Remote video conferencing setup: Difference between revisions

removing old, cleaning up for new
(→‎Hardware: revised)
(removing old, cleaning up for new)
 
(3 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
The current setup is a work in progress, if you improve something please document it here so we know how to use it for meetings, hybrid classes, training, hackathons, socials, LAN parties, etc.
If you change something, please document it here so we know how to use it for meetings, hybrid classes, training, hackathons, socials, LAN parties, etc.


==Quick Start==
==Quick Start==
On the classroom PC:
'''On the classroom PC:'''


#[https://meet.google.com/ Go to meet.google.com] and start a new meeting. Make sure you are logged in with an @protospace.ca email account to get access to any Protospace account privileges.
#Go to https://protospace.ca/meet to start or join a Jitsi meeting - note that anonymous users can no longer start meetings - the first user / moderator / meeting start'er will need to login using Google, Github, etc authentication.
#Ensure correct audio set up
#Give browser permissions to access microphone and webcam
##Select 'More options' -> 'Settings' -> 'Audio'
#Ensure correct device set up:
##Speaker should be set to - VSX-822 (these are the classroom stereo speakers)
#*Expanding the microphone icon,
##Microphone should be set to - TANDBERG which is via the microphone built into the USB webcam connected to the classroom PC Monitor
#**Microphones, choose:
#Copy the meeting URL and post it wherever your need it (e.g. the monthly meeting thread on the forum)
#***"Virtual Audio Cable" for a mix of all mics
#***"Mic in" for ceiling mics
#***"Front mic" for tabletop mic
#***TANDBERG for webcam mic as a last resort
#**Speakers, choose VSX-822 (these are the classroom stereo speakers) - this could also be the "Same as system" setting. '''If no audio comes out of these, check that the computer's audio output is set to STEREO and not 5.1 surround!!''' THEN verify volume levels on both the PC and HDMI receiver in the rack.
#*Expanding the camera icon,
#**should show the video preview from TANDBERG
#**if it doesn't, ensure there's not other sneaky software accessing the webcam,
#**that the browser is allowed to access it, check via lil camera icon in address bar,
#**and that some genius hasn't unplugged it again! It's a short USB down to the back of the PC in the AV rack, has a "Tandberg" label on the cable.
#Copy the meeting URL and '''post it''' wherever your need it (e.g. the monthly meeting thread on the forum) - even though the meeting link doesn't change, it's a nice notification.


==Hardware==
==Hardware==


==== Video ====
====Video====
There's a Cisco PrecisionHD TTC8-03 ("TANGBERG") camera ziptied to the monitor arm on top of the AV rack that holds the classroom PC. The arm allows for some aiming around the room, and the cable reaches the classroom PC in the AV rack.
There's a Cisco PrecisionHD TTC8-03 ("TANGBERG") camera ziptied to the monitor arm on top of the AV rack that holds the classroom PC. The arm allows for some aiming around the room, and the cable reaches the classroom PC in the AV rack.


The webcam has a physical shutter (iris?), and will show a Cisco logo if closed. Twist the ring on the face of the camera to open the shutter.
'''The webcam has a physical shutter (iris?), and will show a Cisco logo if closed. Twist the ring on the face of the camera to open the shutter.'''


====Audio====
====Audio====
Line 23: Line 33:
- "TANGBERG" is the microphone built into the webcam detailed above, works surprisingly decent for that half and middle of the room.
- "TANGBERG" is the microphone built into the webcam detailed above, works surprisingly decent for that half and middle of the room.


- "Mic In" is the Polycom Soundpoint that is (hopefully, please don't remove) in the middle of the classroom table, with audio routed down to a 3.5mm plug in the floor which ends up in the classroom PC. This device is pretty old and quite directional, so not ideal.
- "Mic In" is the three daisy-chained passive ceiling mics
[[File:363FE621-F2A6-4B88-9D0E-6AE4EC11898C.jpeg|none|thumb|Polycom SoundPoint PC]]


- "Front mic" is the passive mic in the middle of the conference table


- There's a "Virtual Audio Cable" audio device on the classroom PC that can be configured to combine multiple audio sources. Experimental and not recommended with the current hardware, so has been disabled.
(could have those two ^ backwards)
 
- Anybody want to donate a ceiling-mounted cardioid mic?


- "Virtual Audio Cable" audio device on the classroom PC is a software mix of all THREE sources above, fun times.
==Troubleshooting==
==Troubleshooting==


Line 38: Line 47:
You might have to open sound settings and confirm microphones work at all. If no microphones pick up at all, that means there's a physical problem with a mic.
You might have to open sound settings and confirm microphones work at all. If no microphones pick up at all, that means there's a physical problem with a mic.


====The room can not hear participants====
Ensure that Apps are allowed to use the audio device under windows System>Sound>Advanced>All sound devices> Input devices
 
If all else fails, whip out an attendee's device, log them into the call and use that for audio.
 
====The room cannot hear participants====
Confirm the speakers work as expected and are selected as output device for the call.
Confirm the speakers work as expected and are selected as output device for the call.


====I don't have an @protospace.ca account====
Ensure the speakers are set as a STEREO device, and not a 5.1/surround device, otherwise no audio or very very quiet level will make it to the HDMI receiver.
Contact a director at [mailto:Directors@protospace.ca directors@protospace.ca] or use a personal Google/Zoom/etc account, maybe in an Incognito window.
 
Turn the receiver under the PC off and on again.
 
Ensure proper audio input settings on the receiver - this is a last resort, these generally do not get changed, and are easy to mess up. Please only spelunk these menus if you have some idea what you're doing!! It is possible someone chose eg. an analog audio input to go with the HDMI video, or messed with the pre's.
273

edits