Chapter 1

Getting Started

Overview

This chapter will provide you with the basic information required to successfully install and configure MDL Communique! 4.1 on a PC running Microsoft Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Windows NT. This chapter is intended as a supplement to manufacturer’s documentation; it is not intended to replace any software or hardware documentation provided by a manufacturer with their products.

In this chapter you will find information on:

Windows 3.1 System Requirements

Your system must meet the following hardware and software requirements to assure correct operation of the Communique! software.

Software Requirements

Hardware Requirements

Optional Hardware

System Configuration Notes

The above outline lists general guidelines for the system configuration required to run Communique! 4.1. It is impossible for MDL to test all the different computers, peripherals and combinations of computers and peripherals that are available on the market today. The following section outlines items that need additional clarification so that you can make informed, intelligent decisions about the hardware you select for running Communique!.

Running Communique! AudioGraph or Communique! DVC (Digital Video Conferencing) with the Audio Tool and TV Tool Plugins on a 486DX@/66 with 16 MB of memory will work, but performance will be affected by the following:

1. The type of video capture card used. If the card you are using has hardware video compression you will notice very little performance degradation in three-way conferences using audio and video. If there are more than three members in the conference of 486 class machine, sending audio and video, there will be a decrease in the performance of all members.

2. If the video capture card does not offer a hardware compressor, running more than a two-way conference with audio and video is not recommended on a 486 processor.

3. Enhancing performance can only be accomplished by the addition of faster, higher-bandwidth hardware. Upgrading from a 486-based system to a Pentium or increasing the Pentium processor speed from 60 to 90 MHz will increase the performance and number of members that you can reasonably included in a conference. Using video capture cards that have Indeo hardware video compression will also enhance performance. As a general rule of thumb, use a Pentium 60 or better with the Communique! AudioGraph or Communique! Digital Video Conferencing products.

Secondary Cache (L2) will affect performance. On 486-based systems, 256 kb is the ideal amount. Amounts greater than 256 kb will add little additional enhancement. On Pentium processor based systems, 512 kb of secondary cache will yield the best performance.

Hard disk speed, local bus VESA or PCI graphics adapters and hard drive controllers will also have an effect on overall system performance.

The computer’s graphics adapter must support 640x480 resolution in 256-color mode. Most SVGA cards with 1 MB of memory will support this configuration. Accelerated local bus adapters will provide the best performance. For Communique! to operate correctly the graphics adapter must support 256 colors at the screen resolution you use.

Network adapters must be 16-bit and support NDIS 3 enhanced mode operation. Data throughput on cards that do not support enhanced mode NDIS 3 will significantly reduce system performance. MDL does not support the use of these devices with audio and video.

Communique! 4.1 will work with Microsoft Windows 3.1. It does require TCP/IP network protocols that are Windows Sockets 1.1 compliant and use 32-bit VxD Architecture to operate. If you want to use Multicast routing, your network drivers must included multicast support. For performance reasons and ease of installation, MDL recommends the use of Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and Microsoft TCP/IP-32 3.11B stacks.

You can use a CCD camera, VCR, camcorder, or any other standard video source with Communique!. The quality of the image you send to other conference members depends on many factors, but keep in mind that the quality of the video image will depend directly on the quality of the video source used.

MDL recommends the use of a 16-bit full duplex sound card that supports an 8 kHz sampling rate. It is important to understand the meaning of full-duplex audio. Full duplex means that you can send and receive audio simultaneously, much like a telephone. Without full duplex capability (half duplex) you must switch back and forth between sending and receiving modes, like a "push to talk" CB radio. It is desirable to have full duplex audio capability while participating in a conference so that you can communicate naturally. In order to use Communique! your sound card must support an 8 kHz sampling rate. Many cards support sampling rates higher than 8 kHz. This can put unnecessary demands on your network. Higher sampling rates provide for improved music quality audio, but the extra bandwidth is not required to send a quality human voice signal to other conference members.

All hardware supplied with MDL Communique! kits exceeds the minimum requirements.

Windows 3.1 Network Adapters and TCP/IP Software

MDL’s Communique! requires TCP/IP network protocols be installed on your PC in order to function. Communique! will not load and run if you do not have a network adapter installed and configured for Windows Sockets 1.1 compliant TCP/IP Stacks. You will need to work with your network administrator or the person responsible for maintaining your local area network. They should be able to assist you with the installation of the network adapter and the TCP/IP software. TCP/IP protocols require a unique address be assigned to each network node. Please make sure that the address you use has been assigned by the person responsible for maintaining your network. Duplicate or incorrect addresses can cause serious network problems.

