BACKGROUND
The University of Cambridge is one of the world's oldest educational institutions, with an outstanding reputation for academic achievement and research. The university comprises of 31 Colleges and more than 150 departments, faculties, schools and other organisations, plus a central administration. The vast campus, which is spread throughout the centre of Cambridge and into outskirts of the city, attracts visitors from all over the world.
The University is also in the middle of the greatest expansion in its history. Part of this programme of expansion and improvement was undertaken within the School of Humanities & Social Sciences (SHSS).
Following a competitive tender process and with an excellent reputation for integrated solutions within educational establishments, Snelling Business Systems was appointed by the university's AV consultant to deliver the audio visual requirements for this project.
AIMS OF THE PROJECT
The aim of the project was to provide outstanding audio visual capabilities within the School's flagship seminar rooms, along with a number of standard seminar and meeting rooms, plus a network of digital signage.
As one of six Schools in the University the SHSS has a diverse range of subject expertise, a thriving postdoctoral community and almost a third of the University's postgraduate students. As such the School embraces a range of related disciplines and its mission is to pursue excellence in teaching and research to the benefit of the students, academics and wider society.
A state-of-the-art audio visual installation was therefore essential to ensure that these key areas of learning benefitted from the latest in available technology.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION
There were four key areas for the installation - the standard seminar rooms, the flagship seminar rooms, the meeting rooms, and the network of digital signage. Snelling Business Systems carried out the design for the technical specification and then commissioned these areas as follows:-
The Seminar Rooms
Each of these rooms was installed with high brightness, ultra short throw projection equipment, enhanced by multi user interactive technology with interactive slate for collaborative working and architectural loudspeakers. In addition, the seminar rooms were fitted with vitreous enamel dry wipe boards and bespoke branded lecterns specifically designed for the University of Cambridge.
Analogue and digital connectivity was installed throughout and the systems are controlled by AMX touch surface control with RMS networked control software and PIR sensors.
The Flagship Seminar Rooms
In addition to the extensive audio visual equipment which features in the seminar rooms, the flagship seminar rooms include the ability to operate independently or joined under user control, or remotely technician driven with the ability to send and receive audio and visual content from either room.
The flagship rooms benefit from the installation of a full digital fibre infrastructure, wired and wireless microphones and audio reinforcement via phased array hearing loop for the hard of hearing and ceiling speakers, which allows for future provision for rich media recording.
Rooms are further enhanced with the installation of high resolution Panasonic WUXGA projection equipment, a DNP ISF-certified supernova optical projection screen and a professional 7.1 surround sound audio system & DSP.
The Meeting Rooms
Multiples of these rooms were installed with full HD LCD screens, fitted onto a tilting mount, as well as installed loudspeakers. In addition, the rooms were fitted with analogue and digital connectivity with AMX networked push button control and RMS software integration.
Digital Signage
The digital signage requirements were delivered with the installation of Commercial LCD Screens with Loudspeakers, complimented by OneLan digital signage with publisher and subscriber servers. The system also features TV capabilities with web browser control.
The installation was designed and installed by Snelling Business Systems. Following a period of user training, the new systems have been well received and are already in use at the University of Cambridge.