As the largest satellite earth station in the world Goonhilly has the ability to transmit to every corner of the globe via space, and through undersea fibre optic cables. The station simultaneously handles millions of international phone calls, emails, and TV broadcasts.
From Goonhilly, BT provides global communications and manages networks, and the AV Room is central to their operation. Merlin MD, Merlin Wigley, said: "BT asked us to provide the best solution for the room. We wanted a short-throw, direct projection simple diffusion rig, which could be controlled via an Imageplan programmed wall mounted control panel. The LX33 was ideal for the purpose."
The LX33's vertical lens shift and digital keystone correction provide picture-perfect placement of the image, while input compatibility ranges from analogue and digital RGB data up to UXGA resolution, and video sources from composite through 1080i HDTV.
One of BT's operations managers, Chris Webber said: "Merlin offered us two or three projectors to review and we opted for the Christie's superior brightness and short throw lens. It negated the need for a complicated rear projection rig and enables us to leave the artificial lights on. The LX33 is producing excellent registration through the high ambient lighting and we are very impressed with the quality."
The room is used for a variety of meetings, product presentations and training purposes. Chris Webber's requirement was also for a simplicity of remote control and push button operation required by non-skilled personnel, enabling them to make presentations via VCR, DVD and data inputs from the resident desktop PC. The Imageplan eight button control panel was custom programmed by Merlin Presentation Solutions to meet these specific aims. Provision of patch panels and a wall port create switching flexibility, and allow presenters to arrive with a laptop and plug straight in. This is the second system fitted by Merlin Presentation Solutions on the Goonhilly site.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
