UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG – WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY
EDUCATION CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY
A Performance Space
The University of Winnipeg has been providing university-level secondary education in Winnipeg, Manitoba since 1967 when United College received a charter and became a university. With 23 buildings, the University spans over multiple blocks in downtown Winnipeg. It is a public university that has a variety of undergraduate programs in art, kinesiology and applied health, business and economics, education, and science. They also offer a range of graduate research programs. Furthermore, the University has launched numerous research centres, and it is one of the first Canadian universities to mandate an Indigenous course requirement as part of their undergraduate degrees!
THE CHALLENGE
As one of the top universities in Manitoba, updated audiovisual technology is a must at the University of Winnipeg. Matrix Video Communications Corp. worked alongside the University to modernize their audiovisual upgrades and integrations to ensure they remain competitive in today’s market. Specifically, they needed both an audio and a video system in Leatherdale Hall made for performances and presentations.
THE SOLUTION
Matrix was trusted with providing a core system component design that met audiovisual switching, routing, and control system requirements. This project entailed the supply and installation of audiovisual equipment in two spaces at the University’s Leatherdale Hall: the Commons Performance space and Tony’s Canteen. The Commons Performance space consists of both an audio system and a video system for performances and presentations, while Tony’s Canteen consists of only an audio system.
This installation included the following equipment: a multi-display video wall, a Bose sound system, a Crestron DM 16x16 matrix switcher, a Crestron control touch panel, a Dante audio mixing console, and a Dante audio snake.
The video system in the Commons Performance space involves a 3x3 video wall with ultra-slim 1.8mm bezels. Meanwhile, the audio system is comprised of a Bose performance-ready sound system that offers best-in-class sound quality for both lectures and small band ensembles. For all signal routing and processing, the video system uses a Crestron DM 16x16 video matrix switcher, and the audio system uses a digital audio DSP, both of which are located at the head end of the equipment rack. The video system features multiple audiovisual patch panel locations to enable the connection of a variety of video input sources and additional displays. Both the audio and video systems are controlled with a Crestron touch panel control system that was programmed in coordination with the University. This touch panel allows for local control of volume levels as well as source selection for daily events and background music sources.
The Leatherdale Hall’s audio system is concentrated in the Commons Performance space’s seating area, and it provides speech intelligibility and live as well as recorded audio reinforcement for performance purposes. The entire audio system is built with a Dante audio network that includes the integration of a 16-channel Dante mixing console with DSP, a 16x16 Dante digital audio snake, and three wireless handheld microphones. Additionally, Tony’s Canteen consists of a background audio system that can be used as an extension of the main audio system.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
“Matrix has been a pleasure to work with, bringing their attention to detail to this project. Their communication and people skills are excellent, and they provided us with some very innovative ideas. Their high level of technical knowledge and professionalism from sales to installation was superb.” – University of Winnipeg Team