High Definition Comes to The Pyle Center
High definition (HD) is “the next big thing” and it’s here now. You’re probably most familiar with HD since it has come to your television, but high definition is sweeping videoconferencing as well. A mind-boggling amount of technology is working behind-the-scenes, but what HD really means for videoconferencing (and your television at home) is simply much higher resolution, thus a better quality picture.
Why HD in The Pyle Center? Marcia Baird, Director of Instructional Communications Systems (ICS), says: “Ten years ago, when The Pyle Center was renovated, the world was analog. Now, it’s very much a digital world. We knew even five years ago we were going to have to update the technology in this building. The HD Room (Room 235) is the first phase of that process.”
But Phase 1 of ICS’s technology upgrade, including the High Definition Room, isn’t stopping with simply a better picture, important as that is. ICS took the opportunity to phase in other technology upgrades, for example, the HD Room:
- Features multi-purpose, multimedia, and distance education capabilities
- Can accommodate nearly 60 onsite participants and an infinite number of remote sites
- Showcases two six-foot rear projection HD screens for comfortable viewing
- Includes other HD technologies including an HD document camera and video camera
- Captures and streams HD presentations for future use
- Contains an all-in-one podium for presenter control of screens, lighting, sound, cameras, and pictures
- Can be managed by the presenter alone or by ICS staff from the back of the room
The ICS instructional design team is holding free presentations to introduce you to the features and capabilities of room 235. Seating is limited for each session which meets on the first Wednesday of each month.
You can meet, train, learn, and teach in ICS’s High Definition Room. For more information or to register for the demos, please contact Rosemary Lehman or Rich Berg.
