Polycom ViaVideo User Manual
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Polycom ViaVideo User Manual

Polycom ViaVideo User Manual

Polycom user's guide viavideo
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User's Guide
ViaVideo
November 2000 Edition
3151-10065-005A

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  • Page 1 User’s Guide ViaVideo November 2000 Edition 3151-10065-005A...

  • Page 3: Important Information

    The software is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provision. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate. Polycom, Inc. is not responsible for printing or clerical errors. Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
  • Page 4 • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. • Consult the dealer for help. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Polycom could void the user's authority to operate this equipment. If you experience trouble with this equipment, please contact your equipment provider for repair/warranty information.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Window Controls ... 18 Picture in Picture (PIP) ... 18 Minimize Window ... 18 Information Screen Access ... 18 Re-Size the ViaVideo Display ... 19 Sending Snapshots ... 19 Leaving a Callback Message ... 20 Address Book and Speed Dial ... 21 Using the Address Book...
  • Page 6 Simple Connection - Just a Modem, Thanks... 65 Router With NAT, No Firewall ... 65 Router With Firewall ... 66 Configure your ViaVideo for NAT ... 66 Open and Assign Ports in the Firewall ... 67 ViaVideo User’s Guide www.polycom.com...
  • Page 7 Router With Firewall, Using a DMZ... 68 Configure Your ViaVideo for NAT ... 69 Assign your ViaVideo to the DMZ ... 69 Through a Virtual Private Network ... 70 What’s a Firewall?... 72 Opening Ports ... 73 Port Number Assignation ... 73 Is it Safe? ...
  • Page 8 Contents ViaVideo User’s Guide viii www.polycom.com...

  • Page 9: Viavideo Quick Start

    ViaVideo Quick Start This chapter explains how to get started with the Polycom ViaVideo describes: • • • • • • System Requirements and Installation Hardware Requirements These are the minimum system hardware requirements: • • • • • •...

  • Page 10: Software Requirements

    Note Installing Hardware Caution Be sure to install the ViaVideo software before you install the ViaVideo camera unit. To install the ViaVideo camera unit, insert the ViaVideo CD into your CD drive and click the Install Hardware link. You are guided through the installation procedures step by step.

  • Page 11: Starting Viavideo

    If your camera is installed correctly, the status indicator light blinks green, indicating that the camera unit is ready to receive the software upload. The switch on the front of the ViaVideo camera unit has three positions: Turns the camera unit on.

  • Page 12: Initial Setup

    The first time the ViaVideo application starts, it presents a series of user setup dialogs: a. User Information Provide the following essential information:...
  • Page 13 “Placing a Call,” on page 6. When you complete the ViaVideo setup procedures, the indicator light on the ViaVideo unit blinks green as the ViaVideo application loads instructions to the camera unit. Once this process is finished, ViaVideo presents the main screen, from which you can place and receive calls.

  • Page 14: Camera Calibration

    Chapter 1 3. As a final step, use the focus knob on top of the ViaVideo Note Camera Calibration After your ViaVideo camera unit has been turned on for 1/2 hour or more, ViaVideo presents the Camera Calibration screen in the application window so that you can calibrate the camera for low light settings.
  • Page 15 The ViaVideo application’s main screen is displayed, with near video showing in the Place Call window. If the ViaVideo application presents the main screen, but an animation is displayed in the near video window, make sure that your camera unit is turned on and that the power and USB cables are connected correctly.
  • Page 16 Chapter 1 4. Use your keyboard or the number buttons on the number pad to 5. While the call is connecting, ViaVideo shows the name and IP 6. Once your call is connected, ViaVideo shows the far site video, Note ViaVideo User’s Guide...

  • Page 17: Using The Address Book Or Speed Dialing

    Info icon Call status light IP address If the ViaVideo application presents the main screen, but an animation is displayed in the near video window, make sure that your camera unit is turned on, and that the power and USB cables ©...
  • Page 18 To place a call from the address book: a. Highlight an entry in the Address Book screen. b. Click Call or double-click on the entry. ViaVideo presents the calling screen. For more information about the Address Book screen, see “Using the Address Book,” on page 21.

