In an ambitious modernization project, Duke Kunshan University relies on Crestron solutions for its campus.
Duke Kunshan University (DKU), located in Kunshan, Jiangsu, China, is a joint venture between Duke University and Wuhan University, supported by the Kunshan Municipal Government. DKU is a world-class liberal arts university that offers 14 undergraduate degrees and five graduate programs across various disciplines. To meet the growing educational demand, DKU is expanding the campus, improving functionality and educational quality, and developing a smart campus that provides better service to its students and faculty.
Crestron’s design aligned with the university’s initial vision and offered key recommendations regarding network and systems architecture, which were successfully integrated into the construction process, comments Ning Bai, Phase II Construction Manager, Duke Kunshan University.
The challenge
What distinguishes DKU from other institutions is the absence of a single, comprehensive academic building. Instead, the teaching facilities are spread across various buildings. This, along with the diversity of room types and the large number of audiovisual products, presents a considerable challenge for implementing a fully IP-based architecture.
The solution
To meet its audiovisual needs, DKU adopted the Crestron DM NVX® AV-over-IP platform together with the Crestron Virtual Control VC-4 system. These advanced solutions enable a seamless transition to an IP-based audiovisual infrastructure, which facilitates the centralized management of classrooms and spaces through a web interface.
This network-centric foundation empowers the university to effectively manage and allocate audiovisual resources from a single hub, efficiently supporting its academic, administrative, and conference needs.
We chose Crestron DM NVX for its high flexibility. It integrates video, audio, USB, and control over a single CAT5E cable, simplifying deployment and management. The DM-NVX-360 and DM-NVX-363, which function as encoders and decoders, further enhance flexibility and ease of use, explains Kekai Qi, audiovisual consultant, EAA Consultants Co., Ltd.
The technology
The Phase II construction project includes 22 buildings and requires a comprehensive distributed audiovisual system due to the campus’s size. Consequently, more than 900 units of Crestron DM NVX® AV-over-IP technology have been installed to ensure uninterrupted connectivity across different room types and locations, while supporting multiple signal formats.
Crestron DM NVX technology delivers high-quality audio and video and is perfect for educational purposes, as it ensures that content is presented clearly. Its distributed architecture efficiently routes audiovisual signals to any space without the need for additional wiring, allowing for easy adjustments for future input and output devices. In addition to DM NVX technology, Crestron controls help manage classrooms equipped with projectors, touch screens, wireless microphones, ceiling microphones, recording equipment, cameras, and other tools that enhance local, remote, and interactive learning.
“We consider the forward error correction (FEC) feature of Crestron DM NVX essential for stable video transmission. In our classrooms and meeting rooms, DM NVX maintains video stability even when motorized screens, curtains, or lighting are in use”, adds Kekai Qi.
To create a smart campus with an IT-driven design, DKU has adopted the Crestron VC-4 virtual control system instead of traditional central control systems. This system is hosted on the university’s servers, making it easier to manage classrooms and spaces through an intuitive web interface. With the Crestron Fusion® cloud platform for monitoring and scheduling, users can control thousands of devices across the campus from a single management platform, eliminating the need to visit each space and significantly improving the efficiency of the IT operations staff.
Environmental elements such as lighting and curtains can be adjusted according to different teaching scenarios. In remote teaching situations, classroom cameras can switch between front and rear views to capture both students and instructors, enabling high-quality interactive remote learning.
At DKU, the implementation of DM NVX technology has transformed both academic and sports experiences on campus. Beyond improving classroom environments, this cutting-edge technology extends to sports facilities, providing audiovisual support that enriches students’ athletic engagement. For example, the training center features sound systems, LED screens, microphones, and signal interfaces, enabling dynamic training sessions that blend music and visual effects, adding a vibrant dimension to extracurricular activities.
The Crestron engineering team has been very professional, working closely with us to tailor the equipment to our various teaching needs. Thanks to the teamwork from both sides, we have successfully designed and deployed the IT architecture for the VC-4 server, concludes William Wan, IT Engineering Manager, Duke Kunshan University.
Results
The integration of Crestron technology has improved the functionality of classroom spaces, independent study areas, and extracurricular venues, resulting in a better experience for both students and educators.
With over 900 DM NVX technology devices installed across the campus, the university enjoys superior audio and video transmission throughout its facilities. In addition, 77 classrooms have been equipped with the VC-4 system, which seamlessly integrates into the backend infrastructure to ensure reliable operation in the educational environment.
“Throughout the process, from system design and equipment delivery to system tuning, the Crestron team actively participated, working with the design firm and the integrators. They offered valuable ideas and suggestions. Thanks to everyone's efforts, we successfully completed the Phase II project, and our current achievements clearly reflect the successful collaboration”, comments William Wan, IT Engineering Manager at Duke Kunshan University.
