Computing and Audio-Video Usage
Whitaker 203
July 2008

Seating = 72

Hardware Description and Capabilities

The LCD Video projector is set up to project from the following sources: the local computer, VHS VCR, and from the auxiliary jacks on the tie plate located on the right front 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 left-hand side of the instructor’s station The local computer is connected to the backbone network.

The auxiliary jacks on the tie plate include a 9-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 client's 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. One of these cables has been attached to the instructor station. Additional cables or adapters for older Macintosh computers may be borrowed from the Media Center (Call 83059).

There are two pull-down screens. The center screen is for the video projector, the corner screen is for the slide projector that is located in the projection room in the rear of the hall. Contact the Materials Sciences office for access to the slide projector. Room lighting switches are located in the front of the room. Room lights are on big round dimmers. Black switches control board lights, white switches control spotlights.

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 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 "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" activates local computer.

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

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

   "Picture Off" blanks the projected 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.

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 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. 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.
• If there is no picture be sure the correct input is selected and that "picture off" has not been selected.

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. Additional programs may be loaded by selecting the "Install Software" icon on the desktop. These programs will be lost if the system software is reloaded.