These notes are concerning the operation of the TVs and to a lesser extent the devices hooked up to them. It is not about the RiseVision platform that controls the content.

Controls

TV remotes

The fancy remotes that came with these three TVs are in the Tech Center in the “Remotes” drawer on the East wall. They are harder to use than the older Samsung remotes that came with all of the other TVs. You want to just grab an older remote if you need one.

On the older remotes you probably only need the power button, source button, and the arrow keys. If you point the remote in the general direction of the TVs, you will send that command to all of the TVs. To control one TV, aim the remote close the the sensor (bottom center of the TV) and block the signal from getting to the other TVs with your hand.

AppleTV remotes

I haven’t had much luck with the actual AppleTV remotes. I think they have to be set up for the individual AppleTVs, and then you have to keep track of which one goes with which TV, and remember to grab the right one (or to grab all three).

Instead, use the apple remote app found in the Control Center of any iPhone or iPad. Select the appleTV from the dropdown at the top, and you can control that TV. This is also better than the remote, because you can type on your device.

Amazon FireTV remote

NOTE: These remotes are FireTV specific; make sure you get the one for the TV that you want to control. These remotes will either be on Lloyd’s desk, in the remote drawer on the East end of the Tech Center, or above the drink cooler in the concessions stand. You should only have to use it to move over to the RiseVision app (first app on the top row) and select it.

Controls on the TVs

There is a single button located in the bottom center of the TV. In a pinch you can use this to change the source, and probably a few other things. A short press move to the next item. A long press selects that item. Holding it for about 10 seconds should shut it off, but I always have to cycle the power when I really want to turn it off.

Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker for the TVs in the Commons is located in the electrical panel in the Teachers Workroom. It is number 25, and is labeled.

Usage

Commons-left (record boards)

The Amazon FireTV is the main input (I think is is input #1), and is running the RiseVision app showing the sports record boards. We are using an Amazon FireTV because the RiseVision app for the appleTV does not yet let you pull in a Google Slideshow. There is an appleTV hooked up to this display as well, and you can switch to the appleTV by changing the source on the TV. Remember to change it back to the FireTV when you are done. The RiseVision app should still be running, but if it isn’t you can start it with the home button on the FireTV remote (then two arrows right and enter)

Commons-center (StuCo & Concessions)

The Amazon FireTV is the main input (I think it is input #2), and is running the RiseVision app showing the StuCo Canva Slideshow during the school day, and the Concessions Prices nights and weekends. We are using an Amazon FireTV because the RiseVision app for the appleTV does not yet let you setup a schedule. There is an appleTV hooked up to it, and you can switch to the appleTV by changing the source on the TV (to input #1). Remember to change it back to the FireTV when you are done. The RiseVision app should still be running, but if it isn’t you can start it with the home button on the FireTV remote (then two arrows right and enter)

Commons-right (Random stuff & ScoreVision)

The appleTV is setup to run the RiseVision app showing some random fun facts type content supplied by RiseVision. The appleTV can be used for showing general content, but the RiseVision app should be restarted with the apple remote (app) after it is used to show other content. It may revert to the RiseVision app automatically.

A Mac Mini supplied by ScoreVision is also an input. It will automatically show the score and some other junk for the game taking place in the gym. You have to manually switch to the input for the Mac Mini using the TV remote (or the button in the bottom center of the screen), and manually switch back after the game.

Commons-concessions (whatever)

There is an appleTV hooked up the TV above the beverage cooler in the commons that can be used to show whatever content you like.

Problems

Randomly showing TV show

I used to think this was a student airPlaying to the appleTV, but now I think it is just the TV switching away from the FireStick/appleTV as a source. I don’t know why this happens. It could be the FireStick/appleTV no longer sending a signal. But, for whatever reason, the TVs will randomly revert to television signals. Changing the input back to the appleTV or FireTV fixes this. I am trying to put the TVs on some non-problematic channel as this happens, in the hopes that when it happens it won’t be quite so painful.

It might be possible to mitigate this by disconnecting the TV from the network. Then it wouldn’t have anything to display. But that wouldn’t keep it from happening.

Black screen

If the TV screen doesn’t show anything, you can probably get it back to normal by hitting the home button on the FireStick remote. From there you should see the RiseVision app. You can use the arrow pad to move right to it, and the center button to select it. If you don’t see the RiseVision app, hit the home button again (and maybe again).

If the FireStick remote doesn’t seem to do anything, I try resetting the TV by holding down the bottom center button. When that doesn’t work, I try the power button on the remote. When that doesn’t work, I turn them all off at the circuit breaker in the Teachers Workroom. If you do that, you will have to restart the RiseVision app on each of the TVs.