Copyright: Connectix VideoPhone Help Copyright® 1996
Citation: Connectix VideoPhone Help Copyright® 1996Connectix Corporation


ADJUST AUDIO
Audio Levels

The Status Light

The status light indicates the current state of the audio.  If the light is idle (yellow) then Connectix Videophone is in the state in which it can receive audio data.  When audio data does arrive the light turns from idle to playing (red) indicating that data is being played from the remote machine.  If the light is recording (green), then you are recording data and if you are connected the data is being sent to the remote machine.  If your audio card supports bi-directional or Full Duplex (recording and playing at the same time), and Bi-Directional Audio=TRUE in CVPHONE.INI, then two other status light colors are used.  If audio is playing and recording at the same time, then the light will be blue.  If the audio is playing and able to record, then the light will be purple.

Adjusting the Volume

The volume attribute can be modified by simply moving the scroll bar to the left or right.

Adjusting the Start Level

The start level is used to tell Connectix Videophone at what audio input level you wish to start recording.  If your sound card does not support bi-directional mode, then it can either be recording or playing, but not both.  Thus, if your start level is too low you may be continuously recording which would not allow your conference partner the opportunity to say anything.  Typically, the start level should be adjusted so that when you talk normally, the status light turns green (recording) and when you stop talking it turns yellow (idle).  If your sound card does support bi-directional audio, then the start level is used simply for quiet compression.  That is, when you're not talking, it isn't sending any audio data, which conserves bandwidth.

Adjusting the Stop Delay

The stop delay is used to smooth out the audio.  Specified in seconds, the stop delay indicates the amount of time that Connectix Videophone will continue to record audio data after the input levels are below the start level.  In other words, after you stop talking, audio data will be recorded for x number of seconds, where x is indicated by the stop delay.


About Connectix


Audio Compression

When Audio Compression... is selected from the Audio menu, the user is presented with the following dialog:

The list box in the dialog contains the names of the software audio compressors which are available.

If you are using Windows 3.1, the following choices are available:

PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) converts an analog signal to a digital one.  No compression is used.

ADPCM (Adaptive Pulse Code Modulation) uses 2:1 compression.  There are two versions: Microsoft and IMA (Intel).

If you are using Windows 95, the following choices are available in addition to those listed above:

CCITT A-Law uses companding (higher samples at lower frequencies) to better represent voice signals.

CCITT u-Law is similar to CCITT A-Law, above.

GSM is a good quality compressor, and results in low bandwidth requirements.

DSP TrueSpeech does not compress in real-time, and is not recommended.

If all participants in the conference are using Windows 95, GSM is a good choice.

Highlight the compressor to use, then click OK to exit and save.  To exit without saving, click Cancel.

Important Note:  You must be able to decode the compression sent by other user, or you will not hear any sound.  For example, if a Windows 95 user compresses with GSM, a Windows 3.1 user will not hear any sound.


Call
Requests a video conference with the highlighted person in the call list.


Call List
This is the address book of users to conference.  Each user name is associated with an address.


Call dialog (address book)
Address Book

The address is a simple address book to store names and addresses for people you wish to video conference with.  Below is the Call dialog:

Click on the dialog for more information about each individual part.

Each user is assigned an address depending on what type of communication protocol is necessary.

You must add the person you wish to conference with to the address book in order to video conferencing.


Call...Add
Allows you to add a person into your address book.  Clicking on the Add button opens the following dialog:

Each user is assigned an address for the appropriate communication protocol.

For TCP/IP 	use dotted decimal. (ex. 123.123.123.123)

For Novell IPX	use network address, node address. (ex. 5,584efh8900)

For Modem	use phone number.  (ex.  16125551212)

For Serial	use COM port  (ex. com1, com2, com3, etc.)


Call...Close
Closes the Call dialog without initiating a conference.


Call...Delete
Deletes the highlighted person in the Call list


Command-Line Options

You can start the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer  (CVPHONE.EXE) with several command-line options, and you can store command-line options in a file which can be used to start Connectix VideoPhone Viewer.

If you are using Windows 3.1, you can select Run from the File menu and enter CVPVIEW.EXE

with the options described below. For more examples, see the file SAMPLE.TXT, installed in the Connectix VideoPhone directory.

To start the Connectix VideoPhone software using a particular network protocol, use the /p: option with one of four flags:

use the tcp flag to use TCP/IP

use the ipx flag to use Novell IPX

use the mdm flag to use a modem or ISDN

use the ser flag to use a direct serial connection

For example, to start Connectix VideoPhone Viewer and use a TCP/IP protocol, you might enter

c:\cvp\cvpview.exe /p: tcp

To automatically call a particular address when the Connectix VideoPhone software starts, use the

 /ac: <address> option.  This is used in conjunction with the /p option. The address can be an IP address, an IPX address, a telephone number, or a COM port

To quit Connectix VideoPhone when a you hang up a call, use the /xhu flag.


