Denney 311 AV Equipment
Denney 311 has camera and microphone equipment installed, which will automatically be available in Zoom meetings hosted on the in-room computer. (It’s also possible to connect your own laptop to the projection system, but the camera and microphone setup will not be available.) The mics also function independently of Zoom, and can (and should) be used for in-person-only meetings.
If you plan to (or would like to) use the new a/v in these spaces, I encourage you to check them out in advance in order to familiarize yourself (and to download/install AirMedia if you’re projecting wirelessly). When using the tech, if you have both in-person and remote attendees, please be mindful of both audiences and speak toward the soundbar and camera. Also be mindful of the fact that, just as in full-remote situations, cross-talk can be very difficult for remote attendees to follow, so do your best to take turns. When we tested out the equipment, we found that most of our difficulties using the space were attributed to first-time use, cross-talk across the physical room, etc. Finally, please remember to turn off the display via the wall panel, and turn off the wireless keyboard and mouse when they aren’t in use so we can preserve battery life. (The keyboard has a toggle switch on the back right, and the mouse on the underside.)
For assistance with technology in Denney 311, contact ASCTech at 614-688-4447 / asctech@osu.edu, or DMP staff in Denney 324.
Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Classroom Services Information
To turn on the projector, press “Display Power” on the black panel in the front of the room. If nothing is displaying, ensure that the correct input is selected on the panel. PC will project the in-room Dell computer; HDMI will project a personal device connected via HDMI cable; and VGA will project a personal device connected via VGA cable.
Microphones should be used for any kind of large meeting. Even if you have great projection, it is still very difficult to hear in the back of the room because of the HVAC white noise. If you have remote attendees on Zoom, you will need to use the room microphones—otherwise, the Zoom attendees won’t be able to hear you.
We have six microphones in the room:
- 4 wireless handheld mics
- 1 wired handheld mic
- 1 wireless clip-on lapel mic
The mics are all located inside the lectern. The wireless mics should be on the top shelf, and the wired mic and its cord in a large leatherette bag on the middle shelf.
The mics can be set up on stands in various places throughout the room. There are:
- 4 straight mic stands
- 1 boom-style mic stand
- 1 tabletop mic stand
To use the mics
While the mic system is integrated with the in-room computer for use in hybrid meetings, the mics function for in-room amplification even without the projection system turned on.
- Push “Mic Mute” to unmute the mics. (If the “Mic Mute” light is red, mics are muted.)
- Ensure any wireless mics used are turned on (for handheld mics, on = up)
- Control the volume level with the Mic Volume + and - buttons on the wall panel
The wireless mics will need to be turned on individually. The wired mic is on all the time and just needs to be un-muted. Extra batteries for the wireless mics are in the main office (421) and in the DMP (324).
Microphone troubleshooting
If the microphones don’t seem to be amplifying your voice
- Are you holding the mic right? Handheld mics are directional: they should be pointed toward the mouths and held a reasonable distance away.
- Are the mics muted? The Mic Mute light on the wall panel should be off.
- Is the mic volume down? Try pushing the mic volume + button. (There is no visual indicator of mic volume.)
If you’re getting feedback from the microphones:
This should hopefully be less of a problem since the new equipment install in November 2022, but below are some troubleshooting steps:
- Try moving around the room—often feedback happens because the mics are too close together or too close to a speaker.
- Try turning the mic volume down.
- If you’re using two wireless microphones, make sure they are far from each other. If they need to be close for some reason, try alternating when each is turned on.
Using the wireless keyboard and mouse
The in-room computer is a Dell desktop inside the AV cabinet, with a monitor on an adjustable arm atop the cabinet.
As of February 2023, the computer is set up to use a wireless keyboard and mouse, which are both stored on the top shelf in the lectern. Each has a power switch: on the back right corner of the keyboard, and on the underside of the mouse. Once powered on, they should connect and be usable immediately.
Logging in
The in-room computer should always be left on. To log in, press Ctrl-Alt-Del and use your OSU username and password.
- If another user has forgotten to log out and the computer is locked, you can click the Switch User button in the lower left of the screen
- Only Columbus-campus users within ASC can log in
- If your assignment is at another campus, or you are a guest from another college, it’s easiest to get somebody else to log in for you.
- If you’ll be using the room repeatedly as a guest, contact asctech@osu.edu to ask to be added to the ASC domain in the future.
Projecting from the in-room computer
- Push “Display Power” on the wall panel to turn on the projector.
- Select the source “PC” on the wall panel for the in-room computer.
- Volume from the computer is controlled via the knob on the wall panel
To temporarily blank the screen, use the A/V Mute button on the projector remote (all blue buttons, labeled “Epson Projector” at the bottom). That button is on the left side of the remote just below the directional pad, and is the only function you should use on this remote.
If you need to use a flash drive or other USB device, plug it into one of the USB ports on the monitor.
There is a wireless presenter remote on the top shelf inside the lectern, which should work immediately upon being switched on.
