AV Room and Technology Standards
The Audio Visual Services Team work closely with the Space Management and Timetabling Team to ensure a high quality technological experience in all Centrally Timetabled Teaching Rooms.
You will find a unified approach to technology where projects have been completed and managed by the Audio-Visual Services Team.
You may find differing levels of technology implemented between different rooms and buildings across campus but there is common equipment and technology employed across the Warwick University Campus.
For an overview of the many different technologies employed across teaching spaces at Warwick see our Teaching Technologies Page.
The technological capacity within a space will have been determined by several factors:
- Age and fabric of the building
- Financing & available funding
- Physical space restrictions
- Requirements & project briefs
- Building architectural design
Context
Audio Visual Services do not hold an independent budget for the improvement and development of spaces, we hold budgets to maintain existing software licensing and hardware maintenance commitments and small development and operational discretionary spends to run and maintain existing services and to experiment with newly emerging technologies and proof of concepts.
- The allocation of funding towards new and existing technology and AV within Centrally Timetabled Spaces is not in the capability of the Audio-Visual Services Team.
- Audio Visual Services do have discretionary expenditure for the repair and maintenance of existing deployed equipment.
- Audio Visual Services are not policy makers, we can help steer the conversation and advise and guide our customers, however we operate under the discretion of the broader requirements of the Education Executive Board and the Teaching and Learning Space Development Group to implement appropriate technologies.
- Audio Visual Services are technical experts and project leads in this realm - we can design, specify, quote, project manage, install, test and support any appropriate technical solution as needed.
Minimum Specifications
All Centrally Timetabled Teaching Spaces will be equipped to a minimum technical standard, within the constraints listed above, that the Audio-Visual Team and Space Management consider essential for any teaching activity. Teaching can of course still function independently to these technologies installed within spaces. More context is available for a list of all the various Teaching Technologies available across campus.
Technology included in all Centrally Timetabled Teaching Rooms should include:
-
- Audio Output for Fixed Computer and External Devices connected to the AV system
- Display(s)
- Writing Surface
- Whiteboard or Blackboard or Flip Chart
Audio Visual Services cannot guarantee the support of technologically outdated spaces or spaces that do not fulfil minimum specifications for teaching and will advise engagement with the Audio Visual Projects and an upgrade of the space.
Please note Audio Visual Services are no longer responsible for the provision of Writing Surfaces in Centrally Timetabled Spaces please contact: porters@warwick.ac.uk for missing or surplus/excessive furniture, black board rubbers, whiteboard pens and consumables of that nature.
Lack of Technical Provisioning
Any specific issues and requests in relation to the lack of technical provisioning in centrally timetabled rooms should be escalated in the following order:
- Audio Visual Services through the IT Services Helpdesk or the Ask a Question form to see if the Audio Visual Team can help provide technical advice and guidance with specific situations. The Audio Visual Team can provide advice on the technology available within spaces across campus should you be looking for information on a specific space or technology.
- Timetabling Team for any issues related to space allocation and any weakness in technology within the space you have been allocated. They can provide consultation should you need to move spaces to utilize the technology you require.
- Audio Visual Projects and the Space Management email spacemanagement@warwick.ac.uk for requests in relation to the upgrades, or improvement of spaces and complaints should the minimum specification of technology after engagement with Audio Visual & Timetabling Team not be sufficient.
Temporary AV Provisioning
In the case of emergency where no other options are available a setup of temporary equipment may be facilitated.
- Temporary Setups cannot and should not be expected with little or no prior notice. Advance consultation with Audio Visual Services is required to provide a temporary solution.
- Temporary Setups will be repeatedly reviewed for viability, practicality, and minimum standards. Should any of these not be fulfilled then the activity may be unfeasible and alternative approaches may be necessary or the procurement of permanent equipment may be needed.
- If a setup is in place or needed for longer than a period of two weeks, then the review for provision and procurement of permanent equipment will be required unless there are specific extenuating circumstances.
Temporary Setups are less than ideal. Permanent technical solutions and installations are preferred as they provide a higher-level user and support experience. Permanent solutions generally provide longer lifecycles, consistency, withstand higher usage and are cheaper in the long term.
Room Types
The following details standard information for Audio Visual room types. It provides an overview on standard room types but does not reflect the exact technology in each space and the individual level of detail that goes into specific design, configuration, programming and installation of spaces.
Standardised Audio-Visual technology will be applied across Room Types. However, you should not expect to have the same technical provision in a large lecture theatre as a small teaching room.
Should you be looking for information on the exact technologies installed within a room see our Centrally Timetabled Rooms Information page.
For information on the various Lectern Types employed throughout different Room Types.
Prices shown are for indicative purposes only and are of course subject to volatility in the supply chain, currency fluctuations and the availability of system installer and systems integration staff.
Room types, basic equipment, optional upgrades, and costs
Room Type |
Type A |
Type B |
Type C |
Type D |
Type E |
Type F |
Teaching Technology |
Meeting Room |
Small Teaching Room |
Single Projection Seminar Room |
Dual Projection Seminar Room |
Single Projection Tiered Lecture Theatre |
Dual Projection Tiered Lecture Theatre |
| n/a | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | |
| Upgrade | Upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
|
Whiteboard or Blackboard or Flip Chart |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| n/a | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | |
| n/a | Upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| n/a | Upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| n/a | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Yes | Yes | |
| n/a | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | |
| n/a | Upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| n/a | Upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| n/a | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | |
| Upgrade | Upgrade | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| n/a | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | |
| n/a | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | |
| n/a | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | Upgrade | |
|
Costs (basics, before upgrade) |
£6,000 - £33,000 + | £6,000 + | £33,000 + | £37,000 + | £78,000 + | £102,000 + |
Room Type A - Meeting Room
Typically, meeting rooms are smaller spaces that require a basic level of equipment installed to enable the room to be used to display a presentation or other media. This room type can be enhanced to account for video conferencing tools and current requirements for hybrid meetings.
