VIMS Video Projector Instructions

This is, I hope, a simple, easy-to-understand instruction on how to use the VIMS Video Projector Systems maintained and supported by VIMS - ITNS.

• Ceiling mounted projectors installed in:
•  Watermen's Hall
• Classroom A/B/C (ceiling mount)
• Director's Conference Room (ceiling mount)
• McHugh Auditorium (projector room)
• Chesapeake Bay Hall
• 2nd and 3rd Floor Conference Rooms
• Eastern Shore Laboratory
• Library
  
• Portable video projectors
• Byrd Hall Teaching Laboratory
• Watermen's Hall ITNS
  

Ceiling Mounted Projectors

The ceiling mounted Sony and Epson video projector systems project computer / video images on a projector screen.  All units support full color, XGA video resolution (1024 (h) x 768 (v)) and are operated by a TV-type remote control.

Inputs to the projector include:

• Laptop / desktop computers, including pc's, macs, Suns
• Video cassette recorder (VHS, 8 mm, etc.).
• Video camera (camcorder, video microscope, etc.).
• Video document camera,  much like a standard overhead projector.

Note: VCR and pc audio signals are also supported.

Where are components (remote control units, cables, connectors, interfaces, etc.) located?

• Remote Control Units - These are kept in the respective rooms, either on a podium or computer cart, or on the blackboard shelf.  The remote control units are used to turn the projectors on / off, and the Sony models also have a built-in laser pointer.
• Cables - These are attached to the interface wall plate located near the front of the room.  For McHugh Auditorium, the wall plate located on the wooden molding on the front of the stage is the one to use.  The connectors include:
  • VCR, video camera, presentation stand: Video BNC (bayonet) connectors.
  • Computer monitor: Red, green, blue, sync BNC connectors.
  • Audio: Left and right audio connectors (RCA type jacks).
• Quick Reference Guides - These are located in the front of the room and provide basic instructions for operating the projectors.

Note: Watermen's McHugh Auditorium

Use the newer, clearer, better Sony video projector that is installed in the projection room.  It will give you the best performance and clearest picture.  Only use the older, ceiling mounted Sony video projector as a backup unit.

How do I - turn on the video projector?

1. Aim the remote control unit at the front of the video projector and press the power button.
   a. Sony Projectors - green button
   b. Epson Projectors - red button

Note: If there is no active video signal being sent to the video projector, the projector will briefly project a message on the screen, and then go into a standby mode (projection lights off) until such time that an active video signal is sent to the unit. The unit is still "on" in standby mode and the green light will still be glowing.

How do I - connect my computer / computer monitor?

1. Connect the 10 foot long video cable found on the wall plate to the VGA connector on the back of the laptop .
2. Power up the laptop / computer.
   Note: Most laptops use a function key (FN) - numeric key combination to toggle between the laptop LCD display and the computer monitor / video projector output (e.g. FN-4, FN-5).  If this doesn't work, then restart the laptop, once everything is powered on.  The laptop will sense the presence of the video projector and will send a signal to it (we hope).

How do I - Connect my VCR, camcorder, document camera stand?

1. Use video or audio cables to connect:
   a. VCR video-out jack to wall plate VIDEO jack.
   b. VCR audio-out-left, audio-out-right jacks to wall plate audio jacks (not necessary for video presentation stand).
2. Plug in VCR to AC power receptacle.
3. Switch the video projector to video mode by pressing "VIDEO" on the remote control unit while aiming it at the front top left of the projector.
   

Note:

1. The Sony document camera (video presentation stand) is easy to use. The concept is similar to a standard overhead projector, except that a video camera is used to acquire and transmit live video images. This means that opaque (e.g. plain paper, photographs, notes, etc.), three-dimensional objects (e.g. fish, petri dishes, etc.) can be viewed. The units unfolds by means of hold-down buttons. Focus, brightness, and Zoom are controlled at the lens end of the camera. Operating instructions are located in the wooden cart.
2. To temporarily clear the screen, press the picture muting button on the remote. Press the muting button again to return to video mode.
3. If no audio signal is heard, make sure that the auditorium sound system (located in the projection booth) is turned on. The power switch is located on the sound system front panel, and AUX 1 knob is the one that controls / connects with the wall plate.   If further sound volume adjustments are required, please contact VIMS ITNS staff for assistance.
   

How do I - turn off the video projector?

1. Aim the remote control unit at the front of the projector and press the power button twice. The projector lights should turn off and you the cooling fans in the projector will turn off in 3 minutes. Also the projector power light should turn from green (on), to flashing green, to red (off).

IMPORTANT: Be sure that the video projector is actually turned off after use at the end of the day, and not in standby mode (projector lights off, but unit still on and green power light still glowing). The service technician emphasized that this is a primary contributing factor in system failures.

How do I - put things away?

1. Disconnect the video cable from the laptop.
2. Leave the remote control unit in the room.
3. Double check that the video projector is off (red power light glowing).

Portable Video Projectors

VIMS has four portable projectors maintained and supported by ITNS:

• Sony VPL-PX10 video projector, color, XGA resolution 1024 (H) x 768 (V), 2000 lumens, 12 lbs. Supports both pc's and mac's - 1 unit located in Byrd Hall Teaching Laboratory.
  
• Sony VPL-CX4 video projector, color, XGA resolution 1024 (H) x 768 (V), 1000 lumens, 6 lbs. Supports both pc's and mac's - 1 unit.
  
• Toshiba TLP511U Video Projector - color, max resolution 1024 (H) x 768 (V), with document imaging camera (similar to an overhead projector). Supports both pc's and mac's. - 1 unit.
• InFocus VGA Video Projector - color, max resolution 640 (H) x 480 (V). Supports both pc's and mac's. - 1 unit.

Video Projector Instructions:

• Unpack the video projector from its case.
• Connect:
  • Power cord to projector and wall outlet.  The On / Standby switch on the video projector should light up (standby mode).
  • Video cable (15 pin connector) to Input connector on video projector and similar video connector on computer.
• Turn on Projector by pressing the power button on the top of the projector.  The light should turn to flashing green, indicating that the projector is turning on and that the projector lamp is warming up.  It normally takes about half a minute for the projector light to come on.
• Make sure that the video projector input is set to computer input.  If not, press the Input button on the top of the projector until the computer screen is displayed.  The input button selects computer input, video input e.g. VCR's  (Video), etc.
• Turn on Computer
  • Depending on the type of computer you have, you may or may not see a projected image of the computer screen as the computer starts up.
  • Most laptops have a function key assigned to toggle the display between the laptop screen and the video projector (e.g. FN F5, e.g. hold down the FN key and press the F5 key at the top of the keyboard).  The numeric function keys are usually coded with symbols indicating two screens the dual video screens.
  • You may have to adjust the computer screen resolution to match that of the video projector.
• Shutting down the system - This is the reverse of the above operations.  Note:  Once the On / Standby button is pressed, there is a half minute interlock interval during which the button will not respond to additional presses.  This is designed to protect the projector lamp.  Please wait until the cooling fan turns off automatically (about 3 minutes) before packing the projector back into its case. 

Still Stuck? - (i.e. need more help, system not working, missing pieces, etc.) Please contact the VIMS ITNS help staff (804-684-7079) for assistance.

Suggestions / Comments - The VIMS ITNS staff and I would be pleased to hear your comments on this system and any suggestions for improvements.

Last Modified: Thursday, August 22, 2002
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