Sharing Computer Images in a Videoconference

There are two methods for sharing computer images in native resolution while videoconferencing: in-band and out-of-band.

Sharing Computer Graphics In-band: H.239
The in-band method, known alternately as H.239 or Polycom's People+Content, allows a user to present computer graphics within the H.323 videoconference data stream itself. Most systems at IU can receive graphics using the in-band method, but fewer systems have the ability to transmit graphics.
    To send computer graphics from a group system:
  1. To send computer images to the videoconference, your group system must have Polycom "Visual Concert" hardware attachment that connects to the 15-pin HD (VGA display) monitor port on your laptop or PC.
  2. Make sure your laptop's desktop resolution is set to 1024x768 @ 60hz. On most Windows machines: START - SETTINGS - CONTROL PANEL - DISPLAY - Settings tab, then drag Screen Resolution to 1024x768. Then click Advanced - Monitor tab to select Screen Refresh Rate.
  3. Plug the 15-pin HD cable into your laptop and turn on the laptop's VGA port. (On certain Windows laptops, press the Function + F8 keys.)
  4. To send your computer graphics while in a videoconference, press the "Graphics" or "Slides" on your Polycom remote control. Press Graphics or Slides again to stop.
    To send computer graphics from a personal system:
  1. To send computer images to the videoconference, your personal system must be a Polycom PVX running Software Version 6.0.1 or higher. Your graphics will be displayed optimally at the remote site(s) if you set your desktop resolution to 1024x768.
  2. Click the Show Desktop button on your PVX software. If your PVX software is installed on a PC with two desktop monitors, note that you can only send graphics from the left monitor (Monitor 1).
    To receive computer graphics on a group system:
  1. To see native resolution computer images that are received from a remote site in a conference, an LCD projector must be connected to the 15-pin HD (VGA) monitor port on the group system or Visual Concert adaptor.
  2. If a group system does not support People + Content or H.239, it may still be able to receive the computer images in less-than-native resolution and display them on the local TV monitor, depending on conference type (point-to-point connections are always okay; multipoint connections only work on certain bridges).
    To receive computer graphics on a personal system (Polycom):
  1. A Polycom personal system running 6.0.1 or higher software can always receive and display the remote site's graphics in native XGA resolution. In point-to-point and certain multipoint connections, graphics will open as a separate window on your screen, next to your video window. In other multipoint connections, the graphics will appear within the video window.