In the middle of the classroom, aligned with the center of the screen, there is a data projector. With a resolution of 1024x768 pixels, this projector is capable of displaying computer data or video in full color. Its operation is straightforward, but complicated by many superfluous buttons on the remote control.

At the front of the room, attached to the VTR/computer stand with a short plastic coiled cord, is a remote control for the projector. It looks a little like the one pictured at left. Or rather, it should look like the one pictured at left. Instead, it has quite a few more buttons on it. Thankfully, you do not need to use any of the controls except for the ones pictured here.

To use the projector, pick up the remote control, point it at the projector and press the yellow Power button. The ONLY other button on the remote you might need is the Source button at the top right. That lets you choose between the computer and the VTR.

It takes about a minute for the projector to come up to full brightness. Once you have turned it on, you should be able to see light coming from the lens in a few seconds, though you might not see anything on the screen.

CAUTION: Never look directly into the projector lens. The light is extremely bright!

There is a button on the remote control marked BLACK. This function allows you to temporarily shut off the image from the projector without turning off the lamp. You can bring the image back up without delay by pressing the BLACK button once more. Note that this feature DOES NOT TURN THE PROJECTOR OFF! Remember to turn the projector off when you are finished!

When you are finished with the projector, always shut it off. Again, point the remote control at the projector and press the POWER button. A prompt will appear on the screen asking you if you really want to turn the projector off. Press the POWER button a second time. The lamp should shut off immediately, though the fan will continue to run.

The video player is the same as many of the other video players on campus, except that it is connected to the data projector instead of a television monitor. Begin by turning on the projector as outlined above. Also, turn on the power to the VTR. You should see a television picture, a computer image or the word Searching displayed through the data projector. If you see the television picture, you are all set. If you see something else, you will need to point the remote control at the projector and press the SOURCE button to switch to the VTR signal. When you press the SOURCE button, a menu will appear on the screen. Using the trackball on the remote, scroll down to "Composite Video" and press the L button. If you get Searching or a Proxima logo at this point, don't panic. Your tape is not playing yet.

Put your videotape into the player and press PLAY . Your videotape program should appear on the screen. You can then stop and re-cue the tape, or continue playing it for your group.

Odds are very good that the volume will be too loud or too quiet at this point. To fix that problem, begin by ignoring the controls on the remote control. Instead, find the silver knob attached to the wall right above the VTR, in the middle of the VTR stand. That knob is the volume control for the VTR.

Inside the cabinet below the VTR is a Windows '98 computer. Although the cabinet door may be closed, the cabinet door is not locked. The computer is set up for presentations and is connected to the campus computer network. No login is required.

To use the computer, make sure it is turned on, and give it time to start up. Meanwhile, turn on the data projector as described in Part I above. If you see a television picture instead of the computer image when you turn on the projector, pick up the remote, point it at the projector and press the SOURCE button. A menu will appear on the screen. Using the track ball, select "Computer 2 - Analog" then press the L button. The computer image should appear on the screen.

If you want to use your own computer, connect its video output jack to the loose cable attached to the A/B switch and set the switch to Position B.