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Smart Box

Smart Box User Guide (pdf)

Picture of a Smart Box:

smart box in classroom

Smart Boxes perform the same functions as Smart Panels. Only the Layout is different.

A Smart Box has a hinged shelf that pulls down.  It contains the VCR/DVD Player and a place to set your laptop computer.

VCR and DVD combo in Smart Box hinged shelf

Powering Up

The On/Off Switch is in the lower left corner of the unit below the shelf hinge.

Smart Box Power Button

All Smart Box Operations (except for the playing of Audio CD’s) begin by pressing the Projector ON button.

  • The Smart Box will not power up immediately. You must wait for the Red Light to stop flashing before going to the next step.  Do not hit the button more than once this will only begin the start up cycle again and further delay powering up.

Smart Box Button Panel

Laptop Operation

Connect one end of the VGA cable to the monitor port on the laptop. Connect the other end to the VGA input port on the Smart Box (see below).  Both ends of a VGA cable are the same.

VGA Cable


Smart Box VGA Port


If your laptop doesn’t have VGA port on your laptop, you will need an adapter. If the adapter did not come with your laptop you may need to purchase one. Adapters are available for short term use from AV Checkout.

On The Smart Box, press Projector ON and

Press Projector ON button

Select Laptop by pressing button under the laptop label.

Press button under laptop label

 

If you need audio from the laptop, connect an audio cable from the audio out port on the laptop to audio jack on the laptop module of the Smart Box. (see Auxiliary Audio below)

Turn on laptop.

Use the volume buttons to adjust the sound volume level

Adjust volumn level by using buttons

Troubleshooting: If no image is showing on the projection screen, you will need to enable external video on your laptop as follow:

 

  1. For PC laptops, press function (Fn) key simultaneously with the LCD/CRT key OR one of the "F" keys at the top of your keyboard. Which "F" key will depend on your laptop, but the word "monitor" or an icon of a monitor will usually identify it. It is always either F3, F6, F7  or F8.
  2. If you have a Dell Computer:
  3. Right-click on the Windows desktop and select `Properties'. This will open the `Displays' control box.
    • Select the `Settings' tab; a monitor position visual depiction will be displayed.  It is safe to ignore this.
    • Instead, look for the `Advanced' button.  Press this.
    • A new dialog box will appear; Here's what to look for
    • In one of the tabs (`Displays' or something like that),there's an option to choose whether the internal LCD screen or the external display (the projector) is the `Secondary' display - there's a radio button at the bottom of the window under each.
    • You want the external monitor (projector) to be the `primary' display, so be certain that the `secondary' button is not selected for the external display.
  4. If you have a Mac computer:
    • Macs should not require this step except in the case of some older laptops. If you have one of these older Mac laptops it may be necessary to go to the Monitor/Display Control Panel and select "Detect Displays".

Graphic designs by Chris Brocoff and Rod Lalama, CSULB art and film majors, respectively. Copyright, 2010.

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