Technical help and suggestions

Ten top tips
Equipment
Get the most out of VCing
Factsheets

Technical Coordinator

Adrian Cullum-Hanshaw is the Motivate Technical Coordinator. All technical matters should be discussed with him.

a.cullum-hanshaw@damtp.cam.ac.uk
tel: +44(0)1223 764106
mobile: +44(0)774 703 5984

Linked to this page are various suggestions to help you get started in videoconferencing and get the best out of your equipment and conferences.

• Ensure that all the equipment has been tested before the conference.
• Always make sure that you have spare batteries for the remote control units and replacement fuses, and a screwdriver handy!
• A mobile phone is a MUST if the room you are using does not have a telephone. If something goes wrong contact between you and us needs to be straightforward – phoning the school switchboard is not an option when time is tight.

Ten Top Tips

  1. Draw the curtains/blinds and switch on the lights, check they are all working.
  2. Switch off any bells (if possible).
  3. Are spare batteries & fuses handy?
  4. Assign all the camera presets.
  5. Position the microphones close to where the students presenting will sit - are the audio levels correct? What about other students who may want to answer or ask questions during the videoconference?
  6. Is the AGC off and the echo cancellation on?
  7. Store the ISDN/IP numbers in the directory.
  8. Is the PC/MAC extra version of PowerPoint loaded?
  9. Tape down any trailing leads and cables.
  10. Where did you leave that screwdriver?

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Other useful links

Videoconferencing equipment

  • what equipment you will need
  • what is available
  • cost

Getting the most out of your videoconferences

  • student presentations
  • using the camera
  • displaying the conference
  • audio
  • room layout
  • technical run-through
  • MCU bridge

If there are other topics or questions which you would like to see covered here, please let us know (email: a.cullum-hanshaw@damtp.cam.ac.uk).