Unity Comms Client Guide

 

Software: Unity Server v3 & Mobile / Desktop Client
Document v1.1 (CG) Last Updated: 10.02.20 

Table of Contents

• General Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 2

• Unity Server Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 2

• Unity Mobile Client Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Pg 3

• Unity Desktop Client Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Pg 3

• Comms Mobile and Desktop App Setup / Login Procedure . . . . . . . . Pg 4

• Unity 3 Comms App Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg 5

• Unity Software Overview Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 6

General Overview
A Unity Comms system is made up of two parts: the Unity Server installed on a Mac computer and various talk and listen to Unity Clients. Using the Mac as a server and your mobile devices (or desktop client) as comm stations and belt packs, a fully wireless system can be set up in minutes.

Connect over WiFi or Cellular to talk and listen on independent PL (party line) channels or have private conversations with individual users. Unity can also integrate with existing hard-wired intercom systems. This allows Unity to be a very inexpensive stand-alone intercom solution that can also be used to extend a comm system wireless to anywhere in the world. 

 

Unity Server Overview

Unity Server is a lightweight client that runs in the background on a Mac computer and handles the audio and user permissions for each of the connected Unity clients. The Server is lightweight enough that it can comfortably run in the background while your Mac is doing other things like running lighting software or presentation graphics. You use the Server to add and manage user accounts and to configure additional, add-on features like Unity Tally and Audio I/O.

 

Unity Comms Mobile Client Overview

Unity Comms clients are available for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. No matter which platform you’re using, you can get in on the conversation with Unity. When a user logs into a Unity client they are presented with Listen or Talk selections for each of the intercom channels they have permission for. The large “Talk” button allows for easy access when you’re busy paying attention to something else.

Note: Comms can not be used during a phone call.  

Unity Comms Desktop Client Overview

Unity Comms desktop clients for Mac and Windows allow you to stay in touch with the rest of the team without having to have your phone out on the desk. Just plug your headset into the compatible headphone jack on your computer, fire up Unity Intercom, and carry on with your production. 

Unity Intercom can be set to “float” on top of other windows so that you can push it into the corner of your screen and with just a quick click, have access to all of the features of Unity. Even better, you can assign a Tally ID to your desktop client so that when the graphics from your CG workstation go live on Program, your Unity desktop client lights up red allowing you to have Tally on your desktop.

 

Unity Comms Mobile and Desktop App Setup / Login Procedure

Please find below the information needed for the Unity Comms setup as well as a list of who will have access to which channels. Links are provided for where to download the client software for both desktop and mobile, as well as a quick operation overview video.

For Unity Comms logins, please use the following credentials:

User: (Your First Name space and Last Name) Example: Thomas Dolby (Caps for first letters)
Password: CALL FOR DETAILS (818) 842 – 2828

Windows:  http://update.unityintercom.com/windows_client/setup.exe
Mac OS X:  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/unity-client/id932618148?mt=12
Android:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.audivero.unity
iOS:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unity-intercom/id897632774?mt=8
Windows Touch:  http://update.unityintercom.com/windows_touch/setup.exe

*** Before the operation, it is ideal that computers running the Unity comms application be connected by ethernet to the local router, but if WiFi is the only option, a 5GHz connection is highly recommended over 2.4GHz to prevent audio quality and reliability issues ***

When setting up the software, the user will choose the “Direct Connection” option and then need to enter the “Settings” screen and input the following information:

IP Address: Call for IP   Port: Call for Port
IP Address: (or Wifi IP): Call for IP   Port: Call for Port

The default will have 6 Channels setup but can be customized per client:

Ch 1: Tech
Ch 2: Production
Ch 3: IFB
Ch 4: Director
Ch 5: Aux
Ch 6: ALP

 

Unity 3 Comms App Operation

Basics

Enter the username and password you set up in your
server. In most cases, you will select Direct Connection. Then click on Settings. On the settings page, you can input your IP address, generally, you can leave the port field blank. Then log in.

Once logged in click on any of the 6 Talk (Green) and Listen to (Blue) Channels to activate that channel. The Yellow bar under each listen number means that there is currently audio present on that channel. You push and hold the large center yellow Talk button to talk back down the channels you have selected. Tap the green info icon on the left to bring up the Channel Legend. Tap Users in the upper right to get a legend of all current users. Users that are actively listening will move to the top of the list and be highlighted in white. Press and hold on a user to send them a private Direct Talk. Double Tap the large center yellow Talk button to enter Latch Mode, which will keep your mic live until you press again to disable Latch Mode.

Advanced Features (Not all features covered here)
Settings Menu (Upper Left in Mobile App)
Echo Cancel
Enables built-in echo canceling. Prevents slap-back echo while slightly affecting transmit voice quality. [Default is ON]

Audio Buffer Size
Sets the audio buffer size for both transmit and receive activity. Increase this amount if excessive popping. [Default is 140ms]

 

 

Volume Menu (Bottom of Mobile App)
Other Audio
Incoming Audio Boost – Increases incoming audio Level [Default 0dB]
Mic Noise Gate – Allows Muting of Background Noise while not speaking [Default OFF]
Mic Level – Adjusts Personal Mic Level [Default 0dB]

Program Feed
Split Feed to Left / Right – Allows listening to Party Line audio in one channel and
Program audio in the other (Left / Right) [Default OFF]

Stereo Position of Feed – Allows assignment of Split Feed audio channels [Default Right] 

Program Feed Selection / Feed Level – Allows selection of available Program audio channels to listen to in addition to Party Line and Adjust level from the Program audio

Users Menu (Upper Right of Mobile App)
User List – Displays a list of active and offline users
Talk – Push to Direct Talk to a specific active user (double tap to latch)
Page – Sends a page request to offline user

Unity Software Overview Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpJ0S_jWi54&feature=emb_logo