This quick guide will walk you through the basics of using an IT Media Services classroom. All equipment in the room is controlled by a 'media controller'. This allows you to power on the classroom displays, select video sources and adjust the audio volume. The media controller is located on the top of the classroom lectern.
Starting up (powering on the displays)
To begin, press the “ON” button on the controller. This will power on the video projector or display. It may take a few moments for the display to start. As this happens, the ON button will flash. Please wait until the button stops flashing before continuing.
Once the ON button stops flashing you can select a video source by pressing one of the source buttons on the right side of the controller.
Using the Lectern PC
Press the Lectern PC button to use the classroom computer.
Each lectern includes a Lectern PC. This is usually a Lenovo desktop PC. You may need to power on the computer by pressing the computer's power button (a small circular button located on the front of the computer). On a Lenovo computer, you can tell if the computer is on or off by the small LED light in the middle of the power button. If it is lit then it is already on. When the computer is powered off the light is not lit. If you see a pulsing light on the power button then the computer is in sleep mode. Try pressing a key on the keyboard or clicking a mouse button to wake the computer up for use.
Once the computer has started you will need to log in using your Columbia College Chicago credentials. You will need to use their Columbia College email address as the user name (example: jsmith@colum.edu) and the same password that they have chosen to access their email and other Columbia services. If it is your first time logging into the computer for the semester, please allow a few minutes as your profile is created. This will only happen once per semester.
Other video source options
Press the Laptop VGA button if you would like to connect a laptop using the VGA cable. A VGA cable is an older type of cable that some laptops or devices may still use to connect to displays. If you are trying to use this cable to connect to a more modern laptop, you will most likely need an adapter. Plug the VGA cable (located in the control box) into the monitor out port of your laptop. You may need to make adjustments to your laptop’s display settings. For audio, use the 3.5mm audio cable. Plug this cable into your laptop's headphone jack.
To use the Document Camera, press the DOC CAM button. A document camera is a special kind of video camera that is designed to project documents or other objects onto the classroom displays. The document camera is located on the shelf at the side of the lectern.
Press the Laptop HDMI button if you would like to plug in a device (like a laptop or Blu-Ray player) that requires a HDMI connection. Both audio and video will be transmitted to the system through HDMI. You may need to adjust your laptop's audio/visual settings.
Press the Mini DisplayPort button if you have a laptop that uses a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt type connector Plug the Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt cable into your laptop. You may need to adjust your laptop's audio/visual settings.
Press the USB-C button if you ahve a laptop that uses a USB-C type connection. Plug the USB-C cable into your laptop. You may need to adjust your laptop's audio/visual settings.
The following input options are only available in select rooms.
The AUX VIDEO cables are used to connect older video devices such as VHS or DVD decks. Press the AUX VIDEO button if you would like to plug in an analog video device such as a VCR or video camera. Plug the three RCA cables (located in the control box) into your device and you’re ready to go.
Press the Blu-Ray Player button to use the Blu-Ray player. The player is installed in the lectern equipment rack. Use the included remote control to navigate your discs menu. DVDs can also be played through the lectern computer.
Volume and Video Mute
On the left side of the controller under the power buttons you will see a volume knob. Next to that you will see three extra buttons.
Use the volume knob to turn the volume up and down. As you make adjustments, LED lights will indicate the level of volume. The top LED will flash when you have turned up the volume all the way.
Next to the volume knob you will see VIDEO MUTE and AUDIO MUTE buttons. Pressing the Audio mute button will temporarily mute audio in the room. The Video mute button will blank the classroom displays so that the class can not see content. You will still be able to see your content on the lectern monitor. You can use this function to set up classroom materials or check your email without the class seeing. When these buttons are pressed they will flash red. This is to remind you that the audio or video mute is active. When you are done muting content, simply press the button again and audio/video will be restored. The button will stop flashing.
Powering down the room when you are finished.
When you are finished, please shut down the video projector by pressing the OFF button on the control box. It will take a few moments for the video projector to turn off. The OFF button will flash as the display powers down. You will not be able to power the system back on or select video sources until the OFF button stops flashing.
Document Cameras
A document camera is a video camera connected to a monitor or video projector that can display documents, books or other objects for a class. There are three types of document cameras installed in a standard IT Media Services classroom. This next section will detail the basics of operating all three.
To use the Document Camera, first press the DOC CAM button on the controller.
The first model of Document Camera has a straight arm adjustable camera. You can swivel the arm and camera back and forth and extend it's length.
To power it on, press the large silver power button on the side.
On the camera's base you will find some useful options. Use the Zoom buttons to zoom the camera in and out. The camera should focus on it's own but if it doesn't, use the Auto Focus button.
The second model of document camera has a poseable gooseneck arm holding the camera. You can position this camera in any way you like.
Use the POWER button in the upper left corner to power the camera.
The camera should focus on your documents automatically. If it doesn’t, use the AUTO FOCUS button.
If you need more light on your documents, press the LAMP button. Turn the large silver wheel in the middle to zoom the camera in and out.
The third type of document camera is also a gooseneck. It also has a seperate light that is on it's own adjustable gooseneck
Use the red power button to turn the camera on.
Use the Zoom buttons to zoom the camera in and out.
Use the Lamp button if you would like to turn on the document camera's light.
The Auto Focus button is located on the camera head.