This guide is designed to assist new users in becoming comfortable with the technology, and to be the first resource for basic troubleshooting with the Visualization Walls located in EL1441 and EL1270.

In this guide you will learn:

• How to access the spaces 
• How to operate the lights and blinds in the spaces
• How to operate the Crestron control panel
• How to choose an appropriate inputs to display content on the wall 
• How to set up the microphones and cameras in the space 
• How to record, video conference and display content in the space

1. Accessing the Spaces

Visualization Classroom: Visit the Library's Service Desk to sign out the Visualization Classroom swipe card (key) for access.

Accessing the Ideas Lounge: You do not require a swipe card for this space as it is always unlocked. When not booked this is open as study space.

2. Controlling the Lights

In the Visualization Classroom the lighting control panel is located at the entrance to the room.

In the Ideas Lounge it is on the right-hand side of the visualization wall. 

3. Adjusting the Blinds

The blinds on the back wall of the Ideas Lounge are controlled by a remote on the left-hand side of the visualization wall. The blinds on the sidewall of the Ideas Lounge and the Visualization Classroom can be adjusted manually.

4. Furniture Layouts

The Visualization Classroom has a standard classroom furniture layout that you are welcome to readjust to meet the needs of your booking. Please return furniture to the standard classroom layout when you leave. This space can accommodate up to 35 people.

The Library can arrange customized layouts of the Ideas Lounge furniture to meet the needs of your booking. Common layout requests include theatre-style, cocktail tables, working groups, and exhibits. The number of guests that can be accommodated varies for each furniture layout request, so it is best to contact us to know which furniture arrangement will best suit your needs. Capacity is between 35-80 people.

5. Turning on the Visualization Wall

A. Go to the Crestron panel and select power on. Input the password '403440'.

B. From the Home Screen, select the "Layout Selector"

C. Select the number of windows you wish to display and which Input you would like displayed in each window.

You can select up to 3 windows in the Ideas Lounge and 2 in the Visualization Classroom

6. Inputs 

A. Windows Desktop

The computer tower/console is located in the equipment rack (beside the wall in the Ideas Lounge and in the storage room in the Visualization Classroom).The desktop monitor, wireless mouse and wireless keyboard is located on the podium in each room. 

• To use the desktop, you will need to login with your MRU username and password
• If you want to display a single window that fills the entire wall's dimensions you must select and use the desktop input. Laptop, HDMI, or remote inputs will not work for this display type. 
• There is an assortment of software installed on the desktop in each space, including Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite and Google Earth. If there is a software you require to utilize in this space please contact vizspaces@mtroyal.ca to make your request
• Wireless presenter remotes are available to sign out at the service desk in kits called "viz wall kits"

Common troubleshooting tips

• We recommend utilizing your Google drive to display your own files on the wall
• If you bring a USB key there is a USB hub located on the computer console (located in the equipment rack)
• Don't forget to log out of the computer when you are done

B. HDMI

The HDMI connection is located on the podium in each room. The HDMI connection can be used to display your laptop, DVD player, gaming system, VR headset and more.

• The HDMI input can only be displayed in a window that is a maximum of 9 monitors (3x3) to maintain aspect ratio
• If your HDMI device requires a specialized connection or dongle please visit the Service Desk to sign one out

C. Wireless Presentation 

Present wirelessly from your Apple, Android or Windows device using  Airplay in either the Ideas Lounge or the Visualization Classroom. Follow these steps:

1. Select the Wireless input on the Crestron

2. Click the Airplay or Cast button on your phone or in browser​

3. Search for room name (or type in IP address) shown on the wall

4. Connect to screen

5. Disconnect when finished

Common troubleshooting tips

• Use the correct wifi: Make sure you are logged onto MRSecure wifi

• Select the correct screen: Confirm you have selected the right screen to connect to (it should match the name that appears on the screen)

• Use IP address if necessary: If you are unable to find the room by name in the app (ex. Visualization Classroom) type in the IP address (as shown on the screen) beside it instead

• Image display: If the image is not displaying correctly, looks warped or stretched, ensure you have selected display on up to 9 monitors (3 x 3) to maintain aspect ratio

• Connect multiple devices: Connect 1 to 4 devices (cellphones, tablets, laptops) through wifi

Additional help with AirTame can be found by searching Library Wireless Presentation devices in the Technology Support Portal on the Library website. 