  • Page 19: On-Screen Remote Control

    Chapter 1 3. While the call is connecting, ViaVideo presents the name and IP 4. Once your call is connected, ViaVideo shows the far site video, Note On-Screen Remote Control When you place a call, a virtual remote control is displayed to the right of the ViaVideo screen.

  • Page 20: Ending A Call

    They will be implemented in a future release. Ending a Call To end a call, click Hang Up on the virtual remote control. ViaVideo disconnects immediately. Answering Calls ViaVideo is configured to ask if you want to receive an incoming call.

  • Page 21: Closing Viavideo

    Chapter 1 Note Closing ViaVideo To close the ViaVideo application, click the X in the top right corner of the ViaVideo screen, or right-click on the top of the application window frame. Note © Polycom, Inc. To answer a call, the ViaVideo application must be running.
  • Page 22 Chapter 1 ViaVideo Quick Start ViaVideo User’s Guide www.polycom.com...

  • Page 23: Using Viavideo

    Using ViaVideo This chapter explains how to use the following ViaVideo features: • • • • • Calling Features This section describes the following ViaVideo features that you can use during a call: • • • © Polycom, Inc. Calling Features (page 15)

  • Page 24: Using The Remote Control

    Chapter 2 Using the Remote Control When you place a call, a virtual remote control is displayed to the right of the ViaVideo screen. The remote control lets you perform a variety of calling functions. Note: The far camera controls (far...
  • Page 25 Mutes outgoing audio to the far site. When this option is selected, the audio mute icon is displayed on the screen (the far site does not see the icon). ViaVideo maintains the audio mute setting between calls. Using ViaVideo ViaVideo User’s Guide...

  • Page 26: Window Controls

    Information Screen Access You can access ViaVideo information screens while in a call by clicking Info in the top left of the ViaVideo window. Far site video is displayed in a small window, which you can drag to a convenient location.

  • Page 27: Re-Size The Viavideo Display

    Then click Place Call. Re-Size the ViaVideo Display You can make ViaVideo display in a smaller screen to give you more space on the desktop. Go to System Info>Setup>General and select Show small size at startup. The next time you start ViaVideo, the application is displayed in a half-size screen without any loss of image quality.

  • Page 28: Leaving A Callback Message

    The snapshot is displayed in a browser window at the far site, and is sure to grab their attention. It helps if you leave your number so the far site can call you back. ViaVideo User’s Guide (for example, QCIF , NetMeeting) are not able to receive high-resolution snapshots.

  • Page 29: Address Book And Speed Dial

    Local if you enter the addresses manually in the address book. Local entries display a Delete icon in the Address Book screen. IP address Line speed Using ViaVideo Speed dial entries Search Call button Directory services Connection type ViaVideo User’s Guide...
  • Page 30 The address book information panel at the bottom of the Address Book screen provides information about the selected entry. In the example above, Jane Doe’s ViaVideo is set to a line speed of 128 Kbps. Her IP address is displayed (208.10.179.286), and the Connection type icon indicates that she is on a local area network.

  • Page 31: Local And Global Address Book Entries

    Local Entries Local entries are entries that you create, modify, and maintain in the ViaVideo address book. These addresses are stored locally, and do not appear in other users’ address books. When you select a local entry in the address book, the Delete icon is displayed in place of the Global icon.
  • Page 32 System function, see “Reset System,” on page 39. Global (ILS Server) Entries ViaVideo supports registration with up to 5 Internet Locator Service (ILS) servers. An ILS server is a global directory that stores names, aliases, E-Mail addresses, and IP addresses of registered users.
  • Page 33 Chapter 2 To register with the Polycom Global Address Book or an ILS server: 1. Go to the Directory Services screen 2. Enter the IP address of the ILS server in the entry field and click You can also set the following two fields in the Directory Services screen.

