Old Dominion University has standardized on AVer Information Inc.’s TR315 AI Auto Tracking Camera as part of a campuswide effort to improve hybrid learning and lecture capture. The university has deployed thousands of TR315 cameras across classrooms, labs and lecture halls to support consistent, high-quality video for both in-person and remote students.

Located in Norfolk, Virginia, Old Dominion University serves more than 24,000 students across undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. As hybrid and online instruction became a permanent component of higher education, the university faced the challenge of capturing lectures at scale without increasing complexity for faculty or support staff.

ODU’s classroom technology team evaluated a range of auto-tracking camera systems but found that many solutions required additional software, external processors or manual operation. According to the university, those requirements added cost, increased points of failure and reduced faculty confidence in classroom technology.

After testing multiple options, ODU selected the AVer TR315 based on its built-in, hardware-based auto-tracking capabilities. The camera operates without external software or computing devices, aligning with the university’s requirement for a plug-and-play solution that could be deployed consistently across hundreds of rooms.

The TR315 features an 8-megapixel sensor with 4K video at 60 frames per second, along with a 12X optical zoom and PTZ functionality. The camera supports simultaneous USB, HDMI and IP outputs, allowing it to integrate into a variety of lecture capture, streaming and classroom AV workflows.

The system includes multiple AI-driven tracking modes, including Presenter Tracking, Zone Tracking and Hybrid Tracking. These modes are designed to accommodate different teaching styles by following instructors as they move, prioritizing defined teaching areas such as podiums or whiteboards, or combining both approaches. By embedding tracking directly into the camera, the system eliminates the need for operators or external processing hardware.

ODU implemented the cameras through a phased rollout to ensure compatibility with existing AV infrastructure. The university said the TR315’s design allowed rapid installation without major construction or extensive cabling, enabling faculty to begin using the system immediately without additional training.

“The overall quality of our lecture captures has greatly increased since we implemented the AVer cameras,” said Dwayne Smith, executive director, Digital Integration Environment for Old Dominion University. “Faculty are impressed with its tracking ability. The fact that it keeps them in frame during the whole class is very impressive.”

The university reported that the cameras perform consistently across a range of environments, from large lecture halls to laboratory spaces. According to ODU, the ability to standardize on a single camera model has simplified deployment and support while giving instructors the freedom to move naturally during class.

ODU also cited AVer’s ongoing support as a factor in the success of the deployment. “Working with AVer has been amazing,” Smith said. “AVer’s support team is approachable and always willing to go the extra mile to provide solutions. AVer’s engineering team even developed a custom firmware update to deliver a feature we requested — a level of support that’s increasingly rare in the industry.”

University officials said the standardized deployment has reduced technical complexity, lowered support demands and improved the learning experience for remote students by providing stable, high-resolution video across instructional spaces.