video bridge using ISDN? If the answer is NO, we will not require a TSR to schedule the video bridge.
A TSR requires a valid Penn State budget and appropriate authorizing signature. There is no processing fee associated with submitting a TSR for videoconferencing. The TSR is good for the fiscal year, as long as there are no budget changes within that fiscal year. No TSR is required when using the On-Demand Video Bridge Service.
Penn State Video Bridge customers using ISDN requiring the dial-out option will be charged for per-site line usage. An hourly rate of $16/per channel line usage (billed in ¼ hr increments, with a minimum ½ hour usage) is charged for calls made from University Park and will be charged to the budget/fund number specified on the Telecommunications Requisition Form (TSR) .
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Use of External Video Bridge Vendors
Commercial video bridging services are also accessible for those choosing or needing to use them.
TNS can arrange a video bridge through external vendors to accommodate a bridge requirement. All costs involved in use of an external bridge will be the responsibility of the client. TNS will book an external bridge under the following conditions:
- Conference requires more than the available ports.
- Conference has technical requirements not available on the Penn State Video Bridge.
- TNS cannot accommodate the bridge request due to reservation lead-time constraints.
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Scheduling Options
Two scheduling options are available on the Penn State Video Bridge either ITS Scheduled or On-Demand.
ITS Scheduled Video Bridge conferences are for users who have a set schedule and require technical coordination support until the conference is completed. ITS Scheduled Video Bridge conferences require a video reservation for each date and time the video bridge is required. ITS Scheduled Video Bridge conferences are technically coordinated by TNS until the conference is completed. See "Reserving the Penn State Video Bridge" for more detail.
On-Demand video bridge conferencing offers freedom of scheduling for impromptu meetings by providing conferee-initiated access to the Penn State Video Bridge. On-Demand offers the freedom to connect three or more videoconference rooms or desktop videoconference systems on an as-needed basis without the need for making formal reservations.
On-Demand video bridge conferences require an initial conference profile set-up in the Penn State Video Bridge. Once the profile is established, conferees can use the bridge, as needed, scheduling conferences on their own.
New On-Demand video bridge conference profiles and changes to existing profiles can be requested by completing an on-line form or by contacting the ITS Call Center Services at 814-863-8906. See On-Demand Video Bridge Service for more detail.
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Lead Times for Reserving the Penn State Video Bridge (ITS Scheduled Service)
Penn State Video Bridge reservations should be made in accordance with the lead times listed below. Lead times are required in order to allow technical coordination and testing. Technical coordination involves a review and follow-up of each Video Bridge conference by the TNS Technical Coordinator. After a review, a follow-up may involve additional testing and/or a change in the set-up of the bridge conference in order to assure a technically reliable bridge conference. Videoconference System Registration and testing is required with first-time connections to determine compatibility of the videoconference room with the Video Bridge.
The following lead-times are recommended when reserving the Penn State Video Bridge:
| VIDEOCONFERENCE | LEAD-TIME |
|---|---|
| Penn State sites | 5 Business Days |
| Domestic Sites (Non-Penn State) * | 10 Business Days |
| International Sites* | 15 Business Days |
| * Lead times are for first-time connections to a far end site. If previous successful connections have been made, TNS recommends a 5-business day lead-time. | |
Penn State Video Bridge conferences scheduled with less lead-time than suggested will be scheduled at the discretion of TNS Video Systems Staff. TNS reserves the right to reject a bridge conference when recommended lead times (needed to allow for technical coordination and testing) are not followed.
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Reserving the Penn State Video Bridge (ITS Scheduled Service)
The Penn State Video Bridge is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
To reserve the Penn State Video Bridge, contact ITS Call Center Services at (814) 863-8906. The Center is open Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm.
In addition to making a reservation over the phone, you may also fax your request to the ITS Call Center Services fax number (814) 865-1100, or e-mail your request to the ITS Call Center Services e-mail address, or complete the on-line Penn State Video Bridge Reservation Form.
There are four basic steps involved in reserving the Penn State Video Bridge:
- A Video Bridge Reservation
- Technical Coordination
- Completion of a Telecommunications Service Requisition (TSR) if needed.
- Confirmations
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Video Reservation: (ITS Scheduled Service)
You will be asked to provide the following information upon contacting the Video Reservations Center:
- Meeting Name.
- Contact person's name, phone number, e-mail address, and department.
- End point site information – include: contact person’s name, phone number, e-mail address, and site location. Site qualification information must be on file at TNS. See Technical Coordination.
- Requested date and time of videoconference.
