In a NSCC Huddle Room you will find a Crestron® Mercury™ transforming meeting rooms into highly effective collaboration spaces. Combining all the must-have conferencing features in one easy to use device.
This KB Article is your Starters Guide to using this technology!
If you are reading this, because you are in the middle of a meeting and you are starting to sweat... Call 902-491-4357 for immediate assistance.
The Following Campuses and Rooms are considered Huddle Rooms
Institute of Technology Campus - A234, A203, A169C, B255.B, A282.2, A109, A108.A, B144.E
Get started quickly by plugging your laptop into the HDMI and using an adapter if required (Click here if you need help) your laptop shoud automatically appear on the display. YES! It Should be that easy! If it doesn't keep reading to learn more . When you walk into a meeting room the Occupancy Sensor should wake up the Crestron Mercury which wakes up your Display.
The rest of this article will discuss the following.
- How a Huddle Room works.
- What can I do in here?
- HOW does the system work?
- What is the Home Screen?
- Using the Crestron Mercury
- Getting Connected
- Using the Touch Screen
- Presenting Via HDMI
- Presenting Via AirMedia
- Running a Web Conference
- VC Ettiquette
- Audio Only Calling
- Making a call with my Mobile Phone
- Troubleshooting Common Issues
- I'm plugged in but the Display still shows the Home Screen.
- USB camera not working.
- Audio not Working. Can’t Hear from device.
- Phone not working.
- AirMedia Wireless not working.
- I'm in the middle of of a VC, and my far end guests are complaing they can't hear me
How a Huddle Room works:
What can I do in here?
The Crestron Mercury is permanently fixed to the table, consisting of 4 built in microphones that obtain all speakers around a table. It has a built in powerful speaker system. End Users control though a touchscreen on the Crestron Merucry
- Connect any device either through cables provided or wirelessly and have content displayed on Display.
- Make phone calls directly from Mercury.
- Connect mobile phones via blue tooth and make phone from the Mercury.
- Run Skype/Teams or other video conference software from hard-connected laptops and select the USB camera under NEC display. You can also change your laptop settings to access mics/speaker capabilities of the Crestron Merucry.
- Control Room Volume including mute.
- No Need for remotes, as occupancy sensor on Crestron Mercury Powers ON/OFF display.
- With the exception of A282.2. End users can reserve the meeting space through the touch screen itself
HOW does the system work?
Below is a brief summary of each component in a Huddle Room.
- NEC Display
- Powers on and off with the Crestron Mercury (occupancy sensor).
- The Display will turn off itself when Crestron Mercury (occupancy sensor) senses no vacancy.
- Crestron Mercury
- The Mercury does not swivel/rotate. It is permanently fixed to the table.
- Touch Screen interface allows users to navigate features of Crestron Merucry.
- Mute button located on top of mercury.
- You need to connect USB cable to access speakers and microphones of the Mercury.
- FlipTop Box/Cables
- HDMI cable provided with Kramer Adapter (click here to learn how to use).
- USB cable provided gives end user access to mic/speaker of Crestron Merucry and room Camera
- AC power connection for laptops.
- ALSO USB AC power connection is available to charge mobie devices.
- Air Media
- When you connect wirelessly, you have to be on ‘Eduroam’ Network to do so.
- Follow instructions on Home Screen for connecting Wirelessly over Air Media
- When you log on the first time on a laptop you will download software. After this you only need to use software to connect
- The experience running AirMedia from your laptop is different from a mobile device.
- Depending on end user laptop and permissions the first time experience is inconsistent.
- Webcam
- It is recommended that if you have video or audio content you PLUG IN the HDMI cable AND USB. This is most true for Skype/Teams Conferencing. You cannot access webcam over AirMedia
- The USB cable in the FlipTop box connects your laptop to the Mercury. There is another USB cable to connects the Mercury to the USB local/remote hardware that the Logitech Camera connects to under the Display
- Volume
- There are volume controls on the Mercury. Users may have volume controls on their laptop as well as their audio source (IE Youtube).
- When playing content with audio over AirMedia, Sound goes to Display and is played from the display speakers – not recommended.
- Android Mobile users, thier Audio will never work through AirMedia.
- Phone
- You can place a call directly from the Mercury. You can also pair a bluetooth enabled phone and place a call.
- The phone system is connected to a Patton analog to Sip converter in various communications closets
What is the Home Screen?
The Home Screen is what is on the large Display when the Crestron Mercury powers on turning on the NEC Display. When there is no active connection this is what is displayed (see below). When someone plugs in a laptop or device, the system automatically connects. This video signal comes from the Crestron Mercury.
