Computing and Audio-Video Usage
Neville I
March 2006

Seating = 301 fixed seats

Equipment Description and Capabilities

The two video projectors are set up to project from the following sources: the local computer (dual display is possible), VHS VCR, Document Camera, and from the auxiliary jacks on the tie plate. A SMART white board is also provided. The Dell GX280 Pentium 4 3.2GHz computer is equipped with 512MB memory, 40GB hard drive, 3.5-inch 1.44MB floppy drive, and a CDRW/DVD drive. These devices, as well as the auxiliary audio ports located on the podium are connected to the amplifier and speakers. Devices are selected and controlled from the LCD AMX touch screen display panel, located at the top center of the instructor’s station. The AMX touch panel is used to select inputs, route these inputs to the projectors and the preview monitors on the podium. The touch-screen also controls the lights, and audio level. 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 x83059).

A built-in microphone is located on the podium. A wireless lavaliere microphone, and up to three wired microphones are available from the Media Center in Fairchild Library (83059). Wired microphones may be attached at each of three microphone jacks located on the floor of the stage under a steel cover.

The auditorium can also be equipped with a 35mm slide projector (remote controlled from the touch pad. Please contact the Media Center (x83059).

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 and projectors by touching the AMX touch-pad located on the top center of the podium (two or three touches may be required, one if the screen is black, one if for a room page, and one if the text says "Touch to activate system"). If the screen is black, someone may have turned the display off, activate the display with the power button and then touch the screen as needed.
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 available at "LTS Guide to Public Computing Sites and Classrooms" for additional information on use of public sites.
3. Power up the VCR (located in the instructor station behind the right side cabinet door)
4. Press the "Source" button on the top left side of the AMX touch-screen that corresponds to the device to be projected. Another row of buttons will appear on the top right side of the touch-screen display. Select the projector you wish to use, select the instructor station device you wish to preview this source on, and select audio if you wish the input sound to be used. There is a delay as the projector warms up. You may select a second source and route it to the second projector as the first system warms up. A display on the left side of the touch screen indicates the selected devices and projectors. (NOTE: we are working with our vendor to simplify this process):

   "VCR" activates the projector, the VHS VCR, and displays the play, pause and other controls on the touch screen control

   "Podium Video" activates the projector, auxiliary video jack (BNC connector) and associated RCA audio jacks for client-supplied video device.

   "Podium PC" activates the projector and podium computer. (NOTE: Two VGA displays are available. You can direct one to each projector enabling simultaneous use of PowerPoint and Web browsing, for example).

   "Podium Laptop" activates the auxiliary computer jacks (15pin male VGA and stereo mini audio jack) for client supplied laptop.

   "Slides" adjusts the lights and screen, and displays function control for the slide projector (that can be located in the projection booth to the rear).

5. Volume may be adjusted by touching the "Program" or "Speech" volume up or down arrows on the AMX touch-screen. The "mute" button on the bottom of these controls turns off the sound. If there is no sound, press the up arrow on "Program" or "Speech".
6. The row of buttons on the bottom of the touch screen allows for adjustment of the lighting. Select the lighting setting appropriate for your use. NOTE: We will be labeling these buttons soon. Right now, "On" is all lights on. "Scene 2" is for use with the video projection. "Scene 3" would be best for slides. "Scene 4" is for use with a formal lecture. Lighting can also be adjusted at the touch pad located on the wall on the "stage right" side of the room (behind the curtain, next to the chalkboard). Additional controls for the three rows of lights above the instructor station are available at this control.
7. The SMART board is accessed through the computer. We are working on instructions for this device. The SMART board enables you to display your writing on a projection screen and capture it for later editing or distribution. At present you must send the computer to a projector. From the computer Start menu, select accessories, in accessories select the driver for the SMART board and also start SMART notebook (if you wish to save any of your pages). NOTE: We will simplify this process as soon as possible. Once the SMART board is activated, select a marker pen from the tray and you may write as you wish. Use the provided eraser to erase from the board and the projected image. Additional instructions will follow.
8. The document camera is located on the right side of the instructor's station. We are still trying to sort out security and key access for this device. Please contact Elia Schoomer for assistance at this time. Unlock the drawer and pull it out. Lift up the two light arms and raise the camera arm. The camera arm is released by pressing the button at the rear of the arm towards you. Point the camera down at the tabletop. If the power indicator is orange, press the button. A green light indicates power on. Press the light button once for top lights and 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, select a projector, and select touch screen as the display. Zoom, focus, and other control buttons are located on the front edge of the camera.
9. Press the power off button on the bottom left corner of the display to turn off the system when done. Press yes at the confirmation message.

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 projectors and related equipment. Select yes at the confirmation message to properly complete system shut down.

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 flexible features of this room make the touch screen fairly complex. Remember, you are selecting an input source and telling it where you want it to go (Computer to projector 1, display 1 and audio, document camera to projector 2 and display 2, for example). We advise all clients to familiarize themselves with it before starting a presentation.
• There may be sound problems if a wireless microphone is used in close proximity to the podium microphone. Point the podium microphone up in the air if you notice any distortion when using a wireless microphone.
• 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.
• 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.
• The large projection screen has a tilt control for use with regular overheads. This control is located in the circuit box located "stage right" behind the curtain near the door. Controls for a roll down screen and a periodic table are also located in this box. NOTE: The large screen must be in the flat position for use with the video projectors.

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. Picture Taker 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".