README.TXT for Connectix VideoPhone Version 2.0 GM This README.TXT file contains the following sections: ----------------------------------------------------- 1. Printing this file 2. Reporting Bugs in CVP V2.0 3. Known issues in CVP V2.0 4. New Features in CVP V2.0 5. Online User's Manual 6. CVP V2.0 User Manual Addendum Enabling and Disabling Connectix VideoPhone Launcher Video Enable option from the Settings Menu Drag and Drop File Transfer ISDN - How to dial two B-channels (data) ISDN - How to dial one B-channel voice and one B-channel data Modem Dialog in Communications Port Setup 7. What is ULS and How does it Work ? 8. Supported Video Capture Devices 9. How To Improve Captured (Static) Image Quality 10. Generic Windows Sockets V1.1 11. IP Multicast Support 12. TCP/IP Product Notes 13. Bi-Directional Audio Support (Full Duplex) 14. How to Contact Connectix Corporation ========================================================================= 1. Printing this file ========================================================================= To print this file using notepad, change the left margin to 1.25 and the right margin to .0 in Page Setup... under the File option. Then print. ========================================================================= 2. Reporting Bugs in CVP V2.0 ========================================================================= To report CVP V2.0 bugs either use the Bug report form on the Connectix Web Page, or send email to vphone@connectix.com ========================================================================= 3. Know issues in CVP V2.0 ========================================================================= a. If you are using Connectix VideoPhone over a Dial-up Internet connection, you must connect to the Internet before starting Connectix VideoPhone. Also Launcher should not be put into the Startup Group if you are using a dial-up Internet connection. b. You may notice some loss of audio packets on networks if you are using a network card that has no buffering onboard (i.e. 3Com 3C509). c. When connecting to a Connectix VideoPhone user that is connected to a LAN and is on a Macintosh, turn off the automatic bandwidth control. The automatic bandwidth control currently only works PC to PC. d. When using Connectix VideoPhone to conference between and PC and a Macintosh, be sure that you have chosen the correct audio and video compressors. The video compressors that allow interoperability are VIDEC(TM) and NSVideo(TM) V2.1 & V3.0.The audio compressors that allow interoperation are None(Mac) or PCM(PC) and GSM 6.10. Also be sure that the Macintosh has chosen 8-bit (NOT 16-bit) audio. e. How does Connectix VideoPhone work with IBM Aptiva’s MWAVE devices (Modem and Sound Cards) ? The MWAVE is a DSP device that handles both the modem and sound card functions. The problem is with the audio portion of the drivers IBM ships with the APTIVAS. These drivers are only Full-duplex, with no option to allow you to set it to half. Unfortunately, the MWAVE chip cannot handle both full-duplex audio and a 28.8 connection simultaneously. Other Mwave devices out there can be set to half duplex for audio and so far that has seemed to work. The following is the web site that contains allot of information regarding the mwave device, in case you needed any more information: http://watson.mbb.sfu.ca/ f. Connectix VideoPhone has not been tested with "AOL WinSock", AOL's Winsock implementation. We have had some reports that there may be some issues. Any information with respect to this issue can be entered into Connectix VideoPhone Bug Report form on the Connectix Web Site (www.connectix.com/connect/VPW2.html). g. When calling someone by email address, the Calling... message in the Connectix VideoPhone status bar will not appear, even though Connectix VideoPhone is placing the call. h. There is a problem with the Color Quickcam driver under Windows 3.1 on some machines. Currently, the Color Quickcam driver for Windows 3.1 on some systems will lock the system resources and take up all remaining RAM. This may cause a problem with Connectix VideoPhone. i. If you receive a GPF during or immediately following installation, please clean out(delete the contents of) your windows temp directory and re run the installer. j. When using Connectix VideoPhone with a Shark MultiMedia DSVD Modem, the best way to place a call is as follows: 1) Start your computer 2) Start Connectix VideoPhone Software 3) Place the call to the remote end with the Telephone They should answer the phone. 4) Have the remote user start Connectix VideoPhone 5) Now complete the call through Connectix VideoPhone by "calling" using Connectix VideoPhone NOTE: You must first configure your Shark modem to operate in DSVD mode. Follow these steps to configure this modem. Windows95: 1) Open Control Panel (Start, Settings, Control Panel) 2) Double click the Modems icon. 3) Select your Shark modem and click the Properties button. 4) Select the Connection tab 5) Click on the Advanced button in the lower right. 