User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter November 2006 Edition 3725-24004-001/A VideoVoiceDataWeb
Trademark Information Polycom® and the Polycom logo design are registered trademarks of Polycom, Inc. Polycom PowerCam Presenter™ and VSX™ are trademarks of Polycom, Inc. in the United States and various other 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.
About this Guide This guide introduces you to the Polycom® PowerCam Presenter™, explains how to configure the system, describes how to use automatic camera tracking and other functions, and provides maintenance and troubleshooting information. This guide is intended for all users of the Polycom PowerCam Presenter.
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Contents 1 Introducing the Polycom PowerCam Presenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 Ease of Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 State-of-the-Art Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter 3 Maintenance and Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 Maintaining the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 Charging the Locator Pack Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 Upgrading the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 Automatic Camera Tracking Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 Introducing the Polycom PowerCam Presenter The Polycom PowerCam Presenter is an automatic camera tracking device. Its primary components include a camera, a locator pack assembly, a controller, and a remote control. When you have set up the PowerCam Presenter and are ready to use the automatic camera tracking functionality, simply attach the locator pack assembly to yourself using the provided belt clip or lanyard. You can then freely move about the room, and the camera will automatically point at you.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter System Components These standard components come with the Polycom PowerCam Presenter: Name Component Description Controller The controller receives ultrasound signals from the camera. The software in the controller processes these signals to locate the person wearing the locator pack assembly, and it then commands the camera to follow that person.
Introducing the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Name Component Description Camera The camera has several main functions: (NTSC or PAL version) • Provides an S-video (PAL or NTSC) or composite video signal. • Points the camera head in response to commands from the controller to change the pan, tilt, or zoom. • Provides a microphone array, which sends the ultrasound signals received from the locator pack assembly to the controller box.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Name Component Description S-video cables In a configuration where you are not using a VSX video conferencing system, the 25-foot S-video cable enables you to connect optional S-video devices, such as a VCR, DVD recorder, or a video conferencing system other than a Polycom VSX system. In a configuration where you are using a VSX video conferencing system, the 25-foot S-video cable enables you to connect the camera to the controller.
Introducing the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Name Component Remote control and batteries Description The remote control sends IR signals to the camera, which enable you to operate the system. Color-coded buttons correspond to common tasks. Menu Select Zoom In Preset 1 Auto Zoom Preset 2 Zoom Out Presenter View Tight Wide Left Right Off Documentation Insert the batteries in the remote control as instructed on the remote control battery compartment.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Key Features This section lists the key features of the Polycom PowerCam Presenter. Ease of Use • Fluid camera movement that follows the presenter's walking speed and smoothly stops moving when the presenter stops walking. • The presenter can be spontaneous and focus on the task at hand instead of focusing on how to manually control the camera.
2 Using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter This chapter provides guidelines for setting up the hardware, describes the remote control, and explains how to configure the Polycom PowerCam Presenter. Information about how to use automatic camera tracking, control the camera manually, set camera presets, and obtain system information is also included. Tips on how to get the best results when using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter are provided at the end of this chapter.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter • You can connect a display to connector on the controller using S-video or composite; however, be sure to use whichever matches the display’s video input. • Polycom recommends that you do not use audio with the display connected to connector on the controller. If you do so, you will experience video delay and lip synchronization issues. Using the Remote Control The IR remote control enables you to control the PowerCam Presenter.
Using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Keep in mind that the Tight Tight, Wide Wide, Left Left, and Right Right button settings described here are merely guidelines, and that you can set and change the settings to best suit your needs. For more information, refer to Setting and Using Presenter Views on page 2-12. When the message Remote control batteries are low appears on the screen, you need to replace the batteries.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Setting Description Camera Direction Specifies the direction the camera moves when using the arrow buttons on the remote control. Backlight Compensation Specifies whether to have the camera automatically adjust for a light background. Backlight compensation is best used in situations where the subject appears darker than the background.
