This page provides "CTA-level" instructions for setup, adjustments, and troubleshooting the elementary classroom AV systems. Basic "Staff User Level" Instructions are located at http://k-12.pisd.edu/avsystem/staff. Remember to check back to this page often, as the information here will be adjusted as needed.

• Connections at the TV
• Connections at the AV Switch Box ("Pelican")
• Connecting the Computer Audio/Video
• Connecting the Scan Converter
• Connections at the VCR
• Other Connections (as needed)
• Connecting a LaserDisc Player
• Connecting and using a VID (Elmo)
  

VCR and AV Switch Box

Connections at the TV Version: 10-20-04

2. Connect the ends of the "red-white-yellow" cable to the video 1, (or aux.,) or similar input ports on the back of the tv.

As these ports will vary slightly with the brand and model of the tv, click on the following to see examples for these brands/models.

JVC TV Back View

Toshiba (older model) TV Back View

Toshiba (newer model) TV Back View

Zenith Presentation Series Back View

NEC Monitor Back View

Back of TV (Note: this picture is the back of a
Zenith TV. Other TV brands will have similar "Aux"
or Video/Audio inputs.)

1. Connect the COAX (CATV) cable from the RF port on the Wall Plate - to - the CATV/Antenna "IN" port on the back of the VCR. In most cases in the elementary campuses, this will already be done.

Note: We'll no longer use the other coaxial cable from the VCR Antenna OUT port - to - TV, so you can take it off and store it.

Connections at the AV Switch Box (Pelican)

This packaging step may have already been taken care of for you by Instructional Technology. If so, then skip to step 1 below.
NOTE: It is very important, when unpacking the AV Switch Box from its original packaging, that you retrieve (KEEP) the 6 foot "red-white-yellow-black" cable and the "alternative" button covers that come with each unit. They are located in easy-to-miss places within the packaging. In addition, you do NOT need to keep the AC power adapter or the short COAX cable that comes with this. There is no use for them so please collect and throw them away.

Take the button covers (labels), that come pre-installed on the switch box, out. Use a flat blade screwdriver or end of a pen to remove them. Please put the following covers (labels) in, as follows:

"CD" in the far left or 1st button position
"VCR" in the next to left or 2nd button position
"Other" in the 3rd from the left or 3rd button position
Leaving the far right or 4th,5th position(s) empty at this time

1. Position the AV Switch Box on top of the VCR.

2. Connect the "red-white-yellow-black" cable to the matching color output ports on the back of the AV Switch Box in the area labeled AV/S VIDEO OUT. These ports are on the far right side of the back of the box, as it is facing you.

Note: There is no need to connect the S-Video cable (black cable). This device is only an S-video pass through...we will not be using this connection on our TVs at this time.

Connecting the Computer Audio/Video

1. Make the following connection for the computer's sound to play through the TV's speakers. Use the cable and adapter, pictured at right, to make this connection.

Note: The cable is sometimes beige or white. In addition, depending on suppliers other configurations of this audio cable solution may be used.

or

Computer Audio Cable

2. Connect the "red-white" composite cable to the matching color input ports on the back of the AV Switch Box in the area labeled AV/S VIDEO 1. These are the second (from the right) set of ports on the back of the box, as the back is facing you.

3. Connect the other end of the "audio cable" (this will be the 1/8" stereo mini-plug end, if using an adapter...then the 1/8" end of the adapter) to the speaker output port in the sound card on the back of the computer. If the existing small workstation speakers are currently plugged in, you will need to remove them to make this connection. In some cases, if the teacher would still like use of their small speakers at times, then they can leave them plugged in to the green port on the sound card. Then just run the AV system's Audio Cable input so it can be plugged in to the "headphone" port on the front of the speakers. The teacher can then just plug it in to re-direct their computer's sound to the TV, via the av switch box, when they wish. However, you may find that certain teacher speakers have a "recessed" headphone port, making this option not possible. There is an adapter available to solve this. Contact your cluster's technology coordinator on this. Until you receive the adapter, just go with the regular sound card installation as described at the beginning.

TIP: To improve computer sound quality, the user should adjust their Window's Volume Control in addition to the mounted TV's volume control.

or (depending on the type of computer)

Or, as an alternative, just connect to the speaker's "headphone" port as described in detail to the left and pictured below.

1. For the computer video connection, you will use the scan converter box ("TView" or similar) and the appropriate cables.

