
Stream, record and replay lectures live from University of Liege with Epiphan Pearl Mini
Streaming (live), recording and replaying lectures. The implementation of the Epiphan Pearl Mini at the University of Liège (Université de Liège) has resulted in a modernised learning environment. Thanks to the improved accessibility, user-friendliness and quality of the digital education solutions, both teachers and students can take full advantage of the possibilities offered by the Pearl Mini. This case study shows the added value of the Epiphan Pearl Mini and the successful cooperation between the University of Liège, Intronics, ESI and Epiphan Video.
Background: digital education University of Liege
The University of Liege (Université de Liège), founded in 1817, is a leading academic institution in Belgium. With the growing demand for digital education solutions, the university developed the innovative UniCast software, which allows students to replay classes, access them digitally and stream live lectures. This ensures that students who cannot be physically present do not have to miss a thing from the educational offerings. This also allow students to watch again, as many time as needed, the hardest part of the courses, taking time to fully understand all important parts.
Background: digital education University of Liege
The University of Liege (Université de Liège), founded in 1817, is a leading academic institution in Belgium. With the growing demand for digital education solutions, the university developed the innovative UniCast software, which allows students to replay classes, access them digitally and stream live lectures. This ensures that students who cannot be physically present do not have to miss a thing from the educational offerings. This also allow students to watch again, as many time as needed, the hardest part of the courses, taking time to fully understand all important parts.
Challenge: user-friendly for teachers
The university faced the challenge of implementing a user-friendly and robust system that would allow lecturers to stream and record lessons live within the UniCast CMS/LMS environment. The system had to be easy to operate so that lecturers without a technical background could quickly get started. In addition, it had to be compatible with the existing IT infrastructure and flexible enough to support streaming and recording as well as displaying shared presentations.
Intronics arranged the delivery of 95 Pearl Minis to system integrator ESI, a long-time integration partner of the university.
Solution: streaming and recording in 1 solution with API
After an extensive evaluation, the University of Liège chose the Epiphan Pearl Mini. This versatile device offers an all-in-one solution for streaming and recording and met all the university's requirements. The Pearl Mini's API capabilities, combined with its AFU function, enabled seamless integration with UniCast. The AFU function within the Pearl Mini allows recordings to be automatically moved to a specific location after storage. In this case, a NAS storage server was used, which UniCast deploys for storing and sharing content. This streamlines workflow and allows recordings to be managed and shared efficiently and securely.Intronics arranged the delivery of 95 Pearl Minis to system integrator ESI, a long-time integration partner of the university.
Implementation Epiphan Video solution
More than 90 lecture halls spread across four campuses were equipped with an Epiphan Pearl Mini. The implementation process was as follows:Installation and configuration:
• Each lecture room was equipped with a Pearl Mini, easy to integrate with the existing audiovisual equipment.
• The IT department configured the devices for direct use by teachers. Three channels were created on the Pearl Mini, allowing teachers to freely choose how they wanted to display the lesson (slides with audio, camera with audio or slides with camera and audio).
Usage by teachers:
• Teachers connect their laptops to the lecture room with just one cable. A computer with touchscreen and the user-friendly UniCast application is available on the desk.
• The interface teachers see is that of UniCast, where they log in and automatically select the right lesson and location.
• They can select the input needed, choose whether to stream the lesson, to record it or both, start the capture and then forget it till the end of the lesson.
UniCast portal:
• Students can choose how they want the lesson to be displayed (camera Full Screen and PowerPoint Picture-in-Picture, PowerPoint Full Screen and camera Picture-in-Picture, only PowerPoint or only camera). This allows students to watch lectures back and concentrate better on the content instead of continuously taking notes.
Result: live and on-demand lessons
The implementation of the Epiphan Pearl Mini has brought significant benefits to both teachers and students:
- Accessibility: Students can now watch the lessons live or on-demand, making education more flexible and accessible.
- User-friendliness: Teachers appreciate the simplicity and reliability of the system, which allows them to concentrate on their teaching materials instead of technical problems.
- Quality: The recordings and streams ensure clear and professional lessons, contributing to a better learning experience for students.
Partnership with Epiphan Video
To integrate with UniCast, Denis de Marneffe, systems engineer at the University of Liège, needed specific operation commands, not all of which were documented in Epiphan Video's API guide. Denis worked directly with Ryan Haynes of Epiphan Video Support to use the REST API to work out the necessary syntax and complete the integration with UniCast. This collaboration demonstrates the endless possibilities of the API and Epiphan Video's customer focus.
Ryan Haynes added: "What Denis has built is amazing. This integration shows the endless possibilities available through our API. The collaboration with Denis has been great. We keep track of customer requests and add new features and capabilities to our solutions whenever possible."
Ryan Haynes added: "What Denis has built is amazing. This integration shows the endless possibilities available through our API. The collaboration with Denis has been great. We keep track of customer requests and add new features and capabilities to our solutions whenever possible."
About ESI
ESI combines expertise with customer focus to ensure that your IT infrastructure operates seamlessly and securely. Whether you need network solutions, hardware management, security or support, ESI is there for you. Find out more at
www.esi-informatique.com.
www.esi-informatique.com.
About Epiphan Pearl Mini
The Epiphan Pearl Mini is the little brother of the famous Pearl-2. It is an all-in-one video recording, streaming and switching system. Pearl Mini supports Full HD video quality and is ideal for smaller events, where, for example, two cameras are used or for lectures with a camera and a laptop. You can create a presentation in no time, thanks to special tools such as: a built-in touchscreen, local viewing option, an SD slot and the possibility to connect a microphone directly.
About Intronics
Intronics is a value added distributor specialised in KVM and AV solutions. Intronics has years of experience, provides independent advice and is in direct contact with manufacturers. The AV/KVM team is trained in the latest developments and has an in-house test lab where we build a proof of concept based on customer requirements.
AV solutions are tested in our own AV test-lab
Our Audio/Video team is focuses on the professional audio/video and command and control (KVM) market. Through years of experience in the professional AV and KVM world, Intronics thinks in solutions, not in products. We know the market, give independent advice, deliver different AV solutions. These solutions are tested in our own fully equipped AV test lab.
The AV Lab is used for pre- and after-sales support such as:
The AV Lab is used for pre- and after-sales support such as:
- Testing of products
- Building Proof of Concept
- Research & Development
- Beta testing of your solution
- Developing central knowledge
Our AV professionals are ready to help
We are in direct contact with our manufacturers. Let us know if you need additional information or help while choosing a suitable solution.
For more information, please contact us:
Netherlands: tel. +31 (0)342 407040, sales@intronics.nl
Belgium: tel. +32 (0)14 220 334, sales@intronics.be
CONTACT US
For more information, please contact us:
Netherlands: tel. +31 (0)342 407040, sales@intronics.nl
Belgium: tel. +32 (0)14 220 334, sales@intronics.be