2002 - cesnet

6 Multimedia Transmissions6.1 Objectives and StrategiesThe project titled Multimedia Transmissions in CESNET2 was launched at thebeginning of 2002 as an effort of integrating various activities in this area. Withrespect to the importance of this issue, the project also became a strategicproject.The long-term objective of the project is to create systems for support of routineand natural use of multimedia applications, both in the area of videoconferencesand video on demand, as well as to search for systems and platforms forimplementation of transmissions with special demands.Our main goal is to provide potential users with better information, develop andstabilise the infrastructure for providing videoconference services and serviceson demand, and to find a platform for high quality video services. We understandthe involvement of the project in international activities and establishingcontacts with similar projects abroad as necessary for the fulfilment of commonobjectives.6.2 Project StructureThe strategic project is a combination of several independently filed projects.The aim was to coordinate activities in this area. We decided to divide it intofour partial tasks:1. Videoconference infrastructure for routine use.2. Video transmissions with special demands and new methods of acquisition.3. Media streaming and support for online education.4. Special presentation events and support for special projects.Each area was solved by a single team under the supervision of a partial taskleader (key researcher in that area). The project was implemented at this levelfor the whole first half of the year. In the second half of the year, the projectwas restructured, based on an approval of the research plan management. Forinstance, the area of media streaming was separated. We cancelled the redundantpositions of partial task leaders. The remaining researchers also workedon tasks defined at the beginning of the project.As regards the presentation of the achieved results, the issues of concern canbe divided into two categories:High-speed National Research Network and its New Applications 200281