Computing and Audio-Video Usage
Christmas-Saucon 201
July 2008

Seating = 75 movable chairs

Equipment Description and Capabilities

The LCD projector is set up to project from the following sources: the local computer,VHS VCR, and from the auxiliary jacks on the tie plate. The Dell 755 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz computer is equipped with an 80GB SATA 10000rpm hard drive, 4GB RAM, a CD-RW/DVD+/-RW, and a graphics card. These devices, as well as the auxiliary audio ports located on the rack are connected to the amplifier and speakers. Devices are selected and controlled from the LCD AMX touch panel, located at the top right-hand side of the instructor’s station The local computer is connected to the backbone network.

The auxiliary jacks provided include a 9-pin male VGA connector with associated network jack and stereo ¼" mini jack (for portable computers) and BNC video connector with associated RCA audio jack (for cameras, VCRs, document presenters, etc.). AC power is also available at the podium. The auxiliary jacks are provided for client's who wish to use their own special equipment and associated cables. Connection of Macintosh or PC laptops to the auxiliary inputs requires a special interface cable. This cable may be borrowed from the Media Center (Call 83059) or from the Department of Mathematics Office.

Assistance

Instructional Technology Support Services (ITSS) may be contacted at x83059 if you wish to arrange for training on this room's features prior to using the room. Trouble reports may be reported to the Help Desk at x8HELP (84357).

Usage of the Devices

1. Power up the equipment rack and projector by touching the AMX touch-screen located on the top of the instructor station (two or three touches may be required, one if the screen is black, one if there is a room page, and one if the text says "Touch to activate system"). Please note that the projector turns on gradually and you may not see an image for 30 seconds. A message will display as the system turns on. Please be patient.
2. Power up the computer CPU and monitor if being used (buttons on monitor and computer). You must complete a LAN login to use a public computer by typing your user name and password in the appropriate fields in the opening dialog box. Remember to log out when you are done. See the "LTS Guide to Public Computing Sites and Classrooms" document for additional information on use of public sites.
3. Power up the VCR if being used (button on VCR)
4. Touch the button on the AMX touch-pad that corresponds to the device to be projected.

   "VCR" activates VHS VCR and displays the play, pause and other controls

   "Aux. Vid" Input activates the Auxiliary video jack (BNC connector) and associated RCA audio jacks for client-supplied video device.

   "Computer" or "PC" activates local computer.

   "Laptop" activates the auxiliary computer jack (special 9-pin male VGA and stereo mini audio jack) for client supplied laptop.

   "Picture Off" blanks the projector image, "Picture On" reactivates the image

5. Adjust the volume by touching the Volume up or down arrows on the AMX touchpad. The "mute" button in the center of this control turns off the sound.

Power Down the Equipment

1. Before leaving the room you MUST logout of the system. Double click the bright yellow exclamation point icon on the Windows Desktop. You may then select "Shutdown" or "Logout": one button clears the system and leaves the computer ready for the next user; the other turns off the computer. If you make no selection your account will be logged out and the system will return to the login screen. If you fail to logout, the next user of the system will have access to your account and files.
2. Remove your tape and power off the VCR, if used.
3. Press "System Power Off" button to turn off the projector and related equipment

Potential Problem Areas

• You must login to every public site computer. If you find a computer that is not displaying the login screen, the previous user failed to logout. Double click the bright yellow exclamation point icon on the Windows Desktop, select "Logout", and wait for the login screen.
• The system is currently set to turn off automatically at 12 PM EST if anyone fails to turn it off. Should the system turn off inappropriately users may turn it back on with the AMX touch panel although there will be a delay while the system resets.
• Remember that a special cable is required to run laptop computers with this system. It will not work with off-the-shelf cables and adapters. Clients must know how to feed VGA signal out of their laptops.
• Note that the projector does not turn on instantly. It can take as long as 30 seconds for a picture to become visible. Please be patient when selecting inputs.
• If there is no sound, check the audio mute button and the volume up arrow on the AMX touch-pad. Also check that all mixer knobs are pointing to green dots.
• There is a master power switch on the top left of the rack and a power switch for the audio system on the bottom right of the console. These have been covered and should be left on.

Notes on Computer Usage

Upon power up, the computer will respond with "Do a complete software reload [Y/N]]".

If you press Y within 8 seconds the computer will reload all software from the network and restore the computer to its original operating condition. The reload may take as long as 10 minutes and MUST NOT be interrupted. A system reload is recommended if you are having problems with operation of the computer or software. If you wait without entering any keystrokes, the computer will run Windows from the hard drive. The computer is set up with a base set of programs. WinINSTALL may be used to load additional programs. These programs will be lost if the system software is reloaded.

For additional information on computer operation see the document "LTS Guide to Public Computing Sites and Classrooms".

AMX touch-screen control