Lenovo Yoga: fixing your audio for HDMI connection

The new Southside Elementary, which just opened in August 2014, is unique in our district when it comes to technology.  As they built the school, they made sure that input plates to the new projectors reflected current standards.  Therefore, one of the ways you can hook up to the projector is via HDMI.

Yesterday, as I was preparing for some PD I will have here on Feb. 13 (topics include Google Forms, Augmented Reality, and SMART Board power tips), I plugged in my Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga device to a SMART board.  First, in order for the SMART Board to work as a touchscreen and use the Notebook '11 software, you need to plug the Yoga via a USB cord to the input plate.  Here's the first hurdle: you need to use the USB on the RIGHT side of the Yoga or you will get an error message.  Next, you need the display to show up on the screen. The Lenovo Yoga has a mini-HDMI port on the right side, whereas the wall plate has a normal size HDMI input.  This leads us to the second hurdle: make sure you pick up a mini-HDMI to regular size HDMI cord (one online store with good prices is here).

Now, I got the display on the screen, and the SMART board's touch capability was working fine.   However, I could not get my sound to come through the room's speakers!  So that leads us to the final hurdle: you need to update your Lenovo's drivers to get both video AND audio to output via your HDMI cable.

1. Go to the Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga driver website.
2. Look for the "Conextant CX20751 Audio Driver for Windows 8.1 (64 bit)" (see picture below).
3. Download and install the driver.  This will take a few minutes and require a restart of the Lenovo Yoga.
4. After a successful installation, there is nothing you should have to do; when your HDMI is hooked to a display, both video and audio should automatically work.

Two final thoughts before I end this entry:

• If you are having other issues with your Lenovo, check out some previous Edtech Elixirs entries.
• The driver fix above will need to be done regardless of what display device your Lenovo Yoga is hooked up to via HDMI.  For example, if you plug it up to your HDTV, you still need to update the driver or the sound will not come through the TV's speakers.

Jumpy Lenovo Cursor and Driver Updates

Several SCHS teachers have complained about their Lenovo Yoga ThinkPad cursors moving by themselves as if possessed, or a sensation of almost chasing the cursor with your trackpad.  This has happened to me a few times as well. Our intrepid CIO Tommy Hurt got ahold of our Lenovo area reps, and got some advice.  (No, it's not to get a priest for an exorcism.)

Two things to consider first.

One: I know that when I type, I sometimes have to get used to a trackpad being near the underside of my thumbs and palms.  I have inadvertently scooted my cursor by accidentally brushing against the trackpad in this way.  So if your cursor suddenly moves and stops, it may be operator error.

Two:  Do NOT install driver updates to your Lenovo unless you have an issue you're trying to resolve.  If you are NOT having an issue with your trackpad, don't worry about installing new drivers. While it likely won't hurt your computer, you may use up precious time.

With the caveats out of the way, let's get down to business.

1. There is a specific site for Lenovo Yoga driver downloads.  Go to the site.

2.  From the drop down menu of "Components" on the middle left side, choose "Mouse and Keyboard."

3.  You want to just install the second and third drivers, as indicated below.  Completely download and install one driver before installing the next.  Be ready to restart the computer each time.

I installed these drivers myself earlier today, and so far, so good.  However, if you install these drivers and still have a jumpy cursor, put in a work order and let us know.  (Please explain that you did install these drivers but it didn't help.)  Good luck!

Taking the Murky Out of the Microphone (Lenovo Yoga ThinkPad)

In our district, Shelby County High School is the first school to get Lenovo Yoga ThinkPads (a laptop/tablet hybrid).  One of the teachers came across an issue with the default microphone quality. SCHS's library media specialist Julie Webb (@RocketLibrary) poked around the Internet and found a Lenovo Forum, and on the Forum, found a solution.  Thank you, Julie!

Basically, it comes down to adjusting your microphone settings.   Follow the directions in my YouTube video below and you will no longer sound like a murky lagoon creature underwater.

Hello Rockets!

It started with an Instagram picture last week.

Coming next Wednesday...

A photo posted by Adam Watson (@watsonedtech) on Oct 10, 2014 at 7:28am PDT

And now, I'm at school #4 on my year-long embedded tour: Shelby County High School.  In addition to that, it's the first school I've worked with in the district that has Lenovo Yoga Thinkpad laptop/tablet hybrid device, so that meant a new addition to the tech family.

Welcome the newest member to the Watsontech family: the Lenovo Yoga ThinkPad laptop/tablet hybrid, posing in tent mode. Proud parents iPad and MacBook Air stand behind their baby The Kentucky Room at SCHS will be our home for the next three weeks.

A photo posted by Adam Watson (@watsonedtech) on Nov 11, 2014 at 10:14am PST

(For those that don't know, it's a Windows 8 touchscreen computer with a "digitizer pen" that can "pose" in four different ways: laptop, stand, tent, and tablet.)

I'm looking forward to working with Mr. Oakley and the rest of the SCHS staff.  Although I might rename the Kentucky Room the Cardinal Room, if County's LMS Julie Webb will allow it.

In closing, I must say thanks to Mrs. Willhoite and the staff at Clear Creak for all of their hospitality and eagerness to learn edtech.  The journey continues!