Using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter 3. In the Tracking Area field, select Restricted, Unrestricted, or Not Specified. Refer to the following table for help in determining which setting is best for your situation: Restricted Unrestricted Not Specified Setup Requires you to set up the tracking area. Requires you to set up the tracking area. Does not require any setup. Tracking area Camera will not point to anything outside the tracking area, even if the presenter walks out of the area.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Restricted Sample rooms Unrestricted Not Specified Restricted 50’ 40’ 30’ 20’ 10’ plasma screen table area presenter is restricted to whiteboard camera camera tracking area window Unrestricted 50’ 40’ 30’ 20’ 10’ plasma screen table whiteboard camera camera tracking area window Not specified 50’ 40’ 30’ 20’ 10’ whiteboard camera camera tracking area 4. If you selected Unrestricted or Restricted, press Tracking Area screen.
Using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter 6. Follow the directions on the screen, and press Set. 7. Continue following the on-screen directions until you have specified the complete camera tracking area. Calibrating the Camera The Polycom PowerCam Presenter enables you to calibrate the camera in two ways: calibrate for pointing accuracy and calibrate for background noise.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Configuring LAN Properties If you want to connect the PowerCam Presenter to the LAN, you must configure the LAN properties. Note that you cannot use the LAN connection to make video calls or view web pages. To configure the LAN properties: 1. Press Menu on the remote control. 2. Select LAN Properties from the PowerCam Presenter screen. 3. Configure these settings: Setting Description Host Name Specifies the system’s DNS name.
Using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Setting Description Subnet Mask Displays the subnet mask currently assigned to the system. If the system does not automatically obtain a subnet mask, enter one here. Changing this setting causes the system to restart. WINS Server Displays the WINS server currently assigned to the system. If the system does not automatically obtain a WINS server IP address, enter one here. Changing this setting causes the system to restart.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter 3. Configure these settings: Setting Description Output 1 Specifies the video output signal from connector on the controller, which can show Polycom Presenter icons and messages: • Select S-Video if you connected to an S-video display, VCR, or DVD player, or you connected to the S-video input of another video conferencing system.
Using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Enabling and Disabling Automatic Camera Tracking Most of the time, you’ll want to keep automatic tracking on so you can freely move about the room without having to manually adjust the camera. However, at times, you may want to manually pan, tilt, and zoom the camera. The Polycom PowerCam Presenter gives you the flexibility to enable or disable automatic camera tracking.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Setting and Using Presenter Views A Presenter View is a customized automatic camera tracking view. You might want to set a Presenter View for situations such as these: • You want to show the presenter’s facial expressions or you want to eliminate distracting background objects from the camera view. By using the Tight Presenter View, you can zoom in more closely on the presenter’s face, while also eliminating some of the background.
Using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter 2. Do one of the following: — If you are planning to enable automatic zooming for the Presenter View, stand 20 feet (6 meters) to 30 feet (9 meters) from the camera. (If your room is smaller, you may have to stand closer.) — If you are not planning to enable automatic zooming for the Presenter View, stand at the distance at which that Presenter View will be used.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter To use a Presenter View: ¾ Press one of the Presenter View buttons: — Tight Tight zooms in more closely on the presenter. — Wide Wide zooms out further away from the presenter. — Left Left moves the camera to the left of the presenter. — Right Right moves the camera to the right of the presenter. Remember that these settings are merely guidelines, and that you can set and change the Presenter View buttons to whatever you need.
Using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Controlling the Camera Manually If you do not want to use automatic camera tracking, you can manually pan, tilt, and zoom the camera. You can manually adjust the camera at any time: it does not matter whether the locator pack is powered on or powered off. To control the camera manually: 1. Press Off Off on the remote control. 2. Manually adjust the camera by pressing Down, Zoom, Preset 1, or Left, Right, Up, Preset 2.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter To use a camera preset: ¾ Press Preset 1 or Preset 2 on the remote control to move the camera to the position you stored for that preset. If automatic camera tracking is on, it will turn off when you press Preset 1 or Preset 2. Obtaining System Information The System Information screen provides you with specific details about your Polycom PowerCam Presenter. To obtain system information: 1. Press Menu on the remote control. 2.
