Data projectors are installed on the ceiling in all general-purpose classrooms. The data projector is controlled from the installed classroom computer, so a data projector remote is not necessary. Use the computer's mouse to turn the projector on or off, select a display source, blank or un-blank the image, or adjust the volume.  

If this image is not visible on the computer monitor, re-boot the computer.  

Please turn off the projector lamp at the end of your presentation by selecting "Off."  The power indicator light on the projector will change from green to red, and the fan will keep running until the lamp has cooled.  The computer will eject any diskettes and reboot.  

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Remember that a computer has its own volume control, so it may be necessary to un-mute or adjust the volume level on the computer as well as the data projector to get the desired sound level. In Windows, click on the little speaker icon in the lower left corner to adjust the computer’s sound.                              

Additional information on classroom computers is available at Support of CSS Classroom Computers.  

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Using the connector panel on the classroom equipment rack, a separate computer or video source can be connected to the data projector.  

Most cables for this task are available at no charge from CSS.  Network cables, however, must be purchased from UNT Telecom Services.  

To connect a notebook computer, use the connectors under "Computer 2" on the connector panel.  A VGA cable, shown below, is required.  Audio and network cables are optional.  Connect the VGA cable before turning on your computer.  

If you want to use sound on your computer, connect an audio cable from your computer’s headphone jack to the audio connectors in the same column on the connector plate. 

A notebook computer must be authorized to access the Internet from the specific classroom building where you will be using it.  Contact your college/school computer support personnel for assistance at least one day in advance of your class.  

If you do not see an image in a few seconds, you may need to tell your notebook computer to use its external monitor. The method for doing this varies between computer models.  Look on the notebook’s keyboard for "LCD/CRT" or a monitor icon to find the right keys to press. (The photos below represent keys used to activiate the external monitor for a Dell notebook computer.)  Some computers, most notably Macintosh models, require that the external VGA cable be connected and the data projector be on BEFORE the computer is turned on.

Data projectors in the general purpose classrooms will display the best computer image at a resolution setting of 1024 X 768.  If the projected image from doesn’t look right, check the resolution setting.  Notebook computers may not display correctly if both the internal and the external monitors are activated. Try selecting only the external display.

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When inserting a videotape, push it in only until a little resistance is felt. The VCR should grab the tape and insert it the rest of the way automatically. If the VCR does not grab the tape, pull it out and try again. Don’t force or jam the tape into the player.

Note the location of the play, fast forward, rewind, and eject controls. 

 

If the VCR is connected to a working cable TV jack, you can use the channel buttons to display the various channels as long as a videotape is not playing.  Not all general purpose classrooms are connected to the UNT broadband cable system.  

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Closed Caption Decoder

With a video presentation, you may want to display closed captioning. Videotapes, laserdiscs, and DVD's that are encoded will have one of the following closed caption logos printed on the label:

In all general purpose classrooms, a closed caption decoder is available in the equipment rack, connected directly to the VCR.  One model is shown below; in other classrooms, a smaller decoder is inside the rack drawer.  In classrooms with legacy touchpad systems, the closed caption feature is available from the touchpad.  

Once closed captioning is activated, the captions should appear at the bottom of the display as soon as speech or sound effects are played on the videotape.  

Most DVD's include English subtitles, which can be turned on or off via the DVD disc's menu. To display closed captioning from another video source, please feel free to request assistance from CSS.  In many cases, the VCR's rear or front inputs (available as channels L1 or L2) can be used to take advantage of the decoder without changing the existing cabling.   
                   

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If the overhead projector is not working, it’s usually due to a burned-out lamp. To switch to the spare lamp, open the projector using the latch on the side. Inside, look for lamp exchange switch and move it to the opposite side to engage the spare lamp. On some models there is a panel on the top left side that allows access to the lamp exchange switch without having to open the projector.  Be sure to report your actions so that the burned-out lamp can be replaced. 

If the lamp is not the problem, listen for the fan. If the fan is not making noise, it’s likely that there is a power problem. Try plugging the projector into a different electrical outlet.  Please report any problems to CSS.  

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Wireless microphone systems are installed in the larger general purpose classrooms.  Each of these classrooms is tuned to a unique “radio channel,” and the transmitter, worn or carried by the instructor, must match that channel to work properly in the classroom.  Contact CSS to obtain a transmitter.