96-student dvLED concave video walls feature a groundbreaking design for a unique learning environment at a World-Renowned University
Overview
Approached by McCann Systems for a world-renowned university, Peerless-AV® was tasked with installing (2) custom direct view LED (dvLED) video wall systems alongside Unilumin. In January 2019, the university wanted to create remote learning classroom environments, which would allow professors and faculty to move around while speaking and delivering presentations. For the students, the benefit was to be able to invite them into a conversation and present materials to classmates, as if they were attending in-person.
The Challenge
The main challenge that the university faced was building a completely custom solution that would fit within the existing architecture of the two studios, both square in size and with low ceilings. In addition, all teams invested a lot of special design and engineering resources, all while navigating through scheduling issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The University chose McCann Systems, an audio visual design build integrator, to design and manage the project. Specifically, two identical, 57-foot, 96-person concave video walls, based on a similar type of video wall McCann’s team had conceptualized, designed, and installed in another venue. Unilumin was chosen to provide the dvLED displays and the Peerless-AV team was chosen to design, engineer, and deliver a custom SEAMLESS Bespoke Mounting System that would bring together all of the design objectives.
The Solution
The university selected Proscenium, the connected studio environment from McCann Systems, as their solution. McCann Systems and Unilumin recognized that Peerless-AV was the only manufacturer whose mounts would work successfully for this custom installation. Peerless-AV was also chosen for its long-standing relationships with McCann Systems and Unilumin. Known for its flexibility, cost effectiveness and superior customer service, SEAMLESS by Peerless-AV, the company’s dvLED Video Wall Integration Program, ensures start to finish project support – from the design/manufacturing of custom Bespoke Series Mounting Systems to on-site installation support. No matter how complex the installation, the entire Peerless-AV Solutions Team is available every step of the way.
For the project, Peerless-AV custom-designed two 180-degree, 33' wide by 10' high (10m x 3m) pedestal mounting structures that are freestanding and bolted to the floor. The mounting systems needed to accommodate 168 Unilumin UpanelS 1.5 displays (610 x 343mm). The final configuration of both walls would incorporate 12 bottom row half height displays (36 modules) and 2 custom displays (8 modules) with a total pixel count of 14,839,799.
“Peerless-AV is an industry leader for a reason, and a great partner for McCann Systems. Custom work requires ad hoc responses, and our teams stepped up to deliver a groundbreaking design,” said Matt Wilson, Director of Marketing at McCann Systems. “From start to finish, all immediate needs were swiftly taken care of. Engineering teams worked well together on custom plates and the result is precisely seamed, simply beautiful dvLED video walls.”
The Installation
Construction of the classrooms took place throughout 2019 and, in early 2020, Peerless-AV was on site for the installation of the video walls; from the moment the teams arrived on site, they required extreme attention to detail for such a precision engineered installation. Since there was no way to attach to the walls, a pedestal mounting structure would be designed to provide a stable floor standing solution.
Each of the rooms presented additional unique challenges due to room limitations. The first studio room included stairs, an ADA ramp, and a raised walkway to allow for maintenance access. Additionally, the classroom entry opens to the rear of the video wall, so Peerless-AV added aluminum cladding on the rear of the mounting structure to conceal the electrical components and create a sleek, finished appearance. The second studio room was not the same size as the first, so Peerless-AV had to design this video wall structure differently from the video wall in Studio 1 to fit the space accordingly and create access for maintenance behind the video wall.
In addition to the custom dvLED video wall mounting systems, Peerless-AV also designed and manufactured hardware for the integrated technology solutions needed for the video walls. This included custom mounts for the four integrated web cameras in each section, (providing 56 total viewing angles), two speakers on each camera, and seven subwoofers at the base of every wall section. Six PTZ 4K web cameras were also installed.
The Covid-19 pandemic delayed the installation, and all parties were back on site to complete in the summer of 2021. The precision engineering and tight manufacturing tolerances along with x, y, z adjustment on Peerless-AV’s mounting structure was essential to ensure all the Unilumin displays showed no visible lines between the panels, and to achieve perfectly flat planes at all angles of the curve on both video walls.
The Results
The university was thrilled with the outcome of both video wall installations, allowing them to create their ideal environment for virtual classes comprised of more than 90 students in a single session. The professors can now conduct lectures as if they are in a TV studio with a control room. Each student’s image is separated on the curved dvLED video wall in front of the professor, allowing for a more personal connection with students than traditional lectures conducted in a typical conferencing service.
Through Unilumin and McCann Systems’ partnership with Peerless-AV, the world-renowned university created a high-tech classroom environment for those tuning in virtually. Amongst the newly implemented technology was a connected studio environment called the “Proscenium” by McCann Systems, which offers a browser-based user interface that is controlled by operators in a studio control room. This connects callers/students with a presenter and the presenter can control the video wall themselves to ask individuals questions or send a poll using the polling tool. Callers can put their hands up to speak or ask questions - the result is greater engagement and a better experience for all.
In conjunction with McCann Systems and Unilumin, Peerless-AV is proud to have created effective e-learning solutions for classroom environments of the future.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
