Logitech Rally Bar Setup Guide
Physical Installation and Mounting
The Logitech Rally Bar is a versatile all in one video bar that can be mounted above or below the main display using a dedicated wall mount or a TV mount. When positioning the unit, ensure that the lens is as close to eye level as possible to maintain a natural perspective for remote participants. On the rear of the device, you will find a cable management system with a retention plate. It is essential to use this plate to secure all connections, as it prevents cables from being pulled loose in high traffic meeting rooms. Ensure the unit has at least ten centimetres of clearance on either side to allow the internal fans to provide adequate cooling during extended operation.
Cable Architecture and Power
To power the system, connect the proprietary power supply to the DC input on the rear of the bar. For the primary display connection, plug an HDMI cable from the HDMI Out 1 port on the Rally Bar to the ARC or eARC port on your television or projector. If your room requires a second display for dedicated content sharing, connect it to the HDMI Out 2 port. For network connectivity, a hardwired Ethernet cable is strongly recommended to ensure stable video conferencing, although the system does support Wi-Fi for secondary connections. If you are adding external Logitech Mic Pods for larger tables, connect them to the dedicated Mic Pod port on the rear using the provided circular connector.
Selecting the Operational Mode
The Rally Bar can operate in two distinct modes, and choosing the correct one during setup is vital for functionality. Appliance Mode allows the bar to run video conferencing applications like Microsoft Teams or Zoom directly from its internal processor without needing a separate computer. USB Mode, or Bring Your Own Device mode, allows the bar to function as a high quality peripheral for a laptop connected via a USB cable. During the initial startup, a setup wizard will appear on the main display. Use the provided Bluetooth remote to navigate this menu, select your preferred language, and choose the operational mode that matches your venue's requirements.
Integration with Microsoft Teams Rooms
When configuring the unit for Microsoft Teams Rooms, the setup wizard will prompt you to sign in with your room's dedicated resource account credentials. You will need to enter the email address and password specifically assigned to that meeting space. Once authenticated, the system will download the necessary Teams software updates and register the device with the Microsoft Teams Admin Centre. During this phase, you can also name the room and set the local time zone. It is important to leave the system powered on and connected to the internet during this process to ensure all security patches are correctly applied before the first meeting.
Final Calibration and RightSight Testing
Once the software is configured, you should test the RightSight auto framing capabilities. Stand in different areas of the room to ensure the camera identifies and frames you correctly. You can adjust the speed and sensitivity of the auto framing within the device settings menu. Finally, perform an audio test to verify that the internal beamforming microphones are picking up voices from the furthest points of the table. If the room has significant echo, the internal acoustic echo cancellation will calibrate itself during the first few calls to optimize the audio for the specific room acoustics.
System Overview and Operation
In this configuration, the Logitech Rally Bar operates as a standalone Microsoft Teams Room on Android appliance. The system is primarily managed through the main display and the included Bluetooth remote control. The Rally Bar houses the camera, microphones, and speakers in one unit, with the Microsoft Teams interface projected directly onto your meeting room television. To wake the system from sleep mode, simply walk into the room or press any button on the Logitech remote.
Joining and Managing Meetings from the Screen
The home screen displayed on the television shows your room's daily schedule and provides options for starting new sessions. Because there is no touch panel, you will use the directional pad on the Logitech remote to navigate the on-screen menu. Highlight the Join button for your scheduled meeting and press the centre button on the remote to enter the call. To start an unplanned meeting, navigate to the Meet icon and select it to begin. During an active meeting, pressing the back button or the centre button on the remote will bring up the in-meeting overlay, allowing you to mute your microphones, turn off the camera, or end the call.
Advanced Camera Control and RightSight
The Rally Bar features RightSight technology, which uses artificial intelligence to automatically pan, tilt, and zoom the camera to frame all participants in the room perfectly. This process happens without any manual intervention. However, if you need to focus on a specific area, such as a whiteboard or a single speaker, you can use the manual controls on the remote. Press the zoom in or zoom out buttons to adjust the field of view, and use the directional pad to steer the camera. To return to the automatic framing mode, simply press the home button or the preset button on the remote, which will re-engage the AI tracking.
Wireless and Wired Content Sharing
Sharing your laptop screen is straightforward and can be done without cables by using the Microsoft Teams application. On your laptop, open Teams and select the Cast option, then choose the room name to project your screen. If you are already in the meeting on your laptop, selecting the Share icon within the laptop's Teams interface will send your content to the room display. For a wired connection, plug an HDMI cable into your laptop. On the room's main screen, a prompt will appear asking if you would like to share the connected device. Use the remote to select the Share button on the screen to begin presenting.
Using Proximity Join for Easy Connection
A highly efficient way to use the room is through Proximity Join. When you enter the room with your laptop or mobile phone already running the Microsoft Teams app, the device will detect the Rally Bar via Bluetooth. Your laptop will show a prompt asking if you would like to add the room to your current meeting. By tapping this, the Rally Bar will automatically join the call using its high-quality camera and speakers, while your laptop enters a dedicated content mode for viewing the chat or sharing documents. This allows you to start a professional meeting without ever needing to touch the remote or the main display.
Basic Maintenance and Troubleshooting
If the Rally Bar does not appear to be waking up, ensure the display is set to the correct HDMI input and that the power cable at the rear of the bar is firmly seated. If the remote is unresponsive, it may need to be re-paired by holding the Bluetooth button on the back of the Rally Bar for five seconds until the LED flashes blue, then following the on-screen prompts. For issues with remote participants being unable to hear you, verify that the microphone icon on the screen is not red and that no physical obstructions are blocking the front of the video bar. If the system experiences a persistent software glitch, a full power cycle by unplugging the unit for ten seconds will usually restore standard operation.
