Beckman Hall
May 1, 1999 12:00 PM, SOUND & VIDEO CONTRACTOR STAFF
Aptly illustrating the incorporation of A-V technology into education is Chapman University's Beckman Hall, Orange, CA. This ongoing project currently consists of 14 rooms, including several different classroom configurations, computer labs and a boardroom. Ove Arup & Partners was contracted by the architect of the building, Dworsky & Associates, to provide system design. Hoffman Video is the primary A-V contractor. All of these groups are currently involved in a large number of educational projects in Southern California.
The goal behind each room is to have access to multiple media sources that will make use of large projection screens for display with LAN support at each desk. All rooms and existing core equipment must also be ready to incorporate videoconferencing equipment once budgetary resources are available. Both aims must be accomplished while incorporating the equipment as seamlessly as possible into the environment of each site.
To achieve the stated goals, the systems in each room have been built around audio and video matrix switchers, including Extron Matrix 50 models. Other primary components include Sharp XG-E3500U LCD projectors with computer-video interfaces, signal distribution products and line doublers from Extron. Also present are a variety of source devices from JVC, Kodak and Panasonic. Audio systems are built around 360 Systems matrix switchers with products manufactured by QSC, Atlas/Soundolier, Klark Teknik, Rane, Sabine, Shure and Sennheiser. Sennheiser products include IR transmitters and headset receivers to comply with state and federal assistive listening requirements. Students acquire the headsets at the university's library and may carry them from room to room.
AMX control systems tie the equipment of every room together. These systems provide not only the easy-to-use, visual interface necessary in this environment, but also seamless integration of equipment and environmental controls. In Beckman Hall, these systems also allowed for the configuration of controls for videocon-ferencing and other forthcoming systems before the equipment was actually in place. This will make for little or no downtime once the required equipment-including codecs and scan converters-is available.
The control systems used in Beckman Hall are isolated to each room, although media retrieval systems such as AMX Synergy may be installed later when the campus has access to DTV. Toward this end, each Extron Matrix 50 at Chapman may be field-upgraded to handle component video. This arrangement provides the access to source materials desired by the school's instructors while simultaneously leaving open an avenue for future upgrades.
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