The Observer 5.0 Titel Spreker Datum Design of a Usability Lab La Villette, November 24 th 2004 Dimitri Gerebtzoff Field Sales Engineer - France Innovative Solutions for Usability Testing

The Observer 5.0 Noldus Information Technology: Technical Competences Observational data collection Handheld computer technology Video coding, annotation, retrieval Digital image processing Pattern recognition Behavior analysis Signal analysis Experiment automation

The Observer 5.0 Core Activities Software Development Standard software packages Custom development on contract basis System Integration Noldus software Computer hardware Video and multimedia equipment Portable or stationary observational laboratories Training and Consulting Services (support, conference organisation…)

The Observer 5.0 Integrated Solutions Tailor-made observational labs and systems System configurations Stationary Lab Portable Lab Mobile Data Collection Systems Mobile Device Camera

The Observer 5.0 The LUTIN lab Architecture constrains 1 lab around a fireproof structure (ceiling, floor, external walls) 6 rooms divided in 1 observation room with 2 main Observer Stations 5 test rooms with 6 test environments

The Observer 5.0 Prerequisites for Test Rooms Each rooms has to be equipped with camera, microphone, loudspeakers and a tool to capture the screen of the test PC in high resolution Position of cameras and microphone can be chosen depending on test protocol Cameras can be controlled from the Observation room Additional video input for other hardware (miniature camera, VCR, mobile device camera)

The Observer 5.0 Prerequisites for Observation Room 2 Observation stations Each station can control independently all cameras, in/out audio signals and test PC Each station can record the video/audio/screen data from a chosen test room (can be identical for both stations) Information from the camera and screen of a test room can be visualised at the Observation Station Information is recorded digitally and analysed with chosen level of details: use of The Observer Video-Pro

The Observer 5.0 Boxed design of the lab: versatility Video

The Observer 5.0 Boxed design of the lab: versatility Audio

The Observer 5.0 Technical choices Centralized Processing All data from test rooms are sent via high quality shielded cables to a central management and processing unit and then dispatched to the two Observation Stations

The Observer 5.0 High Quality Components Components have been tested for perfect compatibility and preassembled at Noldus

The Observer 5.0 Controls All video data can be visualized and controlled from the Observation Stations Use of matrix system, dome cameras and several preview and recording monitors

The Observer 5.0 Selection of data We used video quad units and splitters to allow the best possible choice of camera view angles Overlay boards and Mpeg encoders allow to display and record simultaneously the camera images and screen capture of the test PC

The Observer 5.0 Screen Capture We used advanced KVM switcher and CAT5 network based solution to provide high quality and fast screen capture of the Test PCs Scan converter was not a viable solution in this case

The Observer 5.0 Final Solution Provided with integration, installation, on-site training, tailor-made manual and technical support (and nice dutch-french-belgian mood )

The Observer 5.0 Titel Spreker Datum Thank you! Noldus Information Technology Any Questions ?