Technological advances have created incredible opportunities in higher education. Today, educators and students can share information and collaborate in powerful new ways that would be unimaginable just a decade ago. But universities are under increasing pressure to provide students with the best possible learning environments, as competition continues to increase and students have more choice than ever before.

To stay on the cutting edge and attract the next generation of students, modern universities need state-of-the-art network solutions that offer campus-wide communication, lightning-fast media streaming and seamless remote collaboration tools. Furthermore, these technologies need to be extremely flexible to fit a wide range of applications, scalable to accommodate growth and changing needs, and intuitive enough for anyone to use.

HARMAN Professional Solutions networked AV systems put the latest AV-over-IP technologies to work, empowering students and educators and providing universities with an edge in the constantly-evolving market of higher education. We spoke with personnel from leading universities and AV integrators to learn how they’re implementing HARMAN technologies to create campuses and classrooms of the future.

The University of Queensland utilized AMX Modero X G5 Touch Panels to control classroom AV equipment.

University of Southern Queensland
With over 27,000 students spread across three campuses in Toowoomba, Springfield and Ipswich, Australia’s University of Southern Queensland needed a way to bring staff and students together for effective collaboration regardless of location. To achieve their goal, USQ hired Pro AV Solutions Queensland to design and implement a state-of-the-art, scalable communications solution using existing network infrastructure. Pro AV Solutions used AMX SVSI networked AV equipment to build an interconnected system, which allows USQ to stream audio, video and more across all three campuses seamlessly- all over standard Ethernet connections.

“We realized that we couldn’t approach this project with a traditional AV technology platform due to the scope of the network,” said Marc Braganza, Sales & Business Development Manager, Pro AV Solutions Queensland. “USQ wanted to bring content closer to students across three campuses. We needed a unique solution that could distribute massive amounts of audio and video over several devices using standard network cabling and IP technology. We chose the AMX SVSI networked media solution because it’s flexible, affordable, and it distributes content over the entire network instantaneously.” Learn more.

“The AMX SVSI system has drastically improved the day to day operations of the technical team,” said Chris Pearson, AV Team Lead, Durham University.

Durham University
With a rich history dating back nearly 200 years, England’s historic Durham University is always looking toward the future. Durham recently decided to upgrade the Calman Learning Centre at their Mountjoy campus, which houses three lecture theaters and two large teaching rooms, with modern networked AV systems. The university hired business communications company Visavvi to design a solution capable of live-streaming lectures and presentations throughout the building. Visavvi outfitted the facility with a combination of AMX Enova DGX 1600 digital media switcher systems and AMX touch panels, JBL line array loudspeakers and Crown amplifiers. In addition to providing crystal-clear sound and visuals in each room, the AV-over-IP system allows up to 1,100 students to virtually attend lectures and presentations.

“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.” Learn more.

Deakin University
To provide Deakin Business School students with a realistic stock exchange experience, Australia’s Deakin University partnered with communications provider Telstra to create a state-of-the-art simulated trading room. The Telstra Trading Room uses AMX Enova DGX 100 Series media switchers to distribute real-time finance updates and automatically-scaled images to a large video wall and several other displays in the room. Four HD PTZ ceiling-mounted cameras connected to the Enova switchers enable HD video conferencing with other facilities. An AMX NetLinx NI-4100 control system provides simplified operation of the complex system via AMX Modero X Series G5 touch panels and keypads.

“The Telstra Trading Room is Deakin Business School’s crown jewel,” said Victor Fang, Associate Professor, Deakin University. “With the help of the high-end AMX system designed by Telstra, the revolutionary space is now a major factor in attracting prospective students to our school. Many of Australia’s top universities have visited the Telstra Trading Room and are preparing to build similar facilities of their own.” Learn more.

“The AMX system provides the kind of advanced networking and automation required to manage the large number of AV signals and destinations,” said Mike David, Project Manager, Deakin University.

 

“This was the first time we used the new JBL LCT 81C/T speakers and we were extremely impressed with the level of sound quality in such a compact design,” said Frank D. Alaimo, AV Systems Specialist, UNLV.

