How to Use

Power up the system

Locate the color LCD touch screen located on the top of the multimedia desk.
Push the "Touch to Start" button to power up the projection equipment.

Select the device you wish to use

Turn on the power switch of the device you wish to display on the projection screen.
Devices include computer, VCR and visual presenter.
Select this device on the touch screen.

Ensure that every component is receiving power

Desks: Check the main power switch (sometimes located on the side of the desk). This looks like regular light switch but is labeled "Desk Power". Make sure this switch is on.
Multimedia devices: Make sure the individual power switch for the device you are trying to use is turned on. The computer, VCR and visual presenter all have power switches located in the desk.

How to use the internal computer

Turn on the computer.
Select "Internal Computer" from the LCD touch screen.Login using the user name and password you obtained from classroom support. Need an account? Email csupport@mun.ca.
If your presentation has audio you may need to adjust the volume controls on the multimedia desk and on the computer.
Locate the volume knob on the multimedia desk and position it at about half way.
Open the volume control on the computer by going to Start > Programs > Accessories >Multimedia >Volume Control (or double click on the audio icon located in the lower right hand corner of the screen). Adjust the Master volume up or down. You may need to adjust another volume setting as well depending on what you are trying to play. Make sure that the Mute boxes are NOT checked.

How to use the VCR

Turn on the VCR
Insert your videotape and push the button labeled "VCR".
To control the VCR, use the touch screen or the buttons on the VCR. To save time, have your video tape cued to the starting position before class.
Use the control knob on the desk labeled "Volume" to adjust the audio level of the VCR.

How to use the visual presenter

Locate the visual presenter on top of the multimedia desk.
Turn on the power switch located on the visual presenter
Push the button labeled "Visual Presenter". Once you select the visual presenter you can use the control panel buttons or the buttons on the visual presenter to make adjustments.
If you are using overhead transparencies turn on the "Back" light. For all other objects use the "Top" lights.
While looking at the video monitor in the desk, use the focus and zoom buttons to adjust your image. A visual presenter may not have enough resolution to show the fine detail without zooming in on part of the object.

What is a visual presenter?

A visual presenter is a camera that picks up live images and allows you to view them over any display device. It is flexible enough to view a piece of paper, a transparency, a 3-dimensional object, a 35mm slide, an x-ray or even a large item or person in a room. Visual presenter is known by many names, such as visualizer, visual copy stand, and document camera. Note: Visual presenters are not direct substitutes for overhead projectors.

What can I do to improve the image from the visual presenter?

Text size: Text should be 24pt. font size or larger. Prepare material for the visual presenter as if for a PowerPoint presentation -- no more than 8-10 lines of text on a screen. If you really need to use smaller text you will have to zoom in and pan (move the material) to show a part of it at a time.

Zoom and focus: Zoom in to text as closely as possible, then press the auto focus. Put a black background behind a picture or zoom up so there is no light border around the picture to allow the visual presenter to focus only on the picture.

Dark images: If an image appears dark on the screen try adjusting the visual presenter's lighting arms or iris control to improve the image. (The iris controls can be found on the visual presenter's control panel or inside a small cover located on the visual presenter's camera arm).

Problem images: Try the negative switch to get rid of too much white in the text image. The negative control can be found on the visual presenter's control panel. Push this button to create a negative of the displayed image.

How to connect a laptop computer

Connect the cables to your laptop (located either next to the internal computer or extending from a plate in the top of the desk).
Turn on your laptop.
Push the button labeled "External Computer" on the touch panel.
Depending on the make and model of your laptop, you may have to use your function keys to enable your laptop's video output port (usually Fn +F5 or F7).

Tips for using a laptop

Become familiar with how to enable your laptop's video output. For more information consult the documents that came with your laptop.
The projection systems in the multimedia rooms can display a maximum resolution of 1024 X 768. You have to make sure the video output of your laptop is not set to a higher resolution. To do this, go to Start>Control Panel>Display>Settings. Here you will find a side bar to set the resolution of your laptop so it does not exceed 1024 X 768.
If your presentation has audio you may need to adjust the volume controls on the multimedia desk and your laptop computer.
Locate the volume knob on the multimedia desk and position it at about half way.
Open the volume control on the computer by going to Start > Programs > Accessories >Multimedia >Volume Control (or double click on the audio icon located in the lower right hand corner of the screen). Adjust the Master volume up or down. You may need to adjust another volume setting as well depending on what you are trying to play. Make sure that the Mute boxes are NOT checked.

How to shut down the multimedia system

Remove disks from the computer and tapes from the VCR.
To turn the system off, push the "EXIT" buttons and follow the instructions on the LCD screen.
Once you select "YES" the projector will enter a 90 second cool down cycle. You do not have to wait for this to expire before leaving the room.

Please make sure that you shut down the system when you are finished your class. Data projector lamps have a finite life of 2000 hours and a high replacement cost.

Obtain username and password

Obtain a username and password for the computers in the multimedia classrooms.
E-mail csupport@mun.ca

Obtain wireless microphone

Obtain a wireless microphone for use in the multimedia classrooms.
Call 709-864-8695 or 709-864-7552

E-mail: csupport@mun.ca