The Marsh Academy, located in New Romney, Kent, engaged systems integrator Impleo to help create its next-generation Learning Zone - comprising a central Learning Space with a blended, double width HD projection system and seven classrooms, all with multiple projection solutions. These are all interconnected, requiring versatile switching and control.
Impleo has been supporting schools in the BSF programme for the past 18 months and all have included Magenta products for transmission and switching.
Magenta’s building block approach to AV signal distribution provided the flexibility necessary for Learning Zone users to have the functional control they required. “It allowed Impleo to deliver content from multiple sources to numerous displays and screens which, in an educational environment is invaluable,” explained Impleo’s Director Andy Collier
“We selected Magenta products for their reliability, our own knowledge of the product and the support we get from the organisation”, continued Andy. “The solution is being used by the customer on a daily basis, so reliability really is a must. In addition, the solution needed to be stable enough to provide maintenance-free operation, and Magenta products allowed us to achieve this.”
“Also high on the list is the flexibility Magenta offered us to be able to handle multiple inputs and outputs. More importantly, the products needed to be able to grow with the space and allow more inputs and outputs to be integrated with ease without disturbing the original solution. Magenta offers us that scalability”.
Implementation
The AV distribution devices are installed in all classrooms and the Learning Space. In total, 17 video/audio receivers and 26 AV transmitters have been installed, with a Mondo Matrix 32x16 switch directing video and audio from any input to any output. Impleo used the solutions’ loopback capability to provide extended centralised control whilst ensuring that the highest transmission quality is maintained.
Similar solutions based on Magenta building blocks will be rolled out in two further phases of the Marsh Academy BSF programme. In the future, it is hoped that Kent educational authorities will adopt the technology for BSF initiatives throughout the county.
A flagship installation in Colchester is also designed as a precursor for new AV solutions across the Local Education Authority’s 406 schools in Essex. Essex County Council approached Impleo to deliver a high level AV-IT solution and futuristic learning environment in the Imagine Centre at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in Colchester – a prestigious new development and the new home to Colchester United Football Club.
Working closely with Essex Council, Impleo provided innovative design concepts to meet their Immersive Learning vision. This was achieved by using today’s cutting edge technologies to provide an innovative learning space.
Interactive and immersive learning technologies
The combination of a range of High Definition audio visual equipment includes a nine-screen video wall and a rear projected glass wall, which uses interactive touch technology to deliver an interactive experience upon entering the Imagine Centre’s reception area. The centrepiece of the learning plaza is a 9m-wide floor-to-ceiling HD projection system, providing the very latest cinema-style viewing. The projection system is complemented by a multi-zoned surround sound system and a trio of 65-inch touch screen plasma displays for added interactivity and viewing capability. This functionality benefits from plug, play and display PC devices in each zone.
All the screens can be used simultaneously to show video and computer based content from multiple sources through Picture in Picture technology and they are easily managed through a simple hand-held touchscreen controller. User customised viewing combinations, from one full screen image through to multiple separate sources can be displayed at the same time.
As with the Marsh Academy, reliability, flexibility and scalability were key factors in the choice of Magenta transmitters, receivers and switches. These allow the solution design at the Essex Imagine centre to provide the necessary flexibility and functional control. It allowed Impleo to deliver content from 32 sources to 9 displays and screens.
In both the Essex and Kent projects, Magenta equipment proved quick and easy to install with no problems encountered throughout the installation. Rack mounted equipment was equally simple to set up and code manually.
The conclusion, according to Impleo’s Andy: “Magenta technology has lived up to all our expectations and has become our standard choice for further installations”.