If you are using Microsoft Windows for Workgroups as your operating environment we recommend that you use the Microsoft TCP/IP-32 V3.11B stacks, as they will prove easy to install, configure and provide efficient operation. The Microsoft TCP/IP-32 software can be obtained form the Microsoft FTP site or from the Microsoft download service BBS. Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation to ensure that your network adapter is capable of supporting NDIS 3 enhanced mode operation. Enhanced mode NDIS 3 drivers and 32 bit VxD architecture are required to provide the necessary bandwidth to pass video signals.

Windows 95 and Windows NT for Intel System Requirements

If you are running Windows 95 or Windows NT for Intel, your system must meet the following requirements to ensure the proper operation of Communique!

Software Requirements

Hardware Requirements

Optional Hardware

Windows NT for Intel Capture Card

For Windows NT for Intel, Communique! supports the Osprey 1004 video capture card, which provides hardware compression and decompression of H.261 video. It is also a full-duplex audio card, and it supports the 8 khz sampling rate required by Communique!.

Windows NT for Alpha System Requirements

Your system must meet the following hardware and software requirements to assure correct operation of the Communique! software.

Software Requirements

Hardware Requirements

Optional Hardware

Windows NT for Alpha Audio

In order to use the Audio Tool with Windows NT on the DEC Alpha platform, you must install the Microsoft Sound System drivers provided with Communique!. They support full duplex audio, which enables you to send and receive audio simultaneously.

To install the drivers:

1. Launch the Drivers tool from the Control Panels window.

2. Select Add.

3. Insert the media with the Microsoft Sound System audio drivers in the floppy drive.

4. Choose Microsoft Sound System from the list of drivers available to be added.

5. Enter the correct path where the drivers currently reside (for example, A:\).

6. Close the Drivers tool.

Windows NT Video Capture Card

On the DEC Alpha platform, Communique! supports the Digital Video Options family of video capture cards. Install the video capture card inside the workstation according to the instructions provided with it. Connect your video source (for example, an MDL camera) to the card. Install the driver software provided with the card.

Hardware and Software Configuration

Before you begin to install Communique! software you need to install or verify the following hardware items. Please review the items that relate to the MDL product that you have purchased.

Communique! AudioGraph:

Communique! Digital Video Conferencing:

TCP/IP stacks are integrated into Windows NT and Windows 95, and should not require any special configuration.

Audio Devices

The Microphone should be connected to the MIC input on the Movieman card. We recommend that you use the MDL ConferenceMic or Call Port. The switches on the bottom of the ConferenceMic should be set for Microsoft Sound System.

For DEC AlphaStations running Windows NT, you will need to connect your external speakers to the Speaker port on the audio board, and connect your microphone to the Microphone port. If your audio input source has a line level signal rather than mic level, you will need to plug it into the Line In port. Likewise, if you are using a line level output device, plug it into the Line Out jack.

The above levels are to be used as preliminary settings. In the Audio Tool chapter of this manual you will find additional information on adjusting microphone and speaker levels.

Installing Communique! Software

Before installing Communique! 4.1 software, please be sure that you have met the following requirements:

1. Your PC or workstation meets the minimum requirements described under "System Requirements" earlier in this chapter. Please correct any deficiencies before proceeding.

2. The network adapter is installed, configured correctly with the TCP/IP protocols, and connected to the network.

Windows NT’s TCP/IP stacks are integrated with the operating system. However, you should verify that your networking is set up properly by using the ping utility to test that your hostname and IP address are valid and that networking is up and running.

3. Any Audio and Video hardware and software supplied in your MDL Communique! conference kit has been installed and tested.

Depending on the Communique! 4.1 product that you purchased you will have form one or two disks to install. The installation program will ask for the required disks at the appropriate time. Read the screens carefully and follow the instructions.

Installing Communique! for Windows NT (Intel) and Windows 3.1

1. Insert Communique! 4.1 disk one into the correct disk drive.

2. From Program Manager’s File Menu select Run.

3. Type A:\setup. in the Run dialog box.

4. Communique! 4.1 will prompt you for a location to install the software. It is recommended that you accept the defaults.

5. Before the software is installed, the Setup program will ask whether you want to make a backup of the files that are replaced during the installation.

If you want to make a backup, you will have to specify the directory to save the backup files in.

The Setup program will begin copying files to the hard drive.

6. When requested, insert the second and third disks if required.

Communique! will complete the installation and exit the Setup program. You will need to run Communique! to license the software.

This completes the installation of Communique! 4.1 software.

Installing Communique! for Windows 95

1. Insert Communique! 4.1 disk one into the correct disk drive.

2. Open the Add/Remove Programs wizard from Control Panels.

3. When you are asked which drive to install the software from, select the drive that the Communique! disk is in. (The default should be correct.)

4. Communique! 4.1 will prompt you for a location to install the software. It is recommended that you accept the defaults.

5. Before the software is installed, the Setup program will ask whether you want to make a backup of the files that are replaced during the installation.

