Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Arrange your classroom to accommodate the technology. Only the projector must be in front of the screen. If the projector is mounted to the ceiling, arrange the computer and document camera near the cable drop from the ceiling to avoid cables on the floor and to prevent a fire or safety hazard in accordance with RCPS policy. (To connect an AVerMedia AVerVision document camera to a Mac, click here for instructions.)

Use the VGA cable with blue ends that shipped with your projector. Hook it into the Computer (Component Video) port on the projector and the other end into the computer. For most Macs, you'll need the white adapter (called a "dongle") shown in the pictures at left.

The adapter fits into the far right port on the side of the eMac (Fig. 1). On the iBook or MacBook, it's situated horizontally on the side of the laptop (Fig. 2). On a new iMac, the adapter goes into a port on the back of the computer (Fig. 3). The type of connector on the end of the adapter depends on the model of Mac connecting to the projector. The VGA end of the adapter is the same on all dongles but the Mac connector is different for each Mac model. It is necessary to use the correct dongle for the computer being connected to the projector.

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

There are a few helpful buttons on your projector. (Shown to the left are both the Epson in Fig. 4 and the Powerlite S5 in Fig. 5.)

Use the Power button on the projector or on the remote to turn the projector on and off. When turning the projector off, you'll be prompted to confirm the action by pressing the power button an additional time.

Try to place the projector so that it's perpendicular to the screen. If the projected image is trapezoidal, use the keystone buttons to help make the image more rectangular. Note that there are two keystone buttons, above and below the Enter button. Press as necessary. (Use the remote if projector is mounted on the ceiling).

The projector will likely find your computer or other source automatically. If it does not, use the Source Search button to have it search its ports. (Use the remote if projector is mounted on the ceiling). Be sure that cables are secure in both the computer and in the projector.

Focus projected image by rotating the lens at the front of the projector. (Use the remote if projector is mounted on the ceiling).

Projector lamps are expensive and cost almost as much as a projector. Turn off the projector when not in use and keep the projector filter clean. The projector and lamp will last long and operate more efficiently if it is cared for properly. To clean the projector filter, click here for instructions.

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

If the VGA cable is not long enough to reach your projector from your computer, 25' VGA extension cables are available (Fig. 6). Each school has some in its possession or any member of tech staff can provide one for you. Extension cables are ONLY used on projectors that are not ceiling mounted. Hook the extension cable into the existing cable and if the white adapter is needed for an iBook, eMac or iMac, connect it to the opposite end of the extension cable.

In certain instances, as with ceiling mounted projectors, special cables may need to be purchased for operating a vcr/dvd player through the projector. See the product purchase recommendations web page for details. Mounts and cables are purchased by the school, not by the county. Projectors are mounted by technology staff members.

Avoid running cables across the floor to prevent a fire or safety hazard in accordance with RCPS policy. If cables are located in traffic areas of the room, purchase a cord protector (Fig. 7) from a hardware store or office supply.

If power cables are not long enough to reach a wall outlet, use a surge protector (Fig. 8). A household extension cord is not fire safe. Only a surge protector is approved as fire safe and also will protect computer equipment from a power surge.