How do I connect a laptop to the AV system?

Overview

This article has instructions for connecting both Windows and Mac laptops to UIC's Audio Visual system.

Table of Contents

For all laptops

  1. Connect the HDMI or VGA cable (and audio plug if you're using audio) to your laptop (and adapter if needed.)

    example touch screen with vga and hdmi buttons
     
  2. Select the HDMI or VGA/Notebook source from the touch screen. Some classrooms only have a flat panel display, in which case, you'll need to press the HDMI or VGA button on your remote for your display.

Adjusting your device settings

You have a few options available for how you'd like to display your laptop. The two primary options are "Duplicate" or "Extend" for Windows-based laptops.

  • Duplicate simply mirrors what you saw on your laptop screen to the HDMI connected device. In the case of the AV system, the digital projector(s) or the flat panel display.
  • Extend enables your laptop to use the HDMI-connected device (digital projector(s) or flat panel display)as a second display that's independent of your laptop's display. This allows you to have app windows open that may only be visible to you on your laptop screen or to the students viewing on the digital/projector(s) or flat panel display.

Duplicate

For PC (Windows 10/11)

  1. Hold down the Windows key and press the P key. 
  2. Select Duplicate from the display options that appear on the right. 
    *Note* Different laptop manufacturers may have different key combinations or dedicated key to activate the second display.

identifying the duplicate button in the menu 

For Mac (all versions)

  1. Click the Apple icon (top left.)
  2. Select System Preferences
  3. Select Displays (second row)
  4. Select Arrangement
  5. Check Mirror Displays box.

Extend

For PC (Windows 10/11)

  1. Hold down the Windows key and press the P key.
  2. Select Extend from the display options that appear on the right.
    *Note* Different laptop manufacturers may have different key combinations or dedicated key to activate the second display.
  3. You may need to adjust your display arrangement settings if you're using an extended desktop. More information on setting up multiple display for PC.

identifying the extend button in the menu
 

For Mac (all versions)

  1. Click the Apple icon (top left.)
  2. Select System Preferences
  3. Select Displays (second row)
  4. Select Arrangement
  5. Verify "Mirror Displays" box is unchecked.
  6. You may need to adjust your display arrangement settings if you're using an extended desktop. More information on setting up multiple display for Mac.

identifying the mirror displays checkbox in the lower left of the screen

For more information, please visit

How do I use the AV system?

How do I know which adapter to use for my laptop?

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