This topic addresses some of the more common tasks and questions surrounding the EchoVideo Pod appliance.
How-to...
Configure Channel inputs
- Swipe left-to-right from the status screen to show the Home menu.
- Tap Inputs to see what inputs are currently connected and available for use.
- Return to the Home menu (swipe left to right).
- Tap Recording to open the recording menu option.
- Tap Audio input, then select the preferred option.
- Return to the Recording menu (swipe left to right).
- Tap Ch 1 video input, then select the preferred option.
- Return to the Recording menu (swipe left to right).
- Tap Ch 2 video input, then select the preferred option.
The selections you made should now appear across the bottom of the Status Screen (numbered 5, 6, 7 in the below figure).
Start an ad hoc recording
Tap the Record icon (shown on the Status screen image above). The Status screen appears by default on the touchscreen of the Pod.
When you're done, tap Stop. That's it!
The Pod device is already configured with a One-Touch recording profile. If you trust this profile to capture the inputs you want, Record and Stop are all you have to tap. However, you can use the instructions immediately above to check or change the inputs if you want to.
Ad hoc recordings are set by default to run for 2 hours once started (or until the next scheduled recording is slated to begin). So be sure to actually tap Stop when you are finished.
Ping the device
- Swipe left-to-right from the status screen to show the Home menu.
- Tap Administration to open the Administration menu (if available).
- Locate and then tap Ping.
- Tap the applicable Ping option.
- If you select Ping custom address, enter the IP address you want to ping, then tap Enter.
The device displays your Ping results.
Save a Diagnostics Report
- Swipe left-to-right from the status screen to show the Home menu.
- Tap Administration to open the Administration menu (if available).
- Tap Save Diagnostics Report.
- Insert a USB drive into the device, then select OK.
FAQs
Which MAC address do I use to register the Pod
The Pod actually has two MAC addresses on it: one for wired ethernet and one for wifi connectivity.
The MAC address that ends in an EVEN number is used for wired ethernet connections and is the one we recommend you use for most situations.
The MAC address that ends in an ODD number is for wireless connectivity and can be used as a backup communication method if a wired connection is not available.
NOTE: The Pod will not allow for live streamed captures when using a wireless connection.
What is the One-Touch profile
When you tap Record on the touchscreen of the Pod to start an ad hoc capture, the pre-configured "One-touch profile" is applied to the capture. This is configured on the device configuration page in EchoVideo and determines what inputs will be used for the capture.
Administrators can change the selections made for the One Touch Profile for any or all Pod devices. Alternatively, users can use the menu options available through the front-panel display to change the capture inputs. If there are changes made, this is considered a Custom profile (see next FAQ) and applies ONLY to this capture. The one-touch profile is re-established as the default for the next time someone taps Record.
What is the Custom Profile
The EchoVideo Pod allows for on-demand input configuration, to be applied to the next capture (typically an ad hoc capture). Once the capture completes, the device returns to the One-Touch profile as the capture default. See What is the One-Touch profile? immediately above.
In order to customize the inputs used for a capture, use the procedure located in the Configure channel inputs section at the top of this page. Once configured, the Recording menu shows Custom as the Profile.
What is Recovery Mode and how should I use it
Recovery mode allows you to do perform a device reset, or to access the Administration menu to run diagnostics (if the current device configuration has disabled Admin menu access from the device).
To use Recovery mode
- Restart the device by unplugging it and plugging it back in.
During startup, a message appears instructing you to tap and hold the Recovery mode button in order to enter Recovery mode. - When finished, exit Recovery mode by restarting the device normally (unplug and plug it back in).
Does the Capture Device API work with the EchoVideo Pod for integration with AMX or Crestron
YES! The EchoVideo Pod does support the Capture Device API and third-party integration.
Do the device monitor lights work with the EchoVideo Pod
Typically, the device monitor light is plugged into a PC which then uses the Device Monitor Software to connect to the capture appliance, and control captures. However, you CAN plug the light directly into an EchoVideo POD device, and it will provide basic capture control (with the Delcom light) as well as capture status monitoring. But when bypassing the software, there are limitations to the functionality available.
If your Delcom light is plugged directly into a USB port of an EchoVideo Pro or EchoVideo Pod device:
- The light can only be used to pause or resume a running capture.
- You cannot initiate an ad hoc capture. These tasks can be done via the touchscreen of the Pod.
- You cannot stop a capture in progress. Use the touchscreen of the Pod.
- The light color/flash indicators for capture status use the default settings which are (any customization done via the software do not apply):
- green = idle
- yellow = preroll
- red = capturing
- flashing red = error
- flashing yellow = paused
- flashing green = stopping
Once again, if you need full functional control of captures via the Delcom light, plug the light into a PC and install the device monitor software.
Will the EchoVideo Pod support cameras via USB
Yes! USB cameras are now supported on the Pod. See Using USB cameras with the EchoVideo POD for more details.
What is offered for physical security for the EchoVideo Pod
Since the Pod is not rack-mountable, the back of the Pod contains a “Kensington lock” hook, allowing Administrators to lock the appliance down via a Kensington lock cable to deter theft.
How do I use the splitter functionality
The Channel 1/Display ports on the back of the Pod allow users to plug a computer into the Pod (via HDMI cable), then out FROM the Pod to a projector, again using an HDMI cable. This allows for both capture and classroom presentation of the display feed from the computer.
Understand that the Pod's splitter passes through whatever resolution it receives. If for some reason the source does not appear on the projector, it may be that the resolution that the Pod is receiving (and passing through) is not compatible with the projector itself. Because of this, we recommend that you use an actual HDMI signal rather than attempting to use an HDMI to VGA or DVI converter. While these may work, we cannot guarantee it.
Why doesn't the Pod documentation have a spreadsheet I can download with all of the supported resolutions
There is no spreadsheet for the Pod because it supports all resolutions over HDMI from 640x480 to 1920x1080 so there’s no need to list them out individually. The legacy SCHD and Pro had additional configuration options as well as more than one unsupported resolution, so a more detailed list was necessary for those devices. If you are having trouble capturing a particular resolution, please contact Support for assistance.
Having problems with low audio and high noise with a standalone microphone
The Microphone input Audio selection for the Pod is intended for "passive" microphones that don’t have their own amplification. We increase the gain on the Microphone input in order to capture the audio, but this ends up amplifying other noise as well. For powered/wireless microphones (in essence, anything other than a cabled passive microphone) we recommend selecting Line-in for the Audio input (via the device configuration page) and increasing the gain level on the source.
How do the VU meters work with Left or Right only Mic channels
If the Pod is configured to use Stereo Audio, you will only see the Left or the Right VU meter move in correspondence to the Left or Right Mic channel while the other VU meter remains static. If the Pod is configured to use Mono Audio, the Left and Right VU meters will be synchronized, regardless of the Left or Right only Mic channel.