The Auckland Council who both administer and occupy this landmark building released a formal tender to upgrade and refresh the audio-visual technologies within three key spaces utilised by Council Governance and administration. This consisted of the Reception Lounge and Chambers where Governing Body meetings are conducted, as well as the Boardroom for general administrative meetings. After working through a rigorous selection process, Liquid Automation was awarded the project to deliver the audio-visual technologies upgrades within these spaces.

The Council sought a stable technology solution with reliability and ease of use being a key factor. Although it was not the control system specified within the tender, we chose Crestron as we felt this was the technology platform that best fulfilled the challenges and needs of the Council requirements.

THE RECEPTION LOUNGE

The Reception Lounge solution delivers easy and intuitive user control via a Crestron 10” touch screen which includes customised graphics that reflect the Council’s branding and colours. All the systems management, control, video and audio switching including digital signal processing (DSP) for sound management utilises the latest in Crestron technologies to bring together a reliable, reportable and scalable solution within this high-profile space that is used daily. The core system consists of a Crestron 16×16 Digital Media Matrix Switcher. Presentations are shared either via wired HDMI inputs or wirelessly through two main projectors onto motorised screens as well as flat panel displays within the public gallery and catering spaces. There is also a video and audio-conferencing facility comprised of Polycom Group Series system accompanied by 32 x Bosch push-to-talk wireless microphones that deliver exceptional audio which was a key criterion for this formal space. One of the technical challenges overcome was the syncing of cameras with whom is speaking which was achieved by identifying the specific location of each microphone by using the Crestron control system to capture the push-to-talk command that activates the microphone, and then redirecting the camera to view that specific location and person speaking.  There are also 4 x Shure handheld and lapel microphones that are available for speech reinforcement within this space. There are 16 XLR audio outputs available for the media and press representatives to extract audio from the meetings, as well as 2 x HDMI outputs in order to capture presentations and stream to a live council YouTube channel.

THE CHAMBER

The Chamber solution delivers easy and intuitive user control via a Crestron 7” touch screen which also includes customised graphics, branding and colours. The core integrated system consists of a Crestron DMPS3 Matrix Switcher, Polycom Group Series 310, 15 Bosch Wireless Conference Microphones. The Wireless Conference Microphones are used in conjunction with the Polycom system for both audio and video meetings held within this room.  Presentations are shared either via wired HDMI inputs or wirelessly on the main projector and screen. There are also 2 x Shure handheld microphones that are also available for speech reinforcement within this space.

THE BOARDROOM

The Boardroom solution also delivers easy and intuitive user control via a Crestron 7” touch screen.
The look, feel and user operation are consistent across all three touch screens for consistency and eas of use. The core system consists of a Crestron DMPS for control, video and audio, a 85” display, and a Polycom Trio 8800 for video and audio conferencing.