NB. At certain times of year this room, and MB227 & MB231 are used as Library 2 study space, or exam rooms.
Control Panel
Procon buttons

We recommend that you login to the PC (or laptop) before turning the projector on.
To switch the projector on, press the On/Off button once, the projector will beep once. It will flash to indicate it is warming up, and will prevent you from selecting other buttons until the projector is ready.
At the end of your session, press the On/Off button to switch the projector off, with two beeps.
Data 1 and Data 2 buttons select the MainPC and Visualiser/Laptop connection respectively.
Computer
Tips
- We recommend that the projector is switched on after you login to the PC.
- Drag/copy presentation documents from your USB stick onto the desktop.
- Any change/s and added files are auto-deleted on Restart.
Aston Teaching PC
All standard ‘pool room image’ teaching PCs are Windows10 with Office365 Professional Plus including PowerPoint, Excel, Word & Teams.
After login the PC automatically launches AstonApps Cloudpaging portal for all the latest pool room managed software. Panopto recorder, web browsers & important teaching software and links like Blackboard have ALL moved to AstonApps. Shared/network drives are dependent on your Aston login.
If your login or the network fails username .\teach & password T34chT34ch will allow you to present locally (e.g. USB drive), but without any network or internet access. Most rooms with Lenovo PCs installed will allow change to ‘Extended desktop’ for Powerpoint notes view [Windows+P].
The PC will shut down after 30 minutes of inactivity
This will remove any changes you have made, any work you have open will be lost, and any files on the desktop will be deleted. Unfinished Panopto uploads will also be suspended until Panopto is re-connected in that room.
Bear this in mind if, for example, you are running an event and want to get the PC set up early or you are breaking for lunch.
The PC is set up to record to Aston Replay and upload to Blackboard. There is option in Panopto Settings: Basic: ‘Highlight mouse cursor…‘ to make the pointer more prominent for recordings, and please check the mic levels are OK before starting to RECORD.
There are usually 2-4 extra USB ports on the lectern PC monitor.
We recommend that the projector is switched ON after you login to the PC. If you don’t need the computer to be displayed on the screen, you can use it without the projector on in most rooms. However, computer audio requires the projector to be ON, and all three control panel, computer and application volumes should be up (and unmuted).
Laptop (VGA)

A flying VGA cable (with integrated audio jack connection) is usually connected to the lectern faceplate.
The laptop audio jack can also be used for iPod playback when laptop is selected.
Note Post-2019 refurbs like MB554 will be HDMI ONLY (ie. no VGA)
Some laptops and tablets may require a special AV adapter and or cable/s.
Microphones
Perform a variety of tasks in the rooms, depending on the type of room and microphone.
They can be used to feed audio to the induction loop, make sure people at the back of the room can hear the speaker clearly (voice enhancement), or be recorded in Aston Replay. Always check the RECORD levels.
NB. some new rooms have a mic [Mute] button on the touch panel, otherwise the voice enhancement volume is fixed.
Samson UB1

These mics are primarily used for Aston Replay recordings (but is alternatively available to other applications, such as videoconferencing). The UB1 is an omni-directional boundary microphone, that uses a flat surface to enhance the sound pickup.
Aston Replay will default to recording from this mic over any other in the room. Make sure that the green light is on the mic, and always check the recording level in Panopto before you start recording.
Visualiser

A document camera that can display and zoom in on papers, books, and other 3D objects. There is usually a separate source selection button to display on the room screen/s.
A desktop application called ImageMate[IM] allows Elmo images to be recorded in Panopto.
The newer Wolfvision visualisers can be selected as separate video recording device in Panopto.
Elmo P10s / P30

Slide switch to turn ON/(OFF) and adjust lamp for best image.
Zoom control(blue) and Camera/SDcard/LAPTOP selection button at the front (unless there is a separate Laptop selection button on the control panel).

Open the Image Mate software – find the icon on the desktop
Click the maximise button – this will show the camera full screen on the computer meaning the Panopto recorder can capture it.
When you’ve finished using the visualiser, you can exit the full screen view by clicking on the button in the top right of the screen.
Panopto Camera
Use the camera to include video in an Aston Replay recording.
The Panopto recorder will default to including video where a camera is present. If you don’t want this to be included in your session, you will need to switch the camera off. You may also borrow a mobile alternative.
- In the Panopto recorder, click the dropdown next to video
- Click None
See the Replay TLC site for more information on how to make a recording.
Webcam

A fixed, high angle shot from a Logitech webcam – fixed either to the projector, or directly to the ceiling.
This webcam is alternatively available to other applications on the main PC, eg videoconferencing.
Whiteboard/Wall
WhiteWall

These are designed to be used with ‘Dry Markers’ and cleaning pad/cloth – Please wipe clean for the next user.
There is usually a ‘raised lip’ between glossy marker wall and non-writable or screen area (G11 and MB603).
Most pool rooms have a white board/s, or writable surfaces on the room divider/s, and the porters(x4000) can usually provide a mobile board or flip-chart on request(pads/pens not provided).
Content cannot be recorded to Aston Replay or used in CollaborateUltra, but you could use the Visualiser or interactive display instead.