Before reading this section, be sure to review the information in Chapter 2, Internet Audio and Video
iLinc’s Internet Audio (also known as Voice-over-IP or VoIP) and video conferencing options can be a great add-on to your web conferencing environment. The “real world” feel of sessions is enhanced when you can see and/or hear other participants. This chapter describes the requirements for and how to use VoIP and video in live sessions.
Overview of Internet Audio and Video Conferencing
Using Internet audio and/or two-way video is a great way to simulate a live meeting experience in moderate to high-bandwidth environments.
Audio Controls and Volume Adjustments
NOTE: If one of your participants does not have enough bandwidth to view video, he or she will still receive the audio portion of the session and can take part in all other activities.
Add-On Internet Audio and Video Licenses
Before using audio or video in a session, your organization must purchase the appropriate licenses.
Internet Audio licenses allow you to communicate with other users using a microphone and speakers in a session. Both unicast and multicast modes are provided.
Internet Video licenses (also known as Video Conferencing) allow your users to employ web cams and use video conferencing in sessions. Both unicast and multicast modes are provided.
Licensing works differently depending on the session type. Licensing rules for each are described in the sections that follow.
Selecting a Conferencing Type for a Session
You set the conferencing type for your session in the Communication section on the add or edit session page. The options that appear depend on the conferencing licenses you organization has purchased.
LearnLinc/MeetingLinc
Whenever a user joins a LearnLinc or MeetingLinc session, he or she uses a data only license plus the appropriate add-on license for audio or video. For example, if you have 100 data only licenses and 50 Audio licenses, you can have 100 users in various sessions at the same time, but only 50 of them can use audio conferencing.
ConferenceLinc
ConferenceLinc licenses allow you to schedule ConferenceLinc conferences, using any supported communication type (Data Only, VoIP, or Video). Whenever a user joins a conference, he or she will use a ConferenceLinc license.
SupportLinc
SupportLinc licenses allow you to setup and use SupportLinc support rooms with any supported communication type (data only, audio, or video). Whenever a user joins a support room, he or she will use a SupportLinc license.
Internet Audio Sessions
In Internet audio sessions, you can talk to and hear other participants through your computer’s speakers, and talk to them through a microphone that is attached to your computer. You can choose to use a headset (recommended) or standalone speakers and a standalone microphone.
In audio sessions, a set of audio tools is provided in the My Controls section of the session Tool Panel.
Internet Audio Settings
For Internet Audio, the default quality selection is set to Medium (15 kbps). You can choose to change this to High (24 kbps)or Low (8 kbps) depending on your network. In addition to the sound quality, you can also select to have all participants muted upon entry to the session. This is suggested if you have large groups or you do not want the participants to talk during the session. If needed, you can unmute selected participants from the Attendee panel in-session.
Live Video Sessions
In video sessions, live video is transmitted from the current floor holder and displayed in the Floor Holder panel on the session Tool Panel. The leader can choose to undock this window for all users or users can undock themselves.
Each participant can determine whether they want to see the floor holder’s video. In the lower section of the Floor Holder panel, the video icon is used to toggle the video on or off. When the Attendee panel is undocked, this capability is still available for all session participants.
Video Settings
For live Video, the default size selection is set to Small (176 x 144 pixels). This is the size of the image in the Floor Holder attendee panel in-session. Two other options for size are available:
Medium (352 x 288 pixels) or Large (640 x 480 pixels). The quality of video also has three
options: Low (2 fps), Medium (5 fps), or High (15 fps). If set, the application will determine if the participant should automatically be adjusted should bandwidth become limited or reduced.
Ensuring the Proper Hardware Is in Place
Internet Audio and video sessions require a few pieces of additional hardware. Contact iLinc Customer Service for more information on setting up these options at your organization.
To use ... You will need ...
Internet audio speakers and a microphone. The type of sound card you have will impact the way audio work. Refer to Full-Duplex and Half-Duplex Audio for information.
two-way video a video camera or web cam to capture and transmit video to other participants.
Communicating Using Audio and Two-Way Video
Understanding Floor Control
Communication via audio or video in a session is controlled by “Floor Control.” When the leader has the floor, only the leader can speak (the session leader’s microphone is always “on”).
Participants cannot be heard until they have the floor. When a participant has the floor, both
the leader and participant can speak.
You can tell you have the floor when your picture (or video) and name displays in the Floor Holder panel. Otherwise, the name of the participant who has the floor appears at the top of the window.
Full-Duplex and Half-Duplex Audio
Your sound card hardware and software may support either full-duplex or half-duplex audio.
The difference between full and half-duplex is whether or not you can hear someone else while you are speaking. Full-duplex cards can send and receive data at once (like talking on the phone), whereas half-duplex sound cards can only send or receive data at any time (like talking on a walkie-talkie or CB radio).
Your sound card type and your settings in the iLinc Audio Wizard (see Running the Audio Wizard) determine how your audio works in class.
