Client Brief
The Chambers at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (RBBC) was inefficient and rarely used until they installed state-of-the-art webcasting technology.
RBBC wanted to introduce webcasting and to create a facility that would attract external event clients whilst also meeting their own requirements. RBBC wanted viewers to be able to connect via their tablets and smartphones to webcasts and be able to record webcasts.
RBBC wanted to be able to display content from a networked PC, a non-networked laptop and from DVD. For their presentations, they required a new screen which enabled touch control as well as projection. Other important requirements included the presenter being displayed whilst they were presenting. There was a limited timeframe in which this installation needed to be carried out in order to minimise disruption to chamber events.
Our Solution
Audio visual and stage specialists, Torpedo Factory Group (TFG), have worked with many councils and were selected by RBBC to upgrade, install, integrate and maintain their new audio visual system.
TFG partnered with a leading conference systems manufacturer, TAIDEN, to provide RBBC with a multifunctional, integrated system. The automated camera tracking is the first of its kind for a local authority in the region and enables much more efficient delivery of meetings.
TFG created a bespoke system design that includes Crestron control processing and interfacing where all audio visual equipment is easily controlled by the user from a touchpad/PC. The control elements include projectors, displays, audio systems, lights and cameras which are all centrally controlled without the need for multiple remotes. Camera settings are programmed for automatic pan, tilt and zoom adjustments depending on the pre-programmed speaking delegate or chairperson position. The webcasting controls have also been integrated into the control panel, for ease of access.
For their integrated webcasting system, RBBC chose the Public-I Connect platform. It requires no software to be loaded onto the end users device and any viewer with a desktop/laptop computer will be able to view a live or on-demand webcast. Based on a responsive design, the user experience is more interactive as the software addresses how content is displayed on various devices.
The TAIDEN system is a push-to-talk audio conferencing console and was installed with gooseneck microphones at each station in the chamber. These consoles are daisy chained together and work through the Public-I Connect web conferencing system. The HD cameras installed were set up to pan and zoom onto the delegate/councillor who had been designated to speak at any given time. TFG also installed a number of monitors in the breakout zones, situated outside the chamber, for the public to view a live audio visual feed.
The benefits
The Councils meetings are now available for everyone to watch without having to attend in person, which has increased engagement and communication about local issues and vastly helps the council. The stage-of-the-art technology exceeds their own requirements and is working well, plus its attracted external clients so has increased revenue.
The support offered by Torpedo Factory Group has been of a consistently high standard, from both their engineering and customer service departments. Representatives have always been ready to respond to any difficulties we have faced and have been at all times both courteous and professional”
Chris Phelan, Democratic Services Officer, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
