This will outline the details and basic tips and tricks for operating the equipment in Lee Hall.
Details
Lee 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 player
- Laptop Connection (HDMI & VGA)
- Speakers
- Handheld Microphone
- LAV Microphone
- Document Camera
Operating the Touch Panel
Most of Lee Hall's equipment is controlled by a touch panel located on 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 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 should change to a loading screen.
Operating the System
Once it has loaded, you should be presented with the following screen.
From top to bottom, left to right, here are the following options for you to select from :
- 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.
- HDMI: The device currently plugged in using the lectern's HDMI cable.
- VGA: The device currently plugged in using the lectern's VGA cable.
- DVD: The DVD player.
- VHS: The VHS.
- Doc Cam: Lee Hall's document camera, also located on the lectern.
- Front & Back Cam: Feed from the wall-mounted cameras at the front and back of the classroom. When these are selected, they do not automatically display on the monitor and projector. They can, however, be connected to when using Zoom or similar applications.
- 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.
- Front Camera Control: In the center of the screen are controls for adjusting the wall-mounted camera at the front of the classroom. Please note that if you wish to control the camera at the back of the classroom, you will need to use the black remote found on or around the lectern. From left to right, your options are:
- Zoom: Use the top (+) button to zoom the camera in, and the bottom (-) button to zoom out.
- Presets: Each of these three numbers correspond to a saved preset. When you select a preset, the camera will automatically position itself to the settings saved in the preset.
- Pan/Tilt: You can use the four arrow buttons to position the camera to your preference, or press Home to return the camera to its default position.
- Master Volume: 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:
- Screen Control: This will bring up a menu that will allow you to control the projector screen.
- Use the arrow buttons to raise or lower the screen.
- Use the stop button to pause the screen while it is raising or lowering.
- Help: This will display a pop-up with the phone number for Media Services, in case of an issue.
- Microphone Control: This will bring up a menu that allows you to adjust the volume of the room's microphones, with controls similar to Master Volume.
- Handheld Mic allows you to control the room's handheld microphone. This microphone should be located in the cabinet drawer beneath the lectern.
- LAV Mic allows you to control the room's lavalier, or lapel, microphone. This microphone should be located in the cabinet drawer beneath the lectern.
- XLR INPUT 1 allows you to control the microphone currently connected to the system via an XLR cable connection. In cases where this is required, a technician will usually be present to help you.
- Power Down: Power down the system when you are done using the room's equipment. You will be presented with a confirmation screen that will ask you to confirm whether or not you want to power down.
Powering Down
Best practice is to always power down the system once you are finished using the room's equipment.
- If you used the in-room PC, it is recommended to shut that down first.
- If you used the room's handheld or LAV microphones, please return them to the cabinet drawer beneath the lectern.
- Finally, hit the Power Down button on the touch panel and confirm your selection. This should raise the projector screen and turn off the rest of the room's equipment.
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