Preset AV System for Assembly & Performance
Recently St John Fisher College in Bracken Ridge acquired a Yamaha Professional Audio System, Panasonic PTZ camera streaming solution and Kramer wireless presentation unit and interconnects for their performance hall AV system. AVA Distribution assisted the reseller with the system design in conjunction with the end user’s requirements. AVAD based the design on the quality brands they distribute such as Yamaha, Kramer and Panasonic.
Assembly & Performance Mode
The school opted for a control system to bring the whole AV system into a single tablet and wall controller. The whole system was broken into two modes; Presentation (assembly mode) & performance mode. The two presets were implemented to simplify the operation and user experience. In assembly mode a teacher or presenter, with a single button push, can have audio and video pass through the system immediately. When performance mode is selected the audio DSP routes the audio into a 32x channel mixing console for more in depth channel processing.
Audio
The audio system consisted of 16x channels on the stage within floor boxes wired XLR back to a TIO1608-D stage box. This Dante stage box digitised the audio and sent back to the bio box via CAT6a housing the audio DSP and mixing console. The DSP in the bio box houses 6x microphones. 2x handheld and 4x headset microphones for use in assembly mode. The mixer in the bio box also has 16x inputs for use in large performance channel counts. The system also provisioned a range of labelled lectern inputs allowing the end user to move the lectern around based on four types of presentation of performance positions. Once the audio signal has been digitised, Dante enables the lectern inputs to be virtually Y-Split into the DSP and into the mixer. In performance mode these inputs are muted from the DSP and routed into the mixing desk. Because of the digital nature of the system all inputs and aux buses are pre-set and labelled allowing quick and easy set up on the mixing consol. This also allows quick recall of factory setup if students or users change any core patching settings. Audio outputs included were up to 8x fold backs in which 2x DBR10 powered monitors were allocated, 1x PX5 driving 2x CBR15 for FOH and a PX3 driving 2x VXS8 side/delay fill speakers.
Video
The video system was implemented with Crestron HDBaseT wall plates and vision switching. AVAD supplied a Kramer VIA-CONNECT-PRO for wireless presentation ability. AVA prefers to integrate Kramer vision switching and control because of the service, warranty and price point which is on par in performance but at far better price point than the Crestron option. BUT because everything is IP controlled anyway, no matter what control system is implemented the Panasonic, Kramer and Yamaha gear can be integrated.
AVAD supplied a AW-HE40 PoE Panasonic PTZ camera with full programmable pre-sets based on the lectern’s desired stage positions. This high end camera is a favourite of AVAD for the 30x zoom, power over Ethernet and impressive image quality. With such specs the unit is perfect for school hall applications for example this unit was mounted on the rear wall with perfect capture of the stage and close ups of presenters at the lectern over 40m away.
Signal Distribution
Signal distribution was predominantly delivered through Cat6A and network IP based on using the HdBaseT and Dante protocols. This cuts down on overall costs and allows the end user the freedom to place hardware components where it suits the client and accommodating to potential restrictions of the build.
This hall AV system had a rack located at the stage and at the rear bio box. Communication between both racks was made by 1x CAT6a cable. CAT6a to the camera out of a PoE switch and the HDBaseT HDMI wall plate were patched via CAT6a also. So from a signal distribution design point of view we limited the amount of analog signal and therefore greatly reduced the hum, noise and buzz associated with large scale distributed audio and video systems.
Conclusions
This system ticks the boxes for ease of use and professional quality AV at a simple push of a button. It’s system like these we enjoy designing and consulting on because the end user experience is what matters. As a distributor we encourage resellers and integrators to install based on best practise and employ a mentality on end user usability, coupled with the quality brands on our shelves. We do not have control however over the install and simply consult on behalf of our valued customers. And so, St John Fisher is now equipped to put on solid audio visual presentations and performances with the implementation of high quality hardware in an easy to use control interface.
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