Center for Learning and Technology, Video/Audio Systems Page 1 SECTION 17660-660 Includes AMEP infrastructure required to support data, voice and video communications over a WAN. See Control rooms Camera and Microphone Locations Acoustical Requirements Seating Finishes Equipment Storage Lighting Table top services Wire Management Security HVAC 17130 for coordination with interior pathways 17160 for coordination with horizontal cabling 17210 for coordination with LAN electronics 17230 for coordination with workstations 17320 for coordination with Telephone Sets 17420 for coordination with Production /Teleconferencing Equipment 17430 for coordination with Monitors and Projection Equipment 17440 for coordination with Audio Equipment 17450 for coordination with Satellite Systems 17520 for coordination with Local Dial Tone 17550 for coordination with Internet 17560 for coordination with Cable service 17830 for coordination with Furniture 1.0 Videoconferencing/Videostreaming-Ready Rooms Videoconferencing/videostreaming-ready rooms will include rooms 103, 105, 107, 108, 115, 180, and 207. 1.1 Control Room Videoconferencing/videostreaming-ready rooms will be connected to AV Control Room 104. Though each videoconferencing-ready room will be able to use stand-alone portable videoconferencing equipment, patch panels will be in place to accommodate up to three camera productions and streaming services from each room. The ISDN lines will be switchable from room 104 to one or more rooms depending on the quality of service needed. See 17620 AV Control Room and documents CLT17620AVControlRoomRA.pdf and CLT17620AVControlRoomFigures.pdf. 1.2 Camera and Microphone Locations Videoconferencing cameras will not be permanently installed. The PolyCom system has a single camera mounted on the unit. If the videoconference requires high-end production, additional cameras will be used. The conference will be treated as a production utilizing a staffed crew and produced from room 104. 1.3 Acoustical Requirements
Center for Learning and Technology, Video/Audio Systems Page 2 All videoconferencing rooms should be acoustical treated for more effective voice recording and transmission. HVAC systems should have an NC (noise criterion) rating less than 30. Speakers should be mounted on the wall near the screen at the front of the room so that sound and image come from the same location. Carpeting, acoustical ceiling treatment, sound absorption panels on the back wall would improve acoustics. These treatments would be especially important for two-way videoconferencing spaces. Acoustical treatment should address the twin concerns of hearing the presenter more easily and containing the room sound so it does not bother nearby classrooms and offices. Appropriate "voice friendly" acoustical treatment permits faculty to teach without sound reinforcement, except in the largest classrooms. HVAC systems should have an NC (noise criterion) rating less than 30. To hear the presenter more clearly, attempt to lower sound reverberation in the room from 3 seconds to.7 seconds. Carpeting, acoustical ceiling treatment, sound absorption panels on the back wall and sound absorbing fabric below chair rails help minimize unwanted noise in the classroom. Mount speakers for computer, CD and television sound in the ceiling near the front of the room. Ceiling mounting helps contain the sound in the room. When a presenter needs sound reinforcement in a classroom, a self-contained lectern with a built-in microphone, amplifier and speaker can be placed in the classroom. 1.4 Seating Seating should be adjustable in each room so that the near-side videoconferencing camera is able to cover the audience without a window in the background. 1.5 Finishes Wall colors should be neutral for optimal videoconferencing/webcasting. To prevent seats from gouging walls, 8" chair rails should surround the perimeter of classrooms. Bottom of chair rail should be 25" above floor to accommodate edge of tablet arms. Top of chair rail should be 33" above floor to accommodate back of chair. Sisal or rugged fabric should be installed below the chair rail for acoustical purposes and below the chalkboard to minimize "footmarks" on the wall. Avoid very dark colors that tend to show chalkdust.
