September 2009 - Ag-tech - mailman3.cels.anl.gov

Re: [AG-TECH] AG3 H264 Services on OSX
by Christoph Willing 29 Sep '09

29 Sep '09

On 30/09/2009, at 1:12 AM, Daniel Merboth (RIT Student) wrote: > Just tried that, still got the same thing. It didn't copy to the > user's local_services directory, the .AccessGrid directory, and > still doesn't show up in the list. > Daniel, After doing exactly: > 0. become root > 1. source setupenv - I use sh/bash (not csh) so its: > . /Applications/AccessGrid3.app/Contents/Resources/setupenv.sh > 2. now install service package: > agpm3.py -z VideoConsumerServiceH264.zip what is the result of running the command: ls -l /Applications/AccessGrid3.app/Contents/Resources/ NodeServices/ chris Christoph Willing +61 7 3365 8316 QCIF Access Grid Manager University of Queensland

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Re: [AG-TECH] AG3 H264 Services on OSX
by Daniel Merboth (RIT Student) 29 Sep '09

29 Sep '09

Just tried that, still got the same thing. It didn't copy to the user's local_services directory, the .AccessGrid directory, and still doesn't show up in the list. Dan

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Error requesting certificate
by Ian Dennell 29 Sep '09

29 Sep '09

Hi I'm trying to request a new certificate for our Venue Server but getting a 'Certificate Request Failed' error when submitting. Here's the error code from the console: 09/29/2009 11:26:52 AM 46912496279184 CertificateManagerWXGUI CertificateManagerWXGUI.py:582 ERROR Unexpected error in cert request Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/AccessGrid3/AccessGrid/Security/wxgui/CertificateManagerWXGUI.py", line 549, in RequestCertificate requestId = certificateClient.RequestCertificate(reqInfo.GetEmail(), pem) File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/AccessGrid3/AccessGrid/Security/CRSClient.py", line 63, in RequestCertificate token = self.proxy.RequestCertificate(emailAddress, certReq) File "/usr/lib64/python2.4/xmlrpclib.py", line 1096, in __call__ return self.__send(self.__name, args) File "/usr/lib64/python2.4/xmlrpclib.py", line 1383, in __request verbose=self.__verbose File "/usr/lib64/python2.4/xmlrpclib.py", line 1147, in request return self._parse_response(h.getfile(), sock) File "/usr/lib64/python2.4/xmlrpclib.py", line 1281, in _parse_response p.feed(response) File "/usr/lib64/python2.4/xmlrpclib.py", line 527, in feed self._parser.Parse(data, 0) ExpatError: mismatched tag: line 3, column 10 Any ideas? Cheers Ian Dennell Access Grid Support Centre Research Computing Services Room 1.005, Devonshire House University of Manchester M13 9PL United Kingdom t: +44 (0)161 275 0684 e: support(a)agsc.ja.net w: http://www.manchester.ac.uk http://www.ja.net/agsc

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Re: [AG-TECH] AG3 H264 Services on OSX
by Christoph Willing 29 Sep '09

29 Sep '09

On 29/09/2009, at 2:10 AM, Daniel Merboth (RIT Student) wrote: > I'm unsure of how to install the H264 services on OS X. I've > installed them with agpm3.py, but they didn't show up in the service > manager. Copying the extracted zips to /User/*/.AccessGrid3/ > local_services didn't work either. > > Does anyone know how to install and use H264 services on OS X? > Daniel, I just tried this and it sort of works - I had to install as root (using sudo, agpm3.py had trouble finding agversion module) and did the following steps: 0. become root 1. source setupenv - I use sh/bash (not csh) so its: . /Applications/AccessGrid3.app/Contents/Resources/setupenv.sh 2. now install service package: agpm3.py -z VideoConsumerServiceH264.zip check that the zip file now exists in /Applications/ AccessGrid3.app/Contents/Resources/NodeServices/ - if not there, something else is wrong .... 3. same for producer service package They should now be available to load as services in the usual way. As it happens, I've managed to add the service but for some reason vic doesn't appear even though the service claims its enabled. However, after going into ~/.ACcessGrid/local_services/VideoProducerServiceH264 directory (which is created automatically when the service is run) I was able to manually run the vic which is in there. I'm sure a bit of poking around will reveal why its not running as a service but in the meantime they're definitely installed after using these steps. chris Christoph Willing +61 7 3365 8316 QCIF Access Grid Manager University of Queensland

