Mira Connect FAQs

FAQs

How can Mira Connect and Zoom Rooms be used together?

There are two ways that Mira Connect and Zoom Rooms can work together:

  1. Mira Connect software can be used to provide room control to any Zoom Rooms controller through Zoom’s native room control. See our Zoom Rooms JSON article for more information about how to do this. This is the recommended option for new installations as it works with any Zoom Rooms controller solution and gives users access to the latest Zoom Rooms features.
  2. Mira Connect software or a Mira Connect appliance can control a Zoom Rooms computer (Mac or Windows) using the Zoom Rooms CS-API protocol. When controlling the Zoom Rooms directly, Mira Connect can dial Zoom meetings from meeting invitations or from the Zoom directory. Mira Connect can start sharing-only meetings. Mira Connect can control multiple cameras in the room – including selecting which camera to send to the remote sites. Mira Connect can control the layout of the conferencing participants on the local screen. Mira Connect can control your audio settings – including mute and volume – and advanced settings such as speech reinforcement, overflow room audio, assistive listening, dialing telephony interfaces, and audio and video source switching.

Can I use a Zoom Rooms Controller and Mira Connect software together?

Yes, you can use any Zoom Rooms controller from leading manufacturers or the iPad or Android versions and Mira Connect software together to control Zoom and your entire room from the Zoom Rooms controller using the Zoom Native Room Control JSON files that Mira Portal generates automatically. See our Zoom Rooms JSON article for how to do this.

Can Mira Connect software run on the same PC as a Zoom Rooms system?

Yes, Mira Connect software can run as a service in the background on any Windows PC running the Zoom Rooms application.

Does the room control API work with both the Mira Connect software and Mira Connect appliances?

While the room control API is initially released only for the Mira Connect software, it is planned to be available for Mira Connect appliances in a future software release.

Can I use the remote control feature and the room control API at the same time?

Yes, with Mira Connect software you always have access to the remote control feature for getting the Mira Connect UI in a browser window. Other devices or software can also be connected using the room control API at the same time.

How do I get an API key to use with the room control API?

An API key is available from the room’s API menu within Mira Portal. Navigate to the room in Mira Portal, click the API item, and select ‘Add’ to add an API key. When adding a key, enter a descriptive label for the API key.

What is the room control API used for?

The room control API is designed to allow other applications, including other control systems, to control equipment through Mira Connect. For example, using the room control API, it’s very easy to launch and manage Zoom Rooms calls because Mira Connect handles all the details. An application simply has to send a simple dial command to Mira Connect and Mira Connect will manage the entire call process including dialing meeting passcodes, acknowledging recording in process, and more.

Another application of the room control API is extending Zoom Rooms systems using the Zoom Rooms JSON extensions. The Zoom Room controller can create a TCP connection to the Mira Connect software and send Mira Connect room control API commands to control the equipment.

How am I notified that room licenses are going to expire?

Communication will be sent to the billing account administrators of the organization 30 days before a pre-paid license is set to expire. Approximately one week before a pre-paid license is set to expire, the Mira Connect user interface will show that a license is set to expire for the room along with contact information of the room administrators.

For subscriptions, a week or so before the license is set to renew, a message will be sent to the billing account administrators as a reminder of the renewal.

Can I reduce the number of licenses if my requirements change?

Yes, before your renewal date for subscriptions, you can unassign licenses from rooms you are not using, and modify the subscription to reduce the number of licenses that will renew upon your renewal date. Upon the renewal date, you will only be billed for the quantity of room licenses shown in Mira Portal.

When does the room license become active?

Licenses purchased through Mira Portal are active once purchased and available immediately to assign to rooms. Mira Portal will show the quantity and types of each license along with their renewal date (for subscriptions) or expiration date (for pre-paid licenses). License vouchers purchased through a distributor become active once you’ve redeemed the voucher in the desired organization with Mira Portal.

Can I purchase room licenses from a distributor?

Yes, Mira Connect room licenses can be purchased from authorized Mira Connect distributors. A distributor will purchase the license and send you a Mira Connect license ‘voucher’ that can be redeemed within Mira Portal for a room license for the desired Mira Portal organization. The room license associated with the voucher does not become active until the voucher has been redeemed within Mira Portal. The voucher can be transferred to you directly via Mira Portal or can be sent as a unique code via email if you don’t have a Mira Portal account at the time of purchase.

Why is the subscription price of my second and subsequent subscriptions for additional rooms pro-rated?