Center for Learning and Technology, Video/Audio Systems Page 3 A classroom seating 20-75 students needs a 9 foot high ceiling. 1.6 Equipment Storage Portable videoconferencing equipment will be stored in room 104.. 1.7 Lighting For projection, ambient light must be controlled to prevent the image from being washed out. Daniel Niemeyer (See Peer Review Report p. 3 for details) suggests: During projection, room light should be bright enough (40-50 foot candles) for student interaction, not just dim for note taking, but no more than 5 foot candles of ambient room light should fall one the screen. Florescent light fixtures should include parabolic louvers to minimize light spillage on projection screens. Control ceiling light with Lighting Zones. Switch lights at the entry door and near the instructor s console. Two or three lighting zones could be established depending on the size of the room. One of the zones should switch the front center of the screen/board. Computer rooms such as 114, 115, 207, 225, and 227 may need special treatment to reduce glare on student computer screens. Mercury vapor lighting should not be used in classroom spaces since the time required to reach adequate illumination is too long. Lighting control panels should be clearly labeled/engraved. Do not install auto-on or auto-off lights as they may interfere with projection or quiet class activities respectively. Videoconferencing/webstreaming-ready rooms should have track lighting rack or a ceilingmounted outlet from a 15AMP circuit in the front third of the classroom for portable videoconferencing lighting. It is critical to prevent ambient room light from washing out the images on the screen. During projection, room light should be bright enough (40-50 foot candles) for student interaction, not just dim for note taking. Sufficient light is needed at the computer lectern and on the board, but it must be controlled to minimize ambient light that washes out the image on the screen. When room lights in the student zone of the classroom are turned on, no more than 3-5 foot candles of ambient room light should fall on the screen. This requirement tends to preclude indirect lighting. Create four Lighting Zones in each classroom: (1) Back row; (2) Center seating area; (3) Front presentation area; and (4) Lectern/side board lights. To control lights so that someone can turn on lights just in the front, just in the center, or just in the rear of the room, switch the banks of lights parallel to the front of the room. Fluorescent light fixtures should include 3", 1.5", and.5", semi-specular parabolic louvers to minimize glare on computer and TV screens and minimize light spillage on projection screens. Design lighting to minimize glare on computer screens in classrooms with computers at each student work station. Locate front row of lights near the chalkboard. Light on the chalkboard improves readability. Light switch controls should be simple to use, clearly labeled, and conveniently located at room entrance and at the front of the room, near the technology cabinet, so the teacher can
Center for Learning and Technology, Video/Audio Systems Page 4 adjust lighting. Switch student lighting at entry door, switch presentation lights in the front of the classroom. Engrave labels on light switch cover plates so faculty know which switch controls what lights. Use all-spectrum, 3500 degree Kelvin fluorescent tubes for natural color. 3000 degree Kelvin appears warm, 4000 degree Kelvin appears cool. Light from outside the room needs to be controlled. Vision panels in doors should be narrow to reduce spillage of light from the hallway. 1.8 Window Treatment Room-darkening shades should be installed in each classroom. If there are windows, they should be capable of being opened in the spring and fall. Sunlight shining into the room can wash out projection images so window coverings are imperative. Venetian blinds, room darkening shades and/or drapes need to cover all windows to block light and assure that glare from windows does not appear on computer screens, TV screen or projection screen(s). Dimming and blackout capabilities are identified as continuing concerns in college classrooms. Each window should have two window coverings to provide a range of light control and the assurance that if one device malfunctions, the teacher still has an alternative. Blinds inside the window well prevent most direct sunlight and glare. Shades outside the window well, extending several inches past window edge, minimize light seepage around the edges. 1.9 Table Top Services Table top services may include laptop computers, desktop computers, and document cameras. Sharing may be facilitated via T.120 connections to the videoconferencing equipment. 1.10 Wire Management Wire bundles to videoconferencing equipment will include ISDN, network, telephone, video, and audio lines. 1.11 Security All portable videoconferencing equipment will be locked to carts with security screws and/or cables and locks. Permanent equipment will be fixed in place with security screws. 1.12 HVAC See 17620 AV Control Room and documents CLT17620AVControlRoomRA.pdf and CLT17620AVControlRoom-Figures.pdf. See also 17130 for coordination with interior pathways 17160 for coordination with horizontal cabling 17210 for coordination with LAN electronics 17230 for coordination with workstations 17320 for coordination with Telephone Sets
Center for Learning and Technology, Video/Audio Systems Page 5 17420 for coordination with Production /Teleconferencing Equipment 17430 for coordination with Monitors and Projection Equipment 17440 for coordination with Audio Equipment 17450 for coordination with Satellite Systems 17520 for coordination with Local Dial Tone 17550 for coordination with Internet 17560 for coordination with Cable service 17830 for coordination with Furniture