Scopia FAQs

Questions

• Why can't I install Scopia Desktop on my computer?
• Do we get a site-licensed free client with our subscription to REANNZ Video Conferencing?
• Why am I only getting a 4:3 video aspect ratio using Scopia Desktop?
• I seem to get disconnected after a few seconds using Scopia Desktop. What's wrong?
• How do I get Scopia Desktop running on Windows Vista?
• Why does my video or other videos I am seeing freeze or go blank occasionally?
• Can I just view or send a content presentation only to the video bridge?
• I can't seem to connect using Scopia Desktop from my workplace?
• How can I view the remote video participants in Scopia when I am presenting a powerpoint in full screen?
• Can Scopia Desktop run on Internet Explorer 64bit version?
• Can Scopia Desktop run through a proxy server?
• How do I terminate a meeting on the video bridge?
• How can I prevent audio feedback when using my computer to video conference
• Why is my video only showing a black screen on my computer?
• Does Scopia Desktop support multi-monitor display setups when sharing content?
• Can anyone use Scopia Desktop from any internet connection in the world?
• Can I use Scopia Desktop to connect to another H.323 Endpoint or Bridge?
• Is there a Linux version for Scopia Desktop?

Answers

Why can't I install Scopia Desktop on my computer?

There could be several underlying factors as to why you may not be able to easily install the Scopia Desktop client. Below are some common things to check:

1. Do you have Pop Up Blockers enabled on your Internet Browser?
   This is a common scenario that can easily be resolve by clicking on the box when it ask you to view the pop up.
2. Do you have ActiveX plugins disabled on Internet Explorer?
   By default, Internet Explorer prompts you whenever it asked to install ActiveX plugins, but your institution may have this setting set to disabled.
3. Do you have permissions setup to install programs on your computer?
   In some circumstances, you may not have the necessary priviledges to install programs on your computer. This could be due to institutional restrictions placed on computer. Please check with your local IT Staff.

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Do we get a site-licensed free client with our subscription to REANNZ Video Conferencing?

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Why am I only getting a 4:3 video aspect ratio using Scopia Desktop?

There are three main reasons why you may not be getting HD quality at 16:9 ratio display when connecting using Scopia Desktop.

1. Computer Specification - please check the computer or laptop speed of which you are using Scopia Desktop with. In order to sustain HD quality receiving, you need a Core 2 Duo at minimum to avoid CPU overload. Otherwise it will drop your quality down to SD.

2. Network Speed - another factor you need to consider is the download speed of the network you are on. You really need at minimum 1Mbps download and 384Kbps upload sustained to receive and send in HD quality.

3. Settings - you may have your settings set to low quality video rates. Please check your setting / preferences in Scopia Desktop. For Mac users, Scopia Desktop installs default with the video size of Standard Definition. This produces a 4:3 video aspect ration. To get a 16:9 video ration change this setting to Enhanced Definition.

I seem to get disconnected after a few seconds using Scopia Desktop. What's wrong?

Scopia Desktop is designed to work under most network conditions and in getting through firewalls. However we have seen in rare circumstances on certain network setups that software and hardware firewalls can cause Scopia Desktop to disconnect after a few seconds.

If you experience similar symptoms, try any of the following methods.

1. In the Scopia Desktop settings sections under the Network tab, change the Network speed to anything other than automatic. This will ensure that upload and download bandwidth will stay constant as opposed to automatically adjusting. Some firewalls do not like this when it is set to automatic and can subsequently drop the calls.
2. Try reducing the overall CPU and bandwidth consumption on your computer by changing the Preferred Video Size under the Advanced tab to Large instead of Automatic.

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How do I get Scopia Desktop running on Windows Vista?

If you are running Windows Vista, there is a tendancy that some users experience issues trying to install and run Scopia Desktop. This is due to the UAC permissions feature in Vista and means you must either be logged in as a local administrator or have the necessary permissions to run the Scopia Desktop program.