The first subscription purchased for a room sets the renewal date for all subsequent license subscriptions for additional rooms in an organization in Mira Portal. For example, if you purchased an annual subscription for a second room four months after the first room’s subscription, then the purchase price for the second room’s subscription would be pro-rated to align to the renewal date of the first room’s subscription which is in 8 months. In this example, the cost of the second room’s subscription would be 8/12 = 2/3 of the annual cost as you are purchasing 8 months of service before the next renewal date. At the renewal date both subscriptions would renew for 12 additional months.

Do I have to purchase a recurring subscription or can I pre-pay for a one-time license?

When purchasing licenses for Mira Connect software, you can either purchase a recurring monthly or annual subscription after which it will renew automatically, or you can purchase a pre-paid license for multiple years which does not automatically renew. These two options accommodate different ways end-users and partners prefer to purchase their AV systems.

  • If you prefer to allocate your purchase price up front, purchasing a multi-year pre-paid license means the license will remain active during that extended time period.
  • Purchasing a subscription lowers the initial cost and makes it easier to renew all your rooms in one transaction in subsequent periods since the subscriptions are all time-aligned.

Regardless of which purchasing option is used, the license is associated with the room in Mira Portal within the organization it was purchased for.

How do I purchase a license for Mira Connect software?

Licenses are purchased through Mira Portal.

Select the desired organization where the license will be used and navigate to the licenses panel. Next, enter the quantity of subscriptions or pre-paid licenses to add to your cart to purchase. Follow the check-out steps, including creating or selecting a billing account, and complete the purchase.

Subscriptions are valid for the licensed duration and then will auto-renew unless you cancel the room license before the renewal date. Subscriptions for additional rooms in the organization are automatically pro-rated and time-aligned with the first subscription to simplify the renewal process. The license enabled by each subscription is available in the Mira Portal organization and can be assigned to the desired room in Mira Portal.

Pre-paid licenses for a fixed duration can be purchased and are valid for the duration of the license, typically three to five years, matching a technology refresh cycle for many organizations. At the end of the pre-paid term, the license expires and Mira Connect software will no longer be active. To continue using Mira Connect and the features of the license, a new subscription or pre-paid license must be purchased.

What software license is required to use the Mira Connect software with actual equipment?

Mira Connect software requires a room license for the software to control actual (i.e., non-simulated) equipment. A room license enables features on Mira Connect as described on our website. In Mira Portal, licenses are purchased for an organization and assigned to rooms. The license enables the features for the Mira Connect(s) paired to those rooms.

A room license enables room control allowing partners to use remote management features, including remote control of the system in a browser window, touchless AV control using *Mira Connect Me*, real-time message alerts about equipment going offline, and Office 365 calendar integration to show upcoming meetings and one-touch dialing to join meetings.

Can I have more than one Mira Connect in a room?

No. While currently only one Mira Connect device is supported per room, you can use the remote control version of Mira Connect to provide additional virtual controllers in a room.

What’s a control point?

Control points are the name we use for a specific item to control, such as a mute point for muting and unmuting the system or to dial a telephony interface. Mira Portal makes it easy to add equipment and specify or, with some devices, just select control points. A control point can be a virtual channel name (for SoundStructure), and instance tag (for Biamp), or a named component or named control (for QSC), a preset name, or something else depending on the device.

How many displays can I control with Mira Connect?

Mira Connect can control as many displays as you have. Each display will have a menu for source selection and power control. If there are more display controls than fit on the Mira Connect display, you can scroll to see additional screen controls.

How do I move Mira Connect from one room to another room after it has been configured?

All you need to do is unpair Mira Connect from the first room and pair it with the second room. Mira Connect will automatically download its configuration and will control the equipment from the room with which it is paired. No programming is required.

Is there a way for users to reset their room settings back to default values with Mira Connect?

Yes, there is a ‘room power off’ feature that is accessible from the site settings that will reset the volume back to default, turn off any displays or projectors, hang up any active calls, and set the microphone mute state back to the desired state as set in the site settings. Select the site and edit the settings to add the room power off function.

What is Mira Connect?

Mira Connect is a family of products for AV control that includes touch screen control appliances as well as software-only solutions with the same functionality. Mira Connect is used in a wide variety of AV applications for controlling equipment including setting room audio levels, muting microphones, launching audio and video calls, selecting video sources, adjusting lights and shades, and more

Does Mira Connect need access to the internet to be configured?

