One of the main goals of the Galicaster project is to provide end-to-end solutions. Therefore, as part of the developing process, the selection and adaptability of suitable hardware to fulfill the needs of diferent scenarios is taken into account.
Depending on the hardware installed we have two different levels of requirements. If we use a HD webcam we will need Intel i5 or higher processor. In case we use a TV signal capturer, then our needs lower to a Dual Core processor.
In the case of an I5 processor, we may use this powerful computer to fullfill other needs in our system, using the unit as a part-time worker - even full-time. We will take a look into it a little further
Capturer-worker unit
On those capturers equiped with a HD webcam we have to encode the video stream by Software, that's why we need a powerfull machine. It's easy to realize that a capturer won't be working more than 12 hours, so we have an computer iddle for half a day. In this period we can use the capturer as a part-time worker ( full-time if we have a i7 processor).
This matter gets crutial when we increase the number of rooms and, subsequently, the amount of hours of recordings. So, the scalability of the whole production system becomes a major concern. A network of capturer-workers guarantees a balanced scalabality between hours of recordings and processing capabilities.
[V4L2 compatibility]
Capturer unit
Scenarios
So far we are working on four main scenarios and their equipments: a totem alike installation, a fix installation, an access grid facility and a video-conferece. The hardware installed on the latest two scenarios can be used as part of the Galicaster system, thus saving resources.
We will take a look into each installation separetally: