Polycom QSX 3725-22370-001-B User Manual
Administrator’s Guide
for the Polycom® QSX
TM
2.0
February, 2006 Edition
3725-22370-001/B
Version 2.0
Trademark Information
Copyright © 2006 Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. Polycom, the Polycom logo design, and SoundStation are registered
trademarks and QSX, SoundStation VTX 1000, VoiceStation, and the industrial design of SoundStation are trademarks of
Polycom, Inc. in the U.S. and various countries.
All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Patent Information
The accompanying product is protected by one or more U.S. and foreign patents and/or pending patent applications held
by Polycom, Inc.
© 2006 Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.
Polycom Inc.
4750 Willow Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2708 USA
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for
any purpose, without the express written permission of Polycom, Inc. Under the law, reproducing includes translating into
another language or format.
As between the parties, Polycom, Inc. retains title to, and ownership of, all proprietary rights with respect to the software
contained within its products. The software is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provision.
Therefore, you must treat the software like any other copyrighted material (e.g. a book or sound recording).
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate. Polycom, Inc. is not responsible for
printing or clerical errors. Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
About this Guide
This Administrator’s Guide for the QSX System is for administrators of QSX systems
who need to:
❑ Configure the system for use in the network environment.
❑ Understand different usage scenarios and how the QSX works in them.
❑ Troubleshoot any issues that occur.
Other documents available for QSX systems include:
❑ The QSX Quick Start Guide, which describes how to install the hardware.
❑ Release Notes for the QSX System, which describes the latest features, feature
limitations, and system requirements.
For support or service, please contact your Polycom distributor or go to Polycom Support
at www.polycom.com/support.
Polycom recommends that you record the serial number of your QSX system here for
future reference. The serial number for the system is printed on the unit.
System Serial Number: ____________________________________________
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1- Introducing the QSX System........................................................................ 6
Usage Overview.............................................................................................................. 6
Chapter 2- QSX Overview ............................................................................................... 9
QSX Equipment Overview.............................................................................................9
QSX 400 Components .................................................................................................... 9
QSX 300 Components .................................................................................................. 10
QSX System Back Panel............................................................................................... 11
Content Controller ........................................................................................................ 11
SoundStation VTX1000 Conference Phone Controls................................................... 12
Manual IP Dialing..................................................................................................... 12
QSX Info Screen........................................................................................................... 13
Info Screen Alerts..................................................................................................... 15
Chapter 3- Typical QSX Usage Scenarios & How QSX Works................................. 16
QSX in Stand Alone Mode........................................................................................... 16
QSX Connecting to Other QSX Systems...................................................................... 18
QSX Connected to Polycom Video Systems................................................................ 19
QSX Usage with Polycom MGC.................................................................................. 21
Chapter 4- Setting Up the QSX System........................................................................ 22
Connect the QSX System.............................................................................................. 22
Set an IP Address.......................................................................................................... 23
Accessing the QSX Web Admin Page...................................................................... 23
Setting a Static IP Address via the QSX Web Admin Page ..................................... 23
Set a Static IP Address Using HyperTerminal.......................................................... 24
Changing QSX to Dynamic IP Mode ....................................................................... 25
Chapter 5- Accessing the QSX Administrative Web Page..........................................26
QSX Administrative Web Options............................................................................... 26
Logging On to the QSX Administrative Web Page...................................................... 27
Chapter 6- Configuring Administrative Settings.........................................................28
Info / System Info ......................................................................................................... 28
Home / Table of Contents............................................................................................. 28
Admin Settings.......................................................................................................... 29
General Settings.................................................................................................... 29
System Settings.................................................................................................29
Security............................................................................................................. 29
Password........................................................................................................... 30
Location ............................................................................................................ 31
Serial Port.......................................................................................................... 32
Bandwidth......................................................................................................... 33
Video Network/IP Network.................................................................................. 35
H.323 Settings................................................................................................... 35
Firewall............................................................................................................. 36
Global Services..................................................................................................... 37
Management Servers......................................................................................... 37
My Information.................................................................................................37
LAN Properties..................................................................................................... 38
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Graphics Display................................................................................................... 39
