Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I reserve equipment?
- How far in advance do I need to make my request?
- If I need equipment for each of my lectures the entire semester, do I need to send in a request for each of the lectures?
- Do I pick up the equipment or do you deliver?
- What are ITS Multimedia Services normal operating hours and what about support for my classes on nights and weekends?
- How do I login to the computers that ITS provides?
- Do you have floppy or zip disk drives? If no, what do you suggest I use to get my data transferred to the ITS pc?
- Why can't I have a computer (or another AV equipment cart) delivered to one of the Media-Basic or Media-Plus rooms? Why can't I have a cart in a room that is adjacent to an identical room that I reserved last semester, which had multimedia support?
- Can I load software onto an ITS Multimedia computer?
- I've reserved an auditorium, doesn't that entitle me to use the equipment and get AV support?
- Can I connect my laptop to the system in the auditorium?
- What technology is available in an ITS self-service room?
- What technology is available in an ITS cart-supported room?
- What technology is available in an ITS Media-Basic room?
- What technology is available in an ITS Media-Plus room?
- What technology is available in an ITS auditorium or lectern-supported room?
- What will I need to bring along to accompany my laptop and/or other AV equipment allowing me to connect to the LCD projector, sound system, or the Internet in a Media-Basic or Media-Plus room?
- I have reserved a Media-Basic (or Media-Plus) classroom and need a computer for instructional use. Where do I get one and who will support it, since cart support is not available for this type of room?
1. How do I reserve equipment?
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a. Review the list of general-use rooms supported by Multimedia Services (See the AV Equipment by Building and Room link on the right-hand side of this and every Multimedia Services web page).
b. Working with your department's Classroom Scheduling Coordinator, make your room reservation.
c. Ensure that your department has a signed SLA on file with ITS and that your name has been added to your departmental Authorized Users List.
d. Request multimedia services, support and equipment via our website: http://www.usc.edu/multimedia/.
2. How far in advance do I need to send my request in?
You'll need to send your request in at least 2 business days before your class or event. This will give us sufficient time to process your request. If we receive it less than 48 hours, we may not be able to process your request nor provide support in a timely manner. Latecomers may find that the equipment they require is no longer available. We endeavor to process all requests in an expedient manner but priority is given to the requests that have followed the 48-hour guideline. Equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Note: Please remember that at the start of each semester we receive many orders and that it may take longer for us to process requests during this time.
3. If I need equipment for each of my lectures the entire semester, do I need to send in a request for each of the lectures?
No, you can use our recurring event request form. One request takes care of the entire semester. You will only need to note the day(s) on which you don't need the equipment OR any changes to your multimedia equipment needs.
4. Do I pick up the equipment or do you deliver?
Most reserved AV equipment is available on a will-call basis, so you will need to pick it up in advance from the Multimedia Office supporting your event. There is an exception for computer carts. These will be delivered and set up for the requesting instructor. The instructor will need to call the local support office should class end early so that the computer cart is not left unattended. Please do not, under any circumstances, leave a cart unattended in the the hallway. The specifics for the equipment being requested will be provided to you at the time your request is confirmed by our staff.
Note: For equipment to be transported between buildings, prior arrangements must be made with ITS Multimedia.
5. What are Multimedia Services normal operating hours and what about support for my classes on nights and weekends?
Our regular daytime hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. We are able to schedule staff past our regular hours if needed, but this must be arranged in advance. Special arrangements must be made as far in advance as possible for evening and weekend hours and with at least two full business days' lead time so that we are able to arrange for staff coverage.
6. How do I login to computers that ITS provides?
In order to log in to the provided Macs and PCs, you will need to enter your user name and password, the same that you use to check your USC email. If you haven't done so already, you'll need to activate your account through the ITS FirstLogin page.
Note: It is important to know that ITS Multimedia staff cannot under any circumstance "log you in," should you not have a valid user name or password to access the USC Network. Make sure you have a valid account and working password before attempting to sign in on any ITS Multimedia PC or Mac. For your convenience, there are several infostations in each public computing center (WPH B34, KOH 206, SAL 125, and Leavey Library) that do not require a username to initiate your USC user account. Feel free to come in ahead of your class start date and validate your user account on any available ITS managed lab computer, including one set aside for your use in WPH B29.
