Oakland City Council Chambers Video Wall & Audio Upgrade

Q: What does a nationwide AV integrator actually manage?

A nationwide AV integrator manages the full lifecycle across every site: technology standards, site surveys, engineering documentation, procurement, installation, commissioning, and ongoing support — not just equipment sales.

Q: How is a nationwide rollout different from a single-site AV project?

A single-site project designs for one room's conditions. A nationwide rollout defines approved room archetypes (huddle, conference, boardroom, training, etc.) that get applied consistently, with documented exceptions for site-specific constraints like room size or network policy.

Q: Do all rooms need identical equipment?

No. Standardization applies at the archetype level — a small huddle room and a large boardroom should follow different technology packages, but each package should be repeatable across every site that fits that archetype.

Q: Why does network readiness matter for AV projects?

AV-over-IP video, conferencing appliances, control processors, and digital signage all run as networked devices. Without early planning for VLANs, PoE budgets, and security policy, a well-specified system can still underperform once it's installed.

Q: What happens after installation?

Commissioning tests the system under real conditions — video routing, mic pickup, DSP tuning, and conferencing workflows — before handoff. After that, ongoing support (monitoring, maintenance, escalation) keeps performance consistent as firmware, platforms, and room use evolve.

ProjectOakland City Council Chambers

LocationOakland, CA

Size240,000 SF

INTRODUCTION

The City of Oakland, California, recently modernized its historic City Council Chambers to better serve residents, council members, and staff. The Council Chambers is the central hub for public meetings, policy decisions, and community engagement. To improve visibility, audio clarity, and overall meeting quality, the City partnered with Creation Networks for a complete audiovisual transformation.

Creation Networks performed the full design, engineering, programming, and installation of the new system.

Empty legislative chamber with a screen displaying information and a flag.

CHALLENGE

The existing AV system in the Oakland City Council Chambers was outdated and no longer adequate for modern public meetings:

An aging rear-projection system with a long-throw lens produced dim, washed-out images, especially during daytime meetings.
The projection screen behind the dais was difficult for some council members and the public to see clearly.
The old microphone and DSP system suffered from poor sound quality, frequent dropouts, and limited expansion capability.
Outdated delegate microphones on the dais made it difficult for council members to be clearly heard by the audience and remote viewers.
Complex and unreliable controls created delays and technical issues during important public meetings.

THE SOLUTION

Creation Networks handled the design, engineering, programming, and installation of a complete replacement system:

A 164-inch Planar DirectLight Pro 1.8 MicroLED video wall behind the dais, replacing the old rear-projection system.
A Biamp Tesira Forte DSP for audio processing.
Shure Microflex wireless microphones.
A 14-channel Televic Confidea flush-mount delegate system, with individual microphones and speakers built into the dais.
New amplifiers, cabling, and programming to tie the system together.

Interior of a legislative chamber with a large screen and flags.

THE TECHNOLOGY

Video Wall System: 164" Planar DirectLight Pro 1.8 MicroLED video wall — providing exceptional brightness, contrast, and resolution with perfect viewing angles from all seats in the chamber.
Audio Processing: Biamp Tesira Forte DSP platform for advanced audio mixing, processing, and acoustic echo cancellation.
Wireless Microphones: Shure Microflex wireless microphone system for reliable, high-quality wireless coverage.
Delegate System: 14-channel Televic Confidea integrated flush-mount delegate panel system with individual microphones and loudspeakers installed directly into the dais for council members.
Supporting Infrastructure: New amplifiers, cabling, and programming for seamless integration of all components.

A meeting room with officials seated at a curved table, flags in background.

RESULTS

The new AV system has transformed the Oakland City Council Chambers:

Exceptional image quality and visibility for all attendees and remote viewers thanks to the bright, large-scale Planar MicroLED video wall.
Significantly improved speech intelligibility and professional audio quality throughout the room.
Reliable, easy-to-use wireless and delegate microphones that ensure every council member is clearly heard.
Streamlined meeting operations with fewer technical interruptions.
A modern, professional appearance that enhances public trust and engagement in local government proceedings.

The City of Oakland is now equipped with a state-of-the-art audiovisual system that will serve the community for many years to come.

Creation Networks delivers similar AV work for government agencies nationwide, including an El Dorado Fire Department dispatch center AV upgrade and a San Mateo County Board of Supervisors chambers AV system.

NEXT STEPS

Creation Networks has extensive experience designing and installing advanced AV systems for city halls, council chambers, and public safety facilities throughout California.

Ready to upgrade your city council chambers, board room, or public meeting space? Contact Creation Networks today for a consultation. Let us deliver a reliable, high-impact AV solution tailored to your government facility. Visit creationnetworks.net