EDUCATION
An Investment in Better Storytelling
Detroit Country Day School is providing students with access to high-end virtual and podcast studio spaces.
By Jennifer Guhl
When Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, MI, unveiled two new video production spaces—its XR studio and a vodcast/podcast suite—the goal was to give its PreK-12 students access to professional-level production tools, often reserved for film studios, to improve storytelling opportunities.
“The most powerful two words are ‘what if,’” exclaimed Danialle Karmanos, a trustee and donor, as well as a proud parent of three current DCDS students, whose early career in journalism sparked a love of production. These words acted as the catalyst for creating these two innovative spaces, which are among the first of their kind in a U.S. K-12 setting, made possible by a generous gift from Danialle and her husband, Peter.
“This is definitely the first project of its kind we’ve been involved in,” said Will Jennings, director of special projects for 4Wall Entertainment, the system designer and integrator for the XR studio. “There may
be one or two others in the U.S., but for elementary and high schools, the cost is usually a barrier. In this case, donor support made it possible.”
Emulating Content
Located in the Upper School, the XR studio spaces anchor the arts wing, alongside photography, ceramics, and mixed media. A live camera feed streams to a 100-inch 4K display in the arts commons, allowing the entire arts wing to watch live productions in real time. The vodcast/podcast studio, positioned diagonally across from the media center, is visible through a glass wall that invites passing students to take a look.
“We wanted students to emulate the professional content they’re already consuming, short-form video and longer-form podcasts in a studio that feels real,” said Mike Medvinsky, DCDS creative technologist, who is the visionary hired by the school to oversee the use of studio spaces for the students.
The XR studio is anchored by an INFiLED DBmk2 1.9mm pixel pitch curved LED video wall measuring 26x8 feet. To support the system running in 4K
resolution, it uses a setup managed by Brompton Technology, including a rack-mounted Brompton 4K Tessera SX40 processor and two Tessera XD 10G data distribution units.
“When we started researching the leaders in LED technology, Brompton rose to the top,” explained Medvinsky. “All the major concerts and video production studios are run through Brompton, so they were our first choice.”
Other key components include a Blackmagic Design ATEM Constellation and HyperDeck Studio 4K Pro, RED V-Raptor X camera, and a Mo-Sys tracking system. Workflows for the XR studio focus on the Disguise VX 2+ media server, which, when used with a Disguise RX III render node, supports real-time content playback and facilitates the ingestion and deployment of content across the LED wall.
“We recommended Disguise media servers, which are the industry standard in virtual production,” Jennings added. “It was very relieving when Mike said, ‘I understand this is the expensive option, but it is the best option.’”
Initial conversations with 4Wall about the XR studio started in August 2024, with design and product procurement continuing throughout the fall. By January, 4Wall was on-site for a three-day installation, which led to the official opening of the studio spaces in February 2025.
No Dumbing Down
Once installation was complete, 4Wall provided training to staff members and students to help them quickly get up to speed on their new facility, but Jennings emphasized that nothing installed was
The XR studio is built around a 26-foot INFiLED curved LED video wall.
INTEGRATION GUIDE EDUCATION
watered down for the younger audience who would be using it.
“Kids are using the exact same tools that film professionals use on set,” he said. “We didn’t dumb down the system; we wanted to provide that through line from classroom to industry.”
For the vodcast/podcast studio, known as “the Pod” at DCDS, Medvinsky led the technology integration, creating a four-camera, well-lit, switchable room designed for on-camera conversations, shows, and audio-only podcasts. He has focused on one-to-one collaborations with teachers to generate ideas for how the studio can be utilized in the classroom. Faculty members schedule time on a shared calendar with Medvinsky to co-plan, storyboard, and conduct research. Plus, he participates
needed to “barely outrun the bulls” into the coliseum.
Usage varies by grade. For the younger grades, the XR team works more directly with students, providing edited clips, while older students take on roles in operations and editing. “Think of the XR studio as a creative classroom,” said Medvinsky. “It’s place-based learning when the place comes to you.”
Filmmakers In Training
“These creative spaces beget innovation,” Medvinsky added. “When students see what’s possible, ideas and courage compound.”
Beyond classroom use, the XR studio enhances DCDS’s Film Program, offering students endless options to create critically acclaimed feature films.
