Durham University Elevates Learning Environments with HARMAN Professional Solutions

Durham University Elevates Learning Environments with HARMAN Professional Solutions

January 10, 2019

Visavvi deploys an advanced HARMAN AV over IP solution to allow students to connect, share and learn using cutting-edge technology

DURHAM, United KingdomVisavvi, part of the Saville Group recently deployed a complete HARMAN Professional Solutions AV over IP solution at Durham University.

One of the most historic and prestigious universities in the world, Durham University offers research-led education delivered by world-leading experts in outstanding study facilities. Durham University aims to deliver a challenging and transformative education experience that leverages the latest digital technologies. 

Recently, Durham decided to update the AV solution installed in their Calman Learning Centre facility on the Mountjoy campus to a state-of-the-art AV over IP solution that would allow lectures and events to be streamed in real-time across the entire building. In order to achieve these goals, the university hired Visavvi to integrate an AMX by HARMAN SVSI networked media solution, which enables to university to flawlessly stream high definition interactive audio and video throughout the facility. With the SVSI system, live lectures and presentations can be shared with AV systems in any room—allowing up to 1,100 students and faculty to view the same presentation simultaneously.

“The AMX SVSI system has drastically improved the day to day operations of the technical team,” said Chris Pearson, AV Team Lead, Durham University. "In a building such as the Calman Learning Centre, which hosts large scale teaching and high profile events and with a small AV team supporting teaching spaces across the university, it is vital that we install systems that are flexible and highly reliable—the AMX SVSI system has exceeded our expectations in meeting these requirements.”

The Calman Learning Centre houses the largest teaching spaces on the university campus, comprising three dedicated lecture theatres and two large teaching rooms on the top floor. Each theatre is outfitted with state-of-the-art display, control and collaboration technology, including AMX Enova DGX 1600 digital media switcher systems. The DGX system uses DXLink technology to send the highest quality digital audio and video to receivers via existing CAT cabling.

Each theatre is also equipped with JBL line array speaker systems, which are powered by Crown amps to deliver perfectly-aligned sound distribution. Intuitive AMX touch panels offer control of the room systems with custom-programmed user interfaces, allowing students and faculty to quickly and easily control media. The two smaller classrooms on the top floor are equipped with AMX SVSI transmission systems, allowing the same switching, control, audio and video conferencing technology as the lecture theatres.

“Months of planning and technical work went into this project,” said Crispin Bloomfield, Director of IT Operations, Durham University. “Visavvi worked with us to overcome some infrastructure challenges that required clever solutions, plus they faced a very tight window to turn this flagship teaching building around. The project was flawlessly executed, on time and on budget.”

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