Announcing HDMI upgrade to the classroom projection system

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital connection capable of
transmitting high-definition video and audio through a single cable. It is prevalent in flat-panel displays and projectors, as well as in DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, and some laptops and tables, like the Apple iPad.

Whenever possible during projection system upgrade projects, OCM has modified the Projection Capable Classroom (PCC) standard to include HDMI inputs. Currently, over 50 classrooms support HDMI connections.

The success of connecting Apple laptops and iPads via HDMI varies with the classroom infrastructure. Rooms with multiple projectors will not currently distribute video from Apple devices using HDMI:

• Due to the way Apple iPads sense display devices and automatically set up display mirroring, we are not able to distribute video from an iPad to multiple projectors using HDMI. In rooms with multiple projectors, the user is able to connect using the VGA cable.

• The success of Apple laptops using the HDMI cable varies as well. If your laptop does not successfully connect to the classroom projection system when using the HDMI cable, you will need to use the VGA cable.

• In order to connect to either VGA or HDMI sources, Apple devices need to use an adapter. Since 2008, Apple has equipped all Macintosh laptop computers with Mini DisplayPort connections. Mini DisplayPort is easily converted to HDMI via user-provided adapters. OCM does not supply adapters in classrooms.

We have not seen issues with Windows-based laptop hardware using the HDMI connection except when playing Blu-ray video.

For more information about HDMI, or to see a list of rooms with this feature, see the HDMI instructions page.