Old Dominion University has deployed thousands of AVer TR315 auto-tracking cameras across campus, standardizing on the unit to support hybrid learning, lecture capture and remote instruction. The decision followed a campus-wide evaluation that identified the TR315 as a solution capable of tracking instructors without external software, additional processors or camera operators.
Located in Norfolk, Virginia, Old Dominion University serves more than 24,000 students across undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. The university has invested in classroom technology to support both in-person and remote students and sought a lecture capture system that would scale across hundreds of rooms while remaining simple for faculty to use.
The classroom technology team selected AVer’s TR315 based on its hardware-based auto-tracking, reliability and plug-and-play design. The university has since installed thousands of units, making it one of the largest higher education deployments of the TR315.
The TR315 features an 8MP sensor and 4K 60 fps video to capture instructors and content clearly from anywhere in the room. A 12X optical zoom with PTZ helps students view whiteboards, slides and lab demonstrations, while simultaneous USB, HDMI and IP outputs support lecture capture and streaming workflows.
Multiple AI-driven tracking modes allow the camera to adapt to different teaching environments. Presenter Tracking follows instructors as they move throughout the room, Zone Tracking prioritizes areas such as podiums or whiteboards, and Hybrid Tracking combines both approaches. By embedding tracking in the camera hardware, the TR315 eliminates the need for operators or external computing.
Installation was handled through a phased rollout to integrate the cameras with existing audio-visual systems. Faculty began teaching immediately without additional training.
As Dwayne Smith, Executive Director, Digital Integration Environment for Old Dominion University, explained, “The overall quality of our lecture captures has greatly increased since we implemented the AVer cameras. Faculty are impressed with its tracking ability. The fact that it keeps them in frame during the whole class is very impressive.”
In lecture halls, the Presenter mode tracked instructors as they moved between podiums, whiteboards and seating areas. In labs, Zone mode kept cameras focused on equipment and workstations. Standardizing on a single camera model across diverse teaching spaces gave faculty the freedom to move naturally while remaining in frame.
AVer’s support played a key role. Smith said the support team developed a custom firmware update to add a requested feature. “Working with AVer has been amazing,” he said. “AVer’s support team is approachable and always willing to go the extra mile to provide solutions. AVer’s engineering team even developed a custom firmware update to deliver a feature we requested — a level of support that’s increasingly rare in the industry.”
ODU reports that the TR315 has helped improve accessibility for remote students, reduced technical complexity and allowed instructors to teach naturally without worrying about camera controls. The ability to integrate with PTZ Link software and unified communications platforms supports future expansion without adding staff.
