Standard Zoom Classrooms
These spaces are outfitted with the standard resource configuration for our most common room type.
These central classrooms are configured for standard Zoom use. Use the links below to view a full list of technology found in these spaces.
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MCV Campus
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Monroe Park Campus
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Podium Microphone
Located on top of the podium near the control panel, this small but powerful microphone will pick up the presenter's spoken content from anywhere behind the podium.
Podium Computer
Located within the classroom podium's equipment rack, the computer is preloaded with the zoom software. After logging into the computer with your E-ID, simply click on the Zoom Icon on the desktop.
Document Camera
Found on the side of the classroom podium, the document camera gives users the ability to share written notes and other visual aids with the zoom call.
Room Speakers
The system Room Speakers are located throughout the room. The volume level slider that controls the volume for the computer into the classroom is located on the right side of the podium control panel.
Wireless Microphone Receiver (Limited Availability)
In our larger lecture hall spaces, the system contains a wireless microphone receiver that is available to zoom along with the podium microphone. Wireless microphones may be checked out from the IT Support Center. Note: There is a very limited number of these microphones available for checkout. Please contact the IT Support Center at 828-2227 to inquire about availability.
Testing Speaker and Microphones
There is a very quick and simple test that we recommend you run before you start your zoom calls to make sure everything works properly for your class. The computer should recognize and set default devices automatically, but it is easy to verify.
- After starting or joining a meeting, click on "Test Speaker and Microphone" (highlighted in yellow below)
- You should hear a series of prompts to confirm you can hear and be heard.
- If you do not hear the prompts, verify that the volume control on the podium is up and unmuted.
- If you still do not hear the prompts, click on the dropdown list available on the menu.
- Once you hear the ringtone, click "Yes" then follow the prompts to verify your microphone is properly selected.
Menu Icons
The audio and video menu icons will look like the ones pictured below.
- To turn on the document camera, press the large power button at the base of the document camera's arm.
- After 10-20 seconds of the power light being on the document camera, click the Camera icon Menu arrow to find the "EPSON ELPDC21" camera option.
- For more information about the document camera, please visit our Document Camera page.
To access the menus, click on the caret at the top right of each icon.
Audio Menu Default Settings
If you are having issues with audio, please verify these devices are selected:
- Select a Microphone
- Microphone (Shure Digital )
- Select a Speaker
- Crestron (Intel(R) Display Audio)
Video Menu Default Settings
If you are having issues with seeing the camera, please verify the document camera is powered on and that this device is selected.
- Select a Camera
- EPSON ELPDC21
Select As The Primary Camera
Especially helpful in systems without room cameras, the document camera feed will be the camera content rather than having no video feed at all.
First, ensure the document camera is powered on, using the power button (1).
Click on the caret located to the right of the stop/start video button to access the camera menu.
Select EPSON-ELPDC21 from the available camera list.
Disable "Mirror My Video"
For most users, “Mirror My Video” is a setting people leave on, so when you look at your webcam view of yourself it looks like you’re looking in a mirror. But if you use the document camera for written text, it will not look right. By going into the video settings of Zoom, you can uncheck “Mirror my video” and the content will look like it should.
Open the video settings menu by clicking on the caret beside "Start Video" or "Stop Video".
Select "Video Settings"
You'll find a screen that looks similar to this. Note the text is mirrored.
Uncheck "Mirror my video". This should make the text read left to right in your preview window.
Close the video settings window.
* These settings should retain for the semester within your profile after you set it in each classroom. The next time you use the same classroom as long and the computer has not had to be replaced or reimaged you should not have to redo these steps.
Use As Room Camera
While the document camera is first and foremost designed to be used to capture content found located on the podium surface under the camera, it is possible to use it as a manual room camera with a few minor adjustments.
First, ensure the document camera is powered on, using the power button (1).
In zoom, click on the Video menu arrow and select "video settings..."
In the preview window of the video settings menu, there is a "rotate 90 degrees" button. Click it twice to rotate the image 180 degrees. This will make the image appear right side up when using the document camera as a room camera.
NOTE: You will need to repeat this process the next time you want to use the document camera for written content under the camera.
With the Camera arm raised up, turn the camera arm so that the notch at the base of the camera moved from pointing at 6 o'clock to where it points to 9 o'clock
Turn the head of the camera until it faces either towards the classroom or the presenter.
Disable "Mirror My Video"
For most users, “Mirror My Video” is a setting people leave on, so when you look at your webcam view of yourself it looks like you’re looking in a mirror. But if you use the document camera for written text, it will not look right. By going into the video settings of Zoom, you can uncheck “Mirror my video” and the content will look like it should.
Open the video settings menu by clicking on the caret beside "Start Video" or "Stop Video".
Select "Video Settings"
You'll find a screen that looks similar to this. Note the text is mirrored.
Uncheck "Mirror my video". This should make the text read left to right in your preview window.
Close the video settings window.
* These settings should retain for the semester within your profile after you set it in each classroom. The next time you use the same classroom as long and the computer has not had to be replaced or reimaged you should not have to redo these steps.
Document Camera Desktop Application
We have applied a shortcut to a document camera application on the desktop of the computer for the use case where faculty will need to use the document camera as an application rather than a camera source within Zoom.
Pros:
- Allows the user to open the document camera video as an application window on the computer for easy navigation to and from it and other applications during a presentation. This simplifies the user experience in zoom because the presenter only has to "Share" their entire desktop once and whatever application is showing (internet browser, PowerPoint, or document camera) will show to the classroom on the projector as well as the remote participants via Zoom.
Cons:
- While we are working on rectifying this, currently the application is a chrome extension and needs to be "installed" every time Chrome is closed and reopened. This takes about 5 seconds.
- During a zoom call, the "Shared" content has a one frame per second refresh rate. That means the flow of writing on a paper tablet will look choppy to the remote viewers, but the content, once written will show up clearly.
How to use the Document Camera Application
First, ensure the document camera is powered on, using the power button (1).
Click on the document camera icon on the desktop.
Once the chrome Browser opens, if you see the "add to chrome" button, wait about 5 seconds for the "Launch app" (below) button to replace it.
Click "Launch app"
After a few seconds, the application will open. Verify the document camera "Epson ELPDC21" is selected by clicking on the Camera Icon located at the top left of the screen.
For best image quality, click on the "Resolution" icon and select 1920x1080.
If your video feed looks mirrored (words don't look right), make sure the rotation settings match what is listed here.
For more Information about using Zoom, visit go.vcu.edu/zoom.
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