IP-controlled Audio-Visual setup in 95,000-square-foot University Building
The Netherlands Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) has completed the construction of the Echo building, a 95,000 square feet (8,844 square meters) structure equipped with versatile teaching and collaboration spaces. One of the building's key features is its advanced Audio-Visual (AV) technology, which provides flexibility, scalability, and energy efficiency.
The Echo building's AV system is powered by Extron's NAV Pro AV over IP technology, a solution that leverages existing IP networks to route signals anywhere within the building. This setup allows for easy addition of sources or displays without the need for rewiring, promoting scalability and adaptability for future needs.
The system also integrates Extron's technology for managing overflow between halls, enhancing the learning experience by ensuring smooth transitions between different room setups. The largest lecture hall in the building can be divided into three smaller rooms, supporting both traditional and interactive teaching formats.
The Echo building is a model of energy efficiency, being energy positive, and the integration of Extron's energy-efficient AV technology supports the university's sustainability goals.
When it comes to designing and deploying AV over IP (AVoIP) systems, considerations such as network infrastructure, bandwidth and latency requirements, scalability, interoperability, security, and future growth are crucial. The video/audio quality and latency needs influence infrastructure choices, with uncompressed 4K requiring 10Gb Ethernet, while simpler distribution can work on 1Gb. Minimizing delay is critical, especially for live or interactive applications, and standards like SMPTE ST 2110 and optimized hardware help reduce latency.
Innovators in the AVoIP space are focusing on standards like ST 2110, IPMX, AI-enhanced management, and AVB technologies. Organizations advancing SMPTE ST 2110 and IPMX, as well as firms like Xyte, which is integrating AI into AV infrastructure for better automation and monitoring, are key drivers of AVoIP adoption.
Marco Buitenhuis, AV/IT expert at TU Delft, finds the ease of use with the NAVigator console for routing signals between devices beneficial. The successful deployment of Extron's AV systems in the Echo building underscores TU Delft's vision to remain at the forefront of global education.
For those interested in learning more about AVoIP and its innovators, TU Delft has made the Echo Building case study available for reading or download. Additionally, an Integration Guide to AVoIP is also available, offering valuable insights and advice from industry experts.
The Echo Building's AV system, powered by Extron's NAV Pro AV over IP technology, showcases the integration of advanced technology features in education-and-self-development spaces. Its scalability and adaptability for future needs, facilitated by Extron's technology for managing overflow between halls, resonate with the university's vision to remain at the cutting edge of global education.
