Kramer VIA Collage Quick Start Manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.

USER MANUAL

MODEL:

VIA Collage

Collaboration Hub

(For Firmware Version 1.5)

P/N: 2900-300403 Rev 1B

VIA Collage – Contents

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Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Applications & Features 2

1.2 VIA Collage Controls and Connections 2

2 Setting Up VIA Collage 4

2.1 Connecting VIA Collage to a Display 5

2.2 Downloading and Running VIA Collage Software 6

2.3 Logging In to VIA Collage 7

3 VIA Collage Functions and What They Do 8
4 Using VIA Collage 12

4.1 VIA Collage Main Menu 12

4.2 Enabling Control 14

4.3 Chatting with Participants 15

4.4 Sharing Files 16

4.5 Accessing Cloud Data 18

4.6 Whiteboard Collaboration 18

4.7 Whiteboard Functions 19

4.8 Showing Content from a Third Party Device 23

4.9 Picture-in-Picture 24

4.10 Calling with Skype 24

4.11 Using GoToMeeting 24

4.12 Using WebEx 25

4.13 Using Microsoft Lync 25

4.14 Accessing a Web Page 25

4.15 Settings Menu 26

4.16 User Experience 44

5 Technical Specifications 50

Figures

Figure 1: VIA Collage Collaboration Hub 3
Figure 2: Connecting the VIA Collage Collaboration Hub 5
Figure 3: VIA Collage Admin Features 8
Figure 4: VIA Collage Main User Screen 10
Figure 5: The Participant List 13
Figure 6: Enable Control 15
Figure 7: Chat Window 16
Figure 8: Admin File Sharing 17
Figure 9: User File Sharing 17
Figure 10: Shared Files on the Cloud 18
Figure 11: Whiteboard Toolbar 19
Figure 12: Wide Desktop 20
Figure 13: Multiple Screen 20
Figure 14: Screen Sharing 22
Figure 15: Showing a Third-Party Screen 23
Figure 16: Settings Screen 27
Figure 17: LAN Settings Screen 28
Figure 18: Room/Name Code Screen 29

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VIA Collage - Contents

Figure 19: Configurations Screen 30
Figure 20: System Control Screen 32
Figure 21: Wallpaper Screen 33
Figure 22: Third Party Apps Screen 34
Figure 23: Setting Application Name 35
Figure 24: Authentication Screen 36
Figure 25: Moderator Mode 37
Figure 26: Login Screen When Moderator Mode is Active 38
Figure 27: VIA Management - Network Settings 39
Figure 28: VIA Management – Wallpaper 40
Figure 29: VIA Management – Configuration 40
Figure 30: VIA Management – Authentication 41
Figure 31: VIA Management – Gateway Features 42
Figure 32: VIA Management – Client Features 43
Figure 33: Utilities - Gateway Activity Log 43
Figure 34: Utilities - Update Firmware 44
Figure 35: Samsung Galaxy 46
Figure 36: iPad 47
Figure 37: iPhone 48
Figure 38: PC 49

VIA Collage - Introduction

1

1 Introduction

Welcome to VIA Collage!

VIA Collage is Kramer’s unique, powerful wireless presentation and collaboration

hub. It converts any display at any location into an interactive meeting point, and it
works with a wide range of presentation devices from desktop and notebook
computers to tablets and smartphones.

Each participant in a VIA Collage session can quickly view, edit, annotate,
comment, and share content with other participants. Participants can share their
ideas through the primary screen, or break off with others into smaller groups
during a meeting.

The VIA Collage integrates seamlessly with any organization’s current IT
infrastructure, converting any projector or screen into a networked device that
users can share and view on their current devices. Every local connection to VIA
Collage is wireless, free of dongles, cables, and other compatibility peripherals.

Key features of VIA Collage:

 Login using conventional Wi-Fi or LAN connections, no dongle needed
 Provides true HD 1080p/60 video streaming
 Supports Windows laptops and MAC®, as well as iOS and Android mobile

operating systems

 Compatible with all common Web browsers
 Up to 255 users can be logged in simultaneously
 Up to 12 participant screens can be displayed simultaneously on dual

screens (six on each screen).

 Supports popular third-party conferencing programs
 Touchscreen compatible with whiteboard and full annotation controls

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VIA Collage - Introduction

1.1 Applications & Features

Present, share, chat, send and receive files, hold sidebar conversations, annotate,
edit, and save copies of all your work, just as you would with a whiteboard or flip

chart…except that you can do it all from your notebook computer, tablet, and

smartphone.

Here are just a few of the things you can do with VIA Collage:

Up to six different participant screens can be shown at the same time. VIA
Collage automatically sizes each screen to the maximum available resolution,
displaying tiles for two or more screens. Finished sharing? Tap Step-out to
disconnect.

Chat and Share a file: Need to ask a meeting participant a question? Click on their
screen name and send them a text message with complete privacy. Windows and
Mac PC users can also share files between themselves or the main presenter, all
at the click of a mouse.