Other Scaling Considerations ............................................................................... 39
Diagnostics................................................................................................................ 40
Restart System ...................................................................................................... 40
Call Summary ....................................................................................................... 40
Call Statistics ........................................................................................................ 40
Network Statistics................................................................................................. 41
Advanced Network Statistics................................................................................41
Chapter 7- Diagnostics and Troubleshooting............................................................... 41
Viewing QSX System Information...............................................................................41
Keeping Your Software Current................................................................................... 42
Resetting a Forgotten Administrative Password........................................................... 42
Viewing Call Details.....................................................................................................42
Restarting the System ................................................................................................... 43
Status Alerts.................................................................................................................. 44
General Troubleshooting .............................................................................................. 46
How to Contact Technical Support............................................................................... 46
By Telephone............................................................................................................ 47
By Internet ................................................................................................................ 47
Limited Warranty, Disclaimers, Limit of Liability..................................................... 47
Safety and Legal Notices ................................................................................................ 48
Appendix A – Bandwidth Considerations in QSX....................................................... 52
Overview....................................................................................................................... 52
Additional Information ................................................................................................. 53
Maximum Bandwidth Utilization in Low Bandwidth Environments....................... 53
Bandwidth Sharing versus Time Sharing ................................................................. 53
Time Sharing......................................................................................................... 53
Bandwidth Sharing................................................................................................ 54
Load Balancing......................................................................................................... 55
Appendix B – Additional Web Viewer Information....................................................56
Web Viewer Cascading................................................................................................. 56
Web Viewing in a Video Environment......................................................................... 57
Web Viewer Load Balancing........................................................................................58
External Web Viewers and IP Addresses (NAT) ......................................................... 58
Additional Web Viewer Notes......................................................................................59
Appendix C – Technical Specifications......................................................................... 60
Content Transmission ................................................................................................... 60
Multipoint Capabilities ................................................................................................. 61
System Security ............................................................................................................ 61
Resolution..................................................................................................................... 62
Physical Dimensions and Interfaces on QSX Base Unit .............................................. 62
User Interface................................................................................................................62
Web Viewer Requirements........................................................................................... 63
Web Administrator Requirements ................................................................................ 63
Appendix D—Additional Resolution & Graphics Display Information.................... 64
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Chapter 1- Introducing the QSX System
The Polycom QSX™ system allows users to instantly share anything on their computer
screens with remote locations via the Web or with other QSX or VSX locations. Users
don’t need to learn new applications, upload documents, pay monthly service fees, or preschedule meetings. It’s an easy and secure way to share content with remote sites. QSX
systems have the following features and benefits:
Easy one-time setup – Simply plug in your IP connection, power and VGA cables. Easy
Web interface for additional optional configuration.
Easy to use – Instant content sharing without wasting time on downloading applications,
uploading documents, advance scheduling or user training.
Open architecture – Works with any content, any phone systems and any type of
computer or VGA input source- even those belonging to presenters who can’t get access
to the network.
Multi-point capability – Each QSX session shares content directly with up to ten sites
per QSX via a standard web browser. Scale to even more sites by connecting directly
with up to four other QSX units or leverage a Polycom MGC conference bridge for large
scale meetings.
Cost effective – The QSX provides unlimited content sharing. It pays for itself quickly
because there are no monthly charges or per-minute fees.
Content security – Keep complete control over your document. AES (Advanced
Encryption Standard) media encryption on QSX to QSX calls, secure login for Web
browser access, and the ability to share information without releasing control of it ensure
your content is protected.
Simply connect your computer to the QSX VGA cable and share content, including
business applications, proprietary software, the Internet, images, and software demos –
all at the touch of a button. The QSX user interface provides convenient information
screen (Info Screen) overlays that show presenter/viewer locations and connection
information, as well as the Web address and login information for remote participants.
Usage Overview
QSX systems allow content sharing with other QSX systems and with remote sites via the
Web. Alternately, QSX systems allow content sharing with Polycom videoconferencing
equipment including the VSX 8000, VSX 7000e or the VSX 7000s with Visual Concert.
Finally, the QSX is interoperable with the Polycom MGC bridge, allowing you to scale
the number of web, QSX and video participants in a meeting based on the number of
ports and bandwidth available on the MGC itself.
6
The following illustrations show several types of meetings you could have with a QSX
system. Additional configuration details are available in Chapter 3.
Figure 1- Stand Alone Mode. This is for web viewers only. No conference phone is required.
Figure 2- QSX to QSX with Web participants. This is a mixed environment that offers increased flexibility.
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Computer
(sending meeting content)
Vortex
(optional)
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VGA In
Content
Controller
QSX
Standard VGA Cable
VGA Out
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VGA In
VSX 8000
VSX 7000e
VSX 7000s
(with Visual Content)
VGA Out
Remote Participant
(connecting through internet)
Figure 3- QSX with a designated Polycom video system allows remote users without video capability to share content.
Figure 4- Larger Scale Meetings with MGC. This allows you to scale based on MGC ports and bandwidth.
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Chapter 2- QSX Overview
QSX Equipment Overview
There are two basic versions of the QSX. The QSX 400 is designed to work in
environments without a conference phone or with Polycom’s analog SoundStation,
SoundStation2, SoundStation Premier or SoundStation2W conference phones. The QSX
300 is specifically designed to work with the Polycom VTX 1000 conference phone. The
QSX 300 does not require a content controller because that functionality has been
designed into the VTX 1000 phone and can be accessed through the menus on the phone
itself.
QSX 400 Components
When sharing content between two QSX units, you will need one Polycom conference
phone connected to each QSX for the session. If only sharing content with web viewers,
it is not required to connect a phone to the QSX.
Name Component Description
QSX system base
Content controller with 25-foot
(~8.5 meters) VGA Cable
3 foot VGA Extension
LAN Cable
Power Supply and Power Cable
8-wire cable for phone console
Serial Cable (straight through)
Mounting Brackets
Adds content sharing to phone
calls. The base can be mounted
on a rack, under a table, or on a
wall, or it can be placed on a
tabletop.
Allows the presenter to send
content with the push of a button.
Connects the QSX system to a
computer or other VGA source.
Connects the QSX system to the
IP network.
Connects power to the QSX
system base.
Connects the QSX system’s 8wire connector to the conference
phone.
Connects to the serial port on the
QSX. Used for setting static IP if
required and HyperTerminal is
not available.
Includes screws and four brackets
for mounting the QSX system
base under a table or on a wall.
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QSX 300 Components
The QSX 300 system is designed specifically for use with the Polycom SoundStation
VTX 1000 conference phone.
Name Component Description
QSX system base
VGA Cable
LAN Cable
Power Supply and Power Cable
8-wire cable for phone console
Conference Link Cable (for use
with VTX 1000 only)
Serial Cable (straight through)
Mounting Brackets
Adds content sharing to phone
calls. The base can be mounted
on a rack, under a table, or on a
wall, or it can be placed on a
tabletop.
Connects the QSX system to a
computer or other VGA source.
Connects the QSX system to the
IP network.
Connects power to the QSX
system base.
Connects the QSX system’s 8wire connector to the conference
phone.
Connects the QSX system’s
conference link connector to a
SoundStation VTX 1000
conference phone.
Connects to the serial port on the
QSX. Used for setting static IP if
required and HyperTerminal is
not available.
Includes screws and four brackets
for mounting the QSX system
base under a table or on a wall.
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QSX System Back Panel
Content Controller
If you have a Content Controller, you can use the Idle, Preview and Send functions as
illustrated in the graphic below.
Content Button:
Content Button:
Press to start and stop sending.
Press to start and stop sending.
Info Button:
Info Button:
Press to display the Info Screen on
Press to display the Info Screen on
your local VGA display.
your local VGA display.
Note: If you hold the Info button down for more than 4 seconds, the QSX
will generate a new web viewer password (if Generate Random Password
option is selected in the Web Admin page).
Note: You may see the lights automatically change on your Content Controller when a
web viewer connects or disconnects from a meeting.
Idle:
Idle:
No one sees your content.
No one sees your content.
Preview:
Preview:
You see your content locally, but
You see your content locally, but
can choose whether to
can choose whether to
automatically send content to
automatically send content to
others or not.
others or not.