  • Page 34: Using Speed Dial

    When you right-click a speed dial entry, four actions are available to you: Delete All Lock ViaVideo User’s Guide Deletes all unlocked entries from your Speed Dial screen. Locks a speed dial entry so that it is always present in the Speed Dial screen. When you...

  • Page 35: Controlling Audio And Video

    Mute on the on-screen remote. A Mute icon is displayed on-screen. To restore outgoing audio, click Mute again. ViaVideo shows a Mute icon in the near video. This icon is not © Polycom, Inc. Places a call to the selected entry. You can also call a speed dial entry by double-clicking the entry.

  • Page 36: Via The Audio Screen

    Chapter 2 displayed in the far site view. ViaVideo maintains your audio mute setting between calls. Via the Audio Screen The Audio screen (System Info>Setup>Audio) lets you set Master, Wave, and Line In audio levels. To set these levels, click the Volume Control button in the Audio setup screen.

  • Page 37: Muting Video

    Mute Auto Answer Calls in the Audio screen (System Info>Setup>Audio). Muting Video To mute the near video for privacy both during and in-between calls without shutting off your ViaVideo unit, slide the ViaVideo camera shutter to the Video Mute (middle) position. Note © Polycom, Inc.
  • Page 38 Chapter 2 When you want the far site to see you again, slide the shutter back to the on position. ViaVideo User’s Guide Using ViaVideo www.polycom.com...

  • Page 39: Collaboration And Application Sharing

    ViaVideo application. Multiple IP Addresses If you are set up to use multiple IP addresses, ViaVideo detects the presence of these addresses. The first time you start up the ViaVideo application, ViaVideo presents the Multiple IP Addresses screen.
  • Page 40 ViaVideo detects more than one IP address when: • • • If you want to change IP addresses once ViaVideo is already running, go to the H.323 screen (System Info>Setup>H.323 Setup>H.323) and click Choose Other IP Address. Note ViaVideo presents the Multiple IP Addresses screen, and you can choose which IP address you want to use.

  • Page 41: System Information And Diagnostics

    • Using the System Information Screens To access the system information screens at any time, click the Info icon in the top left corner of the ViaVideo application window. The System Information screen is displayed. © Polycom, Inc. Using the System Information Screens (page 33) Diagnostics (page 35) Setup (page 42).
  • Page 42 Info icon at the top of each screen. To return to the main calling screen, click the Home icon. Note The following diagram shows the ViaVideo screen hierarchy. ViaVideo User’s Guide If you are in a call while using the system information screens, click the Info icon to display the system information screens.

  • Page 43: Diagnostics

    See the following sections for descriptions of the screens accessible through the Diagnostics screen. You must be in a call for ViaVideo to register information in the Network Stats and Advanced Stats screens, and for current call statistics in the Call Status screens.

  • Page 44: Network Statistics

    % Packet Loss Video Protocol Video Format Audio Protocol Comm Protocol ViaVideo User’s Guide System Information and Diagnostics Lets you generate a tone to test audio functions (see page 41). Transfer clock rate; the clock rate for outgoing packet transfer.

  • Page 45: Advanced Statistics

    The rate of audio packet transfer. The rate possible for video packet transfer. The actual rate of video packet transfer. The variance from average audio transmission rate. The variance from average video transmission rate. manufacturer’s ID of the remote system. ViaVideo User’s Guide...

  • Page 46: Call Status

    The information in the Call Status screen is not cleared when you reset your system. If you do a complete un-install and re-install of the ViaVideo software, call status information is cleared. Status Code Last Number Dialed Calls Placed...

  • Page 47: Reset System

    If you have cleared your user settings, the next time you start the application, ViaVideo prompts you through the system configuration screens as it did when you powered on ViaVideo the first time. © Polycom, Inc. Be sure to copy down any important system information...

  • Page 48: Camera Calibration

    Camera Calibration The Camera Calibration screen lets you calibrate the camera for low light settings. The first time you install the ViaVideo camera unit on your PC, ViaVideo allows the camera to warm up to operating temperature and automatically presents the Camera Calibration screen so that you can calibrate the camera for low light settings.