Control a participant’s computer: Need to access files or play back a presentation

from a participant’s PC? Simply click Enable Control on the PC, and its cursor can

be controlled remotely to launch programs and play media.

Multimedia: Sometimes it’s just easier to explain your ideas with a video. Simply

click the Multimedia tab on your device’s screen and you can load and display

JPEG images (all operating systems) and play MP4 videos (Windows and Mac
PCs and iOS devices only). You can also display and share PDFs from any
logged-in device.

1.2 VIA Collage Controls and Connections

This section defines VIA Collage.

VIA Collage - Introduction

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Figure 1: VIA Collage Collaboration Hub

#

Feature

Function

1

Power Button

For turning the machine on and off

2

USB Connector

For upgrading firmware or connecting a USB
device

3

RS-232 Connector

Not in use

4

VIDEO IN HDMI-IN Connector

Connects to an HDMI source

5

AV – IN RS-232 Connector

Not in use

6

DC IN 19V Connector

Connects to the 19V DC power supply

7

iAMT RJ-45 Connector

Not in use

8

LAN RJ-45 Connector

Connects to a wireless router

9

DISPLAY OUT DP Connector

Connects to a DisplayPort display

10

DISPLAY OUT HDMI Connector

Connects to an HDMI display

11

USB 3.0 Connectors

Connect to up to four USB devices

12

AUDIO LINE OUT 3.5mm Mini
Jack

Connects to an unbalanced stereo audio acceptor
13

MIC IN 3.5mm Mini Jack

Connects to a microphone

14

Lock Opening

Connects to a security locking cable

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VIA Collage - Setting Up VIA Collage

2 Setting Up VIA Collage

Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your
VIA Collage. After connecting VIA Collage, connect its power and
then switch on the power to each device.

To connect the VIA Collage as illustrated in the example in Figure 2 you need:

 A VIA Collage Wireless Collaboration Hub
 A display (projector, monitor, or screen). NOTE: A touchscreen display is

best for annotation

 A Local Area Network (LAN) cable for connection to your network. For

wireless network connectivity, use a commercial wireless router

The following client devices can be used with Kramer's VIA collaboration hub:

 A Windows 7/8® (32-bit/64-bit) computer
 A Macintosh® computer, using OSX 10.6.5 or newer (version 10.6.8

recommended)

 An iPad/iPhone® tablet/smartphone with the VIA Collage app installed (iPad

2 or later, iOS 5 or later, iOS 6.0 recommended)

 An Android® OS 3.2 tablet/smartphone with the VIA Collage app installed

These optional add-ons can enhance your VIA Collage system:

 A USB or HDMI camera for distant participants connecting through Lync®,

Skype®, GoToMeeting®, or WebEx®

 A conferencing speakerphone for remote communication as well as audio

playback of content being shared on the display

 A Kramer SID-X3N 4−input multi-format video-over-HDMI transmitter & step-

in commander can also be used to expand the number of local video
sources through the VIA Collage HDMI input.

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VIA Collage - Setting Up VIA Collage

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Figure 2: Connecting the VIA Collage Collaboration Hub

2.1 Connecting VIA Collage to a Display

VIA Collage is equipped with dual display output connections.

 The HDMI connection can be used with any compatible projection or direct-

view display, such as an LCD monitor. This connection carries embedded
audio, and can also be routed and switched just like any other HDMI
connection

 The DisplayPort connection can be used with compatible projection or direct-

view displays. Unlike the HDMI port, the DisplayPort jack does not carry
embedded audio and requires a separate audio connection

VIA Collage’s internal video card reads the Extended Display Identification Data
(EDID) for any connected display and sets the optimum display resolution and
image refresh rate automatically through the HDMI and DisplayPort jacks.

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VIA Collage - Setting Up VIA Collage

For full functionality, VIA Collage must be connected to a local area network
(LAN). You must assign an IP address to the VIA Collage.

NOTE: To allow participation in a collaborative session (send and receive content),
connect the VIA Collage hub and all participant devices (PCs/ MACs/
smartphones/tablets) to the same network (LAN - wired/wireless).

The VIA Collage hub receives user’s display/screen information and multimedia
files from their device (laptop/tablet/smartphone) and sends them to the
collaboration display (the display connected directly to VIA Collage hub unit).

2.2 Downloading and Running VIA Collage Software

All participants in a meeting must download and run either the Kramer VIA
executable file (PC, Mac) or the appropriate Android/iOS app.

