“I know that as we evolve the solution...the Extron components will just easily interface. That’s one of the principles we like.” Ray Smith IT Project Manager Radley College Radley College Advances Rowing Instruction with Extron Scaling, Audio, and Control Radley College is a leading independent boarding school in England for boys age 13 to 18. The school aims to provide the very best education in and out of the classroom. One of the core activities at Radley is rowing, and the Radley College Boat Club has been part of the school since 1849. To improve training access for its rowers, Radley planned for a building that would house a stationary, eight-oared row boat within a purpose-made pool, could be opened to the outdoors, and would include an AV system to enhance instruction. To provide essential AV system capabilities, the AV team at Radley College selected Extron scalers, DTP ® twisted pair products, audio amplifiers, speakers, and MediaLink ® Plus controllers. AV Needs and Challenges Radley College had several key goals for the Rowing Center, including the installation of a versatile, user-friendly AV system that would support a variety of sources and deliver quality audio reproduction. Training sessions are recorded using cameras mounted around the boat, so that training crews can improve upon techniques, position, and posture, and first-time rowers can quickly learn about rowing. As a result, it was necessary for the AV system to integrate with this video recording system. Coaches present the captured video alongside other content using a single projector. Additionally, the AV team at Radley College wanted to ensure simple and effective AV system operation.
Transcript
“I know that as we evolve the solution...the Extron components will just easily interface. That’s one of the principles we like.”
Ray SmithIT Project ManagerRadley College
Radley College Advances Rowing Instruction with Extron Scaling, Audio, and Control
Radley College is a leading independent boarding school in England for boys age 13 to 18. The
school aims to provide the very best education in and out of the classroom. One of the core
activities at Radley is rowing, and the Radley College Boat Club has been part of the school since
1849. To improve training access for its rowers, Radley planned for a building that would house a
stationary, eight-oared row boat within a purpose-made pool, could be opened to the outdoors, and
would include an AV system to enhance instruction. To provide essential AV system capabilities, the
AV team at Radley College selected Extron scalers, DTP® twisted pair products, audio amplifiers,
speakers, and MediaLink® Plus controllers.
AV Needs and ChallengesRadley College had several key goals for the Rowing Center, including the installation of a
versatile, user-friendly AV system that would support a variety of sources and deliver quality audio
reproduction. Training sessions are recorded using cameras mounted around the boat, so that
training crews can improve upon techniques, position, and posture, and first-time rowers can
quickly learn about rowing. As a result, it was necessary for the AV system to integrate with this
video recording system. Coaches present the captured video alongside other content using a single
projector. Additionally, the AV team at Radley College wanted to ensure simple and effective AV
system operation.
Radley College Advances Rowing Instruction with Extron Scaling, Audio, and Control
The AV equipment, including the IN1604 DTP video scaler, is integrated seamlessly within the Rowing Center and delivers essential AV capabilities to gear training toward the individual needs of each rower.
A great deal of training and teaching time is lost when teams are unable
to train on the nearby River Thames due to flooding or bad weather.
The Center closely replicates the actual river, allowing teams to practice
year-round. The doors along the sides of the building can be fully
opened for cross ventilation. This presented a challenge since it would
require weatherproofing for some of the AV equipment.
High Quality Video Scaling and Signal Extension with the IN1604 DTPThe AV team chose the Extron IN1604 DTP, a four-input, HDCP-
compliant scaler with built-in DTP signal extension, to manage video
signals in the Rowing Center. The IN1604 DTP provides fast and
reliable switching between sources that include a PC and portable
devices, such as an iPad. Several networked IP cameras capture views
of every rower within the boat, from multiple angles. Video signals from
these cameras are then sent over the network to the PC, where CCTV
software handles recording and multi-window display of the camera
feeds.
During training sessions, the coach can use an iPad to select the
desired camera feeds. The training coach presents source content to
the team using a projector housed within an environmental cage at the
front of the Rowing Center. To ensure an optimal viewing experience,
the IN1604 DTP scales incoming video from the PC to the native
resolution of the projector.
The IN1604 DTP scaler in the AV closet includes a DTP output that
sends video and bidirectional control signals over Extron XTP DTP 24
shielded twisted pair cable to a DTP DVI 4K 230 Rx receiver above the
projector located 30 meters away.
High Quality Audio SystemThe audio system in the Rowing Center supports program audio as
well as speech audio from a wireless microphone that is used for
coaching. An auxiliary audio connection allows for playing music
from a mobile device. The AV team selected an Extron DMP 64
6x4 audio digital signal processor to provide essential audio mixing
and processing capabilities, plus easy level adjustment. To amplify
processed audio content, the AV team chose an Extron XPA 4002
two-channel audio power amplifier that delivers 400 watts per channel
to four SI 28* Two-Way Surface Mount Speakers mounted around the
Rowing Center.
User-Friendly AV Control with MediaLink PlusThe AV team at Radley College provided the coaching staff with
a simple-to-use pushbutton control panel to operate the AV
system. The Extron MLC Plus 84 MK two-gang MediaLink Plus
controller makes it easy for the staff to choose the function they
need, including source selection, adjusting the volume level, and
powering the projector on or off. Ray Smith, IT Project Manager at
Radley College, customized several of the buttons using Extron’s
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The MLC Plus 84 MK controller and Extron Control app provide staff with simple ways to control system functions, while the AV equipment is conveniently housed in an AV rack.
Radley College Advances Rowing Instruction with Extron Scaling, Audio, and Control
online Custom Button Builder application. The visual and audible
feedback on the pushbutton controller provides users with confirmation
of the selected actions.
Additionally, PoE – Power over Ethernet capabilities streamlined
installation of the AV equipment near the pool by allowing power and
communication to be sent to the MediaLink Plus controller over a
single Ethernet cable. Designed to mount in a two-gang MK junction
box and enclosed in weatherproof housing within the AV closet, the
MLC Plus 84 MK controller is protected from chlorine and the elements
when the Rowing Center is opened to the outdoors.
“The Extron equipment just works,” says Ray. “Since installation, there
has been minimal need for support calls from the coaching staff about
equipment operation or technical issues. It all just works.”
In addition to the MLC Plus 84 MK that is used on a daily basis, the
staff also uses the Extron Control app on the iPad. This app emulates
the interface of the mounted MediaLink Plus controller, providing an
additional point of control for the AV system during events when staff
members do not have direct access to the controller in the AV closet or
when training occurs after support hours. Ray configured the MLC Plus
84 MK controller using Extron Global Configurator Plus. Attending the
School of Global Configurator Plus provided him with additional training
on this powerful configuration software and its capabilities. “Extron
offered support at every step, from the initial design stage to training
and technical support,” says Ray.
ResultsFor the Radley College Boat Club, the Rowing Center and its versatile
AV system enable powerful and effective training that is geared toward
the individual needs of each rower. The ease of installation and intuitive
operation for end users were key factors in choosing Extron. “I know
that as we evolve the solution, add another display for example, the
Extron components will just easily interface. That’s one of the principles
we like,” says Ray. “The longevity of the Extron system means that as
we upgrade, the products that are already there will simply work and
merge with the new equipment.”
*Note: The SI 28 speakers mentioned in this story have been discontinued and are now replaced by the SM 28 SpeedMount Two-Way Surface Mount Speakers.
