We've been using cassette
decks for years and they work fine, why should
I upgrade to a digital lab?
The
majority of your content material is now (or
will soon be) in digital format.
2.
What is
the difference between a fully digital lab,
a hybrid lab and an analog lab?
Digital
Labs use PC's and the school network whereas
Hybrid and Analog Labs require proprietary
cabling and hardware with a dedicated classroom.
3.
Where
is the advantage in installing a fully digital
system over a hybrid or analog system?
It is a multiple use computer
lab.
4.
To
me it seems like their isn't much difference
between the Sony System and other systems,
what sets the Sony systems apart from the
other systems offered by other companies?
Sony supplies the
only all digital Language Lab System conceived,
produced and supported in America.
5.
Who
is SANS, Inc.; I see the name on my materials/brochures?
Software And Network Solutions,
Inc. is now the official licensee of Sony
Language Lab Software.
6.
Can
I use materials/lessons from publishers (like
CDs from books) with the Sony Lab?
Yes.
7.
Do you provide
lessons and/or content for the system? Where
can I get lessons/materials to use with the
system?
No, we do not provide content
or lessons. There are many publishers offering
digital content that works with our systems.
8.
How do I
know that Virtuoso won't get out-dated like
my old cassette based lab?
Software based labs can easily
be upgraded.
9.
We have a
lot of old cassettes and video tapes, will
I still be able to use them with the Sony
Virtuoso (or digital) system?
Yes.
10.
We want to
get a new digital lab but some of my instructors
are not very computer literate and may not
know what MPEGs, MP3s, WAVs or digitizing
is, is that a problem?
We offer extensive user training
and "on-line CDs" for each school
provided by your salesman and outlined in
each proposal.
11.
I have seen
other systems that don't need computers, why
should I get a Sony system that requires computers?
Without computers you are denying
teachers and students access to web based
materials and other computer based activities.
12.
We already
have a Sony Symphony System and we want to
add a Virtuoso system, can these two systems
work together?
We really
like the Sony Virtuoso system, but cannot
afford it right now, what other options do
we have?
There are four levels of Virtuoso,
contact your salesman to discuss your options.
14.
What is the
difference between Virtuoso Major and Virtuoso
Minor?
Pricing and features, both are
fully digital language labs.
15.
What is required
to upgrade our system from Virtuoso Minor
to Virtuoso Major?
Software upgrades from APT,
to Apprentice, to Minor and to Major.
16.
Can I upgrade
a Sony Symphony System to Virtuoso? What is
the advantage in doing so?
Yes you can. The advantage is
moving to a fully digital system
17.
We already
have computers and servers, do we have to
get new ones from you or do we have to change
what we have?
An evaluation of your school's
systems by CTS personnel is required. Most
systems are adequate.
18.
We want to
put in a Sony Digital system, but our tech
people are very leery about putting anything
on our servers, what is required to go on
our servers?
Storage only. No software will
be put on your servers.
19.
What is all
this other stuff like P1, P2 and P3 and why
aren't they already part of Virtuoso?
P1, 2 and 3 are called Plug-Ins
and are optional packages. They can be added
at any time.
20.
How do I
know if the sound card on my PC's will work
properly with the Sony Virtuoso system?
This also requires evaluation
and approval by CTS personnel.
When I purchase
a Language System I purchase it from the manufacturer,
right?
No. Language System Manufacturers
sell their Language Systems through an Education
Reseller network. A school selects a reseller
who then helps them design their school's
system. Selecting a reseller needs to be a
cautious in depth investigation.
22.
Sony offers a
total Digital System solution, right?
No. In fact the Sony portion
of today's Digital System is only about 30%
of the solution. The other items are the computers,
Audio Servers, Video Server, Encoding (Digitizing)
Station, Data Network, computer control system
(CALL switcher) and Furniture. The most important
item is Real Experience to make all of these
pieces work together as one system. Again
a very important part of selecting a reseller.
23.
Every Sony reseller
is the same and has the same training, right?