  • Page 49: Generate Tone

    Click Generate Tone to generate a tone. Click Generate Tone again to stop generating the tone. © Polycom, Inc. System Information and Diagnostics ViaVideo User’s Guide...

  • Page 50: Setup

    General Directory Services Lets you see and change GAB and ILS server LAN and Internet Audio Software ViaVideo User’s Guide System Information and Diagnostics Lets you see and change general setup information (see page 43). settings (see page 45). Lets you see and change LAN and Internet server settings (see page 46).

  • Page 51: General

    By default, Auto Answer is not selected. When Auto Start ViaVideo is selected, the ViaVideo application starts as part of your PC’s boot process. When in auto start mode, ViaVideo starts with the application window minimized.
  • Page 52 If Show Animations is not selected, the screen transition animations do not appear, and the screens load slightly faster. selected, ViaVideo is displayed on a half-size screen after you restart the application. This is the name that is displayed in your Global Address Book and ILS server listings.

  • Page 53: Directory Services

    Dialing Speed field. To register with ViaVideo’s GAB server, enter gab.austin.polycom.com in the entry field. ILS Server field. ViaVideo registers you with a server as soon as you exit the Directory Services screen. System Information and Diagnostics ViaVideo User’s Guide...

  • Page 54: Lan And Internet

    If you do not select this option, you will not be registered with any servers when the ViaVideo application starts. You can register with an ILS server once ViaVideo is running by selecting the servers in this screen, then exiting the screen.
  • Page 55 Default Gateway Subnet Mask WINS Server To change your network configurations, click Configure in the LAN and Internet screen. ViaVideo presents the Windows Network © Polycom, Inc. System Information and Diagnostics This is the computer name entered in your Windows network configuration settings.

  • Page 56: Audio

    Chapter 3 Properties dialog, where you can change your network configuration settings. Audio The Audio screen lets you set audio configuration options. ViaVideo User’s Guide System Information and Diagnostics www.polycom.com...
  • Page 57 Chapter 3 Mute Auto Answer Calls Mutes outgoing audio for calls when Headphones or SpeakersActivates the ViaVideo camera unit’s Headset with MicrophoneDisables the microphone in your Volume Control Sound Card © Polycom, Inc. Auto Answer Incoming Calls is selected. internal microphone. Select this option when using speakers or headphones without an attached microphone.

  • Page 58: Software

    Color Depth Display Mode Operating System The operating system software version. USB Universal Host Controller Video Card ViaVideo Software The ViaVideo Software screen lets you view and set the following information: USB Driver Version Camera Version Boot Version Software Update URL ViaVideo User’s Guide...

  • Page 59: H.323 Setup

    Chapter 3 You can check ViaVideo’s software update site for the latest version by clicking Check for New Software. If a new version of the software exists, you can download it from this site. The software update URL can be set to a site on your corporate Intranet to make new software updates accessible from your internal Web site.

  • Page 60: H.323

    Chapter 3 H.323 The H.323 screen lets you configure the H.323 name and extension used to dial your ViaVideo when you are using a gatekeeper. H.323 Name H.323 Extension The H.323 extension, or gatekeeper extension, Display IP Dialing Extension ViaVideo User’s Guide...
  • Page 61 If you are using multiple IP addresses, the Choose Other IP Address option appears in the H.323 screen. You can specify which IP address you want ViaVideo to use by clicking Choose Other IP Address and selecting the IP address you want ViaVideo to use.

  • Page 62: Gatekeeper

    Use this option if you have only one gatekeeper on your network. If you select Auto and ViaVideo is not able to find a gatekeeper, be sure that you have a gatekeeper, and that it is correctly configured.

  • Page 63: Dialing Speeds

    You can select up to eight line speeds here.These speeds then appear to the left of the Speed button when you are making a manual call. © Polycom, Inc. System Information and Diagnostics ViaVideo User’s Guide...

