Center for Advanced Technology at New York University
Facilities, Equipment, & Other Resources
The 12th floor of 715-719 Broadway, which houses the Center for Advanced Technology, as
well as the Computer Science Department's Media Research Lab, is a state-of-the-art technology
development center. It is a fully reconfigurable space that allows for relatively quick setup and
breakdown of camera, projection, computer, and sound systems. In addition to an IBM SP2
supercomputer (with 8 nodes, 4 processors each), the lab runs more than 100 computer
workstations including 11 Macintosh computers, 79 Intel-based PCs, 10 Sun systems, and 10
SGI systems. Two laptop computers (IBM ThinkPad, Sony Vaio) are also available for faculty
and staff use. In addition, a number of handheld devices are used on the floor including Compaq
Ipaqs (5) – which enjoy a wireless connection to the network via 2 wireless access points, Aero’s
(3), HP Jornadas (2), Palm Pilots, and a Casio Cassiopeia.
Input devices include a Cyberware 1.5 3D scanner, a Canon slide scanner, flatbed scanner, and
two haptic feedback devices.
For output services, the lab has 5 laser printers, 3 color ink-jet printers, a Kodak dyesublimation printer, and 2 CD recording systems.
Video Lab
All of the Center's audio and video production is done in-house. An Avid Express station, a Final
Cut Pro workstation, and Adobe After Effects are used for editing near broadcast-quality digital
video, as well as combining high-quality computer graphics and special effects with video. This
system is based on a PowerMac 9500 with over 100 Megabytes of RAM and an 11-gigabyte
Raid Array. In-house resources also include a Pioneer DVR 5201 DVD writer, Panasonic
DVCPro deck, Sony BetacamSP deck, 2 VHS recorders, Panasonic DVC recorder deck
(Firewire enabled), and a Terrapin audio/video CD burner. Our Black Box immersive space
utilizes a projection rack holding a VHS player/recorder, DVD player, Laserdisc player, Toshiba
projector, Marantz tuner, Alessis RA-100 amplifier and Mackie sound mixer.
Additionally, we have a Canon XL1 professional digital video camera a Sony digital handycam,
1 Hi-8 video camera, Sony monitor, Mackie vlz1202 Mixer, Advent powered speakers and patch
bay. A professional lighting kit is available for photo shoots as well as well as a chroma screen
for compositing background or scene effects.
Sound Lab
This digital lab is based on a Macintosh G4 with the Digidesign ProTools 4 suite of editing
hardware. Software includes Waves TDM Plugins for advance signal processing and a full
spectrum of software plugins for sound processing. The computer system is supplemented by: a
Kurtzweil 2000 sampler, a Tascam DAT recorder, a Symetrix voice processor, a Yamaha SPX
1000 effects processor, a Tascam 122 MK2 cassette deck, a Mark of the Unicorn MIDI time
piece, a Mackie LM-3204 Mixer, an Alesis RA100 amplifier, Genelec 1030 powered speakers, a
voice-over isolation booth, and an assortment of professional quality microphones, keyboards,
effects processors, and sound modules.
Network
The 12th floor has a switched Ethernet network routing the TCP/IP and AppleTalk protocols.
This is currently bridged to NYU's FDDI backbone, which connects to the Internet with a T3
(44.74 Mbit/sec) connection. The NYU connection to Internet2 has been designed and
implemented. The CAT has received and installed a switch which allows access to it.
The lab's main web server is a Sun Ultra2 Enterprise. A DLT 8000 Jukebox system is
responsible for Unix backups and a DLT4000 treats Mac and PC backups. Our network is a
diverse one – a broad range of hardware running various operating systems, each with unique
architectures. Establishing and maintaining communication across such different systems is the
responsibility of the System Administrator.
Presentation Facilities
The main conference room, has an Macintosh G3 and a Gateway Pentium computer connected to
a Boxlight high-intensity projector and a sound system. The larger conference room is being
furnished with a ceiling mounted, remote controlled communications camera that allows for
remote panning, zooming, and focusing. A fully functional and mobile streaming setup is
available for broadcasting events to the Internet. A smaller conference room is outfitted with a
ceiling mounted projector, an IBM Netvista, web cam, and Mimio whiteboard device for
teleconferencing.
2 combination overhead projectors/digital cameras are available for remote presentations as well.
Black Box
The Black Box is an experimental immersive presentation and R&D space which is fully
transmutable in its environment control – sound, projection surfaces, and lighting. Essentially a
glass walled cube lined with heavy, black, sound and light absorbent curtains and a raised black
floor, the Black Box serves as a mini theater to develop and show research.
Hardware Resources
From its roots in Robotics and Manufacturing Research, the Center boasts an engineering lab
space for design and prototyping of hardware and systems. Traditional and advanced CNC
machine tooling plus experienced design engineering personnel provide capabilities that enable
rapid, "in-house" prototyping of animatronics, vision systems, VR devices and other hardware.