Redefining Boardroom Collaboration with Cutting-Edge AV
Coppell ISD needed to update the boardroom technology due to obstruced visual projection and outdated equipment. They soon realized that a full upgrade was necessary to truly transform its boardroom into a modern, efficient, and professional meeting space.
More than Just a Boardroom
The Coppell ISD Boardroom serves three primary functions for the district. First, it is used for monthly public board meetings, which are both broadcast to the public and recorded. Second, it accommodates board workshops in a roundtable format which is unique to Coppell ISD, and they are also broadcast and recorded. Third, the boardroom is used on a daily basis for regular meetings by district administration and staff, utilizing the room's presentation capabilities. CISD was seeking a solution to enable seamless use of the room for these three purposes. CISD needed an AV system that would meet the need of all three meeting types, and the key requirement was simplicity for all stakeholders to operate the system without extra assistance.
Before & After
Problem
Outdated AV Systems Hindered Critical Decision-Making
Like many organizations, for years Coppell ISD maintained their boardroom AV system with temporary fixes. Over time small issues accumulated, leading to significant challenges with the old system:
- The projector image was large and obtrusive, causing shadows and glare on the board members' faces, particularly affecting the Superintendent and Board President. With the age of this equipment, the quality of the video was also dim and difficult to see.
- The projection screen, when lowered, was obstructive and blocked the pathway for board members walking to and from their seats.
- The system was not only outdated, but the cabling within the equipment rack was not well maintained, making troubleshooting difficult.
- The camera system required manual operation utilizing a joystick that was difficult to operate.
Solution
Curved LED Wall and Intelligent AV Integration
Following numerous site visits, manufacturer meetings, demos, and collaborative discussions, Data Projections implemented an upgrade to the boardroom AV system that addressed all concerns and challenges:
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Installed a 130” curved ABSEN DVLED video wall, replacing the old projector and screen, eliminating shadows and glare and providing more space behind board members seats.
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Implemented the Crestron NVX AV over IP solution for better scalability and ease of use.
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Introduced the Crestron 1-Beyond PTZ intelligent camera system paired with a Shure MXA ceiling microphone, automating and improving recordings for board meetings and workshops.
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Integrated Samsung commercial displays into the system to operate as confidence monitors, overflow viewing, and digital signage.
Result
All-Inclusive AV Upgrades Take the Boardroom to a New Level
The upgraded boardroom system significantly transformed the functionality and professionalism of Coppell ISD's meetings.
Dwight Goodwin, the Executive Director of Technology Services for Coppell ISD, highlighted the impact of the new video wall, noting that it provided a clear, unobstructed view for all participants, which greatly enhances the overall meeting experience. "Having it mounted on the back wall, you no longer have shadows commonly seen with projectors. It gives a more modern and more professional setting for our meeting space.”
The intelligent camera system includes four PTZ cameras that are paired with a ceiling microphone to automate switching and framing for seamless recording and broadcasting, reducing the workload on staff and ensuring accurate coverage of meetings. In fact, multiple members of the staff commented on the ease-of-use, sharing how it has allowed them to support the board in other ways during the meetings.
The AV over IP solution simplified the system by designating encoders and decoders for the system inputs and outputs, making it easier to troubleshoot and maintain. Dwight emphasized the importance of having a cohesive system, saying, "Previously, we did not have a system. We had three or four systems molded together and had to use decades of institutional knowledge to maintain and troubleshoot."
The improved audio quality and noise cancellation features provided by the updated microphones and digital signal processor results in clearer recordings and better communication during meetings as background noise is no longer an issue.
Additionally, the system's scalability and flexibility allow for future upgrades and new features as needed, ensuring that Coppell ISD's boardroom remains a state-of-the-art facility. The boardroom upgrade project has provided Coppell ISD with a modern, efficient, and professional meeting space that exceeds their current needs and allows for future growth.
"Previously, we did not have a system. We had three or four systems molded together and had to use a decade plus of institutional knowledge to maintain and troubleshoot.”
Dwight Goodwin
Coppell ISD
Technology That Powers Progress
Crestron Control:
Crestron control panels equipped with availability lights are ideal to glance for the usage of conference rooms.
Absen LED Walls:
Best-in-class products for rental & staging, commercial display, data
visualization, conference displays and more.
B-Tech Videowall Mount:
Easy-to-install custom mount solutions with robust durability for large displays and screens.
Biamp DSP:
Biamp Tesira is an open-architecture platform for networked audiovisual processing and signal distribution.
Shure Microphones:
Perfect for flexible/ divisible meeting rooms, boardrooms, courtrooms, and lecture halls designed to capture speech, so the speaker always commands attention.
Samsung Displays:
Professional image quality and commercial reliability with Samsung displays.