Auditorium - Smart Podium

Overview

The smart podium in the auditorium (room 105) enables the instructor to have one-touch control over the teaching environment including the projection screen, the lights, and audio volume. He or she can select from a number of sources including a DVD player, a VCR, an audio CD and cassette player and either an installed PC or a connection for a laptop (provided by the instructor). A microphone system is available for audio reinforcement although the volume control for the mics in the one element NOT controllable from the podium.

To access the equipment located within the podium (DVD player, VCR, CD player, or PC) you will need to get a key from the library. During semester the library is open Mon.-Thurs. 9:00-8:30, Fri. 9:00-2:00, and Sat. 10:30-2:30

Operation

Connections System Initialization Select Location Logo Screen Power Page Page Select Choose Lighting Scene
Source Select - DVD VCR Laptop or PC Audio CD Audio Cassette
Shutting Down

The first step in using the podium is to check the status of both the power and signal connections. Although the podium will generally be in position and powered up for class it is the responsibility of the instructor to move or attach the podium as necessary. To do so following the following steps:

Locate the position in the auditorium where the podium will be connected. There are three possible position - Left, Center, and Right (as facing the stage). Each is labeled.
If the podium is already connected elsewhere you will first have to disconnect the audio and video cables from that connection plate before proceeding. Before disconnecting the AC power FIRST shut down the internal PC THEN disconnect the power.
Using the guide below, or the labels provided on the connection plates themselves, connect each of the audio and video feeds from the podium to the proper outlet on the wall plate. Do this BEFORE reconnecting the power.
Once ALL of the connection have been made reconnect the power to the unit. No other action is necessary - the podium will initialize itself.

Step-by-Step Guide

	1. Connections: CMP IN - 15 pin VGA connection Video In - One of three BNC connections. These 'bayonet' style connectors require that the tangs be aligned properly before being locked in place with a quarter twist. Mic In/Audio In - These 3 pin XLR connectors fit together in only one orientation and require pressing the release tab to disengage. S-Video Left & Right - BNC connectors - note the left and right. Control - Control cable that looks like a network connection but isn't.
2. System Initialization Once power has been supplied to the podium the system will initialize itself. The screen at right will display. This may take 30-40 seconds.
	3. Select Location Once the system successfully initializes the first screen presented to the instructor will be the "Choose Podium Location" displayed at left. Touch the selection that corresponds with your location. Note: The selection of a location determines which combination of screen/projector/speakers the podium will control during this session. It is actually independent of the physical connections you made earlier. For example you could plug the podium into the 'Left' connection plate but if you choose 'Center' as your location you will project from the 'Center' projector and control the 'Center' screen.
4. Logo Screen Once a location has been selected you will be presented with a logo screen. Touch the screen anywhere to continue.
	5. Power Page Before using the podium it is necessary to turn the installed components and/or the projector on. This is accomplished at this screen. It is important to remember that no power switches are turned on manually inside the podium. Everything that needs to be turned on is done so from this page. Similarly, at the conclusion of a class all the components are powered down from this page. Note: Even if you are only intending to use a microphone (either wireless or wired) the podium needs to be turned on. This is due to the fact that turning on the podium also results in turning on the audio equipment located in the rear projection booth. This equipment is what drives the microphone system.
6. Page Select The image at right shows the power page with the Rack Power turned ON while the projector is still OFF. Note the buttons that run along the left and right edges of the screen. The "Page Select" buttons on the left provide access to the various podium functions and sources while the buttons along the right hand side control (in order, from top to bottom) overall volume, volume mute, and the position of the projection screen (up or down). The Page Select options include: Logo - Redisplay the logo screen seen earlier Sources - Select from the various components attached to the podium (DVD player, VCR, PC, etc.) Locations - Redisplay the locations selection screen. Lights - Raise or lower the lights. Setup - Used to program the podium.
	6. Choose Lighting Scene Before moving on to examine the various sources attached to the podium take a look at the "Lights" page (displayed at left). Here you can choose between 4 different preset lighting scenes or you can turn the lights OFF. The four preset scenes are: All fluorescent lights on bright. Fluorescent lights off. House lights (round can lights with incandescent bulbs) up FULL. House lights down about half way. Good for projecting an image onscreen while still having enough lights to take notes. House lights barely on. Good for displaying a movie in near darkness. Note: Use the "Back" button on the top of the page to return to the main "Power Page" from this and many other pages.
7. Source Select - DVD Here you see a representation of the Source Select page with the DVD source selected. Along the left edge of the page are your various sources: DVD, VCR, Laptop, PC, Doc Camera (not available at this time), Aux Video (a camcorder for example), Audio CD player, Audio Cassette player. As earlier along the right edge of the page are the volume and screen controls. In the middle of the page are the appropriate control buttons for this piece of equipment and in the case of video or computer sources this is a small preview window. In the case of the DVD player the buttons relating top movement are placed along the bottom of the screen while the buttons you can use to maneuver through a DVD's menu system are located just to the left of the preview window.
	8. Source Select - VCR The VCR source controls are very similar to those for the DVD with the omission of the DVD menu controls. Note: By hooking the podium up to either the Cable TV or Satellite feed in the front of the auditorium you can use the VCR to project these signals onto the screen. Contact Media for more details.
9. Source Select - Laptop or PC The podium has an installed PC with Windows XP, Internet connectivity, Microsoft Office XP software, a DVD/CD drive, a floppy, and a zip drive. There is also a connection on top of the podium for a laptop (instructor supplied). Connect the 15-pin VGA cable to the back of your laptop and, if necessary, the audio connector. The keyboard, mouse, and a small network cable for plugging a laptop into the network are all located in the drawer just below the podium touchscreen.
	10. Source Select - Audio CD Other than the lack of a preview window the controls for both the audio CD player and the audio cassette player are pretty straight forward. Note: You can play an audio CD or cassette tape "over" a computer presentation. Unless that presentation has it's own sound source.
11. Source Select - Audio Cassette This Cassette Deck Control Page represents the last of the Source Select pages. Use the Back button at the top right of this page (or any other of the Source Pages) to return to the main Power Page. Note: The volume control includes a "progress bar" which displays graphically how close to maximum or minimum the sound system is current set for.
	12. Setup Screen No one except the engineers who put this system together really know what this screen does. Just don't go there.
13. Shutting Down The process of shutting down the podium is fairly straightforward. Follow these steps: Remove any disks, CD's, DVD's, or tapes you may have used. Raise the projection screen. From the Lights Page Return the lights to setting 1 - fluorescents all on. From the Power Page turn off the projector (this make take a minute). Also turn off the Rack. Leave the podium plugged in. If you know you will need to unplug the podium first shut down the internal PC. Lock the doors on the podium and return the key to the library. If you have borrowed a wireless Mic return this to the library as well.