Aurora University provides networking and display technology in all regular classrooms. This guide contains brief descriptions on how to use the main system functions. Quick one-page guides for using the DVD-VCR and projector remotes are available (PDF format). If you have any questions or needs not addressed in this document, please contact Information Technology Services.

Summary of features

The new classrooms contain a ceiling-mounted or cart-mounted data projector, powered speakers, and a cabinet containing a newtorked computer and DVD/VCR playback system. Using these components in various combinations you can do any of the following:

• Access the network, including your local K: and S: drives on the Novell network (after appropriate login).
• Run any of the standard AU computer applications, including all of the MS office applications.
• Project the computer image onto the screen for viewing by the class and play any accompanying audio.
• Play most forms of streaming media from the internet sources.
• Play a VHS tape and project the image into the screen with sound routed to powered speaker.
• Play a DVD and project the image onto the screen with sound routed to the powered speaker.
• Play an audio CD with the sound routed to the powered speaker.
• Attach your own laptop computer to the system as an alternative to the desktop unit in the lecturn or media cart (the laptop must have a network interface).

In the Institute classrooms, an electronic ELMO is attached to most podiums for illustrating images and periodicals. Instructions on using the ELMO are available.

Special note on remote control devices. You'll notice there are two remotes. Each performs a different set of functions:

1. The Sharp remote controls the ceiling mounted projector. Point it at the ceiling to use it. The most common uses for this device are to switch between the various inputs (computer, VCR/DVD player, etc.), and to control the master volume on the powered speakers in the larger Dunham Hall classrooms.
2. The Zenith remote controls the VCR/DVD player functions, including start, stop, track selection, backward, forward, pause, etc. The only playback function not controlled using this device is volume (use the Sharp projector controller for that).

Note that neither of the remotes controls the computer itself. All functions using the PC (whether desktop or laptop) must be made directly at the computer.

Using the Computer and Projector

The most common use for the new classrooms is the display of a computer application using the ceiling-mounted projector. Here are the basic setup steps:

1. Start the computer. Open the door in the lectern or media cart and turn on the computer (if it is not already running). If your classroom setup includes a computer monitor make sure it is also running so that you can easily see the image that is being projected. In classrooms without monitors, you will need to power up the projector to see the image. The computer should already be connected to the network. Log in is done in two stages:
• Step 1. Start the machine. If the Novell login window appears, make sure "student" is entered as the username and the "Workstation only" box is checked. Do not enter a password. Click OK and allow the machine to finish booting. Once the machine comes up you will have access to local software (such as MS Office) and to the Internet. However, you will not be connected to Novell and you will not have access to your personal storage areas on the local network.
• Step 2 (optional). If you need access to Novell services (your K: and S: drives), let the machine come up as described in Step 1, and then click Start > Programs > Novell (Common) > Novell Login. This time, when the Novell login box appears, enter your usual Novell username and password. You will now have access to your personal Novell storage locations, as well as to local software and the Internet. To see your Novell drives, double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop. This method works for anyone with a Novell account.
2. Turn on the projector. Using the Sharp remote control device. Point the remote towards the projector and press ON to power up the projector. Please be patient -- in order to preserve bulb life the projector brings up the brightness slowly, and you won't see a full image for about a minute.
3. Set the input (if necessary). The projector is designed to accept an input from multiple devices. If you are using the built-in computer or an attached notebook computer, the project should automatically sense the presence of the image coming from the computer and project it on the screen with no further steps required. If you do not see the image, point the Sharp remote towards the projector and press the Input 1 button. Zoom and focus settings are made at the projector itself and should already be correct.
4. After the session: power down the equipment. After the class or presentation is over or if the projector will not be used for a while, go ahead and power the equipment down. To turn off the projector, press the OFF button on the remote once, and then, when the confirmation message appears on the screen, press OFF a second time. The computer may be left running (but if you have logged into your Novell account, remember to log out of that account before leaving the classroom). If appropriate you can turn off the computer in the usual way, by selecting Start > Shut Down.

Attaching a Laptop Computer to the Projector

The classroom's projection and audio systems can attached to a portable notebook or laptop computer using the bundle of cable connections that run through the hole in the top of the lectern or media cart.

1. Attach the video cable The video (RGB) cable has trapezoid-shaped plug with 15 pins. Connect this to the video output port on your laptop. Make sure the connection is complete and that the thumbscrews are tight.
2. Attach the network cable (optional). If you need access to the network for your presentation, attach your machine to the network cable. This connection is provided by an Ethernet cable terminated by an RJ-45 plug (which looks like a telephone plug, except that it is larger and has 8 wires instead of 4). Connect this cable to the RJ-45 jack on your computer. If your machine has a built-in network interface this connection will normally be on the back or side, or if you're using a PC-card interface, the network cable will attach to the card itself. A wireless signal is available in some classrooms -- if your notebook is equipped with a wireless interface you can establish a network connection without using the Ethernet cable.
3. Attach the audio cable (optional). If your presentation contains sound, you can route the audio information from your notebook's sound card to the powered speakers by attaching the audio cable to the headphone or audio output connection on your notebook. The audio cable is a small black wire terminated by a 3.5mm stereo miniplug.
4. Turn on the laptop. Power up your laptop machine. If you're not running on batteries you will need to connect your power supply to an available wall outlet. Verify that everything is working.
5. Turn on the projector. Using the Sharp remote control device. Press ON to power up the projector. Please be patient -- in order to preserve bulb life the projector brings up the brightness slowly, and you won't see a full image for about a minute.
6. Set the input (if necessary). If the laptop computer is the only device that is running, the projector should automatically switch to that input and display the image on the screen. If the main computer is also running, a special switching circuit should detect both images, and automatically give precedence to the notebook computer image.
7. Activate the laptop output image (if necessary). If you see the image on the laptop screen but not on the projected image, it could be because the video output port on your laptop has not been activated. On many laptops the default is to display the image only on the built-in LCD screen and the video output port is turned off, so you may have to change the setting manually. This is normally done using one of the laptop's function key commands. On the IBM Thinkpad computers used by most AU faculty, press <Fn>+<F7> (hold both keys down at the same time). A menu of choices will appear. Select "Thinkpad and projector." The image should now appear on both the laptop and the projector.
8. Afterwards, turn off power to all equipment. After the class or presentation is over, power down the projector. Press the OFF button on the remote once, and then, when the confirmation message appears on the screen, press OFF a second time.

