--- Forwarded Message from Duncan Charters <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 23:09:42 -0500 >To: [log in to unmask] >From: Duncan Charters <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: #8287.1 - 4 (!) Sony vs. Sanoko We also looked at all the options when we purchased our new lab system a year ago. We too were concerned with sound issues in a network-based software lab, However, our experience has confirmed what we found from our investigation, that a LAN-based lab today does not have to suffer from the old problems of poor sound quality, delays and echoes that plagued earlier versions. We made sure we installed sound cards that were more than adequate to the specifications, and then we invested in a 1 gigabit self-contained network connected to the system's own server right in the Language Center (not just 1 Gb to the switch (backbone) and 100Mb to the student stations as is the typical minimum recommendation). Today this is not too much more expensive and should help any LAN-based system. We purchased top-of-the-line headsets to make sure we had the best quality audio as well as durability. On the expense question between the two systems originally mentioned or any others, it may not always be clear what is missing or inadequate in a less expensive system. This is where checking with other users becomes significant. We found out some essential information that way that had not come out from the suppliers. IALLT's revised DLLS-2 guide will also be helpful with some of the newer systems when that becomes available, expected in just a few months, just as the first one was helpful in setting out basic features in a comparative way for earlier purchasers. Another factor in price is place of manufacture. A similar system manufactured in the U.S. will typically cost more than one from Europe, which will cost more than one from China. One has to look at the manufacturer- distributor- dealer support network for each with some care. Some systems are more integrated and sold complete, others have different levels or add-on module options. Sometimes costs may be adjusted deliberately for competitive reasons, too, as when the distributor of a new product is looking for initial installations. Our final choice of system was ReNet's ReLANpro (available through Renet USA, distributed through ASC Direct). The SANS/Sony Virtuoso Major system looked like a good option because the interface was familiar (we too were replacing a Sony lab, the earlier 5510 Mk-II). However, it was more expensive, and our faculty liked the familiarity of the more Windows-like interface of the ReLANpro. On looking into this, we found that the whole system was more Windows-based in its functions (and so less "proprietary" in this sense) and made good use of media and text features already baked into Windows XP. One other factor was video distribution. We have a Sanako 300 at our Upper School and without a dedicated video server the picture has been on the dark side. The ReLANpro can stream bright, clear video without delay on the gigabit network, on demand by multiple students from the same source or multiple sources, from a standard Microsoft 2003 server (or by the teacher from a video CD, DVD or VHS player). At the time we looked at purchase options, for the SANS we would also have needed an expensive dedicated video server for all the functions we needed. So while no system is perfect and one has to judge which will serve best depending on actual expected use, in-house technical support and a number of other factors, we have found the quality of the audio and video clear and sharp and holding up really well in comparison to a "hybrid" hardware-based system. So LAN-based labs are well worth considering, as far as we are concerned, as they definitely have arrived in terms of sound and video quality when done right. If you're looking for audio primarily, get a system that will meet that need and be easy to use by the teachers. I believe audio pairing with teacher intervention has not been an easy feature to implement on Macs, but I don't know if that was your problem with eLangLab. It will be interesting to hear from people who have implemented standard systems which usually require PCs on Intel-based Macs - anyone out there yet, or waiting for the release of Leopard? For us, the video element is becoming increasingly significant in supporting the best and most interesting experience for the students, so we were pleasantly surprised when this turned out so well on the LAN, with instantly available, clear and properly synchronized video and sound. Chris, both of our installations are less than an hour away from you if you would like to make a comparative visit, though you should probably do Kansas City too as it's much better to look at the systems you are considering in actual operation! Duncan Dr. Duncan Charters Professor and Chair, Language Department Principia College, Elsah, IL 62028-9799 Telephone: (618) 374-5252 Fax: (618) 374-5465 E-mail: <[log in to unmask]>, <[log in to unmask]> *********************************************** LLTI is a service of IALLT, the International Association for Language Learning, and The Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning (http://consortium.dartmouth.edu). Join IALLT at http://iallt.org. Otmar Foelsche, LLTI-Editor ([log in to unmask]) ***********************************************