All our AV systems have an HDMI pull-out cable. If your laptop does not have an HDMI port, you will need to provide an adaptor. Our department does not provide adaptors. The closet retailer to Campus is the University Book Store. We recommend that you procure a simple video adaptor that uses the classroom HDMI cord. In Fall 2023, our AV Systems will no longer have VGA(Analog Laptop) cables.
If you are an Apple user, please use an official Apple Adaptor
If you are using a MacBook, please procure an official Apple adaptor. Non-Apple brand adaptors used with MacBooks do not work consistently and often disrupt the AV signal from your computer. Using non-Apple adaptors can result with the projector outputting a green tinted screen, glitchy screens or other weird video issues. And while many of those off-brand adaptors will work properly in office or personal settings, or even in some other classrooms, we have found that well taken care of, OEM video adaptors from Apple produce far less weird AV issues with our systems. Alas, they’re the most expensive, but are the most reliable.
If you are unsure of which adaptor you need, please send us an e-mail at AV@FPM.WISC.EDU.
PC Video Adaptors to avoid
If you need to use a video adaptor with your PC in our classrooms, you generally have more flexibility than an Apple User. But there are two video adaptors you should not use. Avoid using a “hub” adaptor that resembles the image below:
Due to the large number of ports, these kind of adaptors do not pass audio and video signals properly in our AV Systems. They are good in an office setting, but are unreliable in a classroom.
Also, do not use a video adaptor that plugs into a traditional USB Type-A port, pictured below:
These are never good enough to transport a video signal from your computer to the classroom projector.
Lastly, we recommend that you procure a simple video adaptor that uses the classroom HDMI cord. In Fall 2023, our AV Systems will no longer have VGA(Analog Laptop) cables.
If you are unsure of what kind of adaptor you need to purchase for your laptop, please contact the AV Help Desk.