6) Add this to the extra settings (near the bottom) -sse=1 7) Click OK three times. Windows 3.1 1) Start Connectix VideoPhone 2) From the menu, select Settings, Communications 3) Make sure the modem is selected, then click on the Properties button 4) Select the Advanced tab 5) Make sure to select your Shark Tiger DSVD modem 6) Click OK, then click Apply or Close Once you have configured the software, you do not have to do this again. Now, just follow the steps outlined above to place a DSVD conference call. If you have trouble configuring your modem, please consult your modem manufacturers documentation. k. When using the AT&T Worldnet software under Windows 3.1 on machines with 8MB of RAM, you may not be able to use Netscape Navigator and Connectix VideoPhone at the same time. This may not occur when using RamDoubler for Windows 3.1. Contact Connectix for more information regarding RamDoubler. See 'How to Contact Connectix' below. l. If you install an Internet connection after installing Connectix VideoPhone, and later configure Connectix VideoPhone Launcher to listen for internet calls, you must quit and restart Connectix VideoPhone for the changes to take place. m. Windows 3.1 Only - If you are using a Dial-up internet connection, you cannot currently listen for Connectix VideoPhone calls on both direct modems and internet. You must select either internet or Direct modem. Configuring Connectix VideoPhone Launcher to listen to both may cause conflicts when using a dial-up internet connection. ========================================================================= 4. New Features in CVP V2.0 ========================================================================= Connectix VideoPhone V2.0 for Windows Release Notes Connectix VideoPhone V2.0 for Windows adds a number of powerful features focused on improved performance and ease-of-use. Connectix VideoPhone now incorporates the User Location Service protocol which lets the user know who is available and ready to call on the Internet. A graphical Address Book with integrated Web browser support and direct links to Four11 is also part of CVP V2.0 This version also supports auto negotiation of many conference settings, including bandwidth. a. 16-bit and 32-bit Version for Windows 3.1 and Windows95 b. Cross-Platform Capabilities with Connectix VideoPhone V2.0 for Macintosh Connectix VideoPhone for Windows and Connectix VideoPhone for Macintosh now interoperate over TCP/IP-based networks, such as the Internet. c. User Location Service (ULS) Support ULS is a protocol that dynamically, without user intervention, translates a persons E-mail address to their IP address each time they log into the Internet. In addition to solving the dynamic IP address problem, ULS also enables CVP to know if a person is currently logged into the Internet before a call is placed, therefore improving the chances that a call is actually completed. By using ULS, CVP will also be able to randomly call people that are known to be on the Internet. d. User Location Service Support in Connectix VideoPhone Launcher ULS services will be available to the CVP user, whether CVP is running or whether launcher is running. e. Graphical Address Book Connectix VideoPhone's address book now has a direct link to Four11 (www.Four11.com), using the integrated web browser support in the address book. Connectix VideoPhone can also give the user direct access through Four11 to an individual's Personal Listing Page. Connectix VideoPhone gives the user the ability to randomly call anyone that is known to be on the Internet and CVP-enabled. Connectix VideoPhone address book now stores settings for users, so each entry can have a different connection profile. f. Auto Bandwidth Detection and Negotiation Connectix VideoPhone V2.0 detects the amount of bandwidth available to the application over the communications link and automatically changes the bandwidth the application is using to accommodate the link. g. Drag-and-Drop File Transfer CVP V2.0 allows drag-and-drop file transfer between the two users. h. Text Chat CVP V2.0 allows a text chat windows between the two users. i. Improved User Interface The 32-bit version of Connectix VideoPhone has an improved user interface to take advantage of Windows95. j. Improved Audio Quality Connectix VideoPhone supports improved audio and video over a 28.8 Kbps connection, either direct (modem-to-modem) or through the Internet. ========================================================================= 5. Online User's Manual ========================================================================= The final CVP V2.0 manual is available on the Connectix Web Site (the same place you downloaded the software). The manual is available as an Abode Acrobat .PDF File. Adobe's Acrobat Reader Application is available for free via Abode's WEB Site at: http://www.adobe.com/acrobat/readstep.html ========================================================================= 6. CVP V2.0 User Manual Addendum ========================================================================= This section includes minor changes and new features to the Connectix VideoPhone Users Manual. Enabling and Disabling Connectix VideoPhone Launcher ---------------------------------------------------- Connectix VideoPhone Launcher can now be disabled by clicking the "Disable Incoming Calls" Check Box in Launcher. No longer do you have to Exit Launcher to disable incoming calls. The Enable Video option from the Settings Menu ---------------------------------------------- This feature allows you to enable and disable the capture and compression of video in real-time without disconnecting from the current conference. In cases where you might be experiencing poor audio quality over the Internet, it is recommended that you first disable your video to see if the audio quality is improved. The audio quality may be improved either because your computer's CPU is too slow for both audio and video or because you connection speed is too slow for both audio and video (i.e. less than a 28.8 Kbps modem). Drag