Using the Crestron Mercury
Getting Connected
HDMI is the cable you use to plug into your laptop. For some End Users you need to use an adapter with the HDMI cable. This is one of the ways you can share your laptop screen on room displays.
The HDMI Adapter Ring from Kramer is made up of a series of HDMI adapters on a stainless-steel ring. These adapters are attached to a HDMI cable so you can connect various laptops. Not all Laptops have the same connection options. This user-friendly solution supports helps keep the adapters secure and in place.
This Kramer Adapter Ring includes Mini DisplayPort, DisplayPort, and USB Type-C.
TIP: Some Laptops may not require the need to use an Adapter and you can simply plug the HDMI directly into your laptop.
Instructions:
1. Connect the Adapter you require to the attached HDMI Cable. You may need to disconnect another adapter left on the HDMI cable by a previous user.
2. Plug the adapter into your laptop. The room displays will automatically switch to your connected device.
Warnings
When disconnecting the HDMI Cable from an adapter, pinch the very end of the HDMI cable to pull away from the adapter. Do Not pull directly on the cable with a snapping motion as this can break the cable.
Using the Touch Screen
All user interaction is done through the Crestron Merucry’s touch screen. Touch the Touch Screen to wake it up if it hasn't woken up yet.
- The Status Bar shows current time and date. Status bar is almost always persistent and is only hidden in few cases.
- Main Content Area Shows current user selected view, room scheduling view, task views, system notification views etc.
- The Toolbar at the bottoms contains: Info button, Mic Mute, Menu Up Arrow, volume controls
MENU SELECTION SCREEN
When you tap the menu up arrow in the toolbar, menu selection screen is recalled. A list of available options will be shown (*AirBoard is not configured). You can click the “back” arrow which will effectively navigate back to the previous screen.
Touch Screen shows current scheduling state of the room
NOTE:At IT Campus, rooms A282.2 and A236 are currently not programmed to display calander/meeting information
When the calendar for the room indicates that the room is currently booked, the user will see a red time counter showing how long until the end of the meeting. The meeting subject is shown right below “meeting” label. If the meeting title is long and does not fit, text will auto scroll. Start/end times and organizer info is string together and shown below the meeting title. If the meeting has join meeting functionality “Join” button will be shown to the user.
AVAILABLE TILL NEXT MEETING SCREEN
When the calendar for the room indicates that the room is currently available, the user will see a green time indicator, and the screen will show how long until the next meeting of the day begins. The user will be able to book the room by pressing the reserve button.
AVAILABLE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY
When the calendar for the room indicates that the there’s no more meetings for the rest of the day, the UI will display this screen. The user will be able to book the room by pressing the reserve button.
NEW MEETING SCREEN
By default meeting start & meeting end time will be populated till next 30 minutes meeting length. You will be able to reserve the room for up to three lengths:
- Until the next half hour (i.e. 13 minutes if the time is 2:17)*
- Until the next half hour plus 30 minutes (i.e. 43 minutes if the time is 2:17) *
- Until the next half hour plus 60 minutes (i.e. 73 minutes if the time is 2:17
Running a Web Conference
When connected, the Crestron Mercury can run a web conference from your laptop that is running web conferencing software (Skype for Business / Microsoft Teams). The Crestron Mercury provides the speakerphone, microphones, and camera when connected. NOTE: You have to plug in teh USB cable provided.
To Run a web confernce, follow this procedure:
1. Tap 'Collaborate'
2. Connect the HDMI cable from the CCS-UC-1 to the computer that is running the web conference.
3. Connect the USB cable from the CCS-UC-1 to the computer that is running the web conference software. The USB Connected screen is displayed.
4. On the computer, set the web conference software to use the room camera attached to the Merucry.(** More on this below**
5. Start the web conference.
6. When the conference is over, end the conference.
7. Disconnect the USB and HDMI cables from the computer.
Where do I change my Device Settings?
In Microsoft Teams, you have two ways you can change your device setttings.
1. After opening Teams, just click your icon picture in the upper right hand corner.
- Click Settings
- Click Devices. And change your speaker, and micrphone to the Crestron Mercury and change your camera to Logitech webcam 930e.
2. You can also make the same changes right before you join a schedule call
*you can also make changes to your devices when you are in a call.
Skype
When you start a Skype for Business call. Make sure you have the right settings
1.Click the gear icon.