Full-Duplex Audio
If you see an unmuted microphone icon when you enter the session, you are in full-duplex mode and you can send your audio and receive someone else's audio at the same time - as if you were on the telephone.
In an iLinc session, this happens when the leader passes the floor to a participant, and both continue to talk. Everyone in the session can hear both the leader and the floor holder at all times.
During a session click the microphone icon to mute if you want to talk without participants hearing you. Since your microphone is always on, they will always hear what you say unless you mute the microphone.
You can also unmute and mute your microphone from the Menu bar by clicking Tools and choosing either mute or unmute from the list.
Half-Duplex Audio
If you see a muted microphone icon when you enter the session, you are in half-duplex mode and you can either send audio or receive it, but not both at the same time (as if you were using a CB-radio).
In an iLinc session, you must have the floor. Once you are the floor holder, click the microphone to turn it on to speak to the other users. If you click the icon again it will mute again, and no one can hear you even though you have the floor.
You can also unmute and mute your microphone from the Menu bar by clicking Tools and choosing either mute or unmute from the list.
Troubleshooting Audio Problems
Your first line of defense against audio problems is to run the Audio Wizard.
Leading Internet Audio or Video Sessions
When you are the leader in an Internet audio or live video session, you can speak to
participants at anytime. When you first enter the session as a leader, you automatically have the floor.
Determine if you have full-duplex or half-duplex audio. Refer to Full-Duplex and Half-Duplex Audio for a discussion of the differences.
If you see ... Then ...
a microphone and headset icon you have full-duplex audio. You can talk at any time during the session. Mute your microphone by clicking the Microphone icon.
a muted microphone icon you have half-duplex audio. Click the Microphone icon and begin speaking.
To allow a participant to speak:
If the session is a ... Then ...
LearnLinc class pass the floor to the participant by double-clicking his or her name on the Attendee list, click the Pass Floor icon
, or click Sessions from the Menu bar, then select Attendees and Give Floor to Selected.
MeetingLinc meeting the participant who wants to speak can double-click their own name in the Attendee panel or click the Take Floor icon themselves at anytime to take the floor. The participant then must unmute his or her microphone, if it was muted.
ConferenceLinc conference
participants never have the floor and cannot speak in a session.
SupportLinc support room
the participant can speak at any time.
Synchronized Undocking (two-way video only)
If video will be the primary content you deliver during the session, you may want to undock the Attendee panel and display pictures or video of anyone currently in session. The menu of the Attendee panel provides the Leader, Assistant or current Floor Holder with the ability to Undock for All, which will open the Attendee panel to show all attendees picture or steaming video.
Undocking the panel takes your sessions beyond iLinc and enables people to see each other face-to-face in a virtual way.
To make this change for all attendees in session, click the Menu button on the panel and select
Undock for All. Additionally, the application menu provides access to the same functionality by selecting Sessions, Attendees and then Undock for All.
The undocked Attendee panel opens above the Content area and to the right of the Floor Holder image. If any attendee uploaded their own photo it shall display with their name. If instead they are sharing video, attendees can view streaming video by turning on video for any attendee with the camera button to the right of their name.
Running the Audio Wizard
The Audio Wizard sets the volume for your speakers and microphone and configures your computer to use audio correctly. This ensures that you will be able to interact with other participants during your session.
The Audio Wizard pops up automatically after you first install the iLinc Client. You can also run the Audio Wizard anytime you encounter audio problems during a session.
To Run the Audio Wizard
15. If you are in an iLinc session using Internet Audio, select Tools > Audio Settings. From the popup window, click the Wizard button.
OR
The iLinc Audio Wizard opens automatically for sessions using Internet Audio.
16. The Speakers screen appears, allowing you to customize your speaker settings a. Adjust the volume of the audio recording being played. If you can’t hear the
recording be sure that your speakers are plugged in and not muted or turned off.
b. If you have multiple speaker sets plugged in to your computer, you may select a different set of speakers by clicking on the “Select a different speaker” link. By default, iLinc uses the first set of speakers located on your machine.
17. Click Next when you are happy with your speaker volume.
18. The Microphone screen now displays with your options for customizing your microphone, which will allow you to speak and be heard during the session.
a. Record a sample of your voice by clicking the Record button.
b. Adjust the volume of your recording if it is too soft or loud.
c. Listen to your recording and make additional adjustments
d. If you have multiple microphones plugged in to your computer, you may select a different microphone by clicking on the “Select a different microphone” link. By default, iLinc uses the first microphone located on your machine.
19. If you microphone is separate from your speakers or you are using a speakerphone, check the box to optimize your in-session experience with audio. You will need to mute your microphone to hear others and then unmute your microphone to talk and be heard during your session.
20. When your settings are complete for your Speakers and Microphone, click the Finish
button.
21. If you need to return to the Speakers screen, click the Back button.
Using Integrated Audio with iLinc
When hosting online meetings, virtual classes, webinars or operating remote support, there are many cases where you would want to be able to manage each person on either the web or the phone call. With iLinc, you can now manage a person’s audio and web status from a single interface: the iLinc application.
