This school we are working at has a new building and the elevator didn't pass inspection today. They need a remote Classroom setup for handicap kids to attend class on e third floor from the computer lab on the first floor.

Basically video and audio both ways. My idea is just an ip cam with mic on each end and a pc at each location. My concern is that the ip cam at the back of the classroom will pick up too much audio so a wireless mic for the teacher would be ideal. They have plenty of bandwidth via intranet but limited Internet bandwidth.

Any ideas, this may turn into their permanent backup portable solution, so cam and pc will be on carts.

?

I'd think elevator companies would have these as options, no matter how old your elevator is.


"Just" a PC at each end? A PC in the elevator? And for a mic to be effective at its end, you're really going to need a speaker at the other end! So now, mic, camera, amp, speaker, some kind of switching -- or will this be duplex?

I'd now really want to see what the elevator company, or elevator maintenance company, knows about this kind of setup. You know, hire a pro!


These seems to be getting more and more complicated. Will the teacher be carrying a little wireless speaker? Don't think I'm criticizing -- I have a reputation for coming up with terribly complicated answers to simple things.


Now dizzyingly confusing. Cam and PC to communicate via wireless anywhere in the school? And where are the speakers?

Edit: we've all seen wireless fail in different circumstances for different reasons. Pretend that, with what you know, you've got a kid in that class and someone is proposing wireless for the emergency communication with the elevator. Copper is still better than wireless. If you're going to go wireless, maybe you should find a way to put a good old analog walkie talkie into the elevator; one with the kind of reliability that police and fire radio systems have. Eventually this is a safety issue and it could be life or death, especially if the wireless just happens to be down.

I'm with you edizzle....?

I get what your wanting but, what's the deal with the connection?

Are you planning on using the intranet?
Are you planning shooting point to point between the buildings? (making your own network)
Are you planning on using the internet?
How are the two buildings linked now?

How are planning on attaching a lapel mic to the ip cam?

If the elevator failed inspection I am assuming from the facts given you need a audio/video communication system between elevator and outside world for life safety. In that case, I think the ADA will apply (Americans with Disabilities Act) and/or the NPFA. The OP's are correct in expressing the practicality of using cameras and mics.

Please elaborate about the project, further, so I can understand the scope of your project.

Guys, I think he means since the elevator in the primary building failed ADA inspection they are needing to have those that are handicapped located in a remote classroom. Nevertheless....Sounds like a solution for Crestron video conferencing. Call your rep and have them design you a system to meet your needs if you're not familiar with their product offerings in this area.

 Thanks Tweeterguy, you are correct. I basically need a video conference setup that only needs to utilize their local network. I'm sure a full video conference setuip would be ideal, but not very realistic to implement by this weekend. 

Think Skype, but without using the internet. 

Ernie, computer's have speakers. I think an IP cam on each end and a computer will get them by until we can implement a solid VC system. Many Ip cameras have external mic inputs so the teacher can wear the pic as to not pick up all the classroom noise. 

Tweeter, I wasn't aware that Crestron had video conferencing solutions?

Never tried running skype on the LAN only. Interesting.


LOL

Do you have intranet from building to building?

not being a dick but your description is lacking terribly. i can get the gist but.....

let me get all ernie on that ass.

a remote system for handicap kids? that could go so many ways.

an ip cam with mic on each end and a pc at each location. are end and location same thing?

Any ideas, this may turn into their permanent backup portable solution, so cam and pc will be on carts. again cryptic at best.

how many endpoints? it only needs to go to one teachers room? what if she is gone for restroom break or recess? do multiple teachers need access to the elevator camera stream?
what is it for? will it be located outside of the elevator so a handicap child can alert that help is required? is it inside the elevator to monitor their ride up and down?

-Why couldn't you use skype? I think the routing protocol and/or session setup is capable of knowing both parties are local.
-Apple Facetime
-Google Voice

if it is truly point to point a sony google TV has everything you need in one unit. just add the camera. or a googletv box with the camera. or what would be truly up to the task and native intranet or internet support would be the lifesize express. simply enter the ip address of other unit and connect

Indeed they do. For exactly the situation you are dealing with.

tweeter what product are you talking about?

I think Skype and some slim clients would work fine.

I called and they siad they can control VTC systems, but don't make one.

Sorry to everyone for being to vague, was in a rush.

The don't want a solution that relies on internet access as that is where their network has bottleneck issues. The entire campus is on a single 10gig network and interconnected via fiber. 

They would like a solution that run's on their internal network. The camera in the classroom either needs to be high enough res to be able to zoom in and read the white board, or it needs to be a PTZ. It should also auto focus, as the idea is to have these systems setup on carts that could be used in any classroom. 

The system needs to incorperate a micrphone for each location so that the student can hear the teacher and the teacher can hear the student.

Skype would probably make the best interface if there is a way to use it only on a local network. However, I would have to find a very high quality computer cam and don't have a clue where to start.

I have explained to them in depth that the correct, easy to use, reliable solution that they need, just can be done in the time frame. No matter what, because they are looking for a solution that can be portable, i'm not sure how solid of a complete solution they can achieve even with a great VTC setup. 

They said they just HAVE to have SOMETHING in place on monday and they completely understand that whatever they get is simply the best solution that the time frame alotted and definitely not the best or even correct solution. Just a jack to hold the car up while you are getting the new tire put on the rim.