With the release of GoToMeeting v5.4, some of you have run into issues editing your new recordings in Microsoft Expression Encoder, here is the reason and solution.
Some changes made to the GoToMeeting codec in v5.4, this was done to add compatibility with Windows 8. MS Expression Encoder is having issues with the new codec which is why it cannot play/edit your new recordings.
GoToMeeting will be fixing this issue with the release of v5.5, but until then we have a new codec that you can download and install separately on your PC. If you are not comfortable following these steps, please call GoToMeetings toll free Support and one of the Support Representatives will connect to your PC and install the codec for you.
2. Move the codec to your Desktop if it wasn’t saved there automatically.
3. Click Start > Programs > Accessories and then right click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
4. In the Command Prompt type: CD \Users\yourname\Desktop (Where it says yourname enter your Windows login name i.e. if you login as Brian enter brian, if you login as Brian.Wilson enter brian.wilson), then hit Enter
5. In the Command Prompt type regsvr32 C:\Users\youname\Desktop\G2MCodec.dll then hit Enter
You should then see the following:
After you’ve successfully registered the new .dll, open Expression Encoder and re-encode the recordings you were having issues with earlier, Expression Encoder should work normally to convert the recordings.
Something I have been asked about numerous times over the last couple of years is, “How can I use GoToMeeting with GMail/Google Calendar?” While I have shared a couple of methods in the past, they were more “work arounds” than actual solutions. Today I am very excited to share with you a real solution that comes from an actual GoToMeeting customer!
Kevin Lenane has used the GoToMeeting API to create a Chrome extension, that lets you schedule a meeting right in Google Calendar. It’s called “GoToMeeting Calendar Sync for Gmail“ and it is very easy to use.
Just install the extension in Chrome by clicking this link
Open Google Calendar and create an Event, set the date and time for when you want to hold the meeting.
On the right hand side, check the box that says Add GoToMeeting Invite
A 2nd window will open and you will be asked to enter you GoToMeeting login details. You will have to repeat the login step every couple of weeks, as it expires.
The GoToMeeting details will be automatically pasted into the Event description field, and added to your scheduled meetings. Brilliant!
Kevin points out: “There is definitely some room for improvement – for instance, it doesn’t auto update when you move the meeting (you have to refresh) but I’ll wait until people use it first and get a little feedback before updating…”
If you use Kevin’s extension, please be sure to thank him and leave a great review in the Chrome Web Store! Thanks again Kevin!
As you may already know (or have just discovered), when you record a GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar or GoToTraining, a codec is applied to the WMV file. The codec is used to compress the size of the recording, but unfortunately it can get in the way when you try to edit the file.
The good news is that you can always remove the codec from your recording, here are the 3 methods:
Method 1
Configure the GoToMeeting Recording Preferences to automatically remove the codec at the end of the session. This is handy because it’s an automatic process but the down side is it ties up your PC right after your session.
Method 2
Use the free Expression Encoder from Microsoft as documented here to remove the codec and edit the recording. The benefit of this method is it lets you remove to codec whenever you want plus you can edit the recording. The downside is the free version of this application does not let you convert the recording from WMV to another format, but there are other free applications you can use to achieve this.
The 3rd method is actually a version of the 1st method, and comes to you via a very talented co-worker @GoToDane.
Dane has written a batch file that uses the built in transcoder installed with GoToMeeting, to remove the codec as it would normally do if you followed method 1. The benefit being you can do it whenever you want, rather than have it automatically start at the end of your session.
It’s quite straight forward:
You simply download this batch file on to a Windows PC that has GoToMeeting installed on it.
Drag-n-drop the WMV file onto the BATCH file.
Enter the GoToMeeting build number and hit enter. To find out your build number simply right click the GoToMeeting icon in your System Tray and select About.
Please note:
GoToMeeting must be installed for the BATCH file to work.
The BATCH file should work on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. It has been tested on Windows 7 x64, Windows Vista x86, and Windows XP x86.
Trans-coding video is a big job, so exit all unnecessary applications on your computer before you start. If you computer is struggling for resources during the conversion process, it can result in corrupt files and trans-coding errors.
Shorten the file name and remove any special characters, they can cause issues when trans-coding.
Make a back up copy of the original recording, in case something goes wrong.
I would like to thank everyone who have left comments, and shared their own helpful tips!
