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The AGS-4DTH
The AGS Group, represented by DETAC Corporation, has been providing distance education services in Alberta since 1984. The group have been developing and manufacturing distance education technology under the AGS banner for most of this time. These products are:
General Description: The AGS-4 DTH is a digitally controlled voice conferencing unit, intended for applications where the learner group is small (1-8 people) and where shipping of the system to the learner is critical. It was originally conceived to be used for individuals at home for correspondence study support and for home schooling. The device connects to standard analog telephones, such as those used by fax machines and personal modems. This model requires an external standard speaker (stereo, shelf or computer) to be attached to the rear RCA connector. Line level audio outputs (1/8" stereo jacks) are also provided on the front of the unit for transmitted audio, received audio, or both, should the user wish to make use of an existing audio amplifier/speaker system. The standard touch tone telephone connects to an RJ11 (modular) phone jack at the rear of the unit to facilitate dialing to the audio teleconference bridge or connecting to another AGS unit. Since the unit has a built-in microphone, the learner may speak directly into the air hands-free. They may also use either a push-to-talk table microphone, a set of headphones, the optional headset microphone or an XLR microphone (input at rear of unit). The unit has been designed specifically for distance education and training situations. All controls (with the exception of the XLR microphone toggle switch) are placed on the front of the unit so as to cause the least interruptions during the learning lesson. The AGS-4 DTH also features exceptional echo-cancellation technology and filtering elements built into it's noise suppression circuitry capable of rendering low-quality phone connections, crystal clear. Click here to view a full size diagram of front and rear control panels of unit (2312x2583 pixels, 85k). Installed Base In Alberta: As Alberta's only manufacturer of audio teleconferencing hardware, the list of installations has increased signifigantly in the past three years. The following is a sample of the installed base. Within the southern portion of the province are:
Within the Alberta North Consortium are:
Due to the location of the manufacturing facilities in Edmonton, the group offers on-line support, 24 hour service on site and "local" repair services. Over the past eight years only a dozen repair services have been requested for AGS technology. Currently, most institutions supply their own service unless board level service is required. All AGS products have a one year warranty. Standard upgrades are available periodically to provide better firmware and upgraded system controls.
The AGS-4 DTH is the first of a new line of innovative distance education products that are designed to provide voice, data, and video service direct-to-home. The AGS-4 DTH will work with other audio systems and POTS video-conferencing systems as the audio device. The new features will enhance the existing product line by adding systems for the individual user and the tiny learning group situation. The DTH offers institutions access to all the features of the AGS-5MX. The new DTH features some new innovations that will enhance the flexibility of the system to fit audio-conferencing learning situations being developed in distance learning.
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