2.Click Tools
3.Click Audio Device Settings
4. Under Audio Devices, select the Crestron Mercury.
5. Next Click ‘Video Device’ And select the Logitech Webcam C930e and Click OK
5. 
Presenting Via AirMedia
Although you can connect your laptop (Windows or Mac) wirelessly to the Crestron Mercury. It is recommended you always plug in directly (with provided cables) for the most secure, uninterrupted and timely experience.
REMINDER: Presenting via AirMedia DOES NOT connect you to the camera, microphonevand speakers for Skype/Microsoft Teams/or Other Web Conferencing. Presenting Via AirMedia is recommended for mobile devices only. Mobile devices can share their content using the Crestron AirMedia app, which iavailable for iOS and Android devices. Both apps may be used for full screen sharing on devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop and above or iOS 8 and above. Download the latest version of these apps from the App Store® app or Google PlayTM
1. If you are not connected with HDMI cable, the home screen should be displayed on the Display. In the bottom left hand corner you will see the login information for AirMedia. It is also available on the touch display be selecting 'Present' and then selecting AirMedia.
2 You have to be on the 'Eduroam' Wireless network to access AirMedia. .
3. Open a web browser on the computer, and navigate to the web address or IP address displayed on the display device. The welcome screen is displayed.
4. Click Start Presenting. The AirMedia 2 screen will display
4. You will be asked to download an appliation. NOTE: the next step differs with the user. if you are unable to download the App please see your local Digital & Innovation Technology office.
5. Click the icon for the computer’s operating system to download the client application. The client application requires no installation. The application will be downloaded and run locally. NOTE: When used on a Mac, the AirMedia client application must be run from within the disk image file. Do not drag the application out of the disk image file.
6. Once the client application is downloaded, content can be shared. Run the client application. The Enter Code dialog box is displayed.
7. Enter the code displayed on the display device and click OK. The client establishes a connection between the computer and 'AirMedia'. The client also displays the presentation controls on the computer while the contents of the computer screen are shown on the display in the room.
Direct the presentation with the following controls you see above:
- Stop showing the computer’s screen.
- Start showing the computer’s screen.
- Freeze the computer’s screen.
- Mute the audio output to the Crestron Mercury.
- Minimize the presentation control screen.
- Close the client application and the connection between the computer and the Crestron Mercury.
When you are done presenting. Tap Stop Presenting. to return to the previous screen, tap <Back
Connect to AirMedia with Mobile Devices
AirMedia applications connect to AirMedia devices by discovering them or by manually entering the IP address. Connected devices are saved to allow for easier future connection. A search function provides quick navigation of long lists. Frequently used AirMedia devices can be marked as favorites for quick connections.
AirMedia app connection screens are shown below.
Since the iOS application uses the built-in iOS device mirroring feature, the application will not connect directly to the AirMedia Presentation Gateway after the “Present with AirMedia” button is pressed. Instead, the application instructs the user to use the native device mirroring function in the iOS Control Center, where a list of devices will be presented. Once a device is selected, a prompt for a password is shown. Upon completion of these steps, the iOS device starts sharing content to the AirMedia device as shown in the following diagrams.
NOTE: Video streaming from third party apps may not work correctly on AirMedia.
NOTE: Video streaming apps may occasionally change the way they interact with iOS device mirroring that interferes with the correct operation of playback mode. When such compatibility breaks, the video streaming app must be updated to restore correct functionality.
Placing an Audio Only Call.
The “Call Selection” screen when recalled will display all calling options configured in the system. You can connect your phone via bluetooth or dial out straight from the Mercury.
When an audio call is NOT in progress, the user will be shown this screen when they navigate to the audio call page.
The interface for audio call will consist of: Number Pad with Alphabet, Call Button, Dial String, Backspace Button, Up to 4 Speed Keys (if configured), and Keyboard directory search button (if configured).
AUDIO CALL KEYBOARD DIRECTORY SEARCH
On this screen user can perform directory look up or manually dial SIP URI using built-in keyboard.
Make a Call with a Bluetooth Phone
When configured, the Mercury can make phone calls using a Bluetooth enabled phone to carry the call while using the Mercury as a speakerphone.
To make a call with a Bluetooth phone:
1. Tap call, and then 'Bluetooth' .
2. On your mobile phone, connect to the device matching the Bluetooth name on the Crestron Mercury. The Crestron Mercury indicates that it is connecting with a Bluetooth device and then displays the dialing screen.
3. Tap the number to call and tap the green phone call. You do not need to dial 9.
