VBrick Systems Enables Distance Learning for Deaf Students
By Hearing Exchange,Publication Date: April 2004
Article describes an advanced video communication system used by Gallaudet University, which is an institution of higher learning for students who are deaf or hard of hearing in Washington, District of Columbia. The system consists of technology designed by VBrick Systems, which utilizes multicast streaming video that incorporates closed captioning and American Sign Language. Officials at Gallaudet University paired a VBrick 4200 MPEG-2 Encoder with a VBrick 5200 MPEG Decoder to stream lectures, meetings, university functions, and campus programming from anywhere on campus to every desktop on the school’s campus data network. The portability of the technology allows information to travel anywhere on campus within reach of a network connection. When Gallaudet wishes to broadcast a class, meeting, or event on campus, they deliver a VBrick Encoder, a video camera or video source such as a VCR or DVD player, and then plug the encoder into any connection on the campus data network. The video feed is then compressed into MPEG-2 format streaming video and sent across the network to any computer on campus. Faculty and students can then access the video through a designated link, or view it on the Gallaudet website.
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Link to text: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-043004e.shtml
