If you are experiencing trouble connecting to SDI’s Zoom meetings and webinars, these tips and tricks can help you diagnose your issue.
Zoom Best Practices
- Connect with an ethernet cable for faster internet (as opposed to WiFi).
- Make sure you have the most updated Zoom Software.
- Use Google Chrome or Safari as your browser.
- Quit high bandwidth programs not needed during live classes.
- Have the Zoom phone numbers on hand as a backup connection (if available).
- Use a comfortable headset during the session.
- Remove or turn off sound generating devices (landline telephones, cell phones, fans).
- Should you choose to be on video, check your lighting so that your face is visible and not shaded or backlit.
- If you have any trouble connecting to Zoom during class, please connect by phone
- If you continue to have issues, please read the troubleshooting steps below.
- If you still require assistance, contact [email protected] for additional support, or use the Live Chat function in the lower corner of this webpage.
Test Video Call
If you aren’t familiar with Zoom, we recommend you use the Test video call, where you can make sure your speakers, microphone, and video (if necessary) are working. You can also experiment with the various in-meeting controls such as Chat and Reactions.
- Visit http://zoom.us/test.
- Click the Join button to launch Zoom.
You will be redirected to launch the meeting from the browser:- If you have the Zoom desktop client installed on your computer, click Open Zoom.us to launch Zoom.
- If you don’t have the Zoom desktop client installed on your computer, click download and run Zoom to download, install, and then run Zoom.
- If you cannot download or run the Zoom desktop client on your computer, click join from your browser.Â
Keep Zoom Up To Date
Zoom regularly updates their software which can fix problems and make other things work better. Please keep your Zoom software up to date.
Mute Your Audio
Generally, it is good to keep your audio muted, so it doesn’t cause any meeting distractions. Here’s how to mute your audio (and unmute if you have something to share, such as a question)
Muting your microphone when joining a meeting – Zoom Support
Video Layout Controls
To learn about the various controls in Zoom, such as switching between Speaker and Gallery view, or pinning a particular speaker to see them only, read this tutorial:
Participant Controls
To learn about the various controls in Zoom, such as how to use chat, how to Raise Hand, read this tutorial:
Basic Zoom Troubleshooting Tips
I can’t hear anything.
Testing audio before Zoom Meetings – Zoom Support
My camera doesn’t work.
Testing your video – Zoom Support
I only want to see the Speaker, and not everybody else.
Click the ‘View’ option, and select ‘Speaker view’
I want to see everybody else, not just the Speaker.
Click the ‘View’ option, and select ‘Gallery view’
I can’t see the Chat window.
Click the ‘Chat’ button in your controls.
The Chat window is in my way.
click the ‘X’ in the Chat window to close it. You can always open it again anytime.
Layout when screen sharing
When viewing shared content, you will have the 3 following view options:
- Standard: Similar to Speaker view, where the shared content is below and other videos tiles are along the top. When in fullscreen, the shared content will fill the screen and video tiles will become smaller, movable thumbnails.
- Side-by-side: Speaker: When in side-by-side mode, the meeting window is split between the shared content and video thumbnails, with the ability to adjust the proportions of the split between the two. Side-by-side: Speaker will only show the active speaker in the portion containing video thumbnails.
- Side-by-side: Gallery: When in side-by-side mode, the meeting window is split between the shared content and video thumbnails, with the ability to adjust the proportions of the split between the two. Side-by-side: Gallery will display a maximum of 6 (when the shared content is given the most space) or 49 video thumbnails (when the shared content is given the least space) in the portion containing video thumbnails.
Any of these views can be used when the meeting window is maximized as well.
