Presentations
What you can do
- Remove the problem of using presentation material during video conferencing by distributing a copy beforehand, OR
- Use our web collaboration program, Bridgit, to show your presentation. This method is used for our lectures and tutorials. This requires installing Bridgit on PC's connected to the network of participating sites, OR
- be trained in how to show presentation material over video conferencing and it's limitations from your site administrator.
Removing risk
- Put your presentation material onto a CD and test it works and looks correct on a Windows PC.
- Ensure you are comfortable operating all the equipment to the extent necessary for your presentation.
- Arrive early to setup.
- Copy your presentation file onto the PC's hard disk (eg: on the Desktop) so it runs faster.
- Bring your laptop as a backup.
Why is presentation material such a problem?
A lot of video conferencing equipment cannot show presentation material in an ideal way.
Resolution: A lot of equipment can only do video resolution (CIF - 352 x 288 pixels), whereas a normal PC screen (XGA - 1024 x 768 pixels) is 7 times the resolution. CIF resolution only allows large and clear content in presentation material to be able to be seen.
Dual Streaming: A lot of video conferencing sites cannot do dual streaming. Dual streaming allows for the persons to be seen on one screen and the presentation material to be seen on another screen. Without this, the host site needs to be switching between the presentation material and the presenter otherwise only one can be seen by the other sites.
Inputs: Many video conferencing sites are not setup to connect to a PC, laptop, document camera, etc.
H.239: Even with the best equipment, there is still some incompatability in showing presentation material between different brands of video conferencing machines. A new protocol called H.239 should allow us to solve this in a few months.