Dining Hall AV
The Columbus Academy Dining Hall AV system features:
Two projectors: (1) the primary video projector is located at the West end of the Dining Hall, and (2) the secondary projector is located at the 'Fireside' section, East end of the Dining Hall;
Three HDTVs (in Zones 2-4) installed along the walls of the Dining Hall, and
One HDTV installed in the Westwater Room - where the PreK and Kindergarteners dine.
Four separate audio/speaker Zones spread across the Dining Hall.
Two wireless microphones are available from Dining Hall / CA Security staff - who help issue them to you, even after school hours.
The AV system, also known as Academy Source, has a touch panel at the West end of the Dining Hall that is able to control all but one of the displays in the Dining Hall area - i.e. the secondary projector is controlled only by its own dedicated input panel nearby.
The secondary projector at the 'Fireside' section can be connected via a wired HDMI connection available from its input panel found on the wall across from the fireplace, which is also where the rolling lectern cart is located. There is also an AppleTV connected to it so any device that supports AirPlay can use it for wireless display projection.
Each HDTV can also be individually controlled from the button-control panel close to it. This allows each HDTV to switch between Academy Source, or to the video input wall plate so that it can directly display from a computer or mobile device connected to it via HDMI.
Connecting to the Academy Source AV panel
Locate the Academy Source AV touch panel at the the West end of the Dining Hall.
Tap on the power icon at the top of its navigation bar to wake up the system.
When the panel display awakens, tap on "Begin Session".
Academy Source - Video Displays
4. When the AV panel activates, it will first bring you to the "Video Displays" section (of the bottom navigation bar) with the power, video input and volume controls for the Dining Hall video display devices:
The primary Video Projector, located beside the Academy Source touch panel;
Zone-2 HDTV display panel;
Zone-3 HDTV display panel;
Zone-4 HDTV display panel;
Westwater Room HDTV display panel.
Decide which video output device you wish to broadcast your device display to, and tap on "Power On" and "Academy Source" for each display you are using. When you "Power On" the projector, the projector's screen will immediately start to lower down. When you "Power Off" the projector, the screen will rise back up to storage.
NOTE: For each Zone's HDTV display "Plate HDMI/VGA" option refers to AV wall plate that is located close to each HDTV where you can directly connect your input source (computer, smart device or video player) with a HDMI or VGA cable. If you do not have a cable, please let the Tech Office know.
NOTE: Direct AirPlay via Apple TV for each individual Zone's HDTV display do not work, please use the Academy Source instead. Currently, only the Westwater Room HDTV's Apple TV direct option works.
Academy Source - Source Routing
5. In the next section, "Source Routing" (tap on the 2nd button in the bottom navigation bar) allows you to select what the "Academy Source" should send to (1) the primary video projector as well as (2) all the HDTVs (they support independent & separate inputs):
Plate-1: is the right AV input plate below the touch panel - currently out of order;
Plate-2: connects to the left AV input plate below the touch panel - currently has a USB-C to VGA cable connected to it for wired AV connection to MacBook/PC laptops, please remember to connect the 3.5mm jack to transmit audio from your computer.
Rack PC: connects to the computer in the Dining Hall AV rack (rarely used);
Apple TV: connects to the Dining Hall Apple TV for wireless AirPlay.
You can choose to display from the same input or have different things shown on the projector from the rest of the HDTVs. Simply hold down and drag the input source icon that you want to use - such as Plate-2 for wired HDMI/VGA connections, or Apple-TV for wireless AirPlay connections - and drop it into either:
the left box for routing to the Video Projector & Sound System, and/or
the right box for routing to All HDTV Display Panels in the Dining Hall.
NOTE: If you wish to put up displays only on the HDTV but still use the Dining Hall sound system with Zone volume controls, you will need to drag your desired input source and place them into both routing boxes.
6. To connect your device to the Dining Hall's Apple-TV, please make sure your CA device is connected to the "CA Auth" (visitors should connect to the "CA Guest" network) and search with AirPlay/Screen-Mirroring for the "Dining Hall Projector Apple TV".
Academy Source - Audio Control
7. Once you have finished configuring your video and audio input sources, you can tap on the "Audio Control" section (3rd button in the bottom navigation bar) to adjust the volume levels (or mute outputs):
the input from selected media device/source connected to "Academy Source",
the input from wireless microphone(s) - which we recommend to keep at the default,
each Speaker Zone's output, as well as
disable/enable each individual Speaker Zone.
8. Once you are done using the system, you can select "System Shutdown" (right-most button in the bottom navigation bar) and tap the button "End Session" when prompted.
You can then disconnect your computer or device from the AV cables or Apple-TV.
Please help coil the cables back up properly and placed them on the wall hanger.
Reminder about the Wireless Microphones
Two wireless handheld microphones are overseen by the Dining Hall Manager, Stephanie Campbell, and are usually found placed on the charger in her office. Please inform Stephanie if you wish to use the mic(s) at the Dining Hall during school hours. If you have an event that is held after school working hours or on weekends, please contact CA Security for assistance. You can also reach out to the Tech Office staff for clarification and assistance.
Volume control for the microphones are only available on the Extron touch panel as noted in step #7 above. The microphones have a power switch on the top of their handles, please switch them off when not in use to conserve battery power.
Connecting to the Secondary Projector at the Fireside
The secondary projector at the East side of the Dining Hall, also known as the "Fireside", is controlled by its own AV control panel (on the left, along with a Screen control panel on the right) on the wall near the projector and the mobile lectern i.e. rolling laptop stand.
There is a long HDMI cable with a USB-C adapter wound up by the basket mounted on the wall - usually near the mobile lectern and you can plug in the HDMI connection either with the USB-C adapter or directly from HDMI as needed for your computing device. The AV control panel for both the projector and its screen is on the north wall by the lectern, and the button controls are laid out as follows:
Set up your video and audio connection to this projector with these steps:
Announce that you are lowering the projector screen so no one should walk out from the Dining Hall food self-service area.
Press the downward arrow button in the Screen control panel to lower the projector screen.
Press the "Power On" button on the AV control panel to let the projector warm up.
Depending on how you wish to connect your computing device to the projector, you can either:
Plug in the HDMI cable with the provided USB-C adapter (if you need other video adapters, please notify the Tech Office ahead of time), then press the "Wall Plate" button.
Look for the "Dining Hall Fireside Projector" Apple TV that is listed in your AirPlay or Screen-Mirroring search list, and connect to it. Then press the "Apple TV" button.
You can adjust the projector's speaker volume on the AV control panel with the "Mute" or volume a, or on your own computing device.
When you are done, please disconnect your AV connection and press the "Power Off" button on the AV control panel to switch off the projector, then press the upward arrow button in the Screen control to retract the screen.
Please help us wind up the HDMI cable back onto the hanger near the lectern if you used it, before you wheel the lectern back to the corner of the Dining Hall's Fireside section.
Connecting to individual HDTVs via input wall plates
The HDTV Display Panels in Dining Hall Zones 2, 3 and 4, as well as at the Westwater Room, are able to be directly connected with a HDMI cable from the AV wall plate nearby. You just need to press the "Plate HDMI" button on the AV control panel near the HDTV. Please notify the Tech Office ahead of time if you need to loan a HDMI cable. Volume controls for each TV is also available on the AV control panel.
NOTE: Direct "Apple-TV" wireless connection option is only available for the Westwater Room HDTV; Zone 2/3/4 HDTVs currently only support direct wired connections, so you will need to use the "Academy Source" method at the Dining Hall's AV system touch panel if you wish to use the Apple-TV wireless connection to any of them.
