LapLink MN-LGD011-XX-US Starting Voice Chat, Talking in Voice Chat, Talking using half duplex

Starting Voice Chat

To start Voice Chat:

1Click the Open Voice Chat button on the Shortcut bar. Or click Open Voice Chat on the Window menu.

2The person on the other end of the connection is “called” and asked whether he or she wants to talk with you.

If the Voice Chat connection is accepted, a Voice Chat window opens, and you can begin talking to the other person.

TIP If you have opened a connection to multiple remote computers, click a window for the desired connection before starting Voice Chat.

Talking in Voice Chat

To use Voice Chat, you speak into the microphone and lis- ten through headphones or speakers. If the other person can’t hear you very well, increase the microphone level in the Voice Chat window. If the other person’s voice is too loud or too soft, change the speaker level.

NOTE Although there are other volume/level controls in Windows, it is recommended that you use the ones in LapLink for best results.

Depending on the configuration of the sound card in both computers, you may be able to talk as you would on a tele- phone; that is, your voice and the voice of the other user can be transmitted simultaneously. This is known as full duplex.

If you and the other user are not using full duplex, you must talk as you would on a walkie-talkie; that is, you must wait for the other person to finish before you begin. The trans- mission of just one voice at a time is known as half duplex.

. . . Talking to someone using Voice Chat

Voice Chat conversations are always half duplex unless both sound cards are configured for full duplex. The indica- tor at the top of the Voice Chat window shows whether your current conversation is half duplex or full duplex.

Voice Chat provides an alternate method you can use to talk using Voice Chat, known as Manual mode; see page 150.

Talking using half duplex

When you are having a half-duplex conversation, refer to the stoplight icon in the lower right corner of the Voice Chat window to know when you can talk. When the light is green or the text says “Talk,” you can talk. When the light is red or the text says “Don’t Talk,” you should wait until the other per- son has finished talking.

TIP Saying “over” when you are finished talking may help facilitate conversation.

Notice that the stoplight icon is also available on the LapLink status bar, so you can minimize the Voice Chat window and continue talking.

Configuring your sound card for full duplex

Some sound cards can be reconfigured for full duplex merely by updating to new sound card driver software. Con- tact your sound card manufacturer to find out whether your sound card is capable of full duplex. Updated sound card drivers are usually available on the manufacturer’s website.

Remember that the sound card of the person you’re talking to also must be configured as full duplex in order for you to talk in full duplex.

NOTE Over slower connections, you may not be able to use full duplex, because of the lower bandwidth of the con- nection.

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