“When we say our students make full-length feature films, they are actually full-length amazing feature
Karmanos is most proud of how the spaces have inspired teachers to think outside the box and use production as a key tool for creativity and higher learning. “There’s no exclusion in these rooms,” she observed. “Kids from every corner of campus are collaborating. Faculty trust is building, and once teachers see a simple one-day win, their guard drops.
From left, Danialle Karmanos, Mike Medvinsky, and Will Jennings
At Issue
What Pro AV technologies are essential for today’s smart classrooms?
Kristin Spiewak
Senior Manager, Sharp
Today’s smart classrooms are powered by a suite of Pro AV technologies, enhancing engagement, accessibility, and support both in-person or hybrid learning. Solutions like interactive displays and whiteboards allow real-time annotation, multimedia integration, and collaboration. Digital signage and video walls assist with communicating announcements, alerts, and sharing content in hallways, libraries, and auditoriums. Additionally, laser projectors are still used today which provide crisp imagery and are practically maintenance free. Finally, dvLED displays offer seamless, high-resolution visuals for lecture halls and student centers. This is seeing more use, as energy efficient models have now entered the market.
Emma Eagle
Manager of Marketing and Graphic Design, Atlona Today’s smart classrooms rely on Pro AV technologies that ensure reliability, flexibility, and
ease of use. Interactive displays enhance engagement, but they require dependable AV and USB connections between the instructor’s device and the screen. HDBaseT solutions, like Atlona Omega Series, extend high-resolution video and USB up to 330 feet over a single cable, solving distance limitations while keeping installations clean. Supporting multiple connections such as HDMI and USB-C ensures compatibility with different devices, while features like auto-switching and display control make operation seamless. These technologies create interactive, efficient learning environments that reduce downtime and keep students focused.
Cindy McCullough
Senior Product Manager, Planar Easy-to-use, all-in-one LED displays continue to be an ideal replacement for projection in classrooms, offering simultaneous viewing of multiple content sources and interactivity to facilitate experiences that engage audiences and enhance collaboration. These
solutions also allow for quick and simple setup, in addition to flexibility for permanent or mobile installations. As a result, education facilities can support everyday classroom presentations and welcome visitors at a recruiting or alumni event just hours later with the same display. With built-in features like audio and processing, today’s all-inone solutions are designed to deliver maximum efficiency, ensuring universities stay focused on driving impact for students and faculty.
Paul Lee
Director of Key Markets Americas, WyreStorm Technologies
Adaptability and engagement are key in modern learning environments. Educators need systems that connect effortlessly with any device while maintaining reliability and straightforwardness. Technologies like AV over IP, wireless presentation switchers, and unified USB-C connectivity are transforming classrooms by supporting both in-person and hybrid learning. Solutions such as WyreStorm’s NetworkHD and our MX Series switchers simplify how educators share, collaborate, and manage content, ensuring that technology empowers learning instead of complicating it.
EDUCATION INTEGRATION GUIDE
Victoria Sanville Education Director, LG Electronics USA
Today’s smart classrooms rely on integrated Pro AV technologies that support engagement, collaboration, and flexible learning. Interactive digital boards like the LG CreateBoard Pro are central, offering multi-touch capabilities, UHD displays, built-in AI, and immersive audio for dynamic lessons. LG ConnectedCare enables centralized IT management and support, while flexible IFP options allow schools to use LG’s OPS or retain existing learning management solutions. Complementary AV tools like digital signage and LED walls enhance communication and visibility, empowering educators to deliver interactive, hybrid, and in-person learning experiences that adapt to evolving educational needs.
Jakub Kolacz Manager Product and Commercialization, Business Communication, Sennheiser
As AV systems become increasingly networked, end users are grappling with how to evolve their environments without creating disruption. Legacy
software, fragmented device tools, and rising IT security expectations often slow progress—yet the demand for simpler, more scalable management is only growing. Now is the time for end users to prepare for this new era of AV/IT convergence. The priority is ease of deployment and configuration. Solutions that enable devices to be onboarded quickly, with minimal dependencies, free teams to focus on higher-value tasks. Next, interoperability and centralization are key. Too many organizations still rely on a patchwork of vendor-specific tools. By consolidating device management into a single, standardized platform, teams gain a clearer view of their systems and reduce friction across locations and departments.