You’ve scheduled a GoToWebinar where you plan to demonstrate some new product or features that you plan to release in the future. After posting the registration link for your webinar you realize that someone other than your desired audience has registered (for example someone from a competing company), and you do not want them seeing your demonstration.
So how do you stop them attending when they have already registered?
Solution:
Log into your GoToWebinar account and edit the registration for your scheduled webinar. Change the registration method to Manual/Upon Approval, after that you can go to your list of registrants and only approve the ones you want and even select to deny the unwanted registrant.
Recently a GoToMeeting customer posted in the community asking how they could use their IP Webcam with GoToMeeting HDFaces. As GoToMeeting only recognizes webcams connected to the computer I was about to reply that it was not possible, that was until I remembered a blog post from last year, made by a good friend of mine. Chris worked out how you could play video through GoToMeetings HDFaces feature using an application called ManyCam (you can read it here).
I had a hunch and decided to read through the ManyCam documentation, and it turns out that one of the sources ManyCam will let you choose is IP Webcams! So if you have an IP Webcam or video equipment that can broadcast online, you can follow Chris’ guide and select it as the Source in ManyCam and it will display in the HDFaces window!
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
19,000 people fit into the new Barclays Center to see Jay-Z perform. This blog was viewed about 89,000 times in 2012. If it were a concert at the Barclays Center, it would take about 5 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
It’s been a while since I posted anything about GoToMyPC and mobile Apps, there have been some great updates so I thought it was time for another look.
For those of you who are not familiar with GoToMyPC, it allows you to connect and control your Windows PC or Mac from another location. You can use another PC or Mac, or you can connect using free Apps available for iOS and Android. Unlike some other solutions out there, GoToMyPC shows you the actual desktop of your Computer (called a Host), and lets you launch and control applications just as if you were sitting there.
If you are like me, trying to balance a busy work schedule with my day to day life, you know it’s sometimes hard to tear yourself away from your computer. With the availability of smartphones and tablets, along with WiFi hot spots, it’s finally easier to leave the office and still be available should you be needed.
Getting started is simple, even if you don’t already have an account. Visit www.gotomypc.com from the computer you are wanting to connect to from another location, sign up for a 30 day free trial and install the Host software (you can cancel the trial easily online at anytime). The next step is to download the App for your device.
Once installed, launch the App and login using your Email address and the account password you created (choosing to save the password will make your next session even quicker). Tap on the Host computer you want to connect to and enter the access code (secondary password), you created when you installed the Host software.
Once you connect you’ll see a list of the available gestures you can use, don’t worry if you closed this window right away as you can always summon it back using the tool bar menu. There are a couple of minor differences between the iOS and Android Apps, mostly where things are displayed on the tool bar.
The real fun starts once you connected to your Host, you can pinch to zoom in up to 300%, this makes navigating around your dual monitored Host relatively easy, even on a 4 inch smartphone screen. Rather than drag the mouse icon around the screen, just tap on the screen where you want it and then use pinch to zoom to be more precise. You can launch applications on your Host and operate them normally, navigate Excel spreadsheets, check webcams and security cameras and even print payroll checks.
Typing can be done via the onscreen keyboard, if you use iOS use this method to use the built in spell check:
Hit abc on the keyboard and type an unlimited amount of text, then hit send to send it to your host. This enables you to use the built in spell check.
Another fun option is to dictate using the text using these two methods:
Use Siri if you have an iPhone 4S or 5: Place the cursor where you want the text, summon the keyboard, tap ABC and then the microphone icon. Tap done when finished.
Use Google voice to dictate text on Android: Place cursor where you want the text, summon the keyboard and tap the microphone icon.
If you have a Bluetooth keyboard for your iPad or Android tablet, you can use it to type and virtually replace the need of a laptop.
Finally, here are a couple of tips for my fellow Android users out there:
Pick up one of these mini Bluetooth keyboards with the built in track pad, when you connect to your Host via the GoToMyPC App you will have full the control of the mouse pointer! My second tip is for those of you upgrading your Android device soon, consider picking up the Samsung Galaxy Note II, also pictured above. GoToMyPC recognizes the S Pen when you remove it from its dock and gives you the following functionality:
Jump Navigation - Hover over the screen and press and release the S Pen button to see the entire desktop. Then tap where you would like to jump to and it will zoom.
Hover or Tap - Hover with the pen to show tool tips or perform other actions triggered by hovering. Use the precision of the pen to easily tap or press small items.
Press and Drag - Press and hold for a moment and then drag in order to drag-select or move items.
