Cultural Heritage in Virtual Reality
Using Cultural Heritage as an application driver, the goal of the Networked
Virtual Environments Collaborative Trans-Oceanic Research (N*VECTOR)
project is to link the University of Illinois' CAVE and University of
Tokyo's CABIN, both room-sized virtual reality devices (VR), to better
understand the requirements of multiple media flows among sophisticated VR
displays over great distances.
The two universities are studying collaborative problem solving over
advanced networks using Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation's (NTT)
MediaCruising Standard Protocol (MCSP), a prototype Quality of Service
protocol optimized for streaming media and bulk data transfer over next
generation networks.
Applications using MCSP are implemented over GEMnet, NTT's global research
network. One such application is the Tele-Collaborative Virtual Harlem,
which was developed to supplement African American Literature courses
taught in US universities, and focuses on the Harlem Renaissance that began
in the 1920's. A virtual environment allows networked students around the
world to meet and become immersed in an interactive literature course.
Students can navigate and investigate the environment, and hear a sampling
of the music written and popularized during the period.
Earlier application studies using MCSP included high performance
videoconferencing using MPEG-2, and remotely controlled Super High
Definition image capture, transmission, and display.
