Case Study: AREC bridges tradition and technology in NCCU’s new calligraphy classroom

Dear ADENA Partners, our March case study comes from a prestigious Taiwanese university just a few metro stops away from us — National Chengchi University. This university enhanced calligraphy and traditional arts education with modern lecture capture and learning technologies, effectively using the AREC Media Capture System to improve the learning experience.

National Chengchi University (NCCU) is one of Taiwan’s oldest and most renowned universities. Originally founded in Nanjing in 1927 as a training institution for civil servants, it was later relocated to Taipei, becoming the first re-established national university in the country. Since then, NCCU has expanded its academic offerings to include programmes in mass media, diplomacy, linguistics, arts, humanities, and more. Due to its strong reputation and growing size, the university attracts thousands of students each year, with enrolment numbers continuing to rise.

However, NCCU’s excellence extends beyond that — it is also reflected in the design of its learning spaces.  A perfect example is the newly created Huimei Calligraphy and Arts Classroom. Inspired by the very subjects it teaches, the room features immersive décor that incorporates ink paintings and similar motifs. To complement this thoughtfully designed space, NCCU used the AREC Media Capture System, ensuring that students benefit not only from an inspiring environment but also from modern recording and streaming technology that enhances their learning experience.

LS-200 Media Station

At the core of the system is the AREC LS-200 Media Station. It is a recording and streaming lecture capture device that supports capture of up to two connected video sources allowing users to create professional-quality content at the press of a button. In the classroom, the station takes video from a third-party network camera and combines it with the view from a computer and a document camera. 

DS-AC1 Control Station

The system is managed by the DS-AC1 Control Station, which simplifies switching between sources. The solution makes it simple for the user to switch to a desired recording and streaming theme, change video sources on the go, choose what to display on projectors and displays in the room, and operate camera presets.

In the classroom, controls for the DS-AC1 are accessed via a smart podium that houses all the AV devices. A small interactive screen on the podium shows the station’s control panel, while another shows the mixed video output of the Media Station — what it is currently recording and streaming. Inside the podium there is also a MiPro audio mixer paired with a PA Tech amplifier. These devices serve as audio sources for the LS-200 and are used to transmit sound to the room speakers. Additionally, an IPEVO document camera is mounted on the podium, providing high-definition images of hieroglyphs and other work.

The created solution will definitely help the NCCU make traditional art more digitally accessible, shareable, and vibrant for its students. Need to create a modern classroom? Contact us at www.a-dena.com, and let’s discuss how you can achieve more with AREC in your design!

Case Study: Operator’s Dream, Student’s Saviour — AREC In the University of Latvia

Dear ADENA Partners, this month’s case study highlights the University of Latvia’s P. Stradiņš Medical College experience with AREC! The university captures, controls, records, and displays all medical simulations taking place in their medical school using our devices. Created by our partner Boon, AREC delivers easy-to-use yet functionally advanced lecture capture and control solution.

The University of Latvia (known as Latvijas Universitāte in Latvian) is a well-known institution in the country. It is simultaneously the third-oldest and one of the top three universities in Latvia, offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to over 14,000 students every year. The university is divided into 13 faculties, which are further divided into numerous departments, chambers, centres, and laboratories. Some of these faculties have been using AREC Media Stations for years to record and stream lectures, but, until recently, not the P. Stradiņš Medical College. Its medical simulation centre, in particular, did not have any AV systems in place.

To prepare for the new academic year and improve the student experience, the university decided to address this by equipping the medical college’s simulation centre with professional lecture capture systems and cameras. There were several technical requirements for the new equipment:

• Capture three PTZ network cameras and a computer running medical software for the simulation doll.

• Ability to display all video sources in a mixed video layout in the auditorium (room 304) and the three simulation rooms (301, 303, 305).

• Provide two-way communication between all rooms.

• Ensure minimal delay in audio and video transmission, as with defibrillators and other medical devices in the room, every moment counts, and instructions must be delivered instantly.

• Provide a way to easily control the cameras’ PTZ movement, video source switching, audio control, and other media tasks.

• Record every lecture and have an option to stream them to YouTube easily.

  
  

The university was analysing different systems available on the market until our partner Boon arranged a three-way video demonstration. During the call, we showcased how intuitive and capable AREC solutions are, delivering exactly what the customer asked for and more. The final design consisted of four key elements that we go through below.

LS-410 Media Station

The AREC LS-410, our 4-channel Media Station and the foundation of the proposed system, met most of the requirements on its own. It captured the computer, network cameras, and ClearOne audio system. The station combined these AV sources into layouts, and thanks to its 1 DP and 3 HDMI video outputs, simultaneously displayed them in every room. The station records these video sources together and separately, and streams the combined video to YouTube. The LS-410’s internal 2 TB drive ensures that the university can store months’ worth of lectures on the device itself, but it also can automatically back up videos to USB drives, FTP/SFTP servers, VCMS platforms, and Google Drive, making it very simple for the university to manage the recordings.

DS-AC1 Control Station

A-TS02 RADA Touch

The station and cameras were controlled by the DS-AC1 Control Station, a device that combines the functions of video switchers, streamers, and control panels. Through the DS-AC1, a technician can operate each camera’s PTZ using an inbuilt digital joystick, preview and control the LS-410 through an integrated interface, monitor every camera on a local display, and control features of other devices, such as the ClearOne audio processor. The device’s control interface is output to a RADA Touch — our compact touch display, perfectly suited for monitoring and controlling operations.

The RADA A-TC04 NoirCam were chosen as cameras — 4K PTZ network cameras with 25x optical zoom and multiple output options. They deliver pristine images at the highest magnification, capturing every detail of an ongoing simulation. The cameras also feature AI auto-tracking which can be turned on to ensure that the operating student is always in the shot.

A-TC04 NoirCam AI Tracking Cam

The University of Latvia has already started using the system and has praised it greatly for its convenience and simplicity of use. Is your university looking to create the perfect simulation centre solution? Contact us at www.a-dena.com, and we will be happy to demonstrate what AREC can do!

ADENA Hack: How to add commands in the DS-AC1?

Like many other AREC devices, the DS-AC1 is a hybrid solution, packing features of multiple types of equipment into one. The station is designed to control AV and other common devices in conference rooms, lecture halls, and other installations, but it also functions as a video switcher and a video streamer. In this hack, we focus specifically on the control aspect of the station.

Adding commands in the DS-AC1 is very straightforward. Simply enter the station’s ‘Administrator’ web page by typing your username and password, then open ‘Control manager’ -> ‘Command settings’. This page lists all the commands that are currently available in your DS-AC1. To create a command, simply press ‘Add’. This will open a customisation menu for you to write the command name and code. If the command is written in ASCII, then simply insert it in the command textbox, give it a name that you can recognise, and press ‘Save’. If the command is a HEX code, then make sure to tick the box ‘HEX’ before saving it. 

You can also copy control commands from an IR remote control and use them to control IR devices. For this, make sure to connect the IR receiver that comes with the DS-AC1 to the station. Point the IR remote you want to copy the function of at the receiver. Then, in the command creation menu on the DS-AC1, press on the ‘IR Learning’ and activate the command you want to copy on the remote. The command code will then appear in the ‘Command’ line in HEX. Make sure the ‘HEX’ box is ticked and press ‘Save’ as you would do with another HEX command. Please note that the IR Learning and Sending function currently supports only the NEC Protocol. If the IR remote you are using is based on another protocol, you may encounter issues with the command learning or control.

Would you like to know more about how the DS-AC1 is configured? Please let us know at www.a-dena.com and we will gladly discuss it with you.