NOTE: Since these are already connected and setup in our elementary AV bundles, the only change to be made, will be to pull the S-video cable out of the back of the Scan Converter. And to add a composite (RCA-type) single cable from the composite out at the back of the converter box - to - appropriate input port on the back of the "pelican" AV switch box.

Scan Converter and Cables

2. Connect one end of a single composite (RCA) cable into the VIDEO OUT port on the back of the Scan Converter. A long, single composite (RCA) cable has been provided for this.

Note: You may remove and store the long S-video cables for future use or needs, or you may leave them in the cabinets...unplugged from the system.

or

...with VGA and Video Out cables attched

NOTE: To test, start the computer. Check that the Computer's monitor (display) is working. (Remember to also turn the monitor power back on if needed.) Also make sure that the scan converter (TView Gold, Scan-it, AverKey etc.) is also "on". Continue with steps below.

To Top

4. To play the computer's screen and sound through the TV system:

A. Turn on the TV. Once it is warmed up and fully on, select the AUX or VIDEO source (using the TV's remote, if available) as the source you wish to display.

B. Engage the 1st (left-most) button on the black AV switch box ("Pelican") to send the computer's audio and video signals to the TV.

C. Adjust the volume, as needed, with the TV's volume controls or with the TV's remote and with the Windows (Computer) Volume Controls.

To Top

Connecting the VCR

1. Use the cables and the optional adapter*, pictured below, to connect a VCR to the AV Switch Box.

*This small adapter should only be used with any monaural (non-stereo) VCRs to prevent sound from coming from only one TV speaker. Also, please note that this adapter, depending on suppliers, may also come in another type, such as the ones pictured below.

Either type will achieve the same result. Please return any monaural adapters not used, to Douglas Floyd in Instructional Technology.

2. Connect a short "red-white-yellow" composite cable to the matching color input ports on the back of the AV Switch Box in the area labeled AV/S VIDEO 2. These are the third (from the right) set of ports on the back of the box, as it (the back) is facing you.

3. Connect the other end of the short "red-white-yellow" composite cable as follows. Connect the yellow cable to the VIDEO OUT port on the back of the VCR.

For "Mono" (non-stereo) VCRs - Connect the red and white cables to the provided "Y" adapter and then plug the adapter into the AUDIO OUT port on the back of the VCR.

For "Stereo" VCRs - Connect the red and white cables to the matching color AUDIO OUT ports on the back of the VCR. (See examples at right.)

Note: Some VCR brands have these back ports "flip-flopped." You will need to identify the correct port on the back of the VCR to make sure to use the OUT ports and not the IN ports for this connection.

OR
(depending on which mono adapter you have)

4. (You may have already taken care of this step in an earlier section.) If your CATV (RF) connections are active and ready, connect one end of a coax cable from the CATV ("Antenna In") port on the back of the VCR - to - the CATV port coming from the wall.

Note: After all connections are made, the VCR "auto-programming" feature should be run, so it receives all possible channels available through the CATV feed. Also, remember to check that it is setup for "CATV" and not just "TV" or "Broadcast". This is the most common issue if you are only receiving channels lower than 22 or so.

5. To play the VCR through the AV system:

A. Engage the 2nd button "VCR" (from the front left side) on the AV Switch Box.
B. Select the AUX or VIDEO source on the TV. (This source should not have to change anymore, for showing any of your sources!)
C. Adjust the volume, as needed, with the TV volume control.
D. If viewing a movie, just insert and press play. If viewing CATV feed, use VCR remote or buttons on the front of the VCR to navigate to desired channel. Remember, do not change channels using the TV channel buttons or remote. The TV will need to stay on the "video 1" (or similar, depending on TV brand) source for all uses. It's the "Pelican" A/V switch box that takes care of changing which source is displayed on the TV screen. It's the VCR that takes care of "changing TV channels".

Some new av boxes will have 5 inputs available.

To Top

For using a VID (Elmo), also see the online guide, "Using Your Elmo DS-400"

For any other connections from devices such as Laser Disc Players, Digital Cameras, Camcorders, etc., just make the same connection sequence as above. For example, a Laser Disc Player could be added to the system by connecting a "red-white-yellow" composite cable from the video/audio output ports on the back of the Laser Player - to - "any" open set of input ports on the back of the AV Switch Box. In addition, all previous cables, such as COAX cables, should be removed from the Laser Disc Player. A VID (ELMO) device could be connected similarly.