AV Upgrades in LT0

The AV System in LT0 has had an upgrade over the Summer break which has seen a number of changes that we’d like to make you aware of in preparation for the start of term.

The decision to make the change now has arisen out of a number of factors:

• An ever dwindling supply of OHP acetate rolls with a cease in manufacturing soon to be expected.
• An increase in system failures and the number of attended support calls to LT0.
• A rise in complaints regarding the operation of the system.
• A rise in demand for more system functionality e.g. to enable faster switch-overs.
• Technical alignment with the UIS Lecture Capture Pilot in which LT0 is taking part.

The teaching requirements built into the design process were provided by a representative group selected by Head of Teaching and an OHP usage survey completed by LT0 lecturers during Summer term supplied information for the functional requirements of any OHP replacement system.

Lectern

The new lectern is now situated on the other side of the stage to allow better access for loading onto stage. The same basic functionality remains: 2 PCs, 2 screens and a laptop input, 2 lapel and 2 handheld microphones, 2 visualizers. However, the system is now controlled by a touch screen control panel similar to LT1/LT6/LR4 and the laptop inputs contain an HDMI option. Projector ON/OFF during term time is reconfigured to be as close to instantaneous as we can get at a few seconds and switching between sources is quick and easy.

OHPs

The biggest change you will find is that the OHPs have been replaced with a larger 4 x A4 writing capture surface. This is of a ceramic whiteboard style and is dry-wipe. The surface is captured using two digital visualizer arms which will also allow the display of documents and acetates. These are closely aligned to form one continuous writing display. The surface is height adjustable for writing comfort.

One feature we weren’t able to include was the ability to have a clear surface which documents could be placed beneath in order to allow non-destructive annotation. If you usually slide your acetates underneath the OHP film for annotation, then you will need to reprint those acetates onto paper to annotate directly. Please contact print-room@eng.cam.ac.uk for support with photocopying.

We were also unable to develop a solution that was backlit like the OHPs but we do have a light box by the lectern that can be used under the visualizer for any tasks that require this.

Hitachi Starboards

The low resolution (and recent failure) of the Hitachi Starboards have meant that they have been replaced with non-proprietary interactive touch screens. These are bigger, sharper and brighter than the Starboards but are not compatible with the Starboard software. If you use the Hitachi Starboards during your lectures, then please get in touch with either myself or Adam Strawson and we can go through an alternative workflow with you using Microsoft Ink.

Microphones

These have been replaced with DECT based wireless microphones. This has removed any possibility of outside interference.

Support

Adam Strawson and I will be in attendance in LT0 for at least the first 2 weeks of the timetabled cycle and then on an as needed or requested basis to provide on-hand support for the use of the system. We encourage you to come down prior to this in order to get to grips with the equipment- we are more than happy to go through this with you so please just ask.

Any questions, please just get in touch.

Gavin MacKenzie

Senior AV Technologist