Logitech Brings Video Far End Control to Microsoft Lync: Existing BCC950 & New CC3300e Are Enabled

 

It looks like Logitech becomes the first to bring a commercial, SMB priced far end control video to Microsoft Lync.  (Scott Hanselman wrote the first app to do this. Click Here) Below are the instructions on how to get this working on either the BCC950 or new CC3300e.

How to Setup

#1-First Get the Logitech FEC Lync plugin/tray app: (same for bcc950 and cc3300e)

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/support/conferencecam-cc3000e-business?osid=14&softwareid=11279&section=downloads&crid=637&bit=64

#2-Install the (same) app on local and remote PC. Now you will see the Far End Control for Lync 2013 tray app icon. (also, make sure the bcc950/cc3300e is selected video device on local Lync before your test call).

#3-Start a video and on the local side (side the controllable cam is on) check “Allow Remote”. Now you should be able control the remote camera. Cool?

Video

Some Notes:

• Local user can disable remote control
• Only works peer to peer
• For far side user, the Left and Right is reversed
• No Preset locations: would be nice to have a couple presets
• Control UI works with touch screen (see above video)
• Works internally and through Lync Edge

If you need any of the below functionality you will want to take a look at Scott Hanselman’s FEC solution:

• Transparent control overlay

 

Summary

Logitech’s Far End Control is extremely simple, cost effective and elegant solution for Lync. I think Logitech is to be lauded for bringing this to market and enabling the BCC950’s that already in the field. A very reasonably priced FEC solution when combined with the $249US ConferenceCam BCC950.

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New Logitech ConferenceCam cc3300e:
http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/2014/01/logitech-conferencecam-cc3000e-lync.html

Low Cost Logitech ConferenceCam BCC950 Review:
http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/2012/06/first-impression-video-review-of.html

Logitech Far End Control Application Quick Start PDF: Click Here

Scott Hanselman’s Cloud PTZ:
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/CloudControlledRemotePanTiltZoomCameraAPIForALogitechBCC950CameraWithAzureAndSignalR.aspx

Logitech ConferenceCam CC3000e: #Lync Optimized PTZ With Far Side Control

The CC3000e is an Optimized for Lync PTZ conference camera to accommodate small 6-10 people meetings.

Control the PTZ with base console, remote control or far side control from a remote location using Lync plug-in. (no automatic active speaker center that I can see)

Some interesting specs

• H.264 UVC 1.5 (1080p 30fps)
• Bluetooth audio connections
• USB video/audio connections
• Pair using NFC
• PTZ: 260 degree pan, 130 degree tilt
• 10x lossless zoom
• 2 omnidirectional microphones (20 ft diameter range)
• Logitech notes Optimized for Lync 2013 (no entry here yet)  and also Cisco, Skype, Vidyo
• Price: $999 USD

Other Notes:

TMCNet writer, Tom Keating, notes the CC3000e has a smoother and quieter motor than BCC950:

“One of my complaints about the BCC950 was that the step motor was a bit jerky and the motor's sounds was picked up by the unit's speakerphone and sent to the remote calling party, which is a bit distracting. I asked Logitech is the CC3000e sports a smoother and quieter motor and they said that indeed it does” (Article link: click here)

Video:

Summary

I believe this is the first SMB Lync Optimized device to support far side control. Seems to me too many pieces to be moving from room to room often. Another very interesting device to add to

Details:
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/conferencecam-cc3000e-business
http://www.logitech.com/assets/50778/cc3000e-data-sheet.pdf

Lync 2013 Mobile Jan 22,2014 Update: #iPhone Get #iOS 7 Make Over; #WindowsPhone Get Voice Controls

Lync 2013 Mobile has been updated and brings some interesting updates: iPhone/iPad get iOS 7 UI update which ironically makes the UI in i-Devices look much more like Windows Phone. WindowsPhone Lync client get even more integrated into the WP environment via Voice Commands.

Lync 2013 for iPhone

Lync 2013 for iPhone has been update on Jan 22, 2014 to give it a full iOS7 make over.

Ironically it look much more like Windows Phone 8.x version of Lync now.

Other new features:

• View shared PowerPoint presentation during a Lync Meeting

iPad:

Some social feedback on the new iOS Lync  UI:

Lync 2013 Mobile 5.3 Update Integrates Lync Experience More Deeply into Windows Phone With Voice Commands

The upgrades to Lync 2013 for Windows Phone:

• View shared PowerPoint presentation during a Lync Meeting (screen/content sharing was implemented before already)
• Voice Commands

I have long noted that for UC mobile app user take up to happen UC needs to be baked into the mobile experience. It appears that Microsoft is taking more steps in this direction with v5.3 of Lync with Voice Commands. Voice Commands means you can press and hold Windows button and say (for example) “Join Next Meeting”.

Lync for Windows Phone now includes Voice Commands:

Here is the list of Current Voice Commands:

• join next meeting
• join current meeting
• show next meeting
• show current meeting
• show my meetings
• show voice mails
• play voicemails

I would  be glad see phone number dialing, Lync contact dialing and send IM Voice Commands in the future versions of Lync 2013 Mobile for Windows Phone.

iPhone:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-lync-2013-for-iphone/id605841731?mt=8

iPad:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lync-2013-for-ipad/id605608899?mt=8

WindowsPhone 8:
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/lync-2013/d85d8a57-0f61-4ff3-a0f4-444e131d8491

Get-umAutoAttendantDiagram: Auto Diagram Your #Exchange UM Auto Attendants With #Visio

Get-csAutoAttendantDiagram uses Powershell to output your Exchange UM Auto Attendant(s) in a text file that can be easily imported into Visio and viewed in a 1 page, easy to follow, graphical and hierarchical format. Below is an example of Visio output:

Notes:

• You can diagram all Auto Attendants at one time (1 per Visio sheet)
• Does not do recursion at this time.

For step by step on how Powershell command line and How to import the resulting file into Visio see:
http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/2014/01/get-csrgsworkflowdiagram-auto-diagram.html

To download the Powershell script:
http://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/office/Get-umAutoAttendantDiagram-0e3b7de8

First Impression Review of Addometer Mechanical Calculator: Computing With No Electric?

 

Sometimes its good to take a break from the technological society and take a step back in time.  As George Santayana was famous for saying “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” …no wait a minute…no one I know is in danger of repeating the coolness I will demonstrate below…

Note: yes, in the video while multiplying I enter a wrong number and that is why the wrong answer: Junk in-Junk Out!

I need to admit that I have become a little fascinated with mechanical computing and it raises interesting questions in my mind. Computing without power has to be the ultimate in green! (no solar panel waste, just good old recyclable steal!) Is there a mechanical communicating machine? Actually yes, the 1200 year old Peruvian Communicator shown below: click here (due to no version 2.0 is lost out to PSTN)

Are there mechanical computers in nature? (would DNA count? is there other examples?)

Probably the most famous mechanical computer is the Babbage Difference Engine. A great video explaining it below:

These mechanical precursors to the computers of today are interesting in their own right. And …if things meltdown and you have to go off the grid you’ll wish you had one…no wait a minute, I guess a solar powered calculator would still work just fine… :-P