No. Each reseller has varying
degrees of training and expertise. Schools
should visit several schools from each reseller
and ask why did a school choose that particular
reseller over another reseller.
24.
Are the digital
systems just like the analog systems only
with computers?
No. The design and integration
of a digital system is very different than
an analog. The level of expertise in networks,
servers, network design and computers is critical
in the success of a system. A school should
consider the reseller's "real" experience
in digital systems with network servers.
25.
Doesn't every
Sony reseller control computers with the same
CALL switcher?
No. In fact almost every Sony
reseller uses the Robotel SC2000 Smart Class
system to control the student computers. This
system has been integrated by the majority
of Sony resellers for as long as computers
have been installed in language systems. If
the reseller is not using the Robotel system
for computer control ask, "why not"?
Then decide if you want a different product
to control your computers that is only sold
and supported by only one or two companies
in the country.
26.
What is an MPEG
Video Server?
A Video server is a specialized
Network Server that is now being installed
into many Digital Language Systems. The process
allows language teachers to first ENCODE (digitize)
the Foreign Language Departments videotapes,
laser discs, satellite video broadcasts as
MPEG1 Digital Video Files. This is done in
a specially designed workstation where the
video program is played into the encoder computer.
Once the program is encoded it is then copied
to the Video Server. Now all students in the
lab can independently view, control, play,
pause, rewind, fast forward, search the video
all at their own pace. Video servers can store
hundreds of hours of video programs and allow
all students to independently watch the same
video at different points or any of the different
videos simultaneously. This powerful tool
is installed at Weston Middle School and Deerfield
Academy. Hingham High School and Middlesex
School in Concord will install Video Servers
in labs in the beginning of 2001.
27.
Do all Language
System resellers promote, sell and install
Video Servers?
No, only several of the resellers
promote, sell and install Video Servers as
part of the Digital Language System Solution.
An extensive background in Networks, computers,
servers and network switching hardware is
required to successfully integrate a Video
Server onto a School LAN, WAN Network.
28.
Isn't a Video
Server just a regular data server with lots
of memory and storage?
No, in fact this couldn't be
further from the truth. A Video Server delivers
"time critical" data. This allows
the video to be full screen, full motion video
just as if you are watching a videotape. If
the video is only a small window, the video
is jerky and the audio (sound) is not synchronized
with the video, the video is worthless for
language purposes. A specialized video server
allows 50-1000 students to simultaneously
access the same video program or different
program with full screen playback.
29.
Why do I need
a video server in my digital lab?
One of the main reasons for
designing a digital language lab is immediate
access of information i.e., word processing,
internet, email and audio recording. Why should
video be any different? Video is extremely
powerful but is not used to its full potential
due to the videotape and VCR. All students
are forced to watch video "lock step"
so if they do not understand some part of
the video the opportunity for learning is
lost. With a video server all students can
watch, review, re-review different parts of
the program simultaneously until they understand
the program. So with the immediate information
need video should not be left to a tape and
VCR.
30.
Should I install
the same system as another school or is my
system a custom design?
Each system must be a custom
design to address the specific needs of a
language department. Many questions should
be asked and many discussions should take
place to insure the system is designed properly.
31.
Our town is building
a new school. When should we start discussing
the new language lab for the school?
The earlier the better. Architects
need to be informed of the space, power, data
and sound proofing requirements as early as
possible in a new building project.
32.
How should I
get started in planning a new Digital Language
System?
First contact companies that
specialize in Digital Language Systems. Ask
for a Digital System customer list and go
visit several schools. Ask why they chose
the company they did. Ask if they looked at
other companies and if they didn't ask why
did they only look at one company. Next meet
with the different companies and ask many
questions regarding experience in digital
language systems. Finally select a company
and work closely with them on all aspects
of the system. If your project spans several
months or years ask for updates and new installation
lists. If you are not getting good information
go back and look at another language system
reseller and maybe change your direction.
Whatever you plan today will change in six
months or one year therefore the company you
select should be keeping up to date with technology
and improving your initial system design.
If they do not do this for you - go to another
reseller.
