VSS-1 Quick Installation Guide - Software & Driver Installation

Normally the VSS-1 is delivered with the software & drivers pre-installed. For the VSS-1-KIT's you will need to install the software from the CD or USB memory stick.

Here are the typical steps and a checklist required for the software installation or re-installation for the VSS-1 System  in your conference room.

Notes: Before changing any connections, please turn off your equipment - the codec, screen , VSS-1, etc. This reduces the risk of equipment damage due to static electricity or other issues. Your VSS-1 System should be running the latest version of the operating system  . . . and for safety has Microsoft Security Essentials installed. . . and be very careful not to trip on any cables or damage any connectors.

1.  Installation or Re-Installation of any new software and drivers.

Before installing any new software and drivers, make a new System Restore Point – by clicking on Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore/Create a Restore Point. Call it “Pre VSS Installation”.

2.    How to check if the driver is installed successfully?

Navigate to Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers
From the “Properties” window, click on “Device Manager” in Hardware panel.
Click on the plus icon of “Sound, video and game controllers” to open the device list.

3.    System Requirements

For the PC/Laptop  working with the VTC system and VSS-1, here are the hardware and software requirements:
https://www.tzmc.us/skype/specifications/index.htm

4.    Driver Installation

Before installing any new software and drivers, make a new System Restore Point – by clicking on Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore/Create a Restore Point. Call it “Pre VSS Installation” or something similar.

During installation of drivers for the VSS-1 USB device, it is highly recommended to close any running programs. These include applications such as antivirus software and system monitoring applications.

Here's the link to the contents of the USB device software (if you do not have the CD available) :

skype/support/members/installation/software/V5.13.1218.1218_DVD_Maker.zip - the current version

DVD Maker 2 Driver 2014/05/26
Version V5.13.1218.1218 - Size 16.4MB
OS Win7/8.x x86/Win7/8.x x64/Vista x86/Vista x64/Win XP x86
Description Supports Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.x Operation Systems.

 skype/support/members/installation/software/V5.9.721.812_DVD__Maker2.zip - or an earlier version

1.      When you first connect the USB device, the “Found New Hardware Wizard” window will pop up. Please click “Cancel” and then you can make use of PlusTV Driver, User Manual & Utilities - DVD MAKER USB2.0 CD for proper installation.  A recent current version is KW V1.03
2.      Insert the installation CD into the CD ROM device. The autorun page will appear. Please choose “Driver Installation”. Note: Your USB device must be plugged into the USB port before installation.
3.      Click “Start” to install the DVD MAKER USB2.0 driver. Please wait, while the installation is in process.
4.      Once the driver has been installed successfully on your computer, click “OK” to finish driver installation.
5.      Normally it is best to restart your PC after a new driver installation.
6.      NOTE: Once you connect up the audio line to your encoder Laptop/PC, you cannot move it to a different audio port (due to limitations of Windows and the drivers). Always use the same audio/line in mic port or your Laptop or PC). You can use different USB ports on your Laptop/PC.

5. Skype Installation & Re-Installation - Using the Installation with Skype and other applications

Your videoconferencing system camera and mics should now work as a webcam and mic for Skype or other PC applications – if you only have one webcam camera installed. If you have both a webcam and the USB device on the one PC/laptop, then other issues arise and additional software needs to be installed – see below for details.

For Skype, download and install the latest version of the Skype free software at www.skype.com.  However in 2013 newer versions of Skype have introduced some problems with the Audio Video capture for the VSS-1 system, WebCamSplitter, ManyCam  and many other applications. The last version of Skype that has been successfully tested with the base VSS-1 system is Skype version 6.1.0.129.

Here are the recommended steps to re-install the 6.1.0.129 version of Skype:

  1. Uninstall Skype - from the Win7 or XP control panel - Add/Remove Programs

  2. Install Skype 6.1.0.129 - Click on this link to download that version install file (20MB) -    skype/support/members/installation/software/SkypeSetup_6.1.0.129.msi

  3. Turn off future automatic Skype updates - How do I turn off automatic updates in Skype for Windows desktop

  4. Login to Skype using your Skype account info.

  5. In Skype main window, click on Tools, then Options, then Video Settings. Select the Webcam from the dropdown box.

  6. The video from the camera should then appear in the test window.

An upgrade of the VSS-1 software installation is needed to support versions of Skype after 6.1.0.129. Contact us for more information on this available upgrade.

Some Video Issues with Skype:

If you are not seeing your local video in Skype make sure that you have Enable Skype Video checked and click Webcam Settings to see more info.

·         One key issue it to be sure that your webcam is connected and not in use by another program.

·         There are many PC configurations in use and many other issues that arise – the Skype forum can often help – see https://forum.skype.com/

·         Generally speaking, in Windows XP (but not in Windows 7), you won't be able to use your web camera in more than one application at the same time. And you will have problems too if you have more than one webcam or video source connected to your PC. In Windows & these issues are less common.

