Archive for the 'Media Services' Category

Freedlander Theatre gets Media Upgrade

dwaldron October 22nd, 2008

Over the summer the Media Services group oversaw the installation of new media equipment in Freedlander Theatre. A new projector screen was installed on the theatre stage. Images are projected onto the screen by a new projector installed behind it. A custom-designed technologically-enhanced podium was added for use on the stage. The podium features a courtesy port to accommodate a laptop computer. It also features a built-in Pixie Pro unit used to control the projector and DVD/VCR unit. A new sound system was also installed in the theatre.

The new equipment provides a more professional environment for presenters and a better experience for the audience. This upgrade was part of a broader OIT initiative to enhance the presentation capabilities of larger campus venues and to enhance media support for campus events.

McGaw Chapel Gets Media Upgrade

dwaldron September 8th, 2008

Over the summer the Media Services group oversaw the installation of new presentation equipment in McGaw Chapel. A projector was permanently mounted from the ceiling and a DVD/VCR combo unit was added in the control room. A custom-designed technologically-enhanced podium was added for use on the stage. The podium easily accommodates a computer and monitor, and features a built-in Pixie Pro unit used to control the projector and DVD/VCR unit.

The new equipment provides a more professional environment for presenters and a better experience for the audience. It also greatly reduces the time required to setup for multimedia presentations. This upgrade was part of a broader IT initiative to enhance the presentation capabilities of larger campus venues.

Kauke 141 Scaler Replaced

dwaldron January 9th, 2008

Persistent problems with the classroom technology in Kauke 141 were tracked to the room’s scaler. That unit has now been replaced. Similar problems had been encountered in Kauke 037 and Kauke 243. Those units were replaced earlier with positive results. As reported earlier, the problems with the scalers are the result of a manufacturing defect. The units with this defect are being repaired under warranty.

Five Classrooms Receive Technology Upgrades

dwaldron January 9th, 2008

Five classrooms are receiving technology enhancements over winter break. Academic departments requested these upgrades in response to the VPAA’s solicitation of information technology requests and proposals. These particular classrooms–Taylor 111, Taylor 302, Wishart 101, Morgan 105 and Scovel 004–were selected, in part, because the modifications could be completed between the fall and spring semesters. The remaining requests and proposals are still under consideration and it is hoped that additional classroom upgrades will be carried out once the spring semester concludes.

In Taylor 111, the ceiling-mounted projector and speakers are being replaced. A media equipment rack is being incorporated into the lab table in the front of the room. The rack will house a new dvd/vcr combo unit, cable TV tuner, amplifier, scaler, power conditioner and Mac Mini. A sympodium will sit atop the lab table. The classroom technology will be controlled by a Pixie Pro unit which will also be located on the top of the lab table.

A new ceiling mounted projector will be installed in Taylor 302 along with a new projector screen and new speakers. A new media cabinet will be installed. The rack inside the media cabinet will contain a new dvd/vcr combo unit, amplifier, scaler and power conditioner. The room will also receive a new Mac Mini. The technology will be controlled by a Pixie Pro unit.

Wishart 101 will receive a custom-built podium. This podium contains an equipment rack which will house a new dvd/vcr combo unit, cable TV tuner, amplifier, scaler, power conditioner and Mac Mini. The classroom technology will be controlled by a Pixie Pro unit mounted atop the podium. New ceiling-mounted speakers are being installed, along with a new ceiling-mounted projector and a projector screen.

Morgan 105 will receive a custom-built podium. This podium contains an equipment rack which will house a new dvd/vcr combo unit, cable TV tuner, amplifier, scaler, power conditioner and Mac Mini. The classroom technology will be controlled by a Pixie Pro unit mounted atop the podium.

A new ceiling-mounted projector and projector screen are being added to Scovel 004. A new media cabinet is being installed. The rack inside the media cabinet will house a new dvd/vcr combo unit, cable TV tuner, amplifier, scaler and power conditioner. The room will also receive a new Mac Mini. The technology will be controlled by a Pixie Pro unit.

IT is very pleased to enhance these learning spaces and looks forward to enhancing others.

Dan Krites Joins Media Services

dwaldron January 4th, 2008

The Office of Information Technology is very pleased to welcome Daniel Krites. Dan has just joined us as Presentation Technology and Event Support Specialist. In this role, Dan will provide multimedia support for events on-campus. He will also play a key role in the installation and support of digital technologies in our learning spaces. As Media Services shifted to NTS last summer, Dan will be reporting to NTS Director Vince Di Scipio. Dan comes to us with significant experience in the consumer audio/video electronics field and in customer service.

dkrites3
Dan Krites

Kauke 243 Scaler Replaced

dwaldron November 28th, 2007

Persistent problems with the technology in Kauke 243 were tracked to the room’s scaler. That unit was replaced yesterday. Similar problems have been encountered in Kauke 141 and that scaler will be replaced as soon as possible. The scaler in Kauke 037 was replaced two weeks ago. As reported earlier, the problems with the scalers are the result of a manufacturing defect. The units taken from Kauke are being repaired under warranty.

