Remote video conferencing setup

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

On the classroom PC:

1. 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.
2. Give browser permissions to access microphone and webcam
3. Ensure correct device set up:
   • Expanding the microphone icon,
     • Microphones, choose:
       • "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.
4. 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

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.

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

There's currently a few options:

- "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 three daisy-chained passive ceiling mics

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

(could have those two ^ backwards)

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

Troubleshooting

Participants cannot hear the room

Go to options on the call and start picking other microphones.

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.

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.

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.

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.