Vanessa Jensen Market Development Manager, Shure
In today’s smart classrooms, highquality audio has evolved from a nice-to-have to a necessity for equitable learning and collaboration. To create engaging experiences for all participants, whether in-person or remote, AV and IT teams need the right mix of equipment and solutions that go beyond basic microphones. Ceiling array
microphones, wireless microphones, and DSP technology work to capture every voice in a room with clarity. For equitable learning, technology must be reliable, intuitive, and scalable. Integrating professional-quality audio solutions transforms the classroom environment into inclusive and immersive spaces where all voices carry equal weight.
Nick Smith VP of Technology, JB&A
The term “smart” often brings to mind wireless sharing, annotations, and remote collaboration, but as classrooms become more advanced, the basics are sometimes forgotten. Essential Pro AV technology should offer freedom. Freedom for instructors to move around while teaching, enabled by wireless lavalier and auto-tracking cameras. Freedom to display multiple content sources instead of a single source like PowerPoint. A presentation switcher such as Barco’s PDS-4K allows various materials to be seamlessly shared, so both in-room and remote audiences can see what is most relevant. Ultimately, smart classrooms thrive when flexibility is prioritized over resolution, where educators can create engaging and adaptable learning spaces for all students.
INTEGRATION GUIDE EDUCATION
Planar UltraRes L Series
Planar UltraRes L Series Full HD resolution all-in-one MicroLED and LED displays combine Planar’s LCD features with fine pixel pitch LED technology. The easy-to-use display features on-board processing, audio, 10-point IR touch technology, and multiple inputs to support simultaneous viewing of up to four content sources. Displays are available in 109, 122, and 136-inch sizes—and offer a wall mount for permanent installation as well as a rolling floor stand for mobility.
Atlona AT-OME-EX-KIT-LT
The Atlona AT-OME-EX-KIT-LT is an HDBaseT extender kit in the Omega series that transmits HDMI video (up to 4K60 4:2:0), USB 2.0, audio, and control (RS-232 and IR) over a single CAT cable. It supports distances up to 230 feet at 1080p60, and up to 130 feet at 4K/UHD via CAT6A/7. The receiver powers the transmitter, it’s HDCP 2.2 compliant, includes USB host and peripheral ports, and has built-in link integrity testing.
LG CreateBoard Pro
The LG CreateBoard Pro Interactive Digital Board empowers K-12 and higher education classrooms with advanced, collaborative learning tools. Google-certified and optimized for in-person, remote, and hybrid teaching, it features a built-in AI assistant, immersive quad speakers, and up to 50 touchpoints for highly responsive interaction. OPS slots support ChromeOS or Windows modules, while LG CreateBoard Prep and ELGi AI enhance lesson planning, engagement, and productivity. Available in 65, 75, and 86-inch sizes, it transforms teaching into an interactive, dynamic experience.
WyreStorm MX-0403-H3-MST
The MX-0403-H3-MST Conference Presentation Switcher is specifically designed to enhance collaboration. It perfectly fits classrooms and meeting spaces by combining video, audio, USB, control, and Ethernet in one device. Featuring dual USB-C and HDMI inputs for all of today’s laptops and handheld devices, 4K transmission, and a new HDBaseT 3.0 output extending up to 328 feet for remote sharing, it delivers seamless connectivity and flexible multi-display workflows, ideal for modern education and corporate environments.
Shure Microflex Wireless
neXt 4/8
Microflex Wireless neXt 4/8 offers a reimagined wireless collaboration experience with contemporary industrial design and pristine audio quality. It provides AV professionals and IT managers with a solution that delivers exceptional audio performance in minutes: It connects right out of the box and is easy to deploy to a variety of room types, sizes, and applications, reducing lengthy installation processes. A combined transceiver and onboard IntelliMix DSP is paired with integration tools like ShureCloud for remote management.
Sharp XP-X171Q
Sharp’s X171Q-W projector offers 4K UHD resolution with brightness levels ideal for spaces that need to overcome ambient light. Its innovative red assist laser produces a vivid red color while the blue laser drives high brightness. The X171Q-W offers reliable operation and allows for easy installation due to six motorized lenses, 360-degree roll free capabilities and motorized lens controls. With its filter free design, edge blending, and DLP technology, it’s ideal for demanding integration applications.
Sennheiser
DeviceHub
Sennheiser
DeviceHub is the company’s upcoming cloudbased software
environments, enabling seamless switching between multiple content sources with 4K clarity. Its intuitive operation allows instructors to engage students with dynamic visuals and flexible presentations, both in-room and remote. When paired with a compact yet powerful projector like the Barco G50, educators unlock an ideal solution that creates an interactive, future-ready learning experience for today’s classrooms.
