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Using the Fab Lab Video Conferencing Service from Mac OS X with XMeeting

Mon, 11/29/2010 - 15:14 — Luke Scharf

There doesn't seem to be documentation on how to use the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms video conferencing system from non-Windows computers, so here's my take. I recommend recommended connecting to the CBA video conferencing server from Mac OS X as follows:

  1. Download XMeeting from Sourceforge:
    http://xmeeting.sourceforge.net/
  2. Install XMeeting the usual way (double-click on the DMG, drag XMeeting to your Applications folder).
  3. Start XMeeting by double-clicking on it in your Applications folder.
    If XMeeting doesn't start, you may have an old XMeeting preferences file hanging around from an old version of XMeeting.  This can be rectified by deleting the old preferences file by entering the following command into the Terminal:
    rm ~/Library/Preferences/net.sourceforge.xmeeting.XMeeting.plist
  4. Go through the Setup Assistant wizard.
    1. Proceed through the firewall settings.  The appropriate settings differ depending on the context and the settings can all be reconfigured later, so just try it with the defaults and if it doesn't work, Google for answers and/or contact me or the IT Committee.
    2. H.323 and SIP should be enabled.
    3. Do not use an H.323 Gatekeeper.
    4. Do not use a SIP Registrar.
    5. If given the option, enable Video.
  5. Once the XMeeting window appears, enter "mcu.cba.mit.edu" into the location bar, and press the green "Call" button.
  6. When you see a logo for "The Center for Bits And Atoms" hold screen, go to the "Window" menu and select "Tools", and press the "Remote Control" button.  Press "1" and then "#" to join the regular Fab Lab conference room.
A note about audio: Suppressing echos, background noise, and audio-feedback is a constant issue in video conferences and with conference calls in general.  I suggest the following solutions:
  • http://cucfablab.org/themes/garland/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Stay muted:  Mute your microphone, except when you're speaking.  In addition to minimizing echo problems, it will cut down on the amount of random background noise that the other participants are subjected to.
  • http://cucfablab.org/themes/garland/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Earphones with an integrated microphone: I've found that the best solution is to use headphones with an integrated microphone.  They're available for a few dollars/euros at most electronics stores.  If you have a spare set of iPhone earbuds laying around, you can use those with any newer MacBook.  The iPhone earbuds have an integrated microphone, reasonably good sound quality, and they're small enough to be unobtrusive in a laptop bag.
If you need additional help please, Google for answers, contact me, or contact the IT Committee.  Corrections and/or clarifications to these instructions would be appreciated.
The pages provided by the MIT CBA are here:
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