Dependant on the level of technology and size of the space included costs are upward of Room Type B or Room Type C as of 2021.
Room Type B - Small Teaching Room
Typically, small rooms (up to 20 people). The fixed PC is typically housed within a smaller form factor lectern.
- Fixed PC
- Connectivity leads to allow individuals to use their own device (laptop/MacBook).
- Display(s)
- AV Button Panel
These spaces will have a basic level of equipment installed to enable the room to be used to display a presentation or other media from a fixed PC or the presenters own device (laptop/Macbook) onto a large screen display(s).
Dependant on the level of technology included costs are upward of £6,000 as of 2021.
Room Type C - Single Projection Seminar Room
Typically, medium sized rooms (20 - 60 people) with a standard sized height adjustable lectern which will house:
- Fixed PC
- Touch Screen Monitor
- Connectivity leads to allow individuals to use their own device (laptop/MacBook)
- Document Camera/Visualiser
- Lapel Microphones
- Lecture Capture technology
- AV Touchpanel
The room will have one projector which displays onto a single projection screen with picture in picture enabled to allow two devices to be displayed simultaneously (e.g. computer and visualiser). Audio within these spaces will be accessible through the inclusion of a Listen IR Assistive Listening System.
Dependant on the level of technology included costs are upward of £33,000 as of 2021.
Room Type D - Dual Projection Seminar Room
Typically, medium to large sized rooms with a standard sized height adjustable lectern which will house:
- Fixed PC
- Touch Screen Monitor
- Connectivity leads to allow individuals to use their own device (laptop/MacBook)
- Solstice our wireless connectivity offering.
- Document Camera/Visualiser
- Lapel Microphones
- Lecture Capture technology
- AV Touchpanel
The room will have two projectors which displays onto two projection screens to allow two devices to be displayed simultaneously or have the same image on both screens. Audio within these spaces will be accessible through the inclusion of a Listen IR Assistive Listening System.
Dependant on the level of technology included costs are upward of £37,000 as of 2021.
Room Type E - Single Projection Tiered Lecture Theatre
Typically, large sized rooms with a larger sized height adjustable lectern which will house:
- Fixed PC
- Touch Screen Monitor
- Connectivity leads to allow individuals to use their own device (laptop/MacBook)
- Solstice our wireless connectivity offering.
- Document Camera/Visualiser
- Lapel & Handheld Microphones
- Lecture Capture technology
- Large AV Touchpanel
The room will have one projector which displays onto a single projection screen with picture in picture enabled to allow two devices to be displayed simultaneously (e.g. computer and visualiser). Audio within these spaces will be accessible through the inclusion of a Listen IR Assistive Listening System.
Dependant on the level of technology included costs are upward of £78,000 as of 2021.
Room Type F - Dual Projection Tiered Lecture Theatre
Typically, large sized rooms with a larger sized height adjustable lectern which will house:
- Fixed PC
- Touch Screen Monitor
- Connectivity leads to allow individuals to use their own device (laptop/MacBook)
- Solstice, our wireless connectivity offering.
- Multiple Document Camera/Visualiser
- Lapel & Handheld Microphones
- Lecture Capture technology
- Large AV Touchpanel
The room will have two projectors which allow two devices to be displayed simultaneously or have the same image on both screens. There will typically be two large screens that are either used as comfort monitors or positioned bellow the large projection screen for optimum viewing angles. Audio within these spaces will be accessible through the inclusion of a Listen IR Assistive Listening System.
Dependant on the level of technology included costs are upward of £102,000 as of 2021.
AV Enhancements
Spaces and Room Types are also enhanced as new technologies are developed or additional funding becomes available. Recent technology enhancements to spaces include:
- Improved Microphone Technology
- Hybrid Meeting Technology
- Hybrid Teaching Technology
- Improved Connectivity
Audio Visual Services cannot guarantee the enhancement of spaces that are technologically outdated and may require a larger refurbishment to a baseline of minimum specification outlined above and to the appropriate Room Type standards.
Audio Visual Services cannot guarantee the support of technologically outdated spaces or spaces that do not fulfil minimum specifications for teaching and will advise engagement with the Projects Page and an upgrade of the space.
Enhancements may separate technology from existing Room Standardisations through concepts and trial periods of new technology. We appreciate feedback on technology across campus where technology is not working as it should and where enhancements have been beneficial as it will feedback into Future Provisioning and wider rollouts of technology.
Future Provisioning
Audio Visual Services are passionate about the future provisioning of both central and locally timetabled spaces and appreciate any and all feedback on technological development.
Should you wish to develop AV Technology in a space please visit our Projects Page and Register a Project. If this is request in relation to the development of a Centrally Timetabled Space and a technical solution cannot be provided then the project request will need to be considered by the Teaching Learning Space Development Group.
Audio Visual Services are represented at the Teaching and Learning Space Development Group should you have a particular feature request or improvement you would like to be discussed and considered please submit a feature request through the IT Helpdesk or mark your ticket as a feature request and Ask us a Question.
Service Delivery
For more information on the Audio Visual Service consult:
- About Us to find out more about who we are.
- Levels of Support to find out more about who we support and our levels of provisioning.
- Metrics to see more information about our Service and response times.
For any specific inquiry you can reach out to us and Ask a Question.