Students at Utah Valley University enjoy a variety of hands−on classes, but the automotive engineering class also requires clear demonstrations and explanations from instructors. Instead of having up to 30 students crowd around a diesel engine to see how it works, the University instructors wanted a way to show the parts of the engine and its functions more efficiently.

According to David Shumway, media systems engineer at Utah Valley University, the task was a challenge, because not only did the instructors need a wireless camera to take the shots of the engine, they also needed a high resolution image to show students all the necessary details.

“Originally, we were just going to attach a Go Pro Hero camera to a long HDMI cable, but once we actually put this whole system together, we realized that this wouldn’t work well enough,” Shumway said. “It would be better if the camera were wireless, but the wireless functionality of this system did not provide a high enough resolution to be usable.”

Shumway said that in looking for alternative solutions, they found the Kramer KW−11 Wireless HDMI transmitter/receiver. “We had a lot of recent success with our Kramer products, and we knew it would last,” he explained.

The KW−11 transmitter/receiver set is a high−definition, wireless HDMI combination designed for use over short distances. The pair provides uncompressed video resolutions up to 1080p @60Hz. Part of the Kramer family of compact, high−quality solutions called TOOLS™, the transmitter/receiver transmits signals up to 39 feet, which made it the ideal solution for the University’s classroom. The transmitter/receiver was able to provide a higher resolution when connected to the camera and display unit.

Shumway said the biggest challenge was attaching the battery pack, camera and wireless HDMI transmitter in a usable way. They modified the case to allow a plug for the micro−HDMI cable. The final system was simplified to include the box, battery pack and wireless HDMI transmitter. He also added a clamp to the system’s camera so that instructors don’t have to hold the camera during the entire demonstration. In addition, the battery pack’s long life cycle allows the system to work through a full morning of classes without the need to recharge.

The instructors have expressed appreciation that the camera is totally wireless, Shumway noted, because it opened up the possibility for the entire class to participate in the presentation, and didn’t require dividing them into small groups to learn about the engine. “It used to be that the students would crowd around a diesel engine trying to see, but now they can easily group around the TV cart for a demonstration,” Shumway said. “It was fun to find a solution that worked well and gave them the functionality they needed,” he said.

The KW−11 Wireless HDMI Transmitter/Receiver is the engine that facilitates learning in this automotive classroom.