Lightware’s Taurus UCX universal matrix switchers have been deployed across Leiden University’s new Campus Spui in The Hague, in the Netherlands, providing a consistent AV setup across lecture halls, classrooms, offices and study spaces. The campus opened following the conversion of a former department store, and now serves around 4,000 students from partner institutions including TU Delft, the Open Universiteit and LUMC.
Dante-enabled Taurus UCX-4×2-HC30D switchers are installed in larger lecture halls and hybrid classrooms, while UCX-4×2-HC30 units serve standard classrooms, offices and smaller spaces. Taurus TPX-4×3-TX20-RX10 bundles are used selectively where cabling constraints exist. Installation was carried out by systems integrator Adaptable.
The UCX delivers 4K video, audio, control signals and power over a single cable, with USB 3.1 Gen 1 connectivity supporting data speeds up to 5Gbps and video up to 4K at 60Hz at 4:4:4. The units integrate with the university’s Q-SYS audio system for DSP, sound distribution and reinforcement, and support smooth switching between multiple devices in the same room.
The Lightware system is now used in more than 60 per cent of the university’s spaces, with van Veen confirming plans to expand it further. “Eventually, the UCX and TPX will be the only signal management devices used in 376 educational spaces,” he said.
Thijs van Veen, AV project leader at Leiden University, said: “We chose Lightware’s Taurus UCX range primarily for its universal USB-C/HDMI switching and BYOD capabilities. It delivers a consistent user experience for staff and students, regardless of room size or function. We’ve also implemented a custom welcome screen to guide users in selecting their input, making the system even more intuitive.”
Colin Staphorst, AV technician at Leiden University, added: “Compared to our old installations, this is a huge improvement, especially with the addition of USB switching. Previously, we had separate boxes for each switch, which required complex programming. With Lightware’s UCX, it’s all-in-one – the audio and USB automatically follow the video input or output you’re using, making installation and daily use much simpler and faster.”
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