This is part 2 of a series of articles exploring DIB’s audio visual installation in the Enterprise Academy Classroom at Mentone Girls’ Grammar School. Part 2 will examine the functionality of the products used in the installation in-depth. Click Here for Part 1 which introduced the school and the installation, looking at its overall functionality.
The Epson EB-1430 MeetingMate ultra short throw projector and the CommBox touch panel are especially designed for classroom use. These two pieces of education technology work to promote collaboration between students and teachers, and among students. With their touch capabilities, they provide a fun and intuitive way to annotate and work with lesson materials.
CommBox touch panel with soundbar
Both the interactive whiteboard and the touch panel produce a vibrant image with high detail and brightness. This ensures that the displays can be easily viewed by students and teachers from all over the room, even in less than ideal lighting conditions.
An Extron MLC62 was installed by the DIB team to control the visual aspect of the solution (the Epson projector’s display). This 8 button control panel worked to simplify the operation of the system, doing away with the need for complicated and easily-lost remote controls. Clearly-labelled buttons let users turn the system on and off, control volume, and select from the four sources (HDMI, VGA, AppleTV, and WhiteBoard). Buttons light up when they are chosen so that it is always clear which function is being performed. A dedicated control panel for the sound system was installed alongside the Extron video control panel as shown below. Together, these wall control panels ensure that the system will be easy and intuitive for anyone to use, even if it is for the first time.
The Extron control panel, audio control panel and USB save port (click to enlarge)
Users could connect to the system in a number of ways depending on their preference with installation of HDMI and VGA wall inputs, and an AppleTV box. AppleTV lets Apple devices (such as iPads and Macbooks) to mirror their display onto a screen or projector in high definition. This provides a quick and hassle-free way to connect to the Epson interactive whiteboard or CommBox touch display. The MeetingMate can also be used independently of a device to create instant meetings or projects. The work can then be saved to a USB, emailed, or printed for later reference.
Hdmi, VGA, USB, and microphone inputs for the audio visual system
In all, this dynamic audio visual system will promote classroom collaboration and is suitable for a wide variety of uses and situations.
For assistance with your custom Audio Visual requirements, contact a DIB Solutions Consultant today. Phone (03) 9457-4800 or email us on info@dibaustralia.com.au.