How do I use the Polycom ViaVideo desktop video-conferencing system?
Answer:
You are probaably too late. It is being de-commissioned
(check with Steve Downing). Below is what used you used to have to do.
Maybe just use Skype instead?
The
Polycom ViaVideo can be used with the group laptop or
on any desktop (Windows) PC on which the sofware is installed.
The kit normally lives in room G32. The filing cabinet has the
CD contains the software for installation (very easy).
The basics...
- Log on to the laptop.
- Double click the Polycom Viavideo icon. You should see
a basic window open showing the Polycom logo.
- Check the lens cover on the unit is CLOSED.
- Check the unit is plugged in to the mains via its adapter.
- Plug in the USB cable.
- Open the lens cover on the unit to trigger software loading.
You should see a pop-up
window showing progress of the software being downloaded to the
unit.
- When the software is loaded, you should see a picture of
the room or whatever.
- For best results in room G32, stick the camera unit
facing away from the window
towards the meeting table in the middle of the room.
Go sit there to see what comes up on the
screen and adjust if necessary.
Go sit there
when the session is under way. The idea is that the camera
is in line (nearly) with where you are looking so the
people on the other end think you are talking to them
rather than the wall.
- To make a call to someone else who is
using the same kit or MS NetMeeting (or
some other kit using H323), simply click on the Call button,
type in their IP no. and click 'Call' again.
- To receive a call
from someone else (e.g. intiated by
JVCS in Edinburgh) listen out for a ping and look out for
a pop-up menu asking 'Do you wish to accept this call?'
or something like it. Click 'yes' and watch the
picture of yourself or room change to one of theirs.
- To make the picture window larger, drag the bootom RH corner. It only
goes so far.
- To check what the others are seeing, click on the PIP button
and you should get a small 'Picture In a Picture'.
- To go to full screen mode (no PIP), click on the fullscreen
button. Hit ESC to revert.
- When the session is finished, hit ESC if nec. to get back
to the control screen. Then click 'Hang up'.
- If you want to switch off the camera input: close the little cover
slide half way. Switch all the way closed to power it off, then unplug
the USB cable.
Things to watch out for...
- the loudspeaker volumes may need to be turned on or up!
- On the laptop, you may find the wrong audio source
is being used by default. Click the 'Info' icon (a blue 'i' symbol) to get
to the setup menus. Click on the audio tab. Check that
'USB audio' is set as the source. You can only change this
while there is no call, so you may have to
check 'hang up', reset the audio source having asked the caller
( before you hang up!) to start the call again in 3 minutes say.
So, maybe best to get into the habit of checking this before
the session starts!
- There should be no need to focus the camera (little wheel on
top) since it has autofocus. Touch the wheel only if it gets confused.
- You can try calling the PolyCom Test IP no. (140.242.46.50 as probably
featured in the 'recent calls' box) to see if things are working. All you get is
a picture of a data projector screen in an empty room - no sound.
If you can't get through, try the one in California: 216.52.12.30 which shows an
even sadder scene of lonely computers. There is the comforting sound of
air conditioning.
- The most likely thing to go wrong is sound (see above).
- Don't fiddle with the main settings unless you think you know what you are doing. If the connection speed is too high both the sound and video will have drop-outs, best to keep it to 256Kps.
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