Device Settings – Best Practices

In many cases, your device will automatically use the correct audio and video settings when connected to our audio-visual Systems.

However there are times where you might have to change a setting or two on your device to make things work the way you want it to. This webpage features common fixes to issues with audio and video playback through our audio-visual systems.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Help Desk via the phones on the side of the classroom podiums or using the contact information below:

Universal Device Issues and Solutions

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Playing Zoom Audio Through Classroom Speakers

If you want to use Zoom in our classrooms to feature a guest speaker, it is not enough to change the general audio settings on your laptop. You will also have to change the sound settings in Zoom.

If you have your Zoom meeting open

First ensure that the (Program) volume on the Touch Panel is not set to the max. Recommend 30-40% for Program Speakers.

With your Zoom meeting open and live, move your cursor to the lower left hand corner of that window where the microphone icon is located. Click that little gray arrow as pictured below.

When you click that little gray arrow, you’ll get a large sub-menu. Navigate to the “Select a Speaker” section and click “DVX 2250.” Depending on the room you are in, it may be “DVX 3150” or “DVX 3250” or “Enova DVX 2250.” However that is expressed, select the option similar to that as pictured below:

Your guest speaker should be audible on the classroom speakers.

Another way to change the audio on Zoom

  1. First ensure that the (Program) volume on the Touch Panel is not set to the max. Recommend 30-40% for Program Speakers.
  2. With the Zoom app, click on icon with your initials on the upper right hand corner.
  3. A drop down menu will appear, click on “Settings.” Might be displayed as a Gear icon instead.
  4. A window should pop up resembling the screenshot below
  5. Click on “Audio” as indicated on the screenshot.
  6. Under Speaker, to the left of the “Test Speaker” button, click the drop down menu. You should see some options. Probably “Built-in speakers” and “same as system” and “DVX 2250.” Select “DVX 2250.”  If you are using the “Analog Laptop” connection, use “same as system.” Once the correct audio output is selected, the guest speaker should be audible on the classroom speakers.

Common PowerPoint Issues

When “Presenter View” is on the projection screen, and the Slideshow is on my Laptop Display

If you want to use “Presenter View” and you are in the scenario below:

Follow these steps to swap the displays.

STEP 1: Move your cursor to the lower left hand corner of your computer display to generate this menu below:

STEP 2: Select the ellipses(button to the left of the right arrow), and then select “Swap Displays” from the new sub menu that is generated as pictured below:

Once that is selected, the projection screen should show the slideshow and the computer should show Presenter View.

Deactivate “Presenter View” in Power Point

STEP 1: With PowerPoint open and not in “Slide Show mode,” move the cursor to the upper left hand corner of your MacBook’s display, and select “PowerPoint.” Select “Preferences…”

STEP 2: A new window will pop up like the screenshot below. Under “Output and Sharing,” select “Slide Show.”

STEP 3: Uncheck “Always start Presenter View with 2 displays.” After closing that window, the user should be able to initiate the slide show without having Presenter View activated.

Lecture Capture Warning!!! The Problem with HDCP

Some computers trigger HDCP when using lecture capture. HDCP stands for “High-Bandwidth Definition Content Protection,” and is a form of copyright enforcement.

So before you start your recording, always check the lecture capture preview window to make sure HDCP is not triggered. You will know this if you see a maroon rectangle where your slides/computer feed should be like in the example below:

Upper right hand corner of touch panel zoomed in showing HDCP being triggered by the Digital Laptop source.

If you see a maroon rectangle where your slides/computer feed should be, use the classroom phone on the side of the podium to notify us immediately!  We can usually resolve this very quickly if we are notified by the classroom phone. Unfortunately, HDCP incidences are very unpredictable and have to be reported to us in order to resolve it.

Livestreaming Issues for Remote Viewers

We usually receive complaints whenever students are using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to view classroom live streams. Those browsers at best produce choppy audio/video or most commonly provide a blank video with a buffering circle. Please instruct your remote learners to not use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Firefox on either Windows or macOS works the best.

If students are using macOS or an iOS device, the Safari browser runs fine with that too.

Beyond that, we’re not able to help with connectivity issues in libraries, dorms, cafes and other environments beyond our control.

Settings for Windows Devices

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WINDOWS: Video adapters to avoid

If you need to use a video adapter with your PC in our classrooms, you generally have more flexibility than an Apple User. But there are two video adapters you should not use.  Avoid using a “hub” adapter that resembles the image below:

 

Due to the large number of ports, these kind of adapters 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 adapter 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 adapter 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 adapter you need to purchase for your laptop, please contact the AV Help Desk.

