Main menu (IT)

Zoom Video and Web Conferencing

A student using Zoom on his smartphone.

 

Zoom, CSUN’s video and web conferencing tool, is available to all students, faculty, and staff. Zoom allows for video, audio, and screen sharing between up to 300 participants. It can be used from any computer, laptop, tablet, or phone, and it works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS devices. Any CSUN user can initiate a video or audio meeting, allowing Zoom to be used for any online meeting, whether between two or many people. 

For more tools and resources, visit the Software Solutions for Teaching and Interaction page

FAQs 

How do I get started with Zoom?

To learn how to get started with Zoom, visit: csun.edu/it/zoom. Videos highlighting the features are available on this site. For more questions on Zoom, contact the Faculty Technology Center at: ftc@csun.edu. You can also, download Zoom for your computer or mobile device, or select “Host a Meeting” above. Use the app or webpage to startjoin, or schedule meetings.

System Requirements for PC and Mac

System Requirements

  • An internet connection – broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)
  • Speakers and a microphone – built-in or USB plug-in or wireless Bluetooth
  • A webcam or HD webcam - built-in or USB plug-in
  • Or, a HD cam or HD camcorder with video capture card

Supported Operating Systems

  • Mac OS X with MacOS 10.6.8 /(Snow Leopard) or later
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8 or 8.1
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Vista with SP1 or later
  • Windows XP with SP3 or later

Supported Tablet and Mobile Devices

Supported Browsers

  • Windows: IE7+,  Firefox,  Chrome,  Safari5+, Opera12+
  • Mac: Safari5+,  Firefox,  Chrome

Processor and RAM Requirements

Minimum Recomended Processor Single Core 1Ghz or Higher Dual Core 2Ghz or Higher (i3/i5/i7 or AMD equivalent) RAM N/A 4Gb

High DPI Support

  • High DPI displays are support in Zoom version 3.5 or higher

Bandwidth Requirements

The bandwidth used by Zoom will be optimized for the best experience based on the participants’ network. It will automatically adjust for 3G, WiFi or Wired environments. 

Recommended bandwidth:

  • For 1:1 video calling: 600kbps (up/down) for HQ video and 1.2 Mbps (up/down) for HD video
  • For group video calling: 600kbps/1.2Mbps (up/down) for HQ video. For gallery view: 1.5Mbps/1.5Mbps (up/down). 
  • For screen sharing only (no video thumbnail): 50-75kbps
  • For screen sharing with  video thumbnail: 50-150kbps
  • For audio VoiP: 60-80kbps

HD Camera Suggestions

USB Speakerphone and Microphone

Other Peripherals

Note: Devices support vary with systems. Please test them first.

*Requirement list courtesy of Zoom. 
 
For assistance, contact the Faculty Technology Center at ftc@csun.edu
 
 

How do I add a Zoom Profile Photo?

The steps for adding a Zoom profile photo are outlined below for both the Zoom mobile app and desktop client. 

Adding a Profile Photo in the Zoom App

1. Launch the Zoom application.
2. Tap on Settings

Settings.

3. Tap on Name

Name.

4. Tap on Profile Photo

Profile Photo.

5. Use one of the options, Take Photo or Choose Photo for upload. 

Take Photo or Choose Photo.

Adding a Zoom Profile Photo Using Your Desktop

1. Log in to the CSUN Zoom web portal: https://csun.zoom.us/
2. Select Profile
3. Under the Profile Photo placeholder, select Change

Profile and Change option.

4. Select the Upload button to upload a photo of your choice. 
5. Select the Save button to save your selection. 

Upload and Save.

Can Closed Captions be added to Zoom videos?

Can I host a Webinar-style meeting with my Zoom Pro Account?

Yes, you can configure your Pro Account meeting settings to replicate several of the webinar features, although you will still be limited to 300 people with your Pro Account. For more information, visit the Zoom Webinar-style Meetings Using a Pro Account page.

How do I keep my Zoom meeting secure?

To enhance the security of Zoom sessions, and in anticipation of a global change Zoom is set to make on September 27, we will soon be requiring passwords on all newly-created Zoom meetings. This change will happen prior to the beginning of the Fall semester. Additional information will be available in the future, as we approach these dates.
 
