Technology Index

Crestron Touch Panel
Used to control power on/off for the system, and to select which source you would like to display through a Projector or Flat Screen Display. Sources include your laptop, document camera, Blu-ray/DVD player, or other source if applicable. Additionally, you can use the touch panel to adjust laptop or microphone volume, as well as blank the projector screen.

A lot of touch panels share a similar layout. Usually, on the left of the menu, there is a column of three buttons that control the projector or display. The Power On button turns on the system, Power Off turns off the system, and Blank Screen hides the display so that it can only be seen on the device it is being presented from.

On the right of the menu are the input controls, usually made up of three rows. The top row consists of the video inputs, HDMI (video and audio) and VGA (video only). The middle row consists of audio inputs, which usually defaults to HDMI Audio if you are using the HDMI input. However, you can switch to using the aux cable with the 1/8″ Cable Audio option. The bottom row consists of other inputs, usually being a document camera and a Blu-Ray player.

At the bottom, there is a black bar with more buttons; a power button for turning off the panel, a source/home menu button, a button for the Blu-Ray player menu, and a settings button (for technician use only). Then, there are volume controls, allowing you to adjust or mute the program’s audio. If a room has microphones in it, there will be another button next to the volume controls that will take you to the microphone menu, used for adjusting mic volume levels.

Projector
Used to present your media source of choice on a screen in a classroom. Some classrooms have more than one projector.

Document Camera
Used to present textual materials and small 3-D objects on a screen in a classroom through a Projector or Flat Screen Display.

Wireless Microphone
Used to amplify the users voice. Primarily installed only in larger classrooms and auditoriums, but increasingly in all rooms.

HyFlex 1 and HyFlex 2 Classrooms
The HyFlex Classrooms are designed to support synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning depending on the instructor’s delivery preferences.

• HyFlex 1: Refers to the larger and longer bar like HyFlex camera that has speakers and a microphone.
• HyFlex 2: Refers to the smaller HyFlex that only has video abilities.

Blu-Ray/DVD Player
Used to watch Blu-rays/DVDs.

Assistive Listening Devices
These are provided to aid in amplifying sound from the room system including microphones, computers, Blu-ray players, etc. for a person who is hard of hearing. These devices will not pick up classroom noises such as discussions. There are earpieces available, as well as personal inductive neck loops that are only compatible with T-coil enabled hearing aids and cochlear implants.

How to Use a Classroom 

Step 1: To begin, turn on the touch panel. This will be located on the lectern or the wall near the lectern. To turn on the touch panel, press the power button on the right hand side, or tap the screen.

Step 2: Turn on the projector by tapping the Power On projector icon.

Step 3: Plug in your personal device to the HDMI or VGA inputs.

Step 4: Select your input source and make sure the audio source you want to use is selected. The classroom systems mostly use HDMI inputs but some use VGA. HDMI supports video and audio. When using VGA, you need to use the 1/8″ cable audio.

Step 5: If you would like to change the program audio volume, there are buttons in the bottom right of the screen. This will control the audio for all inputs except the microphones. From left to right, the buttons decrease, mute, and increase volume.

Step 6: If you are using a microphone:

• For handheld mics, push the switch on the side up to turn it on. A mini LED screen on the mic will turn on, signifying that it is on.
  
• For lapel mics, there is a switch at the top to turn it on. A mini LED screen will turn on, signifying that the mic is on.
  
• You can control the volume of the microphones and program audio by selecting the Mic button on the touch panel.

Note: The Mic button will bring up a separate menu where the microphone and program audio volumes can be controlled with their separate up and down arrows and mute buttons.

Step 7: If you are using an Assistive Listening Device, make sure to turn it on by sliding the dial on top to the left. This will also increase the volume of the device. There should be a green light at the top of the device that indicates that the ALD is on.

Step 8: If you are using the document camera, turn it on by pressing the power button on the machine, then select the Doc Cam input on the touch panel.

Step 9: If you are using the Blu-ray player, turn on the Blu-ray player, which is typically located in or under the lectern. The Blu-ray player should have a blue or green light that indicates that it is on, but in some rooms it may be a different color. Select the Blu-ray button on the touch panel.

Note: On the touch panel, there is a control menu that helps to navigate Blu-ray features like a remote. To access this, select the Blu-ray menu on the bottom left of the screen next to the Home button. For more information see … video.

Step 10: If you would like to blank your screen, press the Blank Screen button beneath the projector controls.

Note: If nothing is showing up on the projector screen, make sure the Blank Screen button was not accidentally selected.

Step 11: Once you are done using the system, please shut it off. Press the power button on the bottom menu or on the top right corner of the panel.

Once either of these are pressed, a second screen will appear prompting you to power off the system or cancel. Press the Power Off button to completely turn off system.