The QuickTime Conferencing folder/disks contain videoconferencing and collaboration software you can install on your computer.
QuickTime Conferencing is a system software extension. It comes with Apple Media Conference, an application program you use to set up video conferences, collaborate with others, exchange live video and sound, and share information over a network. Apple Media Conference takes advantage of the networking capability already built into your computer so you can connect with other video conferencing systems over a local or wide area network, such as an AppleTalk local area network or the TCP/IP Internet.
The instructions below explain how to install and use QuickTime Conferencing and Apple Media Conference. To print these instructions, choose Print from the File menu, and click the Print button in the dialog box that appears.
System Requirements
• Quadra 660AV or 840AV, Power Macintosh AV computer, or Power Macintosh computer with Apple AV card upgrade
• System software version 7.5 or newer
• 16 megabytes of DRAM (memory)
• Video source (for instance, a video camera or VCR)
• Audio source (for instance, a PlainTalk microphone or VCR)
• Network connection (for instance, Ethernet or ISDN)
• Network Software Installer version 1.5 or newer, or OpenTransport.
Note: QuickTime Conferencing supports Apple built-in video. Apple cannot guarantee compatibility with third-party video input cards.
Installing QuickTime Conferencing Software
Follow these steps to install the QuickTime Conferencing software.
1. Locate the QuickTime Conferencing Install folder and open it. Double-click the Installer icon located in the folder.
2. Read the message that appears, then click Continue.
3. In the Easy Install dialog box, click Install. All the necessary software will be installed on your computer’s hard disk.
IMPORTANT: The QuickTime Conferencing software installer will only allow installation on Macintosh computers with Apple AV circuitry. See the list of supported configurations in the System Requirements list above.
4. When installation is complete, click Restart.
Opening Apple Media Conference
After QuickTime Conferencing has been successfully installed, you will find the Apple Media Conference program in a folder named QuickTime Conferencing, located on your hard disk. (If you have more than one disk, the folder is located on the disk you specified in the Easy Install dialog box.) To open Apple Media Conference, double-click its icon.
When you start Apple Media Conference for the first time, you’ll see a message asking if you want to go directly to Apple Media Conference Guide, an Apple Guide online help system.
Click the Guide button to see instructions that lead you through setting up your equipment and network. These instructions are part of Apple Media Conference Guide, a complete online reference to answer any questions you may have about Apple Media Conference.
Getting Help and Information
Apple Media Conference Guide answers common questions about setting up and using Apple Media Conference. When you need help or instructions, choose Apple Media Conference Guide from the Guide menu (at the upper-right-corner of your screen) while you are using Apple Media Conference.
For detailed troubleshooting information, and tips on improving the performance of Apple Media Conference, refer to the Troubleshooting topic in Apple Media Conference Guide.
For general Macintosh help, go to the Finder by clicking anywhere on the desktop (the background area on your screen). Then open the Guide menu and choose Macintosh Guide.
For Power Macintosh 5200 LC and 5300 LC Users
Users of the Power Macintosh 5200 LC and 5300 LC series computers should note the following:
Sound compression and sound sample rate
Sound compression is not available if the selected sound sample rate is 11.127 kHz. Sound compression is available if the selected sound sample rate is 22.255 kHz. The sound compression and sound sample rate settings are found in Sound Settings under the Settings menu. For example, if the sound sample rate is set to 22.225 kHz and you wish to change it to 11.127 kHz you must make sure the sound compression is set to "None" or you will not be able to select 11.127 kHz.
Large window sizes and low memory problems
You may encounter memory problems when using double size windows for the self view and remote view. Increasing the amount of application memory for Apple Media Conference from 3,000 kbytes to 4,000 kbytes will solve this problem. A description of changing the amount of memory for Apple Media Conference is described below in the Troubleshooting section of this document.
PPCPlayThru extension conflict
If the PPCPlayThru extension is present in the Extensions folder of the System Folder the volume control in Apple Media Conference will not operate properly. Removing the PPCPlayThru extension will correct the problem.
For At Ease 3.0 and At Ease Workgroups 2.0.3 Users
For QuickTime Conferencing to operate properly certain conditions under At Ease must be set properly.
