PTZOptics Helps Harness Modern Technology for Timely Justice
By Jennifer P
The New York State Unified Court System (NYS UCS), the state government’s judicial branch, has embarked on an ambitious modernization journey to make its 1,540 courtrooms more functional, accessible, and digitally equipped. The Courtroom Modernization Initiative (CMI) Team was formed in 2019 to carry out this vision; PTZOptics, along with other key vendors such as Magewell and Biamp, played an important role in the transition.
A Swift Transition to Virtual Court
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered a rapid shift to virtual court operations. Except for jury trials, most court hearings have been moved to Microsoft Teams. Despite the smooth transition, the delay of jury trials, a constitutional right, became a major concern. With their outdated infrastructure that lacked the electrical and network capacity to support modern technology, the century-old courtrooms presented a daunting challenge.
Pro AV Technology Modernizes the Courtroom
To overcome these limitations, the CMI team pioneered the use of audiovisual technology. Several novel solutions were developed and quickly implemented to facilitate the participation of all stakeholders, including the judge, jurors, lawyers, and defendants. The courtrooms are now outfitted with cutting-edge network-connected cameras that magnify images in real time on monitors strategically placed throughout the room.
Mobile videoconferencing systems, NDI cameras to focus on the witness, Biamp audio mixers, assistive listening devices for acoustically challenging courtrooms, an easy-to-use control system, and NDI encoders and decoders for evidence presentation were among the technology used.
Notably, PTZOptics NDI cameras were crucial in improving the courtroom experience. They were used to provide jurors with “head and shoulder” shots of the witness from more than 50 feet away, allowing them to clearly observe the witness’s facial expressions and body language. Each PTZOptics camera is powered over Ethernet, utilizing the built-in NDI support to provide a single cable installation that eliminates the need for electrical outlets or costly SDI or HDMI video cabling.
Furthermore, PTZ cameras allow for the capture of multiple areas of interest throughout the courtroom with a single robotic camera. The main controller can move the camera to key points of interest on standard Windows computers by using the NDI Studio Monitor application and their keyboard and mouse. PTZ camera presets can also be used to automatically position the camera on critical areas of interest with the click of a button.
In addition, an HDMI camera was initially used to address the issue of jurors being unable to see the witness’s demeanor due to social distancing. The thick HDMI wires on the floor, on the other hand, posed a safety hazard. The solution was found in NDI technology, which enabled devices to use existing Gigabit Ethernet ports in courtrooms. The network switch alleviated safety concerns while increasing efficiency and device control.
Magewell Pro Convert devices are used to convert network-based NDI video to HDMI at each display in order to display the cameras on monitors throughout the courtrooms. When needed, a controller can instantly switch the video on each set of monitors independently. For example, the controller can quickly display evidence on each jury member’s eight monitors.
A Robust, Hybrid Courtroom for All to Participate
During these difficult times, the rapid deployment of this innovative technology was critical in speeding up dispute resolution, reducing case backlogs, and fostering trust and confidence in the judicial system. By December 2021, NYS jury trial capacity had more than tenfold increased, from 26 in March 2021 to nearly 300, demonstrating the project’s significant impact.
The technology’s ease of use and flawless operation were praised by key stakeholders such as Rensselaer County’s chief assistant attorney Matthew Hauf, who described it as critical in delivering justice in a timely manner.
The modernization initiative of the New York State Unified Court System has demonstrated how traditional Pro AV technology can seamlessly integrate with Information Technology to create a robust, hybrid court environment that does not compromise stakeholder participation. It has demonstrated that, with a flexible, creative, and tailored approach, even century-old courtrooms can be successfully upgraded to embrace the digital era. PTZOptics was instrumental in this transformation journey, demonstrating its expertise in providing innovative, efficient, and safe solutions for complex challenges in a time-critical environment.
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