Send:
Send:
All sites see your content.
All sites see your content.
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SoundStation VTX1000 Conference Phone Controls
If you have a QSX connected to a VTX1000 conference phone, you can use the phones
controls as shown below:
Note: If your QSX system is connected to both a content controller and a SoundStation
VTX 1000 phone, you can use either device to control meeting content and access the
Info screen.
Note: Unless you have configured the QSX for a specific password, a new password will
be generated each time the VTX 1000 phone is placed on-hook (i.e.- hung up).
Manual IP Dialing
You can manually dial the IP address of a remote QSX or Polycom MGC bridge using
the keypad on your VTX 1000.
Note: In this scenario, the VTX 1000 is serving as a dial pad for one QSX dialing another
one.
In order to do so, follow these steps:
1. Make a voice call by dialing the phone number using the VTX 1000 dial pad.
2. To dial a device with an IP Address and Password, dial the following sequence:
Dial sequence: #*<IP>#[password]#
Example: #*172*43*16*213#1234#
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3. To dial a device with an extension and password when both are registered to the
same gatekeeper, dial the following sequence:
Dial sequence: #*<Extension>#[password]#
Example: #*2483#1234#
4. To dial a device with a Gatekeeper IP Address, an Extension and a Password, dial
the following sequence:
Dial sequence: #*<IP>**<Extension>#[password]#
Example: #*172*43*16*213**2483#1234#
Note: If you misdial a sequence, you can press #* to reset the dialing sequence and
start over at any time.
Note: If no password is required, you can end the dialing sequence by pressing ##
(e.g.- #*172*43*16*213##).
QSX Info Screen
The Info screen displays status information for the meeting and your QSX system, as
shown below:
This information includes the following:
• Meeting Web Address. The address of the Master Control Unit (MCU)
• Internal IP Address. This is the IP address of the QSX system. It will be the same
as the Meeting Web Address if this QSX is the MCU.
• External IP Address. The External IP Address, if configured, is the address that
allows access to meeting content from outside the LAN. For information about
configuring an external IP address, refer to page 36 and/or 58.
• Meeting Password. Six digit password that Web participants will use to log into
QSX meeting. For more information about passwords and password security,
refer to Page 30.
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• Content Status. Will show whether content is being sent to participants.
• System Name. Will show the name of that QSX (default is its serial number)
• Meeting Participants. There are two types of participants shown here:
• QSX participants. People who are connected via QSX. Up to 5 QSX
participants, including the presenting unit will be shown here.
• Web viewers. Those people who have logged into the meeting via the
web. Up to 10 web viewers will be shown here.
Note: The pie chart icon indicates which QSX is presenting content to other participants
in the meeting.
To access the Info screen on the local VGA display:
• On the Content Controller, press the Info button
• On a SoundStation VTX 1000 conference phone, press an arrow button
scroll, and then press the Info soft key on the phone.
to
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Info Screen Alerts
There are a number of alerts that may appear locally on the Info screen of the QSX. They
include:
QSX Local Display Messages
Message Description Corrective Action
Initializing
Meeting is full
Network disconnected
No content detected
Participant Joined
PC resolution or
refresh rate not
supported
Preview
Receiving
Sending
Idle
When the QSX is connected to a
SoundStation or VTX phone and
the call is connected, the message
will appear. It will stay visible for
two minutes unless a meeting
participant joins.
The maximum number of
QSX systems are already in the
meeting.
You have lost the connection to the
LAN.
The QSX system VGA input is not
receiving a signal.
When a participant joins the
meeting, the name of the remote
party and the “Joined” message will
appear.
The display settings on your
computer are not compatible with
the QSX system.
Indicates that the QSX is in
Preview mode. PC or laptop is
connected to the QSX, has content
loaded and is ready to send it.
By default, the QSX is configured
to automatically send content when
the first web viewer joins.
Content from another QSX unit is
being received.
Content is being sent to a
participant that is connecting via
web or another QSX unit.
Meeting has stopped. Indicator light
on Content Controller should be
red, indicating that you have
returned to Idle mode.
No corrective action required.