By integrating the iLinc application with Premiere Global Services, you have the flexibility of utilizing iLinc to manage your audience right from the Attendee Panel.
Joining a session with Integrated Audio
When you join a session where the audio has been integrated with the web, you have a few options for connecting to the audio portion of the session. Regardless of which process you follow, you will be presented with a dialog box on which you will need to tell iLinc how you joined or will join the audio portion of the session. The same dialog box will display for either process.
Figure 1: Joining the Audio Dialog Box
If You Join the Web, then the Audio:
11. Click the join link to your session. You will be prompted to give your name and e-mail address.
12. iLinc will then install on your computer and join you into the right session.
13. When joined, you are presented with a dialog box with the ways you can join audio.
a. Depending on how the session is configured you may only have one option.
14. To join the audio portion, you can:
a. Call me at: Click the radio button for the first option to call out to your phone directly. Enter your direct phone number.
b. Dial into the teleconference: On your phone, you will dial the phone number, enter the Passcode and then, once you have been placed into the conference, you will need to dial *29 and enter the unique identifier on your phone’s keypad (followed by the pound (#) sign).
15. Click OK.
a. If you selected the first option, iLinc will now call your direct phone line. Answer the phone, say hello and follow the voice-automated prompts.
If You Join the Audio, then the Web:
15. From your invitation, dial the phone number (if provided).
16. When prompted by the conference bridge, enter the passcode.
17. You will be placed on hold until the leader joins or entered into conference if leader is already on the phone.
18. Click the join link to the web portion of the session. You will be prompted to give your name and e-mail address.
19. When joined, you are presented with a dialog box with the ways you can join audio.
20. Choose Dial into the teleconference from the dialog box and, once you are placed into the teleconference, you will need to dial *29 and enter the unique identifier on your phone’s keypad (followed by the pound (#) sign).
21. Click OK.
Running a Session with Integrated Teleconference Audio
Ever been in a session and someone has placed their phone on hold and their hold music then plays out to everyone on the call? Or have you wanted to mute everyone at one time so that you can present your information first and then unmute everyone for a Q&A session?
As the leader, with iLinc and Premiere Global, you can now manage these and other situations directly from the iLinc application. This section discusses how you can manage an attendee’s audio.
In-Session Audio Status
The people that have joined your session will display in a list in the Attendees Panel, located in the upper left of the application’s window. Within this list, the status of each attendee will display to you so that you can monitor and manage anyone or everyone’s status at any time.
In the image, Jack is Muted, Jeremy is On Hold, Kathy is Unmuted, Melissa is Dialing Out, and Tom is Not On Audio. Additionally, there is an additional Audio caller in the list (the phone number of (652) 955-1205). If this caller is Tom, you can use the Audio Menu to Identify him (see Audio & Web Identification for information on this functionality).
List of Attendee Status Indicators for Audio
13. Dialing Out : Indicates the specific attendee has selected the “Call me at:” option from the joining dialog box and the iLinc application is calling out to that person’s phone number.
14. On Hold : Indicates the specific attendee has been placed on hold by the leader or assistant.
15. Unmuted : Indicates the specific attendee is not muted and can freely talk during the session.
16. Muted : Indicates the specific attendee is muted and is unable to freely talk during the session. The person could have placed themselves on mute or the leader/assistant could have muted the attendee.
17. Not On Audio : Indicates the specific attendee on the web is not currently on the audio portion of the call, or an incoming number has not become connected to this web attendee.
18. Active Talker : Indicates the specific attendee is currently talking.
Managing Attendee Audio
As a leader of an iLinc session, you may have reason to change the audio status of one or more members of your audience. Through the Attendee Panel menu for Audio, , you may use any of the following functions throughout the duration of your session.
As a leader, you can:
31. Call…: Dial out to a specific web attendee or to dial out to an audio only attendee.
32. Rename Selected: Rename an audio only attendee to something other than the phone number so everyone in session can refer to the attendee by name.
33. Identify Selected: Connect an audio only attendee and a web only attendee into a single record in the attendee list. This can be done by selecting an audio only attendee and matching to a web only attendee or by selecting a web only attendee and matching to an audio only attendee.
34. Mute Selected: Mute one or more attendees at a time.
35. Mute All Participants: Mute everyone in session except for the leader and assistants.
36. Unmute Selected: Unmute one or more attendees at a time.
37. Unmute All Participants: Unmute everyone in session except for the leader and assistants.
38. Put Selected On Hold: Place one or more attendees on hold. (In most cases, the
attendee would then hear hold music, although this is dependent on the teleconference bridge functionality.)
39. Put All Participants On Hold: Place everyone in session on hold except for the leader and assistants. (In most cases, the attendee would then hear hold music, although this is dependent on the teleconference bridge functionality.)
40. Take Selected Off Hold: Take one or more attendees off hold.
40. Take Selected Off Hold: Take one or more attendees off hold.