University of Huddersfield encourages collaboration with revamped AV system

To modernize the campus, the Panopto conference recording solution has been implemented, 112 AW-HE2 cameras and 37 Panasonic PT-RZ370 projectors, as well as the Extron control system.

Panasonic has collaborated with the installer Roche AV and the distributor From the ground to offer a complete conference recording solution to the University of Huddersfield, including Panopto recording and editing software.

Panasonic's AW-HE2 remote camera has been the basis of a complete renovation of the teaching center located in Yorkshire. This compact equipment has been installed as part of a broader audiovisual modernization that has also included Panasonic PT projectors- RZ370 de 3.000 lumens, as well as the control system Extron, which allows you to do without remote controls.

With this audiovisual solution, The university can offer an alternative educational project to its students to watch and listen to a lecture several times, in addition to being able to make detailed notes and verify understanding of the topics.

This is a large project, which has involved the installation of 112 AW-HE2 cameras and 37 PT-RZ370 projectors throughout the university.

The center considered investing in the lecture recording system after the deputy vice-chancellor visited another university and observed that students were able to retrieve and play recordings of previous lectures and seminars. After incorporating several new features in recent years, such as the Oastler building on the edge of campus, They saw that it was the right time for a technological renewal.

Faculty of Business

Panasonic technology has had a special impact on the Faculty of Business, where the audiovisual equipment in each and every room on the four floors of the building has been renewed.

New equipment helps reduce maintenance costs, since Solid Shine laser technology, integrated into the PT-RZ370, offers 20.000 hours of maintenance-free operation, with a level of color and brightness much higher than conventional lamp-based projectors.

The projector's daylight function also helps maintain sharp images even in brightly lit environments., such as classes or conference rooms. Built-in sensor measures ambient light and then automatically adjusts halftone color and brightness levels so you don't need to turn off the lights. At the same time, instant activation/deactivation allows sessions to be started instantly.

Phased implementation

The project in Huddersfield has been implemented in stages, renovating a few rooms in each building. Different faculties of the University were included in this process., as well as conference rooms shared between various academic disciplines.

University administrators chose an exclusion format, with time-dependent recording system. In rooms where the AW-HE2 has been installed, The system automatically starts recording the moment the room is used, and if the speaker does not want to record, the system physically stops.

“Most cameras have been installed directly on the ceiling, but in certain areas of the University we have had some difficulties placing them”, says David Evans, Roche AV Technical Support Director.

The historic stone Canalside building is an example. In this former Grade II listed 19th century spinning mill, the walls could not be drilled directly to install the cameras.

“With the wide field of view of the camera lens, we can capture the full width of the image from a wide variety of positions. The zoom function of the cameras allows us to adjust the image to obtain the necessary additional vision, even if the camera is installed in a difficult position”, adds David Evans.

In addition to the main function of recording lectures and sessions, The system has also provided a series of unexpected advantages for the University's technical assistance service., as technicians can help academic staff by giving instructions over the phone and resolving problems more quickly.

“It is a camera that adapts to a very small and specific niche. It is not expensive and it is not a CCTV or a consumer camera either., which means that it offers excellent image quality and a lot of versatility”, explica Jon Hubery, Holdan audiovisual products sales director, Panasonic dealer.

Greater clarity has been achieved thanks to a lighting system, which uses different colors to indicate whether it is being recorded, if it has stopped or if an error has occurred.

The system allows staff, if necessary, Make edits to recorded material with Panopto conference recording software. Next, is uploaded to an online portal organized by modules, which students can access.

“It will be available in the virtual learning environment (WANT) of each module; that is to say, the recording is uploaded to the module for which the class is scheduled. Everything is related to the schedule system. It uploads automatically and then staff has two days to edit it using Panopto, which is a really fast and effective editing tool”, explica Julie Berry, one of the university's computer assistant agents.