General Multimedia Classrooms

Multimedia Equipment

This page will help faculty and staff become familiar with the multimedia classrooms located on campus.

A typical multimedia classroom will have one of two different types of multimedia equipment installed; an Extron and Proxima system**. Use the table below to help you determine which system is installed in the classroom that you intend to use.

**A few installations on campus are slightly different and are being phased out. If you need assistance with this equipment please contact Information Technology.

Equipment Type & Model
PROXIMA PL-300T EXTRON MLC 226 IP
image of the Proxima projector link image of the Extron box
Multimedia Podium Contents
  • Multimedia PC
    • Windows XP Professional
    • DVD/CD-ROM drive
    • Audio capabilities
    • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint)
    • Gordon Network connected
  • ELMO Document Camera System
    • Project full 8½ X 11 page
    • Top or Back lit
  • Video Cassette (VHS) Player
    (Proxima only)
  • Multimedia Projector
    • Permanent Ceiling mount
    • Large Presentation screen
  • Infrared Wireless Mouse
    • Thumb Pad control
    • Left/Right Mouse buttons
    • Laser Pointer
  • Multimedia PC
    • Windows XP Professional
    • DVD/CD-ROM drive
    • Audio capabilities
    • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint)
    • Gordon Network connected
  • ELMO Document Camera System
    • Project full 8½ X 11 page
    • Top or Back lit
  • DVD / VCR Player Combo
    (Extron only)
  • Multimedia Projector
    • Permanent Ceiling mount
    • Large Presentation screen
  • Infrared Wireless Mouse
    • Thumb Pad control
    • Left/Right Mouse buttons
    • Laser Pointer
Control Box Location
Inside right door of the multimedia podium Multimedia podium countertop
Instructions
View Proxima Instructions View Extron Instructions
Wireless RF Mouse Wireless RF Mouse

PROXIMA PL-300T

The Proxima Projector Link controls (shown below) allows you to turn on/off the Video Projector to display an image on the screen as well as toggle between the different equipment.

Proxima Diagram

Power - This button is used to turn the ceiling-mounted video projector on and off.

PC - Pressing this button displays the image from the PC inside of the Multimedia podium onto the video screen.

DOC CAM - Pressing this button displays the image from the ELMO Document Camera onto the video screen.

Video Cassette (VHS) Player - Pressing this button displays the image from the VCR unit located inside of the Multimedia podium.

The following are basic operating instructions for using the PROXIMA system in a typical Instructional Complex classroom.

Powering Up Equipment

  1. If it hasn't been done already, power up the multimedia podium by pressing the master switch located on the top left inside the right door of the multimedia podium. The switch will light up red when power is on.
  2. Next power up the equipment you plan on using whether it be the PC, Document Camera, and/or VCR using its power button.
  3. Power up the projector using the black Proxima Box located in the right door of the multimedia podium. The power on button is the red button in the top right corner of the black box (Label #1 shown in diagram above). When the LED light next to the button changes to solid green, the projector is ready to present an image on the screen. This may take some time as the projector system warms up.

Using the PC

  1. Turn on PC inside the multimedia podium and then logon to the PC using your Gordon network account.
  2. On the black Proxima Box, press the first white button (Label #2 shown in diagram above) to select the PC.
  3. Load/use PC software as desired

Using the ELMO Document Camera

  1. Turn on the Document Camera.
  2. Select type of Document Camera light needed by selecting Upper or Base lightsource
    • Upper for print items (pictures, magazines, books) or any small objects (specimens)
    • Lower for transparencies
  3. On the black Proxima Box, press the second white button (Label #3 shown in diagram above) to select the Document Camera. The material placed on the Document Camera will be displayed on both the projector screen and computer monitor.

Using the VCR

  1. Turn on the VCR and insert tape.
  2. On the black Proxima Box, press the third white button (Label #4 shown in diagram above) to select the VCR.

Sound / Volume

  1. Desktop speakers located on the multimedia podium are the main source for sound. Adjust the volume using the knob located on the speakers. These speakers support audio from the PC and VCR.
  2. Speakers are also built into the overhead projector unit. You can adjust the volume by using the Proxima Projector remote control. You should ALWAYS leave the volume level of the projector speakers at mid-range; otherwise, you will experiece bad audio feedback. These speakers should ONLY be used as a

    complement to the desktop speakers.

Shutting Down Equipment

  1. Turn off the projector by pressing the power button on the top right of the black Proxima Box. Please note that all projectors use a warm-up / cool-down period to ensure the life of the lamp. The LED light next to the on/off button should change from green to red when the power switch on the black box is turned off. Allow time for the projector system to cool down.
  2. Perform normal SHUT DOWN on PC if you had used it.
  3. Turn off the multimedia podium's master switch behind the right-hand side vertical door.

