1) Locate the projector remote that should be lying on the podium (it’s the larger remote). Press the power button to turn on the projector.
2) If you are using the Mac Mini in the room:
- If the Mac Mini is not turned on, turn it on (it is in the podium). If you see a display on the projector then skip to step 3. If you don’t see one go over to the other side of the podium (the side closest to the projector screen) and open it up. Locate the black box right underneath the Mac Mini and then locate the two buttons on it that are labeled ‘1’ and ‘2’. Make sure ‘1’ is selected.
If you are using your own laptop:
- Plug your laptop into the VGA cord that is coming out of the podium. It should be lying on top of the podium. You will probably need an adapter to connect to the VGA. If you do not have one, go to the Main Office and they should be able to provide one for you. If you see a display on the projector then skip to step number 3. If you don’t see one go over to the other side of the podium (the side closest to the projector screen) and open it up. Locate the black box right underneath the Mac Mini and then locate the two buttons on it that are labeled ‘1’ and ‘2’. Make sure ‘2’ is selected.
If you see the computer’s display that you are using up on the projector screen, you are connected to the projector. If you DO NOT need sound then you are done! If you DO need sound, go to step 3.
Troubleshooting:
If you are using the Mac Mini and it is on but you see ‘No Signal’, it is probably in sleep mode. Press a few buttons on the keyboard (should be lying on top of the podium) to get it out of sleep mode.
If the projector still says ‘No Signal’, go over to the other side of the podium (the side closest to the project screen) and open it up. Locate the black box right underneath the Mac Mini and then locate the two buttons on it that are labeled ‘1’ and ‘2’. If you are using the Mac Mini make sure ‘1’ is selected. If you are using your own computer make sure ‘2’ is selected.
If the projector STILL says ‘No Signal,’ make sure that the computer you are using is connected to a VGA cord through an adapter.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, then try to locate a little yellow adapter that says ‘USA Patent’ and ‘Gender Changer on it. There should be two of these adapters. Make sure that there are VGA cords connected to both sides of each adapter. If they are not, then try to located a black VGA cord and connect it to the missing side of the adapter.
If you have come this far with no luck, make sure that everything is tightly plugged in.
If it still isn’t working, you should request IT support.
3) It is a bit tricky to get the sound working so make sure you are following these instructions carefully. If you are using the Mac Mini then the cords are already set up. But if you are using your own computer, then you need to locate a white, shiny audio cable (should be lying on top of the podium). Plug that into the headphone jack of your computer.
4) Now you are going to need to open the other side of the podium (the side closest to the projector screen). Locate the big black receiver box all the way on the bottom (it says ‘Pioneer’ on the top left of it). Locate the POWER button on the bottom left of the receiver (It is labeled ‘Standby On’). Press this button to turn the receiver on.
5) Now that the receiver is on, locate the buttons in the middle of the receiver that have white labels over them.
- IF YOU ARE USING THE MAC MINI: Find the button that says ‘PC‘. Press this button.
- IF YOU ARE USING YOUR OWN COMPUTER: Find the button that says ‘Laptop‘. Press this button.
Side note: To adjust the volume, use the big circle-knob on the bottom right of the receiver.
6) Test if the speakers in the room are working. To do this, use a video with sound on the computer you are using OR go to a site such as YouTube and click on a random video. If you are using the Mac Mini there should be a wireless keyboard lying on the podium that you can use to type and navigate the mouse. Adjust the volume if necessary as described in step 5.
If the speakers work, then go to step number 7.
If they don’t work and you are using the Mac Mini: check to see if there is an audio cord coming out of the Mac Mini’s headphone jack. It should have tape on it that says ‘Laptop Audio.’ If it is not plugged in, try to located this cord and plug it in.
If they don’t work and you are using your own computer: make sure you followed step 3 correctly.
If this doesn’t solve the issue, repeat step 5.
If the audio is still not working, try to locate a little yellow adapter that says ‘USA Patent’ and ‘Gender Changer on it. There should be two of these adapters. Make sure that there are VGA cords connected to both sides of each adapter. If there are not, then try to located a black VGA cord and connect it to the missing side of the adapter.
If you have gotten this far with no luck, you can use the webcam to project sound. Plug it into the Mac Mini (or your own computer if that is what you are using), then go to the Apple on the top left of the screen -> System Preferences -> Sound and make sure The Output and Input are both set to ‘BCC950 ConferenceCam.’ Test to see if the webcam is outputting sound by watching a YouTube video.
7) You should now have the projector and audio both working. If you do then CONGRATULATIONS! You did a great job in following these messy directions.
Note: If you need to use the webcam:
Make sure the webcam is plugged into the Mac Mini (if you are using your own computer then plug it into your computer). It plugs in via USB. There is also a power cord that comes with the webcam. Plug that into an outlet.