University of Guelph
- What
- Biodiversity Institute Visualization Center
- Location
- Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Completed
- 2006
- Design Co.
- Chamberlain Architects and Advanced Presentation Solutions, TRP General Contractors
- Products
- Infinite plasma videowall, Crestron control, Polycom videoconferencing, NEC projection, SMART interactive whiteboards, Sierra matrix switching, Symetrix digital audio processing,
The Installation
The leaders of the Biodiversity Institute wanted to include a lecture hall in their new building that would fit with the complex yet highly important topic of Biodiversity. The theater needed to engage the audience and include state-of-the-art audio visual technology to help attract key speakers and attendees. The end result was the Visualization Center which functions as a multi-purpose presentation area, the centerpiece of the room being the 'bezel less' Infinte plasma videowall in a 4x3 format or 12 plasma displays. Space and audience impact were key factors and made the Infinite plasma the perfect choice.
The videowall display is designed to function not only for basic presentations but also for videoconferencing with the capability of showing multi site videoconferences. Through a Sierra switcher and Crestron control system, the videowall is controlled in an easy to use format with the most flexibility possible. For example the videowall has the capability to be split for various applications. Multi-endpoint sites for videoconferences can be designed to fit into their own zones within the display allowing for seamless communication and the ultimate in collaboration.
The Polycom videoconferencing system has the capability of doing up to 6 sites at one time which is the maximum allowed by any system today. Two cameras have been specified which allows for increased collaboration and flexibility in distance meetings.
The Crestron control system allows for 2 control panels to be installed, one on each side of the videowall. From these vantage points, not only is the videowall content controllable but this also allows for audio volume control and videoconferencing control - all from the touch panel.
In addition to controlling the videowall, the touch panels will also be programmed with the capability of controlling 2 projectors in the breakout areas at each side of the room. A wireless touch panel is also utilized in these breakout areas.
All audio video devices such as processors, amplifiers and subwoofers are wired and installed in a vented audio video rack which is housed in the audiovisual closet adjacent to the videowall.
In the larger, breakout presentation area, an LCD projector and electric screen accommodates the presentation needs here. In the smaller breakout area a less powerful projector is used in conjunction with an interactive Smartboard for small/medium group collaboration.
Images
About the University of Guelph
Education on the Guelph campus has a long tradition spanning over a hundred years ago when the Ontario government purchased a five hundred-acre farm from Frederick William Stone for its new School of Agriculture. Established in 1964, the University of Guelph consists of seven colleges with 17,484 full-time and 1,494 part-time undergraduate students currently in the Guelph campus alone.
