Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

History

Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Michigan Technological University (MTU) is a unique institution of higher learning. From its humble beginning as a small, focused college in 1885, MTU has evolved into a university offering a range of programs in science, engineering, technology, business, forestry and special aspects of the humanities and social sciences.

Challenge

MTU had a successful offsite graduate degree program; however, they wanted to double their graduate program outreach capabilities. Competition from other Michigan institutions demanded that MTU remain state-of-the-art in the quality and accessibility of the content they were creating and distributing. Their target audiences were individuals and groups at the 3 big car manufacturers, but outlying educational institutions were also recipients of their content. MTU also recognized that today's students demand sophisticated, high quality content presentation.

Solution

AVI Systems worked directly with Michigan Technological University on this $1,500,000 project. The primary objective was to design and integrate 2 distance learning origination studios using SDI video. This would allow produced content to be saved in several digital formats, including Mpeg 1 or 2, Windows Media and others.

Project Details

Media Site Live capabilities were integrated for presentations requiring graphics support. A DFS700 production switcher was used in each studio, and 3 chip cameras were installed to ensure a quality, high-grade image.

Each studio has an associated control room with a Crestron control system, from which a video production operator can control and manage all aspects of the studio’s technology. Two UPX2 panels were installed to provide annotation capabilities.

The distance learning studios were tied to a duplication / streaming room where video can be stored, archived, or distributed. A Roarke 2.5 Terabyte hard drive array provided storage for video. Additional facilities included 4 high-tech rooms with stereo audio and full Crestron control, and 3 of which have dual projection. At the library entrance, a video wall made up of 4 plasma units welcomes users to the facility. Two conference rooms and 12 classrooms, each with presentation equipment, rounded out the project.

Results

The project is a tremendous success for both AVI Systems and MTU. It is part of a renovation process that will help MTU fulfill their vision to become a nationally prominent, internationally recognized technological university that bridges technology and business and meets the needs of a global and technologically rich society through excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, scholarship and research.

Beyond

Education is just one arena in which AVI Systems implements a full range of audio visual integration capabilities. From hotels and convention centers to colleges and universities, and from broadcast and production studios to corporate facilities around the world, virtually every industry benefits from using leading-edge technology.

Contact us to discover how our engineers and technical support team can design a seamless, integrated system for your organization, too.