Connection Via
Selecting Connection Via allows you to select which communication type to be used:

TCP/IP Network	(Winsock 1.1 Compliant)

Novell Network

Direct Modem/ISDN	(Modem or Hayes AT command set compatible ISDN Terminal Adapter)

Direct Serial Cable	(using a Null Modem adapter)


Contacting Connectix Technical Support

If you are having trouble with your Connectix VideoPhone and can not find the solution in either the manual or the on-line help, you can then contact Connectix Technical Support.  The technical support number is 1-800 410-3137.  We also have a Web site on the internet at http://www.connectix.com.  We also have forums on CompuServe (GO:Connectix) and AOL (keyword-Connectix), or your can email us at vphone@connectix.com.  We regularly post our software updates to our forums and our Web site.

For information on Connectix's other fine products send check out our Web Site or send email to info@connectix.com.


Contrast
Sets the image to have shades of gray or black and white.  Click the Re-set button to set the contrast back to the QuickCams default setting.


EDIT FILM
Picture Roll

The Picture Roll contains a roll of film to which pictures can be added to, deleted from.  To snap an image into the roll of film, use the "Take Picture" command.  The Save, Delete, and Export commands allow you to manipulate the pictures in the film roll.

Save

Saves the current Picture Roll.

Delete

Deletes the highlighted picture in the Picture Roll.

Export

Allows you to export the image to several popular formats.

Close

Closes the Picture Roll.  If changes have been made but not saved, a confirmation box will be displayed allowing you to save or discard the changes.


ExclusiveCallAddress=
If there is an address specified here, Connectix VideoPhone will automatically call this address.  This will also disable the address book.  If you only want a station to call one address, put the address here and that will be the only address available.


File Menu

Call

Opens the address book and provides a simplified means from which the user can select the person (host) with which to conference.

End Call

Ends the current conference.

Hold Call

This command temporarily disables a conference.  Puts the called party on "Hold".

Watch Broadcast

Allows the user to receive audio and/or video transmissions being transmitted via "Begin Broadcast"

Begin Broadcast

Not available in the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer.

Take Picture

The Take Picture command captures a single snapshot image, opens the film roll, and places that image into the film roll.

Exit

The Exit command closes the Connectix Videophone Viewer.  If the configuration has changed it will be saved at this time.


Frame Rate

The frame rate control will allow the user to control how many frames are displayed on their Connectix Videophone Viewer .

Frame rate is measured in frames per-second. When the frame rate is changed a command is sent to the remote Connectix Videophone system to only send that number of frames per-second.  Therefore as the frame rate is changed the actual throughput on the network is changed.


Frameless Window

As shown below, the frameless command causes the main Connectix Videophone application window to become frameless.

Since there is no longer any menu available, you can click the right mouse button to pull up a short menu with a few common options on it. Included in this menu is the "Frameless" option, which allows you to go back to non-Frameless mode.  You can also select the control menu (upper left-hand corner) to select non-Frameless mode.


Full-Screen Mode

You can use your entire screen to display the contents of the Main window.  To do so, choose Magnify from the Window menu, then choose Full Screen from the Magnify menu.  To return to normal mode, click the right mouse button.


Getting Started

The Connectix VideoPhone Viewer ® is a free application that allows you to view a videoconference and to send audio, but does not allow you to send video.  For full audio and video capability, use Connectix VideoPhone ®, available at major software retailers.

To watch a videoconference broadcast, choose Watch Broadcast from the File menu.

You can also use the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer ® to request a conference, just as you can with the full Connectix VideoPhone ® software. To request a conference, choose Call from the File menu.  If the other person accepts your request, you will be able to see and hear them, and they will be able to hear you.


Help Menu

Index

Opens the help utility.

About this machine's addresses...

When using TCP/IP or Novell IPX, this will show This machines address.

About Connectix VideoPhone Viewer

Information about Connectix VideoPhone Viewer


INDEX
Connectix VideoPhone Viewer- Desktop Video Conferencing

System Requirements

Using Connectix VideoPhone Viewer

Getting Started

Menu Commands

Address Book

Take Picture

Frameless Window

Toolbar

For Advanced Users Only

Command-Line Options

Additional Connectix Applications

Connectix VideoPhone Launcher

Getting Help

Contacting Connectix Technical Support


Image Size
The smaller the image size, the more lifelike the motion of your video conference will be.  Image size is expressed as pixels; the example shows that the image will be 160 by 120 pixels on your computer screen.  You can set the image size by clicking one of the preset buttons (1/4, 1/2, or Full), or by choosing from the drop-down menu.


Image size and quality dialog buttons
Select the options that you want and click OK.

