The Challenge
Interactive & Live
The interactive involvement of the end-user would be critical to the success of the facility. Use case analysis indicated a need for a traditional broadcast system based on industry standard specifications as well as a state of the art AV system. The two systems had to work together seamlessly in order to allow presenters – whether local or remote – to interact with all venues; and to allow the lectures, interactions, lab work and interviews to be recorded and broadcast live via the Internet.
There was also a need for AV automation in order to provide control of displays and sound reinforcement, as well as environmental elements such as shades and lighting. Video conferencing capability was required to allow remote participants to fully interact with each of the venues – either as attendees or presenters – and the system needed to be capable of functioning in a less technical “self-service mode”, when production staff was not involved.
In addition to the lab and lecture spaces, the production studio needed to be a flexible set with green cyclorama, separated from the lecture hall space by a theatrical curtain to allow a live audience for interviews. The low ceiling required a creative design for pipe grid, DMX controls and curtains. The selection of the camera package in the studio was an interesting solution to the challenge presented by the desire for a dual purpose HD studio / 4k cinema camera.