As of November 2022, 311 has two in-room cameras to use for hybrid meetings. We strongly recommend using Zoom as your videoconferencing platform in this space. Below are basic instructions for using the in-room equipment for a hybrid meeting.
Starting your meeting and choosing your camera
- Open Zoom and start your Zoom meeting
- There are two cameras in the room—one mounted above the computer cabinet, which points towards the audience, and one mounted in the middle of the room, next to the windows, which points towards the lectern.
- When you go to select a camera in Zoom by clicking on the arrow next to “Stop Video,” you’ll see that both cameras have the same name: HuddleCamHD G2. The first HuddleCam listed is the one that points towards the audience, and the second HuddleCam listed points towards the podium. Click on the camera that you would like to use.
- You can switch cameras during a meeting if you would like.
- If you are recording a Zoom meeting, you will only record video from whichever camera is selected at a given time.
Adjusting the cameras
The in-room cameras have pan/tilt/zoom functionality, which means they can be adjusted side-to-side and up-and-down, and can be zoomed in and out.
The cameras are controlled via remote. The same remote is used for both cameras; simply point it toward the camera you wish to adjust. The remotes need good line-of-sight; for the speaker camera (mounted at mudroom) you will need to step toward the center of the room in order to get a response.
Under no circumstances should you physically adjust the cameras. If there is a problem with the physical position of the camera, please contact DMP staff, or Mike or Wayne.
Using Presets
The cameras have the ability to recall presets, and we have pre-established a few.
Speaker camera (mounted at midroom, pointed toward the projection screen)
Preset 1: shows the entire front of the room
Preset 2: zoomed in on the lectern
Audience camera (mounted above the AV rack, pointed toward the kitchenette)
Preset 1: a wide shot of the back half of the room (preset 1)
To recall a preset: Press the number of the preset that you would like, and then hit the Call button to recall that preset.
So, for instance, if on the speaker camera you want to zoom in on the podium, you would press 2, then Call. (The relevant buttons are circled in the image to the right). Press each button firmly, and not too fast; the LED on the camera will blink as it receives each button signal.
To manually adjust
If you need to further adjust the camera position, you can do so using the Pan and Tilt buttons (the directional pad, circled at right) and the Zoom controls (rocker switches above the directional pad; Zoom Slow is circled at right).
A word of caution: the “Zoom Slow” controls are quite easy to use. However, the Pan and Tilt buttons are a bit touchy, and tend to go from not moving the camera very much at all to moving it quite fast. But if they do move really fast, don’t worry! You can always go back to a preset.
Selecting the in-room system as the audio device for your meeting
Generally the in-room microphone and speakers are already pre-selected within Zoom. If you’re having trouble, though, these are the proper devices:
Microphone: AV Bridge
Speaker: Crestron
In Zoom, you can check these selections by click the up-arrow next to the Mute/Unmute button (the microphone icon). The selections above should be checked; if not, select them from the list.
Projecting from a flash drive or information stored online using the in-room computer.
The computer is a Dell desktop in the lower part of the black cabinet. If you need to use a flash drive or other USB device, plug it into one of the USB ports on the desktop or on the monitor.
- The in-room computer should always be on. If it’s not, you can turn it on from the desktop in the cabinet.
- Push “Display Power” on the wall panel to turn on the projector.
- Select the source “PC” on the wall panel for the in-room computer.
When leaving the room
- Turn off all wireless devices and store them on the top shelf of the lectern
- Log out of the in-room computer (Start button > Profile picture > Sign out)
- Turn off the projector using “Display Power” on the wall panel.
- Make sure “Mic Mute” button is lit
- Close all windows
- Shut off all lights
- Make sure all doors are closed
Projecting from your own device
If you’re using your own device, we recommend that you set it on top of the AV cabinet or the lectern.
- Connect your device via HDMI or VGA to the side of the AV cabinet.
- Both an HDMI and a VGA+audio cable are provided, on the middle shelf of the lectern.
- Push “Display Power” on the wall panel to turn on the projector.
- Select the source you are plugged into – HDMI or VGA – on the wall panel.
- Control in-room volume from your computer via the knob on the wall panel.
To temporarily blank the screen, use the A/V Mute button on the projector remote (all blue buttons, labeled “Epson Projector” at the bottom). That button is on the left side of the remote just below the directional pad, and is the only function you should use on this remote.
Troubleshooting projection from your own device
If your device is not projecting,
- Is the Display Power light lit and not flashing?
- Push the Display Power button to turn on the projector
- Are your device’s mirroring/projection settings correct?
- Windows: hold the Windows key and press P to bring up the presentation setting
- Mac: Go to System Preferences (System Settings beginning with macOS Ventura) and go to Displays
Limitations with using your own device
If you do use your own device, you will not be able to use the in-room cameras/microphones—you will have to use the built-in camera and microphone on your computer, or use USB webcams and microphones available from the DMP.
The wireless presenter remote in the lectern will not work with your personal computer. If you need a presenter remote to advance your slides, please see the DMP in DE 324.