Evidence Presentation Systems (EPS):
Each courtroom is equipped with an EPS which may be used for presenting evidence in court proceedings. Each EPS includes the following components:
- A document camera for displaying video images of objects or papers.
- A BluRay or DVD player for video or audio evidence.
- An annotation system with touchscreen monitors located at the EPS lectern and witness box. Note: Users can use their fingertip to draw images on the screen, which can be useful for directing attention to key parts of the evidence.
- HDMI cables and VGA cables to connect a computer to an EPS. Each courtroom has two of each type of connection.
- Monitors for counsel, jury, witness, court staff, judge, and gallery to view evidence.
- A touch panel control system to switch video and audio sources.
- A projection screen (ceiling mounted or free-standing), with projectors available upon request and with approval from the court.
Note: There is no annotation system at the Pendleton Courthouse.
EPS Quick Start Guide
To turn Evidence Presentation System (EPS) on:
|
Step |
Action |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Locate the touch panel control. This is a small display either on top of the EPS, in the left-hand drawer beneath the document camera, or in its charging station on the Courtroom Deputy (CRD) bench. |
|
2 |
Touch the blank screen to wake it. |
|
3 |
Touch the court seal. |
|
4 |
Begin using system after a 90 second startup cycle. |
To use Document Camera:
|
Step |
Action |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Select Document Camera as source on touch panel control. |
|
2 |
Place document or object face up beneath camera. |
|
3 |
Use zoom and focus controls as needed. These are located both on the camera itself and on the EPS touch panel. |
To use BluRay/DVD player:
|
Step |
Action |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Select DVD as source on touch panel control. |
|
2 |
Insert disc. |
|
3 |
Use transport controls on the touch panel to play disc.1 |
To annotate evidence:
|
Step |
Action |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Draw with your finger on the touch screen on top of the EPS. Witnesses can also do this using the touch screen in the witness box. |
|
2 |
Access the menu by touching the green arrow in the top right corner of the touchscreen. If the arrow goes away, touching the screen will bring it back. |
|
3 |
Controls, such as undo and clear, are also available on the EPS touch panel. |
|
4 |
If it is necessary to capture annotations for the record, this may be done upon request to the CRD, who has the ability to save and print annotated video images as needed. |
To display video and play audio from a laptop computer or tablet:
|
Step |
Action |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Locate the HDMI or VGA cable. Each courtroom has two of each connection. |
|
2 |
Plug the cable into the external monitor output of the device; and, for VGA, also connect the headphone output. |
|
3 |
Select the appropriate source from the EPS touchpanel. There are four inputs: Attorney 1 and 2 Analog/VGA and Attorney 1 and 2 Digital/HDMI. The connections on the left-hand table from the judge's perspective are always Attorney 1, while those on the right-hand table from the judge's perspective are Attorney 2. |
|
4 |
Check audio. Courtroom deputies control EPS audio. Adjust volume control on the laptop if needed. |
Troubleshooting if the video does not display:
|
Step |
Action |
|---|---|
|
1 |
If the laptop or tablet has another type of output, such as miniaturized HDMI, DisplayPort, MiniDisplayPort, USB-C, Thunderbolt, or Lightning (many of these are common on Apple devices), you will need to supply an adaptor to match it to HDMI or VGA. |
|
2 |
If the correct input is selected, HDMI video will show automatically. If video from the laptop does not appear on the EPS, it is necessary to "toggle" the laptop's video card to send a signal out. Laptop protocols differ, but generally this is accomplished by a combination of Fn and F buttons.2 |
|
3 |
The standard video display resolution in the District's courtrooms is 1920 x 1080. Check this by right clicking on the desktop, selecting properties, then settings. This process may differ depending on your device.3 |
To publish evidence to the jury:
|
Step |
Action |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Use the Publish/Unpublish buttons on the EPS touchpanel. |
|
2 |
This function also governs the gallery monitor and projector. |
To turn off EPS:
|
Step |
Action |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Select Exit/Power Off button on touch panel. |
|
2 |
Confirm this selection. |
|
3 |
Please do not turn off any other equipment or monitors. |
Videoconference Systems:
Videoconference systems can be used to connect court participants in other remote locations. Connections can also be made through an internet browser plugin if the remote participant's device has a suitable camera, speaker, and microphone. Use of the Court’s videoconference systems requires approval from the court and advance testing. Please contact the assigned courtroom deputy for any questions or for making arrangements to use videoconferencing. Technical staff will assist as needed.
Videoconference equipment is located in the following courtrooms:
|
Portland: |
Courtrooms 9A, 12A, 13A, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, and 16 |
|
Eugene: |
All courtrooms |
|
Medford: |
Courtroom 2 |
1 There are many ways to burn DVDs and CDs. The court's DVD players are compatible with almost all media types, but this technology changes often. It is best to test compatibility in advance of proceedings.
2 For example, IBM ThinkPads use the combination of Fn + F7. Dell laptops use a combination of Fn+F8. Usually the F key associated with this function will read "CRT/LCD" or have a drawing of two monitors on it. The toggle function refers to the three positions of the switch, 1) laptop monitor only, 2) external monitor only, or 3) both monitors. This is usually only necessary for analog connections, as digital connections are automatically detected by most modern laptops and tablets.
3 Many laptop computers have a software program which controls the video card. Access this program by selecting the advanced tab after selecting settings as above. The Court relies on you to make these settings. Again: pre-testing correct operation will prevent problems during proceedings.