To access the PC and Mac executable files:

 Open your Web browser and enter the IP address for your VIA Collage unit
 Your Web browser recognizes your OS (MAC/Windows) and directs you to

the correct client software

 Choose from following two options:

 To run the VIA app virtually (without installing on your computer),

select “Virtual Run”. Once downloaded, locate the file on your

computer (under “Downloads”) and click to launch it. The VIA Collage

login screen appears

 To permanently install the VIA app, select “VIA Installer”. It downloads

an .exe file to your computer and asks if you want to run this file. Click
Yes and follow the Setup instructions. The VIA app is saved to the
KRAMER folder on your C: drive. You can create a shortcut and drag it
to the desktop for easy access.

VIA Collage - Setting Up VIA Collage

7

For tablets and smartphones, the Kramer VIA app is found in the App Store (iOS)
and Google Play (Android). Download the app to your tablet/phone and install.
When the app is run, the following screen appears:

2.3 Logging In to VIA Collage

Windows and Mac OS

 Choose a username (nickname) for your device (any mix of letters and

numbers) then enter it on the login screen

 Next, enter the room code, seen on the lower right part of the screen. This

lets you access VIA Collage

iOS and Android

 First, enter the IP address for the VIA Collage. This is found on the main

display screen in the lower left

 Next, choose a username (nickname) for your device (it can be any mix of

letters and numbers) then enter it on the login screen of your device

 Finally, enter the room code as seen on the lower right part of the screen.

This lets you access VIA Collage. Now, you’re ready to go!

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VIA Collage - VIA Collage Functions and What They Do

3 VIA Collage Functions and What They Do

VIA Collage presents two types of screens depending whether it is being used by

the Admin or by a User. The following screen shots illustrate both types.

The illustration below shows the VIA Collage main Admin screen and its
functions:

Figure 3: VIA Collage Admin Features

1

2

3

4

5 6 7 8 9

10

11

12

13

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15

16

17

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VIA Collage - VIA Collage Functions and What They Do

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Item

Icon

Action

1

Features

Allows user to see and access all available features of VIA
Collage

2

Whiteboard

Opens a canvas to annotate, draw, and update document
collaboratively over a live stream

3

Participants

Provides a list of all participants in the session

4

Cloud

Open the Cloud and all the files saved or shared between
participants

5

Skype

Starts Skype video conferencing tool

6

Go to Meeting

Starts a GoToMeeting session

7

WebEx

Starts a WebEx session

8

Microsoft Lync

Opens Lync client for audio and video conferencing

9

Web Browser

Opens the browser at the VIA Collage gateway to present any
content directly from the Web site

10

Screen Share

Pushes a mirror of the VIA Collage collaboration display on

the user’s devices (laptop, iPAD, MacBook, Android tablet).

The user can see all the activities of the VIA Collage
collaboration display on his system (this feature is called "View
Main Display" in the Client menu)

11

Third Party
Apps

Shows third-party applications installed and integrated with
VIA Collage

12

File Transfer

Shares files between the available participants during the
session

13

Chat

Allows sending chat messages among available participants
during that session

14

HDMI Input 1

Displays/hides external video source connected to the VIA
Collage input

15

Picture in
Picture

Switches the external video source (HDMI input)between PIP
(Picture-in-Picture) mode and full screen mode

16

Shut Down

Shuts down the VIA Collage system

17

Reboot

Reboots the VIA Collage System

18

Settings

Performs settings on the LAN, configurations related to room
code, room name third-party apps, system controls, wallpaper
streaming configuration and activation center

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VIA Collage - VIA Collage Functions and What They Do

The illustration below shows the VIA Collage main User screen and its functions:

Figure 4: VIA Collage Main User Screen

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4 5 6

7 8 9

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12

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VIA Collage - VIA Collage Functions and What They Do

11

Item

Icon

Action

1

Features

Allows user to see and access all available features of VIA
Collage

2

Step-In/
Step-Out

Allows the user to show his device's screen on main display, or
to step out

3

Participants

Provides a list of all participants in the session

4

Multimedia

Supports video formats: avi, vob, mp4, mov, mpx (ex. mpg).
Shares smooth full-motion video (up to 1080p/60) and photos

5

Cloud

Drag and drop files to the cloud to share instantly with
everyone in the session

6

Microsoft Lync

Opens Lync client for audio and video conferencing

7

Whiteboard

Opens a canvas to annotate, draw, and update document
collaboratively over a live stream

8

Start
Collaboration

Click to collaborate through a common display using your own
device. Multiple users can interact and control the main display
at the same time

9

View Main
Display

Shows a mirror of the VIA Collage collaboration display on the

user’s devices (laptop, iPAD, MacBook, Android tablet). The

user can see all the activities of the VIA Collage collaboration
display on his system (this feature is called "Screen Share" in
the Admin menu)

10

Chat

Allows sending chat messages among available participants
during that session

11

Enable Control

Gives participants control over the presenters Mac or PC
laptop

12

File Transfer

Shares files between the available participants during the
session

13

HDMI Input 1

Displays/hides external video source connected to the VIA
Collage input

14

Picture in
Picture

Switches the external video source (HDMI input)between PIP
(Picture-in-Picture) mode and full screen mode