Module Anatomy

3

4 User Operation

Talent and Producer Modes

Because the VSet Drop-In Console Module is meant to be the board operator’s interface, the controller is permanently set to Talent Mode. This means that all lines selected from the line columns will be sent to the corresponding hybrid and that there is no means for screening calls in Producer mode like on the VSet6 or VSet12 phone-sets.

With the VSet6 and VSet12, certain functions work differently in “Talent” versus “Producer” mode. Therefore, it is important that your staff understand the difference between these two modes and that the drop-in module is Talent Mode ONLY!

Line Status Display

On the Home Screen, each phone line has a portion of the display that shows symbols and info about the line such as status and Caller ID:

… The Line is ready for incoming or outgoing calls

… The Line is ringing

… The Line is On Fader 1

… The Line is On Fader 2

… The Line is Locked on Fader 1

… The Line is Locked on Fader 2

… The Line is on Hold

… The Line is on Screened Hold and will be seized when NEXT >> is pressed

… The Line is ready for ENBLOC Dialing --- more on that later.

… The Line is in use elsewhere, perhaps in another studio. Shhhh…

… The Line is Blocked

Line Button Columns

Each line has 2 associated buttons to the left and to the right of the OLED displays. Pressing a left line button puts that line on Hybrid 1. Pressing the right line button puts that line on Hybrid 2. If a call is already on the air, pressing the button a second time locks the line, or if already locked, unlocks it. Lines that are locked cannot be dropped or placed on hold. Not to worry, we’ve made it difficult to accidentally drop a call. A locked or unlocked call can be placed on the opposite Hybrid at any time by pressing the button from the corresponding column.

The line buttons also have LED lamps within them to provide status indication for the lines in addition to the Line Status Display. These lamps follow standard 1A2 protocol:

Hold Button

Holds a line that is “off hook” and unlocked. If more than one line is on, unlocked, and in the same column, then all of those lines will be held.

When a call is on hold, the caller will be able to hear the audio that is sent to the POH input of the system. Selecting that line from either column will take the call out of hold and place it on the corresponding hybrid.

Drop Button

This button drops all calls in a column that are active and unlocked. There are separate drop buttons for the left and right line columns.

Lock

Normally, placing a call on the hybrid causes any others on the same hybrid to be dropped. If you need to conference two or more calls on the same hybrid, you can use the lock function. Press an already on-air line button to lock it. The OLED display will show that the line has been locked. Pressing the button again unlocks the line. Locked calls remain on-the hybrid until they are unlocked. The Drop and Hold buttons have no effect on a locked line. A call can be switched from one hybrid to the other without unlocking the line. Simply press line button on the opposite column and the call will stay locked as it switches to the other hybrid.

Next Button

This button puts the “next” call on Hybrid 1. The NEXT priority is as follows:

1. Longest waiting screened hold

2. Longest waiting hold

3. Longest ringing-in

The Producer VSet can manually override these and assign priority as desired.

When the Next button is used to take a new call, if the current call is not locked, it will be dropped when the new call is placed on the hybrid. If the line is locked, the new call will be added to the hybrid by the Next button.

Block All

Pressing this button will cause all inactive and ringing lines to be dropped and blocked from handling any calls. Calls on-air, on the handset, on hold and the fixed lines will not be affected. The usual application for this function is to let you prevent early callers from getting in on contests until after you’ve made the announcement and released the lines to accept calls.

HOT TIP:

As you may know, there have been several lawsuits regarding the “fairness” of radio contests. By consistently activating the Busy All feature before announcing a contest, your staff will reduce the liability for the station.

When block all mode is selected, as lines become available, they will automatically “go busy.” Pressing Block All again will release the lines and allow incoming and outgoing calls.

When Block All is active, the Block All button will illuminate on the VSet Console Module. On other VSet Phone-sets in the same studio, a small letter ‘B’ will appear in the upper right hand corner of the main screen.

Note:

Block All will affect any lines that are shared between studios. So if a you are seeing a blocked line on a VSet that is not in Block All mode, odds are there is a studio in the building that has Block All active.

Numeric Keypad

This section is used for dialing out either on the handset or on air. The VSet operates differently depending on which system it is connected to.

PRO TIP:

The DTMF “Touch Tones” used by telephones can be easily decoded. When dialing on the air, do not enter private numbers or passwords without first turning off the hybrid’s audio on your console or this private information will be broadcast.

Hx6 & iQ6

When the VSet is used with the Hx6 or the iQ6, the VSet will operate like a normal POTS phone. When a line is selected, dial tone will be heard. When a number is dialed it will be dialed in real time with DTMF tones.

When the last digit is entered, you will either hear ring-back, busy, or re-order tone (or dead air followed by the operator error message if you didn’t enter enough correct digits). Hopefully, if you hear ring-back tone, it doesn’t last for too long and the correct party answers. On with the show!

Vx Engine

When the VSet is used with the Vx Engine, the VSet will operate like a VoIP phone and ENBLOC dialing is used. When a line is selected, no dial tone is heard and the line will not be seized until the call is executed.