If you are experiencing issues with this, please contact your local IT support person to either fix the issue under Vista, or look at alternate OS solutions. We recommend users to run either Windows XP or Windows 7 for their Windows Operating Systems if possible.

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Why does my video or other videos I am seeing freeze or go blank occasionally?

Occasionally participants video freezeing or going blank can happen on the Bridge. This can sometimes be mistaken that something could be wrong with the endpoint or Bridge.

However in most cases this is due to the simple fact of network congestion or bandwidth limitation from the participants end who are showing signs of this. This is especially common on connections coming into the Bridge from ASDL (Broadband).

Participants with this issue may need to reduce their send and receive bandwidth allocations on their endpoint or Scopia Desktop client to allow for a smoother connection.

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Can I just view or send a content presentation only to the video bridge?

Yes, you can use a variety of different types of setups to cater to your needs for sending or viewing a content presentation by utilising the "Use my computer for presentation only" feature found in the free desktop client Scopia Desktop.

Once you have installed Scopia Desktop, to access this feature go to http://sds.karen.net.nz and click on the "More Options" Button. This will display the options on either connecting using audio, video and presentation features, or only connecting using presentation features thus not sending or receiving audio and video.

This feature is particularly handy if you have an H.323 endpoint that does not support H.239 content sharing or is unable to view the H.264 version of H.239 content sharing. You can simply connect up a laptop or computer in the same room to a projector or near the participants so they can simultaneously see any content during their videoconference meeting.

NB: This is only currently available on the Windows version of Scopia Desktop.

I can't seem to connect using Scopia Desktop from my workplace?

Scopia Desktop does work in most cases from various network setups, but occasionally there are some firewall and web proxy solutions that may prevent users from connecting or experience intermittant connection problems including no audio, garbled audio, and loss of video. A preferred solution around this is to allow UDP and TCP traffic to flow between the site experiencing the problem directly to the Scopia Desktop Server.

To do this, please contact your IT network team to have them create an exception rule between your network IP range and sds.karen.net.nz (or 130.195.23.15)

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How can I view the remote video participants in Scopia when I am presenting a powerpoint in full screen?

Currently Scopia Desktop will only allow you to present applications and your desktop from your Primary monitor. If you are planning on presenting a powerpoint presentation that you would like presented in full screen mode, then you will need to change the Show Type setting to "Browsed by an individual (window)" under the Setup SlideShow tab within Powerpoint.

Can Scopia Desktop run on Internet Explorer 64bit version?

Currently no - you will need to run Scopia Desktop using 32bit versions of Internet Explorer. This option will be available in the coming releases.

Can Scopia Desktop run through a proxy server?

 Yes, to add your proxy settings to Scopia Desktop, right mouse click on the Client in the System Tray and select Settings. Go to the Network tab and there you will be able to enter in your relevant proxy settings

NB: We have had some users experience slower connection speeds and greater packet loss when running Scopia Desktop through a web proxy. We recommend that if possible that you bypass a web proxy..

How do I terminate a meeting on the bridge?

There are a couple of ways to terminate and delete a meeting on the bridge.

• From Scopia Desktop
• From iView

Scopia Desktop In order to terminate a meeting within Scopia Desktop you need to have moderator priviledges. If you have these priviledges you can click on the "Moderator" Button. You can then select "Terminate Meeting". This will instantly terminate the current meeting and disconnect all participants and remove the meeting from the MCU.
iView Go to the iView front page and click on "Enter a Meeting". This will open up a separate window which will allow you to enter the Meeting ID and PIN number of the room currently running on the Bridge. You can also enter this section by logging in to iView and selecting My Meetings if you created the meeting and by clicking on the hyperlink of the meeting name.
Once you have logged in you will have information display of participants in the meeting room. To moderate the meeting via iView click on the Moderator icon at the top right hand corner of the window. Once clicked, this will allow you to then perform moderation tasks. More icons will appear. You can then click on the "Terminate Meeting" button. This will instantly terminate the current meeting and disconnect all participants and remove the meeting from the MCU.

