SCHOOL VIDEO & SOUND SYSTEM SETUP

Prepared by Lynne Pike, Instructional Technology Resource Teacher. Contact Lynne with questions about information found below.

The following list of items and instructions will assist you in purchasing the proper equipment for the setup that you require. In some instances (as with ceiling mounted projectors, for example), you will need additional cables that can be found on the RCPS technology equipment purchase recommendation page.

 

VCR/DVD to Projector and to External Speakers

Items Needed:

1/8" to Dual RCA Y-Adapter

Radio Shack
274-883

Gold-Plated Inline 1/8" Mini-Jack 1/8" Coupler

Radio Shack
274-886

RCA Stereo Audio Video Cable

 

Can be purchased at any department store or office supply where projectors and VCR/DVD players are sold.

Procedure:

  1. Connect RCA composite plugs to VCR/DVD player (match plugs by color to output plug for each).
  2. Connect yellow video plug on the other end of the cable to yellow input plug on the projector.
  3. Connect red and white audio plugs on the other end of the cable to dual RCA Y-adapter (match plugs by color to input for each).
  4. Connect one end of the coupler to 1/8" jack on dual RCA Y-adapter.
  5. Connect speaker jack from speakers to other end of coupler.
  6. If everything is connected properly and speakers are turned on, the video will play through the projector and the audio through external speakers.

NOTE: If a longer cable is needed, measure the distance to be sure of the length you need in the composite RCA composite and then purchase one that is long enough. If necessary, separate audio (red and white) and video (yellow) cables can be purchased when components are further apart (i.e., ceiling mounted speakers with the DVD player and projector located on a multimedia cart).

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VCR/DVD to Projector and to School Sound System

Items Needed:

1/4" Jack-to-A3M XLR Plug Adapter/Transformer

Radio Shack
274-017

1/4" to Dual RCA Y-Adapter

Radio Shack
274-893

RCA Stereo Audio Video Cable

 

Can be purchased at any department store or office supply where projectors and VCR/DVD players are sold.

XLR Audio Connector

 

This connector may be found on an audio component or installed in a plate on a wall or stair near the stage in an auditorium or gym. A microphone cord is usually plugged into this outlet.

Procedure:

  1. Connect RCA composite plugs to VCR/DVD player (match plugs by color to output plug for each).
  2. Connect yellow video plug on the other end of the cable to yellow input plug on the projector.
  3. Connect red and white audio plugs on the other end of the cable to dual RCA Y-adapter (match plugs by color to input for each).
  4. Connect 1/4" jack on dual RCA Y-adapter to 1/4" jack on XLR adapter.
  5. Connect XLR adapter to XLR audio connector outlet.
  6. If everything is connected properly and the sound system is turned on, the video will play through the projector and the audio through sound system.

NOTE: If a longer cable is needed, measure the distance to be sure of the length you need in the composite RCA composite and then purchase one that is long enough. If necessary, separate audio (red and white) and video (yellow) cables can be purchased when components are further apart (i.e., ceiling mounted speakers with the DVD player and projector located on a multimedia cart).

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Mac Computer to Projector and to External Speakers

Items Needed:

VGA cable

This cable is included with the purchase of a projector or a document camera.

Mac VGA adapter (dongle)

Can be purchased from Apple or provided by Tech Staff.

NOTE: Although they look similar, there are different adapters for different Mac models. Click here for specific order information.

Procedure:

  1. Connect Mac VGA adapter to one end of VGA cable and projector to the other end of the VGA cable.
  2. Connect Mac VGA adapter to the display port on the Mac.
  3. Connect speaker jack from speakers to audio port on the Mac.
  4. If everything is connected properly and speakers are turned on, the computer will play through the projector and the audio through external speakers.

NOTE: If a longer VGA cable is needed, measure the distance to be sure of the length you need. The longest we have available is a 25' extender that can be connected to the VGA cable.

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Mac Computer to Projector and to School Sound System

Items Needed:

VGA cable

This cable is included with the purchase of a projector or a document camera.

Mac VGA adapter (dongle)

Can be purchased from Apple or provided by Tech Staff.

NOTE: Although they look similar, there are different adapters for different Mac models. Click here for specific order information.

1/4" Jack-to-A3M XLR Plug Adapter/Transformer

Radio Shack
274-017

1/4" to Dual RCA Y-Adapter

Radio Shack
274-893

1/8" Stereo to Dual Phono (RCA) Plug Y-cable

Radio Shack
42-492

XLR Audio Connector

 

This connector may be found on an audio component or installed in a plate on a wall or stair near the stage in an auditorium or gym. A microphone cord is usually plugged into this outlet.

Procedure:

  1. Connect Mac VGA adapter to one end of VGA cable and projector to the other end of the VGA cable.
  2. Connect Mac VGA adapter to the display port on the Mac.
  3. Connect red and white audio plugs on the Y-cable to dual RCA Y-adapter (match plugs by color to input for each).
  4. Connect 1/8" phono plug on Y-cable to audio port on computer.
  5. Connect 1/4" jack on dual RCA Y-adapter to 1/4" jack on XLR adapter.
  6. Connect XLR adapter to XLR outlet.
  7. If everything is connected properly and sound system is turned on, the video will play through the projector and the audio through sound system.

NOTE: If a longer cable is needed, measure the distance to be sure of the length you need in the composite RCA composite and then purchase one that is long enough. If necessary, separate audio (red and white) and video (yellow) cables can be purchased when components are further apart (i.e., ceiling mounted speakers with the DVD player and projector located on a multimedia cart).

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