World-class University of Oxford meets world-class virtual education solution

“Being part of the University of Oxford, there are high expectations, so working with someone like Canon is perfect,” says Burke Cameron, Technical Development Lead at Saïd Business School.

When you’re at one of the world’s best universities, students and academics alike share exceptional standards. There’s a reputation to uphold. Delivering high-quality audio-visual experiences of lectures and events is therefore a crucial aspect of day-to-day operations.

Led by Burke and AV Technician, Tim Chapman, the AV team wanted to upgrade from a basic single-camera solution to a more flexible, multi-purpose system.

Thanks to Canon PTZ 4K cameras, they can now capture more minds with world-class clarity, producing broadcast-quality lecture streams that match the University of Oxford’s academic excellence.

“We are so confident in this gear, that it’s reliable and is going to work how we want it to work, that it actually gives us more time with the lecturers face-to-face to really fill them with confidence that it’s going to work as well,” said Tim.

Client: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Location: Oxford, UK

Previously, Burke’s team at University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School utilised a single wide static shot for standard lecture capture, while external teams brought in multi-camera rigs for more complex events – resulting in temporary cabling across the venue, logistical challenges and limited creative control.

Ideal for education, the all-in-one Canon PTZ solution offered powerful 4K image quality, cutting-edge auto focus and intuitive auto tracking. The standout feature, according to Tim, is the built-in auto-tracking feature in the CR-N700, which enables the PTZ cameras to follow the lecturer automatically, without the need for camera operators.

It accurately follows presenters around the stage and reduces the need for manual intervention. Meanwhile, the two CR-N300s add alternative angles for visual interest, and the RC-IP1000 controller provides total centralised control over multiple cameras.

“Being able to change things on the fly, adjust settings, the white balance, having that controller right in front of you – it's a game changer,” Burke added.

The result? A slick production and premium look and feel similar to an engaging TED Talk. Students feel immersed in the teaching, as if they’re in the lecture hall, while lecturers can focus on their talk not the tech.

“We decided to go for Canon because of the auto-tracking facilities, particularly on the CR-N700. It seems to be second to none,” said Tim. “The controller is very easy to use. And the other two cameras are as solid and reliable as we’d ever need them,” he added.

Crucially, Canon’s willingness to demonstrate the cameras on-site helped build the team’s confidence. These hands-on sessions allowed the AV technicians to explore each camera’s features in their actual environment, ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.

“Overall, the whole system has been very, very reliable, which is the number one reason why we’d go for Canon.”