Computing and Audio-Video Usage
Mudd 353
July 2008

Equipment Description and Capabilities

The LCD Video projector is set up to project from the following sources: the local computer, VHS VCR, from the Wolf Vision digital document camera and from the auxiliary jacks on the tie plate located on the top of the equipment rack on the left side of the instructor's station. 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 tie plate are connected to an 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. A wireless mouse is available (contact the Media Center 83059 for information).

The auxiliary jacks on the tie plate include a 15-pin male VGA connector with associated network jack and stereo ¼” mini jack (for portable computers) and RCA video connector with associated RCA audio jacks (for cameras, VCRs, document presenters, etc.). AC power is also available. These auxiliary jacks are provided for clients who wish to use their own special equipment and associated cables. Connection of Macintosh or PC laptops to this auxiliary input requires a special interface cable, provided at the instructor's station.

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 right of the instructor station (two touches may be required). 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 document "LTS Guide to Public Computing Sites and Classrooms" 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:

   “VHS” activates VHS VCR and displays the play, pause and other controls

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

   “PC” selects the local computer (and DVD player). See the computer notes page for instructions).

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

   “Doc. Cam” activates the document camera and displays the document camera preview on the touch screen control. Detailed instructions for the document camera are attached.

   "Aux. S-Video" is for a client supplied S Video device.

   “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 touch-pad. The “mute” button at the bottom of this control turns off the sound.
6. The document camera is located on the right side of the instructor's station. Pull up the camera head with the small blue ring. Point the camera down at the tabletop. Press the power button to activate the unit. A green light indicates power on. Press the light button once for top lights, press it again if you are using overheads and need the bottom lights. If you have not already done so, select the document camera from the input bar on top of the touch pad. The preview will be seen on the touch screen and the image will be sent to the projector. Zoom, focus, and other control buttons are located on the front edge of the camera. Turn off light and lower head when done. Detailed instructions are included below.

Power Down the Equipment

1. Before leaving the room you MUST logout of the system. Select “Start” and “Log Off”. 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 on the AMX touch screen to turn off the projector and related equipment. A confirmation message will be displayed. Select "Yes" to turn off the system.

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. Select “Start” and “Log Off”, then follow the prompts to log on.
• 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.
• If there is no picture be sure the correct input is selected and that "picture off" has not been selected.

Notes on Computer Usage

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

Digital Document Camera Instructions
Mudd 353

The instructor's station in this room has been equipped with a digital document camera. This high quality instrument will enable you to project material from paper, transparencies or even three-dimensional objects to the projector. To operate this camera:

1. Turn on the projection system using the touch-screen control. Select the document camera from the source menu at the top of the screen.
2. Raise the camera arm by pulling up on the small blue tab. The lights should come on and the camera head should automatically point straight down at the base. A power button is located to the right rear side of the base.
3. If necessary, press the power button on the rear right of the base (a green light indicates on ). The light should come on. If it does not, press the light button as needed. Note, this camera does not have a bottom light for overheads. The base surface is sufficiently reflective to allow use of overheads with the top light. Do not write on the base.
4. Place your work on the base. You should see it displayed on the small preview monitor and on the projector screen.
5. Camera controls are located on the top of the camera head:

Focus defaults to automatic (green light on). The picture should self-focus and remain in focus as you operate the zoom. There may be a slight delay. The automatic focus can be switched off and the two focus buttons may be used.

Zoom in and out with the blue wheel at the top of the camera head. There is a digital zoom feature that doubles the range of the mechanical zoom. The camera can resolve an object of about one inch square.

Freeze holds the picture in memory so you can insert a new page while the old image remains on the screen.

6. Slides can be displayed one at a time using the small white surface at the back of the camera base. Place a slide on the white area, tilt the camera head and zoom in on the slide. The slide light is turned on with a quick press of the “light” button on the right side of the base. A second press turns off the light, a third press turns on the top light.
7. When you are done with the camera please

Turn off the power with a quick press of the power switch on the side of the base.

Lower the camera by pulling the blue tab towards you.