|
Mechdyne Announces Completion Of State-Of-The-Art Auditorium For Iowa State University Marshalltown, IA - August 15, 2001 - Mechdyne Corporation, of Marshalltown, Iowa, announced today the completion of a state-of-the-art auditorium (Mechdyne Large Venue Solution™) for Iowa State University’s College of Engineering. Located in Howe Hall, the auditorium is one of the first to offer the cutting-edge technology required for virtual reality presentations. It also features data connections to multiple remote sites, offering extraordinary collaboration opportunities. Mechdyne worked with the building’s architectural team to ensure the new auditorium and its requirements were well integrated with the building’s original design. “What began as a standard auditorium evolved into an extremely high-end facility with state-ofthe- art technology and unparalleled collaborative capabilities,” said Chris Clover, Mechdyne’s President/CEO. The auditorium is considered a showcase space for the university and is expected to host many high-profile events sponsored by Iowa State’s College of Engineering, Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC), and Department of Engineering Distance Learning. In addition to providing the space and equipment for standard, large-group forums, the new facility has several customized uses: Data Collaboration - Users located in other VRAC virtual reality environments, including the C2 and C6 systems, can collaborate with participants located in the auditorium. The same image or data set can be transmitted through a data connection and displayed simultaneously in all locations. Users in each location can manipulate the shared image according to his or her area of interest or expertise. “This auditorium reinforces Iowa State’s position as a leader in virtual reality technology,” said Dr. Carolina Cruz-Neira, Associate Director of VRAC. “We now have three interactive virtual reality environments for data collaboration and other research activities. This allows us to conduct virtual reality-based research that, up until now, has been only a theoretical possibility.” Distance Learning - The auditorium features five outbound and three inbound audio/video fiber-optic connections, enabling videoconferencing with multiple outside sites, such as the Iowa Communications Network, Iowa’s educational videoconferencing network that reaches nearly 800 classrooms statewide. “This new auditorium will significantly enhance our distance-learning opportunities,” said Paul Jewell, Program Coordinator for Iowa State’s Department of Engineering Distance Education. ““Virtual reality applications are vital to the development of the next generation of e-learning products, and this auditorium will provide an outstanding facility for that development process.” The auditorium’s technological capabilities far exceed those of standard facilities: Visualization - The visualization system includes four stacked, high-brightness LCD projectors optimized for passive stereoscopic viewing to provide optimal threedimensional imaging and immersion within the virtual environment. Audio/Video - The auditorium’s audio/video system is capable of playing and recording a wide range of media formats, including Digital Video Display (DVD), S-VHS and Betacam SP Video, cassette tape, compact disc, mini disc, and digital audio tape (DAT). The auditorium also has advanced intercom, assisted listening, and language translation capabilities, as well as a state-of-the-art 7.1 surround sound audio system with fully digital audio processing and mixing. ### About Mechdyne Corporation Mechdyne Corporation is the world’s largest company dedicated to consulting and development of immersive, networked and collaborative visualization systems. The company addresses complex projects where an in-depth understanding of user requirements leads to the development of products and customized solutions involving elements of visual, software and support systems. Mechdyne’s product divisions provide advanced display technology, audio/visual systems design, and implementation services, as well as immersive and interactive software development and support. Headquartered in Marshalltown, Iowa, Mechdyne’s customers include leading government laboratories, military research programs, energy companies and a variety of ‘edutainment,’ manufacturing, and other users of visualization technology. More information is available at www.mechdyne.com. Mechdyne Press Contact Jeff Brum Matt Schmidt |
|
 |
|
(c) 2008 Mechdyne Corporation. All rights reserved. |
|