Introduction
Bracknell Forest Council sought to modernise one of its existing council chambers, transforming it into a multi-purpose space suitable for both internal meetings and public-facing events. The room needed to accommodate up to 40 participants, with full audio coverage to support inclusive discussion across flexible seating layouts.
Ease of use was critical. The system had to integrate with Microsoft Teams to match existing workflows and feel intuitive to non-technical users. At the same time, it needed to support live video streaming, session recording, and secure content management for sensitive topics.
Problem
The space needed to support:
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Multiple room layouts without impacting mic coverage or user experience
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Clear, reliable audio for all participants, regardless of seat or speaking position
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Session recording and streaming, while upholding privacy and data protection standards
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A control system that allowed moderators to manage discussions effectively in real-time
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Seamless integration with Microsoft Teams, while remaining open to third-party platforms like Zoom, Cisco WebEx, and Google Meet
The challenge was delivering all of this through a single, unified interface that remained simple to operate and did not require dedicated technical staff for day-to-day use.
Solution
The AV system was built around a combination of Televic, Crestron, Epiphan, and Lightware technologies, chosen for their compatibility, flexibility, and broadcast-ready features.
Key components included:
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40 Televic Confidea FLEX G4 wireless conference units, providing high-quality, seat-level audio. Each participant could activate their mic via a push-to-talk button, with speaker requests routed to the Chairperson via the Confidea Control Centre and managed through the 5.2” touchscreen interface.
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A Crestron Flex MTR system, forming the control hub and Teams Room interface. This centralised all AV device management, giving moderators full control over audio, discussions, and room states.
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Epiphan Pearl-2 live production hardware, integrated with Televic’s T-Cam camera tracking. This allowed automated camera switching based on active speakers and enabled video recording and livestreaming to platforms like YouTube.
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A Lightware AV-over-IP distribution system, which routed video content to four in-room LG displays, plus an overflow display in the lobby.
Additional features included:
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BYOD capability, supporting Zoom, WebEx, and Google Meet
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AV routing kept separate from the council’s core network to ensure privacy and compliance
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Support for real-time video cropping and stream management, handled directly via the Epiphan platform
Results
The upgraded council chamber now supports both hybrid and in-person meetings, with clear, inclusive audio and fully managed video capabilities. The combination of automated camera tracking and live streaming has allowed the council to broaden participation while maintaining tight control over privacy and security.
Councillors, staff, and event organisers benefit from:
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A consistent, Teams-native interface
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Quick access to session recording and sharing
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Easy BYOD integration for external presenters and guests
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Full control over session flow from a single, centralised interface
The space is now used for internal meetings, public events, and private bookings, supported by a system that adapts to varied needs without requiring complex reconfiguration.