RAF St. Mawgan – Astra Cinema Hall Case Study

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About the Client

Overview

RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall is a No. 22 (Training) Group Station supporting future and current operations in the South West. It is home to the Defence Survive, Evade, Resist, Extract (SERE) Training Organisation and trains approximately 5,000 personnel each year.

The Astra cinema hall serves as a multi-purpose venue, used for scheduled cinema screenings as well as daily training activities. The project focused on upgrading the existing AV system to enhance both entertainment and instructional use.

Royal Air Force Station St. Mawgan emblem with a black bird on a mound and a crown above.

Requirement

The existing setup presented several challenges:

  • Outdated AV equipment and control system
  • Separate projectors for cinema and presentations with inconsistent quality
  • No dedicated sound system for training presentations
  • Manual switching of audio inputs from the projection room
  • Limited support for hybrid meetings and recording

The client required a solution that could:

  • Improve overall audio-visual quality
  • Enable hybrid meetings (wired and wireless)
  • Provide recording and content sharing capabilities
  • Simplify system control and operation
Empty small theater with blue seats facing a screen displaying the word AKHTER in green.

10K Lumens Projector

Control panel screen showing display selection options for left, center, right screens and TV controls.

Akhter Control Panel

Solution

Akhter delivered a fully upgraded, integrated AV system designed for flexibility and performance.

AV distribution and content management

  • 4 × 2 Matrix Switcher for seamless signal routing
  • 2-channel HD Recorder for capturing high-definition content
  • Streaming Media Processor for live streaming and content management

This combination enables recording, switching, and archiving of content for future use.

High-performance visuals

  • 10K Lumens Projector for bright, clear presentations
  • 75” 4K UHD repeater screen to extend visibility across the room

Seamless audio integration

  • Utilised existing 7.1 Dolby surround sound system
  • Integrated Dolby Sound Processor for presentations
  • Ability to switch between cinema and presentation modes via control panel
  • Automatic reversion to cinema mode after presentations

Control system and user experience

  • Custom-programmed control panel tailored to user needs
  • Simple switching between inputs and modes
  • Eliminates manual processes and improves efficiency

Connectivity and BYOD

  • USB-C docking station and HDMI input at lectern
  • Clean cable management and easy device integration
  • Supports MODNET and external devices

Wireless presentation

  • Barco wireless presentation system
  • No complex network setup required
  • Enables instant, cable-free content sharing

Camera and hybrid integration

  • AI Auto-Tracking 4K PTZ Camera (21x zoom)
  • Supports live presentations and hybrid meetings
  • Switch between manual and auto-tracking modes
Podium with microphone and screen showing RAF emblem in an empty auditorium with blue seats.

Wireless Presentation

Empty auditorium with blue chairs facing a screen displaying a logo and a stage area.

AI Auto Tracking 21x 4K PTZ Camera

“The system’s fantastic… I greatly appreciate your expertise and help, and look forward to more engagement.”

Simon Damms

Warrant Officer, RAF St Mawgan

Delivery and implementation

Akhter’s Professional Services ensured a smooth and efficient rollout:

  • Detailed site survey and planning
  • Full project management and installation
  • System configuration and integration
  • On-site demonstration and training for users

Their experience within MoD environments ensured the project was delivered seamlessly.

Result

The upgraded cinema hall now delivers a powerful and flexible AV environment:

  • Enhanced viewing experience for both cinema and training
  • Seamless hybrid capability for meetings and presentations
  • Improved operational efficiency with simplified controls
  • Reliable, high-performance system tailored to user needs

Value delivered

The new AV system has significantly improved both training and entertainment capabilities at RAF St Mawgan:

  • Supports hybrid learning and collaboration
  • Provides long-term reliability and performance
  • Delivers excellent value for money

Akhter continues to partner with RAF St Mawgan, with plans to expand AV solutions across the facility over the next five years.

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