|
|
| Ryerson Home > Rogers Communications Centre > Technology > RCC-357 |
 |
 |
RCC-357 - Hybrid Computing Media Lab Click Here For The RCC-357 Hybrid Computing Media Lab Schedule For This Month. Click Here For The RCC-357 Hybrid Computing Media Lab Schedule For Next Month. Click Here for lab closedown list Click Here for the vending machine sign up form.  The Hybrid Computing Media Lab's (RCC-357) - purpose is to address the technological environment for the production of Physical Computing related to New Media installations and the development of curricula and production space related to Mobile computing. Part of the Mixed Reality Production Cluster the lab centres on the use of MAX/MSP and Jitter software employing a combination of thirty-five 2.4GHz and 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo MacBooks and MacBook Pro's with 15 inch wide screen displays for the development of interactive multimedia installations. The MacBooks connect to shared sound effects server while on campus via iTunes as well as Ryerson's Virtual Application server providing access to Adobe Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Stock Photos, Maple 11, MATLAB R2007a, Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Word, SAS 9 1 and SPSS 15. The lab also contains a plethora of gaming and mobile devices that include an Apple iPod, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS Lite, XO One Laptop Per Child, SONY PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, SONY Playstation Portable, Nokia N800 NSeries Internet Tablet, HP iPAQ hx2490 Pocket PC and an Envision 32-inch LCD TV. The combination of ATSC high definition broadcast WI-FI, Bluetooth and peer to peer in the UPuP environment are establishing new kinds of collaboration networks critical to the next generation media production workflow and design. Hybrid Media also involves the emerging area of Open Source software as it relates to media production and distribution. Technology is available including three XO (One Laptop Per Child) laptops, a number of triple boot Linux, OSx, and Windows computers that are used to study, test and develop Open Source media software. The study will not only assists students in the Centre in better understanding high quality Open Source media production tools as they emerge but is useful in the development of research projects as Ryerson's communication based Graduate programs come on-line in the next few years. This lab, that has the potential to operate on a 24 hour a day basis, has the personality of a “quick change artist” and is able to do this in conjunction with the use of mobile tables and cabinets. The lab has over 50 Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro computers assigned to it. They are split into two 15 unit mobile carts so concurrent classes can run in RCC-359A (The Mixed Reality Lab). In addition the RCC is in the process of obtaining a dedicated Mac OS X Server that will NetInstall disk images on these laptops. That means that students can download and install software, and then following their use the working disk image can be re-installed on the computer from the server over the network. This fall the lab grow to allow students to sign out and return up to 10 MacBooks 24 hours a day to provide 24 hour access to the unique software found in this lab. Look for the NetInstall and the MacBook loan service to start in November 2008. The MacBooks hardware specifications are as follows; 15 MacBook Pro's - with 13” Screen, 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 250GB Serial ATA 5400 rpm Hard Drive and SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW).  Twenty MacBooks - with 13” Screen, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB SDRAM, 250GB Serial ATA 5400 rpm Hard Drive and SuperDrive 8x. Thirteen MacBooks - with 13” Screen, 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB SDRAM, 160GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive and SuperDrive 8x.  Two MacBook Pro's - with 15-inch Widescreen Display, 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, SuperDrive 8x, 160GB Hard Drive @ 7200 rpm, 2GB SDRAM. The lab has some outboard production components that are required for the production relating to projection, audio recording and audio playback.  The lab maintains an inventory of five Panasonic PT-LB51U projectors were obtained for Mixed Reality related activities.  For quality audio recording two M-AUDIO Fast Track Pro's were added to the inventory.  For quality audio playback, five Roland MA-7A Amplified Digital Micro-Monitors are being obtained for the HCL inventory.  In conjunction with an inventory of Physical Computing Hardware which consists of tools, electronic parts and scopes a large inventory of disguarded PC's and electronic devices has been is amassed for use in the HCL. Two Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera's with 1AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization Lenses and accompanying Hakuba S4500 tripod that operate as input devices for the labs cadre of iStopMotion animation software. The use of these camera's with the iStopMotion software allows animators to overlay their previous frame over the live image which is a great aid in the animation process. Two Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera's with 18-55mm DX II Zoom Lenses and accompanying Hakuba S4500 tripod that operate as input devices for the labs cadre of iStopMotion animation software. The use of these camera's with the iStopMotion software allows animators to overlay their previous frame over the live image which is a great aid in the animation process. For experimental and installation development six Sabrent SBT-WCCK USB colour web cameras with built-in audio microphones. This camera captures images in 24-bit color at 352x288 resolution.  