Despite completion being initially scheduled for September 2022, global supply chain volatility meant that lead times on kit pushed the project back to the end of the year. This extra time was used to work with the client to further refine the design and detailed proposals. This ensured all key stakeholders understood the project approach and its benefits.

While the electrical and cosmetic contracting work could get underway over the summer as planned, the University were able to utilise another space for their students to allow the AV install to go ahead between October and December.

This GVAV installation was headed up by Technical Project Manager Darren Nutt alongside Lewis Todd and Iain Morrow.

The focal point of this impressive new space is room A222, the Crime Simulation Lab. Consisting of an open-plan kitchen and living area as well as a bedroom and bathroom, this area allows students to dive into an immersive training experience within a realistic apartment environment. The rooms are filled with prop furniture and mannequins, allowing staff to set up the space to meet their flexible requirements and simulate different crime-scene scenarios.

This complex project required students and staff to be able to monitor all areas of the mock apartment and interview rooms from the seminar and observation rooms. For a project like this, having the right kit and systems in place was essential both in terms of usability and compatibility. This was at the forefront of the planning and design stage from the outset.

Audio in the lab is captured by five Audio-Technica ES945O/XLR omnidirectional microphones integrated into the ceiling, with talkback into the lab possible from the other rooms via Audac CALI660 ceiling speakers.

For the seminar room, a Gooseneck Shure microphone and more Audac ceiling speakers ensure the presenter is heard, while two JBL Control 25-1 speakers accompany the room’s three displays with high quality audio.

In the interview rooms, the impressive Shure MXA310 Microflex Table Array Microphone captures audio across four independent channels and polar patterns, meaning mic coverage can be customised depending on the seating arrangement and the number of people talking.

Simulating real-life police interrogation rooms, this technology integrates neatly into a Top-Tec Synergy Collaborative table alongside power options for other devices. An Iiyama 43” display is mounted as well as an integrated Extron touch panel for comprehensive input and output options. All of the audio visual technology in the interview rooms is neatly built into the Synergy table design for a clean finish with no loose-hanging, messy cables.

Built today, for tomorrow

The flexible connectivity options throughout the suite are smartly facilitated by an AV over IP (AVoIP) system cleverly designed and implemented by GVAV, seamlessly connecting all devices in each room on a fast, efficient and secure network. AVoIP is the backbone of this project and future-proofs the solution, allowing for potential future scalability and new features without the need to replace the whole system.

In line with other installations across the University, the client was keen to use Extron kit within the AVoIP system where possible. This would benefit the project both in terms of continuity with other spaces as well as minimising extra staff training.

The original recommendation was to separate the client’s network from the AV network in order to avoid running into potential issues with the bandwidth demands of the AVoIP solution. However, the University were eager to use their existing network and switches and were confident about their traffic handling and port capacity. Once this was modelled with Extron and confirmed that the existing network spec had been tested and was capable of running the AVoIP system smoothly, all parties were happy to proceed with the proposal.

During the installation and commissioning of the AVoIP system, GVAV worked closely with the University’s IT department to configure the network switches to the configuration associated with setting up this type of network. It was important to ensure that all Extron AVoIP encoders and decoders needed to be connected on the same network switch to eliminate bandwidth issues, preventing issues like poor video quality.

University staff members have full control of what is shown on each display in the seminar room through the Extron control panel built into a Top-Tec lectern.

The lectern, which is customised with the University’s logo, is also home to a WolfVision 4K Visualiser, Iiyama and Lenovo displays and a Lumens Compact Camera Controller. A ceiling-mounted Marshall CV506 Mini Broadcast Camera captures the room for those joining the seminar remotely.

As well as video capture and projection over displays within the suite, another important requirement of this project was the ability to record all content.

This is facilitated by 10 Matrox Maevex 6020 Remote Recorders, allowing multiple video and audio input sources to be securely recorded simultaneously. The Matrox system gives University staff uncomplicated and convenient access to footage at their fingertips, allowing them to look back at the material for analysis.