Available Technology
Classroom Services offers a number of different technology options to the campus community.
Faculty can request laptops and tablets, digital cameras, projection setups for classrooms, video players, audio equipment and other items for use in classrooms across campus. You can browse through the available technology by clicking on the categories below.
Not sure what technology you need? No problem! Feel free to contact Classroom Services at 412-648-7240 or e-mail us at ClassroomServices@pitt.edu.
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Digital Audio recorders:
- TASCAM DR-07: Records MP3 and WAV files; comes with SD card and USB cable; internal mic with auxiliary microphone and line inputs; AA battery powered.
- Philips DVT5500: Records MP3 and WAV files; comes with internal storage and USB Cable; internal mic with auxiliary mic and line inputs; AAA battery powered.
- A portable powered speaker unit with a handheld microphone and a headset microphone.
- Rechargeable battery or outlet powered, with on/off volume switch. Comes with a wireless headset mic and wireless handheld mic (both mics require batteries). Ideal for medium sized classrooms without installed voice amplification.
- A portable powered speaker unit that can be worn on the waist.
- Battery powered, with on/off volume switch, battery indicator light, screw-on microphone jack, and charger jack.
- Comes with a headset mic and lapel mic.
- Powered amplifier with eight inputs (XLR mic, XLR line, 1/4″ and 1/8″, RCA, USB, SD Card, Bluetooth); ideal for medium-sized rooms (approximately 30 people); tripod stands are available.
- Add a mixer for additional Microphones.
- NOTE: The Explorer PA weighs approximately 30 pounds.
- Powered amplifier with three inputs (XLR mic, 1/4″ mic, RCA); ideal for medium-sized rooms (approximately 30 people); tripod stands are available.
- Add a mixer for additional Microphones.
- NOTE: The Explorer PA weighs approximately 30 pounds.
- This is a four-channel amplifier with two speakers for larger spaces/groups.
- You may add additional speakers and a mixer for additional microphones. You may also add speaker stands.
- The PA system bundle also amplifies PC and Video Players.
Catchbox throwable microphone:
- Soft, throwable microphone to increase student engagement.
- Connects to speaker systems via Bluetooth.
- Contact Classroom Services for details and availability.
- Shure SM57 or Shure SM58 microphones available. They come with 25-foot mic cables unless otherwise requested; compatible in rooms with installed sound systems.
- These can be added to Explorer PA or PA bundles.
- This is a clip-on lapel mic with 15-foot cable; additional cable is available upon request; compatible in rooms with installed sound systems.
- These can be added to Explorer PA or PA bundles.
Wireless Lavalier microphones:
- This is a clip-on lapel mic with body pack and wireless receiver; AA battery powered; compatible in rooms with installed sound systems.
- These can be added to Explorer PA or PA Bundles.
Wireless Handheld microphones:
- Additional cable is available upon request; compatible in rooms with installed sound systems.
- These can be added to Explorer PA or PA bundles.
- This is an omnidirectional condenser boundary microphone.
- It is ideal for capturing sound in a small- to medium-size classroom setting. Not for large lectures.
- It is also useful for recording conversations or interviews. Use this with a camcorder and/or digital audio recorder.
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- Our MacBook Pros come with a Mac adapter and VGA cable.
- Available accessories include presentation remotes and a mouse.
- NOTE: The MacBook Pro is not available for term loan.
Windows PC:
- We have two Windows PC models to choose from: an 11″ HP Stream and a 15″ HP 250G4, which includes a DVD drive.
- All Windows PCs come with VGA and HDMI cables.
- Available accessories include presentation remotes and a Mouse.
- PC types can be requested but are subject to availability. A limited number are available for term loans.
- We have three Microsoft Surface tablets available for loan.
- Surfaces can be connected to monitors and projectors with a VGA cable.
- Available accessories include presentation remotes and a Mouse.
- All iPads come with VGA Cable, Adapter, and USB power cable/charger.
- iPads are available for short- and long-term loans.
- Please contact Classroom Services directly for requests involving class projects or large quantity loans.
- A limited number are available for class use. Bundles are available for class use or projects.
- Please contact Classroom Services directly for iPad 3 inquiries.
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- 16 GB internal memory.
- Records in AVCHD and .mp4 formats.
- Available with or without external microphone input – please specify which model is needed in request.
- Tripods are available as accessories.
Digital Visualizer/Document Camera:
- Wolfvision VZ-9:
- Connects to data projector to project physical media in the classroom.
- Unit comes with VGA cable and power supply. Can be synced with laptop to save images.
- Available for delivery or short-term loans.
- Avervision 300AFHD:
- Connects to data projector to project physical media in the classroom.
- Unit comes with VGA Cable and power supply.
- Available for short- and long-term loans.
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Blu Ray players (Panasonic & Sony):
- Blu Ray players are available by request for use in media enhanced classrooms.
- DVD/VHS players are available by request for use in media enhanced classrooms.
- NOTE: Classroom Services is currently engaged in a project that will upgrade AV technology in campus classrooms. Part of this project will be the removal of all installed VHS technology.
International video playback for classes:
- Classroom Services does not have the capability to provide playback of international videos from other regions of the world in their original format. (DVD or VHS)
- Classroom Services can help you to convert your international video to a streaming solution that you can use in class. Please contact us for more information.
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- Available for use in all classrooms on campus. The Hitachi is compatible with PCs and video players. It includes an internal speaker for use in small classes (approximately 30 people or less).
- This unit has two VGA inputs, as well as inputs for HDMI, S video, RCA, 1/8″ audio, and RCA audio.
- A PA system is available by request for large classrooms.
- Accessories include projection stands and projection screens.
Epson H671A Short Throw Projector:
- Available for use in all classrooms on campus. The Epson is ideal for smaller rooms or crowded spaces and can be set up within a few feet from projection surface. The Epson is compatible with PCs and video players. It includes an internal speaker for use in small classes (approximately 30 people or less).
- This unit has an HDMI input, two VGA inputs, as well as inputs for S video, RCA, 1/8″ audio, and RCA audio.
- A PA system is available by request for large classrooms.
- Accessories include projection stands and projection screens.
Student Response Systems, commonly referred to as “clickers,” survey student comprehension of course concepts and enhance student participation in the classroom, particularly in large enrollment courses.
In order to support the varied requirements of academic units across the University, the Center for Teaching and Learning’s Classroom Services offers three clicker options from which to choose. Consultation is available to help select the best option for your course.
Classroom Services has braille clickers to provide increased accessibility in the Turning Technologies Clicker options available in Classroom Services. There will be 1-2 braille clickers in each set of 30 we provide.
Turning Technologies now offer cloud based solutions with their hardware clickers. To use Classroom Services hardware clickers, you need to first create a user account with Turning Technologies. Dedicated hardware clickers from Turning Technologies are available from Classroom Services for will-call loan or with staff setup assistance in classrooms. Software to create interactive polls within PowerPoint is available at no cost from Software Distribution Services and from the Turning Technologies website. Operational training for TurningPoint hardware and software is available through Educational Technology Services.
In addition, an online ResponseWare application from Turning Technologies allows participants to respond to classroom polls using their web-enabled mobile devices. Classroom Services has licenses available for registered University courses.
Poll Everywhere is a web-based system that enables students to use their own mobile device to participate in classroom interactive polling. Students may respond via a web interface, a mobile app, or via SMS texting. Classroom Services has licenses available for registered University courses.