For experimental and installation development fiveHueHD Flex Neck USB colour web cameras for Windows and Mac OS X. The camera has a brilliant high resolution picture and great sound through an internal USB microphone. It is simple to install and compatible with Skype, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AIM and iChat (Mac OS X v10.4.9 required for iChat support). The webcam’s innovative and versatile design offers limitless positioning options. Users can leave the Hue in its base or connect the flexible neck directly to a laptop’s USB port for optimal mobility.  One TwinPact100 which is a multifunctional video converter that features on-screen graphics to analog and digital video conversion, digital video capture of on-screen graphics and bidirectional analog/digital video conversion. The unit integrates track and zoom technology.  Known as the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) computer, three XO laptops are available to the Hybrid Computer Lab. A key feature of the XO it that it creates its own mesh network, features a 7.5 inch, 1200×900 pixel, TFT screen that displays at 200 DPI. The unit consumes one tenth the power of what a standard laptop consumes.The Hybrid Computing Lab also contains technology was for the development of curricula related to Mobile computing. This includes a complement of mobile and networked gaming devices that provides an instance of each mainstream gaming system as well each mainstream mobile operating system and device involved in the creation of networked mobile devices. While the technology obtained is ideal for demonstrating the current state of the art in personal and mobile communications/entertainment is also provides a great test bed for interconnecting and moving media between various consumer systems. Most of the systems connect wirelessly by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Ethernet and interoperate with the 802.11n wireless network established in the Mixed Reality Production cluster. Others use a PC or MAC as the intermediary to the network while others will have to connect by wired Ethernet. These gaming and mobile devices include;  Apple iPod 80 Gig - It plays videos, home movies, video podcasts, iPod games, audiobooks, photo albums, music plus materials for Apple University. It downloads content in a mediated manner through an Apple or PC computer.  Nintendo Wii - amongst the most popular selling game console system. The Wii console communicates wirelessly with the Internet via wireless or a Wii LAN adaptor. Wii also can connect wirelessly with Nintendo DS. The controller that comes with the Wii has been used to control a number of other third party applications as Nintendo has released the Javascript control code. Nintendo DS Lite - that has developed from a handheld game console developed in 2004. The console features a clamshell design, with two LCD screens inside - one of which is a touch-sensitive screen, a microphone for special gameplay and voice communication during online gaming, and stereo speakers that provide virtual surround sound. It can operate tirelessly, browse the web, play MP3 music and interoperate with a Nintendo Wii for game play. SONY PlayStation 3 - which is a video game console thats primary storage media is the Blu-ray Disc. It supports SACD, DVD and CD's. It can output high-definition video for both video games and movies supporting up to 1080p HD resolution. DVD-Video, PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games can be upscaled to high-definition. AVC High Profile (H.264/MPEG-4) format video is supported as is wireless 802.11g and it enables users on a home network to use the PS3 to view images, listen to music, or play videos that are stored on their DLNA-compatible devices (including PC's and laptops) and PS3's can be accessed via network from anywhere in the world.The PlayStation 3 runs Linux and SONY recently announced PlayStation Home, a new community based service for the PlayStation Network, which allows users to create an avatar character for their PlayStation 3 console. This avatar will get their own house, which can be adorned by items players can receive in several achievements. In the future the service will also expand, allowing players to have more sorts of clothing, as well as hold pets. Home will be a Second Life-like experience and will allow gamers everywhere to interact in a virtual world.  Microsoft Xbox 360 - which is a video game console that includes a detachable 20 GB Hard Disc Drive for storage, a wireless controller, and a live headset. An MPEG-2 decoder is included for DVD video playback. VC-1 or WMV is used for streaming video and other video is compressed using VC-1 at non-HD NTSC and PAL resolutions or WMV HD. The console also supports H.263 and H.264 MPEG-4 videos. The unit has a built-in 100BASE-TX 8P8C Ethernet port and three USB ports. The Xbox 360 can connect to via an optional wireless network adapter. Play Station Portable 3000- which is a handheld game console that can connect to the Internet via a wireless network through Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b. By connecting to the Internet, players can compete against other players also connected to the Internet, or browse the web and download files to the Memory Stick via the built-in browser. It also allows for 2-16 players to create a local, ad-hoc network for multiplayer gameplay. In this ad-hoc scenario one unit acts as the host for a game, which is available to other PlayStation Portable units within that system's range, and appears in a list when the client PlayStation Portable searches for available hosts. The Ad-Hoc network can also be used to send images from one PlayStation Portable to another.
