Kramer VIA CONNECT PRO User manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODEL:
VIA Connect PRO
Collaboration Hub
(For Firmware Version 1.7)
P/N: 2900-300419 Rev 3

VIA Connect PRO – Contents
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Contents
1Introduction 1
1.1 Applications & Features 2
1.2 Controls and Connections 3
2Setting Up 4
2.1 Connecting VIA Connect PRO to a Display 5
2.2 Downloading and Running VIA Connect PRO Software 6
2.3 Logging In to VIA Connect PRO 8
2.4 Using iOS Mirroring to Share your Screen 8
3VIA Connect PRO Functions and What They Do 12
4Using VIA Connect PRO 15
4.1 VIA Connect PRO Main Menu 15
4.2 Enabling Control 16
4.3 Chatting with Participants 17
4.4 Sharing Files 18
4.5 Accessing Cloud Data 20
4.6 Whiteboard Collaboration 21
4.7 VIA Connect PRO Settings Menu 24
4.8 Managing Settings from the VIA Web Management Interface 38
4.9 User Experience 49
5Technical Specifications 55
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 12
Figure 4: VIA Connect PRO Main User Screen and Features 13
Figure 5: The Participant List 15
Figure 6: Enable Control 17
Figure 7: Chat Window 18
Figure 8: Admin File Sharing 19
Figure 9: User File Sharing 19
Figure 10: Shared Files on the Cloud 20
Figure 11: Whiteboard Toolbar 22
Figure 12: Settings Screen 25
Figure 13: LAN Settings Screen 26
Figure 14: Room/Name Code Screen 27
Figure 15: Configurations Screen 28
Figure 16: System Control Screen 29
Figure 17: Wallpaper Screen 30
Figure 18: Authentication Screen 31
Figure 19: Moderator Mode 33
Figure 20: Login Screen When Moderator Mode is Active 34
Figure 21: Samsung Galaxy 51
Figure 22: iPad 52
Figure 23: iPhone 53
Figure 24: PC 54

VIA Connect PRO - Introduction
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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 and Android mobile
operating systems
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

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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:
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 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. You can also display
and share PDFs from any logged-in device. VIA Collage features a 10Mbps
maximum video bitrate for 30fps or 60fps videos and handles video files of up to
8GB.

VIA Connect PRO - Introduction
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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

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VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up
2 Setting Up
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®(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 Connect PRO app installed
(iPad 2 or later, iOS 5 or later, iOS 6.0 recommended)
An Android®OS 3.2 tablet/smartphone with the VIA Connect PRO app
installed
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VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up
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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.

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VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up
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.
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 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

VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up
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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
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).
Alternatively, you can open your Web browser on your mobile device and enter the
IP address for your VIA Connect PRO unit; choose from the following two options:
Download the app to your tablet/phone and install. When the app is run, the
following screen appears:

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VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up
2.3 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 and Android
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!
2.4 Using iOS 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 1.6 or later and iOS mirroring
feature must be enabled (see the “settings” section for more details).

VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up
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2.4.1 From your iOS Device (iPhone or iPad/Mini iPad)
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.
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.
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.

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VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up
2.4.2 MacBooks and Apple Computers
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.

VIA Connect PRO - Setting Up
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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.

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VIA Connect PRO - VIA Connect PRO Functions and What They Do
3 VIA Connect PRO Functions and What They
Do
VIA Connect PRO 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.
Figure 3 shows the VIA Connect PRO main Admin screen and its functions:
Figure 3: VIA Connect PRO Admin Screen and Features
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VIA Connect PRO - VIA Connect PRO 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
Connect PRO
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
Drag and drop files to the cloud to share instantly with
everyone in the session
5
Shutdown
Shuts down VIA Connect PRO system
6
Reboot
Reboots VIA Connect PRO System
7
Settings
Performs settings on the LAN, configurations related to room
code, system controls, wallpaper and activation center
Figure 4 shows the VIA Connect PRO main User screen and its functions:
Figure 4: VIA Connect PRO Main User Screen and Features
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VIA Connect PRO - VIA Connect PRO Functions and What They Do
Item
Icon
Action
1
Features
Allows user to see and access all available features of VIA
Connect PRO
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), MP3 files
and photos
5
Cloud
Drag and drop files to the cloud to share instantly with
everyone in the session
6
Enable Control
Gives participants control over the presenters Mac or PC
laptop
7
Whiteboard
Click to open a whiteboard at the main screen. It activates
“Start Collaboration” automatically and allows the user to
interact and control the main display
8
File Transfer
Shares files between the available participants during the
session
9
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
10
Chat
Allows sending chat messages among available participants
during that session