AV Data Projectors

Overview

You should be able to set-up and use carts with laptops and VHS tapes and troubleshoot simple problems. They have a lot of wires and often need to be tidied up and re-checked to make sure they work.

Instructions are now attached to each cart.

  1. Plug cart into power outlet
  2. Plug projector into computer (see image below)
  3. Turn the projector on by pressing the power button
  4. Turn on the computer
  5. To turn the projector off hit the power button twice. Do not unplug the cart!
  6. Projector bulb must cool and needs to be plugged in for 90 seconds following power down in order to do so

Hooking up sound and VHS are also important procedures (see image below). It is important to train patrons by showing them if they do not understand.

  •  For speakers: Plug audio cable into headphone jack for computer, and into VHS audio plug for VHS player.
  •  Make sure speakers are plugged in and turned on.
  •  To connect VHS to show video make sure sound is connected, and then plug yellow cord (should be labeled) into back of projector.

 

 

Some helpful tricks:

  • If a PC or Mac isn't sending the signal to the projector quite right, there is usually a shortcut keyboard command to toggle between displays. On most PC laptops it's Fn+F8. On some laptops the correct function key may have a square or screen (like below) or lettering that indicates a projector (ex: LCD).

  • On most Macs it's F7, but the Macbook Pro doesn't appear to have a shortcut to connect. Instead follow steps below to connect Macbook Pro to data projector. Remember that this will vary from computer to computer.
  • To save the expensive bulbs in the projector use the hide function on the remote. It will turn off the bulb while keeping the projector and  the computer unaffected. The large screen will appear blank, while the computer screen stays on.  Press again to activate the screen when needed. The remote for Johnny5 has a button on the very top labeled pic/mute that operates similarly (See Projector Remotes).
  • Sometimes, only part of the screen image is projected.  In this case, use the "+" key on the projector control pad (see below).

 

  • Sometimes, when turning Johnny 5 on, the sliding door immediately closes again.  If this happens, let it rest for a minute and try to turn on again.  When the door opens, gently hold it open for a few seconds (see picture below).   Important - although it is OK for Library Staff to do this, DO NOT tell Patrons about it!

 

Data Projectors and Macs

  • For Macs and Dell Projectors.
  1. Connect the computer and projector (before turning them on).
  2. Then turn on the projector
  3. Turn Computer on.
  4. The display should show up for ANY of the projectors (old or new).
  • For Macs and Johnny 5 (Sony projector)
  1. Turn on the computer and projector without them being connected.
  2. Plug the adapter to the projector cable.
  3. Connect the adapter+cable to the Mac laptop.
  4. If display does not appear within a few seconds, press the Source button on the projector.
  • If your desktop view does not show on the screen
  1. Go to the apple icon way up in the upper left corner and click on it
  2. Select system preferences
  3. In the row labeled hardware select displays
  4. In the next window select arrangement in the task bar
  5. Check the box for mirror display in the bottom left area
  6. This should coordinate the projector screen with your desktop view
  • If computer says it doesn't recognize the keyboard, disconnect the USB cord for the remote.
  • See Macs for more information about Mac computers.

 

Key cable pics:

Sound cable plugged into laptop:                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sound cable (right) plugged into VHS player

 


  Cable from projector plugged into laptop


Dell Remote:

  • Power: Turns on the Projector
  • Previous Page/Next Page: Advances Powerpoint slides on the computer (Note: Remote cord must be plugged into computer or this function will not work!)
  • Menu: Use this feature to scroll through the other aspects to change the projector (like color, brightness, contrast, etc)
  • Aspect Ratio: Change the projected image to fullscreen or widescreen
  • Source: A very important button! Will scroll through all available projector options to find which one is connected (S-Video, Computer, etc)
  • Hide: Another important button!  Make sure patrons know about this one! Instead of covering up the projector with the lens cap (which is harmful to the bulb) press this button and the projector will turn the screen black and press it again and voila! The picture will come back on!
  • Keystone: These buttons help if the proportions of the screen are a little off (i.e. the top of the projection is wider than the bottom). You press either the top or bottom button repeatedly until it is to your liking

 

 

Sony Remote:

  • Power: Turns on projector
  • PIC: This "mutes" the image on the projector, so the patron doesn't have to put the cap over the lens (BAD!) or turn off the whole projector when they don't want the image visible. (same as Hide button on other remote)
  • Input: The same at the Dell's Source button. It will scroll through all the available sources of what may be plugged into the projector to find the laptop, or VCR, etc, that you've plugged into the projector so it can display it.
  • Menu: In the Menu you can change things like the image color, or other things that are not an option with the other remote buttons
  • Keystone: Adjusts the screen if it is distorted
  • Mouse: This blue button in the middle can be used as the mouse for the computer (pretty cool, huh?). There's also a right click (R Click) right below it if you want to select something
  • Slide Advancing: This is the most important thing you need to know about the Sony Remote. The button to advance the slides in on the backside of the remote, right where your fingers would tend to rest when the remote is in your hand. See photo.                                                     


                                                                   

Important Note: the slide advancer on the Sony Remote is the on the underside!

 

          

     

Portable Projector Remote

  • Blank Screen - Same as Hide on other remotes (makes screen go blank without affecting the connection)
  • Page Down - Advances a Slide (Must connect remote cable to computer for this to work)
  • Page Up - Back a Slide (Must connect remote cable to computer for this to work)
  • Keystone keys - Adjust the image if it is on an angle so that it looks normal
  • Menu - Brings up Menu on bottom of screen to adjust properties