Controlling audio playback volume

Managing the audio signal in the classrooms can be confusing because in some cases the volume can be controlled at several different points. The speaker volume can sometimes be controlled directly at the speaker itself, but if the display material is coming from the computer there may also be volume controls on the hardware, at the operating system level, or within the playback application. The important thing to remember is that if the volume setting is too low or a mute function is activated at any point in the chain from the computer to the projector, you won't hear the sound from the speakers.

There are two basic configurations in AU classrooms, and the methods for controlling volume vary according to the setup:

1. Classrooms with lecterns (larger classrooms in Dunham Hall). In these classrooms the powered speakers are mounted on the walls or ceiling and the audio signal is routed through the projector. Use the Sharp projector remote control unit to control volume from both the computer and the DVD/VCR player. (There is a volume control button on the DVD/VCR remote but it can't be used for this purpose). There is also a MUTE button on the projector remote allows you to switch the sound off altogether. Pressing it a second time turns the speakers back on. (In the newer classrooms, this button is marked AV Mute, and stops both the video and the audio). On-screen messages will display the functions as you apply them. Remember that you need to point the remote at the projector to make these changes.

2. Classrooms with media carts (smaller classrooms in Dunham Hall, all other classrooms). In these classrooms the audio signal is routed directly to the powered speaker, not through the projector. To control the volume of audio coming from the computer, use the computer's hardware and software controls (these will vary according to the computer itself and the particular playback software being used). For DVD or VHS media coming from the DVD/VCR player, adjust the volume using the small thumbwheel control mounted on the cable that runs to the speaker.

Playing an audio CD

There are two ways to play an audio CD through the powered speakers mounted on the wall or ceiling. Since sound is routed through the projector, that device must be turned on in order for the speakers to work.

1. Computer. Insert the audio CD in the optical drive of the computer. Either the main PC or an attached laptop can be used for this, but if the latter, make sure the 3.5mm miniplug connector is attached to the audio output of the laptop. Software for controlling the playback is on the PC -- you'll normally have several software choices (such as Windows Media Player or RealPlayer). The master volume control is on the Sharp projector's remote control device.
2. DVD/VCR player. The DVD/VCR player in the base of the lectern or media cart can also play audio CDs. Insert the audio CD in the player's CD/DVD drawer. The player should automatically recognize the source. Use the Zenith remote control (pointed at the DVD/VCR player) to manage the playback (track selection, etc.), and the Sharp remote (pointed at the ceiling-mounted projector) to control master volume. If the projector does not automatically detect the input, manually switch the input by pressing Input 3 on the Sharp controller.

Playing DVD or VHS media on the DVD/VCR

Most common video formats can be displayed through the projector using the Zenith VCR/DVD players included on the lecterns and media carts. This system supports playback of VHS tapes and also optical disks in the following formats: DVD, Audio CD, Kodak Picture CD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, CD-R, CD-RW with audio titles, MP3, JPEG, and WMA. Note that the computer does not need to be running for this type of display. Follow these steps:

1. Turn on the playback unit. Turn on the DVD/VCR device at the unit itself, either using the main switch on the device or the Zenith remote control.
2. Turn on the projector. Using the Sharp remote control device or (on the smaller media carts) buttons on the projector itself, power up the projector. Please be patient. In order to preserve bulb life the projector brings up the brightness slowly, and you won't see a full image for about a minute.
3. Insert media. Load the VHS or DVD media in the appropriate slot on the playback unit. Use the Zenith remote control to manage the playback process (start, stop, skip, fast forward, etc.). Control the volume level as described above.
4. Play media. If the computer is not running, the projector should sense the active input and display the DVD or VHS on the screen. If the computer is already running you will have to switch the projector manually. Using the Sharp remote control device, press the Input 3 button. You can switch back to the computer image at any time by pressing Input 1. (Special feature: If both the computer and the DVD/VCR are running, press Input 1 to set the projector to the computer. Then press the PinP (Picture in Picture) or Picture Mode button on the Sharp remote. The computer's image will display in full-screen mode while the DVD/VCR image will display in a smaller window inset in the lower right hand corner of the screen. Press PinP again to return to single-screen mode).
5. Turn off power to all equipment. After the class or presentation is over, power down the projector. Press the OFF button on the remote once, and then, when the confirmation message appears on the screen, press OFF a second time. Remove the playback media from the DVD/VCR device and turn the power off.