WINDOWS: Mirroring your displays with your PC Laptop Keyboard

If you are connected to the AV System with your laptop, and what’s shown on the projection screen does not match what is showing on your computer like the image below:

Follow the process below:

  1. On your computer keyboard, simultaneously press the “Windows ” and “P” keys.

2. A menu on the right side of your computer display should pop up as pictured below. It will probably be on extended. Select “Duplicate” to match the projection screen with your laptop.

3. If the screens match, than you should be good to go!

WINDOWS: How to change the refresh rate on your PC Laptop

If you are connected to the AV System with your PC laptop, and what’s shown on the projection screen is either a black screen or the screen is showing an unpleasant, multi-colored, wavy signal across the projection screen like the image below:

 

  1. Select the “Start” button in the lower left hand corner of your PC Display. The “Start” button is the Microsoft Logo.
  2. Select “Settings.” May just look like a gear icon.
  3. New window will pop up, select “System.”
  4. Select “Display” or make sure it is selected.
  5. Scroll down a bit, and select “Advanced display settings.” There’s a lot of text, but it’s under the “Multiple displays” area of that menu.
  6. Under “Refresh rate”,  select the rate you want. Ideally, you’ll want to go from 60 Hz down to 30 Hz. The refresh rates that appear depend on your display and what it supports. Select laptops and external displays will support higher refresh rates.

WINDOWS 10: Audio Settings with USB-C

If your PC has a USB-C port, we strongly recommend that you use that to connect to the AV System. You will be able to send video, audio and charge your laptop simultaneously with one cord. In some cases,  you may need to change the audio output on your PC to make the sound from your laptop to play over the classroom speakers—instead of your laptop speakers.

STEP 1: On the podium touch panel, select the “USB-C” button and ensure that the program volume on the Touch Panel is between 30% to 50%.

STEP 2: Move your cursor to the “sound” icon on your taskbar. Should look like a speaker icon, and is located near the time and date on the far left,  bottom side of your display.

STEP 3: Click the “sound” icon. It should resemble the screenshot below:

STEP 4: Click on the text above the volume slider. In the screenshot above, click “Speakers (Realtek(R ) Audio)” Doing so will show more audio outputs. Depending on the classroom you are in, these are the sound output options you should see:

  • An option called “DVX 2250” or “NV32” or something similar should generate.
  • If you are in a “Collaborative Learning Classroom,” it’ll probably be called “SvSi” or something similar.
  • If you are really using the USB-C cable, do not select the sound output that is named after the classroom. That is the sound output for the Wireless Presentation Source and will not work with the USB-C cord plugged in.

Select the output for the USB-C cord. Play a clip from YouTube or a video or audio file on your computer. Audio from your computer should be audible on the classroom speakers at this point.  Adjust volume on Touch Panel accordingly.

WINDOWS 10: Audio Settings with HDMI

Use the HDMI cord, if your PC does not have a USB-C port. You may need to change the audio output on your PC to make the sound from your laptop to play over the classroom speakers—instead of your laptop speakers.

STEP 1: On the podium touch panel, select the “HDMI” button and ensure that the program volume on the Touch Panel is between 30% to 50%.

STEP 2: Move your cursor to the “sound” icon on your taskbar. Should look like a speaker icon, and is located near the time and date on the far left,  bottom side of your display.

STEP 3: Click the “sound” icon. It should resemble the screenshot below:

STEP 4: Click on the text above the volume slider. In the screenshot above, click “Speakers (Realtek(R ) Audio)” Doing so will show more audio outputs. Depending on the classroom you are in, these are the sound output options you should see:

  • An option called “DVX 2250” or “NV32” or something similar should generate.
  • If you are in a “Collaborative Learning Classroom,” it’ll probably be called “SvSi” or something similar.
  • If you are really using the HDMI cable, do not select the sound output that is named after the classroom. That is the sound output for the Wireless Presentation Source and will not work with the HDMI plugged in.

Select the output for the HDMI cable. Play a clip from YouTube or a video or audio file on your computer. Audio from your computer should be audible on the classroom speakers at this point.  Adjust volume on Touch Panel accordingly.

WINDOWS 11: Audio Settings with USB-C

If your PC has a USB-C port, we strongly recommend that you use that to connect to the AV System. You will be able to send video, audio and charge your laptop simultaneously with one cord. In some cases,  you may need to change the audio output on your PC to make the sound from your laptop to play over the classroom speakers—instead of your laptop speakers.

STEP 1: On the podium touch panel, select the “USB-C” button and ensure that the program volume on the Touch Panel is between 30% to 50%.

STEP 2: Move your cursor to the notification area(right corner of the taskbar), and click on the “Sound” icon.