If you do not want to accept your selections, click Cancel.

If you need more help about the options, click the Help button.


Menu Commands

File

The File Menu consists of various commands to initiate conferences.

Edit

    Copy - Copies the current image into the clipboard.

Settings

The Settings Menu consists of options to change the Connection, Video, Audio, and other Preference options.

Window

The Window Menu contains commands which control the appearance of the Connectix Videophone Window.

Help

The Help Menu consists of commands that provide on-line assistance with the Connectix Videophone video conferencing system.


Magnify Menu

You can change the size of the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer window by choosing Magnify from the Window menu.

Select a magnification to change the size of the window.

0.5x is half normal size

1x is normal  size

2x is twice normal  size

Stretch to Window allows you to stretch the window to any size you like

Full Screen will take up the entire screen with the contents of the Main window.


Modem Requirements

If you wish to conference using only modems and a telephone line connection,

The computers on each end need a high-speed serial card based on the 16550 UART standard, and at least a v.34 (28.8 kbps) modem.

If you are using Windows 3.1, your modem must be a DSVD (Digital Simultaneous Voice and Data) modem.

If you are using Windows 95 on a Pentium 75 or faster processor, you can use any 28.8 modem for conferencing (you do not need a DSVD modem), and you should use GSM audio compression.

For best results, we recommend the following:

Pentium 90 or faster processor

Windows 95

16 MB RAM

NSVideo Version 2.0 or 3.0 (included with Connectix VideoPhone).

GSM audio compression (included with Connectix VideoPhone).


Refresh

The refresh button will restore smooth video if the video appears to become "jerky".

From time to time, because of network delays or Windows processing delays, the video frame rate may appear to slow down and become "jerky".
This is an anomaly of the buffering that must be used to drive the video codec.  The refresh button will execute an algorithm that will cause the video codecs on both sides to reset and clean out their buffers.


Receive Multicast
Watch Broadcast

When the Watch Broadcast...option is selected from the File menu, the user is shown the following dialog box:

The list in the dialog box displays all broadcast transmissions which can currently be received.  The text is the title given to the broadcast transmission when Begin Broadcast was selected by the originating user.  The number represents the network port on which the transmission is being sent.


Settings Menu

Connection Via

This command lets the user change to a different communications protocol, such as TCP, IPX, etc.

Video

Not available in the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer.

Audio

Use this command to change Audio Levels or Audio Compression.

Preferences

This command will allow the users to change preferences.


SNAPSHOT
Take Picture

The Take Picture command actually captures an image from the video capture device and displays the captured image as a bitmap in the roll of film you see below.

Saving the roll of film

The save button is enabled whenever the roll of film has changed since the last save.  To save the roll of film simply press the Save button.

Deleting an image from the roll of film

To delete an image from the roll of film you must first select the image to delete.  This is done by clicking the left mouse button over an image and then pressing the Delete button.

Export an image from the roll of film

To export an image from the roll of film you must first select the image to export.  This is done by clicking the left mouse button over an image and pressing the Export button or simply double-clicking the left mouse button over an image.  Next, the Image Save As appears from which various image file formats are available.


System Requirements

Hardware Requirements

Personal Computer - 80486-50 or faster (80486-66 is recommended).

8 Megabytes RAM

3 Megabytes available hard disk space.

High density, 3.5" disk drive

SVGA or better Windows accelerator graphics card (VESA Local bus or PCI video recommended)

Windows-compatible mouse or other pointing device

A Windows Sockets compliant TCP/IP, Novel networking software, or an available COM port (modem)

16-bit Ethernet, Token Ring or other network adaptor supporting NDIS, ODI or packet drivers, ISDN Terminal Adapter (supporting the Hayes AT command set), or a Hayes-compatible modem (see  Requirements for Modem Conferencing, below, if you will be using a modem to conference directly over a phone line).

Software Requirements

Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or later

Requirements for Modem Conferencing

If you wish to conference using only modems and a telephone line connection, we recommend the following in addition to the requirements listed above:

The computers on each end need a high-speed serial card based on the 16550 UART standard, and at least a v.34 (28.8 kbps) modem.

If you are using Windows 3.1, your modem must be a DSVD (Digital Simultaneous Voice and Data) modem.

If you are using Windows 95 on a Pentium 75 or faster processor, you can use any 28.8 modem for conferencing (you do not need a DSVD modem), and you should use GSM audio compression.

For best results, we recommend the following:

Pentium 90 or faster processor

Windows 95

16 MB RAM

GSM audio compression (included with Connectix VideoPhone).


Serial Settings
Serial Port Settings

To change your serial port settings, choose Preferences from the Settings menu, then choose Communications Port Setup. This brings up the Modem Configuration dialog, where you can change the following parameters:

COM Port

Which serial communications port you wish to use.  This should either have a modem attached to it, or a null modem cable running directly to the remote computer's serial port.