University of Nevada Las Vegas
Located less than two miles from the Las Vegas strip, the University of Nevada Las Vegas is home to the renowned William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, which partners with leading Las Vegas hospitality brands to facilitate valuable internships and opportunities for students. UNLV recently opened a new $50 million Hospitality Hall featuring world-class facilities, including an executive learning kitchen, interactive learning studio, auditorium and more. In order to ensure premium audio quality during classes, lectures and student presentations, UNLV’s Technical Department outfitted Hospitality Hall with state-of-the-art JBL LCT 81C/T in-ceiling speakers powered by Crown amplifiers.

“We’ve been relying on JBL speakers and Crown amps in other buildings on campus for years—the systems are flexible, easy to use and they sound great,” said Frank D. Alaimo, AV Systems Specialist, University of Nevada Las Vegas. “This was the first time we used the new JBL LCT 81C/T speakers, and we were extremely impressed with the level of sound quality in such a compact design. With a lay-in ceiling tile speaker, you might expect a small compromise in performance, but the LCT 81C/T sounds solid from top to bottom and delivers great coverage. As a result, the ceiling speakers allow students in the back of the room to hear every detail as well as students in the front.” Learn more.

“Staff members can quickly integrate new media into lectures, allowing for more relevant and flexible conversations. None of that would be possible without the HARMAN Professional Solutions AV solution that Videopro designed for us,” said Mery Connell, Griffith University.

Griffith University
Ranked in the top three percent of universities worldwide, Australia’s Griffith University operates a network of five campuses located throughout Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast. The university recently conceptualized an innovative new type of learning space called ‘Red Zones’. With visuals projected on the walls and ceiling, a Red Zone is designed to create an interactive, engaging learning experience. To realize this unique vision, Griffith hired leading AV specialist Videopro, who devised a complete HARMAN Professional Solutions system using AMX Modero touch panels, Enova DVX presentation switchers, Enova DGX digital media switchers and JBL Control Series loudspeakers.

“The Red Zone is a space that Griffith uses to showcase what we do. Its multifaceted zone allows us to create an enhanced participatory learning experience for students,” said Mery Connell, Griffith University. “Staff members can quickly integrate new media into lectures, allowing for more relevant and flexible conversations. None of that would be possible without the HARMAN Professional Solutions AV solution that Videopro designed for us. Over the last year, nearly 50,000 students have visited this room, and we see this as an indicator of project success. Not only do people like coming here, but it is our way of engaging with the larger community.” Learn more.

“Fortunately, HARMAN Professional Solutions provided all the necessary tools and processing power to achieve proper sound coverage in the hall,” Mr. Khac Anh.

Vietnam National University
Located in the capitol of Hanoi, Vietnam’s state-run National University offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in over 350 programs across a diverse range of fields. VNU recently collaborated with Ba Sao Investment to upgrade the aging sound system at the historic Nguyen Van Dao Hall with a cutting-edge HARMAN Professional Solutions audio system. To achieve optimal clarity and coverage through the hall, Ba Sao Investment installed JBL VRX line array loudspeakers, Crown MA9000i amplifiers and a dbx VENU360 loudspeaker management system. Mixing is done on a Soundcraft GB4-32 console, with a dbx AFS224 processor to eliminate microphone feedback during lectures and events.

“VNU officials asked us to design a sound system that would enhance the clarity and coverage in the hall, while minimizing early reflections and unwanted reverberation,” said Nguyen Khac Anh, CEO, Ba Sao Investment. “The biggest obstacle we faced was working within the acoustic constraints of the existing architecture of the hall,” continued Mr. Khac Anh. “Fortunately, HARMAN Professional Solutions provided all the necessary tools and processing power to achieve proper sound coverage in the hall, and all of the equipment worked together seamlessly—making it that much easier to optimize the system.” Learn more.

Explore Additional Higher Ed Design Possibilities
HARMAN has over 70 years of experience and the best knowledge experts in the industry to design the ideal audio, video, lighting and control solution for any application in higher education as well as over 25 other markets. You can also experience real world examples of our installations at work in our Higher Education Case Studies Library as well as all of our HARMAN Professional Solutions Case Studies.