While a number is being composed, the digits will appear in the line info field. During this time, the selected line is blocked and all other VSets on the network will display the Line as ‘in-use’ to avoid glare and unwanted interruptions.

After a number is entered, the Pound (#) key initiates the connection, similar to a cell-phone. After pressing the Pound (#) key, you will not hear any DTMF tones, just a short pause and your call will be completed, presuming you entered the correct digits. There is a timeout function to execute the send command after a predetermined amount of time after the last digit is dialed. See the Preferences section.

With ENBLOC dialing, you have the opportunity to correct any dialing mistakes by dropping the line and starting over before executing the call and sending audio to the console. The keypad works during an active call to generate DTMF tones for use with voice mail, automated attendants, and being obnoxious on the air.

CURIOSITY NOTE:

We don’t know why the condition of picking up a line which was about to ring and getting an incoming call instead of dial tone is called “Glare.” Perhaps it’s because of the looks air staff give engineers when this happens too often! If you find out, be sure to let us know.

Take it Easy

We’ve built a lot of flexibility into the Vx system to support all the sophisticated things you might want to do. But you don’t have to use all the fancy-pants stuff when you don’t need it

and a simpler subset will do.

In the simplest case, when you are a talent supported by a producer, you could just use the NEXT and DROP buttons. You press the NEXT button to take calls in the sequence determined by your producer and you press the DROP button when you are finished with your last call and you want to stop taking more.

One step up would have you pressing the Line buttons to select the calls you want, one at a time. Again, when you are finished taking calls, you would press DROP. You could use the left column Line buttons to talk with callers on the handset.

At the next level, you would use either the Lock function or the dual hybrid capability to take calls.

One recommended application for the dual hybrid function is the “expert caller” scenario where you are interviewing an expert caller (a doctor and so forth) and you would like to do some Q&A with other callers. Using the right line column, simply lock the expert on Hybrid 2 and use the left column or the Next button to take the other calls. The expert caller will never be dropped by accident and will never hear the sync burst when new calls are taken.

5 Menu Button

Menu Button

Pressing the Menu Button sends you to the main menu screen. This is where you will find all of the features and functions that do not appear on the main screen because they will not be used as often. After pressing the Menu Button, the menu screen will appear on the display and the Menu Button will illuminate.

Selections from the menus are made using the corresponding line keys to the left of the items in the display.

Call History

Select this item and you will be presented with a call history for the talkshow system to which the module is connected. The Call History will include out-bound, in-bound, and missed calls from all VSets connected to the same system. This list is cleared when the main talkshow system is rebooted or if the call history is cleared within the talkshow system.

Address Book

The address book in the VSet is set within the talkshow system to which the module is connected. Please refer to the manual for your Vx or Hx/iQ system for entering numbers into the phone book.

Select Show (Vx Only)

This item allows you to recall a show configuration that has been set up and stored within the Vx Engine. Because they are single show systems, there is no show preset function with the Hx6 and iQ6. For more info about setting up a show, please consult the Vx Engine Manual.

Status and About

These two menu items will display information about the local VSet, that’s the one in front of you.

The Status Screen will tell you things that are happening inside your VSet in real time. This screen can be used for diagnostics and general information about your VSet on the network.

The About Screen is the about screen. It tells you about the VSet, software, talkshow system, etc.

Give it a look.

Setup Menu

Here is where all of the network settings regarding the VSet reside. The IP address assigned to the VSet will be entered into the VSet IP Address field and the Subnet mask will be entered into the VSet Netmask field. When the IP is entered, press the corresponding left line key to accept the entered IP address. If this is not done, selecting another field will force the IP/Subnet to revert to the previously entered value.

VSet Gateway

Do not enter a value for VSet Gateway unless instructed to do so by Telos Support.

HTTP Server

Enabling the HTTP Server function allows you to access the VSet’s web GUI from any computer connected to the network by typing the VSet’s IP address into a web browser. If you don’t want to allow people to access the web GUI to make changes, disable this function. More on this later.

Telnet Server

Enabling the Telnet Server function allows you to access the VSet using telnet services such as Pathfinder or Putty for control and diagnostics. Disable this if your Studio does not use Pathfinder for control automation and to keep unauthorized users from accessing the telnet port.

Reset to Factory

This does exactly what you think it might. Once you select this option, there is no turning back. All parameters will have to be reset. Use this as a last resort.

Test Mode

This is an advanced diagnostic system for advanced users. Multiple presses of the Test Mode key will put the module into a standalone hardware test mode. There are tests for keyboard function, OLED display function and LED function. Follow the on-display instructions to navigate test mode.

Engine Setup Menu

Here is where you will find all of the settings regarding the Telos system to which you want the VSet to communicate. After initial setup, there will be very few adjustments you may need to make to these settings.