If you want to make a backup, you will have to specify the directory to save the backup files in.

The Setup program will begin copying files to the hard drive.

6. When requested, insert the second and third disks if required.

7. Once the files have been copied to the hard drive, you will be asked whether you wish to add Communique! to the Start menu. Select Yes or No.

Communique! will complete the installation and exit the Setup program. You will need to run Communique! to license the software.

This completes the installation of Communique! 4.1 software.

Installing Communique! for Windows NT (Alpha)

1. Insert Communique! 4.1 disk one into the correct disk drive.

2. From Program Manager’s File Menu select Run.

3. Type A:\install. in the Run dialog box.

4. When requested, enter your company or organization name and press the Tab key.

5. Enter your License number exactly as it appears on the inside front cover of this manual.

Please take a minute to write this number down and keep it in a safe place. The License number has a specific format; it is comprised of alpha characters A through F and digits 0 through 9. Make sure that you include the colon in the license when you enter it. Format is very important.

6. Communique! 4.1 will prompt you for a location to install the software. It is recommended that you accept the defaults.

7. When requested, insert the second and third disks if required.

8. Remove all disks from the floppy drives and select the Reboot Now button.

This completes the installation of Communique! 4.1 software.

Running Communique! 4.1 for the First Time under Windows NT and Windows 3.1

The Communique! 4.1 installation program created a directory, INSOFT, and a Program Manager group, Communique! 4.1. If it is not already open, open the Communique! 4.1 group. In this group you will find two icons, Communique! 4.1 and InSoft System Info. Double-clicking on the Communique! icon will run the application. The window that opens is the Conference Manager. This is the main window of Communique!. Access to all of Communique! tools is available from here.

When Communique! starts for the first time, you will need to enter your name and your license number. Your license number can be found on the label for Communique! Disk 1. You must enter the key exactly as it appears on the disk for Communique! to work. Be sure to store the license number in a safe place.

If you purchased either the Communique! AudioGraph or Communique! Digital Video Conferencing products, you will need to follow the instructions under Initial Setup.

Initial Setup

Open the Audio Tool. To identify the different tools point at them with the mouse. A Tool Tip will appear identifying the specific tool to which you are pointing. Click on the Audio Tool to open it. Click on the Audio menu and select Input. A Dot should appear just to the left indicating that it is the default device. Press the Esc key and select Output. If you are running Windows 3.1, the submenu should indicate that the Movieman Wave Audio Playback is the default device. If you are using Windows NT, Microsoft Sound System Record should be listed as the default input. If this is not the case see the chapter on Audio Tool in this manual. Close the Audio Tool.

Open the TV Tool. Remember to use the Tool Tips to identify the tools. When the window opens you should see an image from your video source. If you are not seeing the correct image in the TV tool window, refer to the TV Tool chapter for information on the Format, Source and Compressor items in the Video Menu. Close the TV Tool.

Business Cards

The Business Card identifies you to the other members of a conference. It is important that you create a Business Card. You are now ready to create your Business Card and join your first Communique! conference. For instructions on creating a Business Card and information on the other Communique! 4.1 tools, consult the Conference Manager chapter in this manual or use the online help. To access the main help window, click on Help in the Conference Manager window.

Running Communique! for the First Time under Windows 95

In order to run Communique!, select Communique! from the Start menu. If you didn’t add Communique! to the Start menu, you should open the folder where you installed Communique! and double click on its icon.

When Communique! starts for the first time, you will need to enter your name and your license number. Your license number can be found on the label for Communique! Disk 1. You must enter the key exactly as it appears on the disk for Communique! to work. Be sure to store the license number in a safe place.

If you purchased either the Communique! AudioGraph or Communique! Digital Video Conferencing products, you will need to follow the instructions under Initial Setup.

Initial Setup

Open the Audio Tool. To identify the different tools point at them with the mouse. A Tool Tip will appear identifying the specific tool to which you are pointing. Click on the Audio Tool to open it. Click on the Audio menu and select Input. A Dot should appear just to the left indicating that the Movieman is the default device. Press the Esc key and select Output. indicate that the Movieman card is selected as the Output.

Open the TV Tool. Remember to use the Tool Tips to identify the tools. When the window opens you should see an image from your video source. If you are not seeing the correct image in the TV tool window, refer to the TV Tool chapter for information on the Format, Source and Compressor items in the Video Menu. Close the TV Tool.

Business Cards

The Business Card identifies you to the other members of a conference. It is important that you create a Business Card. You are now ready to create your Business Card and join your first Communique! conference. For instructions on creating a Business Card and information on the other Communique! 4.1 tools, consult the Conference Manager chapter in this manual or use the online help. To access the main help window, click on Help in the Conference Manager window.

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