STEP 3: A menu will open options to change the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, battery and Sound. Click the arrow next to the volume slider.

STEP 4: Clicking the arrow will bring up a list of available audio output devices. Most likely it’s still on your laptop’s internal speakers “Speaker/Headphone(Realtek High Definition Audio)”. Depending on the classroom you are in, these are the sound output options you should see:

  • An option called “DVX 2250” or “NV32” or something similar should generate.
  • If you are in a “Collaborative Learning Classroom,” it’ll probably be called “SvSi” or something similar.
  • If you are really using the USB-C cord, do not select the sound output that is named after the classroom. That is the sound output for the Wireless Presentation Source and will not work with the USB-C cord plugged in.

Select the output for the USB-C cord. Play a clip from YouTube or a video or audio file on your computer. Audio from your computer should be audible on the classroom speakers at this point.  Adjust volume on Touch Panel accordingly.

WINDOWS 11: Audio Settings with HDMI

Use the HDMI cord, if your PC does not have a USB-C port. You may need to change the audio output on your PC to make the sound from your laptop to play over the classroom speakers—instead of your laptop speakers.

STEP 1: On the podium touch panel, select the “HDMI” button and ensure that the program volume on the Touch Panel is between 30% to 50%.

STEP 2: Move your cursor to the notification area(right corner of the taskbar), and click on the “Sound” icon.

STEP 3: A menu will open options to change the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, battery and Sound. Click the arrow next to the volume slider.

STEP 4: Clicking the arrow will bring up a list of available audio output devices. Most likely it’s still on your laptop’s internal speakers “Speaker/Headphone(Realtek High Definition Audio)”. Depending on the classroom you are in, these are the sound output options you should see:

  • An option called “DVX 2250” or “NV32” or something similar should generate.
  • If you are in a “Collaborative Learning Classroom,” it’ll probably be called “SvSi” or something similar.
  • If you are really using the HDMI cord, do not select the sound output that is named after the classroom. That is the sound output for the Wireless Presentation Source and will not work with the USB-C cord plugged in.

Select the output for the HDMI cord. Play a clip from YouTube or a video or audio file on your computer. Audio from your computer should be audible on the classroom speakers at this point.  Adjust volume on Touch Panel accordingly.

Settings for Apple Devices

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APPLE: Please use an official Apple Adapter!

If your Apple Laptop has USB-C ports, we strongly recommend that you use the USB-C pullout cords to connect to the AV System. You will be able to send video, audio and charge your laptop simultaneously with one cord.

But if your Apple Device doesn’t have USB-C ports and you need to use a video adapter, please procure an official Apple Video Adapter.

Off-brand video adapters do not work consistently in our classrooms. Some of these off-brand adapter disrupt the signal from your MacBook, resulting in either a green tinted screen, glitchy screens or other weird video issues. And while many of those off-brand adapters 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.

We recommend that you procure an official Apple adapter from the University Book Store on Lake Street or buy one at the Apple Store or on Apple’s official website. Procuring an “official” Apple adapter on Amazon or other vendors can be confusing.

If you are unsure of which adapter you need, please send us an e-mail at AV@FPM.WISC.EDU.

APPLE LAPTOP: Audio Settings with USB-C

If your Apple Laptop has USB-C ports, we strongly recommend that you use that to connect to the AV System. You will be able to send video, audio and charge your laptop simultaneously with one cord. In some cases,  you may need to change the audio output on your MacBook to make the sound from your laptop to play over the classroom speakers—instead of your laptop speakers.

  1. On your laptop go to “System Preferences”(up to macOS Monterey) or “System Settings”(macOS Ventura)
  2. Select “Sound”
  3. Select the “Output” tab.
    • An option called “DVX 2250” or “NV32” or something similar should generate.
    • If you are in a “Collaborative Learning Classroom,” it’ll probably be called “SvSi” or something similar.
    • If you are really using the USB-C cord, do not select the sound output that is named after the classroom. That is the sound output for the Wireless Presentation Source and will not work with the USB-C plugged in.
  4. After selecting the output for the USB-C cable, play a clip from YouTube or a video or audio file on your computer. Audio from your computer should be audible on the classroom speakers at this point.  Adjust volume on Touch Panel accordingly.

APPLE LAPTOP: Audio Settings with HDMI

Use the HDMI cord, if your Apple Laptop does not have a USB-C port. You may need to change the audio output on your Macbook to make the sound from your laptop play over the classroom speakers—instead of your laptop speakers.