Meetings scheduled without a passcode will show with this red icon in your Zoom web dashboard, along with a red exclamation point next to the meeting name.

red exclamation point next to denotes no password

 
To add a passcode to an existing meeting:
 
1. Select the name of the meeting to open the Manage meeting screen
Arrow pointing at red exclamation mark next to the meeting name and an arrow pointing at red exclamation mark and the words denotes no password at the top right of the screen
 
2. Scroll down and select the Edit this Meeting button
Red arrow pointing at Edit this Meeting button
 
3. In the Edit Meeting page place a check in the Meeting Passcode box
Red square around Meeting passcode checkbox
 
4. Scroll down and select Save
red arrow pointing at Save button
 
NOTE: You will need to send the new Meeting link with the embedded passcode to your Participants.
 
For more information on these new requirements, visit Zoom's FAQ Meetings Waiting Room and Passcode Requirements page.  To learn more about keeping your Zoom meeting secure from disruptive participants, visit the Securing Your Zoom Meeting page

Is my personal data and privacy secure with Zoom?

Zoom protects your personal data and privacy and does not monitor your meetings. For more information, visit the Zoom Security page

How do I host a Webinar using Zoom?

Zoom Webinars require a special license to be added to your Pro Account. To request a Webinar license, contact the Faculty Technology Center at ftc@csun.edu or the IT Help Center at helpcenter@csun.edu.

For more information, visit the Webinars in Zoom page.

Tips to Improve Zoom Audio & Video

In order to optimize Zoom audio and video, steps can be taken to ensure the best possible experience. 

For more information, visit Tips to Improve Zoom Audio & Video.

Where can I get training for Zoom?

The Zoom Help Center offers an extensive library of resources for all users. We have compiled some of the top videos to get started. The videos are on the right-hand side under Top Videos to Get Started.

The CSUN Academic Technology YouTube channel has video content covering Zoom, including:

Recording Note: Moving forward into Spring 2021, Panopto will become our standard location for online recordings, ranging from live, synchronous Zoom classes to pre-recorded content to meetings. You should no longer share Zoom cloud recording links as they will expire at some point during the term. You should only share Panopto links. 

You may also visit the IT Workshops Calendar to find Zoom workshops conducted by the Faculty Technology Center.

Where can I get help?

The Zoom Help Center offers an extensive library of resources for all users. You can also contact the IT Help Center.

What are the University Policies on Using Zoom?

What is the university's policy on requiring students to have Zoom on?

Scheduled Zoom classes are the equivalent of a regular university classroom session. Faculty may require students to attend class (Zoom) sessions, and may give (or withhold) participation credit if participation is listed as a course requirement in the syllabus. If participation is not listed as a course requirement, students are still strongly urged to attend because critical course information may be covered in class.

Are Zoom classes mandatory or are they asynchronous?

This depends on the class. If the class was scheduled as synchronous (a regular meeting at a regular time) the expectation is that students are attending, as Zoom attendance would be similar to attendance at a regular class. Participation credit would be dependent on the class grading policy in the syllabus. Very few classes are truly asynchronous, and they are listed as such in the course schedule.

Do students have to have their camera on?

During class, students are NOT required to have their Zoom video/ webcam on unless the requirement is listed in the course syllabus as a specific requirement for a specific function – e.g., during a test; for a performance; etc. The CSU Office of General Counsel (OGC) has found that due to student privacy rights, faculty may not require students to have video on just as a matter of course.  If this is an issue, students should speak to their instructor to work out an accommodation, or speak with the department chair or college Associate Dean.

Are students required to consent to being recorded for Zoom lectures?

For similar privacy reasons, classes may not be recorded without explicit permission from students. Students are NOT required to consent. Again, if this is an issue, students should speak to their instructor to work out an accommodation, or speak with the department chair or college Associate Dean.

How Do I Turn on Live Automated Captioning in Zoom?

Please note that this feature does not meet full accommodation standards, and the Host of the meeting must activate this feature in the meeting for participants to access the Automated Live Transcription.

 Follow these steps to activate live captioning for your Zoom meetings and webinars:

  1. Before your meeting, navigate to csun.zoom.us in a web browser
  2. Select SIGN IN at the top right of the page
  3. Log in using your CSUN credentials
  4. Select Settings from the navigation menu on the left
  5. Scroll down the page until you reach the In Meeting (Advanced) settings
  6. Make sure the Closed Captioning is toggle switch is on (blue) and the Enable live transcription box is checked

Closed Captioning setting in Zoom set to on with Enable Live Transcription box checked

When you launch your Zoom meeting, before the program begins, select Live Transcript in the toolbar, then select Enable Auto-Transcription.

Live Transcript button menu open showing enable auto-transcription button