Engine IP

Use this input field to tell the VSet with which Telos system to connect. If there are multiple Talkshow Systems on the network (Nx 6/12, iQ6, Hx6, or Vx Engine), you can manually dial the IP for the system you want into this field. Once the IP is entered, press the line key to the left of Engine IP to accept the IP. If the line key is not pressed, the IP will revert to the previous entry when the next field is selected.

Vx Engine List

If you just can’t remember the IP addresses of all the talkshow systems on your network, not to worry. When this menu item is selected, the VSet will display all of the compatible Talkshow Systems that are available on the network with their IP addresses. Select a system by using the soft keys or by pressing the line button to the left of the system to which you wish to connect.

User and Password

The VSet needs to log itself into the system in order to communicate. In these two fields you will enter the user name and password for the Talkshow system to which you want the VSet to connect. The factory default username is: user and there is no password, so leave the password field blank. To change the user name and password, please refer to the manual for the talkshow system with which you are working.

Select Studio

Use this item to select the Studio for the VSet. Hx6 and iQ6 is only capable of handling one Studio. In this case, the studio is Hybrid 1&2. For info on setting up a Studio in Vx, please refer to the Vx Engine Manual.

User Preferences Menu

Within this menu you will find parameters that dictate how the VSet and the connected talkshow system will operate.

Auto Hold

This menu item enables or disables the Auto Hold function for the studio. When enabled, a call will automatically be answered and placed on hold by the talkshow system. When a call comes in, the caller will hear POH until the call is picked up. When Auto Hold is disabled, the incoming call will ring in as usual. This is a global setting and all connected VSet Phone Sets will display a small letter “H” in the upper right hand corner of the screen when Auto Hold is enabled.

Lockless Mode

This feature turns off the Call Lock function to allow the VSet’s On-Air Line Buttons to operate more like an office phone. With this function enabled, you will be able to seize and drop calls from the Line Buttons instead of using the Drop button.

BEWARE:

With Lockless Mode DISABLED, an on-air call is locked with the second push of the Line Button. With Lockless Mode ENABLED, an on-air call will be dropped with the second push of the Line Button. So if you have On-Airs who are used to office phones, use this feature. If you have On-Airs who are used to the previous Telos Phone Systems, do not use this feature. You have been warned!

Auto Dial Timeout

Use this menu item to control how long of a delay is desired before executing a call after the last digit is dialed. Remember that the Vx uses the SIP standard ENBLOC dialing plan which requires the push of a send button. On this controller, the pound (#) key is used as the “send” button. This timeout will allow the user to dial using the old POTS method and the send command will be executed after this amount of time.

Brightness

This item controls the brightness of the OLED display on the VSet controller.

6 Web Graphical User Interface

The Web GUI can be viewed with a browser on a computer on the same network as the VSet and its hybrid / Vx Engine.

With HTTP Server enabled on the VSet, key the IP address of the VSet into a web browser and you will be asked to log into the VSet.

The Default login is:

User Name: user

Password:

Screenshot

This button will load the current VSet display onto the browser for troubleshooting and diagnostics. Just copy and paste.

Config

Use this function to backup the configuration of the VSet. This makes it easy to reload settings into the VSet if it happens to forget what it’s supposed to do, or if you replace the VSet.

Once the VSet is all set and ready to go, click the Backup Button. This will allow you to save an XML file to your computer. To load a configuration file, click the Browse button and select the appropriate XML file. The file will display in the config section to confirm. Once you have confirmed the file, click Restore.

Note: The network configuration, i.e. IP address and net mask, will not be saved in the config file, therefore cannot be restored. You will have to enter those manually using the steps in the Installation chapter of this manual.

Firmware Upgrade and Version

The time may come to update the firmware inside the VSet. Firmware updates fix problems that may exist and improve on functionality in general.

The first step is to get the new firmware onto your PC. This will usually de via a download from the Telos website or an email attachment from Telos customer support. The file will have the extension *.vspk. When the firmware is available on you PC, click the Browse Button to locate it, and then click Upgrade to load it into the inactive bank on the VSet.

Once the software loads into the VSet, it is now necessary to reboot the VSet into the new firmware. To do this, click on the inactive bank’s radio button in the Firmware Version section of the GUI, and after confirming that this bank has the new firmware on it, click Change Bank.

The VSet will reboot and when it comes back to life, it will be running the new firmware. To verify, you can look at the very top of the GUI and read the software version and build date. If you are still not convinced, you can press the Menu Button on the VSet and navigate to the About Screen.

IMPORTANT:

DO NOT run the software on your computer. The software is meant to run on the VSet. So if you have your browser set to automatically run downloaded files, turn it off for this process.

User Password

Here is where you will enter and confirm a new password for the web GUI. The default is no password, blank. All current Telos default passwords are blank. So if a new password is created, you must remember it, or else you will not be able to log back into the GUI.

If the password is changed and forgotten, it can be reset to blank by resetting the VSet to factory defaults. To do this navigate to Menu / Setup / Reset to Factory.

Syslog Server Configuration

The VSet will communicate to a network logging system or a Syslog. If your studio network has a Syslog server and you want the VSet to appear in the logs, enter its IP address here.

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