Homebrew developers have made Microsoft Windows like portals through the browser to make it look like their PSP systems were running Windows. The PlayStation Portable features a standard IrDA port located on the top left of the device. This can be used to control many TVs as well as other infrared devices. this new version of the PlayStation Portable has a built-in microphone and a better screen. The screen of the PSP-3000 is able to resist glare, so it will work better outdoors Nokia N800 Nseries Internet Tablet - which is probably the best device in the HCL's fleet for developing custom interactive applications. It is designed for wireless Internet browsing, e-mail functions and includes software such as Internet radio, an RSS news reader, image viewer and media players for selected types of media. Connectivity includes IEEE 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, and USB 2.0. Its display resolution is 800×480, it contains 2 full-sized Secure Digital card slots and a built-in webcam. For audio it has a microphone, stereo speakers, FM radio tuner, 3.5 mm Headphone jack that's compatible with standard stereo headphones, but also containing a fourth pin with microphone input.
The operating system employed by the N800 is Internet Tablet OS 2007 which is a modified version of Debian GNU/Linux. Because its an open system the N800 takes advantage of open source applications and programming. There are many third party applications available to it such as;
 HP iPAQ hx2490 Pocket PC - is amongst the best Pocket PC's on the market, running Windows Mobile 5. The hx line of iPAQ's offers great performance, dual wireless, excellent displays and durable designs with this model employing a 520 MHz processor, plenty of flash ROM for program and file storage, WiFi, Bluetooth, an SD slot and a CF type II slot for I/O. This unit will allow for testing of applications using Windows mobile. Envision 32-inch LCD TV - For display of these systems the lab has obtained one Envision L32W461 32-inch LCD TV that features built-in HDTV and digital cable tuners and two composite, two s-video, and two Component YcbCr/YPbPr (480i/480p/720p/1080i) inputs along with an HDMI digital interface. It features a16:9 panel (1366 x 768 pixels) with a high 550 cd/m2 brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio rating and an 8 ms response time allows fast transition between frames. It has a 176 degree viewing angle which means the picture can be seen from almost any point in a room. The unit has 20 watt speakers with an S/PDIF digital audio interface while its built-in VGA support doubles as a PC monitor.In 2010 the Hybrid Computing Lab aded the following technology;  Q3 Handy Video Recorders - For Internet video that needs to be collected simply and on the fly, the lab has obtained two Q3 Handy Video recorders that brings Zoom's renowned audio technology to the camcorder, making it amongst the best sounding video camcorders on the market. http://bit.ly/dc86aeClick Here for an info sheet on the Q3 Handy Video Recorders. Click Here for a User Manual for the Q3 Handy Video Recorders.  KODAK's i8 Pocket Video Camera captures in 1080p HD video. The unit stays in focus and employs integrated image stabilization. One can watch all the collected video on an HDTV or post it on Facebook™ or YouTube™ with a flick of the built-in USB arm. http://bit.ly/9ZEC5ZClick Here for an info sheet on the KODAK i8 Pocket Video Camera. Click Here for a User Manual for the KODAK i8 Pocket Video Camera.  MagicJack - To improve communication for students doing online collaborative streaming production and research, the RCC will work to update the RCC's conference rooms for online collaborative communications. In the short term it has equipped its loaner computers with Skype technology and has provided MagicJacks so students can have basic telephony when making use of the rooms to record podcasts or when undertaking online presentations. Longer term the RCC is considering how it might introduce camera technology in the rooms to provide an improved environment for online presentations. http://bit.ly/cglwIP MXL uChat AC-406 boundary microphones connect to a computer's USB port to provide a microphone and speaker for two-way conferencing over the internet via Skype™, AIM, iChat and other web conferencing software programs. The MXL uChat includes an electromagnetic speaker, a headphone output and delivers high quality sound. http://bit.ly/cqj1iLClick Here for an info sheet on the MXL uChat.  