News for and about the Internet2 community

["Lauren B. Kallens" <>]

ResearchChannel
www.researchchannel.org
1-877-616-7265


Contact: Sephora DeRoest
877-616-7265

November 8, 2004


HD Videoconference Tool Wows SC2004 Attendees

ResearchChannel, in partnership with the University of Washington and
Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARNet), demonstrated the first
High Definition videoconference across IP networks today at the SC2004 in
Pittsburgh, Penn. Attendees interacted with colleagues in Seattle and
Canberra, Australia, experiencing the possibility of true collaboration,
where image detail and speed of interaction move closer to a virtual
face-to-face meeting.

"These new collaborative tools demonstrate what's possible and change the
expectations of Internet communications," said Chris Hancock, CEO of AARNet.
"Collaboration brings greater opportunities in all academic fields for
information sharing, and the creation of new knowledge and advanced
networking enables these opportunities."

This advanced application shows important progress toward the goal of
reduced latency in realtime collaboration tools. Using two Intel PCI-Xpress
computers and AJA Video Systems,' Xena-HD HDSDI capture cards, and utilizing
network transport from AARNet, National LambdaRail and Pacific Northwest
Gigapop, the demonstration is the first to show HD interactive systems over
Windows XP platforms, making this new technology available to researchers
and scientists worldwide.

"HD represents the future of surgical and endoscopic imaging," noted Dr.
Mika Sinanan, professor of surgery at the University of Washington's
Division of General Surgery. "Image detail and accuracy are critical for
both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic interventions. HD technology is
poised to become the benchmark against which all medical imaging fidelity
will be measured. The ability to operate and collaborate in near real-time
in HD resolution will be invaluable in the future of image guided
management."

The technology for this experiment was developed by engineers at the
University of Washington, a ResearchChannel participant, and demonstrated a
previously unattainable level of reliable data traffic between two Windows
XP platform computers. Additional support was provided by the University of
Hawaii and the National Institutes of Health.

ResearchChannel is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a voice
for research through video and Internet channels. For more information visit
www.researchchannel.org.

Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARNet) provides high-capacity,
leading-edge Internet services for the tertiary education and research
sector communities, and their research partners. For more information visit
http://www.aarnet.edu.au.

Pacific Northwest Gigapop is a state-of-the-art, advanced high-speed
Internet service provider based in Seattle, Wash., and a next-generation
network interconnector for Pacific Rim research, education and development
networks. For more information visit http://www.pnw-gigapop.net.

National LambdaRail, Inc.'s (NLR) fundamental mission is to provide a
network infrastructure for new forms and methods for research in science,
engineering, health care and education, as well as for research and
development of new Internet technologies, protocols, applications and
services. For more information visit http://www.nlr.net.

AJA Video is a leading manufacturer of digital video solutions for the
professional broadcast and post-production markets. For more information
visit http://www.aja.com.

###