Classroom AV On a Budget MAEDS 2011 Jim Burkhart, IT Director Coleman Community Schools

What You Can Expect Disclaimers Our Classroom AV Needs Our solution with configuration details

Disclaimer Building Code Other duties One method Unorthodox use of gear Prices subject to change ENO boards

Why Last year’s presentation Ideal situation/funding Real world, real solutions

Problem $54, in AARA funds Do as much with it as you can Planning Begins

Planning Start with projector, screen size, number of inputs, vendors, brands? Gathered all the information Borrowed and tested

Planning What do we want to see & hear? – –PC with audio – –VHS & DVD with audio – –Cable TV & Channel One

Planning Where do we want to see and hear it? – –Projection screen – –PC monitor – –Audio coverage throughout room

Planning What kind of space are we working with? – –Drop ceiling – –Fixed ceiling – –Encapsulated Asbestos – –Size and shape of room – –Ambient lighting

Planning Ease of use – –Can teachers figure it out? – –Can the instructions fit on one page? – –Can a substitute figure it out? – –Is it safe?

Planning Longevity – –Is this modular? – –Can I replace individual components with different brands/products? – –Will the fancy features still be available?

Planning Two detailed solutions – –Unobstructed drop ceiling – –Fixed, encapsulated asbestos – –Both with small windows on one side of the room

Planning 4:3 or 16:9 – –All PCs had standard monitors – –Most classrooms had good 4:3 screens – –Most projectors were native 4:3 – –HD was out of the question at the time

Planning Cable TV/Channel One – –VCR was cheapest option – –Separate DVD player and input

Gear Projector – –VCR1 Composite Video – –DVD Player1 S-Video (converted) – –PC1 VGA – –Document CamVGA Pass-through

Gear Projector – –NEC NP series 2300 ANSI Lumens 4:3 native resolution, capable of HD 2 video inputs 1 VGA 1 DVI – –Kramer VGA DA for monitor

Gear Audio system – –Constant Voltage System (70 volt system) Flexibility Inexpensive wiring Easy configuration Been around for many years

Gear Audio system – –Crown MA 135 mixer/amplifier Three separate audio inputs Four knobs and one button clearly labeled – –JBL Control 24 and Control 25 speakers Very good coverage and quality for the price

Wiring

Wiring Audio System – –1/8” to 2 RCA from PC to amp – –2 RCA to 2 RCA from DVD to amp – –2 RCA to bare wire from VCR to amp – –18 ga from mixer to speakers

Wiring Projector and Video – –50’ VGA to VGA from Kramer to Projector – –50’ S-Video cable from DVD player to Projector (converted on DVD end) – –50’ BNC to BNC video cable from VCR to Projector (BNC to RCA adapters on each end)

Wiring Getting wire to devices – –Track, wire mold, in-wall??? – –Cable ties are the answer

Wiring

Wiring

Wiring

Ease of Use

Flexibility Easy to move Modular Does not rely on one set of features

Cost Effective Quality gear from a trusted vendor is better in the long run We are always trying to save money in the long run Time is valuable

Vendors Advanced Lighting & Sound – –Greg Koss, Troy, MI Alternative View – –Tammy Blanchard, Midland, MI

Discussion