South Hall 1415: The English Department's Technologically Enhanced Classroom

Video Tools

Projector

The remote control for the Media Classroom's projector is located inside the media cart immediately above the VCR.

In order to turn on the digital projector, press the on button ONCE. It may appear that the projector hasn't turned on; this is not the case. The warm-up cycle for the projector takes a couple of minutes. If the projector has not turned on after five minutes, only then should you press the on button again. In preparation for class you may desire to turn on the projector as soon as you enter the room.

The input button on the digital projector remote presents the following display options:

INPUT 1 is the channel for projecting the computer station's display.
VIDEO is the channel for projecting either the DVD player or the VCR (see details below).
S-VIDEO currently does nothing.

To display either the VCR or DVD select VIDEO on the digital projector remote and then depress the large button labeled for the player in the cabinet. For example, if you want to play a DVD, make certain you have pressed the button labeled DVD and that it is depressed.

You may use both players at the same time for a presentation; just make sure whichever button you want used is selected when you need the clip.

When you have finished with the projector for the class, be sure to turn it off. Turn off the digital projector by pressing the button TWICE. (It will ask after the first press if you really wish to turn off the project, press again if yes.)

NOTE: Please do not turn the projector on and off multiple times during the course of a class, lecture, or presentation. The bulb is very expensive and it is hard on the machine to have it constantly turned on and off. Also, you will be forced to deal with the delay of the start cycle every time you turn on the projector. Thank you! 

DVD Player

The remote control for the Media Classroom's DVD player is located inside the media cart immediately above the VCR. Be sure you are using the correct remote. The VCR remote is the longer, Sony one with more buttons, and the DVD player is smaller and more rounded.

To use the DVD player, first be sure that the projector is turned on and warmed up, and that the display is on the proper channel (see above).

Turn the DVD player on. The system takes a few seconds to warm up.

Insert your DVD into the player if you haven't done so

Cue up your DVD and play it! Hint: DVDs often have excessively long intro sequences that take up precious class time. To save time, cue up your clip before class and pause it. When you desire to play the clip simply set the projector to display the DVD player and hit play.

After you have finished your presentation, please remember to remove all media, turn off VCR and DVD, return the remotes to the cabinet, lock the cabinet, and turn off the digital projector by pressing the button TWICE. (It will ask after the first press if you really wish to turn off the project, press again if yes.)

VCR

The remote control for the Media Classroom's DVD player is located inside the media cart immediately above the VCR. Be sure you are using the correct remote. The VCR remote is the longer, Sony one with more buttons, and the DVD player is smaller and more rounded.

To use the VCR, first be sure that the projector is turned on and warmed up, and that the display is on the proper channel (see above).

Turn the VCR on.

Insert your videotape into the player if you haven't done so

Cue up your video and play it!

After you have finished your presentation, please remember to remove all media, turn off VCR and DVD, return the remotes to the cabinet, lock the cabinet, and turn off the digital projector by pressing the button TWICE. (It will ask after the first press if you really wish to turn off the project, press again if yes.)

Web Camera

The web camera for this room is a Logitech Click Smart 510 which can be used for NetMeeting's video chat, to capture still images, or to take short videos.The supporting software, ImageStudio, has been installed into the Instructor's Console.

The camera requires 4 AAA batteries. A graphic display on the back of the camera shows the current charge. If you wish to work with the camera in the Media Classroom be sure to bring the camera's stand and connecting cable as well.

The web camera is stored in the Transcriptions Lab media cabinet in South Hall 2509. A key is required to open this cabinet, so be sure to make your request to the Transcriptions RAs early. Please sign the camera out on the provided sheet. The camera should always be returned to this location.

For more detailed information about the camera and additional applications, please see the camera handbook in the Transcriptions Lab media cabinet or use the Help and Web Links menus in Logitech ImageStudio.

Setting Video Options for NetMeeting

Verify that the camera is securely connected to the computer by its cable. Check that both the USB connector on the computer side and the firewire connector on the camera side are both secure.

Open NetMeeting. You should perform the following steps before starting a Netmeeting to enable a video chat. If you wish to have an audio/video chat be sure to follow the steps for setting audio options on the audio page.

Select Options from the Tools menu, and click the Video tab.

To send and receive video images click the appropriate radio boxes. If you wish to both send and receive both boxes should be checked.

Choose your image size and quality.

