Remote video conferencing setup

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.

Quick Start

On the classroom PC:

1. Go to https://meet.jit.si/ and start a new meeting - can set your own funky name if wanted!
2. Give browser permissions to access microphone and webcam
3. Ensure correct device set up:
   • Expanding the microphone icon,
     • Microphones, choose Default/Same as system/name of soundcard for tabletop hardware mic -or- TANDBERG for webcam mic
     • Speakers, choose VSX-822 (these are the classroom stereo speakers) - this could also be the "Same as system" setting?
   • 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,
     • and that the browser is allowed to access it, check via lil camera icon in address bar.
4. Copy the meeting URL and post it wherever your need it (e.g. the monthly meeting thread on the forum)

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 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.

Polycom SoundPoint PC

- 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.

- Anybody want to donate a ceiling-mounted cardioid mic?

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.

The room can not hear participants

Confirm the speakers work as expected and are selected as output device for the call.

I don't have an @protospace.ca account

Contact a director at directors@protospace.ca or use a personal Google/Zoom/etc account, maybe in an Incognito window.