Table of Contents

Using Your Windows Laptop

The Lectern and Crestron input panels both supply standard HDMI and VGA video ports and a 1/8-inch stereo audio port for connecting laptops and other devices to the Room AV system.

These options should be sufficient for most laptops but should you have a mini-HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, or other output standard, you will need to ensure that you have an appropriate cable to convert this signal to HDMI or VGA. Due to the variety and rarity of other connectors, we are unable to accommodate all of them.

Connecting your Windows Laptop

Selecting Audio/Video Cables

Laptop Video Ports

  1. Connect your laptop using an HDMI or VGA cable at the Crestron Panel or the Lectern.
    1. If your laptop has an HDMI port:
      • Connect the HDMI cable to your laptop HDMI port. Insert straight and with minimal pressure.
      • If your laptop can't send audio over the HDMI port, you can connect the 1/8-inch stereo audio cable (integrated into the VGA cable) to your headphone port. Please note: do not connect the VGA video connector.
    2. If your laptop has a VGA port:
      • Connect the VGA cable to your laptop VGA port. Insert straight and with minimal pressure.
      • Connect the 1/8-inch stereo audio cable (integrated into the VGA cable) to your headphone port.
      • Note: Make certain an HDMI cable is not connected to a device at the same location. If so, its signal will override your VGA signal.

Displaying Your Laptop Video

Crestron Source Selection for Laptop

  1. On the Crestron Panel, touch the blank or introductory screen to activate the Room AV System.
  2. Select your presentation source on the Crestron Panel:
    1. Lectern Laptop - if have connected your laptop at the Lectern
    2. Wall Laptop - if you have connected your laptop at the Crestron Panel
  3. Select the projector(s) you want to use to display your laptop:
    1. Send to Both Projectors
    2. Send to Presenter Left Projector
    3. Send to Presenter Right Projector

Configuring Windows to Use the Projectors

Windows 7 DisplaySwitcher

  1. Configure your laptop to send a video signal to the projector. Most Windows laptops will automatically mirror or Duplicate the laptop's screen to the projectors.
    • On Windows Vista and later:
      • To manually configure the projector to replicate/mirror the laptop display:
        • Hold the Windows Key and press P to open the DisplaySwitcher utility and select Duplicate.
      • To manually configure the projector to act as a second, independent monitor (this is useful when you want to display PowerPoint presenter notes on the laptop and the presentation full-screen on the projector):
        • Hold the Windows Key and press P to open the DisplaySwitcher utility and select Extend.
      • To manually configure the laptop to send no signal to the projector:
        • Hold the Windows Key and press P to open the DisplaySwitcher utility and select Computer only.
    • Alternate methods that may also work on Windows XP and earlier:
      • On some laptops, holding Alt while pressing F8 will cycle through Duplicate, Computer Only, and Projector Only modes.
      • The Windows Display control panel (aka Screen Resolution) will allow these display modes to be selected.
        • On Windows Vista and later
          1. Right-click on an empty space on the desktop, and
          2. Select Screen Resolution from the context menu,
          3. From the Multiple Displays dropdown,
            1. Select Duplicate these displays or Extend these displays as desired.
        • On Windows XP and earlier
          1. Right-click on an empty space on the desktop, and
          2. Select Properties from the context menu,
          3. Select the Settings tab,
          4. Select the second, inactive monitor,
          5. Enable the Checkbox beside Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor.

Configuring Windows to Use the Room Speakers

Windows 7 Sound Control Panel

  1. Configure your laptop to send an audio signal to the room speakers
    • On Windows Vista and later:
      1. Open the Sound control panel,
      2. Select the Playback tab,
      3. Select the appropriate playback device
        • If using an HDMI cable, select Crestron (Name may vary depending on manufacturer)
        • If using the headphone port, select Speakers
      4. Press the Set Default button at the bottom of the dialog.
      5. Adjust the laptop volume as necessary.
    • On Windows XP and earlier
      1. Open the Sounds and Audio Devices control panel,
      2. Select the Audio tab,
      3. Under Playback, select the appropriate playback device from the dropdown list
        • If using an HDMI cable, select Crestron (Name may vary depending on manufacturer)
        • If using the headphone port, select Speakers
      4. Press OK
      5. Adjust the laptop volume as necessary.

Configuring PowerPoint for Projector and Laptop

PowerPoint Presenter Configuration

Microsoft PowerPoint can display your presentation on the projector while displaying your notes on your laptop.

  1. Configure your laptop to extend the desktop onto the projectors as described above.
  2. Open your presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint.
  3. Select the Slide Show tab,
  4. In the Monitors section, enable the checkbox labeled Use Presenter View to enable viewing the presenter's notes,
  5. Adjust the Show On: drop down menu to indicate your audience will view on Monitor 2…

Finishing Your Session

When you are finished presenting, please:

  • Turn off the AV System. At the Crestron Panel, select Turn Off on the lower right side of the display and confirm your desire to log off when prompted. This will turn off the projectors, roll up the projection screens, and turn up the lights. Failure to shut down the system will shorten the life of the projectors and can cause them to overheat and malfunction. This is especially important if you muted the video before the end of your session.
  • Disconnect the video and audio cables from your laptop.
  • Return any Presentation Aids borrowed from the room to their storage locations.