Kramer VIA CONNECT PRO User manual

USER MANUAL
MODEL:
VIA Connect PRO
Collaboration Hub
(For Firmware Version 2.0)
P/N: 2900-300419 Rev 4 www.kramerAV.com

VIA Connect PRO – Contents i
Contents
1Introduction 1
1.1 Applications & Features 2
1.2 Controls and Connections 3
2Setting Up VIA Connect PRO 4
2.1 Connecting VIA Connect PRO to a Display 5
2.2 Downloading and Running VIA Connect PRO Software 6
2.3 Using an.msi File 8
2.4 Logging In to VIA Connect PRO 8
2.5 Logging-In to VIA connect PRO by QR Code Scanning 9
2.6 Logging-In to VIA Connect PRO Using a VIA Pad 10
2.7 Logging-In to VIA Connect PRO Using a VIA NFC Tag for Android 10
2.8 Using iOS/OS X / Android Mirroring to Share your Screen 11
3Defining VIA Connect PRO Functions 16
4Using VIA Connect PRO 18
4.1 VIA Connect PRO Main Menu 18
4.2 Enabling Control 19
4.3 Chatting with Participants 20
4.4 File Transfer 21
4.5 Multimedia 23
4.6 VIA Cloud (Files) 29
4.7 Whiteboard Collaboration 30
4.8 Using the VIA Connect PRO Settings Menu 32
4.9 Managing Settings from the VIA Web Management Interface 35
4.10 User Experience 56
2Technical Specifications 61
Figures
Figure 1: VIA Connect PRO Collaboration Hub 3
Figure 2: Connecting the VIA Connect PRO Collaboration Hub 5
Figure 3: VIA Connect PRO Admin Screen and Features 16
Figure 4: VIA Connect PRO Main User Screen and Features 17
Figure 5: Enable Control 20
Figure 6: Chat Window 21
Figure 7: Admin File Sharing 22
Figure 8: User File Sharing 22
Figure 9: Saved Files on the Cloud 29
Figure 10: Whiteboard Toolbar 31
Figure 11: Settings Screen 33
Figure 12: LAN Settings Screen 34
Figure 13: System Control Screen 35
Figure 14: Samsung Galaxy S6 58
Figure 15: iPhone 6S+ 59
Figure 16: PC/MAC 60

VIA Connect PRO - Introduction 1
1 Introduction
Welcome to VIA Connect PRO.
VIA Connect PRO 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 Connect PRO 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 Connect PRO 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
Connect PRO is wireless, free of dongles, cables, and other compatibility
peripherals.
Key features of VIA Connect PRO:
•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, Android mobile
operating systems and Windows phone.
•MSI Compatible with all common Web browsers
•Up to 255 simultaneous users can be logged in
•Up to 4 participant screens can be displayed simultaneously
•Touchscreen compatibility with whiteboard and full annotation controls

2 VIA Connect PRO - 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 Connect PRO:
•Multiviewing: Up to four different participant screens can be shown at the
same time. VIA Connect PRO automatically sizes each screen to the
maximum available resolution. Finished sharing? Tap Stop presenting 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.
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. You can
also display and share PDFs from any logged-in device. VIA Connect PRO
features a 10Mbps maximum video bitrate for 30fps or 60fps videos and
handles video files of up to 8GB.
•Device mirroring: Are you using an iOS device with no VIA application? Just
mirror your device’s screen to the main display by activating the Airplay
service of your device. Are you an Android user? Use the VIA App to start
mirroring your device and its content!