For multiperson conferencing over Skype the RCC has obtained IPEVO's Internet Conference Station X1-N6. The X1-N6 is USB plug and is compatible with all popular Internet communication applications, including Skype, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, iChat, Google Talk, and AIM, as well as VoIP systems like Avaya solutions or Microsoft Office Communicator. The unit provides business-level sound quality employing a 16-bit digital signal processor (DSP) and sampling rate of 16KHz. The unit is also full duplex, allowing for echo cancellation and background noise filtering for natural, high-quality voice transmission and reception. This superior sound technology also allows for a voice range of 5 meters (about 5.4 yards). http://bit.ly/aD8C6wClick Here for an info sheet on IPEVO's Internet Conference Station X1-N6. Click Here for a User Manual for the IPEVO Internet Conference Station X1-N6.  The Polycom Communicator CS100 provides a hands-free Skype experience. Based on the same technology used in Polycom's triangular SoundStation conference phones, the Skype-certified Polycom Communicator enables crystal-clear, natural conversations when using Skype. The device can be used for hands-free Skype calls, or plug into the built-in stereo headphone port for private conversations.Click Here for an info sheet on the Polycom Communicator CS100. Click Here for a User Manual for the Polycom Communicator CS100.  Handy Zoom H4N audio recorders are loaded with features and considered to be the best recording device for bloggers and podcasters, the H4N's boasts high-resolution audio at 24bit/96kHz and record on SD/SDHC media of up to 32GB. The units connect to PC's through USB 2.0 and are considered one of the top interfaces for exporting quality sound from computers. http://bit.ly/cTod0XClick Here for an info sheet on the Handy Zoom H4N. Click Here for a User Manual for the Handy Zoom H4N.  TASCAM's DP-004 Digital Pocketstudio is a small device and is a modern day "PortaStudio". It's smaller than a paperback book. The unit allows for four tracks of CD-quality digital recording onto SD media. It has two ¼" jack microphone inputs as well as one built in condenser mic, a display providing level indicators and employs traditional rotary knobs to adjust levels during recording. http://bit.ly/dpZMLAClick Here for an info sheet on the TASCAM DP-004 Digital Pocketstudio. Click Here for a User Manual for the TASCAM DP-004 Digital Pocketstudio.  For individuals who'd rather employ a more traditional microphone for computer recording, Samson Q2U USB/XLR Microphone with HP20 Headphones are good to consider. This kit contains a dynamic handheld microphone that features both an XLR output and a USB I/O. The mic can plug directly into any live sound console or any computer with a USB input. And the microphone's on/off switch allows for control the audio to the XLR output, allowing one to perform in a live setting and record to a computer simultaneously. The mic also features a built-in 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with volume control for no-latency monitoring during recording. The mic employs a cardioid pickup pattern and a high-quality A/D converter with a 16-bit, 48kHz sampling rate to ensure the sound reproduction in both live and recording applications is clear, detailed and accurate. It's also compatible with most computer based digital audio workstations. http://bit.ly/9tD6WmClick Here for an info sheet on the Samson Q2U USB/XLR Microphone with HP20 Headphones. Click Here for a User Manual for the Samson Q2U USB/XLR Microphone with HP20 Headphones.  To improve audio recording on the iTouch or iPhones MityMic microphones have been secured. The MityMic fits iDevices for conducting interviews, recording lectures/meetings/music or taking simple voice memos with minimal sound interference on your iPod Touch or iPhone.The snugly fitted 3.5mm gold-plated plug allows the MityMic a full 360 degree rotation while plugged into your iPod Touch or iPhone. The recording head extends from the base, minimizing collateral vibrations interference. A professional grade windscreen foam is included to protect your MityMic from moisture and to eliminate "pops" and noise from high volumes and windy environments. http://bit.ly/xKJRl Apple iTouch 64GB handsets allows most of what one can do online with a computer. Built-in Wi-Fi means allows one to check blogs, write email and attached photos. iPod touch is a pocket computer that allows one to watch movies and TV shows on a 3.5-inch display.