Yes, Mira Portal is used to define the room and add equipment to the room. Mira Connect appliances and Mira Connect software use Mira Portal for pairing to the desired room. Mira Connect needs internet access to get a unique pairing code from Mira Portal. Once paired, Mira Connect confirms connection to the local equipment, updates Mira Portal with the connection status, and controls the equipment locally without requiring further access to Mira Portal. To see how to configure Mira Connect appliances without WAN access onsite, see our configuration without WAN article.

Mira Connect software requires WAN access when the computer is restarted.

What is Mira Portal?

Mira Portal is Aveo Systems’ cloud-management platform for Mira Connect. Mira Portal is used to add the equipment to the room, add control points, add a calendar, add a directory, customize the background image and logo of Mira Connect, and more. Mira Portal is also used to view the status of the equipment including sending real-time alerts if equipment goes offline.

Does Mira Connect need access to the internet to control my devices after it has been set up?

After the system has been set up, Mira Connect appliances do not need to have access to Mira Portal. However, access to Mira Portal makes it possible to manage Mira Connect remotely by users with the proper permissions, automatically receive information alerts about the room should any equipment have an issue, receive software updates, change equipment, unpair from the room, and edit equipment and control points.

Mira Connect software does need WAN access when the computer restarts.

What does Mira Connect do?

As an AV control system, Mira Connect is used in many applications to support turning on/off displays and projectors, selecting different video inputs, controlling video switchers, dialing audio and video conferencing equipment, starting and stopping content sharing, changing camera positions, controlling the mute of the microphones in the room, adjusting volume, controlling sound reinforcement and assistive listening, controlling audio to other zones, powering off the room, and more. Mira Connect has been designed to be easy to install and easy to use.

Can I remove internet access from Mira Connect after getting it working and controlling the local equipment?

Yes. Mira Connect appliances are designed to operate without WAN once configured. However, without WAN access, Mira Connect will not have access to software updates or Mira Portal remote management.

Mira Connect software requires WAN access when the computer is rebooted.

What devices are supported by Mira Connect?

Mira Connect supports many displays, projectors, TV tuners, video switchers, audio and video conferencing systems, audio DSP’s, lighting, shades, and more. See the list of supported equipment.

How do I get the devices I want to use in my installation supported by Mira Connect?

As the system integrator or as an end-user, if you don’t see equipment that you are using in your install on the list of supported equipment, and request that it be supported. We’ll follow up with you to see if we need a sample of the equipment while adding support for the equipment or whether we can develop the driver remotely.

Can I add support for new equipment to Mira Connect myself?

Not yet. At the present time Aveo Systems needs to add support for new equipment to ensure the system works smoothly and maintains a seamless user experience for end users.

How long does it take to get a new piece of equipment supported?

Many products can be added to Mira Connect within two to three weeks of requesting support for the product. It will take longer if we don’t have the equipment. Timing can vary depending on the complexity and scope of the product. Check our list of supported equipment often for updates. Please ask us early in your design and installation cycle to ensure we can be responsive to your requirements.

Once new equipment is supported, how does Mira Connect get access to it?

Mira Connect checks for software updates every day at its configured time (default is midnight) when it is connected to Mira Portal. Mira Connect will automatically download and install new software that includes the latest functionality for all supported equipment. All you have to do with Mira Portal is refresh your browser to get the latest updates.

How do I get help during the setup of Mira Connect if I have questions?

While Mira Portal is very easy to use and add equipment and control points, a great reference when setting up Mira Connect are the integration guides available on the equipment page. Also for general questions, see the Mira Connect Administrators Guide. If you have other questions, please contact us at 678.653.7090 or send an email to support@aveosystems.com.

Do you have training videos available for setting up Mira Connect?

Yes, we have a series of short training videos that start at the beginning and go to advanced applications. We suggest you start at the beginning if you haven’t used Mira Connect before.

How do I update the software on Mira Connect?

If Mira Connect has access Mira Portal, then each day Mira Connect will check for updates at the time set in the site settings for the Automatic Update Time. The default time is 12:00am in the local time zone. In addition, if you restart or power off and power on Mira Connect, Mira Connect will check for new software when it starts up.

What network ports does Mira Connect communicate on?

Mira Connect uses TCP over port 443 with the secure https protocol to communicate with Mira Portal and to download new software. Mira Connect will also communicate via TCP to the devices it controls over the ports specified by the devices. For example, Mira Connect communicates to a Polycom SoundStructure on port 52774 or 52775 (if there is a password on the system) and communicates to a Biamp DSP over port 23 or SSH. See our network considerations application note for more information.