EXTRON MLC 226 IP

The Extron Control Panel (shown below) allows you to turn on/off the Video Projector to display an image on the screen as well as toggle between the different equipment available.

Extron Diagram 1

Display - These buttons are used to turn the ceiling-mounted video projector on and off.

2

Volume - This knob is used to lower or raise the volume of the projector's built-in speakers. NOTE: It is important not to turn the knob too fast otherwise the volume will become out of sync. If this occurs slowly turn the knob clockwise (volume up) and then slowly turn the knob counter-clockwise (volume down) to the desired level.

3

PIC MUTE - Pressing this button will mute the volume of the projector's built-in speakers.

4

AUTO IMAGE - Pressing this button will resync the image being projected on the screen. Most of the time you will not need to use this button, though sometimes minor adjustments may be necessary to perfect an image.

5

PC - Pressing this button displays the image from the PC inside of the Multimedia podium onto the video screen.

6

DOC CAM - Pressing this button displays the image from the ELMO Document Camera onto the video screen.

7

DVD - Pressing this button displays the image from the DVD/VCR unit located in the Multimedia podium.

8

CALC- pressing this button will display the screen from a calculator. Only select rooms in the building have the calculator connectors installed. Sometimes button will be labeled as Tablet PC.

The following are basic operating instructions for using the EXTRON system in a typical Instructional Complex classroom.

Powering Up Equipment

  1. If it hasn't been done already, power up the multimedia podium by pressing the master switch located on the top left inside the right door of the multimedia podium. The switch will light up red when power is on.
  2. Next power on the PC, Document Camera, or the DVD/VCR Combo player depending on what piece of equipment you plan on using.
  3. Power up the projector using the Extron Control Panel located on the countertop of the multimedia podium. The power ON button is the button at the top left corner of the Control Panel (see Extron diagram above). The ON button will light up after it is pressed. Please allow ample time for the projector to warm up.

Using the PC

  1. Turn on PC inside the multimedia podium and then logon to the PC using your Gordon network account.
  2. On the Extron Control Panel, press the button labeled PC (Label #5 shown in diagram above) to project the PC image onto the screen.
  3. Load/use PC software as desired

Using the ELMO Document Camera

  1. Turn on the Document Camera.
  2. Select type of Document Camera light needed by selecting Upper or Base lightsource
    • Upper for print items (pictures, magazines, books) or any small objects (specimens)
    • Lower for transparencies
  3. On the Extron Control Panel, press the button labeled DOC CAM (Label #6 shown in diagram above) to display the image from the Document Camera onto the projection screen.

Using the DVD / VCR Player Combo

  1. Turn on the DVD / VCR player and insert DVD media or a VHS tape.
  2. On the Extron Control Panel, press the button labeled DVD (Label #7 shown in diagram above) to display the video from the player onto the projection screen.

Calculator

Some rooms are equipped with a connector for a calculator. If so, you will see a label for it located on the Extron Control Panel as shown above (see #8). The button label will be named either CALC or sometimes TABLET PC. Press this button to display the screen from the connected calculator onto the projection screen.

Sound / Volume

The sound system is built-in to the overhead projector unit. These speakers support audio from the PC and DVD player. Adjust the volume by using the Extron Control Panel volume controls shown in the diagram above (see #2 above). Press the PIC MUTE (#3) button to silence the sound coming from the projector.

NOTE: It is important not to turn the knob too fast otherwise the volume will become out of sync. If this occurs slowly turn the knob clockwise (volume up) and then slowly turn the knob counter-clockwise (volume down) to the desired level.

Desktop speakers located on the multimedia podium can also be used for the PC. Adjust the volume using the knob located on the speakers.

Shutting Down Equipment

  1. Turn off the projector by pressing the OFF button on the top left of the black Extron Control Panel under Display. Please note that all projectors use a warm-up / cool-down period to ensure the life of the lamp. Allow time for the projector system to cool down.
  2. Perform normal SHUT DOWN on PC if you are using it.
  3. Turn off the multimedia podium's master switch behind the right-hand side vertical door.

Using the Wireless RF Mouse

The remote labeled "Mouse" is a wireless Radio Frequency mouse. This means that it does not need to be pointed toward the PC or receiving device. It also has a larger operating area and can be used from the back of the largest room. The large round "button" on the mouse is a thumb controlled mouse pad much like those found on laptop computers. The "trigger" button on the remote acts as the left mouse button. The small rectangular button just above and to the left of the thumb control is the right mouse button. The small rectangular button just above and to the right of the thumb control is another left mouse button. The small rectangular button directly above the thumb control is a typical laser pointer.