Make sure that under Video Camera Properties you have selected the drop down option for Logitech ClickSmart 510.

If you select the radio box to show a mirror image you will be able to see the images you are sending across NetMeeting. This is not, however, necessary.

Once you have completed the video options, you should be able to send images across NetMeeting.

If the video cuts out at any time, try resetting your video options.

Note: Setting these options allows you to send images to your NetMeeting partner. For full audio chat, your partner would also have to set up his or her microphone and audio settings.

Image Receiving Options:

Set these options as well as those above to select your image receiving options.

Select Video from the Tools menu.

Select your preferred window size.

To project this image to the entire class follow the projector guidelines for displaying the computer console's screen.

Note: Currently NetMeeting only allows two people to send audio or video back and forth. If you want your entire class to be able to hear and see your remote speaker, then you should set up the audio/video link between you and the speaker, first. You will then be able to broadcast your speaker's voice and image over the Media Classroom's audio system and projector. You can add your students to the NetMeeting's as "silent partners" (using ordinary invite procedure). They will still be able to send text messages to the entire group, and participate in white board, file, and screen sharing. If you want your students to be able to talk directly to your remote speaker, then they will have to speak into the microphone on the Instructor's Console. Similarly, if you want your students to be seen by the remote speaker, the camera must be pointed towards them.

Taking Still Photographs

This guide to taking still photographs, and the following one on short videos covers only the simplest of procedures with the web camera. For more detailed information about the camera and additional applications, please see the camera handbook in the Transcriptions Lab media cabinet or use the Help and Web Links menus in Logitech ImageStudio.

Note: To take still photographs or short videos the web camera does not need to be connected to the computer.

Verify that the camera has batteries, and a strong charge.

To turn the camera on press the power button on the back (shaped like a circle with a line through it and hold it for about 3 seconds). Once you release the button the camera should turn on, and the interface should become visible. If you leave the camera alone for several minutes it will automatically turn itself off.

Verify that the camera is set to take pictures. The upper left hand corner should show a small image of a camera. This tells you that the snap shot options is live.

If you do not see an image of a camera, hit Mode once to select the image in the upper left hand corner of the display and then hit Select until an image of a camera appears.

Remove the lens cap.

At this point you are ready to take a picture.

You can select a variety of other options, such as flash, resolution quality, timer, etc. To learn more about your options please peruse the camera handbook in the Transcriptions Media Cabinet or use the Help and Web Links menus in Logitech ImageStudio.

Once you have set your options to your satisfaction, select your image in the viewfinder and click the button on top of the camera once.

You have now taken a picture.

To view your picture, connect the camera to your computer, and click the glowing green Logitech symbol on the front of the camera. This will open Logitech ImageStudio.

From within Logitech ImageStudio you can view your photos and videos and prepare them for editing.

Example of Still Photo

Making Short Videos

This guide to taking short videos, and the previous one on still photographs covers only the simplest of procedures with the web camera. For more detailed information about the camera and additional applications, please see the camera handbook in the Transcriptions Lab media cabinet or use the Help and Web Links menus in Logitech ImageStudio.

Note: To take still photographs or short videos the web camera does not need to be connected to the computer.

Verify that the camera has batteries, and a strong charge.

To turn the camera on press the power button on the back (shaped like a circle with a line through it and hold it for about 3 seconds). Once you release the button the camera should turn on, and the interface should become visible. If you leave the camera alone for several minutes it will automatically turn itself off.

Verify that the camera is set to take videos. The upper left hand corner should show a small image of a movie camera. This tells you that the video options is live.

If you do not see an image of a movie camera, hit Mode once to select the image in the upper left hand corner of the display and then hit Select until an image of a movie camera appears.

Remove the lens cap.

At this point you are ready to record a short video.

You can select a variety of other options, such as sound, resolution, etc. To learn more about your options please peruse the camera handbook in the Transcriptions Media Cabinet or use the Help and Web Links menus in Logitech ImageStudio.

Once you have set your options to your satisfaction, select your image in the viewfinder and hold down the button on top of the camera.

The camera will record as long as you continue to hold down the button, and will stop recording when you release it.

To view your video, connect the camera to your computer, and click the glowing green Logitech symbol on the front of the camera. This will open Logitech ImageStudio.

From within Logitech ImageStudio you can view your photos and videos and prepare them for editing.

Example of a Short Video