Tilburg University Achieves Sustainability Goals With Extron Technology

Tilburg University, located in the southern part of the Netherlands, is a public research university that was founded in 1927. With a growing student population, the university is dedicated to continuously improving educational technology. When the university recently decided to renovate its Cobbenhagen building, the school wanted new AV systems with improved audio and digital video connectivity.

The upgrade included six small collaboration rooms, three small lecture rooms, ten medium lecture rooms, and two large lecture rooms. Typical sources included video, computer graphics, audio, wired desk microphones, wireless mics, and PCs. Though each type of room had a slightly different AV configuration, Tilburg AV/IT technician Joost Damen wanted to standardize the system controllers and video switchers in each room. He knew this would both simplify system maintenance and provide instructors with a familiar control experience when moving to a new room.

The MLS 608 D included the benefits of several small devices in one unit, with room for expansion.

Joost Damen, AV/IT Technician - Tilburg University

Simplified System Control

Many of the existing classrooms in the building were already equipped with Extron MLC 226 IP MediaLink Controllers, which meet the needs for an intuitive, central control point for each classroom AV system. For this upgrade project, the decision was made to modify some of the systems to include touchpanel control. “It was our first big move to a new standard, and we chose the Extron TLP 350MV TouchLink Touchpanel for 21 rooms,” Damen says. The university’s AV/IT department performed its own installation with help from AV Integrator HV Solution.

The TouchLink control systems offer Tilburg instructors a familiar touchscreen interface with immediate system status information in each of the newly equipped rooms. The touchpanels provide real-time information on system start-up and status indicators remind the user that microphones are muted. Users enjoy an ease of control that allows them to relax, because the TouchLink touchpanel clearly indicates what the system is doing, and why.

“The ability to integrate lighting control on the AV control panel was very valuable for us,” Damen explains. “TouchLink-based control systems allow presets to be created, such as having the front row of room lights automatically turn off when a projector starts up, and come back on when the projector shuts down.”

Using GUI Configurator, Damen created an audio source selection page on the TLP 350MV. He then used Global Configurator to configure the button actions to allow users to choose HDMI audio, or a separate audio source, simply by touching the screen.

Digital Switching Simplified

The Extron MLS 608 D eight input switcher was a cost effective choice for the larger rooms. “We really needed to integrate both digital and analog sources for use with a single display,” says Damen. “The MLS 608 D included the benefits of several small devices in one unit, with room for expansion.”

The MLS 608 D transmits HDCP-compliant HDMI and analog video, plus RS-232 and audio signals, over CATx cable, which simplifies installation. The switcher also provides ProDSP™ for digital audio processing, including mixing, ducking, feedback suppression, and audio de-embedding. Because the MLS 608 D does the job of several devices, power requirements are significantly reduced and the new lecterns in which the switchers are installed are left uncluttered.

Improved Audio

The MLS 608 D switchers also incorporate ProDSP, an Extron-developed audio platform based on a powerful 64-bit floating point DSP engine, with easy-to-configure tools for controlling level, dynamics, filters, delay, ducking, loudness, and feedback suppression.

Extron DSP Configurator™ software, with an easy-to-use graphical user interface, simplified set up and management of all elements of the lecture room audio. “With Extron's software, we were able to configure the audio system for optimum performance ourselves,” says Damen. “During lectures, the TouchLink touchpanel is used for source selection and to control audio levels.”

Extron SI 26 two-way surface mount speakers were paired with the ENERGY STAR® qualified XPA 1002 stereo amplifier, featuring an Extron exclusive, highly efficient, advanced Class D amplifier design.

Goals Achieved

The Extron AV systems installed at the university feature energy efficient power supplies and amplifiers, system lockout capabilities, and automated system shutoff, all of which contribute to the university’s overarching goals of environmental responsibility and sustainability. In conjunction with modern architectural design techniques, including daylight regulation, double glazing on courtyard windows, presence detection, and LED lighting, the new AV systems are helping the school realize significant energy savings as a direct result of the renovation.