University Audio Conferencing System

Grant's Perspective on ... Audio Zones

I spent most of yesterday slaving over a hot laptop to finish up some Crestron programming for the AV system in a brand new university boardroom. I also kept the laptop hot when I configured the new audio system. It sounds great thanks to the ClearOne components. The entire AV system was admirably designed by the University's own staff. Their proper speaker & mic selection and placement, made my job much easier.

The audio portion of the system includes 20 table microphones, 2 wireless lapel microphones, as well as recording, auxiliary inputs and audio teleconference ability. All the audio is completely automated with auto-gain and echo cancelling. The user only needs to control the volume level of the media sources (DVD, laptop etc).

Utilizing the ClearOne Converge Pro 880TA (and a few other models from the same line to increase the quantity of required inputs), the audio speaker system is organized into 4 zones and this unit managing the audio. The unit’s interface was very effective in maximizing speech intelligibility. With the built-in phone line port and the acoustic echo cancellation the room sounds great to the caller and the caller sounds great to the room. Delegates should not worry about fatigue from straining to listen.

Speaking of which, just a few clicks of the mouse enables the room's voice reinforcement. A delegate speaking at one end of the table will not be heard through the speakers in the zone nearest to him/her but the delegate's voice will be amplified in the other zones (and of course to the audio conference caller). Overall it sounds natural – so natural in fact, no one realizes there is reinforcement until the system is shut off (or someone drops something on the microphone).

The auto-gain and echo cancelling features are an example of AV technology being integrated properly, the technology becomes transparent and the professors and students can concentrate on the content of their meeting.

Another example of Improved Communication from System Integration. With the opening of hockey camps, I liken AV technology to a good hockey referee - invisible when the job is done right.

Grant