OpenCU
Encyclopedia
openCU is a cross-platform, open source
implementation of CU-SeeMe
, a video-conferencing protocol, written in C++.
While the SIP
and H323 needs human intervention, it is not really recommended for large conferences.
openCU is made to close the gap between Multipoint Control Unit
based expensive hardware solutions and proprietary, web-based subscription solutions like Adobe breeze (Macromedia Breeze
) or Webex
from Cisco.
The project, was initiated in October 2008 after Roozbeh joined the project. The goal is to create a self-configuring, scalable, interactive, social , streaming platform for all operating systems.
openCU employs a conference control protocol that has proven to be quite robust and allows for the expression of detailed state regarding the relations of each conference participant to each other participant. In conjunction with a reflector software it allows for customized distribution of conference media, so that nothing is transmitted unless it is used. The protocol is limited in the size of the conference it can serve, but our investigations have shown that this can be extended. The video is encoded in an ad hoc format that was designed for a particular family of desktop machines that were widespread in the past. What it lacks in mathematical elegance, it makes up for in quickness. Comparison of Radvision Hardware MCU and CUSeeMe Networks Software MCU
The client software has "alpha" status and binary packages for Windows XP are available. The software is double licensed under the Agpl
.
Recently added compressed media communication (Xvid
/Speex encoding) beside Raw format (Gray16/PCM). Currently working on text chat, x264
/Advanced Audio Coding
and porting to Linux/BSD/OSX.
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
implementation of CU-SeeMe
CU-SeeMe
CU-SeeMe is an Internet videoconferencing client. CU-SeeMe can make point to point video calls without a server or make multi-point calls through server software first called a "reflector" and later called a "conference server" or Multipoint Control Unit...
, a video-conferencing protocol, written in C++.
While the SIP
Session Initiation Protocol
The Session Initiation Protocol is an IETF-defined signaling protocol widely used for controlling communication sessions such as voice and video calls over Internet Protocol . The protocol can be used for creating, modifying and terminating two-party or multiparty sessions...
and H323 needs human intervention, it is not really recommended for large conferences.
openCU is made to close the gap between Multipoint Control Unit
Multipoint Control Unit
A Multipoint Control Unit is a device commonly used to bridge videoconferencing connections.The Multipoint Control Unit is an endpoint on the LAN that provides the capability for 3 or more terminals and gateways to participate in a multipoint conference...
based expensive hardware solutions and proprietary, web-based subscription solutions like Adobe breeze (Macromedia Breeze
Macromedia Breeze
Adobe Connect is software used to create information and general presentations, online training materials, web conferencing, learning modules, and user desktop sharing. The product is entirely Adobe Flash based...
) or Webex
WebEx
WebEx Communications Inc. is a Cisco company that provides on-demand collaboration, online meeting, web conferencing and videoconferencing applications...
from Cisco.
The project, was initiated in October 2008 after Roozbeh joined the project. The goal is to create a self-configuring, scalable, interactive, social , streaming platform for all operating systems.
openCU employs a conference control protocol that has proven to be quite robust and allows for the expression of detailed state regarding the relations of each conference participant to each other participant. In conjunction with a reflector software it allows for customized distribution of conference media, so that nothing is transmitted unless it is used. The protocol is limited in the size of the conference it can serve, but our investigations have shown that this can be extended. The video is encoded in an ad hoc format that was designed for a particular family of desktop machines that were widespread in the past. What it lacks in mathematical elegance, it makes up for in quickness. Comparison of Radvision Hardware MCU and CUSeeMe Networks Software MCU
The client software has "alpha" status and binary packages for Windows XP are available. The software is double licensed under the Agpl
Affero General Public License
The Affero General Public License, often abbreviated as Affero GPL and AGPL , refers to two distinct, though historically related, free software licenses:...
.
Recently added compressed media communication (Xvid
XviD
Xvid is a video codec library following the MPEG-4 standard, specifically MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile . It uses ASP features such as b-frames, global and quarter pixel motion compensation, lumi masking, trellis quantization, and H.263, MPEG and custom quantization matrices.Xvid is a...
/Speex encoding) beside Raw format (Gray16/PCM). Currently working on text chat, x264
X264
x264 is a free software library for encoding video streams into the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format. It is released under the terms of the GNU General Public License.-History:...
/Advanced Audio Coding
Advanced Audio Coding
Advanced Audio Coding is a standardized, lossy compression and encoding scheme for digital audio. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves better sound quality than MP3 at similar bit rates....
and porting to Linux/BSD/OSX.