Resources

906 Media Cart

14th July 2005
John Cropper

Introduction

The media cart in 906 supports a number of different functions which make it potentially a complex system to operate. The basic features include:

dual boot desktop computer (Windows XP / Linux)
visualization system (ELMO) with both bottom and top lighting
Toshiba Home Theater system with DVD/VCR.
Tablet-PC for possible annotated presentations
additional connectivity for user supplied laptop
USB hub for data transfer to the currently active computer

The electronic sources from the front of the room are connected to the ceiling mounted InFocus LP-840 projector system. This projector scans its input ports for an active connection and this feature is used extensively to manage the projected image.

Note the projector bulb has a limited life and is expensive to replace. Be sure to turn off the projector when you are finished with it.

Basic Use

Initial setup

The switches on the west wall of 906 near the media cart are designed to give the instructor maximal control of the operation of the room. These switches include:

room lights ON/OFF
emergency light next to east door ON/OFF (for better projection viewing)
ceiling mounted projector ON/OFF
projector screen UP/DOWN

Selecting a computer source

The anticipated major use of the system in 906 will be to display a computer screen image onto the large projector screen. There is a selector box suspended underneath the keyboard that has four settings:

(A) Desktop dual boot (Windows/Linux) machine DANTE

(B) Laptop connection

(C) ELMO visualization system / VCR

(D) DVD

Note: settings C and D actually de-select the PCs so that the projector's signal scan will see the other devices (ELMO, VCR, DVD).

Using the ELMO visualization system

Select ELMO on the source selector switch under the computer keyboard.

Turn on the ELMO with the ON/OFF switch at the back of the unit (next to the power cord). The ceiling mounted projector should search for a video source and should find the ELMO (if all the other settings are correct - otherwise go to TROUBLESHOOTING).

Using the DVD/VCR player

The DVD/VCR player is in the cabinet behind the podium. Obtain a key to the cabinet and open it (Note: faculty should already have the key).

Select VCR or DVD on the video selector switch (under/next to computer keyboard).

Remove the sub-woofer and place it outside the cabinet

Press the POWER button on the home-theater system.

Select the type of media being used (VCR is the default) - a small yellow display indicates the current selection.

Load your recorded media and press the ">" (PLAY) option.

Set the volume to an appropriate level (17 seems to work reasonably well).

If you are playing a VHS tape then select VCR on the 4-button selector switch that sits on top of the player - MAKE SURE THAT YOU SELECT "aux" WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED !! or you will hinder the next user of the ELMO visualization system.

When you have finished using the system remember to:

remove your media
turn off the POWER to the home theater system
verify that the selector switch is set to AUX
place the sub-woofer speaker back inside the cabinet
lock the cabinet
return the key to wherever you got it from

MULTI-MODAL use (switching between active sources)

The configuration has been designed to allow users to (fairly easily) switch between multiple projector sources during a presentation. To better understand how this works and thus use it more effectively, here is a primer on how the ceiling mounted InFocus LP840 projector works. The projector has multiple input sources that it scans through and presents the first one that it finds. The GS906 setup utilizes this scanning mechanism by making sure that there is only one active signal being sent (when used as designed). The sources being used are:

VGA computer (shared by the desktop and laptop connection via the switch under the podium keyboard)
Composite video (used by the ELMO and the VCR player)
Component video (used by the DVD player)

Example: switching between a personal laptop and the ELMO visualization system.

To display the laptop, set the under-keyboard selector switch to 'laptop' (B) and set the ELMO (using the pull out control panel at the front-right) to AV1. The laptop computer image should now be on the projector.

To switch to the ELMO, set the under-keyboard selector button to 'ELMO' (C) and set the ELMO (using the pull-out control panel at the front right) to MAIN.

Troubleshooting

No image on the projector screen -- make sure that the wall switch labeled "PROJECTOR" is in the ON position. If the projector has selected the 'wrong' source, it may be helpful to turn off the projector, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

"Toshiba DVD" screen is showing (or blue box DVD screensaver) -- open the cabinet behind the podium and turn off the DVD/VCR player.

ELMO does not display on the projector screen -- open the cabinet behind the podium and verify that the (RadioShack) video selector switch is set to AUX (not VCR).

Cannot get the main computer (Dante) to display -- if there is no display on the monitor, the machine may be off. Check the power switch on the front of the machine in the cabinet (it should show green if on) and power on if necessary. Be sure video selector switch is set to Desktop (A).

There is a "beeping" sound coming from the media cart -- the battery backup unit has lost its power input - check that the power cord on the west wall is plugged in.