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VIDEOCONFERENCING STREAMING

Polycom PVX: Installation Guide

Getting the PVX Software

See the IU Purchasing Page for PVX pricing and purchase information. When you order PVX, you'll be mailed a CD that must be used for the installation of the software.

You will also need a Web cam to use with the PVX software. Although any Web cam should work, we recommend the Logitech Quickcam Communicate DLX. We also recommend using a Plantronics .Audio 310 USB headset for better quality audio.

Installing the PVX Software

1. When you have the PVX installation CD, insert it into your computer and follow the onscreen instructions for installing the software. If you do not already have DirectX and Media Player installed on your computer, you'll have the opportunity to install them from the CD also.
2. When the installation is complete, close the Polycom PVX Software Installation window.
   

Configuring the PVX Software

1. To begin configuring the PVX software, double click the Polycom PVX icon on your desktop and follow the onscreen instructions. If a Software Not Activated window appears, click Continue to skip the activation process until you are finished configuring the software.
   
2. When prompted for your Name, enter your name as it will appear in the video conferencing address book. Please use the following format to conform with the IU address book naming convention:

   Lastname, Firstname (IU network username) (see example below)

   For the H.323 Extension, please see the Indiana University H.323 Dialing Plan.
   
   If you'd like the PVX software to start each time your computer starts, check the box next to Auto-start application in background.
   
3. On the Directory Setup page, delete all existing entries.
   
   On the first line under Global Directory, enter gab.iu.edu and check the box next to Register with this Server (see example below).
   
4. On the VideoMail Setup page, click Next.
   
5. On the Web and Management Services page, clear all fields and checkboxes (see example below).
   
6. On the Sound Effects Setup page, adjust the sound level to your desired volume, then click Next.
   
7. When prompted to select your video and audio devices, choose the devices you'd like the PVX software to use or choose Auto to have PVX choose the default devices.
   
8. In the Network Setup window, in most cases you should keep the default Use the PC's Local IP Address. If you are using the PVX software behind a NAT (e.g., a home router), you'll need to choose Use the External (WAN) IP Address.
   

More PVX Configuration

1. If the PVX software isn't already running, launch it from the icon on your desktop, then click the Setup button (the wrench icon in the top left corner of PVX screen) to see the Setup tabs.
   
2. On the General tab, verify the format of your name and email address.
   
   To automatically accept incoming calls and automatically mute your audio (so the far side can not hear you until you unmute your PVX software), check the Auto-Answer and Mute Auto-Answer Calls boxes.
   
   Change the default Maximum Time in Call to 0.
   
3. On the Directory tab, make sure Dial using H.323 extension when connected to a Gatekeeper is checked.
   
4. On the H.323 tab, click the Specify box, then type the following in the Gatekeeper IP Address field:

   129.79.4.49

   
5. Click the Apply button and you should see a message almost instantaneously that reads: "Gatekeeper registration successful...."
6. Click OK to close the Setup window.

Activating the PVX Software

To activate your PVX software you'll need the License Key from the back of the PVX CD box you received; until you activate the software, it is considered an evaluation version and has limitations (e.g., you will be disconnected from video calls after 5 minutes). You must create a user account on Polycom's Web site in order to generate an Activation Key. Follow the steps below to create this account and activate your software.

1. If the PVX software isn't already running, launch it from the icon on your desktop, then click the Information button (the circle with an i in top left corner of PVX screen). In the System Information window that appears, click the Activate button. In the Activate Software window that appears, click the Polycom button. This should open a Web browser to the Polycom Resource Center where you can register and activate your PVX software.
   
2. If you do not already have a user account, click the New User Account link and follow the onscreen instructions for creating an account.
   
3. When you've successfully created your account, click the Register Product link.
   
   For Product Model choose PVX. In the Serial Number field, type the License Key from the back of the PVX CD box you received.
   
   Click Register.
   
4. On the Registration Complete page, click the Activate Product, then click the Video link. In the Single License Number section in the middle of the page, enter the License Key from the back of your PVX CD box into the License Number field and click the First Time Installation checkbox. Click Generate to generate a Key Code. Record this Key Code for use in the next step. You can now close the Polycom Resource Center Web page.
   
5. The PVX software should still have the Activate Software window open. If not, open it by following step 1 in this section (Activating the PVX Software) above.
   
   In the License Number field, enter the License Key found on the back of your PVX CD box. In the Activation Key Code field, enter the Key Code that you generated in the previous step.
   
   Click Activate to activate the PVX software.
   

Testing Your Setup

1. With the PVX software running, click the Directory button to see the IU Addressbook of videoconferencing endpoints. To place a test call, scroll down and double click the Video Copybird entry. You'll be connected to a unit that allows you to test your audio and video. If you have difficulty connecting or if you do not see video or hear your audio looped back to you when you talk, please call the Videoconferencing Help Desk at: 812-856-2020.
   

Upgrading Your PVX Software

If there is a newer version of the PVX software than the one that came with your CD, you'll want to upgrade to the most recent version. Follow the steps in this section to determine your version number and to upgrade if necessary.

1. If the PVX software isn't already running, launch it from the icon on your desktop, then click the Information button (the circle with an i in top left corner of PVX screen).
   
2. In the System Information window that appears, note your Software Version.
   
3. Open a Web browser to the Polycom Resource Center (http://extranet.polycom.com) and sign in with the username and password you created in the Activating the PVX Software section above.
   
   You may also click the Update button in the System Information window (see previous step), but it is more direct to go straight to the Resource Center.
   
4. Once you've successfully logged into the Polycom Resource Center, click the Video link in the Software Downloads section and navigate to the PVX software download page.
   
   Compare the current PVX version number with the version number you found in step 2 above. If a more current version is available, download it to your computer and double click the installer to update your version of PVX. (You may need to restart your computer after the update.)