·         In Windows XP, something needs to be placed between the camera(s) and the communication software. That "something" should split the video signal and send it independently to each video consuming application. The freeware software WebCamSplitter does exactly this. Plus it adds some video processing: contrast, brightness and color adjusting to enhance your video. With WebCamSplitter you are not limited to taking video from one web camera only - you can as well use your existing video files as the video source . . . and live video from the USB 2.0 device that you have installed and connected to your videoconferencing system or other video source.

Once WebCamSplitter is installed, then you can change the video source in Skype from your webcam to the VSS USB source, on the fly and back again. . . . but not with the current version of WebCamSplitter & Skype. Prior versions of WebCamSplitter are no longer available. Contact us for more info on the available solution for VSS-1.

Here are the steps required:

The 2015 version of the software is in the /Downloads folder of the VSS-1 system.

Earlier versions of VSS-1 used SplitCam software.

Download SplitCam at www.splitcamera.com or https://www.splitcamera.com/download.html or at www.downloads.com or contact us for more information.

6. WebCamSplitter Installation

Before installing any new software and drivers, make a new System Restore Point – by clicking on Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore/Create a Restore Point. Call it “Pre WebCamSplitter Installation” or something similar.

 The 2015 version of the software is in the /Downloads folder of the VSS-1 system. You can also download the installation package file form www.very-soft.com and save it on your hard drive.

Run the installation package by double clicking it with your mouse.

Run the WebCamSplitter program from its desktop icon and then click on File/Video Source/USB Device – to select the live video.

Use the pause, stop or play icons to start the video processing. The live video should show in the WebCamSplitter screen. Keep the WebCamSplitter program running.

Next back in Skype, select your video device at:

Tools > Options > General > Video Settings

In the Select Webcam drop down box, you will see each of the possible video sources listed. Select USB Device, to see the live video in the Skype Test window. (If you do not see a drop down box, then you should re-boot your PC/Laptop.)

Now you can switch the video sources on the fly in Skype.

If your webcam and the USB device are functioning, then you will see your live video displayed in Skype when the correct video source option is selected i.e. WebCamSplitter Capture.

If you are not seeing live video, also make sure that you have Enable Skype Video checked.

For  the USB  device, the Webcam Settings button gives you more options to select video standards – in North America normally NTSC_M (in other locations PAL video format may be used by the video sources).

Note: WebCamSplitter installs a device/driver on your PC. Right click on “My Computer” on the desktop and choose “Properties”. From the “Properties” window, click on “Device Manager” in Hardware panel. Click on the plus icon of “Sound, video and game controllers” to open the device list.  You will see the device listed: WebCamSplitter, WDM Camera Stream Splitter.

On PC start-up/re-boot, WebCamSplitter automatically loads (in the default VSS-1 settings).

Some Audio Issues with Skype:

If you are using your Room VTC videoconferencing system for the live audio source, then you should have an RCA cable from the VCR output or mic splitter/mixer of the videoconferencing system. Connect the Red and White connectors of the AV cable to the Red and White connectors at the VCR output. 

There are 2 ways to connect the audio cable to the PC/Laptop –

(a)    Directly into the USB dongle, or

(b)   Preferably connect the provided AV cable stereo audio mini plug to the mic connector of your streaming PC (often this is the pink colored connector on your PC). Connect the red and white ends of the RCA cable to the AV cable using the two RCA couplers – provided in the kit.

The inbound audio volume level can be adjusted by controlling the source audio hardware or software volume control on your streaming PC audio source.

Next back in Skype, select your audio device at:

Tools > Options > General > Audio Settings

Select the mic input to match your hardware on your laptop/PC mic – e.g. SigmaTel Audio is the mic used a one PC/Laptop.

To test the mic settings in Skype, click on the link “Make a Free Test Call” and follow the audio instructions. If you can hear the audio playback, then you have configured Skype and your audio hardware correctly.

·         Generally speaking, you will have problems if you have more than USB mic or more that one PC mic on your PC/laptop. That’s one good reason why in VSS-1 we use the mic audio inputs on the PC/laptop.

More Troubleshooting Tips

NOTES: If any A/V hardware is added or removed during a live session, then the system may crash and require a hard re-start of the PC/Laptop. Do not change hardware connections during a live session. Close the live session first.

Some older VSS-1 Systems are Windows XP based and may have front and rear USB connection points. Either can be used. Please note that once you connect up the audio line to your VSS-1 System, you cannot move it to a different audio port (due to limitations of Windows XP and the drivers). Always use the same audio/line in mic port or your Laptop/PC – e.g. use only the front audio/mic port on the PC).

Once you have connected the yellow video cable and the red and white audio cables to the PC/Laptop  as described above, then the VTC Video will now show in WebCamSplitter and Skype windows and the audio from the VTC mic will now be available to Skype.

04/06/2024