Difference between revisions of "Webinar/Hardware"

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==Local computer hardware and software setup==
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<center>
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'''[[Webinar|Back to Webinar Help]]'''
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</center>
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__TOC__
 
__TOC__
===Introduction===
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==Introduction==
The idea is to be able to see and hear other participants and also be able to talk to them and have them see you as well. Computers normally have an input for a microphone however webcams usually come with a microphone built-in so you have to decide which microphone you are going to use, the webcam or an attached microphone. In addition computers have an output for speakers/earphones however if you are using a headset then you will have audio out from them as well, so you have to decide if you want to listen to audio from the attached speakers or from the headset/earphones.
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The idea is to be able to see and hear other participants and also be able to talk to them and have them see you as well.
 
 
'''Please make sure you only choose <u>one</u> combination of audio input and output.'''
 
 
 
Therefore your options are one of the following;
 
*Audio Out = Attached Microphone / Webcam Microphone
 
*Audio In = Headset / Earphones / Attached Speakers
 
*Video Out = Attached Webcam
 
*Video In = Web Browser
 
 
 
===Step 1A - Headset===
 
'''<font color="red"><u>(Ask local IT support to help you with this!!)</u></font>'''
 
 
 
''<font color="red">! Please use a headset with a microphone attached or earphones in combination with the webcam microphone !''</font>
 
 
 
This is recommended  to remove the possibility of audio echo feedback which results in a "shreeking" shrill noise when the audio volume controls are too high.
 
 
 
Check all playback volume controls of your equipment.<br>
 
 
 
''If you do not want to use a headset, then use earphones and enable the microphone on the webcam. See below for pictures of typical earphones.''
 
<gallery>
 
File:Ep1.png
 
File:Ep2.png
 
File:Ep3.png
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Step 1B - Webcam===
 
'''<font color="red"><u>(Ask local IT support to help you with this!!)</u></font>'''
 
 
 
Attach a webcam to your computer. Check that the camera and microphone on the webcam work.
 
 
 
Also please make sure that the camera is not pointed at a window, the glare from the sun distorts the picture. This applies to any bright light source. The light should be shining onto to you from the front, NOT from behind you or beside you. Also please make sure the camera background is clean. We do not want to see your office wallpapers on the wall behind you.
 
 
 
''[http://www.journals.ac.za/images/1/1a/Edtech-webcam.mp4 View the webcam setup tips.]''
 
 
 
===Step 2 - Internet===
 
* For off-campus users please check that you have a fast internet connection. You can check by going to: http://www.speedtest.net.
 
* For on-campus users please open your inetkey to install the flash player.
 
 
 
===Step 3 - Firefox Web Browser===
 
'''<font color="red"><u>(Ask local IT support to help you with this!!)</u></font>'''
 
  
Please download and install the latest Firefox web browser.
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Headsets normally have a microphone input, however so do webcams, so you have to decide which microphone you are going to use, the webcam or headset microphone.
  
Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer does not work very well with Adobe Flash.
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In addition computers have audio outputs via computer/screen speakers or the headset earphones, so you have to decide if you want to listen to audio from the computer/screen speakers or from the headset earphones.
  
http://www.firefox.com
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Therefore your options are the following;
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*Talking (Audio Out) = Headset Microphone '''OR''' Webcam Microphone, <font color="red"><u>'''BUT NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME'''</u>.</font>
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*Listening (Audio In) = Headset Earphones '''OR''' Computer/Screen Speakers, <font color="red"><u>'''BUT NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME'''</u>.</font>
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*Viewing (Video Out) = Webcam
  
===Step 4 - Adobe Flash Player===
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==Volume Controls==
'''<font color="red"><u>(Ask local IT support to help you with this!!)</u></font>'''
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Check all the volume controls for your equipment.
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*For listening (audio input) - Right click on the presentation area and select "Settings" for Flash player volume controls for your speakers/headset.
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*For talking (audio output) - Search for "Volume" using the Windows 7 Start Menu and setup the Windows 7 volume controls accordingly for your microphone.
  
Please download and install the latest flash player from the web link below.<br>''(Use Firefox to do the download !!)''
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==Webcam==
http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads.html
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===Hardware drivers for webcam===
After installation, check that the flash player is correctly setup by going to:  http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about
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*Attach a webcam to your computer.
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*Check that the camera and microphone on the webcam work by installing the correct software for the webcam.
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*If you are using [http://ubuntu.sun.ac.za Ubuntu] as your desktop operating system, then you do not need "webcam drivers", the webcam will automatically work.
  
'''[[Webinar|Back to Webinar Help]]'''
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===Webcam and office environment===
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*Also please make sure that the camera is not pointed at a window, the glare from the sun distorts the picture.
 +
*This applies to any bright light source.
 +
*The light should be shining onto to you from the front, NOT from behind you or beside you.
 +
*Also please make sure the camera background is clean.
 +
*We do not want to see your office wallpapers on the wall behind you.

Latest revision as of 00:23, 18 May 2015

Back to Webinar Help

Introduction

The idea is to be able to see and hear other participants and also be able to talk to them and have them see you as well.

Headsets normally have a microphone input, however so do webcams, so you have to decide which microphone you are going to use, the webcam or headset microphone.

In addition computers have audio outputs via computer/screen speakers or the headset earphones, so you have to decide if you want to listen to audio from the computer/screen speakers or from the headset earphones.

Therefore your options are the following;

  • Talking (Audio Out) = Headset Microphone OR Webcam Microphone, BUT NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
  • Listening (Audio In) = Headset Earphones OR Computer/Screen Speakers, BUT NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
  • Viewing (Video Out) = Webcam

Volume Controls

Check all the volume controls for your equipment.

  • For listening (audio input) - Right click on the presentation area and select "Settings" for Flash player volume controls for your speakers/headset.
  • For talking (audio output) - Search for "Volume" using the Windows 7 Start Menu and setup the Windows 7 volume controls accordingly for your microphone.

Webcam

Hardware drivers for webcam

  • Attach a webcam to your computer.
  • Check that the camera and microphone on the webcam work by installing the correct software for the webcam.
  • If you are using Ubuntu as your desktop operating system, then you do not need "webcam drivers", the webcam will automatically work.

Webcam and office environment

  • Also please make sure that the camera is not pointed at a window, the glare from the sun distorts the picture.
  • This applies to any bright light source.
  • The light should be shining onto to you from the front, NOT from behind you or beside you.
  • Also please make sure the camera background is clean.
  • We do not want to see your office wallpapers on the wall behind you.