VIA Connect PRO - Introduction 3
1.2 Controls and Connections
This section defines VIA Connect PRO.
Figure 1: VIA Connect PRO Collaboration Hub
# Feature Function
1
USB 3.0 Connectors
Connect to up to two USB devices
2
Ω/SPDIF
3.5mm Mini Jack
Connects to earphones or a speaker (digital
embedded audio from HDMI and analog audio
supported; S/PDIF not presently supported)
3
Lock Opening
Connects to a security locking cable
4
Power Connector
Connects to the 19V DC power supply
5
HDMI Connector
Connects to an HDMI acceptor
6
Mini DisplayPort Connector
Connects to a mini DisplayPort acceptor
7
LAN RJ-45 Connector
Connects to a wireless router
8
USB 3.0 Connectors
Connect to up to two USB devices

4 VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO
2 Setting Up VIA Connect PRO
Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your
VIA Connect PRO. After connecting VIA Connect PRO, connect its
power and then switch on the power to each device.
To connect the VIA Connect PRO as illustrated in the example in Figure 2 you
need:
•A VIA Connect PRO 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 are applicable with Kramer's VIA collaboration hub:
•A Windows 7/8/10® (32-bit/64-bit) computer
•A Macintosh® computer, using OSX 10.7.x or newer
•An iPad/iPhone® tablet/smartphone with the VIA app installed (iPad 2 or
later, iOS 8 or later)
Note: When using the Airplay service, no application is needed. However, we
recommend using iOS9 or El Capitan OS X for a better experience.
•An Android® OS 4.4.x tablet/smartphone with the VIA app installed
Note:For using the Android mirroring feature, a device equipped with Android 5.1
minimum is required.
•A Windows® phone with the VIA app installed.

VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO 5
Figure 2: Connecting the VIA Connect PRO Collaboration Hub
2.1 Connecting VIA Connect PRO to a Display
VIA Connect PRO is equipped with HDMI and mini DP display output connectors.
•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 mini DisplayPort connector connects to a DisplayPort display or to a VGA
display by means of a mini DP to VGA adapter cable included in the
packaging of VIA Connect Pro
VIA Connect PRO’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 Mini DisplayPort jacks.
For full functionality, VIA Connect PRO must be connected to a local area network (LAN).
You must assign an IP address to the VIA Connect PRO. However, your VIA Connect PRO
is set on DHCP mode by default.

6 VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO
Note: Do not turn the device on before connecting the LAN port to the network.
Note: To allow participation in a collaborative session (send and receive content),
connect the VIA Connect PRO hub and all participant devices (PCs/ MACs/
smartphones/tablets) to the same network (LAN - wired/wireless).
The VIA Connect PRO 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 Connect PRO hub unit).
2.2 Downloading and Running VIA Connect PRO Software
All participants in a meeting must download and run either the Kramer VIA
executable file (PC, Mac) or the appropriate Android/iOS or Windows Phone app.
To access the PC and Mac executable files:
•Open your Web browser and enter the IP address for your VIA Connect PRO
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 it on your computer), select
“Click to Run VIA”. Once downloaded, locate the file on your computer (under
“Downloads”) and click to launch it. The VIA Connect PRO login screen
appears
•To permanently install the VIA app, select “Click to Install VIA”. 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

VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO 7
folder on your C: drive. It creates a shortcut on the desktop for easy access.
For tablets and smartphones, the Kramer VIA app is found in the App Store (iOS)
and Google Play (Android) and Windows Store (Windows Phone).
Alternatively, you can open your Web browser on your mobile device and enter the
IP address for your VIA Connect PRO unit;
Download the app to your tablet/phone and install. When the app is run, the
following screen appears:

8 VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO
2.3 Using an.msi File
IT managers can use the VIA.msi file for easy deployment and installation of the
VIA application on the user’s clients.
To find the.msi file:
1. Browse your unit for (make sure you are on the same network):
http://<ip of box>/files/VIAApp.msi.
2. Replace "<ip of box>" by the valid Room Name.
3. Save the file on your PC.
2.4 Logging In to VIA Connect PRO
Windows and Mac OS
•Choose a username (nickname) for your device (it can be 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 Connect PRO
iOS, Android and Windows Phone
•First, enter the IP address for the VIA Connect PRO. 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 Connect PRO. Now, you’re ready to go!

VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO 9
2.5 Logging-In to VIA connect PRO by QR Code Scanning
iOS, Android & Windows Phone
1. Launch the application on your mobile device and click the QR code icon
(on the lower right corner).
2. Put your mobile device in front of the VIA main display QR code (found on
the VIA main display screen in the lower right corner).
3. You are automatically logged in to VIA Connect PRO.