  1. On your laptop go to “System Preferences”(up to macOS Monterey) or “System Settings”(macOS Ventura)
  2. Select “Sound”
  3. Select the “Output” tab.
    • An option called “DVX 2250” or “NV32” or something similar should generate.
    • If you are in a “Collaborative Learning Classroom,” it’ll probably be called “SvSi” or something similar.
    • If you are really using the HDMI cable, do not select the sound output that is named after the classroom. That is the sound output for the Wireless Presentation Source and will not work with the HDMI plugged in.
  4. After selecting the output for the HDMI cable, play a clip from YouTube or a video or audio file on your computer. Audio from your computer should be audible on the classroom speakers at this point.  Adjust volume on Touch Panel accordingly.

APPLE: Mirroring displays with the function keys on your Apple Laptop

If you are connected to the AV System with your Apple Laptop, and what’s shown on the projection screen does not match what is showing on your computer like the image below:

Then follow the process below:

STEP 1: To mirror displays on a Macbook press the F1 key and the Command key at the same time.

The projection screen and your laptop screen will probably flash momentarily and then match as pictured below:

APPLE: Mirroring displays on your MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

If you are connected to the AV System with your MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, and what’s shown on the projection screen does not match what is showing on your computer like the image below:

Then follow the process below:

STEP 1: On the touch bar, you’ll need to go to the “Control Strip” portion of the Touch Bar which is located on the left side of the Touch Bar. Everything else created equally, that’s where it should be located. And by default, you will need to expand that area by touching that little arrow  on the left side of the control strip pictured below.

STEP 2: Once that is expanded, you’ll need to press the “Command” button on your keyboard and the “dim brightness” icon located on the left side of the image below.

STEP 3: After pressing the dim brightness button on the touch bar and the “Command” button on your MacBook keyboard, the projection screen should flash and resemble the image below:

iPad: Mirroring displays on your iPad with USB-C

In some instances, your iPad will treat the Projector like a separate display instead of a 1-to-1 presentation device, like in the image below:

To display 1-to-1 content on your iPad to the projection screen, follow the instructions below:

STEP 1: Go to the “Settings” app on your iPad.

STEP 2: Tap “Multitasking & Gestures” on the left.

STEP 3: In the “Multitasking” area, the current setting will likely be on “External Display” and “Stage Manager” will be checked.

Tap “Screen Mirroring” so that the projection screen will match with the content on your iPad.

 

APPLE: How to change the refresh rate on your Apple Laptop

If you are connected to the AV System with your Apple laptop, and what’s shown on the projection screen is either a black screen or the screen is showing an unpleasant, multi-colored, wavy signal across the projection screen like the image below:

Then follow the process below to change the refresh rate on your Apple laptop.

STEP 1: Click the Apple Logo on the upper right hand corner, and select “System Preferences…”

STEP 2: Click “Displays.” Same icon as previous operating systems, but may be in the lower right hand corner. If the MacBook is properly connected to the AV System, the System Preferences window will change to the example below:

STEP 3: In the screenshot above, click “Display Settings…” on the lower right hand corner of that window. This will populate the window below.

STEP 4: In the screenshot above, on the left side bar,  the top option option “Built-In Retina Display”  is selected. Select the bottom option which should have “DVX 2250” in the byline. Once that option is selected, the menu should resemble the screenshot below:

STEP 5: To change the refresh rate, in the screenshot above, select the drop down menu right next to “Refresh Rate:” By default, it’ll probably be on 60 Hertz, but clicking that will give you options to change it to 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 Hz.

Selecting “30 Hz” is likely to resolve the warbly screen issue.

Connecting to an Audio-Visual System Wirelessly

Wireless Devices

Our AV Systems have special devices that allow users to connect to the projector without the use of cables or adapters. But if your device has a USB-C port, please use the USB-C pullout cord that is part of the podium.

If you have an older device that doesn’t have HDMI or USB-C, and you don’t have an adaptor that is compatible with either cable, follow the instructions listed below to use the “Wireless Presentation” feature of the AV System.

To get started, touch the “Wireless” source button on the Touch Panel.

Based on your device, click on the accordion panel below that best matches your device and operating system.

 

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Apple Laptops: How to look up your Operating System Version

In recent years, Apple has been making many changes on how we connect MacBooks to projectors, monitors and other devices. Therefore, connecting to a Wireless device, unfortunately depends on what your operating system is. It is highly recommended that you look up what operating system you have on your MacBook. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: On your MacBook display, move the cursor to the upper left hand corner of your display and click on the Apple logo and then click on “About this Mac.”

Step 2: A window will pop up resembling the screenshot below.

If you are in a classroom that has an older Wireless device, you’ll only be able to use it successfully if your operating system version is no higher than 10.15.2. Anything higher like Big Sur or Monterey, it will not work.