You can participate in the audio call and wait for another
QSX system to disconnect or join the meeting as a web
viewer.
Make sure Ethernet cable is firmly connected into QSX.
Make sure that the VGA cable or content controller cable is
firmly connected to the QSX system and your computer.
If necessary, press function keys on your computer to send
video out to the QSX system.
No corrective action required.
Change your computer display settings to one of the
compatible values listed on Page 39.
No corrective action required. When the presenter is ready
to share content, he should press the Share button on the
Content Controller.
No corrective action required.
No corrective action required.
Make sure content is loaded and cables are firmly
connected. Make sure participants have connected to QSX
unit. Press Share button on Content Controller until
indicator light moves to yellow if the “preview content”
feature is enabled or green if the feature is not enabled.
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The following are messages that web viewers may see when they try to log on to a QSX
content-sharing session.
Web Viewer Messages
Message Description Corrective Action
Java plug in must be
enabled in order to run
this application.
Maximum connections
reached
Please retry
Web viewer is not Java enabled
and cannot see content.
Message shown in web viewer
when the meeting is full.
Log on has failed.
Enable Java plug in by going to control panel on your
Windows PC or download Plug in from
www.java.sun.com/products/plugin/downloads/index.html
You can participate in the audio call and wait for another
web viewer participant to disconnect.
Close browser and try again.
Chapter 3- Typical QSX Usage Scenarios & How QSX Works
QSX in Stand Alone Mode
One of the main advantages of the QSX is the ability for people to log into a meeting via
the web from a remote location.
In order to set up and initiate a call with a web viewer, the QSX user should follow these
steps:
1. Make sure the QSX system is properly connected. You can check your settings
by referring to the QSX Quick Start Guide that came with the product.
2. Connect your computer to the QSX and make sure that the QSX is in Preview
state. If you’re using a Content Controller, the light should be yellow. If your
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QSX is connected through a VTX 1000, you should see “Preview” displayed in
the telephone’s display window.
3. Set up the presentation on your computer and initiate a call with the web viewing
party. Note that even though the QSX is not required to be connected to a
SoundStation phone in the Stand Alone Mode, it is assumed that you will still
have an audio connection with other meeting participants.
4. Press the Info button on the Content Controller or VTX 1000 keypad to
obtain the IP Address and Meeting Password for the meeting. Both of these will
be displayed on the Info Screen as shown below.
5. Direct the web viewer to connect to the internet, launch a web browser and enter
the IP Address in the browser window.
6. The web viewer will receive a pop-up asking him for his user name and password.
He should enter his name in the User Name field and the Meeting Password that
you gave him in the Password field.
7. He will get a message that content is being loaded. You will see the QSX
automatically move from Preview to Send. After a short delay, the web viewer
will be able to see the content you’re displaying on the computer in your location.
*- Note that if you are going to share content with web viewers outside your organization,
you will need both an internal IP address and an external IP address. You should obtain
one from your network administrator. When you communicate an IP address to
participants outside your organization, you will give them the external IP address which
can be obtained by hitting the Info button on either the Content Controller of the QSX
400 or the soft key option on the VTX 1000 if you are using a QSX 300 with VTX 1000
conference phone.
Note: The web browser must be Java-enabled in order to receive content from a QSX.
Note: By default, a new Meeting Password will be generated after a meeting has ended
and there have been 60 minutes of inactivity. Alternately, you can reset the password by
holding the Info button for at least 4 seconds as long as the QSX is in Idle or Preview
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mode (i.e.- not sending content to web viewers). There are other password options that
you can access from the QSX’s Web Administrator page. These are described on Page
30.
Note: Web viewer sites do not necessarily need to participate in a phone call with the
presenter in order to see content.
Disconnecting Web Viewers
When the QSX ends a presentation, you can disconnect the web viewers by ensuring the
QSX is in Idle or Preview mode, then holding the Info button down for at least 4 seconds.
If the QSX user re-initiates the presentation but hasn’t changed the password, the web
viewers will need to refresh their browser and log in again.
Note: A maximum of 10 web viewers can connect to each QSX during a meeting.