  • Page 64: Quality Of Service And Firewalls

    In this screen, you can configure your quality of service, Network Address Translator (NAT), and firewall options. Use Fixed Ports System is behind a NAT Alerts ViaVideo to use the IP address ViaVideo User’s Guide System Information and Diagnostics Specifies the fixed ports assigned to ViaVideo when working with a firewall.
  • Page 65 Auto discover NAT IP address NAT outside (WAN) address IP Precedence Dynamic Bandwidth For more information about configuring your ViaVideo for operation behind a firewall or NAT, see “Network Connection,” on page 63. © Polycom, Inc. System Information and Diagnostics Selecting this option activates ViaVideo’s automatic external IP...
  • Page 66 Chapter 3 System Information and Diagnostics ViaVideo User’s Guide www.polycom.com...

  • Page 67: Audio Connection

    Audio Connection Because of the multiple possibilities for audio connection with the ViaVideo camera unit, the following information is provided to help you correctly install your audio connection. PC with Speakers This diagram shows the correct connection from the ViaVideo audio line out to the PC line in when using speakers.

  • Page 68: Pc With Headphones

    Appendix A PC with Headphones This diagram shows the correct connection from the ViaVideo audio line out to the PC line in when using headphones. Select Headphones or Speakers in the Audio screen (System Information>Setup>Audio) when using this type of audio connection.

  • Page 69: Headphones Only

    With this type of connection, you will be able to hear all sounds generated by the ViaVideo camera unit processor: • • • You will not be able to hear sounds generated by the ViaVideo application on your PC: • • •...

  • Page 70: Headset With Attached Microphone

    With this type of connection, you will be able to hear all sounds generated by the ViaVideo camera unit processor: • • • You will not be able to hear sounds generated by the ViaVideo application on your PC: • • •...

  • Page 71: Network Connection

    Network Connection Although connecting any network device can be a confusing task, we at ViaVideo are all for simplifying things a bit. If you don’t have a network administrator to take care of all your connectivity issues, read the information in this appendix and you will be ready to go in no time.

  • Page 72: Router With Nat, No Firewall

    Router With Firewall, Using a DMZ If your network connection is through a router with a firewall, and you want to set up your PC with ViaVideo in a “Demilitarized Zone” (DMZ) use the configuration instructions on page 68. For more information about DMZs, refer to “What’s a DMZ?,”...

  • Page 73: Through A Virtual Private Network

    128, for most calls. Select line speeds in the Dialing Speeds screen (System Info>Setup>H.323>Dialing Speeds). Router With NAT, No Firewall To configure your ViaVideo to use your router’s Network Address Translator (NAT): 1. Go to the Quality of Service and Firewall screen (System ©...

  • Page 74: Router With Firewall

    3. Enter your NAT’s external IP address in the NAT Outside ViaVideo User’s Guide (WAN) Address field. You can enter the address manually, or let ViaVideo enter it automatically by selecting the Auto discover NAT IP Address option. When you select Auto discover NAT IP Address, ViaVideo automatically discovers your external IP address and enters it in the NAT Outside (WAN) Address field.

  • Page 75: Open And Assign Ports In The Firewall

    ViaVideo. To do so, start the ViaVideo application and look in the System Information screen. In Your Firewall You will need to open and assign ports to the PC running ViaVideo in your router’s firewall interface software. The exact steps and terms involved are probably different in your firewall interface.

  • Page 76: Router With Firewall, Using A Dmz

    ViaVideo automatically enters this range. If you are using a different range, enter the port numbers for that range here. not, see “Configure Your ViaVideo for NAT,” on page 69, and follow the instructions listed there. Configure ViaVideo to work with your firewall’s Network Address Translator Assign your ViaVideo to the DMZ.

  • Page 77: Configure Your Viavideo For Nat

    Appendix In addition to placing the PC running ViaVideo in the DMZ, you also need to configure your ViaVideo to run behind a Network Address Translator (NAT) Configure Your ViaVideo for NAT In addition to assigning your PC running ViaVideo to the DMZ, you also need to configure your ViaVideo to use your router’s NAT.

