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Sandbox : A/V System

Utilizing the SandBox A/V System

Capabilities of the System

  • 4 Inputs
  • 4 Outputs
  • Fully Matrixed - Any input(s)/source(s) can display on any output(s)/display(s)
  • Wall Displays
  • There are three wall displays, numbered 1 through 3. The instructor station monitor is display 4. Wall displays 5 and 6 mirror what is shown on wall display 3.

The wall display numbers are on labels on the edge of the display visible from the instructor station.

Video Inputs/Sources All input/source cables are labeled/numbered

Input 1 is the instructor station desktop PC. Input 2 is the DVI Connector Input 3 is the HDMI Connector Input 4 is the VGA Connector

Important: If you have a MacBook or other machine that does not natively support one of the above connection methods, please ensure you bring appropriate adapters for utilization with the available display cables. For example, a USB-C to HDMI adapter, an Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, a Mini-Displayport or Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter, or similar as-required by your laptop.

Controlling the Switch Matrix

The switch matrix is controlled via a website. The URL/DNS name for this website is printed on a label that is attached to the top-left of the monitor on the instructor workstation.

This website requires a login. If you need the website URL/DNS name, or the username and password information, please submit a request to help -at- cse.lehigh.edu

Two tabs are displayed on login, 'Status' and 'Control'. Mostly you're interested in the 'Control' page.

The control page has two frames, 'User Control' and 'Presets'. Mostly you will be interested in the presets page.

There a four presets. The 'Default' preset displays the instructor's workstation on all four output screens. The presets for 'DVI Laptop', 'HDMI Laptop' and 'VGA Laptop' take input from the corresponding input cable to the three wall displays, leaving the instructor workstation display connected to the workstation. Selecting one of the configuration buttons applies the corresponding configuration.

You can use the 'User Control' page to construct arbitrary ephemeral configurations by selecting input / output channels and hitting the 'Take' button to apply the new configuration. This capability might be used to display a different input on each of the wall displays or to display a different input on the center screen only.

If you change the display from the 'Default' group, it would be a courtesy to return the matrix switch to the 'Default' set when you are finished.

Supported Resolutions

The default resolution is 1920 x 1080 (1080p). If you're displaying code in an editor, it's usually advisable to change your desktop resolution to 1366 x 768 (720p) so that people in the rear of the room can read your text. The entire set of 16:9 aspect ratios that will display without distortion also includes 1280 x 720 and 854 x 480. SXGA (e.g. 1280 x 1024, a 4:3 ratio) will normally display with black 'wing' areas at the sides of the displays.