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How can I prevent audio feedback when using my computer to video conference

Have you ever been involved in a videoconferencing meeting where a participant's audio was causing problems and everyone else could hear their own echo delayed by about 1 second? This is called audio feedback and is caused because there is no echo cancellation.

Usually the person who is causing the audio feedback problems is unaware that they are the culprits. A common setup which can cause feedback is when a computer has external speakers and a poor quality microphone. Laptop users often have this arrangement when usign their built it speakers and microphone.

An easy way to avoid causing audio feedback is to ensure that you are using equipment that handles echo cancellation. You can now purchase webcams with very good built-in microphones that handle echo cancellation. Alternately you can purchase desktop usb microphones with built-in speakers that do the same trick.

If no echo cancellation is available, using a headset, or even just earphones, especially on a laptop, can be very effective.

For a list of recommended hardware to use on desktop or laptop computers, please visit the Recommended Hardware section.

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Why is my video only showing a black screen on my computer?

There are several reasons why this could happening. Here are some basic things to check first.

• Check to see that there are no other applications accessing your webcam at the same time. Your webcam can only stream to one application at a time.
• Check to see that you have properly connected your webcam.
• Ensure that you have the correct drivers installed on your webcam or capture card (if required) and that they are up to date.
• Try to remember the last time you had your webcam working and think what has been installed on the computer since then. Sometimes certain programs that are installed can intefere with hardware and this could be a possible cause.
• Ensure the camera was switched on before the computer was booted (Applies to certain cameras).

If all else fails and you still are getting a black screen where your video should be, please contact your local IT person to investigate further.

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Does Scopia Desktop support multi-monitor display setups when sharing content?

No, currently Scopia Desktop only supports the Primary Monitor which you have chosen under Windows. When you go to share your screen or window it will use the primary monitor desktop.

If you choose to share an application window, be sure to drag it to the primary monitor in order for it to show up as content.

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Can anyone use Scopia Desktop from any internet connection in the world?

Yes, as long as they have access to a broadband connection at mininum.

Scopia Desktop has been set up to allow anyone to download and join a meeting room on the video bridge. The bridge is not only connected to our network, but also has a 10 M/bit commodity internet connection to allow access from anywhere in the world. 

Although anyone in the world can download and use Scopia Desktop, only registered users will be able to create and book meetings.

For more information on eligibility to register to use the video bridge, please visit the REANNZ Video Conferencing page.

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Can I use Scopia Desktop to connect to another H.323 Endpoint or Bridge?

Without confusing people too much, the short answer is Yes and No. Scopia Desktop is designed to function purely with the video bridge and is part of that infrastructure. Its licensing policy and software architecture only permits it to join these types of Radvision bridges.

Depending on what exactly you are trying to achieve, here are the possibilities:

1. Connecting to another H.323 endpoint using Scopia Desktop
Although Scopia Desktop can only run via the bridge, you can in effect use the bridge to connect you both together. By logging into the bridge using Scopia Desktop, you can use the Invite option and type in the IP Address of the H.323 endpoint you would like to connect to. This will then connect you both using the bridge.

2. Connecting to another H.323 Bridge using Scopia Desktop
This is where it can get very complicated and in most cases will not work. Scopia Desktop uses the bridge to dial out to other H.323 systems; when the bridge dials another H.323 bridge in most cases it will just reach the other bridge's auto attendant page.

There is no way to then navigate to the remote bridge's rooms. There are ways around this through neighbouring gatekeepers with both bridges or setting up specific dial plans, but this has yet to be investigated.

We hope to look into this further to give more flexibility in the future.

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Is there a Linux version for Scopia Desktop?

There is currently no native Linux version for Scopia Desktop. Radvision have recently released a Mac OSX version for Scopia Desktop. 

However, there is technically a way to get Scopia Desktop running within Linux. You can install VMWare Workstation 7 or Virtual Box. This will enable you to install Windows virtually and access your hardware such as webcam and microphone to run Scopia Desktop.

For information on how to setup and download VMWare Workstation 7, see the Support and Download section on the VMWare website.

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