http://bit.ly/bnmLZP Apple iTouch 8GB handsets allows most of what one can do online with a computer. Built-in Wi-Fi means allows one to check blogs, write email and attached photos. iPod touch is a pocket computer that allows one to watch movies and TV shows on a 3.5-inch display. http://bit.ly/bnmLZP  The aGent V5 HD webcam is compatible on both Apple Mac and PC. They work with a laptop and a desktop or a widescreen iMac Having webcam clips for them all. aGent includes a desktop stand, a notebook clip and an LCD screen clip for PC flatscreens or the iMac screens. http://bit.ly/vqsBcClick Here for an info sheet on the aGent V5 HD webcam.  IPEVO Point 2 View USB Camera with a multi-jointed stand, handheld grip, and universal monitor clip for unlimited view options. It's a2 Megapixel USB web camera, with macro mode for excellent closeup images. It has a unique, multi-jointed stand, handheld grip, and universal monitor clip for unlimited view options and continuous or single-click autofocus for clarity and sharpness every time. It has a one-touch snapshot mode and is plug-and-play for both PC and Mac. http://bit.ly/6YukjaClick Here for an education flyer on the IPEVO Point 2 View USB Camera. Click Here for an info sheet on the IPEVO Point 2 View USB Camera. Click Here for an quickstart sheet on the IPEVO Point 2 View USB Camera. Click Here for a manual for the IPEVO Point 2 View USB Camera.  The FREETALK Everyman is a foldable super wideband audio "Skype certified" USB headset designed by Skype themselves. http://bit.ly/c20L0IClick Here for an info sheet on the IPEVO Point 2 View USB Camera.  The Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF Webcam improves video experience employing built-in Motorized Tracking Carl Zeiss optics with autofocus. Records HD quality video clips with up to 8-megapixel images (enhanced from native 2MP sensor). The motorized tracking will follow speakers and keep them in focus. http://bit.ly/16dPRClick Here for an information sheet on the Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF Webcam. Click Here for a manual for the Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF Webcam.  VGA2USB is a compact external VGA signal grabber capable of capturing output from virtually any VGA source-such as a Windows PC, a Macintosh OSX, a Unix machine, an embedded system, a medical device, scientific or lab equipment, and more. It can be used in the preparation of documentation, analyzing monitor-less systems and performing quality control on tested systems. It supports any application that requires the acquisition of VGA images, and enhances collaboration sessions.Click Here for a manual for the VGA2USB.  Logitech Compact Speakers (S125i) provide a speaker system for iPod's. It accepts iPod classic, iPod nano, or iPod touch and you can play and charge it with this speaker. http://bit.ly/d3kf7q The Blue Microphone Icicle hooks up any kind of microphone to your computer without the need of an additional balanced in/out mic preamp or sound card. Blue Microphone's Icicle is an XLR-to-USB audio interface letting you use both dynamic and condenser mics. The 48V phantom power switch allows you to plug and play any condenser mics while the adjustable analog gain control allows trimming the input values. The inner electronics provide 16-bit/44.1kHz analog to digital conversion. No are drivers needed. The USB-powered gadget is equally suitable for Mac and PC.Click Here for a manual for the Blue Microphone Icicle.  The Western Digital Media Player is a full-HD 1080p media player. It plays HD video, photos and music wia a wired computer network and USB drives. http://bit.ly/3lhkfKClick Here for a manual for the Western Digital Media Player.  The ASUS O!Play HD Media Player is a full HD 1080p media player that has WiFi - 802.11n, Card Reader, RMVB, MKV, H.264, 1080p, HDMI 1.3, USB, eSATA, and LAN support. It connects via HDMI and has exclusive RMVB support. The unit also has eSATA connectivity that is 6X faster than USB 2.0. The Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray Player is Profile 2.0-compliant, has onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential. The unit has access to some Internet services.Click here for an Information sheet on the Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blueray Player. Click here for the Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blueray Player user guide.  1X2 PRO Series Powered HDMI Splitter is 1.3b ATC Certified and are high quality, high performance, HDMI 1.3 rated signal splitters for splitting the HDMI video & audio signal from its source device to multiple displays. The HDMI-120E3 provides one input and two outputs on gold plated connectors. It fully supports high bandwidth 1080p video and high resolution digital DTS-HD and Dolby True HD 7.1 channel audio. A built-in powered equalizer ensures reliable connections for longer cable runs while metal housing shields it from interference. For PICO projection that relates to augmented reality applications an Optoma DLP EW330 Ultraportable Projector may be considered. The EW330 is one of the lightest (2.4 pounds) and brightest (2200 ANSI Lumens) digital projectors available in a compact design. (8" x 2.5" x 6.1"). http://bit.ly/byzJRUClick Here for an data sheet on the Optoma DLP EW330 Ultraportable Projector. Click Here for a User Manual for the Optoma DLP EW330 Ultraportable Projector. Hardware
Physical Computing Hardware
Parts Inventory
Tools In Lab
MacBook Software
Mac OSX Leopard Partition Windows XP Partition One Laptop Per Child Software Software Dropped From Lab in 08-09
Click Here to return to Computer Labs.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
