Here at Adobe, we use Connect Pro to webcast large events or meetings such as our employee all-hands meetings to reach our remote audience and record for archiving purposes. In this brief article well cover how to get started along with some of our best practices.

We used Connect Pro to simulcast the keynote sessions at the Adobe MAX conference to attendees around the world. The meeting recordings are also made available on demand so the content can continue to reap value. (click the image to view the on demand recording)

How the audio and video are used in a Connect Pro meeting room
We use the camera and voice pod (or the decoupled hands-free when pushing strictly VoIP) to broadcast a camera feed and audio. Audio and/or video can be pushed from a built-in or an external source such as a USB webcam, video camera, lapel microphone, or headset microphone.

AV Sources
There are several ways to transfer information from your AV source into Connect Pro and out to your web audience. Select your AV source starting with the Audio Set up Wizard (meeting Host permissions only). From the menu bar select Meeting | Manage My Settings | Audio Set up Wizard and follow the prompts. When done, return to the Manage My Settings and select the Select Camera option.

Another way to change sources is to right-click on anywhere in the Connect meeting window and choose Settings to access the Adobe Flash Player settings. Select the appropriate tab to make your changes.

Audio and Video capture cards
We have been using the Osprey-230 Capture Card for a couple of years with excellent results. This capture card can accept either a composite or XLR audio connections (each with left and right) and video inputs can be S-Video or composite. When using the S-Video and composite inputs at the same time you can switch between videos sources the Osprey software which is included with the card. This can be very useful when receiving a video or movie feed on one source and a camera feed on the other (e.g.; a walk-in video and a talking head).

Note: When using this capture card you must select Osprey-230 as your camera and microphone sources in the Adobe Flash Player Settings.

Recently we tested the EMS Imagings XtremeRGB-Ex1 video capture card. The benefit to using the XtremeRGB-Ex1 capture card is the capability to stream a DVI (or analog) signal without requiring the demo machine(s) to login to Connect. We streamed the video source directly into a Connect share pod using the XtremRGB Phynx software which was included with the card. This produced excellent results without scan converting a screen share via the Camera and Voice pod.

Currently we have both cards installed in the PCI slots of a small form factor Dell computer and have not experienced any issues running them in conjunction with one another.

Best Practices
Start by creating layouts which match your agenda and follow along wih the run of show. Connect Pro will automatically create a table of contents based on layout and PowerPoint slide changes (when PPTs are uploaded) benefiting those who view the recording to jump to specific portions of the recording.

To create a seamless transition between demos, have your presenters go into prepare mode (they must have Host permissions) and share their screen on their layout. As the Connect Event Coordinator, youll switch layouts so the presenter wont have to go through the process of sharing their screen in front of a live audience.

Here are a few quick tips:

• Make sure to set the meeting connection speed to DSL/Cable and screen sharing to Fast Images.
• In the Share Pod check the Toggle Full Screen option in the dropdown option of the Full Screen button to allow your audience to individually choose between full screen and normal view.
• Dont forget to rename your pods to reflect the presenter or meeting/event name its a nice touch and is as simple as double-clicking the pod name and typing the new one.

Additional tips and tricks along in-depth details and descriptions of above can be found on the ConnectUsers.com website in the tutorials section.