  • OSX 10.10 Yosemite
  • OSX 10.11 El Capitan
  • OSX 10.12 Sierra
  • OSX 10.13 High Sierra
  • macOS 10.12.6 Mojave
  • macOS Catalina

If you are in a classroom with a newer Wireless device, then you’ll be able to connect to it with no problem. However Apple’s older operating systems have different ways to connect to the AV System than a newer operating system:

  • OSX 10.10 Yosemite
  • OSX 10.11 El Capitan
  • OSX 10.12 Sierra
  • OSX 10.13 High Sierra
  • macOS 10.12.6 Mojave
  • macOS 10.13.6 Catalina

If your operating system is very recent like the below, then you’ll have to connect to it  differently than you would with Apple’s much older operating systems:

  • macOS 11.6.5 Big Sur
  • macOS 12.3 Monterey

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WINDOWS: Connecting to the Wireless Source

  1.  Set your laptop’s WiFi to connect to UWNET and login using your UW NetID and password.
  2. Once connected, on your laptop keyboard, press the Windows key and the letter K at the same time.
  3. In the “CONNECT” menu bar that appears at the right side of your laptop’s screen, click on the classroom you want to display to.
  4. In the PIN box, type in the 4-digit code on the touch panel.
  5. Click “Connect.”
  6. Your laptop’s monitor will be displayed on the projection screen.
  7. To stop displaying your laptop, click the “Disconnect” icon at the top middle of your laptop’s monitor.

APPLE: Connecting to the Wireless Source (macOS 11 Big Sur to Current macOS version)

  1. On your MacBook, move your cursor to the upper left hand corner of your display. Select the “Control Panel” icon. It looks like two pills stacked on top of each other and in the image below, is located to the right of the magnifying glass.
  2. A drop down menu should appear. Click the “Screen Mirroring” button.
  3. The “Control Panel” window will shrink and resemble the screenshot below.
  4. The classroom BYOD should appear in the example below. Click on it.
  5. The AirPlay Device Code window will appear. Enter the four digit PIN located on the classroom Touch Panel.
  6. Might take a moment or two for the projection screen to show your desktop.

NOTE:

Depending on the MacBook, you might have to lower the resolution on your MacBook. You’ll know you’ll need to do this if the text and icons on the projection screen are really small. Here’s how to fix this:

  1. Go to your MacBook’s “System Preferences.”
  2. Select “Displays.”
  3. In the new window , on the “Display” tab for the “Built-in Retina Display,” the resolution will probably set to “3840 x 2160.” Select “1920 x 1080.”

APPLE: Connecting to the Wireless Source (OSX 10.10 Yosemite to macOS 10.15 Catalina)

  1. Set your MacBook’s WiFi to connec to UWNET and log in using your UW NetID and password.
  2. Turn on Bluetooth, but do not connect to any devices.
  3. On the top of your Mac, click the AirPlay icon.
  4. In the drop-down menu, click on the classroom you want to display to.
  5. In the PIN box, type in the 4-digit code on the Touch Panel.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Your laptop’s monitor will be displayed on the projection screen.
  8. To stop displaying your laptop, click the AirPlay icon at the top of your laptop’s screen. Select “Stop AirPlay.”

iOS DEVICES: Connecting to the Wireless Source

  1. Set your device’s WiFi to connect to UWNET and login using your UW NetID and password.
  2. Turn on Bluetooth, but do not connect to any devices.
  3. Open the “Control Center” by swiping up from bottom(iOS devices with physical home buttons) or swiping down from upper-right corner(iOS devices without physical home buttons).
  4. Touch the “Screen Mirroring” button.
  5. Touch the classroom you want to display to.
  6. Type in the 4-digit PIN located on the classroom Touch Panel.
  7. Your device will be displayed on the projection screen.
  8. To stop displaying your device, swipe to the Control Center, touch the classroom you’re connected to, then touch “Stop Mirroring.”

ANDROID: Connecting to the Wireless Source

  1. Set your laptop’s WiFi to connect to UWNET and log in using your UW NetID and password.
  2. Turn on Bluetooth, but do not connect to any devices.
  3. From the top of the device, swipe down tice. You may have to swipe left in this menu.
  4. Look for SmartView, SmartCast, or any other icon labelled “-Cast.” Touch that icon.
  5. Touch the classroom you want to display to.
  6. Type in the 4-digit pin located on the classroom Touch Panel.
  7. Your device will be displayed on the projection screen.
  8. To stop displaying your device, touch the floating SmartView icon on your phone. Touch “Disconnect.”