Note: If the QSX has a SoundStation or VTX 1000 phone attached, this configuration
will override the stand alone operation. Placing the SoundStation or VTX 1000 on-hook
(i.e. - disconnecting the call) will drop all web viewer connections as well as H.323 calls
and web viewer connections.
QSX Connecting to Other QSX Systems
In calls between QSX systems, the systems automatically identify each other over the
phone line using standards-based Low Profile Signaling Protocol (LPSP). The signal is
embedded in the standard audio frequency band. When an audio call is placed, the QSX
units connect to each phone and begin to communicate. After the QSX systems identify
each other, typically within 15-30 seconds, they automatically establish a H.323 content
sharing channel over the LAN. One QSX system becomes the initial meeting controller
and its IP address becomes the Meeting Web Address. At this point, web viewers can
also join the meeting and receive content from the presenting QSX.
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Note: A maximum of 5 QSX units can connect directly to one another for a meeting.
For higher scaling, refer to Interoperability with Polycom MGC below.
Note: In a QSX-to-QSX meeting, web viewers are still able to login and view content.
Note: There are several advantages to a QSX-to-QSX meeting. First, the direct
connection eliminates the need to communicate IP addresses and passwords to other
meeting participants. Second, all content between QSX units is encoded in 128-bit AES
encryption. Third, a QSX-to-QSX connection provides higher frame-per-second
transmission of content. Fourth, the H.323 connection between QSX units minimizes
delays in content transmission. Finally, in a meeting with multiple QSXs, it is possible to
change which room is sending content. If a different QSX system starts sending content
during the meeting, content from the new presenting unit is automatically directed to web
viewers through the QSX they originally connected to. Web viewer sites can continue to
view meeting content until the QSX system hangs up or stops sending content.
QSX Connected to Polycom Video Systems
In videoconferencing environments, you can enhance the capabilities of People+Content
by adding a QSX. There are two ways to add a QSX to a video environment.
First, you directly connect the QSX to a VSX 8000, a VSX 7000e or a VSX 7000s
(through Visual Concert) using VGA cables. In doing so, you can share content with
people participating in the meeting who do not have video capability (e.g.- salesperson
calling into the audio bridge from a remote location such as a hotel room). An example of
this type of scenario is shown below.
Computer
(sending meeting content)
VTX 1000
(optional)
Local Display
Content
Controller
VGA In
QSX
Standard VGA Cable
VGA Out
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Remote Participant
(connecting through internet)
VGA In
VSX 8000
VSX 7000e
VSX 7000s
(with Visual Content)
VGA Out
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Remote Participant
(connecting through video system)
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In order to utilize the QSX as a web-conferencing device and allow people without video
capability to share content in a video-enabled meeting, follow these steps:
1. Ensure the video system is properly connected and configured. For more
information about Polycom’s video systems, refer to the Administrator’s Guide
for the respective product.
2. Connect the power and LAN connections of the QSX as described in Chapter 3 of
this guide.
3. Connect the Content Controller to the VGA-In port of the QSX as described in
Chapter 3 of this guide.
4. Connect a standard VGA cable from the VGA-Out port of the QSX to the VGA-
In port of the Visual Content (for VSX 7000s) unit or directly to the VGA-In port
of the VSX 7000e or VSX 8000 unit.
5. Connect your laptop or computer to the Content Controller. By default, the
Content Controller will be in auto-preview mode, so content will be sent to the
Visual Concert or VSX unit.
6. To send content to far-end participants via the Visual Concert unit, press the send
button on the unit itself. To send content to far-end participants via a VSX 7000e
or VSX 8000, press the Graphics button on the unit’s remote control.
7. To enable web viewers to access the content, press the Info button on the Content
Controller. Provide the web viewers with the IP address and password of the
QSX unit. They can then open a browser, log into the IP address and enter their
name and the password to view the content.
Note: In this mode, People+Content operations will work as normal.
The second way to connect a QSX in a video environment is to use the video system’s
remote control to dial the IP address of the QSX. You will be prompted for the QSX
unit’s password. Once you’ve successfully entered the password, the video system will
be connected via a H.323 connection. Content can be sent from the QSX to the video
unit and from the video unit to the participants who have logged onto the QSX via the
Web.
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