This page provides "CTA-level" instructions for setup, adjustments, and troubleshooting the classroom mounted tv systems. Basic "Staff User Level" Instructions are located at http://k-12.pisd.edu/tvsystems/ Remember to check back to this page often, as the information here will be adjusted as additional components are added to the system.

• Connections at the Upper Wallplate and TV
• Connections at the Lower Wallplate
• 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 Remote, AV Switch Box,
and Scan Converter

Connections at the Upper Wall Plate and TV Version: 9-18-02

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

As these ports will vary slightly with the brand and model of the mounted 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

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

Lower Wall Plate

Lower Wall Plate with Coax (CATV)

Lower Wall Plate with Coax (CATV) and Composite (RCA-type) Audio/Video Cables (from the AV Switch Box "Pelican")

Connections at the AV Switch Box (Pelican)

NOTE: It is very important, when unpacking the AV Swith Box from its original packaging, that you retrieve 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.

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 position empty at this time

1. Position the AV Switch Box on top of the VCR. (If a VCR is not currently available, position the AV Switch Box in the location where the VCR will go.) The VCR, AV Switch Box, and Scan Converter will need to be located within approximately 5 feet of the Wall Plate and within 3 feet of the Computer Workstation.

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.

Connecting the Computer Audio/Video

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

Note: this picture represents two pieces. An 1/8" stereo mini plug - to - 1/8" stereo mini plug, and a "pigtail" adapter. They are already combined in this picture. Also note that the cable is sometimes beige or white. In addition, depending on suppliers other configurations of this audio cable solution may be used.

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,) 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 may need to remove them to make this connection.

NOTE: Once this audio connection is made, remember that the regular small speakers on the workstation will no longer produce sound. (If a user must use these local speakers instead of the TV's built-in speakers, simply remove the cable at right, temporarily, and plug the cable from the small speakers back into the speaker port on the computer's sound card.)

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)

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

Scan Converter and Cables

4. Connect the regular single VGA end of the scan converter's VGA cable into the back of the scan converter.

Note: If a VGA-extension cable is needed, attach it at this time. If one is used, then connect the single VGA end of the short cable into the "receiver" end of the VGA extension cable. Then plug the other end of the extension into the back of the scan converter.

5. Connect one end of a single composite (RCA) cable into the VIDEO OUT port on the back of the Scan Converter.

6. Disconnect the current teaching workstation's monitor cable from the back of the computer.

7. Plug the "piggy-backed" end of the scan converter's "short" VGA cable into the VGA port on the back of the computer (where the monitor was before.)

8. Next, re-connect the dangling monitor cable into the VGA receiver port that is located on the "piggy-backed" part of this cable, near the back of the computer. Make sure the connection is secure.

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.) Continue with steps below.

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

A. Turn on the mounted 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.

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Connecting the VCR

1. Use the cables and the optional adapter*, pictured at right, to connect a VCR to the AV Switch Box and to the CATV on the wall plate.

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

Either type will achieve the same result. Please return any monaural adapters not used, to Sheryl Boyle 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)

5. To play the VCR through the mounted TV system:

A. Engage the 2nd button "VCR" (from the front left side) on the AV SwitchBox.
B. Select the AUX or VIDEO source on the TV.
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".

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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. A VID (ELMO) device could be connected similarly.