10 VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO
2.6 Logging-In to VIA Connect PRO Using a VIA Pad
Windows and Mac OS
•Press once: Presents your screen on the main display (when you start, the
LED banner on the device is blue. After you stop presenting, it changes to
green)
•Pressing twice: Freezes your screen (the banner on the device changes from
green to flashing green). To unfreeze and resume, press twice again.
•Pressing once again: Stops presenting.
•Long press to display on the full screen when you are not the only one who is
already presenting.
2.7 Logging-In to VIA Connect PRO Using a VIA NFC Tag for
Android
To write an NFC tag:
•Install the VIA NFC Writer on an Android device. Download the.apk file freely
from the Kramer website:
www.kramerav.com/support/download.asp?f=50898&pname=via%20nfc%20
writer
•Open VIA NFC Writer.
A page similar to a VIA page opens
•Enter the room name and click Write tag.
•When prompted, touch the Android device on the writable tag.
Another prompt confirms that the tag has been successfully written.

VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO 11
To use the NFC tag:
•Enable the NFC feature on an Android device.
•Touch the Android device on the tag:
IF VIA is installed – The VIA application launches and automatically logs
into VIA Connect PRO. The room code is bypassed.
IF VIA is in the background – Same as above.
IF VIA is not installed – The Google play store page is launched with a
VIA application download option. Install the VIA Android application.
If VIA installed and connected – A prompt asks the user to logout before
touching the tag with an Android device.
2.8 Using iOS/OS X / Android Mirroring to Share your
Screen
All participants in a meeting using an Apple device can mirror their screen by using
the Airplay service. No application is required to activate this mode. However, the
VIA Connect PRO unit must run firmware version 1.9 or later and iOS mirroring
feature must be enabled (see the “settings” section for more details).
2.8.1 Mirroring From your iOS Device (iPhone or iPad/Mini iPad)
Check that your device is running iOS8 version as a minimum requirement to
support this feature. iOS9 is recommended.
•Connect your Apple device to the network where the VIA Connect PRO
resides.
•Swipe up from the bottom of the iPad or iPhone to reveal the Control Center.

12 VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO
•Click AirPlay and choose the VIA Connect PRO’s AirPlay device name. By
default the VIA’s AirPlay device is named VIA_AirMirror_XXXX, where XXXX
is a random combination of letters and numbers.
•To stop mirroring, disconnect the device properly by as follows:
Swipe up from the bottom and swipe the toggle button to disconnect mirroring
then tap to select "iPhone/iPad" accordingly.
Note: If the room code is enabled on the VIA Connect PRO, you are prompted to
enter the same 4-digit security code when attempting to mirror your iOS device.
This code appears on the main screen of the VIA Connect PRO.

VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO 13
2.8.2 Mirroring MacBooks and Apple Computers
•Check that your Mac is running OS X 10.10 version as a minimum
requirement to support this feature (Yosemite). El Capitan is recommended.
•Connect your Apple device to the network where the VIA Connect PRO
resides.
•Click the AirPlay menu on the Apple Menu Bar. This is located in the top right
corner of the screen near the clock.
•Choose the VIA Connect PRO’s AirPlay device name. By default the VIA’s
AirPlay device is named VIA_AirMirror_XXXX, where XXXX is a random
combination of letters and numbers.

14 VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up VIA Connect PRO
Note: If the Room Code is enabled on the VIA Connect PRO, you are prompted to
enter the same 4-digit security code when attempting to mirror you iOS device. This
code appears on the main screen of the VIA Connect PRO.
2.8.3 Mirroring Android Devices
1. Your device must support Android 5.1 version as a minimum.
2. Make sure the VIA application is installed on your device.
3. Connect your Android device to the network where VIA Connect PRO
resides.
4. Log in to the application by entering the Room Name and Nickname fields
and room code if enabled.
5. Click on Present. The device shows this message: “VIA will start capturing
everything that’s displayed on your screen.” Accept by clicking on “START
NOW”.
6. You can now minimize the VIA app by clicking on the “Home” button of your
device. Your screen is mirrored on the main display.