Video Conferencing in McGowan - The basics! (Sept 16, 2009)

The Polycom video conferencing equipment in McGowan includes:

• 1 video camera
• 1 Large TV screen and related remote controller
• Polycom system unit (hidden in podium) and related remote controller.
• Table top Microphone - red lights = muted, green lights = picking up sound in the room and sending to others

Initial very brief instructions:

Use the controllers to turn on both units. The Polycom unit will display the work "Polycom" on the screen within a minute but then takes several minutes to boot up. During this time you may think it is not working, but it is.

Once you have both systems working the screen will display a box into which you will enter the "IP Address" of the location you want to connect with. This like a phone number, but it is an IP address. You enter this in the box and then press the controller button with a picture of green telephone. You should hear the number being dialed.

If you find that you cannot get the system to respond to keys on the Polycom controller, try pressing the key with a picture of a keyboard on it. This may permit you to enter and delete digits for the IP address.

Try this IP address: 216.30.202.125##71 (this is the ICE Classroom)

The microphone has three states:

• - not working (when the Polycom system is off)
• - On, but either muted or no connection to others - red lights
• - On AND picking up sound and sending it to other users.

Tap the top of the microphone to cycle through the available states (i.e. tap it to mute the microphone when private conversations are underway - tap it again to turn it back on)

TRICKS TO KNOW!

When using the Polycom controller, point it a the middle of the podium. You are directing the control beam to the location of the unit being controlled.

TURNING OFF THE SYSTEM:

This can be frustrating if you don't know the trick to turning off the Polycom system. Both controllers have a button to turn the systems on and off. The TV controller power button works as you would expect. The Polycom controller power button works as you would expect when you turn it on... BUT... when you turn off the Polycom system:

YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE POWER BUTTON DOWN FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE POLYCOM SYSTEM. Just pressing it firmly and letting it up does nothing.