Is access to Mira Portal encrypted?

Yes, logins and data transmitted between Mira Connect and Mira Portal are encrypted using TLS. See our network considerations application note for more information.

Do I need to open ports on my firewall for Mira Connect to connect to Mira Portal?

No. There is no need to change your firewall settings. Mira Connect makes secure outbound connections to Mira Portal using TLS and port 443 to ensure security. This is similar to someone using their browser to connect to any other secure website, such as their bank. Mira Connect initiates communication to Mira Portal and receives information it has requested from Mira Portal. Mira Portal does not communicate directly with Mira Connect unless Mira Connect has initiated the communication, so there are no ports to open on the firewall. See our network considerations application note for more information.

Can I customize the background image and logo of Mira Connect?

Yes, the background image, logo, and custom colors for the display on Mira Connect can be configured via the Visual Theme settings using the site settings.

What data is stored on Mira Portal?

Mira Portal stores information about the equipment IP addresses and control points, equipment status, and information about recent call types and durations.

How do I put different background images and logos into different rooms at my site?

All rooms at the same site will have the same background image and logo. If you need different background images and logos, create a new site and move the rooms of interest to the new site by using the Move to Site… function available by right clicking on the dots next to the room name in Mira Portal. Then customize the background image and logo of the new site.

Who can see my data on Mira Portal?

Mira Portal access is limited to those users who have a Mira Portal account and have been assigned permissions to your organization or sites. As an organization or site administrator, you can add or remove access to other Mira Portal users.

What remote control capabilities are there?

Users with the proper permissions can remotely operate Mira Connect from their web browser. This means someone can sit in the back of a room and manage a call, for example, or an integrator can provide a help desk service and remotely help end-users in the room.

How do I resolve a ‘Can’t connect’ message when Mira Connect tries to communicate with my equipment?

First, ensure you have the correct IP address for the equipment. Then make sure you have telnet enabled for the device. Check the integration guides available on the equipment page for information about how to enable network control for various devices. If using RS-232 via a Global Cache IP2SL, ensure you have the right baud rate and cable pin-out. See our articles about serial control best practices and trouble shooting RS-232 connections for additional information about serial control.

Can I duplicate a room to use again with the same equipment and same control points?

Yes, use the Duplicate function for the room to copy all the room settings a new room. Then go to the equipment for the new room and enter the updated IP addresses, and the new room will be ready to be paired with a Mira Connect.

Can I secure Mira Connect to the table to so that it doesn’t ‘walk off’ ?

Yes, there is a Kensington lock socket on the rear of the Mira Connect Classic panel that can be used to secure the unit to a table. For Mira Connect 10, there are mounting holes on the bottom of the stand that can be used to mount the unit to the table.

Can I use Mira Connect appliances wirelessly?

Yes, While both the Mira Connect Classic and Mira Connect 10 have wired ethernet interfaces, they can operate on wireless networks and in the case of the Mira Connect Classic, because it has a built-in battery, it can operate without being plugged in for extended periods of time before it must be recharged. The Mira Connect 10 does not have a battery, but can use an external 12V DC power supply.

How do I supply power to Mira Connect?

Mira Connect and Mira Connect 10 products are powered over their ethernet interface with PoE. When using Wi-Fi, Mira Connect Classic can operate for several hours or more, depending on use and battery charge without needing to be charged, but will eventually need to be connected to a PoE connection to recharge. The Mira Connect 10 does not have a battery, but can be connected to 12V DC power or can use PoE.

Is it ok to leave Mira Connect Classic plugged into the PoE network all the time?

Yes. Mira Connect Classic uses smart battery charging technology to maximize the battery life and prevent overcharging. Mira Connect 10 does not have a battery.

Who has access to the Mira Connect remote control capabilities?

For Mira Portal users who have at least ‘Help Desk’ permissions, the remote control feature allows one to view the Mira Connect user interface and control the room remotely through Mira Portal. Any changes to the room state are also shown directly on the Mira Connect that is in the room. Mira Portal users who do not have at least help desk permissions do not have access to the remote control capabilities.

Can more than one person access the remote control capabilities at the same time?

Yes. All users who have at least ‘Help Desk’ permissions have access to the remote control feature and can control the room just as if they were using the Mira Connect in the room. For example, you could have the IT person at the organization using the remote control capabilities while an integrator is also using the remote control capabilities at the same time.

