Videoconferencing Classroom Equipment
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With the change to Galaxy software the operating system of the VTEL PC will be upgraded from Windows 95 to Windows 98. DO NOT upgrade to Windows 98 Second Edition, it will cause Galaxy to fail. Galaxy software will not run with Internet Explorer (IE)5 or higher. Be aware that default installations of MS Office 2000 install Internet Explorer 5. You may install Office 2000, but you must do a custom install of this software to avoid installing IE 5
NOTE: Anytime you install software make sure you disconnect from any video calls and exit the VTouch/Galaxy software before installing software!!!
There are three methods of controlling the VTEL video conferencing equipment. They include the Tablet, Function Keys on the wireless keyboard, or mouse. They are discussed below:
ESC – Escape removes menu from the screen
F1 – Help
F2 – Call/hang up Lets you redial the last call or hang up.
F3 – Menu Displays a menu list of options
F4 – Video Displays controls for Camera Views, Camera Selection, Picture-in-Picture, and camera fine-tuning.
F5 – Slide Show Opens the Slides application.
F6 – Extras Links to other applications installed on the PC and VCR recording.
F7 – Volume Controls the incoming audio volume.
F8 – Audio Mute Starts/Stops transmission of audio. An icon appears when audio is muted.
F9 – Video Mute Starts/Stops video transmission. An icon appears when video is muted.
F10 – Next Camera The system switches to the next available camera or video source input.
F11 – Here/there Use to select site for VCR recording or taking a snapshot. Toggles between local site and remote site. An icon in the upper right corner of the TV monitors indicates which site is selected.
F12 – Snapshot Takes snapshot of either local (here) video, remote (there) video, or PC.
The wireless Logitech mouse, wireless keyboard mouse or a wired mouse may also be used for conference control. A right mouse click will bring up the control menu as shown below.
As you move the mouse cursor down the menu the choices will
highlight and a left mouse click will activate that command.
Some Galaxy documentation refers to a V-Touch Remote Controller (RCU). This remote control is not available to DDN VTEL sites and users should disregard operating instructions that refer to this remote control. The remote is shown below.
It is important to mute the local audio during a conference to
prevent interrupting the main presenter or teacher. Remember the video is
switched based on sound and if that all sites in the conference will see your
location if someone speaks, coughs or rustles paper and your audio is unmuted.
You cannot adjust your outgoing audio. If
the other sites have turned up their volume and your audio level is low, check
the placement of your microphones
Camera movement can be done with the tablet or using the mouse and on screen controls.
Move the mouse on the wireless keyboard, remote or wired mouse until you see the cursor appear on the local (right) video monitor.
Using the function keys to select a send video source press the F4 - Video button. The Video menu appears. Click on Pick Camera tab to see the camera choices shown below
Pick Camera
Each available video source is represented by an icon. Highlighting and selecting the desired source will switch your outgoing video to that camera. Also make sure you have selected the Here tab.
PIP comes available whenever you are connected in a conference.
You may want to use PIP when you are sending slides because the right (local)
monitor will show the slide you are sending rather than your local camera
source. Using the PIP allows you to see the camera image you are sending along
with your slide.
PIP can also be accessed through the F4 Function
Key and then selecting the PIP tab.
Icons show that you can turn PIP on and off, move to each quadrant, change PIP size, or swap foreground and background.
The tablet can be used to turn PIP on and
off, move to each quadrant, change PIP size, or swap foreground and background.
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING VIDEO PROBLEMS, TECHNICAL SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS:
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Dakota State University
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Empowering Educators – Standards-based Preparation
Created by Deb Gearhart
Last Updated 11/26/2002