JP Lilley & Son, Inc. Creates Faculty-Friendly Auditorium

 Utilizing funding from the Student Technology Fee, Millersville University needed to create a state-of-the-art, faculty-friendly, high capacity teaching facility.  Millersville chose to build this platform within the Myers Auditorium.  Millersville University is located in the central Pennsylvania town of Millersville, Lancaster County.  The University hosts more than 8,000 students.

 Millersville University approached JP Lilley & Son, Inc. of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to tackle the project. JP Lilley has worked in the AV industry for over 80 years, providing educational, government and corporate clients with audio video systems design, systems integration, sales, equipment rental and support and maintenance contracts.

 The faculty, who had been using the Myers Auditorium as one of its larger classrooms, requested a high-definition projector and surround sound audio system for the 170 participant facility.  The University, which has created very specific standards for their typical “smart” classrooms, wanted a system that closely mimicked their standard specifications, yet provided these additional features. The faculty also required the Extron MLC-226 to be their user interface, maintaining their typical classroom standards.

 Elaine Bish, CTS and Kenneth Curtis, CTS-I of JP Lilley were faced with three distinct parameters on the project: delivering surround sound to 170 participants, programming the MLC-226 for easy interfacing and the integration to take place over a one week class break.

 JP Lilley & Son recommended the Eiki EIP-WX5000 WXGA projector to deliver the HD video.  Selected because of its specifications, including 5200 ANSI lumens brightness, 34 dBa low noise production and having the required digital inputs, the data projector is fed both analog (scaled) and digital (un-scaled) signals using an Extron MGP462 Dual Window Multi-Graphic Processor.  

 With a large Da-Lite 93”h x148”w tab tensioned screen, a theater-style experience is provided if viewing a single video input, complete with surround sound.  For classroom presentations, the large screen allows easy viewing for any seat in the house.  Rick Koelsch, Manager of Communications and Network Services at Millersville University, requested the MGP462 as it also allows the university to combine two video, high res RGB and HDTV input signals on the screen at the same time. 

 Audio is supplied to the room using a Bose-driven audio solution.  The system is comprised of twelve DS 100SE speakers and two MB4 modular bass arrays mounted throughout the auditorium to provide the surround sound experience.  The system is fed from six QSC CX302 and one QSC1102 audio amplifiers capable of delivering 97 dB of power to the audience.  The twelve channels of audio are controlled using the Bose ESP-88 processor equipped with the surround sound card and expanded DSP processor card. The Bose ESP-88 provides the necessary DSP processing for the diverse audio inputs (digital, stereo, mono line and mono microphone) and the automation required to facilitate the multi-purpose requirements of the room.

 An ADA compliant multi-media lectern is located on the front stage.  The lectern houses a document camera, blu-ray player, dedicated PC, laptop interconnects, eInstruction/InterWrite iPanel and a TV tuner.  An Extron MLC-226 is installed into the top of the lectern as the user interface providing simple control to the faculty.  The MLC-226 plus an additional nine button keypad provide the required control of all source equipment as well as the recall of audio presets stored within the Bose ESP-88.

 To meet the University’s deadline, JP Lilley deployed a four-member installation team working under the supervision of Duane Hammaker, CTS.  The programming, installation and calibration were completed during a five day timeframe over winter break minimizing class interruptions.  The installation crew utilized JBL Smart software to calibrate the audio and the Sencore OTC 1000 to calibrate the video image.  When asked about the installation, Rick Koelsch stated “They (JP Lilley & Son) were meticulous about how the equipment was installed given the high profile of the auditorium.  They (JP Lilley & Son) were especially careful to make sure the speakers for the sound system were installed neatly, without exposed cables or mounting hardware.”

 The end result of the project is a high-definition, large scale, multi-purpose classroom and theatre that utilizes an intuitive, easy to use control interface.  Without previous experience, a faculty member can operate the system with great results.  The hybrid surround sound system with voice lift supplies superb audio to each of the 170 seats of the auditorium.  When asked about the system performance, Rick Koelsch stated “I am extremely happy with the results. The system provides all of the capabilities of one of our “smart” classrooms as well as many features of a commercial movie theatre.”