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CADE Studio Control Requirements

The CADE Studio Control system can be installed with the support servers, database, and instructor's console on a single system, every server on a different server, or any mix thereof.  All the necessary application software may be installed from the web or an installation CD.

Studio Control (Instructor's PC) Hardware

• IBM Compatible PC
• Connection to the Internet/Intranet
• 2nd video card or double output video card**
• 1mb disk storage

** = Output for histogram, PowerPoint slides, computer animation

Video Connection

The Studio Control PC has an extra video card to show the PowerPoint slides, histograms, etc. that connects that to the studio's video switcher via a scan converter.  The scan converter takes the video from a PC and converts it into a format that can be shown on a TV set. It needs to support PC video resolutions of 800x600 or 1024x768.

Studio Control Operating Software

• Windows 95/98/SE/ME/NT/XP/2000/2003
• Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher

If you are running NT, it has to be NT 4.0 service pack 5.

CADE Studio Control Servers

In addition to the Studio Control program, the CADE system requires the installation of a number of support servers.  These can be installed on the same system as the Studio Control program or loaded individually on separate PCs.

• LMW - Learning Management Web

• DataComm - Manage remote communication & data access

• PortServer - Manage component location and IP addresses

• Audio Server - Manage streaming audio from sites

• HelpDesk Staff - Communicate with remote sites

• HelpDesk Redirector - Redirects requests to all staff

• Automat - Automatic Studio Control scheduler

• Watcher - Automation control

All systems use the base platform described above.  Use the Studio Control program's hardware and software requirements as the starting platform.  Certain servers need additional hardware and/or software components.

CADE Learning Management Web

The Learning Management Web functions are provided through a Internet Information Server.  Nearly all of the pages of the LMW are Active Server Pages and integrated with the database server.

Operating Software Upgrade

• Windows NT, XP Pro, 2000 Server, 2003 Server .Net
• Internet Information Server with FrontPage extensions
• FTP Server and user account with write permissions
• Windows Media Server (recorded audio questions)
• .Net Framework*
• Static IP address
• 20mb disk storage

* = MS .Net Framework required for SCORM run-time environment only

CADE DataComm Server 

The DataComm's job is to communicate with the remote sites on one side, the Studio Control program on the other, and perform all database activity.  An installation may have one or more DataComms to spread the communication and data access loads.  A single DataComm is sufficient to handle over 3,000 concurrent users.

Operating Software Upgrade

• SQL Server or ODBC compliant database
• Windows NT, XP Pro, 2000 Server, 2003 Server .Net
• Static IP address
• Disk storage appropriate for size of company

Audio Server

The Audio Server provides a target for the remote site's audio when a participant is speaking with the instructor.  Typically, it's located in the studio where the output from the speaker jack on the sound card can be routed to the audio mixer and uplinked with the instructor's audio and video.

Hardware Upgrade

• Sound card

Audio from PC to Audio Mixer

The audio is output from the speaker jack in the PC into the audio mixing equipment. Typically, a level matching box in the studio that balances the audio using a cable with a 3.5mm mini-plug in the PC side and right/left RCA connectors on the other. The RCA plugs into the level matching box and into the audio mixer with a 3 pin XLR connector. 

Optional POTS/PBX Audio Connections

When using POTS/PBX rather than VoIP, another option for getting the caller's audio into the mixing equipment is an auto-answer telephone coupler. The coupler plugs into the phone line and automatically answers on the first ring. Its connected with an RJ-11 phone jack for the audio in and a 3 pin XLR connector to the audio mixer. 

Port Server

The Port Server's job is to manage and communicate the location of the servers to the rest of the CADE system.

Software Upgrade

• Static IP address

The Interactive Studio

The CADE system has been designed to minimize the need for extensive technical support and expensive equipment.   The CADE Studio Control system has been designed to require only the interactive instructor or presenter and a support technician.  

Interactive Instructor / Presenter Roles

• Presents course or program material
• Selects video shots with the touch screen video switch
• Runs the PowerPoint presentation
• Calls on or answers remote participant calls

Interactive Support Technician Roles

• Assists with video selection, PowerPoint slides
• Queues videos, CDs, DVDs
• Makes video recordings on tape or DVD
• Adjusts sound volume and video quality 

The studio itself can be as simple as a good quality video camcorder for a primary camera to a TV broadcast quality configuration with multiple cameras, sound-proof rooms, and mixing equipment.  The typical components in an interactive studio would include:

• Studio Control PC and software
• PowerPoint PC
• Touch screen video selection switch
• Fixed camera on the presenter/instructor
• Movable cameras for different angles or groups
• TV monitor for presenter/instructor to see broadcast output
• Overhead camera or document camera
• Cassette player, VCR, or DVD player
• Low heat lightning
• Video encoder connected to a backhaul channel

The signal from the studio can be broadcast in a variety of different ways depending on the satellite system in use.  The signal is "backhauled" to an uplink facility where it is carried from the studio to the uplink antenna and then sent to a specific satellite.  The backhaul typically will be one of the following:

• T1 or T3 terrestrial lines
• Fiber optic line
• Direct uplink from the studio

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