Fusion Grid

Access Grid Parts List

 

Table 1: Small Size Access Grid Node Parts (For a group of ~10 people. Total cost without displays is ~$4K).

ITEM

DESCRIPTION

 OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

ITEM

PRICE(June, 2004)

Computer

Required: One Dual 3.06 GHz, 512K cache, 1G RAM.
This CPU speed is needed to handle the encoding and decoding of multiple A/V streams. A less powerful computer can be used, but the audio/video quality may suffer.

Dell Precision 650. Dual 3.06 GHz Xeon, 512K cache, 1G DDR, 120 GB HD, 48X CDROM, NVidia Quadro NVS dual head graphics card(supports up to 2 displays)

$3200

Audio

Required: Echo cancellation device, microphone and speaker.
(For optional parts see table 2)

Polycom Sound Station Premier
(The speaker/microphone with echo cancellation capability)

$550

Polycom Video Interconnect
(A connector between speakerphone and computer)

$125

Video

Required: At least 1 camera. (For optional parts see table 2)

Logitech Quickcam Orbit
(A USB camera capable of face tracking )

$120

Display

Optional: Type and number of displays. (For optional parts see table 2)

At least 2048X768 pixel space is recommended.

N/A

Network

Required: At least T1 network.
Highly recommended: Multicast network.

100MB Multicast network

N/A

OS

Optional: Windows or Linux
(Currently only works in Windows or Linux. The Mac OS version is under development).

Windows

N/A

Cables, adapters

 

 

$100

Total

$4095

 

 

 

Table 2: Optional Parts List for Small Size Access Grid Node

ITEM

DESCRIPTION

PARTS

CONFIGURATION EXAMPLES

PRICE(June, 2004)

Display

Any combination of CRTs, flat panel displays or projectors can be used.One or multiple projectors may be needed for a larger group of audience. We used Sanyo PLC-XU38 (2000ANSI) lumen projectors. A multi-headed graphics card is also needed if more than two display devices are used. If that is the case, we recommend Matrox Parhelia 128 is recommended for 3 displays and Matrox G450 MMS for 4 display devices to replace the NVIDIA graphics card listed in Table1.

Two 17 inch CRT monitors
2560X1024 pixels)

$300

Two 17 inch flat panel monitors
(2560X1024 pixels)

$840

One 17 inch flat panel monitor and Sanyo PLC-XU38 projector
(One operator console and 1280X1024 pixel display space for audience. Total 2560X1024 pixel space)

$420 + $1900 = $2320
(Projection screen price is not included)

One Matrox Parhelia 128 three-headed graphics card,
One 17 inch flat panel monitor and two Sanyo PLC-XU38 projectors.
(One operator console and 2560X1024 pixel display space for audience. Total 3840X1024 pixel space)

$390+ $420 + $3800
=$4610
(Projection screen price is not included)

One Matrox G450 MMS Quad graphics card,
One 17inch flat panel monitor and three Sanyo PLC-XU38 projectors.
(One operator console and 3840X1024 pixel display space for audience. Total 5120X1024 pixel space)

$700+$420+$5700
=$6820
(Projection screen price is not included)

Audio

If multiple microphones and audio speakers are desired, then echo cancellation beyond the Polycom speakerphone is required.

Clear One XAP 400
One Tannoy System 600A amplified speaker
Four Crown PCC-160 tabletop microphones
Cables

$3600 + $1100 + $1000 +$100
=$5800

Polycom Video Interconnect
(A connector between speakerphone and computer)

$125

Video

Multiple cameras are needed for broadcasting multiple video streams. In this case, multiple analog NTSC cameras can be used. To encode analog signals, a video capture card is also need.

Winnov Videum 4400 and 4 Sony EVI-D100 cameras

$730 + $3200
=$3930

 

 

 

Table 3: Personal Access Grid Node Parts (For one person. Total cost is ~100 assuming a person already owns a computer)

While large AG nodes with several projectors, cameras and echo cancellation device are used for a group of people, a Personal Access Grid node can be used for personal participation and collaboration needs. This means, you can participate in AG meetings from your office, home or on the road using a Personal Access Grid Node. Normally, a Personal Access Grid Node is an AG-software-installed laptop or desktop computer with an audio headset (includes microphone) and a single web cam.

The following is an example of a personal node parts list. But most computer, camera and headset combinations should work.

ITEM

NOTES

Price

Dell Latitude D505 (Intel Celeron 1.2GHz)

Optional. Other laptop or desktops can be used.

N/A(Assume one already has computer)

Quickcam for Notebooks Pro

Optional. Other Logitech USB cameras can be used.

$100

Cyber Acoustics ACC-64 Stereo Headset

Optional. Other headsets can be used. But regular computer speaker and microphone combination doesn't work (This combination has no echo cancellation capability)

$22

Windows XP/Linux

(Currently only works in Windows or Linux. The Mac OS version is under development).

N/A

T-1 network connection

Fast multicast network is recommended.

N/A

Total

$120

 

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Last modified 6/28/04.