The following instructions are automatically generated, based on the list of equipment in the room
As such, we've kept them simple to account for any variations between rooms. For help on specifics, contact AV Support.
If you're in one of the learning spaces, contact AV Support by pressing the AVSupp button on the phone or x4221.
ECD Helpdesk button for ventilation and IT Helpdesk for login queries
Control Panel
Crestron TSW550
Tap the touch screen to display/select buttons for the equipment.
To switch off, tap Off or Exit/Shutdown, and then confirm with Shutdown Now.
Some also have sub-menu/s for additional facilities.
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 (HDMI)
A flying HDMI cable (including audio) is usually connected to the lectern faceplate.
If there is no cable look for a USB C cable or use the Wireless connection.
HDMI cables are available on request by calling Ext 4221
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.
Lectern mic
To switch on/off, push the button at the base of the flexible gooseneck.
The LED will be lit when the microphone is on, and the level is preset.
There is no switch or LED on the white Beyer flat models(right)
Voice Enhancement
Generic Voice Enhancement
Uses a clip on or handheld microphone to ensure equal distribution of the presenter’s voice across the whole space, and freedom to interact with the audience while recording to Replay.
The presenter should not be aware of any amplification at the front of the room, unlike a traditional PA system.
Note Microphone audio is separate from Computer audio, and usually fixed level.
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.
Wolfvision VZ-3
Basic operations
Lift the Arm to turn ON.
Zoom control is on top of the Arm.
Warning
The method of recording the contents of this visualiser in Aston Replay is different to the other rooms. Expand the instructions, below, for more information.
Unlike the other visualisers in use in Aston University learning spaces, the Wolfvision acts in the same way as a webcam or another camera. This means we can record it directly in Panopto, or use it as a white board in CollaborateUltra.
When you’re presenting, you’ll need to switch to the Panopto recorder to add the visualiser as a secondary source. To get back to the Panopto recorder, either
- come out of your full screen presentation and click the Panopto icon on the taskbar
or - Press Alt & Tab until the Panopto recorder is selected
Then, in the Panopto recorder, you’ll need to add the visualiser as a secondary capture source:
On the left hand side of the Panopto recorder, under Secondary Capture Sources, click Add Another Video Source
Click the dropdown that appears, and select WolfVision Video Capture II
This starts recording the camera in the visualiser.
When you want to stop using the visualiser, remove it as a secondary source by going back to the Panopto recorder and clicking on the X next to it.
If you do not remove the visualiser as a secondary capture source
When you stop using the visualiser, any viewers of the recorded session will continue seeing the content of the visualiser.
If you begin presenting using Powerpoint again, your viewers will have to manually switch back to the Powerpoint source themselves.
When your students view this recording back, it will show the visualiser at this point, like so
At the point in the recording when you clicked the X to remove the secondary source, it will switch back eg to PowerPoint or the screen capture.
You can repeat the above steps as many times as you need during a lecture.
Interactive Screens
Epson Interactive Projector
Epson EB-585/595/695 Wi wireless interactive projectors use pens to draw or annotate on the screen.
There is an Epson ‘Easy Interactive‘ manual, and a shortcut icon on the desktop, or you can use mouse or pen/s with PowerPoint annotation icons which will also be recorded by Aston Reply.
- Dual pen support(Model 585) — allows two pens/users to annotate simultaneously anywhere on the surface on which the image is projected
- Touch-based interactivity(Model 595) — enables as many as six students to touch, draw, select and interact using intuitive and familiar gestures – MB220, MB502a, MB653(WrightLT), NW805/7 and some meeting rooms.
- (Model 695) – allows upto 10 fingers or pen inputs.
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 (HDMI)
A flying HDMI cable (including audio) is usually connected to the lectern faceplate.
If there is no cable look for a USB C cable or use the Wireless connection.
HDMI cables are available on request by calling Ext 4221
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.
Crestron TSW550
Tap the touch screen to display/select buttons for the equipment.
To switch off, tap Off or Exit/Shutdown, and then confirm with Shutdown Now.
Some also have sub-menu/s for additional facilities.
Epson Interactive Projector
Epson EB-585/595/695 Wi wireless interactive projectors use pens to draw or annotate on the screen.
There is an Epson ‘Easy Interactive‘ manual, and a shortcut icon on the desktop, or you can use mouse or pen/s with PowerPoint annotation icons which will also be recorded by Aston Reply.
- Dual pen support(Model 585) — allows two pens/users to annotate simultaneously anywhere on the surface on which the image is projected
- Touch-based interactivity(Model 595) — enables as many as six students to touch, draw, select and interact using intuitive and familiar gestures – MB220, MB502a, MB653(WrightLT), NW805/7 and some meeting rooms.
- (Model 695) – allows upto 10 fingers or pen inputs.
Lectern mic
To switch on/off, push the button at the base of the flexible gooseneck.
The LED will be lit when the microphone is on, and the level is preset.
There is no switch or LED on the white Beyer flat models(right)
Wolfvision VZ-3
Basic operations
Lift the Arm to turn ON.
Zoom control is on top of the Arm.
Warning
The method of recording the contents of this visualiser in Aston Replay is different to the other rooms. Expand the instructions, below, for more information.
Unlike the other visualisers in use in Aston University learning spaces, the Wolfvision acts in the same way as a webcam or another camera. This means we can record it directly in Panopto, or use it as a white board in CollaborateUltra.
When you’re presenting, you’ll need to switch to the Panopto recorder to add the visualiser as a secondary source. To get back to the Panopto recorder, either
- come out of your full screen presentation and click the Panopto icon on the taskbar
or - Press Alt & Tab until the Panopto recorder is selected
Then, in the Panopto recorder, you’ll need to add the visualiser as a secondary capture source:
- On the left hand side of the Panopto recorder, under Secondary Capture Sources, click Add Another Video Source
- Click the dropdown that appears, and select WolfVision Video Capture II
- This starts recording the camera in the visualiser.
- When you want to stop using the visualiser, remove it as a secondary source by going back to the Panopto recorder and clicking on the X next to it.
If you do not remove the visualiser as a secondary capture source
When you stop using the visualiser, any viewers of the recorded session will continue seeing the content of the visualiser.
If you begin presenting using Powerpoint again, your viewers will have to manually switch back to the Powerpoint source themselves.
When your students view this recording back, it will show the visualiser at this point, like so
At the point in the recording when you clicked the X to remove the secondary source, it will switch back eg to PowerPoint or the screen capture.
You can repeat the above steps as many times as you need during a lecture.
Generic Voice Enhancement
Uses a clip on or handheld microphone to ensure equal distribution of the presenter’s voice across the whole space, and freedom to interact with the audience while recording to Replay.
The presenter should not be aware of any amplification at the front of the room, unlike a traditional PA system.
Note Microphone audio is separate from Computer audio, and usually fixed level.