Speaker Volume

This sets the volume of the speaker.

Maximum Speed

This is the maximum speed of your modem.

For more options, click Advanced.  This brings up the Advanced panel, where you can set the following parameters:

Data bits

Usually set to 8.  Just make sure you and the remote computer are set the same.

Parity

Usually set to none.  Just make sure you and the remote computer are set the same.

Stop bits

Usually set to 1.  Just make sure you and the remote computer are set the same.

Use Flow Control

Check this box to use flow control, and select Hardware or Software.

Reset

Enter the reset string for your modem.  Check your modem documentation for more information.

Initialization

Enter the reset string for your modem.  Check your modem documentation for more information.

To exit and save changes, click OK.  To exit without saving changes, click Cancel.


Settings, Audio

Enable

Toggles audio on and off

The following items are only visible if audio is enabled:

Audio Levels...

This command will allow the user to change various audio options

Audio Compression...

This command will allow the user to change audio compression options


Settings, Pref., Confirm Call
Confirm Call

Selecting Confirm Call causes Connectix Videophone to prompt you upon receiving a conference request from another machine.  Should another user request a conference with you, a "Incoming Call" dialog box appears requesting whether or not you wish to accept the conference.


Settings, Preferences

Confirm Call

Allow the user the option of Accepting or Rejecting a conference request.

Launcher

Allows you to configure the Connectix VideoPhone Launcher

Frame Rate

Allow the user to select the Video Frame Rate.

Bandwidth

Not available in the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer.


Show Status Bar
When the "Show Status Bar" is selected, the bar is locate at the bottom of the main window.

It displays the connection status, the server status, frames per second request rate, and the communications type.


Storing Command-Line Options

You can store your command-line options in a simple text file whose name ends in .cvp. Files with the .cvp extension are associated with Connectix VideoPhone Viewer, so double-clicking on one automatically starts Connectix VideoPhone using the command-line options stored in the file. You can also configure your Web browser to start Connectix VideoPhone Viewer when you download a .cvp file.

If the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer is not running when you double-click the file, it will start up and use the command-line parameters in the file.

If the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer is already running when you double-click the file, it will execute the commands in the file. (If a conference is active, the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer will hang up before executing the commands.)

Helpful Hints:

1. The file you create must be a simple text file, which you can create and edit with the Notepad application in both Windows 3.x and Windows 95. The file cannot be a Microsoft Word or other word-processor file. If you use a word processor to create the file, make sure you save it as text.

2.The Connectix VideoPhone Viewer only reads the first line of the file.

3. The command-line options must start with a / (slash). For example, place the following commands in a file to start Connectix VideoPhone Viewer in TCP/IP mode and begin a broadcast when you double-click on the file.

/p:tcp /bb


Toolbar

The toolbar provides quick and easy access to frequently used menu commands.  Click on the different buttons of this tool bar for further information.

The toolbar can also be toggled on and off with the toggle toolbar menu option.


TOOLBAR_CALL

Opens the address book dialog box from which a call to another machine can be initiated.


TOOLBAR_CAMERA

Click this button to take a picture.


TOOLBAR_HELP

Click here for information about Connectix Videophone.


TOOLBAR_HOLD

Indicates a conference with another machine has been established.  If depressed, this button will temporarily disable the conference.  To re-enable the conference, press the hold button again.


TOOLBAR_SCREEN

Not available in the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer..


TOOLBAR_SOUND

Click this button to adjust the audio levels.


Using .cvp Files With Your Web Browser

If it supports it, you can configure your web browser to use Connectix VideoPhone as the viewer for files containing command-line options (.cvp files).  When you click on a link to a .cvp file, your browser will open Connectix VideoPhone and use the commands stored in the file. Consult the documentation for your browser to see how to configure it to use helper applications.


Video Compression

Not available in the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer.


Video Settings
Settings, Video

These options are not available in the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer.


Window Menu

Show Self View

Not available in the Connectix VideoPhone Viewer.

Show Status Bar

Toggles the status bar on and off.

Show Toolbar

Toggles the toolbar on and off.

Show Pictures

This command will display the Picture Roll.

Magnify

Brings up the Magnification menu.

Frameless

This command will turn on/off the toolbar, the status bar, the title bar, and the menu, and remove/add the gray space around the video image.

Always On Top

Determines whether the main window should stay on top of all other windows.

With the exception of the Magnify options, all of the items in the Window Menu are on/off options.  When the option is turned on, a check mark will appear beside it.  For example, if the toolbar is enabled, the Toolbar option will be checked.


Zoom
Zoom In shows a close-up of the image by magnifying the central portion of it.  Zoom Out restores the image to its previous size.