The Polycom Viewstation is a standalone
videoconferencing unit capable of:
2x64 ISDN video H.320 standard point-to-point
IP video H.323 standard point-to-point to H.323 equipment
IP video H.323 point-to-point to PCs running Microsoft NetMeeting or
Linux Gnomemeeting
2x64 ISDN video to multiple sites via a bridge such as
ECS
H.323 video to multiple sites via a bridge such as
ECS
Remote Control
All the viewstation functions may be controlled via the
infrared remote.
There is also a Web interface.
The remote includes a switch on the underside that will cause
an inactive viewstation to enter sleep mode when placed on the table.
To activate the unit, merely pick up the remote.
The Viewstation includes an address book tool.
To use this, select the
home screen
using the menu button on the remote (more than once, if
required) then select the addressbook icon with the navigation keys. To call a
number, position the cursor over it and press the green call button.
Add new numbers if required. Digits may be entered using the keypad, letters
require the virtual keyboard. The shift lock is "smart", it will
capitalize initial letters and lowercase the rest unless overridden for each
character. To set "shift lock", select "shift" twice; a padlock
icon appears in the key.
The addressbook index is "smart", it will display entries for
other alphabetic tabs if there is room on the screen.
The Visual Presenter may
be used as a document video camera with the Viewstation. The quality will
not be as good as the local display or as using the
Web interface.
To use the presenter, press the Near button on
the remote.
If necessary, press it again until
3 numbered icons appear - a TV (1), a
document camera (2) and a VCR (3). Select the document camera by either
pressing "2" or by using the cursor keys to highlight and select it.
To use the camera again, press Near until the
3 icons appear - a
TV camera (1), TV (2) and VCR (3). Select the camera.
The "TV" icon is actually a "swap main display with
picture-in-picture display"
icon. Selecting this will change whether the remote or local camera
appears in a small window.
The Picture-in-Picture feature may be turned On, Off, or set to Auto. This is
in Main Menu
-> System Info ->
User Setup
-> PIP.
If set to Auto, the PiP disappears when the remote is set down upright (on its feet).
If the remote is laid on its side, the PiP will remain.
If the remote side has compatible equipment (Polycom), the Far
button on the remote allows one to control (pan/tilt/zoom) the far end
camera. It is also used to control the ESnet MCU (conference unit) -
e.g. select voice-switched or "Hollywood Squares" modes.
Camera Presets
Pressing a number key when not in a menu will select a "camera preset" - the camera
is swung to a pre-recorded position. Currently presets #1 and #2 show the whole
table, #3 shows the head of the table and #4 shows the person using the visual
presenter. Please do not store weird presets into no.s 1-3 (pressing the "select"
button while in camera mode).
