Marratech
From NCEAS Knowledge Base
Contents |
What is Marratech
Marratech is a video conferencing software which allows high quality conferencing and whiteboard sharing. It works on Linux, OS X and Windows and supports H.264 and dial out to SIP and H.323 systems. Most USB and Firewire cameras will work with Marratech. We recommend using a headset to minimize feedback and to be able to better adjust the volume level. Get a recommended webcam and headset for a better experience.
Client Download
Marratech can be run as a Java Web Start application, or as client software. We have had better luck with the client software, download it directly:
 Windows 2000/XP/Vista
Version 6.1, 31.4 MB |  OS X
Version 6.1.2, 8.8 MB |  Linux
Version 6.1, 39.5 MB |
Installing Marratech
Installing Marratech is the normal 'click Next' process. When you start it up the first time it will ask a few questions:
- Your Name: This will identify you to the other participants.
- Network Connection: You can probably choose 'unlimited' if you are at your academic institution. At home you probably want to choose "Premium or Quality DSL/cable'. Please note, dial-up is not fast enough for this service.
- Capture Device: It should automatically detect your camera.
- Audio Input/Output: Preferably choose a headset unless you have a conferencing speaker/microphone. You want to make sure it has good echo canceling.
- The default setting under 'miscellaneous' is fine.
Installing on Windows Vista, Windows 7
- After the client has installed there is one more step to ensure Marratech optimum performance.
- Enter your Programs list and right click the Marratech icon, then select Properties - Compatibility. Select Windows XP from the drop down list, check the Run program as Administrator, then Apply and OK
- Delete the old jre folder. Copy the folder from c:/Program Files (x86)/java/jre1.6.0 to c:/Programs Files(x86)/Marratech/Marratech6.1/jre.
Installing on OS X 10.5
- If you are experiencing flickering, or if Marratech does not start while running on OS X 10.5, install MarraFix.
- If you get "chipmunk voice" on MAC with a USB headset. Disconnect mic or headphones it will eliminate the issue.
Installing on Ubuntu (i386 or AMD64)
Follow instructions in Installing Marratech On Linux .
Note: Only certain cameras and microphones work well in Marratech on Linux, and it may be easiest to use a OS X or Windows machine if available.
Using Marratech
- Type meet.nceas.ucsb.edu into the address bar. (It will say http://sessiondirectory/ which you need to overwrite.)
- Go to Tools - Options - Viewer
- Set Home Page to Use Current Page
- At Startup, Show: Home Page
- Choose the Public room in which your group is meeting, either Auditorium (unlimited seats), Bronze, Gold, or Silver.
- Note the 3 buttons on the bottom right:
- You will need to click on the camera icon to transmit your video.
- The speaker button should already be pressed down.
- Hold down the microphone button to speak. You can also ctrl-click it to have it be set permanently. However, to minimize echo we recommend that only the presenter is doing so.
- The main video in the upper right corner will show the person who is speaking.
- On Windows Vista, if headset does not workn (grayed out, NA listed). Go into Windows sound controller to select the headset.
The Whiteboard
The Whiteboard is ideal for sharing and commenting documents and drawings, taking meeting minutes, scribbling and sketching, etc. It supports multiple pages which in turn can be used simultaneously by several users. To view the Whiteboard, click on the Whiteboard selector button in the lower left corner.
Presentations from within Marratech
You can share Powerpoint Presentations by opening the document within the Whiteboard. If you are using a Mac you will have to convert the Powerpoint document to a PDF file first:
File → Open → Powerpoint or PDF document
The Presenter should enable Document → Lead Page Changes, everybody else should leave the setting as Document → Follow Page Changes.
Further information is available under 'Help' within the Marratech client or here.
Marratech Schedule
- The schedule can be found here.
- If you would like to add scheduling information to the calender or share the schedule within Google Calender, please email help@nceas.ucsb.edu.
Marratech and firewalls
Some institutions use firewalls to restrict the flow of certain data over their networks, and these restrictions can partially or completely disable Marratech. In order for Marratech to work, any firewalls along the communication path must be configured to allow the client to access the server. The ports that are necessary to be opened are described in the Marratech firewall guide ([1]).
Making Marratech Recordings
To record your meeting, with Power Point presentation whiteboard.
- Document → Lead Page Changes click on.
- File → Open → MS Power Point (Windows) or PDF file (Mac)
Verify that the slides are loaded
- File → Instant record
Use the play and record buttons on the lower right (Hold down the ctrl and click the mic for always on)
To playback your meeting
- Close and restart Marratech or delete all old slides.
- File → Start Playback
Issues on playback
- If you restart the playback, you have to select the first slide.
- Sometime playback slides will lag behind video. If this happens, stop and restart playback.
Watching Marratech Recordings
Watch a short screencast (1m40s) on playing back recorded Marratech sessions.
Connecting to the Polycom VSX 7000e (for NCEAS' IT support)
- Set up our Polycom VSX 7000e
- Enter the e-meeting room
- Make sure you are in the 'Viewer' tab
- Type the hostname or IP address of the Polycom as the Phone number in the Dial out section and click Call