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AG3 H264 Services on OSX
by Daniel Merboth (RIT Student) 28 Sep '09

28 Sep '09

I'm unsure of how to install the H264 services on OS X. I've installed them with agpm3.py, but they didn't show up in the service manager. Copying the extracted zips to /User/*/.AccessGrid3/local_services didn't work either. Does anyone know how to install and use H264 services on OS X?

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AG for Karmic Koala
by Christoph Willing 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

For restless Ubuntu users who are keen to try the next release (9.10, Karmic Koala), AG packages are available for testing via: http://www.vislab.uq.edu.au/research/accessgrid/software/debuntu/karmic.html If you had audio problems with rat under jaunty, you'll probably have them with karmic too. There is a fix (really just peculiar configuration instructions) that has worked for many users at: http://www.vislab.uq.edu.au/research/accessgrid/howto/rat.html If you have any problems, please complain; we'd like to fix things that go wrong. chris Christoph Willing +61 7 3365 8316 QCIF Access Grid Manager University of Queensland

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Re: [AG-TECH] Adobe PDF Reader causing VNCserver to crash
by Brian Corrie 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

Hi Jason, Thanks for bringing this up - good to know it isn't just me as I have seen this as well. When I run into this problem I hide the toolbars, maximize the window, and run it that way. This does not crash, it is the fullscreen mode without borders that causes the problem. Brian Jason Bell wrote: > Colleagues > > For those who use VenueVNC (or simply VNC), It has been found that if > using the newer versions for Adobe PDF Viewer and switching it to full > screen mode causes the VNCserver to crash. This has been seen to occur > within Windows systems (XP and 64bit XP). > > As a work around, if you use an older version of the software (say > Version 7), then everything works fine. > > Just thought I would provide a brief "heads up" on this issue, as it has > recently caused some problems within AG sessions. > > Regards, > Jason. > > -------------------------------------------- > Jason Bell, B.I.T. (Honours) > > Research Systems Support Officer > Information Technology Division > CQ University Australia > > Australian Research Collaboration Service > http://www.arcs.org.au/ > > E-mail : j.bell(a)cqu.edu.au > jason.bell(a)arcs.org.au > Work : +61 7 4930 9229 > Mobile : 0409 630897 > Postal : Building 19 > Central Queensland University > Bruce Highway > Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 4702 > -------------------------------------------- > Patience is a virtue. > > But if I wanted Patience, > I would have become a Doctor. > -------------------------------------------- > >

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Re: [AG-TECH] RAT audio quality - Alternative codecs?
by Piers O'Hanlon 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

