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European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a research institute and a 24/7 operational service, producing global numerical weather predictions and other data for 35 Member States and the broader community.
The ECMWF has one of the most extensive supercomputer facilities and meteorological data archives in the world. Other strategic activities include delivering advanced training and assisting the WMO in implementing its programmes. The organisation was established in 1975 and now employs around 430 staff from more than 35 countries, based in Reading, Berkshire.
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The Brief
ECMWF needed a complete overhaul of the audio-visual system in their main council chamber. The upgrade would encompass all existing elements of the audio-visual system, from the delegate microphone system to a complete overhaul of the video infrastructure, projection system and control. In addition, the brief also stated that the chamber should be capable of natively joining Microsoft Teams calls and joining other UC platforms such as ZOOM and WebEx easily.
As you would expect, the team at ECMWF were insistent on ensuring any new solution was robust, simple to use and reliable. The quality of the microphones and their ability to pick up the speaker's voice was of the utmost importance as the chamber is for securing the ECMWF's influential work and ensuring delegates can easily view presentations and content.
The ability to run the chamber from the main presentation position or from the technicians' booth was a key consideration. The ability to record the meetings (both audio and video) was another requirement. Furthermore, an AV technician having the ability to monitor and control video and audio feeds was critical. From the technicians' booth, the ECMWF support teams needed the capacity to reposition any camera whilst in use and override, mute and open the microphones. Finally, a microphone was needed within the booth to provide a communication channel to the chamber.
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Solution
Carillion worked closely with the team at ECMWF to evaluate and discuss camera and audio options. In the end, a solution from Televic was selected as this solution was able to meet the immediate requirements whilst also providing potential future enhancements that ECMWF can take advantage of.
A multi-camera solution was delivered into the chamber with 5 cameras strategically placed around the chamber to ensure that the active-speaking delegate was captured clearly. The camera system was directly linked to the delegate microphone solution and would switch and focus based on the microphone status of the system. When no microphones were active, the system pans to one of two wide room shots.
In total, 57x delegate microphones were supplied, with 43 being permanently fixed to the council chamber table via a bespoke custom mount, with 13 'spare' microphones provided around the edge of the chamber to provide coverage when large-scale meetings are taking place. Additional delegate microphones were installed at the presentation podium and the technicians' booth.
Push-to-talk functionality and LED displays on the microphones provided the necessary elements that the team at ECMWF needed from the microphone solution. Additional wireless presentation microphones have also been included for bespoke events when needed.
The camera and delegate microphone system was fed into the new MTR system within the chamber, enabling ECMWF to join Teams calls via calendar invite through the Teams controller. Features such as 'Direct Guest Join' allow the chamber to join ZOOM and WebEx calls.
In addition, a BYOD option was added, providing greater functionality and flexibility to the system and allowing a connected laptop to utilise the video and audio system within the room for other UC calls such as GoogleMeet etc.
A completely new video backbone was installed throughout the chamber with an AV over IP solution from Bluestream used to manage and distribute the video signals as required around the system. In total, 41x IP Multicast UHD Video Receivers were deployed combined with 6x transmitters. New CAT5 cabling and associated AV network switches were installed to create a reliable, flexible AVoIP network within the chamber.
A new, high bright 13,000 ANSI lumens projector was installed to provide vivid and punchy images to the chamber, along with 36x 24" repeat monitors deployed across the facility, ensuring that all delegates could see the shared presentation and content clearly. 20x monitors are fixed around the chamber table using custom mounts to hide cabling and ensure consistent viewing angles.
The overall system control is via a Crestron control panel in the technicians' booth, where three preview monitors are. Allowing the technicians to survey and adjust the video feeds from the cameras in the chamber, Teams or video conferencing solution, and the content being shared. This ensures the safety of those involved and a smooth, well-connected experience for those joining their meetings virtually or in person. In addition to the video controls within the technicians' booth, Carillion installed a pair of monitoring speakers and a microphone to provide clear communication between the chamber and the booth, delivering real-time responsiveness and ensuring everyone can continue collaborating via a secure AV system that works together.
Supplied
- Displays
- 13,000 Lumen Panasonic projector – PT-MZ13KLWEJ
- 32x BenQ 24" monitors for the table and around the edge of the room.
- 3x monitors for the technicians' booth, mounted on swing arms brackets.
- A further monitor at the presentation position on a swing arm.
- Video System
- Bluestream Video over IP backbone – AVoIP.
- The required network switches, Tx and Rx devices and necessary CAT6 cabling within the chamber
- 5x cameras are mounted within the chamber. Automated and managed via the Confero Cam tools.
- Teams
- BYOD connection within the tech booth
- AV rack [12u]
- Audio System
- Televic conference microphone system custom face plate to fit the microphones to the council chamber table.
- 43x microphones fitted around the table
- Further 12x microphones were provided for the chamber perimeter and microphones for the presentation position and tech booth.
- Control System
- Creston-based control system with a customised control program.
- 2x 10" touch panels.
- Crestron workshops with the tech team
- 2x Teams control panels, dedicated to controlling the Teams element
- Joystick controller in the technicians' booth for the cameras
- All controls are delivered through LAN control via a dedicated control network.
All controls are delivered through LAN control via a dedicated control network.
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The outcome
The ECMWF's new AV solution allows them to seamlessly connect with their global community of experts and council members, reducing the need for long-haul travel as the technology provided and installed delivers an immersive, responsive true-to-life experience. The future-proof system allows for expansion as the council admits more members and guarantees focused collaboration, sharing of ideas and advancement of numerical weather prediction.
