This page provides "CTA-level" instructions for setup, adjustments, and troubleshooting the classroom projection systems. Basic "Staff-level" instructions are located at http://k-12.pisd.edu/projector. Remember to check back to this page often, especially during the beginning of the school year, as the information here will be adjusted as additional components are added to the system. Please send any suggestions, etc., regarding the info on this page or the staff page, to dhitt@pisd.edu, Thanks.

• Connecting the Computer Video
• AV Switch Box Setup
  • Connecting the AV Switch Box to the Wall-plate
• Connecting the Computer Sound
• Connecting the VCR
• Connecting a LaserDisc Player
• Connecting and using a VID (Elmo)
  
  
• Adjustments
• Troubleshooting

Connecting the Computer Video (Current "VGA Amp/Splitter") Version: 8-14-01

1. For the computer video connection, you will use a combination of the VGA Amp/Splitter and a standard male-to-male VGA cable, pictured at right.

4. Connect the Main (attached) Input VGA cable coming out of the VGA Amp/Splitter box-to-the VGA port on the back of the computer. Make sure the connection is secure.

5. Plug the VGA Amp/Splitter's power supply into an outlet.

NOTE: To test, start the computer. Check that the Computer's monitor (display) is working. (Remember to also turn the monitor back on if needed.) Next, turn on the Plus Data Projector. Once it is warmed up and fully on, select RGB (on the remote) as the source you wish to display.

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Connecting the AV Switch Box to the Wall Plate

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 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.) Both the VCR and the AV Switch Box will need to be located within approximately 5 feet of the Wall Plate and 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.

3. Connect the other end of the "red-white-yellow-black" cable to the video, audio, and s-video "input" ports on the Wall Plate. Click here or on the image at right, for a larger view of the Wall Plate and captions.

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Connecting the Computer Audio to the AV Switch Box

1. Make the following connection for the computer's sound to play through the new integrated ceiling speakers that have been installed along with the projectors. Use the cable and adapter, pictured at right, to make this connection.

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 it is facing you.

3. Connect the other end of the "audio cable" (this will be the 1/8" 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 room's sound system, 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 Wall Control Knob.

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

A. Push the 1st button in (on the front left side) on the AV Switch Box.
B. Press "RGB" on the Projector's Remote.
C. Adjust the volume, as needed, with the wall-mounted Control Knob.

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Connecting the VCR

1. Position the VCR player close to the wall plate. Both the VCR and the AV Switch Box will need to be located within approximately 5 feet of the Wall Plate and the Computer Workstation.

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

*This small adapter should be used with all Monaural (non-stereo) VCRs to prevent sound from coming from only one ceiling speaker. 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 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.)

4. To play the VCR through the projection and sound system:

A. Push the 2nd button in (from the front left side) on the AV Switch Box.
B. Press "VIDEO" on the Projector's Remote.
C. Adjust the volume, as needed, with the wall-mounted Control Knob.

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

Adjustments
(Information in development)

Troubleshooting
(Information in development)