2009/9/22 Henry Hernando Caballero Corzo <hh.caballero921(a)uniandes.edu.co>: > You're right Lloyd; using a headset highly increases the quality of sound in > a conference. Indeed, we typically recommend this kind of setup to our > users. > > Sometimes though, they just don't have a headset at hand, or they just want > to use their mere laptop so other people in their office can listen to the > discussion and eventually take part of it. > > This kind of setup (rather hostile for any conferencing solution) led us to > think, could RAT itself overcome this kind of issues? thus originating the > idea to eventually integrate higher-end codecs (which are known to > successfully deal with these problems). > Any 'higher-end' codecs don't provide for echo cancellation - they only provide for better quality and/or better bit rate. Although Skype and Xiph/Speex systems contain echo cancellers they are seperate entities and are not part of the codec (e.g. SILK and Speex). It is certainly possible to integrate the Speex Echo (libsppexdsp) canceller to RAT. Piers. > Regards, > > Henry. > > Lloyd Pearson wrote: >> >> Hello Henry, >> >> Have you tested with the academic using a headset microphone and >> earphones? >> >> The use of a headset severely reduces (but doesn’t eliminate!) the >> transference of sound from the incoming to the outgoing. >> >> Some laptops’ microphones can be very good at picking up fan noise, HD >> noise, keystroke noise etc, so a headset can be preferable. >> >> Most echo cancellers can be significantly affected by the acoustic >> environment, and any movement of the academic would change the acoustic >> parameters of his environment. It is not uncommon for many reputable echo >> cancellers to take several seconds to stabilise when a hand or object is >> moved close to a microphone or the microphone position is moved. >> >> Changing the volume of the laptop speakers or gain of the laptop >> microphone can give big clues about the cause of an echo or other noise. >> Another useful tip is to hold the mouse pointer over a participant’s name in >> the RAT window and press the scroll wheel. This will mute their audio coming >> in to you, and place a line through their name. Press the scroll wheel again >> to unmute them. As a general rule, if you hear echo, mute each participant >> in turn until the echo disappears. You will usually only hear single echos >> if other nodes are causing them. However sustained echo (when the same word >> echos several times) may be caused by yourself! >> >> Good luck. >> >> Regards, >> >> Lloyd Pearson >> >> AVCC Operator >> >> University of Otago >> >> Ph +64 3 479 8997 >> >> /lloyd.pearson(a)otago.ac.nz <mailto:[email protected]>/ >> >> *From:* ag-tech-bounces(a)lists.mcs.anl.gov >> [mailto:[email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Henry Hernando >> Caballero Corzo >> *Sent:* Tuesday, 22 September 2009 4:38 p.m. >> *To:* ag-tech(a)lists.mcs.anl.gov >> *Subject:* [AG-TECH] RAT audio quality - Alternative codecs? >> >> Hi everyone, >> >> Hope you can advise me in the following issue. >> >> Scenario: >> >> Say we're holding a videoconference which joins people from two different >> types of nodes: >> >> -A conference room with an adequate AG node setup (audio equipment for >> echo cancelling (ClearOne RAV 600), ambient microphone, high-end speakers, >> etc.) >> >> -A "casual participant" (an academic who joins the conference from his >> workplace and uses his personal AG-equipped laptop sporting integrated >> microphone and speakers) >> >> Then a lot of -predictible- problems related to audio arise. Audio quality >> can degrade so badly (enormous echo and noise) that ends up ruining the >> meeting. We certainly know we're dealing with a "non-recommendable" >> scenario, but the fact is, we need it to work. >> >> First question: >> >> 1. How do you guys deal with this kind of setups? (if there's some way) >> >> Going deeper in this issue, I -almost inevitably- turned my eyes on RAT. >> Even though RAT works well under controlled setups, We certainly expect it >> to perform much better when used in uncontrolled environments like the >> described above. So, there're some more questions to ask: >> >> 3. Is RAT lacking important features like: ultra-wideband sampling, echo >> cancelling, noise suppression, active voice detection, discontinuous >> transmission (among others) ? >> >> 4. Or it's all about tweaking with RAT options? (some of the above >> features seem to be included, not sure if they work well though) >> >> 5. What about Speex[1] and/or SILK[2] codecs? Would it be feasible to >> integrate these codecs to the Access Grid? >> >> * I'm aware of this development[3], which is part of a contribution from >> NCHC. It involves the integration of Speex into RAT, but I'm really not sure >> if these features are included in the current version of RAT that ships with >> the latest AG release >> >> * SILK claims excellent voicecall quality and the truth is, Skype can in >> fact deal with our "problematic setup" with absolutely no problem >> >> Thanks in advance! >> >> Henry Caballero >> >> ---------------- >> >> AG node administrator - Universidad de los Andes >> (http://ag-mox.uniandes.edu.co) >> >> [1] http://speex.org/ >> [2] https://developer.skype.com/silk >> >> [3] http://www.nchc.org.tw/en/core_content/download.php?FILE_ID=152 >> > >

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Adobe PDF Reader causing VNCserver to crash
by Jason Bell 23 Sep '09

