Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing is a convenient and cost effective technology allowing you to interact with other participants as if you were all in the same room. Videoconferencing facilities are available to all CSU staff for teaching, research and administrative purposes. School, Division and Administration Videoconferencing facilities can be booked in Outlook and will automatically connect all units at the specified start time. Teaching spaces can not be booked using Outlook but can be added to an existing booking by contacting the IT Service Desk. Staff can conduct videoconferences with both internal and external units.
Desktop Videoconferencing equipment which allows you to join or start videoconferences from your computer may be purchased from the CSU Computer Shop. Desktop Videoconferencing is available to all staff and provides additional flexibility and convenience. If you would like to know more please read the Guidelines (particularly the different level of support) to determine if it will be suitable for you.
Admin Videoconferencing facilities are designed to provide a high quality interactive meeting experience where participants can simultaneously see and hear each other whilst sharing data from the presenters computer. Bridgit is the preferred software to use to share data with sites internal and external to CSU. You can share anything on your computer but Bridgit is unsuitable for sharing video, whilst you can still share video there will be missing frames and it will appear jagged to those viewing it through Bridgit. Data that is frequently shared includes Powerpoint presentations, notes, team documents and websites.
If you are unable to access videoconference equipment because of travel (or any other reason) you can easily join as an audio only participant using your telephone.
Videoconference Booking Information
Use the Videoconference Booking Information page to look up a Conference ID so you can join a scheduled videoconference using either your Desktop Videoconferencing equipment or your telephone. The page can also be used to verify your booking information is correct.
Videoconferencing tips for a better experience
Videoconferencing for meetings
- Learn how to join a videoconference by telephone
- Learn how to book a videoconference meeting using Outlook 2007 (video)
- Learn how to book a videoconference meeting using Outlook 2007 (pdf)
- Learn how to use a Hydraport (in high definition admin videoconference meeting rooms)
- Booking School & Division videoconferencing facilities
- Booking teaching spaces with videoconferencing facilities
The Hydraport is a simple control system provided in our high definition admin videoconferencing meeting rooms. If the screens are blank the system is not turned on, you no longer need to use the remote controls to turn equipment on and off. Press PC VC to turn the system on.
Videoconferencing from your desktop
- Guidelines for Desktop Videoconferencing
- Purchasing Desktop Videoconferencing equipment
- Get started with Desktop Videoconferencing using Microsoft Office Communicator 2007
Videoconferencing for teaching
School and Division videoconferencing facilities
You may notice other Videoconference units in Outlook, these belong to their respective Schools and Sections and you cannot book these unless you have made prior arrangement with the owners.
Teaching spaces with videoconferencing facilities
Classrooms and lecture theatres that have not been scheduled for use by the full-time student and residential school timetables are available to be booked as a Casual Room. If there are no other suitable rooms available and you need to book a teaching space for a videoconference you must make a casual room booking request. If the room is in Dubbo make the request direct to dubbo_roombookings@csu.edu.au otherwise click the link above. Once the room booking has been confirmed contact the IT Service Desk to add the videoconference unit to your meeting.
Videoconferencing location maps for major Australian campuses of CSU
Admin, School and Division videoconference units are represented using blue icons on the campus maps. Video Teaching facilities are represented using red icons.
| Albury-Wodonga (Thurgoona) | Open Map |
| Bathurst | Open Map |
| Dubbo | Open Map |
| Orange | Open Map |
| Wagga Wagga | Open Map |
Joining a videoconference by telephone
A dial in telephone number and conference ID are needed to join by telephone. You can join from both on and off campus locations. Use the 5 digit dial in number when on campus (internal call) and prefix that same number with 02693 when off campus (external call).
- Lookup conference by time, title or organiser from the Video Conference Booking Information system
- Locate and record the corresponding dial in phone number and conference ID for the booking
- When ready to join from
an on campus location - call using the 5 digit internal number specified for booking eg 34755 or 34756 etc
an off campus location or mobile telephone - enter prefix 02693 before dial in phone number eg 02 6933 4755 or 02 6933 4756 etc - When prompted enter 3 digit conference ID and press # (hash) to join
If you have entered the correct dial in phone number and conference ID you will be advised that you are being connected to your conference and you will join the conference and hear other participants.
Remember to turn mute on when not speaking to eliminate any background noise that may be present at your location. All non speaking sites/participants should do this to improve the audio quality and to minimise disruptions.
FAQ's and Self Help provided by the training team
Glossary
Videoconferencing support service for room based facilities
If you require immediate assistance ring the IT Service Desk on 84357 and select the urgent videoconferencing option to be transferred to the dedicated videoconference support line. This service operates Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays) between the hours of 9am and 5pm.