Video conferencing

A "videoconference" or "video conference" allows for two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions though interactive telecommunication technologies.

Gustavus has several facilities on campus that are equipped for video conferencing.

If you have questions about video conferencing or would like to reserve a facility, please contact the Technology Helpline (x6111).

Locations

Building Room Reservable IP Address Streaming Address
Olin OTC Classroom (124) Yes 138.236.64.141 239.255.2.6
Olin GTS Conference (133) Yes 138.236.65.86 239.255.2.7
Mattson 102 No 138.236.75.30 239.255.2.1
Mattson 130 No 138.236.75.52 239.255.2.2
FA Communications 323 No 138.236.112.218 239.255.2.3
FA Communications 327 No 138.236.112.219 239.255.2.4
Library AV Portable Cart Yes

Turning on the system

  1. In the right-hand drawer of the lecture station locate the Extron controller
  2. If the projector is not press the power button on the Extron controller
  3. Press Camera button on the Extron controller
  4. Turn volume knob down (counterclockwise) till red light blinks
  5. Locate the Polycom remote in the drawer of the lecture station

Placing calls

  1. Press the menu button on the remote and select "Video Call" from the main menu with the arrow keys on the remote
    1polycomcall.png
  2. Delete the address if there is one and enter the IP address or domain name of the remote location you are trying to contact. Use the right arrow to make a period. A typical address might look something like: 192.168.1.1
    2polycomdial.png
  3. Set the speed to 128 or higher - a higher speed offers a better quality picture, but if the connection is choppy the speed should be lowered
    3polycombandwidth.png
  4. Press the "Call•Hang Up" button on the Polycom remote to connect the call
  5. Increase the volume to hear the remote location, by turning the volume knob on the Extron controller clockwise. If you still are unable to hear the remote location try turning up the volume by pressing the volume buttons on the Polycom remote control. If the volume is to loud you will hear feedback (squealing) and will need to lower the volume
  6. Press "Call•Hang-Up" twice to disconnect

Placing calls from the Address Book

  1. Press the menu button on the remote and select "Address Book"
    V4polycomaddressbook.png
  2. Select the location you are calling from the list and press "Call•Hang-Up" on the Polycom remote to connect the call
    5polycomselectaddress.png
  3. Increase the volume to hear the remote location, by turning the volume knob on the Extron controller clockwise. If you still are unable to hear the remote location try turning up the volume by pressing the volume buttons on the Polycom remote control. If the volume is to loud you will hear feedback (squealing) and will need to lower the volume
  4. Press "Call•Hang-Up" twice to disconnect

Calling more than one location (multipoint)

  1. While in a call press "Call•Hang-Up" on the Polycom remote.
  2. Select "Add Video Call" from the menu
    11polycomaddcall.png
  3. Select an address from the address book or manually enter the address as detailed in the sections above
    12polycomaddcallip.png
  4. Press "Call•Hang-Up" to disconnect

Camera control

Choosing which camera to control

Depending on the facility, some rooms on campus have multiple cameras. You may want to control either of these cameras or even the cameras at the remote location you are connecting to.

  1. Press the "Near" button on the Polycom remote to select the local camera
  2. Pressing the "Near" button multiple times on the Polycom remote will allow you to select other local cameras in the same room (if equipped)
  3. Use the "Far" button on the remote to bring focus to the remote camera you are connecting to and control it with the Polycom remote control if allowed by the remote location

Adjusting camera position

  1. The camera may be oriented many different directions. You may press the number keys on the Polycom remote to move the camera to preset positions. The table below represents those presets. You may also use the arrow keys on the Polycom remote to fine tune the position
    Remotelabeled.png
Left Side of Room Middle of Room Right Side of Room
Zoomed In  1 2 3
Middle Zoom  4 5 6
Zoomed Out  7 8 9

Sound control

Mute/unmute the microphones

  1. To ensure the the remote location can hear the audio from your room ensure that the microphones are not muted
  2. Have a private conversation that the remote location cannot hear by muting the microphone
  3. A "muted microphone" symbol will appear on the lower left part of the video screen if the microphones are muted.
  4. To mute or unmute the microphones in the room press the "Mute" button on the Polycom remote control

Adjusting the volume

  1. Increase the volume to hear the remote location, by turning the volume knob on the Extron controller clockwise.
  2. If you still are unable to hear the remote location try turning up the volume by pressing the volume buttons on the Polycom remote control.
  3. If the volume is to loud you will hear feedback (squealing) and will need to lower the volume

Streaming calls

  1. Press the menu button on the remote and select "Streaming Call"
    6polycomstreaming.png
  2. Set a meeting password to protect the stream is needed. By default the password is the building and room number you are in.
    7polycomstreampassword.png
  3. Select Start
    8polycomstartstreaming.png
  4. When done press "Call•Hang-Up" twice on the Polycom remote

Answering calls

  1. If another location calls, you will be prompted by the system to answer the call
  2. Select "Yes" from the menu when asked if you would like to answer the call
    V10polycomanswercall.png
  3. Increase the volume to hear the remote location, by turning the volume knob on the Extron controller clockwise. If you still are unable to hear the remote location try turning up the volume by pressing the volume buttons on the Polycom remote control. If the volume is to loud you will hear feedback (squealing) and will need to lower the volume
  4. Press "Call•Hang-Up" to disconnect

Turning off the system

  1. In the right-hand drawer of the lecture station locate the Extron controller
  2. Press the power button on the Extron controller to turn off the projector
  3. All other equipment will automatically go to sleep