23 Sep '09

Colleagues For those who use VenueVNC (or simply VNC), It has been found that if using the newer versions for Adobe PDF Viewer and switching it to full screen mode causes the VNCserver to crash. This has been seen to occur within Windows systems (XP and 64bit XP). As a work around, if you use an older version of the software (say Version 7), then everything works fine. Just thought I would provide a brief "heads up" on this issue, as it has recently caused some problems within AG sessions. Regards, Jason. -------------------------------------------- Jason Bell, B.I.T. (Honours) Research Systems Support Officer Information Technology Division CQ University Australia Australian Research Collaboration Service http://www.arcs.org.au/ E-mail : j.bell(a)cqu.edu.au jason.bell(a)arcs.org.au Work : +61 7 4930 9229 Mobile : 0409 630897 Postal : Building 19 Central Queensland University Bruce Highway Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 4702 -------------------------------------------- Patience is a virtue. But if I wanted Patience, I would have become a Doctor. --------------------------------------------

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Re: [AG-TECH] RAT audio quality - Alternative codecs?
by Jason Bell 23 Sep '09

23 Sep '09

Henry If I could provide a brief comment... I have found many video conferencing software, including skype, do struggle with poor audio and echo cancelling issues... That being said, some do work a lot better than others. But it should be noted that I am a big fan on using superior hardware to provide superior quality. Have you considered using any of the USB echo cancelling speaker/microphone devices? See http://www.accessgrid.org/test/taxonomy/term/23 for some examples. I personally use the Chat150 and Chat50 devices and I think they are great. They tend to work like a plug-a-play device, no tweaking required. The great thing about these devices is that not only can they be used within the AG (Across the different platforms [Windows, Linux and Mac]), but can be used on a variety of other conferencing software, such as Skype, EVO, etc. Now these devices are not as good as a proper fully blown AV system, but in my opinion they work well and I have seen them deployed all over the place. Anyway, hope you don't mind me adding in my 2 cents worth. Thanks, Jason. From: Henry Hernando Caballero Corzo [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, 22 September 2009 02:38 PM To: ag-tech(a)lists.mcs.anl.gov Subject: [AG-TECH] RAT audio quality - Alternative codecs? Hi everyone, Hope you can advise me in the following issue. Scenario: Say we're holding a videoconference which joins people from two different types of nodes: -A conference room with an adequate AG node setup (audio equipment for echo cancelling (ClearOne RAV 600), ambient microphone, high-end speakers, etc.) -A "casual participant" (an academic who joins the conference from his workplace and uses his personal AG-equipped laptop sporting integrated microphone and speakers) Then a lot of -predictible- problems related to audio arise. Audio quality can degrade so badly (enormous echo and noise) that ends up ruining the meeting. We certainly know we're dealing with a "non-recommendable" scenario, but the fact is, we need it to work. First question: 1. How do you guys deal with this kind of setups? (if there's some way) Going deeper in this issue, I -almost inevitably- turned my eyes on RAT. Even though RAT works well under controlled setups, We certainly expect it to perform much better when used in uncontrolled environments like the described above. So, there're some more questions to ask: 3. Is RAT lacking important features like: ultra-wideband sampling, echo cancelling, noise suppression, active voice detection, discontinuous transmission (among others) ? 4. Or it's all about tweaking with RAT options? (some of the above features seem to be included, not sure if they work well though) 5. What about Speex[1] and/or SILK[2] codecs? Would it be feasible to integrate these codecs to the Access Grid? * I'm aware of this development[3], which is part of a contribution from NCHC. It involves the integration of Speex into RAT, but I'm really not sure if these features are included in the current version of RAT that ships with the latest AG release * SILK claims excellent voicecall quality and the truth is, Skype can in fact deal with our "problematic setup" with absolutely no problem Thanks in advance! Henry Caballero ---------------- AG node administrator - Universidad de los Andes (http://ag-mox.uniandes.edu.co) [1] http://speex.org/ [2] https://developer.skype.com/silk <https://developer.skype.com/silk> [3] http://www.nchc.org.tw/en/core_content/download.php?FILE_ID=152

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