The VS-100 can make and answer Skype calls with connectivity on SDI and XLR. The VS-100 is Windows based, so network configuration and testing can be done though Windows by closing the TalkShow and SkypeTx software which will exit you back to the Desktop.
Adding a Contact to Skype
Following a set of updates to Microsoft’s servers, you can no longer manage contacts from within the TalkShow software. Instead contacts have to be added or removed through the same portal as normal Skype accounts.
Open a web browser either on the VS-100 or any device with an internet connect and navigate to www.web.skype.com
Log in using the credentials for the VS-100 you are using. All the security details are listed in the section below. Once logged in you can search for contacts by Skype username or registered email address using the Search Skype bar on the left hand side. Pending contact requests will be shown in the Contacts tab and can be accepted from there.
Audio and Video Settings for Calls
The VS-100 uses two pieces of software to run a call. By default TalkShow will open at startup showing a split screen of the incoming call and the video being sent back to the caller as shown below.
Within TalkShow, there are two settings pages that affect the physical inputs and outputs of the VS-100. The first is accessed by clicking on the cog in the top left corner gives you global settings for the unit including video format, which audio channels are used for talkback, genlock etc .
There is second settings page which controls the return video settings. This is found under a hidden cog that appears when you hover over the channel name shown below. This settings cover the channel video, audio, video return and record settings.
Controlling a Call
The second piece of software is SkypeTx. This acts as the telephone exchange for the system, allocating Skype calls to available VS-100 units.
Open SkypeTx from the Desktop and sign in using the credentials used to manage your Contacts above.
You will now be signed in and you contacts will appear in the left hand column.
SkypeTx should automatically detect the TalkShow software running in the background. If it does not, click on the menu icon in the top right corner.
In the “Add a Skype TX unit to control box”, type “localhost” and click the plus button. This will add your VS-100 as an available channel on the main screen as shown with the colour bars on the previous slide.
If you have more than on VS-100 on site, you can control them all from one screen by adding them in this menu. Rather than adding the localhost, enter the IP address of the unit to be controlled and click the plus button. You will be asked for a username and password. The username needs the domain attached.
For CT’s units the usernames are based on the units barcode: -INNVS100-01\TalkShow and INNVS100-02\TalkShow (pw: createch)
The TalkShow client software can be downloaded from the Microsoft website so VS-100s can be controlled from any device running Windows such as a CT control laptop.
Starting a Call
To start a call, click on the video symbol next to the contact you wish to call. SkypeTx will begin the call on the next available VS-100. In the screengrab to the right, this would begin the call on Channel 1. If you have more than one VS-100 under your control, you can drag and drop the contact onto the Skype channel you want to use. Once the call is answered, a preview of the call appear in that channel.
Answering a Call
Incoming calls will be shown as a green ringing phone icon to the tab to the right of the Contacts tab on the left hand menu. To answer a call, click on the green icon so get a list of incoming calls and answer the call. The call will be answered by the next available SkypeTx channel. If you have more than one VS-100 under your control, you can drag and drop the incoming call onto the Skype channel you want to use.
Account Security Details
Skype sends security alerts and verification requests to its associated Gmail account. If you have problems logging in, please check in the Gmail inbox.
Skype Logins (all password are createch1) –ct.skype01@gmail.com, ct.skype02@gmail.com, ct.skype03@gmail.com, ct.skype04@gmail.com
First name: CT Skype 0x
Last name: CT
Date of Birth: 25/5/1977
Secondary email: inetworks@ctlondon.com (All IN staff will receive an email from this address)
Phone number: +441293582023 (Direct dial for Joe Hicks’ desk phone at CT)
Leave a Reply