Classroom AV Training Options
Choose from tutorial videos, written instructions, and in-person demonstrationsClassroom Technology Training
Once your section has been assigned a classroom, please check our classroom list for available technology per room. (Updated last: 9/8/2023)
If you’d like an in-person room AV or video conferencing kit tutorial, please email AVS at avs@uchicago.edu.
Request In-Room AV Tutorial
Once you have reviewed the available technology in your assigned classroom, you can request a 1:1 tutorial on that specific room. We suggest requesting a tutorial especially when you plan to use AV often, use multiple devices with the AV, need to use video conferencing, or plan to leverage lecture capture in one of our larger classrooms.
Campus classrooms do have written instructions included near the podium or teaching station, but with a tutorial you have the opportunity to ask questions and test our the AV with your own device before your first class. We recommend scheduling a tutorial before the first week of classes, if possible, but we’ll work to accommodate requests throughout the quarter. Please email avs@uchicago.edu with your assigned classroom building and room number to request a tutorial.
Yamaha CS700 Sound Bar
The Yamaha CS700 Sound Bar is an all-in-one video conferencing device with a camera, speakers, and microphone. By connecting it to your laptop, you may run a synchronous class session with Zoom to include remote participants. The Yamaha excels at the wide full-classroom view, but can also be placed closer for a presenter or boardwork view. This kit will be found in many seminar rooms.
Please note: the USB cable for free-standing Yamaha sound bars on tripods will be directly connected to the unit and NOT found in the AV rack drawer.
Download written instructions for Yamaha CS700
Vaddio EasyIP Kit
The Vaddio EasyIP kit consists of a decoder base, camera, and either table or ceiling mics. The camera sits on a tripod (or may be wall-mounted) and can be used for either wider whole class views or tighter board-work and presenter views. Camera presets can be set in advance. For most rooms with a Vaddio EasyIP kit, you may leverage the in-room speakers by connecting to the HDMI cord in the AV rack. The room’s microphone may also be used for in-room amplification. Used along with Zoom for a synchronous session, the camera and microphone will pick up the classroom activity for remote participants, while the in-room speakers will allow remote participants to be heard. These kits will be in larger seminar and lecture rooms.
Download written instructions for Vaddio EasyIP kit
Logitech Video Conferencing Devices
The Logitech Video Conferencing devices come in three types: Logitech Group, Logitech Connect, and Logitech BCC-950. They are all-in-one systems with a camera, speaker, and microphone. These are smaller, more flexible devices that can be placed in smaller rooms to facilitate synchronous Zoom sessions when connected to a laptop. They can be easily moved around to facilitate group classroom views or tighter presenter or boardwork views. The Logitech Group has the option of two expansion mics that can give wider coverage to in-room participants. These devices will be some smaller seminar rooms, and will be predominantly Logitech Group systems. All three Logitech systems will be available for borrowing or rental during the year, as well.
Please note: the USB cable from the Logitech device will typically be directly attached to the device and may NOT be coming through a built-in cable cubby. Additionally, the HDMI cable will most often be found in the AV rack drawer.
Download written instructions for Logitech Devices
Lecture Capture Kits (for one-off events)
Lecture Capture kits consist of a camcorder, tripod, SD card, camera battery, lavalier mic and receiver, and HDMI to USB dongle. These kits may used in spaces for ad hoc video conferencing needs such as meetings with remote participants, events to be broadcast to remote participants, or basic recording needs. On its own, the lecture capture kit can record the session to the SD card, and AV Services can upload the footage to Panopto or other cloud storage for you. Paired with a laptop, the camera and mic can be used for a synchronous Zoom session to allow remote students to follow along. Using the Panopto Capture application on a laptop, the kit may be used to record to the cloud or be live-streamed with a short lag of under a minute.
If you have an event where you need an ad hoc lecture capture kit, please reach out to AV Services so we can consult with you to choose the right option for your event.