Minimum System Requirements

Before starting, make sure your system meets the following minimum requirements:

Pentium processor 75 MHz or higher
16 MB RAM
Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 or higher
Winsock 32-bit compatible TCP/IP connection (minimum connection speed 14,400 bps SLIP or PPP; 28.8 bps recommended)
Windows-compatible sound card. A full-duplex sound card is needed for full-duplex mode
Microphone and speakers
Windows-compatible video capture device (only needed to send video)
TIP For a better display of the Community Browser™, it is recommended to install Microsoft Internet Explorer from the Internet Phone Release 5 CD. You may skip this recommendation if Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 or higher version is already installed on your computer.

Personal Information

During the setup process, you are asked to enter your personal information. You need to enter at least your Nickname. It should include up to 9 characters without spaces or other special characters.

You can change your personal information at will by choosing Personal Information... from the Options menu.

Please note that this information will be viewed by other users on the Community Browser and during a conversation.

In order to use the Voice Mail feature it is imperative you enter your e-mail address in the E-mail text box. If you do not want to show your e-mail address to other users but you want to use the Voice Mail feature please check the Use e-mail for Voice Mail only. Do not show it to others checkbox.

In the Comment field, you can add a short remark about yourself.

Entering Your License Code

The license code is required to use Internet Phone regularly. Without it, Internet Phone will only function as a limited version. Installing your license code would enable you to use the Internet Phone-to-Telephone calling services offered only to licensed users of Internet Phone, see Customer Services.

To Enter the License Code

  1. Choose Install License... from the Help menu.
  2. Type your license code in the License Code text box exactly as it appears on the manual first page - i.e., type all the dashes, slashes or any other symbol and click OK.

Customer Services

Choosing Customer Services from the Help menu will bring you to the Internet Phone Customer Services page on the Web.

NOTE You need to connect to the Internet in order for this option to work. For more information on how to connect to the Internet, see Running Internet Phone.

If you have installed your license code, follow the instructions on your screen to join services such as the Telephony Services and the Addressing Service. Register as an Internet Phone user and you will be able to receive special information, news, software updates and other benefits.

Choosing an Internet Telephony Service Provider

One of the new features of Internet Phone Release 5 is the Telephony Service - Internet Phone-to-Telephone calling service. This service expands your communication capabilities by enabling you to call a regular telephone from your computer using Internet Phone, see Calling a Regular Phone.

Just as you need to register with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in order to connect to the Internet, you must select an Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP) in order to call a regular telephone from your computer. The Internet Phone Customer Services page contains a list of ITSPs from which you can choose a provider who will supply your connection to the public telephone network. Follow the instructions on your screen to choose and then register with an ITSP.

TIP It is possible to register with an ITSP from within Internet Phone. To do this, choose Telephony Services from the Help menu and follow the on-screen instructions.

Internet Phone Registration

By registering as an Internet Phone user, you will be able to receive special information, news, software updates and other benefits. As an additional bonus, you can join VocalTec's Addressing Service, which will enable others to locate you at greater ease. Follow the on-screen instruction to register as an Internet Phone user.

Joining the Addressing Service

The Addressing Service allows other Internet Phone users to call you using your unique Internet Phone address. People that have joined the Addressing Service can also contact you using your e-mail address, which you should type correctly during the registration process in the on-line registration form, see The Addressing Service.

TIP It is possible to register and join the Addressing Service from within Internet Phone. To do this, choose Addressing Services from the Help menu and follow the on-screen instructions.

Running Internet Phone

After the software installation is completed, you can run Internet Phone. To be able to call people and to receive calls, you must connect to the Internet via a direct Internet connection, or via a modem SLIP/PPP connection of 14,400 bps or faster (see Minimum System Requirements.) You can also run it on a TCP/IP LAN. If you are using a modem, make sure it is working and properly connected to the Internet.

To run Internet Phone

Click the Start button, point to Programs and Internet Phone 5, and then click Internet Phone 5.

TIP You can keep Internet Phone running in the background and start it whenever you want by double-clicking its taskbar tray icon at the right bottom of Windows desktop.

To quit Internet Phone

Choose Exit from the Phone menu.

When you quit Internet Phone, the current settings are automatically saved and used the next time you run the program.

Setting Up the Audio

When you install Internet Phone, the Audio Test window appears. Use it to test your audio configuration and to make sure your microphone and sound card are set up correctly.

To perform the audio test

  1. Click the Start Test button which will give the message Active.
    When you speak into your microphone the message changes to Recording.
  2. Stop speaking after a few seconds (do not stop test). The message change to Playing and your voice plays back automatically.
  3. You should hear your voice through your speakers during playback.
    If you hear your voice while recording or do not hear your voice through the speakers when the message says 'Playing' go to step 5.
    You can adjust the playback level by dragging the Playback slider to the desired volume.
  4. Once you have done this and have set it to the desired level click Stop Test and close window.
  5. Click Audio Mixer and then select Option/Properties/Recording and make sure Microphone is checked. Click OK and make sure that the Microphone Volume slider is set 2/3 to 3/4 of the way up. Select Advanced Controls from the Options menu and then click the Advanced button (under the Microphone Volume slider).

    If you do not have this Advanced button option or is grayed out please contact your sound card manufacture for instructions on how to turn off Monitoring/Karaoke.
  6. At the bottom of the screen of the Advance Controls for Microphone screen select 1 Microphone Boost (AGC or Microphone Gain Control) and clear Karaoke Mode (Mic Monitor). If there is no 'Karaoke Mode' close the window and get back to Options/Properties/Playback, select Microphone and make sure Mute is selected for the Microphone. If it says Select and not Mute clear the box.
TIPYou can change your audio settings any time or retest from within Internet Phone by choosing Audio in the Options menu and clicking Test.

Setting Up the Video

Internet Phone Release 5 supports various video capture devices that allow you to transmit video images to others.

NOTE If you do not have a video capture device you cannot transmit video, however, you can still receive video from another user. You may skip this section, as it is relevant only to people with a video capture device.

Before you begin using Internet Phone, make sure your video capture device is properly connected by choosing Self View from the Options menu. A video capture window is displayed, and you should be able to view what the video device is directed at; if not, check your video connection.

You should also perform the Video Test to confirm that your Self View and transmitted video are functioning properly.

To perform the video test

  1. Point to Video in the Options menu and choose Preferences.
  2. Click the Video Test tab.
  3. Click the Start Test... button. Two windows are displayed - the Source window displaying the video as ampled by your video device and the Output window displaying the video quality and speed you will send to the remote user after video compression.
  4. Drag the Codec Quality slider to adjust the quality and frame rate of your transmitted video. If the quality is higher, the video speed is slower. If the quality is lower, the video speed is higher.