Central Video Replay System (CVRS) at the University of Queensland
| Published date | 01 June 1991 |
| Pages | 333-334 |
| Date | 01 June 1991 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb045096 |
| Author | Gulcin Cribb |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Brief
Communications
Central Video Replay
System (CVRS) at the
University of Queensland
Gulcin Cribb
Audiovisual
Librarian,
The University
of
Queensland,
St
Lucia,Queensland
4072,
Australia
Educational institutions with large numbers of programmed
lecture theatres have always had the problem of ensuring that
the correct pieces of audiovisual hardware are available and
in good working order at the required time and
place.
It is also
essential that the equipment works to the teacher's satisfac-
tion throughout the lecture period. It may also
be
necessary to
make the same equipment available at another location al-
most immediately after the conclusion of a lecture, with little
time available for setting up and ensuring all the equipment is
functional.
We
have all heard disaster stories from teaching staff about
what happens when the 16mm projector or the VCR does not
work according to plan and we know the necessity of having
an alternative arrangement in place. However, maintenance
of a large bank of VCRs and compatible monitors (U-matic,
Beta, VHS, NTSC, PAL, Secam, Super VHS etc.) is a costly
business, and transport and security of these machines add to
the cost further.
This paper describes the Central Video Replay System
(CVRS) which is at present in operation at the University of
Queensland. CVRS distributes video recordings to lecture
theatres by fibre optic cable rather than the conventional
coaxial copper cables and utilises a computer-controlled
switching system for its operations. Optical fibre was chosen
because of its reliability, ease of maintenance and high se-
curity for a cost-effective network.
The system has been in operation since February 1989. It
was installed for the following reasons:
1.
To
enhance teaching and learning techniques;
2.
To provide for the continuing growth in the use of video
programmes in teaching and learning;
3.
To improve on the method of delivery of software and
hardware to the lecture theatre;
4.
To
cushion the University against the continuing obsol-
escence of video equipment;
5.
To protect the VCRs against theft, interference and
environmental hazards like chalk dust;
6. To provide a more user-friendly way of using VCRs, as
users often experience operational problems.
The system comprises an optical fibre communication
network capable of transmitting videos from the Control
Centre to 40 points throughout the campus including three
branch libraries. The Control Centre has 14 VCRs at pres-
ent. CVRS has the potential to transmit video/audio from up
to
16
VCRs or other video sources in the Centre to up to 120
remote viewing stations/user points within 5km. The Re-
play Centre switches user points to VCRs and provides an
operator interface to allow control of the system.
Replay Centre
The CVRS connects the video, audio and control functions of
a VCR to a remote viewing station/user point. As there are
several VCRs and many user points, a switching method is
utilised.
User points
Each user point is equipped with a remote control panel and
intercom, with several TV monitors in the case of large to
medium rooms or one monitor for smaller
rooms.
Some of the
large lecture theatres are equipped with large video projection
screens. The control panel allows the user to play, fast for-
The Electronic Library, Vol. 9, No. 6, December
1991
333
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