Problem with Kauke Scalers Acknowledged

dwaldron November 19th, 2007

Each of the learning spaces in Kauke Hall includes a scaler as part of the multimedia equipment. Kauke 037, 141 and 243 have experienced persistent problems with their scalers. Faculty members teaching in these rooms have reported problems with the projection of video from the classroom computer and the DVD/VCR combo unit. At times no images from these devices could be projected and the input source could not be changed via the Pixie Pro control unit. These issues stemmed from the problems with the scalers. Booting the scaler, which required the intervention of an IT technician, typically restored normal operation.

The scaler manufacturer has now acknowledged that the issues we have experienced are associated with a known manufacturing defect. The problems occur when the scaler’s main control unit is not properly seated in its socket. The manufacturer will repair these units under warranty.

As previously reported, the scaler in Kauke 037 has already been replaced by a unit from a different manufacturer. The original unit has been shipped back to the manufacturer for repair. Its return is expected within the next few days. When it arrives, it will be installed in Kauke 141. The scaler in Kauke 243 will also be replaced witin the next few days.

We very much regret the difficulties associated with the defective scalers.

Electronic Unit Replaced in Kauke 037

dwaldron November 15th, 2007

Faculty members teaching in Kauke 037 reported problems with the projection of video from the classroom computer and the DVD/VCR combo unit. At times no images from these devices could be projected and the input source could not be changed via the Pixie Pro control unit. After firmware updates to the multimedia equipment and reprogramming of the control unit failed to resolve these issues, the problems were traced to the audio/video scaler. That unit has now been replaced with a scaler from a different manufacturer. IT will take careful note of the performance of the new unit.

In conjunction with the replacement of the scaler, IT has installed a new equipment rack inside the media cabinet in Kauke 037. The rack provides for better organization of the multimedia equipment and cabling. The rack slides out from the media cabinet and can be rotated to provide easier access for technicians servicing the equipment.

Psychology Labs Equipped for Audio/Video Capture

dwaldron November 4th, 2007

Amber Garcia and Michael Casey, both of the Psychology Department, recently authored a successful Hewlett-Mellon grant proposal to equip the Human Interaction Lab (Morgan 117) and the Learning Lab (Morgan 119) with digital video cameras and digital audio recording equipment. The two labs are separated by an observation room (Morgan 118). One-way mirrors allow unobtrusive observation from this space of activities in each of the labs. The proposal included equipment for the observation room–a computer to control the recording devices, and storage units to store the generated content.

The grant authors anticipate that this new equipment will greatly facilitate the use of labs for undergraduate research, allow a greater range of Independent Study theses to be undertaken, result in increased student-faculty collaboration on observational research topics, and provide additional support for courses in research methods. The equipment will also allow activities in the labs to be recorded, edited and stored for further analysis and research. The resulting files can be brought into the classroom for presentation and discussion.

The Office of Information Technology’s Media Services group consulted with the grant authors to select appropriate equipment for the labs and the observation room. Equipment installation was overseen by Vince Di Scipio, Director of Networks, Telecommunications and Systems (NTS). This role fell to Vince as a result of the shift of Media Services into NTS. IT is very pleased to have played a supporting role in this project and congratulates Amber and Michael on their successful proposal. We wish them the best as they begin use of the enhanced labs.

Sympodiums, Document Camera Installed in Mateer

dwaldron October 15th, 2007

SMART Sympodium interactive pen displays have been installed in Mateer G01, 203 and 305. The Sympodiums, small flat screen devices, have been installed on the tables or work benches in front of each of these three rooms. They are connected to the classrooms’ computers and ceiling-mounted projectors. The Sympodiums allow instructors to project images from the computer onto the classroom screen. While facing the class, instructors can add notes to the projected images in multiple colors. At the end of the class, the presentation–including both the projected images and the instructor’s notes–can be digitally saved and, if desired, distributed. This distribution can take place via Moodle.

Also added to Mateer is a mobile cart with a projector and document camera. A document camera is special video camera designed to display documents and three dimensional objects via a projector, monitor or similar device. Document cameras can also be used to project the performance of small-scale lab demonstrations onto a wall-mounted screen.

This equipment was funded by a Hewlett-Mellon grant. The proposal was developed by Sharon Lynn of Biology and Janet Russell of Instructional Technology. The grant application sites the following benefits of these technologies:

  • Increased student interaction during class
  • Greater flexibility for instructors during class
  • Development of notes with students that can be further adapted outside of class
  • Improved demonstration of laboratory techniques
  • Enhanced motivation on the part of students
  • Enhanced retention of material

Installation of the new equipment was overseen by Vince Di Scipio, Director of Networks, Telecommunications and Systems. This role fell to Vince when Media Services was shifted from Instructional Technology to NTS.

A Sympodium and a document camera are currently available for inspection and experimentation in the Classroom Technology Demo Room. Questions about them can be directed to Jon Breitenbucher or Joe Benfield.

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