This guide covers classrooms with a black push-button control panel — usually mounted on the wall or the equipment rack — with lit buttons for power and sources, and a volume knob. Button layouts vary a little from room to room, but the workflow is the same everywhere.
Turn the system on
- Press and hold the ON button for 3 seconds. This powers the projector and sound system.
- The button flashes while the projector warms up. Warm-up can take up to 2 minutes — this is normal. Wait for it to finish before troubleshooting.
Select what to show
Press the button for the source you want:
- PC — the classroom instructor computer (iMac or Dell). Make sure the computer is powered on first.
- Laptop (VGA) — plug the VGA cable from the input panel into your laptop, set the laptop to output external video, connect the audio cable to the headphone jack, turn your laptop volume up, then press LAPTOP.
- HDMI — connect the HDMI cable to the input plate and press HDMI. DisplayPort, Thunderbolt and DVI work with adapters.
- Blu-Ray — insert a Blu-ray or standard DVD, press BLU-RAY, and use the DVD control buttons on the panel or the handheld remote.
- Doc Cam — fully extend the document camera arm, turn the camera's power button on, then press DOC CAM.
- Aux Video — for devices connected to the composite (RCA) video and audio inputs.
Some rooms have extra buttons for equipment specific to that room (for example a CD player, VCR or roll-around cart). Those buttons are labeled on the panel, and rooms with extra equipment have their own printed instructions at the console.
Dual image: in rooms with two projectors, you can show the document camera alongside another source — select the other source, then press the small doc cam icon button to send the document camera to the right projector.
Volume
Turn the volume knob to adjust the room speakers; the green and red lights next to it show the level. If your laptop is the source, check the laptop's own volume too.
PIC MUTE — read this before you use it
The PIC MUTE button hides the projector image; pressing it again shows the image. It is meant for moments during class when you want the screen blank.
Important: PIC MUTE should only be used during class, not when class is over. PIC MUTE does not replace the OFF button — the projector lamp keeps running behind a blank screen. Always turn the system off when you leave.
Turn the system off when you leave
- Press and hold the OFF (or Display OFF) button for 3 seconds.
- If you were using Audio Only, use the Audio OFF button to turn that off as well.
- If you need to turn the projector back on, wait 2 minutes for it to cool down first.
Please turn off the ceiling projector before leaving the room.
Need help?
To report a problem or request assistance, go to helpdesk.fhda.edu or call the ETS Call Center at (408) 864-8324 (x8324) — see Multimedia classroom support for the classroom-emergency options, and always leave a callback number.