Video Kiosks

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20100

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#170901 30-Mar-2015 14:22

Not sure if it is the correct forum, but here we go:

We are looking for solution for a big (42 to 50") LCD screen with permanent video feed. The idea is to have the screen mounted on wall in each office, with staff just turning up in front the screen to start a casual meeting/communication without any need to login/keyboard,etc. like a permanent Skype session or similar but with nothing to do!
Ideally the audio and video would be built in the unit (like a giant Ipad!)

I wonder if someone is aware of any units that would do that or a combinaison on unit for built-in hardware for example + Raspberry Pi for software?

Thanks in advance

sidefx

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#1273438 30-Mar-2015 14:24

Something like this?

http://blogs.atlassian.com/2011/12/developer-lives-saved-with-portal-device/

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lxsw20

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#1273441 30-Mar-2015 14:28

So how would you initiate the call? Is it just office to office or are multiple offices involved? If multiple offices then how does it know where to call?

Nothing I know of that's as simple as that, but the Cisco/Polycom Video Conferencing gear is pretty good. Don't expect any change from 10k per site for Cisco, probably similar for Polycom. You would have to buy the codec and then a stand alone LCD (TV).

Or a cheaper option but you need a PC in the mix plus TV, Lifesize soft console and the Logitech ConferenceCam CC3000e, but then you need a mouse and keyboard.

nathan

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#1273446 30-Mar-2015 14:32

that and more

later this year

Surface Hub from Microsoft

https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-surface-hub/en-us

littlehead

214 posts

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#1273450 30-Mar-2015 14:38

If you just want Skype then perhaps a big tv plus Logitech TvCamHD?

taneb1

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Mercury

#1273452 30-Mar-2015 14:43

We use the Polycom system's at work to communicate between our two offices with 42' Screen's and the Camera mounted on top.
To make a call you just pick up the remote, open the phone book and hit call - haven't found anyone that couldn't figure it out yet.
As mentioned previously I can imagine it would be pretty pricy

If your looking for a cheap option then I would suggest possibly a Samsung smart TV and Skype? Can be operated using the remote but would require you to buy the camera seperatley

Any comments made are my personal views and does not represent those of my employer

20100

21 posts

Geek

#1273954 31-Mar-2015 09:17

Thanks for your input
Lots of food for thought.

The Portal and Microsoft solutions look good.
The Portal sounds interesting especially as we have a few spare old macmini floating around. However, I am not too sure we would have the skills internally to build such unit
Would someone knows when the Microsoft solution might be available? and what sort of price? Because it does many other things, it might be too costly. Hopefully not, as it seems quite easy to use

To answer some of the questions raised: this is only for 2 offices. The idea is to have the 2 screen permanently connected with minimum or no interaction from staff (ie no keyboard, even no remote).
We already have a Polycom unit in a meeting room, but the idea here is to create a more social and spontaneous atmosphere (even just to say hello) where staff do not have to book a room to talk/see each other and just walk to the screen located in an open area.

I remember many years ago seeing some sort of Kiosk from Telecom where people could just talk, see and been seen to perfect strangers located in different cities like Auckland, Christchurch, etc
This is something like that we are after...

Thanks

raytaylor

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#1276983 4-Apr-2015 02:09

Easy. Just go to noel leemings and buy a 42" tv with skype built in.
You can get a logitech remote where you program a sequence of button presses. So if the tv ever turns off, you can point the logitech remote at the tv, and press a button and your pre-programmed keys and timing will be pressed to re-start up the tv, open skype and call the other end.

Alternatively, perhaps a 42" tv connected to a computer with good old netmeeting and autohotkey. Press a button on the keyboard, and autohotkey opens netmeeting and calls the other end

Ray Taylor

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