- If the user is restricted to At Ease Panels, Apple Media Conference and MoviePlayer must be enabled under "Items for this User."
- File open and save privileges must be enabled under the "Security" setup. Both the user's folder and/or floppy should be set for these privileges. The user should also be allowed to perform screen captures.
- Apple Media Conference will not save preference settings based on individual users. Each individual user should check to make sure the settings are appropriate for their conferencing needs. To change the name of the user in Apple Media Conference choose Preferences/Conference from the Settings menu. Type your name in the user name box.
- Drag and Drop onto the desktop does not operate in the At Ease Panels level.
- You cannot share movies or sounds in the Shared Window in Apple Media Conference.
Troubleshooting
Apple Media Conference Guide contains more detailed information about the problems listed here, and other problems you may encounter.
You see low memory warnings while using Apple Media Conference
Increase the amount of memory allocated for the Apple Media Conference program. To do this, quit Apple Media Conference, go to the Finder, click the Apple Media Conference program icon, choose Get Info from the File menu, and increase the value in the Preferred Size box. For more detailed instructions on increasing the memory allocated to a program, go to the Finder, open the Guide menu located in the upper-right-corner of your screen, choose Macintosh Guide, click the Topics button, click the Memory topic area, and double-click the "change a program's memory size" phrase.
You see an error message when you plug or unplug video or audio cables during a connection
Do not plug or unplug camera, microphone, or other sound and video cables while you are connected to another caller, or viewing or sending a broadcast. This can temporarily disable the QuickTime software. You should always turn off your computer before you plug or unplug any cables.
The video image is distorted
Make sure the settings are correct in the Video Settings dialog box. The settings should specify the video format supplied by your camera (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM). To adjust the settings, choose Video Settings from the Settings menu, choose Source from the top pop-up menu in the Video Settings dialog box, and choose the correct video format (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM) from the Format pop-up menu.
Apple Media Conference Guide contains more detailed instructions on adjusting the video (and sound) settings.
If you are using a Power Macintosh 6100AV, 7100AV, or 8100AV computer, attach your display to the monitor port located on the AV video card instead of the monitor port located on the computer's logic board. (Shut down the computer and turn off the power before you change your display’s connection.) See the manual that came with your computer for more information.
You see an error message when using TCP/IP to connect on Power Macintosh 7500, 7600, and 8500 computers
If you are using TCP/IP and you call a party that is unavailable an error message will appear. Close the dialog box by clicking the cancel button. The error does not affect the function of Apple Media Conference.
Busy networks may cause connections to become less reliable
Low video frame rates, audio breakup, or unintentional disconnects from a conversation or broadcast may occur on busy networks. Consult your network administrator if you continue to experience problems on a busy network.
Partial connections made over the Internet
Many facilities set up security schemes to protect against unwanted intrusions. Some Internet security systems can interfere with QuickTime Conferencing connections. Symptoms of interference include connections with video but no audio, or audio but no video. If you are experiencing difficulty with Internet connections consult your network administrator. For the latest information about using QuickTime Conferencing on the Internet visit the QuickTime Conferencing World Wide Web Page at http://qtc.quicktime.apple.com.
Calling TCP/IP Users with Dynamic Server-Based Addresses
If you are connecting using TCP/IP from a computer using a static IP address to a computer using MacIP (KIP) server supplied addresses, you must have a clear TCP/IP pathway between the Macintosh computer with the static address and the MacIP (KIP) server.
If you plan to use a MacIP server to allocate TCP/IP addresses, the MacIP requires a clear AppleTalk pathway from all Macintosh computers requiring an IP address to the MacIP server.
A Note Regarding Interoperability
QuickTime Conferencing is the foundation for a broad range of Apple and third-party video, audio, and document conferencing solutions.
QuickTime Conferencing supports open standards for interoperability, so developers can use it to create software that works with a variety of network transports, compression technologies, and media devices (cameras, microphones, and so forth). QuickTime Conferencing provides consistent standards that encourage software developers to create application programs that look and act the same from a user’s point of view, regardless of the computer, network service, or devices being used.
Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Power Macintosh, and QuickTime are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the performance or use of these products.