7. Do you have floppy or zip disk drives? If not, what do you suggest I use to get my data transferred to the ITS pc?
No floppy/zip disks are provided - this is due to specification and design changes in the recent G5 Macs and small-form factor PCs. The Macs and PCs that ITS provides have recordable and re-writable CD drives with installed CD-burning software. USB ports can also be used with your USB memory sticks. Another option is to transfer information from a networked location such as an ftp server. Please take the necessary steps to store your data on compatible media and check accessibility in advance of your scheduled class or event.
8. Why can't I have a computer cart delivered to one of the Media-Basic or Media-Plus rooms? (Related point: Last semester, I had a cart delivered to a room nearby.)
The university has computer carts and other assorted AV equipment for a predetermined percentage of the general-use multimedia classrooms. We have assigned specific multimedia support to each room in order to serve the needs of as many faculty members as possible. Transferring any computer cart to other classrooms (even if they are in the same building and on the same floor) limits the supply of computers available to the instructors who teaching in the cart-assigned rooms. For a current list of rooms we support, please click the link on the right-hand side of this and every ITS Multimedia web page titled AV Equipment by Building and Room. For rooms not listed on this matrix, you may call IMS (x01010) here on the UPC campus to see if it has the equipment and serves the venue you require.
9. Can I load software onto an ITS Multimedia computer?
Yes and No. Some software cannot be loaded and launched on any computer without both the installer and the end-user logging into the computer using the administrator account. This (root level) access will not be allowed on these computers due to the potential for negative impact not only to the computers but to others who share them and count them as tools critical to their successful instruction. Attempts to install this kind of software can lead to delays and/or an inability to provide you with multimedia services. Other software that can be loaded onto these computers using a standard user account will most likely install and run just fine. However, something to keep in mind is that installation would only be temporary since the computer's hard disk could be overwritten at any time for any number of reasons. So, what can one do?
Request New and Upgraded Software for ITS managed Lab computers
10. I've already reserved an auditorium. Doesn't that mean I automatically get to use equipment and get multimedia support?
No, the room reservation process is separate from the multimedia equipment request and reservation process, since not all people reserving a room require multimedia support.
11. Can I connect my laptop to the system in the auditorium?
Yes, in all 20 ITS technology-upgraded auditoria and all Media-Basic and Media-Plus classrooms, at least one set of auxiliary ports exists that will allow you to connect the VGA video and audio outputs of your laptop or other source device through to the room's video projection and audio systems. However, for technical reasons, there is NO Aux LAN data connection available at this time in the auditoria.
12. What technology is available in an ITS self-service room?
Rooms listed as self-service will have a LAN network connection and projection screen. Conveniently located AC power outlets can support the power needs for most, if not all, of your carried-in AV equipment. Please be sure to bring along all necessary cables, power adapters and cords for your equipment. If you have not reserved one of these self-service rooms, have your department's Classroom Scheduling Coordinator contact the Classroom Scheduling Office.
There are a limited number of presentation kits, containing a laptop, LCD projector, and cables, available only to full-time faculty. If you have already reserved a self-service room and would like more information on the presentation kit loan program, please contact Rick Lacy at lacy@usc.edu or ext. 08823. For information about the return of borrowed laptops, please contact Rick Lacy. The Multimedia Services group provides limited hardware and software support for these laptops. Please contact Larry Bliss at lbliss@usc.edu or ext. 15341 for help.