7. Using the Cameras

Cameras are located in the front (on top of the visualization wall) and back of the spaces in both the Ideas Lounge and Visualization Classroom.

If you would like to adjust the camera placement in each room you will need to select the camera icon on the Crestron home screen.

When you are on the camera screen you will have the ability to move each camera up, down, left, right, zoom in and zoom out. You can also toggle from front camera to back camera. To see a live view from the camera you will need to make sure that one of your window inputs selected is the camera. You can choose the front or back camera on the Crestron once you've selected the camera as a window input. 

8. Using the Microphones

There are five wireless microphones (one gooseneck, two lapels, two handhelds) located in the Ideas Lounge and Visualization Classroom.

In the Visualization Classroom mics are located in a mic stand near the podium. In the Ideas Lounge they are located in the equipment rack in the closet.

• The gooseneck microphone works best if you are presenting from the podium
• The handheld microphones work best if you have a group presentation and have more than two group members presenting
• The lapel microphones work best if you are a solo presenter and you plan on walking around during your presentation

Viz Classroom Mic Stand:

Ideas Lounge Equipment Rack:

Setting up the Microphones 

You will need to select the microphone icon from the crestron homepage. Each microphone is labelled and its corresponding label is on the Crestron control panel under the microphone button.

• Make sure the overall program volume is turned up
• Please keep in mind that if you are recording a video or video conferencing you must use the microphones to pick up the audio
• Make sure you complete a microphone check prior to your presentation beginning

9. Recording and Video Conferencing 

Start by selecting the recorder icon from the Crestron homepage. 

• Plug in your USB key (64GB or greater) in the wall panel labelled ‘RECORDER’ (below the Crestron panel)
• Adjust the camera placement to your desired recording view (follow the steps from the camera section)
• Setup your microphones to pick up audio for the recording (follow the steps from the microphone section)
• Select your recorder layout and content feed from the Crestron panel (see image)
• Once satisfied, press capture button on the Crestron panel
• Once done, press the stop button on the Crestron panel and remove your USB
• You are able to change the inputs during the recording

You will need to be logged into the desktop to video conference. Other inputs will not allow this feature.  

• You will need to setup the camera and microphones (please refer to the sections camera and microphone for step by step instruction)
• We recommend you use one of the following conferencing tools; Google Meet, Zoom, Skype

10. Displaying Content

The high resolution displays can be used to view and manipulate large amounts of information (data, text, video, etc.) at one time in a single display, or you can display multiple inputs of content over smaller segmented or 'split' screens.

Templates for a full screen display with Powerpoint, Google Slides, and Adobe Photoshop can be found on the Library website under the template section on the Ideas Lounge and Visualization Classroom webpages.

Visualization Classroom Diagram:

Ideas Lounge Diagram:

Powerpoint or Google Slide Presentations

These presentation tools, using the standard layout of 16:9, are one of the most common presentation scenarios for presenters in the visualization spaces. This layout cannot make use of the entire screen, only an area of 3x3 monitors or 5760 px by 3240 px (as outlined with the red border on the images). If the sole input, these presentations will be automatically centered on the wall with the remaining unused wall area in black. Alternatively a second input can be added to fill the empty space with other content.

Setting up your presentation on the desktop

If you would like to use presentation mode with speaker notes on the desktop please use the following steps:

Powerpoint

• Open your presentation on Powerpoint on the podium monitor 
• Select slideshow from the main menu
• In the slideshow pane change your presenter window to “Window 3”
• Press f5 on the keyboard or start your presentation from beginning
• To advance your slides press the spacebar

Google Slides

• Open your presentation on Google Slides on the podium monitor on a Google Chrome browser window
• Select the presenter drop down menu --> click open up "presenter view"
• Drag your presentation to the left for full screen view on the wall
• To advance your slides press the spacebar

11. Turning off the wall

• If you used the desktop, please log out of your MRU account (DO NOT SHUT DOWN THE COMPUTER).
• On the Crestron panel, select the power button in the top left-hand corner and select “yes"
• Ensure the room is in the same state as when you entered
• For the Visualization Classroom please return the key to the service desk and close the door