Using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter • Place the camera so that: — It is no more than 50 feet (15 meters) and no closer than 5 feet (1½ meters) from the person wearing the locator pack assembly. — It is about 6 feet to 7 feet (2 meters) above the floor, although higher will also work. — The back of the camera is at least 1 foot (½ meter) away from the wall. If you add acoustic foam on the wall, you can place the camera slightly closer than 1 foot (½ meter) from the wall.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter — From greater than 35 feet (11 meters) away from the camera, you can face the camera or turn slightly from side-to-side as long as the locator faces no more than 45° away from the center of the camera. 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’ 25’ 30’ 35’ 40’ 45’ 50’ 55’ 45° camera locator 45° Note that if you are within the range above and you turn your back briefly, the camera will receive the signal and point toward you when you face the camera again.
3 Maintenance and Troubleshooting This chapter contains maintenance information for your Polycom PowerCam Presenter, including how and when to charge the locator pack batteries, how to upgrade the software, and what the automatic camera tracking specifications are. This chapter also presents problems, likely causes, and corrective actions for the system. If you have referred to this documentation and you still are unable to resolve your issue, contact Polycom Technical Support.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter When the battery pack is charging, the battery LED on the top of the locator pack lights up red. After about three hours, the battery pack will be fully charged and the battery LED will change to green. The battery pack lasts for about 8 hours. When it needs to be recharged, the operating LED on the top of the locator pack begins to blink red (normally, it blinks green when powered on).
Maintenance and Troubleshooting The following table lists additional automatic camera tracking specifications for the camera: Specification Description Room size 50 feet by 50 feet (15 meters) or smaller Coverage angle (the angular range away from the center point that the camera can track to) Pan: +45°, -45° Pan and tilt accuracy + or -1° at 50 feet (15 meters) Zoom accuracy When the person wearing the locator pack assembly remains within 40 feet (12 meters) from the camera, the camera automatica
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Troubleshooting the System The following tables lists some common power, hardware, and camera movement problems and the steps you can take to resolve them. Power and Hardware Issues Symptom Problem Corrective Action The system does not start or respond in any way Not all of the power switches are on. To power on the system: Not all of the power cables are connected.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Symptom Problem Corrective Action The system does not respond to the remote control (cont.) Camera inputs and outputs are not connected correctly. Refer to the Setting up the Polycom PowerCam Presenter document, which you received with your system, for information on how to connect the camera correctly. This document is also available at www.polycom.com/videodocumentation. No video or blue video screen from the camera.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Camera Movement Issues Symptom Problem Corrective Action The camera moves slowly You connected or powered on the camera after the controller was already powered on. Do the following: This is normal system behavior. At times, the camera may pan, tilt, or zoom somewhat slowly. 1. Power off the controller and the camera. 2. Power on the camera. 3. Power on the controller. Do the following to rule out any problems: 1. Restart the controller. 2.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Symptom Problem Corrective Action Automatic camera tracking does not properly follow you Camera inputs and outputs are not connected correctly. Refer to the Setting up the Polycom PowerCam Presenter document, which you received with your system, for information on how to connect the camera correctly. This document is also available at www.polycom.com/videodocumentation. If you find that the camera is not connected correctly: 1.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Symptom Problem Corrective Action Automatic camera tracking does not properly follow you There is an obstruction between you and the camera. Remove objects, such as furniture, plants, and so on, that obstruct the line-of-sight between the camera and the locator. You are too close or too far from the camera. Stay within 5 feet (1½ meters) to 50 feet (15 meters) of the camera.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Symptom Problem Corrective Action The VSX system Automatic Camera Tracking and Automatic Camera Tracking to Presets features do not work consistently or correctly The VSX system Automatic Camera Tracking and Automatic Camera Tracking to Presets features do not work when the PowerCam Presenter automatic camera tracking feature is enabled.
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Safety and Regulatory Notices Important Safeguards Read and understand the following instructions before using the system: • Battery safety is important. Please read and understand the Safety Precautions for Lithium Ion Battery Packs listed in the following table before using the Polycom PowerCam Presenter. • Close supervision is necessary when the system is used by or near children. Do not leave unattended while in use.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Safety Precautions for Lithium Ion Battery Packs WARNING This product contains a lithium ion rechargeable battery pack. To reduce the risk of fire or burns, do not disassemble, crush, puncture, short external contacts, or dispose of in fire or water. CAUTION Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer.