13. What technology is available in a cart-supported classroom?
- Mac or PC computer cart with or without onboard LCD projector
- LCD projector cart with or without onboard computer
- TV DVD/VCR cart
- Overhead transparency projector
- 35mm projector cart
- Document camera
- Portable audio amplifier w/ speaker
- Data network jack for LAN and internet access using our supplied computer cart
14. What technology is available in a Media-Basic classroom?
- LCD projector
- Audio amplifier and speakers
- Projection screen
- Data network jack for LAN and internet access for your carried in computer
- Wall-mounted interface for connecting to these components
- Help phone to reach on-campus 5-digit extensions*
15. What technology is available in a Media-Plus classroom?
- DVD/VCR Player (access via secured wall box)
- LCD projector (ceiling mounted)
- Audio amplifier and ceiling mounted speakers
- Projection screen
- data network jack for LAN and Internet access
- Wall box interface for connecting to these components
- Wall box has a fold-down table to serve as a convenient laptop 'rest area'
- Help phone to reach on-campus 5-digit extensions*
16. What technology is available in an ITS auditorium or lectern-based room?
- Menu-driven Touch Sensitive LCD Panel
- DVD/VCR Player (access via secured doors)
- LCD projector (ceiling mounted - via lectern vga connector)
- Audio amplifier and ceiling mounted speakers (via lectern panel)
- Projection screen(s) (see specific rooms for details)
- Internet access via lectern-installed computer(s) (see specific room for details
- Help phone to reach on-campus 5-digit extensions*
- Other features (see specific room for details)
17. What will I need to bring along to accompany my laptop or other AV equipment allowing me to connect to the LCD projector, sound system, or the Internet in a Media-Basic or Media-Plus room?
Along with the usual paraphernalia of power adapters & power cords specific to your equipment, should you also need to connect to resources on the LAN or Internet, you will need to bring with you a standard Ethernet cable to connect your equipment into the room's network wall jack. For connecting to a room's LCD projector, you will need a standard 15-pin (with male ends) VGA cable to go between the room's video input connector and your device. For connecting to the room's audio, you will need a cable that is able to connect to your equipment's audio output and either of two standard audio inputs (RCA or 3.5-mm mono / stereo cables with male ends).
Please keep in mind that many of these rooms are NOT adjacent to a Multimedia Support Office or equipment storage space and while a support office might have a loaner cable for your use, it may not be a short walk down the hall to pick up and return a cable; nor is there any guarantee that our standard cable will work with your AV equipment. We encourage you to bring your own cables. Please contact any one of our five ITS Multimedia Site offices ahead of time for assistance in determining exactly what you will need to bring with you to class. See the upper right side panel of any Multimedia Support webpage under "Our Services" heading. Just click the CONTACT US link. This will take you to names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for our staff.
18. I have reserved a Media-Basic (or Media-Plus) classroom and need a computer for instructional use. Where do I get one and who will support it, since cart support is not available for this type of room?
Your department is the best resource for computer loans and support for computer hardware and applications. If you have a computer-related emergency before class and are without a functioning computer, ITS will try to provide you with a loaner computer or laptop. These emergency loans cannot be guaranteed, and the loaned equipment must be returned immediately after your class. Instructors should always arrange for equipment ahead of time through the normal (48-hour advance notice) ITS equipment reservation process as described on the ITS Multimedia Services Reserve Equipment page.
*Note: For assistance when you're in a Media-Basic, Media-Plus, or auditorium and lectern-based room, there is a help phone with a contact numbers index located on the wall or lectern that can be used to talk with "live" support personnel so you can receive assistance with any of the room's installed audiovisual equipment. In a self-service room, you may call the number listed on the wall from your cell phone.
If your plans call for using this equipment, be sure to bring your own source equipment such as your laptop, VCR/DVD player (included in Media-Plus rooms), and don't forget all those interconnecting cables and power adapters and cords.
If you have questions not answered here, please contact ITS Multimedia Support staff at the closest Multimedia Site Office?
AV Wallbox in a Media-Plus room
Note: Example here of a laptop is shown to demonstrate just one possible use for the fold-down table. The laptop is NOT included in the equipment list for a Media-Plus room.
Feedback
If you have an idea for improvement that you'd like to share with us, please let us know by contacting our staff or alternatively you may submit your comments to us online.
Last updated: Friday, February 01, 2008, 15:54PM PST