and Drop File Transfer --------------------------- Besides using file transfer by drag-and-drop, you can also choose Send from the File Menu of Connectix VideoPhone ISDN - How to dial two B-channels (data) ---------------------------------------- In order to establish a connection using both B-channels for the Connectix VideoPhone, the both ISDN phone numbers should be entered in the address book with the '&' character between them. ex. 555-1212&555-1313 This will try to make a connection using both B-channels for Data. ISDN - How to dial one B-channel voice and one B-channel data ------------------------------------------------------------- This feature has only been tested with the BitSURFR Pro ISDN modem. This feature allows Connectix VideoPhone to make a voice call on one B-channel (using a telephone plugged into the BitSURFR Pro's analog port) and a data connection on the other B-channel. The ISDN phone numbers should be entered in the address book with the '*' character between them. ex. 555-1212*555-1313 ^ 1st ^ 2nd B-channel B-channel This will place a voice (telephone) call on the second channel and a data call on the first channel. Using this configuration, one B-channel is used by Connectix VideoPhone for video and the and the audio will be handled by the voice call. Modem Dialog in Communications Port Setup ----------------------------------------- When using the Connectix VideoPhone in Direct Modem/ISDN mode, the software will use the default initialization string. If you encounter troubles connecting or staying connected to other users, you may want to select your specific modem. From the menu, select Settings, Preferences, Communications Port Setup, Select the Advanced tab. In the lower section, from the list box, select your specific modem. This should increase the reliability of the connection. If your modem is not listed, please obtain the modem's Manufacturer Name, Brand Name, Model number and contact Connectix Technical Support. See 'How to Contact Connectix' below. ========================================================================= 7. What is ULS and How does it Work ? ========================================================================= ULS is a protocol that dynamically, without user intervention, translates a persons E-mail address to their IP address each time they log into the Internet. In addition to solving the dynamic IP address problem, ULS also enables CVP to know if a person is currently logged into the Internet before a call is placed, therefore improving the chances that a call is actually completed. By using ULS, CVP will also be able to randomly call people that are known to be on the Internet. For technical information about ULS, see INTERNET-DRAFT: draft-williams-uls-00.txt on the InterNics WEB Site: http://www.internic.net/ds/dspg0intdoc.html ========================================================================= 8. Supported Video Capture Devices ========================================================================= The Connectix VideoPhone product development staff is constantly working to add more video capture cards to our supported list. For a complete list of supported video capture devices, refer to our "Connectix VideoPhone Compatibility" document. This can be found on all of our on-line services. See "How to contact Connectix Corporation" ========================================================================= 9. How To Improve Captured (Static) Image Quality ========================================================================= Images captured using the snapshot utility are stored as full 24 bit images. When they are displayed on your monitor, they are displayed as windows bitmaps using the VGA driver/monitor. The quality of the image on your monitor will depend on the VGA card you are using, and the VGA driver you have installed under Windows. Try the following to improve the quality of static images that are displayed by the film roll dialog and the address book: Use a VGA card that supports 256 or more colors to be displayed, and use Windows Setup utility to load this driver. The Standard VGA driver allows 16 colors to be displayed in normal video mode. Modern VGA cards with at least one megabyte of ram on board will support 256 or even 32 thousand colors. The more colors that the VGA card and driver supports, the better the image quality will be. Use the right VGA driver for your VGA card. Don't forget to activate the enhanced color depth of your VGA card with the appropriate driver from the windows setup utility. These drivers are available from your VGA card manufacturer. ========================================================================= 10. Generic Windows Sockets V1.1 ========================================================================= If the TCP/IP product that you are using provides a WinSock interface (WinSock.DLL), make sure the directory that the file WinSock.DLL is located in is in your PATH variable (set by autoexec.bat). There should be only one file named WinSock.DLL in your path at any time. Note that the following TCP/IP products have been approved to run with the Connectix VideoPhone: Windows 95 built in TCP/IP from Microsoft Microsoft TCP/IP-32 TGV Multinet for Windows V1.0.1 or Later Trumpet TCP/IP 2.1f or Later Ipswitch Acadia VxD V1.1.001 or Later NetManage V3.1 or Later Frontier Super-TCP V3.00 R2 or Later Distinct TCP 3.10 or Later Interconn TCP Connect For Windows V3.00 R2 or Later FTP PCTCP Version 2.3 or Later Other TCP/IP products that provide a WinSock.DLL may work