- Estimated length of videoconference.
- Conference Mode
- Dial Direction
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Technical Coordination and Videoconference System Registration:
Technical coordination involves a review and follow-up of each Video Bridge conference by the TNS Technical Coordinator. Videoconference System Registration is required for sites that have not connected with the Penn State Video Bridge for over one (1) year. The registration process requires the site to complete a Videoconference System Registration Form and make a test call(s) into the Penn State Video Bridge. The site registration process facilitates accurate site compatibility and database information. TNS will maintain a database of sites that have been qualified.
Reservation Lead Times are required to allow technical coordination and site testing.
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Telecommunications Service Requisition:
A TSR is required if the customer will require dialing out from the Penn State Video Bridge using ISDN.
During the scheduling process we will ask; do we have permission to dial out from the video bridge using ISDN? If the answer is NO, we will not require a TSR to schedule the video bridge.
A TSR requires a valid Penn State budget and appropriate authorizing signature. There is no processing fee associated with submitting a TSR for videoconferencing. The TSR is good for the fiscal year, as long as there are no budget changes within that fiscal year. No TSR is required when using the On-Demand Video Bridge Service.
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Confirmations: (ITS Scheduled Service)
Individuals scheduling the Penn State Video Bridge for a multi-point conference will receive a confirmation form, via e-mail, with bridge telephone numbers for all site participants. This Penn State Video Bridge confirmation will be sent out to the meeting coordinator contact and the respective Videoconference Room Technical Contacts of the sites involved in the videoconference. It is the responsibility of the meeting coordinator to disseminate this information to the appropriate individuals (i.e. end users). The Bridge telephone numbers assigned for a dial-out conference are only valid for the meeting or class on the confirmation. These numbers should not be used at other times.
TNS schedules each Bridge conference to allow end points to connect to the Bridge 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of the meeting or class. TNS recommends that end points connect to the Video Bridge early so that the meeting or class will start on time.
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Cancellation of Penn State Video Bridge Reservations (ITS Scheduled Service)
Contact ITS Call Center Services at (814) 863-8906 to cancel Penn State Video Bridge reservations. Departments will be charged for Penn State Video Bridge usage based on the reservation whether the bridge is used or not. Cancellations received with 48 hours or less notice will be charged a $50.00 cancellation fee. There is no cancellation fee or bridge usage charge for cancellations received with greater than 48 hours of notice.
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Video Bridge Etiquette
Using a Video Bridge requires special etiquette to assure that your meeting starts on time and continues with fewer interruptions.
We suggest that a Video Bridge meeting facilitator be assigned for each conference at the host videoconference room. This person could be one of the meeting attendees.
The Video Bridge meeting facilitator should:
- Know how to use the videoconference system, know how to call into the video bridge, and know how to get local room technical assistance.
- Connect to the bridge 15 minutes in advance of the meeting start time. This allows time for resolving troubles. For very large conferences, (10 or more sites) we suggest that you request 30 minutes of pre-conference test time.
- Welcome attendees as they connect to the bridge while taking roll call. This greets attendees as they enter the meeting and verifies that their system is working properly. It also lets the attendees know who is connected.
- Report any problems at the host room to that room’s technical contact ASAP. The technical contact may call the TNS Video Operations Center at 814-865-1036 with technical difficulties or questions about video bridge operation.
- Start the meeting by alerting all sites to mute their microphones while they are not talking.
- Explain that there is a slight delay in the transmission, requiring the person who is speaking to pause a few seconds longer before speaking again, when expecting a response from far-end attendees.
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What do I do if I experience trouble during a Bridged Conference?
Telecommunications and Networking Services provides troubleshooting and technical support to assigned Videoconferencing Room Technical Contacts only. If technical problems occur during an interactive videoconference, the conferees should request assistance from the assigned Videoconferencing Room Technical Contact (Room Videoconferencing contact information is posted in each videoconferencing facility). The Technical Contact may call the TNS Video Operations Center at 814-865-1036 for assistance during the bridge conference. For assistance before or after the conference, the Technical Contact can call the TNS Network Operations Center (NOC) at 814 865-4NOC [4662].
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Video Bridge Maintenance Period
Maintenance of the Penn State Video Bridge is scheduled based on the TNS System Shut-Downs, Tests, and Maintenance Guidelines.
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Video Bridge Evaluation Form
If you have recently used the Penn State Video Bridge for a videoconference, we would like you to share your thoughts on the experience by completing the Video Bridge Usage Evaluation Form.
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Additional Videoconferencing Resources
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01/31/08