Recording an iLinc Session

Note: This page provides instructions for setting up your computer and recording an iLinc session with teleconferencing only.

Computer Setup for iLinc with Teleconferencing

To record an iLinc session when the audio portion is conducted through your local teleconferencing service, you will need a special device that connects the telephone to the recording computer. This device is called a ‘DynaMetric’ and is available from http://www.dynametric.com (NWCPHP uses the DynaMetric Telephone Transmit Patch model TMP-636S). If it is possible, NWCPHP recommends that you use two separate computers: one for recording the session, the other for participating.

1. First, begin by connecting the DynaMetric recorder device to your telephone. Unplug the handset from the back of the phone and plug the silver colored phone cable from the DynaMetric into the place where the headset on the phone used to be plugged in.
   
2. Second, plug the audio cable (The one with the small 1/8^th inch audio jack on it) into the microphone input on the back of your PC. Be sure not to plug it into the line-in input as this will not work when attempting to record.
3. Next, you should test the equipment and configuration by recording some audio and playing it back. We recommend using the built in ‘Windows Sound Recorder’ program. If you’re using Windows 2000 or XP, go to:
   Start > Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder.
1. Before pressing the record button on the sound recorder, you will want to dial a friend and ask them to talk into the phone to make sure you are receiving the appropriate audio levels. This step helps to ensure a good quality recording.
2. Once you are connected by phone, click the record button on the Sound Recorder. You should see the level viewer change indicating that sound is being recorded. Pay attention to the sound you hear and the appearance of the level viewer. You do not want the sound levels to be too high. If the signal is too strong clipping will occur, which will result in a distorted sound when the audio is played back. The image below shows an example of a “clipped” audio recording.



To Remedy a Clipping Problem:

• Decrease the audio levels on your phone. Many phones have a volume button or slider that you can adjust; you will want to decrease the volume until the point where clipping does not occur in the Sound Recorder.
  
  
• Another solution is to decrease your microphone input volume. This can be accomplished by double clicking on the speaker icon in the Windows task tray. Next, select the Options Menu, and then click the Properties item. Select the Recording Radio button and make certain the Microphone checkbox is selected.
  
  
  The Result will be an input selection slider. The Microphone input checkbox should be selected. The volume can now be adjusted to receive the appropriate audio levels.
  
  
  

Recording the iLinc Session

After configuring the DynaMetric device, you should be ready to record the iLinc session. To prevent unwanted interruptions of your recording, verify the following prerequisites.

• Turn off all screen saver functions.
• Turn off any Power Saver features that may be turned on such as screen blanking or sleeping.
• While recording, move your mouse cursor away from the center of the screen to a corner. It will appear in the final recording if you do not.
  

1. To begin, join your iLinc session.
2. Dial the phone number and enter the passcode (if necessary) to join your conference call.
3. Once in the session and conference call, click Session in the menu bar and select Record Session.
   
   
   
4. A window will open allowing you to set the audio source. Select Local Audio in the Audio Source box.
   
   
   
5. Click the Start Recording button. The recording window will minimize and the recording will begin.
6. To stop and save the recording, re-open the recording window by clicking on the recording icon in the Windows system tray. Select the location to save the file.