Extron, a leading provider of AV technology solutions, recently collaborated with Utah Tech University to enhance the audiovisual infrastructure of its new Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) building. This 15,000 square meter facility required advanced AV systems in 35 classrooms, labs, lecture halls, and conference rooms. Shaun Hayes, the university’s senior AV administrator, partnered with local integrator Marshall Industries to install cutting-edge AV switching, distribution, control, and audio amplification equipment.
In addition to outfitting the SET building with state-of-the-art AV systems, Utah Tech University embarked on a comprehensive AV standardization initiative. This initiative involved retrofitting 175 rooms across 31 buildings with Extron technology to create standardized systems. According to Hayes, Extron’s AV system control and remote support models were instrumental in streamlining the design, configuration, and management of complex rooms.
The SET building features various AV assets, including single-screen classrooms, large lecture halls with multiple screens, and anatomy labs with multiple dissection tables, each equipped with a camera and display for group viewing. The standard classroom setup includes a DTP CrossPoint 4K Scaling Presentation Matrix Switcher with a built-in audio amplifier and control processor, an 86″ flat-panel display or projector, and a 7″ TouchLink Pro touchpanel for input selection. Wireless microphones and ceiling speakers enhance audio quality, while video and audio are fed through an Extron MediaPort 200 USB scaling bridge to the instructor station PC for conferencing applications.
The larger classrooms and lecture hall deploy similar AV systems but with additional projectors, flat-panel displays, and ceiling-mounted directional mic arrays. These spaces feature up to 12 ceiling speakers, driven by an XPA amplifier, and a presentation matrix switcher with more input and output ports for increased functionality.
The anatomy labs are equipped with video cameras above each dissection station, allowing video to be viewed on 86″ flat-panel displays and 43″ screens. ShareLink Pro 500s enable wireless content sharing, while MediaPort 200 USB scaling bridges deliver audio and video to remote students. Each lab also includes wireless microphones, a directional mic array, and 10 ceiling speakers for clear audio delivery.
Overall, Extron’s AV solutions have significantly enhanced Utah Tech University’s AV capabilities, providing instructors with a dependable and uniform AV experience across all classrooms and labs. This standardization initiative has not only improved teaching efficiency but also maximized AV system uptime, ensuring a seamless learning environment for students.
