Source Input Wall Plates

[TechKat]

Hi,

 

This is gonna be a tricky question but hoping there's an answer for it.

 

Basically, we have a computer setup in our school's hall which is connected to a projector and sound system. Every now and then, our teachers use the hall for meetings/training sessions etc and they like to use their laptops, instead of the dedicated PC I setup there. They unplug all the cables to plug into their laptops and then leave them unplugged when they're finished. It's driving me mad everytime I have to go plug all the cables back in.

 

I wanted to know if there was some kind of wall plate where I can plug the dedicated PC into the "default" ports, and the input ports on the faceplate act as a signal overrider.

 

Say if the PC was on and outputting its desktop to the projector via the faceplate, a teacher then plugs their laptop in the available input port, the projector then shows the teacher's laptop desktop.

 

I know it's a dumb question and probably no answer to it but I'm sick of getting told off because "the sound isn't working" for their assembly.

[mikeprice]

Dunno if this would work but

how about a normal VGA splitter which would probably make 2 on the system

 

This will give you an extra VGA port on the system for the teacher to plug into

Assuming that the hall PC is switched off and the original splitter is also switched off and the 'extra'/new splitter if always on

Then if the teacher plugs into the new splitter then their laptop will have the only connection to the projector

 

Then you just need to mount the new splitter in a fixed and accessible place - with a cable for them to use

 

would that work/help??

 

obviously substitute HDMI for VGA if required

you can get audio switches off the www which should work easily

 

 

Only remaining problem would be "training" to stop the teacher just ripping the whole new system apart anyway ( or a big stick)

[VeryPC_Anthony_L]

I would suggest getting either a VGA or Hdmi switcher

[nullensc]

We had some custom faceplates made up for more or less the same reasons.

 

The company we used is:

 

http://www.yorkdistribution.co.uk

 

Sadly they don't make a version that connects to a Taser :-(

[pete]

We use Techconnect (or similar) faceplates for this. Run two VGA/HDMI feeds up to the projector and terminate into a double-gang faceplate.

[TechMonkey]

We use Techconnect (or similar) faceplates for this. Run two VGA/HDMI feeds up to the projector and terminate into a double-gang faceplate.

We use this and it seems a good system. It won't do the auto switching for you but you can put a laminated card next to the face plate with instructions how to change the projector input.

[Chris_]

Sounds like the Kramer VP-211K would do what you're after. Connect the fixed PC and audio to one input, then when a teacher plugs their laptop in to the second VGA/audio input the switcher automatically switch outputs.

 

VP-211K - Single Output - Kramer Electronics

 

CPC: http://cpc.farnell.com/kramer/vp-211k/2x1-vga-xga-switch/dp/AV09477?CMP=CPC-PLA

Edited December 2, 2015 by Chris_