HP SkyRoom Frequently Asked Questions

Transcription

1 HP SkyRoom Frequently Asked Questions September 2009 Background... 2 Using HP SkyRoom... 3 Why HP SkyRoom?... 4 Product FYI... 4

2 Background What is HP SkyRoom? HP SkyRoom is a visual collaboration solution that enables individuals to visually connect and communicate face to face in high-definition 1 and share dynamic rich multimedia applications with high fidelity from their desktop. How does HP SkyRoom work? Users are connected via peer-to-peer communication through its instant messaging like client interface. Once HP SkyRoom is loaded onto user s desktops, users simply connect to their selected buddy(s) from the HP SkyRoom contact list. Once connected, users can communicate by video or extend their collaboration session to include reviewing documents, videos or 3-D models in real time. How many people can I connect to? You can connect with up to three other locations in a video session. Do I have to have an HP computer to run HP SkyRoom? No. This application is vendor agnostic and can be loaded onto any PC running Microsoft Windows XP platform, as long as it meets the system s minimum performance requirements which are dual-core GHz, 2 GB RAM. How much does HP SkyRoom cost? HP SkyRoom is pre-installed on the HP Z Workstation platforms (beginning in October 1, 2009). However, users that own PCs, desktops or notebooks, can purchase HP SkyRoom application starting at $149 for a single license, along with accessories such as a webcam, headset or speakers in order to complete their communication environment s needs. Can I use any webcam and headset with the HP SkyRoom software? HP has tested a variety of webcams and headsets, and found all tested components operated properly with HP SkyRoom. However, HP cannot guarantee that any and all webcams and headsets available in the market will work properly. Moreover, to achieve the best quality and compatibility levels using the HP SkyRoom Standard Hardware Kit is highly recommended. Is there an option to not use a headset? Yes. There is also the option for desktop workstation or PC owners to purchase a separate set of HP-recommended desktop speakers and microphone (the HP SkyRoom Desktop Audio Kit) which allows for mobility within the office or for multiple users in one location to participate in a conference. Note that this kit also includes a PCI Express audio card, which is required to obtain proper echo cancellation. 1 HD content and HD capable monitor required to view HD images. Internet access required. Performance dependent on network latency and image frame content. 2 Dual-Core is a new technology designed to improve performance of multithreaded software products and hardware-aware multitasking operating systems and may require appropriate operating system software for full benefit. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. 2

3 Can I run external speakers and a microphone with HP SkyRoom? Yes, SkyRoom supports an external speaker and microphone setup for a desktop PC or workstation with the HP Skyroom Desktop Audio (PCIe) Kit, to facilitate meetings with more than one participant at one end or mobility within an office environment. The kit contains USB-powered tower speakers, a unidirectional microphone and a SoundBlaster X-Fi Titanium PCIe Audio Card. Echo cancellation will not be guaranteed if other audio devices are used in lieu of the HP SkyRoom Desktop Audio kit. Using HP SkyRoom Can I call other conference room video conferencing devices or other desktop video chat clients? At this time HP SkyRoom systems can only connect to other HP SkyRoom systems. Can I call other users on other instant messaging clients? You cannot connect directly with a third-party instant messaging client using HP SkyRoom. Can I call others who are outside my organization? At this time, HP SkyRoom users can only call other HP SkyRoom users within the same corporate network. HP SkyRoom also supports connections from users who are not physically located on the corporate network to connect to others via VPN; allowing users the mobility and flexibility they need to stay connected without physically being in the same location. What is the easiest way to add to other users? Users connect through an IM-like client s contact list, similar to a buddy list, using other HP SkyRoom users display names. Adding a HP SkyRoom contact is simple when leveraging the OCS/Jabber Directory Services feature. The user list will automatically be populated with the same contacts found in one s OCS or Jabber list. The presence indicator is based on whether a user is logged into HP SkyRoom rather than being logged into OCS or Jabber. If an organization does not use Jabber or OCS, users can add users through the creation of a personal contact list. Users simply add their contact s HP SkyRoom ID and IP address. Are there other options if my organization does not have an internal directory server but requires features like presence? Organizations can leverage external Jabber/XMPP based directories such as Google Talk/Gmail as long as the external directory server is specified in the HP SkyRoom client. Users within that organization must be registered with that directory server and must be associated with each other on that server. The use of an external directory server does not imply that collaboration sessions can be made with other participants outside the organization s network, unless through a VPN. What types of applications and content can I share? With HP SkyRoom, you share a region of the PC client s desktop (or the entire desktop). Any type of application that your PC supports, from office document applications to rich 3D graphics files can be included in the region being shared, allowing tremendous flexibility and performance for sharing content. 3

