Audio Visual Equipment
Introduction
This page is a one-stop guide to the
audio-visual facilities in the faculty. Please note that this page
deals only with the equipment that has something to do with a computer.
Enquiries about 'traditional' audio-visual equipment such as
televisions and overhead projectors should be addressed to the RFB
Custodians (tel 35013).
Getting Help
The computing team will do everything we can to help you to successfully use the Faculty's IT equipment. Our contact details are: ext 35033; email: mml-computing@list.cam.ac.uk.
We have lots of other computing issues to look after including
the Faculty's network, servers and individual users and their machines,
so at busy times we may not be available to help straight away with
every problem - but we will do our best.
The following outlines the measures we can all take to minimise any
problems and frustrations with the audio-visual equipment:
* Central Site Technical Services always
check the AV equipment in the teaching rooms before the start of term.
If you encounter any repeated glitches with the equipment, please let
us know so that if we can't fix it in-house we can pass the information
on to them.
* Out of consideration to your
colleagues, please just logout of the PWF workstations and leave them
switched on. These computers boot over the network, this can take some
time and seriously disrupt the start of the next lecture.
* Please familiarise yourself with the
equipment before you use it. We are happy to help you with this as we
don't like last minute problems in front of a room full of students any
more than you do. Honestly. We provide clear and concise guidelines on
how to use the equipment both online in this document and in most of
the rooms. Constructive comments on how they can be improved are always
welcome.
* On the same basis of avoiding last
minute problems, if something doesn't work as it should please tell us.
We'd rather try to fix it in between rather than during lectures, so
even if it's something we can't sort out straight away for you it might
mean the next lecturer doesn't have the same problem.
Introduction to AV Equipment
The Audio Visual equipment that can be found in the lecture rooms include,
Public Workstation Facility (PWF)
MML's collection of CALL, literary and linguistc software is part of the University's Public Workstation Facility (PWF) infrastructure.
All computers in the CALL Facility, Graduate Centre and the Library IT room are part of the PWF. Access to the CALL Facility and Library IT room remains limited to MML students and staff.
MML's software collection is available not only in the CALL Facility and MML Library (places which are for the exclusive use of MML students and staff), but also in various computer rooms right round the University
Advantages of the PWF
* Every PWF user has a personal space to store files which
can be accessed from any PWF workstation in the University, or via the Netstorage
web interface from any networked computer.
* MML software is available in PWF rooms in colleges and
other locations right round the University.
* The PWF provides access to a wide range of software
including word processors, email applications and web browsers
* Personal web pages can be published quite easily from a
PWF account.
PWF userid and password essential
To use the computers in both the CALL Facility and the Library IT room, you will need your PWF userid and password; there is no open access. All students are automatically assigned a PWF password to go with the userid as soon as they start studying here. It's given with the Computing Service letter that contains a Hermes email password.
Staff aren't automatically assigned a PWF account, but can get one from the Computing Service; the process is a simple one. The application form is available on-line (as a pdf file) and can be printed out, or printed copies are available from Computing Service reception: see Application for Computing Service Resources for details. For quickest results, simply go to the Computing Service reception desk with your University Card as photo ID.
Forgotten your PWF password?
If you can't remember your password, go to the Computing Service with your University Card as photo ID. A password can then be issued to you at once.
Logging out
Please, remember to log out when you finish. If you don't log out, your personal files are at risk, and you may jeopardize the security of the whole system
Software for using various facilities is located as follows:
Playing a DVD through the computer Start → PWF Programs →
Utilities → Media Players
Showing a presentation (e.g. PowerPoint) Start → PWF Programs →
Graphics and Presentation
Browsing the Internet Start → PWF Programs → Communications and
Networking
Projector
There are currently three brands of Projectors used in MML lecture rooms. They are Toshiba, NEC and Eiki. The pictures below show the control panel view of the projectors
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| Toshiba | NEC | Eiki |
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Auto-Switch
The Auto-switch (Kramer VP-211DS) is a high performance switcher for computer graphics video signals, with resolutions ranging from VGA through UXGA and higher, and unbalanced stereo audio signals.
When configured as a standby switcher, it will switch to the secondary input upon loss of the primary input.
For the geeks among us, the Auto-switch is connected
according
to the diagram on the left. But for the rest of us... it has all been
connected by the experts and we do not have to do anything.
VCR Recorder/ DVD/ Blue-ray Player
These are straightforward and identical to the equipment found in most homes. Some rooms are equipped with combined VHS/DVD players which can be used for either media. A Blue ray player is located in the Media Center
How to Use ...
* Make sure the power is on at the socket on the wall.
* Insert your video/DVD in the player, and check that it is
playing.
* Using the projector or its remote, press the 'Video'
button.
* Pull down the projector screen and check you have video.
* If you hear no sound, check the volume control on the
speaker.
When you stop a clip, you may hear an unpleasant static noise coming from the projector speakers. You should then press the 'AV mute' button on either the handset or the projector itself. Obviously, when you show your next clip, you will need to unmute.
DON'T PRESS THE STANDBY button between clips as the projector will go to sleep, and will need 3 minutes to re-initialize for the next clip.
Television/Home Theatre System
Most of the Televisions in the lecture rooms have been upgraded to flatscreens TVs and come with Remote Controls.
The TVs are like the usual Flat Screen monitor and are easy and straight forward to use.The Home Theatre System is a combination of a Plasma TV, an audio/video (a/v) receiver / amplifier assembly and a set of surround sound speakers
Smartboard
The only Smartboard in the faculty is located in room 146. Using the interactive whiteboard is straightforward - once you've mastered it.
* When there is sufficient interest we run training sessions on how to use it. If you'd like to attend such a session then please express your interest by emailing mml-computing@lists.cam.ac.uk
* Alternatively, if we have time out-of-term we will do our best to organise individual sessions whenever possible. Ask us and we'll help if we can.
* The whiteboard software (in Start, PWF Programs, Utilities, Smartboard Software) through the SmartTools software also has some very helpful introductory online training resources including 'two-minute tutorials' to get you started.
Instructions on how to use the Smartboard can be found in the lecture room. These are copies of the relevant PDF tutorials written by the manufacturer.
We would really advice that you practice using the SmartBoard on your own before standing up in front of a class full of students if you want to avoid embarrassment. Skills such as switching between the pen, mouse and eraser modes need to be mastered to ensure a smooth class.
Loudspeakers
You can find Speakers in many of the lecture rooms. Where they are found, they are connected to Computers, VCR and DVD players via the auto-switch.
