Jose Joskowicz

This paper examines the use and effectiveness of consumer-grade Virtual Reality (VR) technology in traditional university courses. At the School of Economics, Universidad de la Republica in Uruguay, students were divided into four groups: in-person, standard video conferencing, VR with avatars in a metaverse classroom, and remote participation in the metaverse. The study assessed various Quality of Experience (QoE) factors for students and professors, such as audiovisual quality, comfort, immersion, fatigue, and cognitive load. Findings reveal that VR promotes high student satisfaction, motivation, and interaction, reaching levels similar to in-person classes. However, issues like technical difficulties and discomfort with extended VR use were noted. The paper discusses the broader potential of VR for non-STEM higher education and offers recommendations for future implementation of immersive technologies.

This paper explores the problem of automating the detection of commercial breaks in live broadcasts and video recordings, distinguishing them from regular channel content with a focus on the use of visual signals, commonly referred to as bumpers, to clearly distinguish commercial content from regular programming. Accurate measurement of commercial break duration is crucial for regulatory compliance, ensuring timely airing for advertisers, and maintaining verifiable records for broadcasters. Through an examination of regulatory frameworks in various countries, such as Spain, Uruguay, and the United States, this paper discusses how these regulations are applied and explores the potential for automated detection technologies to aid broadcasters and regulators in monitoring compliance. The paper describes the results of the implementation of a system for automatic TV advertising detection, including its design and performance analysis.

Fourteen students and the professors attended the "Accounting in integrated management systems" class using Meta Quest 2 VR headsets during seven 1-hour sessions, one session per week. Different aspects were analyzed during the sessions, including audiovisual quality, comfort, sickness, immersion, presence, fatigue, cognitive load, and useful of the technology for the academic purposes.

This paper provides a review of Extended Reality (ER) technologies and applications. The different technologies related to ER, such as Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality are introduced and explained, following an historical perspective. The basic technical concepts behind these technologies are briefly explained. Current applications are presented, including references to actual tools and systems, in order to clarify the concepts and the potential of the technologies.Â

This paper describes the historical trajectory of video conferencing systems, spanning from their earlier mechanical and analog origins in the 1920s to the sophisticated IP-based services delivered from the cloud in the 2020s. Each technological age is examined, highlighting the technical and functional aspects that characterized its evolution. Commercial landmarks of each age are presented providing a comprehensive overview of the most prominent offerings at pivotal moments in the timeline. By examining the past and speculating on the future, this paper aims to provide a holistic understanding of the development, current state, and forthcoming trends in video conferencing technology.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the workplace requires commitment not only from the leadership of company directors but, equally important, from the engineers responsible for its implementation. This paper presents a survey on perceptions concerning the utilization of AI tools in engineering environments. It was focused on engineers and students in the areas of electricity, electronics and computing. The questionnaire covered demographic information, Artificial Intelligence knowledge level, preferred tools, primary applications, perceived impact, and attitudes toward labor substitution. With the endorsement of the IEEE Uruguay Section and IEEE Region 9, the survey was distributed via email to a diverse group of potential participants, in several countries, including all IEEE members in Region 9. There were 375 replies to the survey, from 20 different countries in the Americas.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the workplace requires commitment not only from the leadership of managers but, equally important, from the engineers responsible for its implementation. This paper presents a survey on perceptions concerning the utilization of AI tools in engineering environments. It was focused on engineers and students in the areas of electricity, electronics and computing. The questionnaire covered demographic information, Artificial Intelligence knowledge level, preferred tools, primary applications, perceived impact, and attitudes toward labor substitution. With the endorsement of the IEEE Uruguay Section and IEEE Region 9, the survey was distributed via email to a diverse group of potential participants, in more than 20 countries, including all IEEE members in Region 9 .

This paper extends to 4K or Ultra High Definition (UHD) the scope of a parametric model for perceptual video quality estimation, which has been previously designed for resolutions from Quarter Common Intermediate Format (QCIF) up to High Definition (HD).