VAVS Home Help Connecting a laptop

Connecting a laptop

  
macbook  dell 
Macbook - click on image for more infoWindows - click on image for more info

A Desktop PC is available in all common teaching rooms, meeting rooms (except rooms 1-203 and 135-105) and GATCF computer labs for the purpose of showing presentations. An HDMI cable with commonly used adapters are also available for those who wish to connect a laptop to the AV system in these rooms. The available cables and adapters as well as the switching mechanisms vary from room to room. For details consult the VAVS - JCU Room finder (click on the virtual room). Progressively AV rooms are fitted with a wireless presentation device (Kramer ViaGO) which allows for connecting a BYOD wirelessly to the Audio VIsual system - wireless connection to Eduroam is a pre-requisite.

Black display screen error

If the laptop results in the room display showing a black screen instead of the presentation, please ensure:

  • A cable has been connected between the AV system and the laptop
  • The laptop is set to duplicate or mirror its display
  • The laptop resolution is not exceeding 1920x1080

Green display screen error

If the laptop results in the room display showing a green screen instead of the presentation, it is most likely a HDCP issue - contact VAVS for assistance.

Cables

  • HDMI (for the connection of a digital laptop or other HDMI device – only available in AV Services rooms commissioned after 1/2/2013)
  • USB-C - available on newer (2019) laptops, tablets and smart phones. Provides fast data transfers and re-charging - envisaged to completely replace USB 2.0 and 3.0
  • Lightning - a small connector on Apple's mobile devices connects the devices to computers and USB charging stations.
  • 3.5mm audio (used to connect audio from a laptop / tablet/ smart phone to the AV system – not available in all rooms and computer labs).
  • Display port - The interface is often used to connect a video source to a display device such as a computer monitor.
  • Mini Display Port (used to connect a MacBook to the AV system - not available in all rooms)
  • Thunderbolt is fully compatible with Mini DisplayPort peripherals . Technically, the plug is the same and the only difference is that the Thunderbolt connector can carry – in addition to the classic Mini DisplayPort – a Thunderbolt signal, which is a signal PCI-Express


Resolution

From 2018 all the VAVS videoconference systems are capable of transmitting the presentation (2nd video stream) in HD (1080p = 1920×1080).

Please note some older VAVS teaching rooms still use the lower resolution of XGA (1024x768) for the presentation.

You will find the resolution and refresh rate settings in the screen properties of the laptop and using them will in most cases guarantee the laptop will interconnect with the AV system. We anticipate you know how to ‘drive’ your laptop i.e. change the resolution and connect it to a flat panel display or projector (duplicate or extend the displays). Click on the images above for some hints regarding the latter.

Network (LAN)

A blue network cable is usually available in the Common Teaching Rooms to provide the connection to the JCU network and beyond. Wireless connection to the network is in most rooms provided through Eduroam.