MaestroConference Screenshare Documentation
Screenshare is a Maestroconference product that lets you bring your teleconference to life by:
- Allowing hosts to share their screen with participants
- Allowing hosts to have an assistant take over and share their screen
We have recently enhanced this feature to allow it run on any computer without having to update any software such as java.
Getting Started
Starting the Screenshare is relatively simple. All standard and premium users will have the option enabled by default and will be able to configure it when they create their conference.
The only thing the host has to do is give the participants the link to the screenshare page. This can be done in one of two ways:
1. Automatically if you select the Screenshare radio button under Participant Web Experience. This will automatically include the Screenshare link to the participants conference confirmation email.
2. Manually by sending the link directly to the participant in your direct mailing or by including it in the conference description. You can find the Participant Link under the Screenshare option at the bottom of the page. The tab looks like this when opened:
Starting Screenshare
To start the Screenshare, the host goes to the conference View and Edit page, then the Screenshare section at bottom of the page, and clicks on “Launch Presenter.” The downloading process should automatically begin. You will also have another page with the instructions on how to download if it doesn't automatically start.
Instructions for Windows
This will initiate the Screenshare and open the MC Screen app and automatically log you in. Please do not interrupt the log in process.
Instructions for Mac
Click on Save File. Once it's finished saving the file, go to the Downloads folder and look for "MCScreenStarter". Click on it to open the application. You will then see the message below:
*** You may be asked to download and then unzip a file. An application that has an unzip tool is Stuffit - you can download that for free here.
Once the Screenshare has begun, other callers can click on the link they received, and will be able to view the host's screen in their browser.
Note: You would need to download the screenshare application every time you use it. Starting the app from the icon on your desktop will not automatically open the Screenshare for your conference.
MCScreen App Presentation
Screenshot from a PC Screenshot from a Mac
Screenshare Preferences
You may customize the Screenshare settings by clicking on Tools on the options menu and selecting Preferences. This will open the Preferences window where you can change the General Settings, color and size of the Annotation pen, Conference Call Information, Image Quality and Language. Please remember to save any changes made to this window by clicking on the Save button.
How to start / stop / pause conference
The Screenshare starts automatically. To pause it, simply click on the Pause button in the Control Panel. The indicator above the button will change to Paused. This will keep whatever you had on the screen active for viewers, while you do something else on your computer. To re-start the Screenshare, click the Play button.
How to record a Screenshare session
To the top right side of the app you will see the Record button. Clicking on this will initiate the screen and voice recording. Keep in mind the voice recording just records what is said through your computer microphone, so it won’t include what others are saying through the phone on your MaestroConference event.
To stop recording, click on the Stop button. This will open a pop-up allowing you to name and select a location where to download the recording. The recording is saved in .exe format and is packaged with the MCPlayer, allowing you to play it on any computer. If you'd like to convert the recording from .exe format into an AVI, WMV, or FLV (Flash) file, here is a link you can use to a program that will let you convert the format:
Screenshare Recording Converter
How to convert a recording to .avi, .flv or .wmv format
The recording is usually found on this location: Contents\Resources\xxx.rec.
Open the Turbomeeting Converter. To select the recording file you wish to convert, look for the .rec file and please make sure that .rec is selected for the file type. Select the .rec file and click Open. Select your preferred format and screen resolution and click on "Convert". The converted file is automatically saved on the same folder as the .rec file.
How to convert a Mac Recording
To convert a Mac Recording, you will need to transfer the recording file to Windows OS.
We understand that looking for a Windows OS to transfer the file to isn't optimal but rest assured that this is only a temporary workaround. We are currently working on a Mac converter that will convert the recording directly while on a Mac.
Here's how to transfer the file to Windows:
- Zip your recording and uncompress it on Windows
- Load the file with ".rec" extension under "Contents" and "Resources" to the converter and then run it.
Once the file is transferred to Windows, please follow the instructions above on converting a recording.
How to change what program or monitor to display
This feature is for PC users only; on a Mac, the Screenshare feature will show whatever is on the host's desktop.
On the top side, under the start/stop Screenshare button there is a drop-down menu called Show My Desktop. The host can choose to display:
1. The entire desktop (this means it will display all the monitors the user has connected),
2. One of the enabled monitors
3. A certain application opened on your computer.
How to remove participants from the Screenshare
In the Attendees window of the MC Screen app, right click on the name of the participant you want to remove. This will display the remove option that you have to click on.
How to invite an attendee during the meeting
You have the option to do so from the MC Screen app. Simply click on Invite Attendees at the bottom of the control panel. It will open a window with the instructions on how to invite attendees. You have the option to call the attendees, invite them via email and to copy the instructions and send it via direct mailing.
Webcam option
To initiate a webcam session you have to click on the Start Webcam button . We at MaestroConference prioritize voice and Screenshare over webcam stream, you may encounter syncing problems on the webcam image while using this service.
If you want to talk into your webcam during a live event, one solution we suggest is to make sure participants are viewing the Screenshare, and then ask participants to set the phone down temporarily. Since the webcam also transmits sound, you can speak into the webcam and be heard with no syncing issues. When you're ready to resume using the MaestroConference features, like taking live Q&A, or breakout groups, invite people to pick their phone back up, and continue leading the call through the telephone.
Notes on screenshare speed
If you are the host sharing your screen, we recommend that you plug directly into the internet instead of using wireless. Wireless can be flaky and can disconnect or be intermittent during an event. Your upload speed is important since you'll need bandwidth to upload your screen. Of the “high speed” internet choices, DSL has notoriously slow upload speeds.
Also, when you are sharing your webcam as you lead a call, keep in mind that the video and audio channels will not sync. This is not a bug; the phone and video channels are very different. Since phone is so much simpler and faster, participants will hear your voice first and then see you on the webcam shortly after. Often the delay is less than a second, depending on your internet upload speed, but just know that there will be a slight delay before participants see you talking to them.
Rescheduling a Call from Archive
The old Screenshare links which can be found on the Archive will not work. The Host and Participants need to use the Screenshare links that are on active conference, under the Scheduled tab.
Updated 7/12/19
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Wow. Lots of great info.
I wish there were video tutorials for this dimension and also live call support to help through this process.
Reading and doing it on my own isn't my preferred learning style.
I will give it a shot today and again on Monday before trying it live with 22 people on a call.
YIPEE
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Hi Ann, excellent question, and I know you're not alone in asking it. I agree, it's challenging to do this on your own, so if possible, I'd recommend you have two - either two people, two computers, or two monitors. One person/computer/monitor shows the screenshare, and the other runs the interface. That's simplest.
If you just have one person, computer, and monitor, and you don't want to show the interface, I would recommend getting very familiar with the Pause button on the screenshare interface. That will freeze what your participants are seeing while you do something else. For example, you can press pause while participants are viewing your Powerpoint, and then you can operate the interface without people seeing it.
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Is there a way for one person to do the presentation and the assistant or other presenter actually run the call? I can't seem to get it to work where my colleague in another location can use her screen to do the presentation but so I can handle the questions coming in and/or mute folks. Please help!
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Yes, definitely. It's probably easiest to do it the way you want: one person running the interface, the other running the screenshare. How to do it is for both people to log into the account, pull up the same conference page. Then one person clicks "Conduct Now" to launch the conductor's interface, and the other person scrolls down to the Screenshare tab and launches screenshare there. You can get quick, customized support by calling 877-414-1515 or e-mailing support@maestroconference.com.
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