Case study: Advanced healthcare training with AREC at SIMNOVA, Italy

Dear ADENA Partners, this time we have a case study from SIMNOVA, a centre for healthcare studies at the University of Eastern Piedmont in Italy. Completed by our distributor Prase Engineering, and integrators Tagliabue Sistemi and Tecnovox, the university’s setup ensures continuous 24/7 streaming from the operational rooms and automatic backup to Google Drive. Read how it was done below.

The Interdepartmental Centre for Innovative Teaching and Simulation in Medicine and Health Professions, known as SIMNOVA, was established several years ago at the University of Eastern Piedmont. Its mission is to conduct research in the healthcare sector, provide advanced training and related programs aimed at improving the quality of care, enhancing patient safety and minimisation of their health risks. To achieve these goals, SIMNOVA offers a wide range of courses in numerous subject areas, which are delivered in specially equipped simulation rooms. The university required an easy-to-use solution that could connect these rooms, record the operations, and upload them to cloud storage. Thanks to the efforts of our partners, the AREC Media Capture System was proposed and successfully implemented, along with audio systems from Shure.

There are a total of 6 simulation rooms at SIMNOVA, and AREC systems are utilised in all of them. Depending on the number of video inputs, a different AREC station is used for recording the operations. In rooms with 4 video inputs, the university uses LS-860 stations, while LS-300 models are employed in those with fewer sources. These stations capture audio and video content from various medical devices and microphone arrays, combine it with network camera feeds, and mix them into videos with custom layouts. In the control room, the operator can select any of these mixed Media Station streams and view them through the DS-X01 Media Decoder. This setup ensures continuous streaming from the operational rooms, and the graphical user interface (GUI) present on the DS-X01 lets the operator easily switch between different room views with a single touch.

LS-300 Media Station

LS-860 Media Station

DS-X01 Media Decoder

The chief technician responsible for the AV systems at SIMNOVA, Antonio Scalogna, shared the following regarding the installation:

With AREC, I can schedule each session and manage video recording backups in a highly flexible manner. Of course, I can also send the recordings to the instructors who conducted the simulations through Google Drive. Since the Center acquired AREC, I use it practically every day to fine-tune the streaming graphics and discover new features.

With the system in place, each training and simulation done at SIMNOVA is recorded and saved for further study and other purposes, ensuring that the goals of the university are achieved. Would you like to recreate this experience for your university? Reach out to us at www.a-dena.com, and we will be happy to discuss it with you.

ADENA Hack: How to use RADA Duo microphones with AREC and other devices?

The RADA DUO is a wireless microphone system comprising two transmitters and one receiver. Both transmitters can operate simultaneously using UHF radio frequencies and maintain effectiveness at distances of up to 50 metres from the receiver. One of DUO's distinctive features is its compatibility with various devices. DUO sets include standard 3.5mm TRRS and TRS cables, a 3.5mm to USB Type-C cable, a USB Type-C to Type-A adapter, a 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter, and additional accessories like a phone mount, making DUO sets easy to set up in any scenario.

There are several ways to use DUO with AREC Media Stations, and the choice depends entirely on the station model you possess. For instance, on stations like LS-2, LS-200, and others with 3.5mm Line inputs, you can connect DUO using the provided 3.5mm TRRS to 3.5mm TRRS cable. Simply plug it into the monitoring output of the DUO receiver on one end and the Line input of the Media Station on the other. When configuring the audio, keep in mind that you can adjust the volume level both through the DUO system and through the Media Stations. While DUO transmitters and receivers have dedicated buttons for this purpose, volume adjustment on Media Stations can be accomplished in various ways, including through the 'Administrator' web page. To access it, navigate to 'Media I/O' -> 'Audio' subpage.

For stations without 3.5mm inputs, you can use the USB cable instead. Connect the 3.5mm TRRS to USB Type-C cable to the receiver's "monitoring" output, attach the USB Type-C to Type-A adapter, and then connect it to any of your AREC station's USB ports. On most models (e.g., LS-300), DUO will be automatically recognized when connected in this manner. However, on others, such as LS-860, you may need to select it from the list of audio devices first.

To connect DUO to other devices, refer to the datasheet or user manual of the device to determine the appropriate cable. Typically, you'll need a 3.5mm TRRS to 3.5mm TRS cable for DSLR cameras, USB Type-A or Type-C for computers, a 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter for musical instruments and amplifiers, and the 3.5mm TRRS to 3.5mm TRRS cable for all other standard connections where a stereo signal is used.

Case Study: Polish Court Interrogation Room Equipped with AREC to Help Children

Dear ADENA Partners, we would like to share an interesting case study from a District Court in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland. Our distributor Kontel and system integrator OST-Engineer equipped a special interrogation room with the AREC Media Capture System. This system is used to accurately capture and save interrogations of minors in a comfortable environment. Learn more about this solution below.

These days, Polish courts use what are called ‘Blue Rooms’. These are specially designed, friendly interrogation rooms for minors that are typically created outside of the main courtroom. The functions and equipment are necessary for such rooms are defined in Polish law. For example, the rooms must have a one-sided glass window to separate the prosecutors and defence lawyers from the interrogated child, but have the technical means for voice communication between them and the judge and psychologist conducting the interrogation. These rooms must have recording capabilities for audio and video, and capture the behaviour and expressions of interrogated children from every angle. Thanks to the efforts of our partners Kontel and OST-Engineer, the district court realised that AREC Media Capture System is the ideal solution for such rooms.

To capture the interrogation from every angle, the court is using a CI-21H PTZ network camera and two CI-303 static cameras. These cameras offer professional Full HD image quality and optical zoom, ensuring that the interrogation image is clear in every position. The operator controls the CI-21H and follows the child’s movements, while the static cameras with their 103° wide-angle field of view ensure that no details are left behind. The three cameras are recorded on an LS-300 Media Station, which mixes them in a single video and simultaneously records them separately for post-examination. The Media Station also uses ClearOne microphones as inputs: in the interrogation room, a 360° ceiling microphone collects all audio and removes unnecessary noise, whereas, on the other side of the window, the prosecution and defence address their questions through a gooseneck microphone. The whole system blends seamlessly in the environment: our cameras are mounted on brackets on the walls and are connected to the Media Station via network. The station itself is located behind one-way glass, ensuring that it does not disrupt the room design.

The court officials found the system reliable and very easy to use. Piotr Pałys, Head of the IT Section / IT Systems Administrator at the District Court in Dąbrowa Górnicza, commented that after some time from the implementation of the AREC solution, the system works perfectly and provides high-quality process material. The system ensures that children do not have to be interrogated several times and speeds up the court process significantly.

Is your local court looking for audiovisual systems to improve its media production? Contact us at www.a-dena.com and we will find the right solution for your project needs.