with Connectix VideoPhone, but have not been approved and therefore may require some system parameters to be tuned. Contact your TCP/IP product vendor or Connectix VideoPhone customer support for more information. For a complete list of supported video capture devices, refer to our "Connectix VideoPhone Compatibility" document. This can be found on all of our on-line services. See "How to contact Connectix Corporation" Note: When using TCP/IP you must include your own host name and address in the host table or domain name server. ========================================================================= 11. IP Multicast Support ========================================================================= The following TCP/IP products support the IP Multicast protocol: Microsoft TCP/IP-32 (Also in Windows 95) TGV Multinet for Windows FTP Software's PCTCP, ONNET v1.1 or Later ========================================================================= 12. TCP/IP Product Notes ========================================================================= a. FTP Software - PC/TCP b. Distinct TCP c. Frontier Technologies - Super-TCP d. TGV Multinet for Windows a. FTP Software - PC/TCP ------------------------ If the TCP/IP product that you are using is "FTP's PC/TCP", you must make sure that you have PC/TCP Version 2.3 or newer, and that WinSock.DLL is in your PATH. In addition, you must ensure that the following parameters in the PCTCP.ini file (section 'pctcp kernel') are set to the following (for ver 2.3 ONLY): [pctcp kernel] large-packets = 30 ip-reliability = high ip-throughput = high b. Distinct TCP --------------- If the TCP/IP product that you are using is Distinct TCP, make the following change in the file "\windows\socket.ini": SECTION: [Settings] ENTRY: UdpQueue=32 ; Default=5 c. Frontier Technologies - Super-TCP ------------------------------------ If the TCP/IP product that you are using is Frontier's Super-TCP, you must be using Version 3.00 R2 or newer. You must also use the DLL Kernel, NOT the TSR Kernel. Two parameters must also be changed for optimal performance. These parameters are: The TCP Parameter "Maximum Window" must be set to 30720. This parameter is accessible in the Super-TCP Configuration, TCP/IP Parameters Dialog Box. The [TCP] Section of the SUPERTCP.INI file in the \WINDOWS Subdirectory must have the following line added to it: VGlueD Number of Buffers = 14 For Example: [TCP] WindowX=9 WindowY=233 WindowWidth=479 WindowHeight=167 WindowShow=7 VGlueD Number of Buffers=14 d. TGV Multinet for Windows --------------------------- If the TCP/IP product that you are using is TGV Multinet for Windows, you must edit the [TCP/IP] section in the CVPHONE.INI file. The CVPHONE.INI file is located in the C:\CVP directory (default). [TCP/IP] ReceiveBufferLength=0 Change to ReceiveBufferLength=32000 ========================================================================= 13. Bi-Directional Audio Support (Full Duplex) ========================================================================= Connectix VideoPhone supports Full Duplex audio. The software will automatically detect if your sound card supports Full or Half Duplex and operate accordingly. The following is a list of Windows compatible sound cards that support Full Duplex and have been tested and verified by Connectix: Creative Sound Blaster (models 16, 32 and above) Turtle Beach Tropez Turtle Beach Tropez Plus Advanced Gravis Ultrasound MAX CATboard by VocalTech There may be other sound cards that support Full Duplex audio. They should work with Connectix VideoPhone however they have not been tested. For a complete list of supported video capture devices, refer to our "Connectix VideoPhone Compatibility" document. This can be found on all of our on-line services. See "How to contact Connectix Corporation" Installation of Advanced Gravis Ultrasound Max bi-directional audio card. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Install card per Gravis installation manual. Select the following as your default values in the US Max configuration program unless you know that they will conflict with another card. Ultramax PATCH AND RECORD DMA # 1 BUF SIZE FIXED X 688 PLAYBACK DMA # 3 BUF SIZE FIXED X 688 CODEC 32C *** DMA Channels must be different to get bi-directional audio. *** In the UltraSound Mixer, select the dash in the upper left hand corner (the control menu) in the gray box to pull down the menu option list. Click on Select recording source and select either mic or line-in based on your equipment. Adjust the gain and volume controls for best performance by testing with the Sound Recorder from the Accessories group. After you adjust these settings, the Connectix VideoPhone will use these settings automatically. Turtle Beach Tropez ------------------- When installing the Tropez sound card, choose Enhanced Full Duplex Support. ========================================================================= 14. How to Contact Connectix Corporation ========================================================================= Connectix Corporation 2655 Campus Drive San Mateo, CA 94403-2520 (800) 410-3137 Technical Support (800) 571-7558 Faxback System (800) 950-5880 Sales and Administration (415) 571-5195 Fax number for inquiries vphone@connectix.com Internet Technical Support email address Connectix also maintains forums on many popular on-line services: CONNECTIX America On-Line (Keyword search for Connectix) 75300.1546 CompuServe (Type GO CONNECTIX) Connectix also has an internet World Wide Web page at http://www.connectix.com.