This will outline the details and basic tips and tricks for operating the equipment in Talbot Hall.
Details
Talbot Hall is one of the lecture halls located on the USM Portland Campus. You can operate most of the audiovisual (AV) equipment from the touch panel connected to the lectern. Other pieces of in-room equipment include:
- Computer
- Computer Monitor
- LCD Projector
- VHS/DVD or Blu-ray/DVD player
- Laptop Connection (HDMI & VGA)
- Speakers
- Handheld Microphone
- LAV Microphone
- Gooseneck (Podium) Microphone
- Document Camera
Operating the Touch Panel
Most of Talbot Hall's equipment is controlled by a touch panel attached to the lectern. This section describes how to use that panel, step by step.
Turning the System On
When you first arrive, the touch panel may appear as a black screen, but should turn on automatically once it senses movement. Touch it and to begin the start-up process.
As part of this process, the screen should descend from the ceiling and the touch panel will change to a loading screen.
Operating the System
Once the system has loaded, you should be presented with the following screen.
From top to bottom, left to right, here are some of the options that you have available to you :
- Input Select: The buttons on the top of the screen show a series of inputs that will allow you to select which device will display on both the monitor and projector. From left to right, your options are:
- PC: The in-room PC.
- Laptop HDMI: The device currently plugged in using the lectern's HDMI cable.
- Laptop VGA: The device currently plugged in using the lectern's VGA cable.
- Doc Cam: Talbot Hall's document camera, also located on top of the lectern.
- Blu-Ray: The blu-ray player.
- Rack HDMI & Wall Plate: You may ignore these inputs. They are not readily accessible to presenters.
- Projector: The sidebar to the left of the screen gives you options for operating the projector. In descending order, these options are On, Off, and Mute. Selected options are highlighted in white. When you mute the projector, it will remain on, but will not display the selected device. It will still display on the monitor, however. It is best practice to always mute the projector rather than turn it off.
- Playback Audio: The sidebar to the left of the screen allows you to control the volume of the room's speakers. The gray and white bar is a visual indicator of the room's current volume setting. To the right of that, you have three options. The top button increases volume, the middle button decreases volume, and the bottom button mutes the audio altogether.
- All Mic Mute: Below these options is a large gray button that will allow you to mute all the microphones connected to the system.
- Other Options: The bottom of the screen gives the user a variety of different options. From left to right, these options are:
- Help: This button will provide you a phone number to call if you need help with technical issues.
- Screen Control: This controls the projector screen. Hit the up arrow to raise it up into the ceiling. Hit the down arrow to have it descend again.
- Camera Controls: Adjust the room's camera, or use one of the built-in presets.
- Wired Microphone Controls: This will present you with a menu for controlling the room's wired microphones. This menu shows a number of inputs, but the only one readily available to presenters is the Podium Mic. This microphone's controls are located on the far left of the menu and can be adjusted the same way you would adjust the Playback Audio.
- Wireless Microphone Controls: This will present you with a menu for controlling the volume of the room's wireless microphones: A lavalier (or LAV) microphone and a handheld microphone. Both of these wireless microphones can be found on charging stations on the lectern.
- Power Down: Power down the system when you are done with your presentation. Described in more detail below.
Power Down the System
Best practice is to always power down the system once you are finished with the room's equipment.
- If you used the in-room PC, please shut that down first.
- On the touch panel, press the Power Down button. You will presented with a confirmation screen. If you are sure that you are done with the room's equipment, hit the green Power Down button to confirm your selection. You will be presented with another loading screen as the system takes its time to shut down.
- As part of the process, the projector will be turned off, the monitor will no longer display any input, and the screen will raise back into the ceiling.
- If you used any of the room's wireless microphones, please return them to their charging station.
Basic Troubleshooting
- Mouse and Keyboard
- Neither are working.
- Make sure both power switches are in the on position.
- If both are turned on and still not operating, could be bad batteries. Give us a call and we'll come to you.
- Computer
- In-room computer isn't displaying.
- Confirm computer is turned on.
- Computers power button will be illuminated.
- Make sure PC is selected on the touch panel.
- Projector
- Device isn't displaying.
- Has the display been turned on via the touch panel?
- Make sure proper input is selected. Try the other inputs as well.
- Try changing inputs, then switch back to the "proper" input.
- Some rooms have a projector mute button, make sure this isn't selected (if red, press the mute button again to turn off).
- Make sure device is powered on.
- Make sure device is awake by clicking the mouse, moving the mouse, and or pressing the space bar on the keyboard.
- Double check device connections.
- If using an adapter, try unplugging and re-plugging the connection.
- If using HDMI or VGA directly, try unplugging and re-plugging the connection.
- If above steps have been followed and your device is still not displaying, give us a call.
- Audio/Speakers
- Can't hear sound.
- Check the volume on the touch panel. The volume levels should be displayed on the right of the touch panel, including buttons that allow you to mute the speakers or adjust the levels to your preference.
- Check volume control of the device. Is it turned up all the way/muted?
- If connected VGA
- Is the headphone jack properly plugged in your computer?
- Make sure proper audio output is selected within your audio settings of your device.
- If connected HDMI
- Is the HDMI properly plugged in?
- Make sure proper audio output is selected within your audio settings of your device.
- Crackling sound.
- Make sure the connection is properly seated.
- Microphones
- Not picking up sound.
- Is the device turned on?
- If the device doesn't turn on, it could be a case of bad batteries. Give us a call and we'll come to you.
- Make sure the proper audio input is selected on your device.
- Muffled / Crackling sound when using the LAV microphone.
- Make sure the microphone is pinned properly and is not brushing up against loose clothing.
- Does the audio crackle when the wire is moved around? It may have been damaged. Give us a call.
Environment