Using the recording console

The recording console allows you to make recordings interactively. That is, it allows you to monitor the recording while it is in progress, to check that the view is as you require.

Refer to the sections below for further information on using the recording console:

Connecting to the recording console
Understanding the recording console display
Controlling the recording console

Connecting to the recording console

Calling in via the auto attendant

To access the recording console by calling the IP VCR via the auto attendant, follow these steps:

Confirm with your system administrator that you may call the auto attendant of the IP VCR, either by using the IP address of the IP VCR or by dialing a phone number.
Connect to the auto attendant using the method chosen in the previous step.
Navigate the auto attendant menus (see Using an auto attendant) to select Record this session.
The recording console will be displayed.

Being called by the IP VCR

The may use the IP VCR web interface to call out to your video endpoint and display the recording console. To connect to the recording console in this way, follow these steps:

Log into the IP VCR web interface as an administrator or user (see Logging in to the web interface).
Use your browser to navigate to Recordings.
Press Call out and record. The recording parameters page will be displayed (see Calling out from the IP VCR).
Name your recording, and identify the endpoint you wish to call out to.
Select Use recording console display.
Press Call endpoint or Call selected endpoint.
Answer the call on the video endpoint. The recording console will be displayed.

Understanding the recording console display

The recording console display is intentionally simple. Refer to the table below for a description of the different parts of the display:

Control	Control Description
Preview window	In the center of the screen, a window shows a live preview of the video being sent by the endpoint to the IP VCR. Use this preview to ensure the recorded view is composed as you require before starting to record. You may also monitor this view whilst recording. Note that although the audio portion of the call will also be recorded, this is not sent back to the endpoint like the video preview, as this would cause undesirable feedback effects.
Status	A status indication is displayed in the bottom left-hand corner of the recording console. It shows the current state of recording. When you first enter the recording console, the status indication will show paused.
Recording length	The length of the recording is shown in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, as minutes and seconds. When you first enter the recording console, this will show a zero-length recording. The recording length will update in real-time as recording progresses. Use this as a guide to how long your recording will be.
Recording indicator	The recording indicator is shown only whilst recording is in progress, and hence will not be visible when you first enter the recording console. When you start recording, this indicator will blink near the top right-hand corner of the screen.

Controlling the recording console

When you first enter the recording console, you will hear audio instructions on which controls you may use. Recording will not start until you are ready. Refer to the table below for details:

Control	Control description	Usage tips
Up	Starts recording. The status line will change from paused to resuming... then to recording.	When you start recording, the IP VCR waits for a suitable moment before actually starting to record. This is to ensure the best possible quality video is recorded. During this time the status line shows resuming.... Be sure to wait until the status line says recording before starting to speak.
Down	Stops recording. The status line will change from recording to finished.	When you have finished recording, you will not be disconnected from the IP VCR unless you hang up the call. Note that even when you have finished recording, IP VCR resources are still in use until the call is ended, possibly preventing other users from making recordings in the meantime.

Control

Control description

Usage tips

Starts recording. The status line will change from paused to resuming... then to recording.

When you start recording, the IP VCR waits for a suitable moment before actually starting to record. This is to ensure the best possible quality video is recorded. During this time the status line shows resuming.... Be sure to wait until the status line says recording before starting to speak.

Down

Stops recording. The status line will change from recording to finished.

When you have finished recording, you will not be disconnected from the IP VCR unless you hang up the call.

Note that even when you have finished recording, IP VCR resources are still in use until the call is ended, possibly preventing other users from making recordings in the meantime.

You do not have to explicitly stop recording. If you wish, you may simply hang up the call when you have finished. Whether you press stop or simply hang up, the recording will be automatically stored by the IP VCR.