This will outline the details and basic tips and tricks for operating the equipment in room 165 of the Portland campus' Science building.
Details
This room 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 far right of the instructor's teaching station. Other pieces of in-room equipment include:
- Computer
- Desk Monitor
- Two Wall-Mounted Monitors
- LCD Projector
- Blu-ray player
- Laptop Connection (HDMI & VGA)
- Speakers
- Handheld Microphone
- LAV Microphone
- Ceiling Document Camera
- Table Document Camera
Operating the Touch Panel
Most of this room's equipment is controlled by a touch panel located on the far right of the teaching station. 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 in front of it. You should be presented with the following screen. 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 display should change to a loading message.
Operating the System
Once it has loaded, you should be presented with the following screen.
The top bar displays the current time and date. In top right corner, there is also a power button for turning off the system. This process is described in more detail in one of the sections further below.
On the right, you will see that you have the ability to adjust the volume of the room's speakers. The top button will increase volume, the middle button will decrease volume, and the bottom button will mute all audio.
Finally, on the bottom, there are a series of options to choose from, each of which is detailed below, starting from left to right.
Sources
This menu allows you to select a source to be displayed on the projector and monitors.
- PC displays content from the in-room PC.
- Laptop displays content from a device plugged into the system via an HDMI or VGA connection.
- Ceiling Doc Cam displays content from the ceiling document camera.
- Table Doc Cam displays content from the table document camera, typically located on the right of the teaching station.
- Blu-Ray displays content from the Blu-Ray player.
Display Control
In this menu, you can control which screens will display content from the source. In descending order, each has the option to turn the device on, off, or mute it. If you choose to mute the device, it will still be on, but will no longer display anything from the source or play audio from that source. It is always recommended to mute a device rather than turn it off, since it takes less time.
- Projector will control the LCD projector displaying on the big screen in the center.
- Display Left will control the wall-mounted monitor on the left-hand side of the teacher's station.
- Display Right will control the wall-mounted monitor on the right-hand side of the teacher's station.
Mic Control
This menu allows you to control the volume of the microphones connected to the system.
Camera Control
This menu allows you to adjust the room's camera's. First, choose which camera you would like to control.
- PTZ allows you to control the camera located in the back of the room.
- Ceiling Doc Cam allows you to adjust the document camera located in the ceiling above the teacher's station.
When selecting PTZ, you will be presented with the menu above. This allows you to:
- Rotate the camera using the arrows.
- Zoom in or out using the plus and minus buttons.
- Set the camera to one of its Presets, by using the number buttons below. You can also set your own preset by holding down one of these buttons, although we ask that you consult with Media Services before doing so.
When selecting Ceiling Doc Cam, you will presented with the menu above. This allows you to:
- Zoom in or out using the plus or minus buttons.
- Freeze to keep the camera still and remain focused.
Blu-Ray Control
This menu allows you to control the Blu-Ray player remotely.
AV-Bridge Source
The input you select here is what the system will identify as the current camera. This can be used on applications such as zoom to seamlessly switch sources for those viewing on the application without having to change sources on the monitors.
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, in the upper right corner of the screen, there is a power button that looks like a circle and a line. Press that button and you will presented with a confirmation screen. If you are sure that you are done with the room's equipment, press the Shutdown 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 stations.
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