Lightware’s Taurus UCX-4×3-HC40-BD presentation system has been deployed across 40 classrooms at Centria University of Applied Sciences in Kokkola, Finland, to unify classroom devices and provide a simplified experience for hybrid teaching.
The Taurus UCX-4×3-HC40-BD is designed to offer plug-and-play connectivity for permanent room devices, USB-C charging, integration with Mac or Windows laptops, and custom welcome screen configuration. The classroom set-up is based around a single unit, with HDMI output to a local monitor and the room projector via HDBaseT transmitters.
Lightware says that when a teacher plugs in their laptop via the USB-C cable provided, their display and audio are automatically connected to the room devices whilst providing charging. There is no interface or touch panel. A custom welcome screen displays instructions on how to start the hybrid class.
The system features Lightware’s Advanced Room Automation (LARA) and Lightware Smart Device Controller. The Dante support provided within the unit eliminates the need for an external DSP or Dante adapter to connect with the room’s audio devices, the company says.
Janne Torvikoski, AV and education specialist at Centria, said: “Through interviews with our teaching staff, it became clear that the lack of permanent hybrid devices, such as microphones and cameras, and the need to set up the room peripherals for every class, were a huge drain on teachers’ time and caused stress. We needed to rethink our classrooms and develop a more user-friendly solution.”
Torvikoski added: “We use LARA for scheduling, such as nightly power-off, auto reboots and camera resets, plus the Lightware Smart Device Controller for troubleshooting, monitoring the systems, and remote management – all essential at our smaller campuses where there is not always a member of the IT department present.”
Centria is trialling a proof of concept for its auditoriums, based around Lightware’s Taurus UCX-2×1-TPN-TX20 and Taurus UCX-4×3-TPN-TX20 products, in combination with HDMI TPN extenders and a Netgear M4350 switch.