Can I set a static IP address on Mira Connect?

Yes, by following the instructions on our website.

Does Mira Connect support secure communications?

Yes. Mira Connect only uses secure https/TLS communication to Mira Portal using an outbound connection on port 443.

Is there a penalty to extend my Room License if it has already expired?

No, you don’t have to pay for any missing periods between when you had a license and where you are now. Room License renewals start when you renew your service and end when the service period is over.

Is there a wall-mounted version of Mira Connect?

Yes, see our article Mira Connect 10 is Available for more information about wall-mounting. There’s also a backbox for in-wall installations.

Are multi-year Room Licenses available?

Yes, there are multiple year Room Licenses available as a prepaid option.

How long is the hardware warranty on Mira Connect?

Mira Connect comes with a one-year hardware warranty with options for extending that to multiple years.

How is security built into Mira Connect?

Mira Connect appliances use the security features provided by the Android operating system and the Mira Portal cloud application’s security rules to ensure secure operation.

What’s covered by the Mira Connect hardware warranty?

The Aveo Systems limited warranty ensures that the system will operate as a room controller free from defects in workmanship and material under normal use and conditions. While the warranty is active, if a replacement unit is necessary, Aveo Systems provides advance replacement via ground shipment. Screen breakage is not covered by the factory warranty. The battery in the Mira Connect classic is warranted for one year and extended warranties do not include the battery.

Can I purchase an extended hardware warranty for Mira Connect?

Yes, there are extended hardware warranty options that extend coverage for up to an additional four years from the end of the one year warranty. Extended warranties must be purchased at the time of the system purchase. Extended warranties do not extend the factory one-year warranty for the battery of the Mira Connect Classic.

Does Mira Connect come in any color other than dark grey?

Currently dark grey is the only color option for off-the-shelf Mira Connect products. If your project requires a different color for Mira Connect, you can consider using any other tablet that has a browser and use the remote control feature of Mira Connect. The Mira Connect 10 products come in a dark black ABS plastic enclosure. For wall-mounted applications, the in-wall backbox metal bezel can be painted to match wall colors.

Does Mira Connect support a contact directory for one-touch dialing?

Yes, you can upload one or more contact directories to an organization and apply those directories to some or all of your rooms in the organization. See the contact directories article for more information.

If I install a Mira Connect for my customer, and in the future the customer uses a different reseller, will they have access to the room and settings I configured in Mira Portal?

No. Unless you’ve granted access permissions to the new reseller or the end user, the new reseller will not have access to your Mira Connect organization, site, and room settings. The new reseller will either have to ask you for Mira Portal permissions or will have to create a new room in Mira Portal and configure the equipment, and pair the Mira Connect to the new room.

Can I change the layout of the control icons on the Mira Connect user interface?

No. The icon layout is fixed in a logical and user-friendly way. This is a core design element of the Ôpower of simplicityÕ model of Mira Connect.

What data is being tracked, polled, or accessed by Mira Connect and where is that information stored?

The data tracked, polled, and accessed includes equipment online status, mute, volume, phone status, type of call, and dialed number information. This information is used for analyzing room usage. The data is stored securely in the Mira Portal cloud. Users with proper permissions can view their own data securely via Mira Portal.

Does Mira Connect encrypt all data being transported?

Yes. Mira Connect encrypts all data transported to and from the cloud via https and TLS. See our network considerations application note for more information.

Do you publish a security and privacy policy?

Yes, here is our privacy policy.

What happens when my one year of advanced service expires on my Mira Connect appliance?

Mira Connect appliances comes with one year of advanced features granted by a Room License. Anytime during that one-year license or afterwards you can extend the Room License. If you don’t renew your service for your Mira Connect appliance, you will still get software updates, your Mira Connect appliances will continue to control the equipment in your room, and you will still be able to add, edit, and change equipment in the room. However without a valid Room License, features such as remote control, Mira Connect Me, real-time message alerts, and Office 365 calendar integration will not be accessible for a Mira Connect appliance. Mira Connect software requires an active Room License to control real equipment.

Can I purchase multiple Room Licenses for Mira Connect and Mira Portal?

Yes, multiple Room Licenses can be sold to end users via our authorized dealer network. Contact your installing dealer for pricing of multiple Room Licenses.

How do I purchase a Room License renewal?

Contact your installing dealer for pricing and renewal options.

Can I renew a Room License even after it has expired?

Yes, at anytime you can add Room License to your room, allowing you to take advantage license features.