Scott Bell, AV Services Coordinator at Tennessee’s Pellissippi State Community College, knew that simplicity would be the key to success when it came to equipping the newly constructed Bill Haslam Center for Math and Science with versatile, approachable AV systems on a budget. In 10 days, Bell and AV staff associate Steve Moore installed 33 AV systems built around Extron IN1606 Scaling Presentation Switchers and MPA 601 amplifiers. The 82,000-square-foot building opened its doors to instructors and students for the Fall 2021 semester. It features 18 classrooms, six computer labs, nine science labs, and a teacher education center, all equipped with AV systems that allow instructors to effortlessly incorporate multimedia into their lessons.

Scott Bell says that after he provided instructors with two to three minutes of familiarization with the AV system, they said “Wow, that’s easy!” Bell measures success by the total lack of calls for assistance he’s received now that the AV systems are in daily use. He notes, “that says it all.”

All rooms have identical AV systems, comprised of a projector, an Extron IN1606 switcher and MPA 601 amplifier. Zoom and Teams software installed on the PC support distance learning. The instructor selects AV content from a PC, a document camera, or a guest laptop by simply pressing clearly labeled buttons on the front panel of the IN1606. Adjusting the sound level delivered from the ceiling speakers is easy and intuitive using the volume control knob on the IN1606. This simple classroom AV system, designed and installed by the school’s own technical staff, is all the school needed for effective teaching and fit well within the available budget.