Safety and Regulatory Notices Safety Precautions for Lithium Ion Battery Packs Safety Warnings When Charging the Battery WARNING 1. 2. Be sure to follow the rules listed below while charging the battery. Failure to do so may cause the battery to become hot, rupture, or ignite and cause serious injury. • When charging the battery, either use a specified battery charger or otherwise ensure that the battery charging conditions specified by Polycom are met.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter License Restrictions THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS CONTAINED OR DESCRIBED HEREIN ARE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND PROPRIETARY PRODUCTS OF POLYCOM, INC. OR ITS LICENSORS. Buyer shall not sublicense or otherwise distribute any of the Subject Programs except to End Users and/or resellers who have entered into a Sublicense Agreement.
Safety and Regulatory Notices Warranty Information EXCLUSIONS. POLYCOM WILL NOT BE LIABLE UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IF ITS TESTING AND EXAMINATION DISCLOSE THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION IN THE PRODUCT DOES NOT EXIST OR RESULTS FROM: • FAILURE TO FOLLOW POLYCOM'S INSTALLATION, OPERATION, OR MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS. • UNAUTHORIZED PRODUCT MODIFICATION OR ALTERATION. • UNAUTHORIZED USE OF COMMON CARRIER COMMUNICATION SERVICES ACCESSED THROUGH THE PRODUCT.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Regulatory Notices WARNING This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures. USA and Canadian Regulatory Notices FCC Notice Class A Digital Device or Peripheral This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Safety and Regulatory Notices Regulatory Notices Konformitätserklärung: Hiermit erklärt Polycom Ltd., dass der Polycom PowerCam Presenter die grundlegenden Anforderungen und sonstige maßgebliche Bestimmungen der Richtlinie 1999/5/EG erfüllt. Vaatimustenmukaisuusvakuutus: Polycom Ltd. vakuuttaa täten, että Polycom PowerCam Presenter on direktiivin 1999/5/EC keskeisten vaatimusten ja sen muiden tätä koskevien säännösten mukainen. Déclaration de conformité: Par la présente, Polycom Ltd.
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter Regulatory Notices Special Safety Instructions Follow existing safety instructions and observe all safeguards as directed. Installation Instructions Installation must be performed in accordance with all relevant national wiring rules. Plug Acts as Disconnect Device The socket outlet to which this apparatus is connected must be installed near the equipment and must always be readily accessible.
Index A adapter male RCA to female S-video 1-4 S-video gender changer 1-4 S-video to RCA 1-4 audio, from lapel or lavaliere microphone 3-5 automatic camera tracking calibrating for pointing accuracy 2-7 configuring tracking area 2-4 controlling camera manually 2-15 enabling and disabling 2-11 enabling and disabling automatic zooming 2-14 lost ultrasound signal 3-6 setting and using Presenter Views 2-12 specifications for 3-2 troubleshooting 3-7, 3-8 using 2-10 automatic zooming enabling and disabling 2-14 s
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter composite video 2-2, 3-5 controller power cable 1-3 controller, description of 1-2 D default gateway 2-8 DNS servers 2-8 documentation, list of 1-5 domain name 2-8 duplex mode 2-9 E ears, rack mount 1-4 equipment optional 1-5 standard 1-2 F feet, rubber 1-4 framing saving settings 2-12 troubleshooting 3-6 G gender changer adapter 1-4 H hardware setting up 2-1 troubleshooting 3-4 host name 2-8 I icons, displaying on-screen 2-1 input signal setting 2-3 troubles
Index Polycom web site for documentation 1-4 for support 3-9 power cable for camera 1-3 controller power cable 1-3 locator pack AC power charger and cord 1-2 powering on the system 3-4 troubleshooting 3-4 PowerCam See camera PowerCam Presenter See Polycom PowerCam Presenter Presenter See Polycom PowerCam Presenter Presenter View buttons 2-14 setting and using 2-12 presets, setting and using 2-15 problems, solving 3-4 R rack mount ears 1-4 RCA to S-video adapter 1-4 reflective surfaces reducing 2-4 tracking
User’s Guide for the Polycom PowerCam Presenter W warranty information Safety and Regulatory Notices-4 web site 1-4, 3-9 WINS resolution 2-9 WINS server 2-9 Z zooming, enabling and disabling automatic 2-14 Index – 4