  • Page 78: Through A Virtual Private Network

    ViaVideo application. Note When you start ViaVideo, it detects the presence of multiple IP addresses assigned to your machine, and asks you which one you want to choose. Select the IP address of your VPN connection. ViaVideo displays this address in the System Information screen, in the bottom of the application window, and in your address book user information.
  • Page 79 Appendix If you want to change IP addresses once ViaVideo is already running, go to the H.323 screen (System Info>Setup>H.323 Setup>H.323) and click Choose Other IP Address. Note © Polycom, Inc. Before activating your VPN, make sure that ViaVideo’s System is Behind a NAT option in the Quality of Service and Firewall screen (System Info>Setup>H.323>QOS) is...

  • Page 80: What's A Firewall

    Chose the IP address of your VPN connection and restart the application. Once the ViaVideo application re-starts, ViaVideo uses the IP address you specified. This address is displayed in the System Information screen, at the bottom of the application window, and in your address book user information.

  • Page 81: Opening Ports

    UDP packet transfer. If you wish to assign a different range of ports, you can specify any registered, non-assigned ports in a 6-port range to ViaVideo. For a list of registered, non-assigned ports, go to: http://www.isi.edu/in-notes/iana/assignments/port-numbers. When you assign the ports to the ViaVideo application, the router reserves the assigned ports for use by ViaVideo.

  • Page 82: What's A Dmz

    Setting up your ViaVideo’s computer in a DMZ is the quickest way to configure your ViaVideo to run while using a firewall. For more information about configuring your video communications server in a DMZ, see “Router With Firewall, Using a DMZ,”...

  • Page 83: What's A Network Address Translator

    IP address. When the answering packet comes back, the NAT notes the indentifier, re-assigns the packet to the device’s internal IP address, and sends it on its merry way. © Polycom, Inc. Network Connection ViaVideo User’s Guide...
  • Page 84 Appendix Network Connection ViaVideo User’s Guide www.polycom.com...

  • Page 85: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting This appendix explains the most common problems and error messages you might encounter when using ViaVideo, and explains how to correct them. General Troubleshooting The following table presents problems you might encounter while using ViaVideo, their explanations, and possible solutions.

  • Page 86: Audio Troubleshooting

    Audio Troubleshooting The following table lists audio-related problems, their explanations, and possible solutions. Problem No Audio No sound effects. ViaVideo User’s Guide Explanation You may not have your audio hooked up correctly. Your Wave audio setting may be low. Troubleshooting...
  • Page 87 2. Check the volume control for your PC speakers. See “No Audio” above. 1. Make sure your audio is not muted. 2. Make sure the far site has the volume set correctly. 3. Check your microphone settings in System Info>Setup>Audio. ViaVideo User’s Guide...

  • Page 88: Video Troubleshooting

    2. I get scrambled video. 3. My mouse blinks. 4. Windows is running very slow. 5. ViaVideo is taking up most of my CPU cycles. 1. My video is very blocky. 2. The ViaVideo window is displayed with an animation where the near camera video should be.
  • Page 89 There is not enough light for the ViaVideo camera to operate properly. The lighting in your office is insufficient and ViaVideo is automatically compensating...

  • Page 90: Error Messages

    The following tables give common error messages, their explanations, and solutions. Installation Errors The following table lists installation-related error messages, their explanations, and solutions. Error Message ViaVideo generates the following error message while attempting to install: Unable to open temporary file H.323 Errors The following errors are specific to H.323 gatekeepers.
  • Page 91 Reason Gatekeeper Transport Not Supported Gatekeeper Full Registration Required © Polycom, Inc. Explanation You must allow ViaVideo to discover the gatekeeper. Your gatekeeper may not support the correct version of H.323. The gatekeeper has an invalid call signal address. The gatekeeper has an invalid RAS Address.
  • Page 92 Appendix C Troubleshooting ViaVideo User’s Guide www.polycom.com...

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