Specialist AV integrator Reflex Limited has recently completed an audiovisual upgrade in The Great Hall at Queen Mary’s University London. Used as a lecture theatre but also as an entertainment venue, the multipurpose Great Hall seats up to 800 people and was built in the 1930s. The upgrade was part of a larger £5.7m refurbishment to restore the Hall to its former Art Deco glory. A large venue needs a large screen, and central to the install was the custom-built 12m x 6m rear projection screen – said to be the largest of its type ever installed in the UK. Also built to order was the wall-mounted dual projection rig that holds two Christie DS+10K-M projectors, edge blended to deliver the massive image required to fill the screen. The project included all the technology needed for lecture capture, including PTZ cameras and wireless microphones. Touch panel screens on the stage and in the control booth give user control of the system via Extron switching and distribution equipment. The equipment racks for the installation are installed beneath the orchestra pit – the only place they could be concealed out of view. Cabling for such a large venue was a challenge overcome by the use of CAT6 and fibre cable. According to George Foden, QMUL’s corporate events manager: “Reflex’s contribution to the refurbishment of The Great Hall was vital in bringing the facility up to date for both our internal and external customers. The audio visual system adds significantly to the flexibility of the venue to accommodate a wide range of events and activities, and the user-friendly interface ensures all our clients and users can get the most out of the system.” www.reflex.co.uk