4 Can I use multiple monitors with HP SkyRoom? Yes, the HP SkyRoom application can span multiple monitors. Please note that when sharing content, the content being shared must reside in a single monitor. However, the video conferencing window can reside on another monitor. Why HP SkyRoom? What are the benefits to video collaboration? Video allows real-time communication and collaboration without the hassle and time involved in travelling to off-site locations. By providing a setting that enables participants to be more engaged and active in the conference, compared to the telephone or , it: Increases productivity among users Increases the speed of the decision-making process because of its ability for immediate feedback Improves business processes Is more convenient than meeting face-to-face What is unique to the HP video collaboration solution? Unlike other applications, HP SkyRoom concurrently provides both high-definition 1 video conferencing and rich multimedia application sharing (including 3D), all in real time, up to 24 fps, from the desktop, with a desktop sharing resolution up to 2560x1600. How does HP SkyRoom differ from other video collaboration applications? Other video collaboration solutions do not have the application-sharing capability to share 3D graphics or video files simultaneously within the video conferencing session. How can I apply HP SkyRoom to my existing business process? HP SkyRoom can be used among employees to collaborate on projects. With its applicationsharing and rich graphics sharing capabilities, collaborating parties can more quickly discuss and amend working documents and projects. How does HP SkyRoom compare to HP Halo? HP Halo is a fantastic, immersive, dedicated conferencing and collaboration solution, giving customers the ability to meet with colleagues in different locations and have a true you are there experience. HP SkyRoom brings some (but certainly not all) of that benefit down to the PC client desktop, at a price that enables mass deployment of a rich video collaboration experience within an organization. Product FYi What are the system requirements for running HP SkyRoom? Microsoft Windows XP 32-bit or x64, a 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor 2 (or equivalent AMD), and 2 GB of system memory. HP SkyRoom performance is optimal when four (or more) processing cores are used. Note that the HP SkyRoom Desktop Audio Kit also includes a PCI Express audio card, which is required to obtain proper echo cancellation. How does licensing work? HP SkyRoom has three different types of licensing: 1. Starting October 1, 2009, each HP Z Workstation will have a licensed copy of HP SkyRoom pre-installed on it. This is the simplest way to obtain HP SkyRoom. 4

5 2. Node locked licenses for each PC client are also available. Note that the PC client s MAC address is required for this license. 3. For large deployments, floating licensing is also available. The number of seats in a floating license deployment is determined by user need. Floating licensing operates on a first in and first out basis, so when users log on, they take up a licensing seat and release the license when they log off. A resident license server inside the user s environment is required for this licensing implementation 4. Note that the single and floating license delivery may be electronic (via ) or physical (via physical shipment) depending on where you live. Are my video sessions secured? How can I be sure others will not be able to access the data exchanged during a conference without permission? HP SkyRoom provides a high level of security by encrypting all streams of media audio, video, and data, which are encrypted with AES 256 bit encryption, so users can rest assured the information shared across the network is secured. How much bandwidth does HP SkyRoom use for video conferencing? Bandwidth is dependent on the resolution of the video and the additional features being used at a given time in your conferencing session. So, while the lowest resolution conference consumes around 400 kbps, with HP SkyRoom s high-definition video, excellent audio quality, and fast application sharing, the bandwidth required can start around 1 Mbps for a two-way conference and increase with the number of participants involved in the conference. How much bandwidth will application sharing require? The bandwidth required by application sharing depends on the type of file you are sharing. Static images or files will take minimal bandwidth while 3D models or videos will require more bandwidth. What protocols does HP SkyRoom use for communication? HP SkyRoom leverages the RTP protocol for exchanging media traffic, but the negotiations between the different calling parties is handled by proprietary HP engines. How does the desktop collaboration component work within HP SkyRoom? The desktop sharing component takes an image-based approach. Conceptually, it reads the final image displayed on the monitor, compresses the image, sends it over the network, and decompresses and displays it on the remote system monitor. What does image-based mean? The remote access implementation method which HP SkyRoom uses is called image based. This method transfers only final image data (pixels) over the network. No part of the original data is sent. In contrast, protocol based implementations sends a combination of data and rendering commands, exposing data to security threats and relies on client side rendering power. Is there a text chat tool? At this time, there is no text chat tool available to HP SkyRoom users. However, HP SkyRoom can be used alongside your favorite text chat tool. Additionally, in a HP SkyRoom video session, users can easily share thoughts via video and follow up in the form of documents through the application sharing component or through HP SkyRoom s desktop sharing capability. 5

6 Can I adjust the video windows? When in a conference session, the video layout automatically adjusts to provide the maximum viewing area of each participant window in the available HP SkyRoom window. HP SkyRoom also offers the option to minimize the sender s window and other participant windows if in a multi-party conference in order to maximize the viewing area of the primary presenter in the conference. Does HP SkyRoom integrate with other office applications? Yes. HP SkyRoom can integrate with Microsoft OCS and Jabber, which enables users to leverage their existing contacts in OCS/Jabber to create and populate their HP SkyRoom contact list. Can I send HP SkyRoom meeting invites to offline participants? HP SkyRoom can launch a Microsoft Outlook appointment window so users can schedule meetings with participants that are offline. Is there a way to easily control the application s settings? There is a settings panel that is accessible to the user that governs various components of the collaboration experience, from video and audio resolution and quality to other settings required for connecting to other users in the network. Users can easily modify these settings to optimize their experience. As an IT manager, what sort of management tools do I have available? HP SkyRoom provides an administrator configuration file that is installed on each client, and it lists different parameters that govern bandwidth, video resolution and other related items. The IT administrator can modify this file and push out to all HP SkyRoom clients to ensure the video collaboration deployment meets corporate IT standards. Can HP Remote Graphics Software (RGS) coexist with HP SkyRoom? Yes. HP SkyRoom uses technology based on HP RGS. Customers can have standalone HP RGS software/license and an HP SkyRoom software/license installed on the same PC client. How is HP SkyRoom warranted and supported? The HP SkyRoom software is warranted for 90 days after purchase of the standalone product or HP Workstation with the software preinstalled. The 90-day limited warranty includes setup, use, and troubleshooting phone support for the HP SkyRoom software itself. For users who would like phone support beyond one year, 1 year Phone Support Care Packs are also available. Contact your account manager for additional details. Note that network troubleshooting and optimization is not included. The hardware kits offered by HP for use on HP SkyRoom carry a 1-year limited warranty Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Vista are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. September,