AV Systems in Mezzanine Teaching Spaces
See Teaching & Meeting Rooms for a list of teaching spaces, capacities and locations. See Room Booking for details of how to book teaching rooms.
Overview
The lecture theatres/rooms (L1-L6) each have 3 sets of roller white boards and dual projection AV systems (two screens), while the class rooms (C1-C6) have 2 sets of roller white boards and single projection AV systems (one screen). Each has two desktop PCs (Windows and Linux), plus connections for laptops (HDMI and USB-C for output; USB-A for input). The projectors run at Full HD (1920x1080) resolution.
Basic usage
The AV setup across these 12 rooms is designed to be familiar and as consistent as practical across the spaces for ease of use without significant demonstration or instruction. As you approach the lectern, the touchscreen will normally detect presence and light up; if it does not, tap the screen to wake it.
The initial screen allows you to select which device to use:
- PC (Windows)
- PC (Linux)
- Laptop (HDMI)
- Laptop (USB-C)
- Visualiser
In most cases you would select from the top (larger) row of buttons, which will turn on both the projector and the lectern monitor. Alternatively, select from the bottom (smaller) row to turn on the lectern monitor only while you set up.
When you are finished, please tap the power button icon at the bottom of the touchscreen, then tap "Power down" to return the system to standby mode - this resets everything ready for the next event. (It does not stop the Panopto recording though.)
Microphones
The acoustics of the lecture theatres, and the ceiling mics used for recording, mean it is usually not necessary to use a microphone when giving a lecture.
However, if one is required, lapel microphones can be found in the cupboard under the lectern. A solid red light indicates a microphone that is charging, and a solid green light one that is fully charged. It should turn on automatically (flashing green light) when removed from the charger.
Clip the microphone as high as possible on your shirt to give the best possible sound quality. It can be muted (red flashing light) and unmuted (green flashing light) by briefly pressing the button on the front. The volume within the room can be adjusted from the "Mic" controls on the touchscreen, though this does not affect the volume in Panopto/Teams.
If you have any problems with a microphone, please return it to the charging cradle, use a different microphone if available, and report the problem to IT Support.
When you are finished, please return the microphone to the charging cradle and make sure it is seated firmly (the light should stop flashing) - otherwise it may stay switched on, recording the sound of the cupboard instead of the room!
Projector controls
Only one projector will be turned on by default - the one furthest from the lectern. If you would like to use both projectors (L1-L6 only), select an input source for Display 2 from the touchscreen - you can use the same input for both projectors, or a different input for each.
If the lecture is being recorded in Panopto, it will automatically switch from the left/right whiteboard camera to the input that you select for the respective projector. When you power off the projector, it will switch back to the board camera.
The "Blank" button will cause the projector (and Panopto) to temporarily switch to a black screen, without turning off fully.
The "Freeze" button will cause the projector to temporarily freeze on the current image. However, Panopto does not support this and will continue to display the live image.
PC/laptop audio
Audio from the Display 1 input source will be played over the room speakers. You can switch to Display 2 (L1-L6 only) from the touchscreen if needed.
You can also adjust the volume within the room from the "Speakers" controls on the touchscreen, though this does not affect the volume in Panopto/Teams. You may also need to adjust the output volume on the laptop itself.
In L1-L3, there is a button to toggle 5.1 surround sound. When this is enabled, you will not be able to control the volume from the touchscreen.
Lectern monitor and inputs
The lectern monitor will display the same input as Display 1 by default, but you can change it independently from the touchscreen if you need to.
The keyboard and mouse are automatically switched to the device displayed on the lectern monitor. If you are using a laptop, you will need to plug in the USB-A cable for them to work.
There are two USB ports on each lectern - they are also connected to whichever device is displayed on the lectern monitor. (If you will be switching between inputs during your talk, you are advised to copy any files you need from a USB drive onto the desktop and remove the USB drive to avoid corruption.)
There is also a handheld clicker that you can connect to the USB port to control your slides while moving around the room. It also includes a laser pointer.
Visualiser
In the lecture theatres/rooms, there is a document camera/visualiser in a drawer on the side of the lectern. To use it:
- Pull out the drawer
- Pull up the visualiser camera arm until it locks in place
- Press the power button of the visualiser to turn it on
- Place your document/object on the device
- Select "Visualiser" as the input for one or both of the projectors
Lecture capture (Panopto)
L1-L6 each have a main room camera, which captures all three whiteboards and the lectern, plus individual cameras focussed on each of the three whiteboards. C1-C6 each have a single room camera, which captures both whiteboards and the lectern.
Lecture recordings are set up by Academic Admin at the start of each term, and can be accessed by students via Moodle. Please notify Academic Admin if a lecture is rearranged or cancelled so the recording can be rescheduled accordingly.
If you need to arrange for a seminar to be recorded in Panopto, please contact the Academic Admin team. Such recordings are accessible only to students and people within the department, so are not suitable for sharing externally, but have the benefit that each whiteboard camera is captured in addition to the main room camera (L1-L6 only).
If you are arranging an event that you want to be recorded, please talk to the Events team.
Intercollegiate classes and consultation sessions are generally not recorded because it can discourage student interaction.
You see the recording status on the touchscreen, and start/stop a recording early if needed. You can also make an ad hoc recording (tap "Start new recording"), but you will need to contact Academic Admin (or IT Support) to get it moved to the correct folder afterwards.
Microsoft Teams/Zoom/etc.
The teaching rooms do not have dedicated Microsoft Teams Room (MTR) devices, but you can use the desktop PC or a laptop to join a call, broadcast to an external audience, or make a recording.
If using a desktop:
- Select "PC (Windows)" or "PC (Linux)" on the touchscreen (for Display 1, or just the Lectern Monitor if you prefer)
- Log in using your Maths account
- Launch Microsoft Teams and log in using your SSO account (or start Zoom, etc. as needed)
- Join the meeting as you would on your own desktop
If using a laptop:
- Connect either the USB-C or HDMI cable to the laptop
- Also connect the USB-A cable to the laptop (if you do not have a USB-A port, or do not have enough ports, you will need to use an adapter/hub)
- Select "Laptop (HDMI)" or "Laptop (USB-C)" on the touchscreen (for Display 1, or just the Lectern Monitor if you prefer)
- Launch Microsoft Teams (or Zoom, etc.) and join the meeting as normal
- Select the appropriate devices for the video and audio inputs - normally:
- "USB Capture HDMI" for the camera
- "Biamp Usb Audio" for microphone and audio output
The USB-A cable provides the main room camera feed and the room audio as standard video/audio input devices. The individual board cameras in L1-L6 cannot be used in this setup, so you may find C1-C6 or VC1 preferable if you are using the whiteboards.
Please note that changing the Display 1 or Lectern Monitor inputs on the touchscreen will interrupt the feed, the same as pulling out the cable would.
Room lighting
In L1-L3, the room lighting will be adjusted automatically when you turn the projectors on/off. We generally recommend using the default settings to ensure the best visibility for the audience, but you can override it from the touchscreen (lightbulb icon at the bottom) or the controls on the wall if you need to.
In the other rooms, you will find standard light switches on the wall.
Support
If you need further help with the system: