Systems Contractor News - Sept 2023

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SEPTEMBER 2023

19 Executive Q&A

VP Jamie Trader says things are different at AMX.

31 Blueprint for Success Julian Phillips believes it’s time to change Pro AV business practices.

42 Viewpoint

19

31

42

Sarah Joyce explores the AV and broadcast convergence.

BETTER DECISIONS, FASTERTM

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YOUR INSIDER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS

®

READING, WRITING, REPLAYS Take a Tour of USC's New Digital Creative Lab for Esports and More

AVNETWORK.COM

SEPTEMBER 2023

19 Executive Q&A

VP Jamie Trader says things are different at AMX.

31 Blueprint for Success Julian Phillips believes it’s time to change Pro AV business practices.

42 Viewpoint

19

31

42

Sarah Joyce explores the AV and broadcast convergence.

BETTER DECISIONS, FASTERTM

Integrated Solutions for Command and Control Any data, any network, any display Video Wall Processors Desktop Multiviewers Visual Data Recorders KVM Enterprise Level AV-over-IP Learn more at rgb.com

CONTENTS

24

Reading, Writing, Replays

Esports now has a permanent home at the University of South California.

People 18 Executive Q&A Steven Cogels from PlexusAV embraces IPMX for AVoIP solutions.

By Mark J. Pescatore

19 Executive Q&A HARMAN VP Jamie Trader explains AMX's recent reinvention.

31 Blueprint for Success Despite industry uncertainty, it’s time to change Pro AV business practices.

By Julian Phillips

32 A Smart Investment Prudential Financial’s new studio maximizes production values and flexibility.

By James Careless

By Mark J. Pescatore

Technology

22 Beyond the Tech

34 Building a Better Airport

Manufacturers need to consider the ROI of long-term

A unified strategy for AV systems

evaluations.

can produce better experiences for

By Douglas Kleeger

passengers and staff.

Business 26 Recipe for Success

32

36

By Carolyn Heinze

36 Show and Tell

Viewpoint 42 Here Comes Convergence The streaming era is uniting the Pro AV and broadcast

Aver’s new A30 universal camera is a

industries.

An AV-over-IP system is helping an Atlanta-based

flexible option for K-12 classrooms.

By Sarah Joyce

restaurant serve up ambience.

By Mark J. Pescatore

28 AV Takes Command at FedExField

38 Speech Intelligibility Solutions

The gameday experience is going to be enhanced this

How do you choose the right speakers for your space?

season for the Washington Commanders.

By Garrison Parkin

By Wayne Cavadi

Departments 6 SYSTEMS CHECK 8 NEWS 20 NEWSMAKERS 40 NEW PRODUCTS

Vol. 30 No. 9 September 2023 Systems Contractor News (ISSN 1078-4993) is published monthly by Future US, Inc., 130 West 42nd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036-8002. Periodical postage paid at New York, NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to: SYSTEMS CONTRACTOR NEWS, P.O. Box 1051, Lowell, MA 01853.

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4

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

®

SYSTEMS CHECK avnetwork.com

SEPTEMBER 2023 VOL. 30 NO. 9

MARK J. PESCATORE Content Director

EMAIL

mark.pescatore@futurenet.com

FACEBOOK

facebook.com/ systemscontractor

CONTENT

Is Your Office a Magnet for Employees?

A

VP/Content Creation Anthony Savona Content Director Mark J. Pescatore, Ph.D. mark.pescatore@futurenet.com Content Manager Wayne Cavadi Contributors James Careless, Peter Hansen, Carolyn Heinze, Sarah Joyce, Douglas Kleeger, Garrison Parkin, Julian Phillips Group Art Director Nicole Cobban Art Editor Rob Crossland

nother AV/IT Summit is in the books. This year, we set up shop in the UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders. It’s a great venue and served as an excellent backdrop for our exhibitors and various panel discussions.

A DV E R T I S I N G S A L E S

Of course, no event is without its challenges—and this year, the keynote address

Managing Vice President of Sales, B2B Tech Adam Goldstein, adam.goldstein@futurenet.com, 212-378-0465

turned ours into a hybrid event. Less than 12 hours before showtime, the flight transporting our keynote speaker, Kay Sargent, was cancelled after numerous delays.

Sargent is a member of the SCN Hall of Fame (2022) and director of HOK’s WorkPlace, which designs and engineers work experiences for clients around the world. Needless to say, her keynote was highly anticipated.

LINKEDIN linkedin.com/company/ systems-contractor-news

Thankfully, she was able to provide us with a video of a recent interview, complete with a slide presentation, which delivered plenty of insights to our attendees. Sargent’s remarks were focused on the very timely topic of the human-centric hybrid workplace.

According to Sargent, 94% of knowledge workers surveyed want more flexibility in when they work, and 80% want flexibility in where they work. Meanwhile, 74% of public

TWITTER twitter.com/scnmag

sector companies have adopted hybrid work policies. A 3:2 model (three days in the office, two days remote) is the most common, but many companies have announced a mandatory four-day office schedule this year. Those numbers sure don’t look like they add up to a happy workforce.

Sure, management can simply declare remote work is no longer a thing, but that’s probably not going to encourage loyalty among employees who were forced to work from home during the pandemic and suddenly realized they liked it. Employees want to know why they have to return—what’s better at the office than what they have at home?

Sargent also shared an eye-opening statistic: Employees spend more than 252% more time in online meetings than they did just a few years ago in the pre-pandemic

Members of your SCN editorial team—Mark J. Pescatore (left), Steve Greenblatt, Jennifer Guhl, and Wayne Cavadi—attended the AV/IT Summit at the UBS Arena last month.

Not a bad day at the office, that’s for sure.

world. She also said there is a rise in after-hours work that is extending the average workday. Coincidence?

A smart hybrid strategy has to answer the right questions. After all, as Sargent asked, what is the “stickiness” of remote work? Is it simply the convenience? Maybe employees simply want to avoid the commute or an eight-hour work block.

Sargent emphasized the importance of purpose of place. Essentially, the office must serve as a magnet for employees, drawing them back in with legitimate purpose. Part of the pull is ensuring that leaders are on site and accessible; do as I say not as I do isn’t going to work here. The other part is rethinking the offices into tech-enabled, techenhanced spaces.

As Sargent explained, her team is no longer designing environments, they are designing the experience.

Her presentation reinforced my feeling that the Pro AV industry is going to remain extremely busy for the foreseeable future. Technology not only needs to be a cornerstone of any successful return-to-office effort, but it needs to drive any hybrid operational models moving forward.

6

Production Managers Nicole Schilling, Heather Tatrow

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

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NEWS

Solotech is delivering audio and lighting systems for the new VAI Amphitheater (rendering inset).

ENCO Acquires DoCaption

E

NCO has acquired DoCaption, a developer and manufacturer of captioning, subtitling, and ancillary data solutions for the broad-

cast and Pro AV industries. The deal closed on July 1, with ENCO retaining DoCaption’s entire product line, intellectual property, staff, and business operations based in Valence, France. It is ENCO’s third business acquisition in the past 12 months, following the acquisitions of RUSHWORKS in January and TranslateTV in July 2022.

ENCO has long worked with DoCaption to deliver live, automated captions and insert closed captions into live broadcasts. The acquisition means that ENCO can now offer more complete, integrated, and cost-efficient solutions for broadcasters, and offer more complete solutions to caption meetings, lectures, and presentations in live AV environments.

DoCaption specializes in developing embedded,

Solotech Brings AV Innovation to VAI Amphitheater

S

olotech has partnered with the VAI Resort

short-throw loudspeakers for the stage monitor

team in Glendale, AZ, for the highly antici-

system. AVB audio distribution with L-Acoustics P1

pated VAI Amphitheater project. As design-

processors will ensure exceptional audio quality

ers and equipment providers for the performance audio and lighting systems, Solotech is committed

throughout the venue.

Solotech also designed a flexible lighting

integrated hardware and software solutions. Its

to delivering an unparalleled live entertainment

system to meet the challenges of the venue’s

products include specific solutions for SCTE 104

experience when the venue opens in 2024.

diverse programming and the desert climate. The

metadata signaling and insertion for ad markers,

“Solotech is ensuring that the AV technology

SMPTE timecode generation for synchronization,

attracts both artists and travelers from across the

MA Lighting MA3 lighting console, combined with a range of Robe Lighting fixtures, provides dynamic

scoreboard data encoding for venue displays, and

globe,” explained Aaron Beck, business development

lighting for every performance. Plus, Solotech is

integrated open captions generators and keyers.

manager and senior engineer at Solotech. “Our drive

supplying the amphitheater’s cable, power, power

“Immediately, we can now sell captioning encoders

for spectacular, and the VAI Resort team’s trust in us

distribution units, and hardware needs for a

alongside our on-premises and cloud-based enCaption

to execute, is what’s at the heart of our partnership.”

seamless, reliable infrastructure.

systems to offer more flexible and affordable single-

The VAI Amphitheater’s uniqueness stems from

“This is the first venue where guests can

source solutions,” explained Ken Frommert, president

its ability to provide an incredible viewing and

enjoy performances at the amphitheater from

of ENCO.

listening experience to every seat in the venue,

their hotel balconies with the same audio quality

including the balconies of the VAI Resort Muse Tower.

you’d have by the stage,” said Howard Weiss,

To provide coverage for such a vast space, Solotech is

vice president of entertainment for VAI Resort.

deploying L-Acoustics K1, K2, and KS28 loudspeakers

“The experience for artists will be superb, and

and K1-SB subwoofers for the main audio system,

Solotech will be there in support with best-in-class

along with Kara II long-throw and X15 HIQ and X12

technology for years to come.”

AVI-SPL Offers New Bundle for Signature Microsoft Teams Rooms

A

VI-SPL now offers a furniture and tech-

Salamander Designs. In response to customer

nology bundle that delivers the Signature

requests, the bundle also responds to increasing

Microsoft Teams Rooms vision of meeting

mandates for accessible, sustainable solutions. As a

equity and uplifts the hybrid meeting experience

complete solution, it also satisfies market demand

for all. It enables the Microsoft Teams Front Row

for simple, quick, and scalable deployment.

layout in 21:9 format using purpose-built ele-

AVI-SPL’s new bundle for Signature Microsoft Teams Rooms includes solutions from Crestron, Jupiter, and Salamander Designs.

The new ADA-compliant and ENERGY STAR-

ments that put human experience and sustainabil-

certified bundle for Signature Microsoft Teams

Arc Table. AVI-SPL provides all design renderings,

ity at the center of team collaboration.

Rooms includes the Crestron Flex conference

installation, and system integration. The bundle is

system with Jabra PanaCast 50 videobar, Jupiter 5K

globally available and able to be easily procured as a

LCD display, and Salamander Designs credenza and

single unit.

A Microsoft managed partner, AVI-SPL developed the bundle with Crestron, Jupiter, and

8

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

NEWS

What We Learned at the 2023 AV/IT Summit

By Wayne Cavadi

But perhaps Jason Kikta of AUTOMOX said it best. He said it’s

P

time for companies to be the leading ro AV and IT industry experts

investment, not the trailing one.

AV Technology’s Cindy Davis, SCN’s Mark J.

Companies can no longer implement

Pescatore, and TV Tech’s Tom Butts for the

based on decisions that came

2023 AV/IT Summit, which was held on Aug. 2 at

before—but be a trailblazer and stay

the UBS Arena in New York City. Keynote speaker

ahead of the curve.

Kay Sargent, senior principal and director of examining what the hybrid world should look like

Campus Technology Considerations

now and in the future. As explained, it is no longer

It may be hard to remember, but

about designing the right environments, but the

just a few short years ago, people wondered if anyone

When it comes to AI, Bill Newman of Yealink

right experiences. Here are some highlights from

would ever return to the classroom. Now, of course,

Network Technology explained it should be about

the rest of the sessions.

students and teachers are back, and a lot of the

the user experience. Device-level intelligence

technology installed is not necessarily being used for

makes it easier to capture experiences and helps

the same intent. As Joe Way, co-founder and chair of

today’s technologies get ahead of the curve.

WorkPlace at HOK, started the day’s discussions by

It’s a Videoconferencing World

SCN’s Mark J. Pescatore (right) asked his panelists about the future of Pro AV.

No, the “Workplace 2024: People, Place, Purpose”

HETMA, explained during the “Higher Ed 2024:

panel was not solely about videoconferencing, but we

Campus Technology of Tomorrow” panel, education

explained that during the pandemic, a lot of fun,

are kidding ourselves if we don’t think it plays a large

is still very much tangible and not all virtual and

innovative technology was created—and now that

role in the current hybrid world. Scott Josephson,

digital.

we have it, we need to use it and make it easy to use.

AV/IT professional, noted changes are coming rapidly

So, what are the conversations vendors should be

Samantha Potter from Allen & Heath USA

Mark Vitt from TRITECH Communications agreed;

and we see it in the acceleration of videoconferencing

having with higher-ed professionals to make that a

no matter how many cameras, displays, and

technology. For example, with AI, cameras act as

comfortable return? According to Jonathan Kornberg

microphones bring a conference room together, the

directors, finding the speaker and panning back and

from the Columbia University Medical Center, it

technology needs to be approachable.

forth between participants.

starts with ceiling mics and mics for large spaces,

And speaking of conference rooms, what’s in

Where should we focus our attention moving

lecture capture, and types of audio devices for

the dream conference room of the future? Jeff Mele

forward in the workplace? For Josephson, it was to

recording and live events. Cameras are still very

of Metinteractive felt attendees should be able to

give the employee a choice and provide flexibility in

important, in particular those powered by AI.

experience and interact seamlessly just like they’re

regard to remote and in-person work with purpose.

Tim Van Woeart from Rutgers University said

at home. For Red Thread’s Ashish Maru, the ideal

For Jenn Steinhardt of Shen Milsom & Wilke, it is time

there is once again a big push for active learning (the

conference room is the one in which the technology

to rethink how spaces are being utilized and to ensure

pre-COVID buzzword) and a reliable, easy-to-use

doesn’t get in the way. Let the presenter present

we are promoting collaboration and routine. Bill

AV-over-IP solution is the way to go in active

and let AI handle the camera angles and voice

Bennett of ENCO focused on captioning and the

learning spaces over multiple networks connecting

tracking. The panelists agreed that technology

importance of saving the transcripts so people can

multiple campuses miles apart. Erin Maher-Moran

has to be easy to use for the end user and easy to

re-read when they need to.

from Johns Hopkins University added that every-

install for the integrators. The ecosystem is just

AV Technology’s Cindy Davis (left) hosted the “Workplace 2024: People, Place, Purpose” panel.

thing should be simple and flexible,

fine where it is, but the potential for an enhanced

allowing educators to get the bells and

digital future is limitless.

whistles by simply pressing a button.

Also, and somewhat surprisingly, the

Stadium Technology Is Cool

need for chalkboard capture cameras

As with last year’s AV/IT Summit at Citi Field, home

is larger than ever, as many faculty

of MLB’s New York Mets, the location of the summit

haven’t adapted to the whiteboard.

was a multipurpose sports venue. UBS Arena is

The Future Is Approachable

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

events, concerts, and shows.

SCN’s own Mark J. Pescatore gathers a

During the “Technology on Ice” session, Ryan

panel every year and asks the same

Halkett of the New York Islanders and Steve Stubelt

question: What is the future of Pro

of Diversified discussed how building the new UBS

AV? Last year, topics like Microsoft

Arena from the ground up was all about the fan

Teams/Zoom/UC, bandwidth, and

experience—or what they called the home ice

HDBaseT dominated the conversa-

advantage. Technology had to be the driving force

tion. This year, buzzwords and big

and enable that enhanced experience.

ideas like virtual and remote produc-

10

home to the New York Islanders, but also hosts

As Halkett said, “Fans love experiencing the

tion, meeting equity, and, to no one’s

building. They finally have a home and more

surprise, AI were at the forefront.

importantly, they feel like it’s their home.”

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NEWS

SPHERE ENTERTAINMENT

The Sphere Immersive Sound audio system helps Sphere, the new entertainment venue in Las Vegas, create an immersive atmosphere.

HOLOPLOT Powers Sphere Immersive Sound

S

that take storytelling to an entirely new level.

“Sphere Immersive Sound is a cornerstone of the custom-designed technology that will make Sphere unlike any venue, anywhere in the world, providing audio with unmatched clarity and precision to every guest, no matter where they are seated,” said David

phere Entertainment has unveiled Sphere

music, or sound effects—offering opportunities for

Dibble, CEO, MSG Ventures, a division of Sphere

Immersive Sound, powered by HOLOPLOT,

truly customized and immersive audio experiences.

Entertainment. “Creating this experience required us to

which provides crystal-clear, individual-

Sphere Immersive Sound will also use HOLOPLOT’s

go far beyond existing audio technology, and in

ized sound to every seat in Sphere, its unique

unique Wave Field Synthesis capabilities, a spatial audio

HOLOPLOT we found a partner at the forefront of

entertainment venue opening in Las Vegas this

rendering technique that leverages virtual acoustic

innovation to help achieve our vision and truly trans-

fall. Sphere Immersive Sound is a fully integrated,

environments. With conventional audio technology, the

form what is possible with audio.”

concert-grade audio system that revolutionizes

perceived origin of a sound has traditionally been the

Last summer, ahead of being further customized

immersive audio experiences.

location of the loudspeaker. Using Wave Field Synthe-

and scaled for Sphere, Sphere Immersive Sound was

sis, sound designers can create a virtual point of origin,

introduced at the Beacon Theatre in New York. The

interior, Sphere Immersive Sound includes approxi-

which can then be placed in a precise spatial location.

system brought a nearly 100-year-old venue into the

mately 1,600 permanently installed and 300 mobile

This enables audio to be directed to the listener so that it

next generation, and has offered artists and audiences

HOLOPLOT X1 Matrix Array loudspeaker modules as well

sounds close, even though the source is far away—for

a glimpse of what the system can deliver.

as 167,000 individually amplified loudspeaker drivers.

example, an audience member could hear a whisper that

The result is controlled and consistent audio for

sounds like someone is talking directly in their ear.

Specifically developed for the venue's unique curved

audiences of up to 20,000 people, providing each

The entire sound system is completely hidden

“From the beginning, HOLOPLOT has been focused on radically transforming audio technology, rethinking the underlying physics of sound reproduction as we

audience member with a truly exceptional and person-

behind Sphere’s 160,000-square-foot interior LED

know it,” said Roman Sick, CEO, HOLOPLOT. “Working

alized listening experience. HOLOPLOT’s algorithms in

display plane, which wraps up, over, and around the

alongside Sphere Studios on Sphere Immersive Sound

the optimization engine compensate for any audio

audience. Combined with Sphere Immersive Sound, it

has been a truly thrilling opportunity for our team,

transmission losses.

creates a fully immersive environment. Sphere also

challenging us to extend the boundaries of our technol-

Traditional loudspeaker technology in large-scale

features patented 4D technologies such as infrasound

ogy at an unparalleled scale and create a revolutionary

venues can result in audio quality that diminishes as

haptic seating and various atmospheric and environ-

listening experience.”

distance from the speakers increases, due to the

mental effects to create multi-sensory experiences

HOLOPLOT’s patented 3D Audio-Beamforming technology uses intelligent software algorithms

HOLOPLOT

uncontrolled nature of sound wave propagation.

Sphere will open its doors on Sept. 29 with the first of U2’s 25 performances of “U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere.” U2’s The Edge said the venue’s immersive technology was a big

to create unique, highly controlled, and more

selling point for the band’s residency at

efficient soundwaves than conventional

Sphere. “In short, it’s a canvas of an unparal-

speakers, ensuring that levels and quality remain

leled scale and image resolution, and a

consistent from point of origin to destination,

once-in-a-generation opportunity,” he said.

even over large distances. The system can also

“We all thought about it and decided we’d be

simultaneously send unique audio content to

mad not to accept the invitation.”

specific locations in the venue, creating the possibility for different sections to hear completely different content—such as languages,

12

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

Almost 2,000 HOLOPLOT X1 Matrix Array loudspeaker modules are part of the Sphere Immersive Sound system at Sphere.

NEWS

Left Lane Capital Renovates with K-array Loudspeakers

L

ocated in Brooklyn, NY, the Left Lane Capital

caters for all occasions, from company functions to

corporate building overlooks the waters of

cocktail parties.”

the East River. There is no better view than

The high-end corporate install called for a

on the 20th floor, where a full K-array system was

minimal yet style-focused approach. The discreet

installed in March as part of a complete renovation

design of K-array’s products allowed Ovadia Bros. to

of the space.

design a stylish, minimal interior without the need to

Specified and installed by Architech Designs, the project was in collaboration with the Ovadia Bros. New

work around bulky loudspeakers.

“We chose K-array for their ability to deliver the

The stylish sensory room delivers immersive audio with two Tornado loudspeakers and two Rumble subwoofers.

York fashion designers (and twin brothers) who

world-class sound, performance, and reliability we

provided interior design and furnishing direction.

were seeking,” explained Noah Siber-Sanderowitz,

ers, and two KU210 and eight KU44 Rumble

Having previously deployed K-array products in similar

former operations manager at Architech Designs.

subwoofers. Slimline Vyper column loudspeakers are

projects, Architech Designs opted for a full K-array

“The goal was to deliver a world-class audio-video

in the main boardroom.

sound system to work seamlessly with other integrated

conferencing experience for the conference rooms, a

technology, including custom Crestron control, Ketra

sleek yet powerful office-wide music system for

were used in the sensory room, which features a

lighting, 100-inch Sony display, 4K videoconferencing

distributed audio, and an immersive audio system for

minimalistic design despite being packed with

cameras, and soundproofed huddle pods.

the sensory room.”

advanced technology. “K-array’s aesthetic-driven

“While initially designed for background music,

K-array’s products were able to overcome the

Discreet yet powerful Tornado loudspeakers

designs gave us the ability to blend the speakers

K-array’s headroom and output allowed for the

acoustical challenge of concrete walls while still

into the space whilst providing class-lead-

open-area speaker system to provide exceptional

providing high-quality sound. The audio system

ing sound,” said Siber-Sanderowitz. “The client is

audio,” explained Robert D’Amico, project manager at

consists of 12 Tornado KT2 point source loudspeak-

thrilled with the performance and result, which

Architect Designs. “The end result is a system that

ers, four Vyper KV52 ultra-slim column loudspeak-

looks as good as it sounds.”

avnetwork.com // September 2023 // SCN

13

NEWS

The College of New Jersey is using ClearOne solutions across campus for high-quality audio capture.

ClearOne Streamlines Remote Learning at The College of New Jersey

A

mid a torrent of rapidly changing student

the COLLABORATE Versa Lite CT system provides

needs in Spring 2020, The College of New

enhanced audio pickup and clarity while simplifying

Jersey (TCNJ) embarked on a mission to make

connection of AV peripherals and computers through

its campus accessible to remote learning. The college’s

the ClearOne Versa USB Hub. It offers acoustic echo

Office of Media and Technology Support Services

cancellation and adaptive steering, which intelligently

(MTSS) began evaluating several options to deliver

switches between the unit’s multiple directional

high-quality audio capture in classrooms and lecture

microphones to optimize pickup based on the current

halls, ultimately commencing a multi-phase rollout of

location of speaker or meeting host.

ClearOne solutions across the entire campus.

The deployment is ongoing, with each year's

Additionally, using the same solutions across campus

“When COVID threw a wrench into in-person

budget providing additional funds to integrate more

has raised the tech confidence of staff and offers a

classes, we quickly recognized the need to develop

classrooms, conference rooms, and other spaces. To

simple, intuitive setup that even guest speakers or

hybrid learning environments that support the

date, MTSS has installed 53 Versa Lite CT systems in

event hosts can operate with ease.”

ongoing success of our staff and students,” said Jon

small and medium-sized classrooms in conjunction

After witnessing the widespread success of the

Bannan, director of user support services. “The most

with a variety of camera solutions that offer automatic

Versa Lite CT solutions, MTSS turned its focus to the

critical need we identified was that any solution must

tracking to keep the presenter in frame as they move

college’s lecture halls, developing a solution that

be dead simple to operate, or otherwise risk introduc-

around the room. Most rooms also include a projection

combines multiple BMA 360 ceiling microphones

ing interruptions and frustration into educators’ daily

system, while some feature a digital display.

with a Converge Pro 2 DSP mixer in conjunction with

schedules. The ClearOne COLLABORATE Versa Lite CT

“Three years after we began this project, we

tracking cameras. The solution ensures complete

system stood out as a high-performing solution

would be hard pressed to find a student, parent, or

coverage for the larger rooms while enabling connec-

that’s compatible with virtually any computer, mobile

educator who expects anything less—it’s essentially

tion of up to 12 additional microphones commonly

device, or collaboration platform, making it easy to

a requirement now,” Bannan explained. “In the

used for panel discussions and multi-speaker

deploy in multi-use spaces that host different

competitive college landscape, staying ahead of

scenarios. The BMA 360 makes system design even

educators throughout the day.”

technology trends is vital to achieve enrollment goals

easier by allowing up to three distant units to be daisy

and provide all students equitable access, regardless

chained together using P-Link, requiring only a single

of individual situations or external disruptions.

home run cable to the DSP.

Featuring the ClearOne BMA CT, a beamforming microphone solution that blends in with drop ceilings,

New Display Serves as ‘Gateway to Times Square’

Audiotonix Embraces AI with Sonible Acquisition

A

Out-of-home (OOH) media company BIG OUTDOOR launched a new digital platform at the north end of the Times Square bow tie on top of the Duane Reade building at the corner of 50th and Broadway. Dubbed the “Gateway to Times Square,” a pair of stacked LED displays face north

udiotonix recently announced the acquisition

that includes Allen & Heath, Calrec, DiGiCo, DiGiGrid,

and provide long read times to traffic entering the

of sonible, which develops assistive AI-based

Group One Limited, Harrison, KLANG:technologies,

Crossroads of the World. With the larger of the two

processing solutions for professional audio.

Slate Digital, Solid State Logic, and Sound Devices.

screens serving as the bottom display, they have a

“The sonible team have spent the last 10 years

combined 3,100 square feet of digital canvas. Both

plug-ins have provided a new generation of intelligent

developing the most advanced assistive AI technolo-

outdoor video screens employ SNA Displays 8mm

processing production tools for engineers and audio

gies for mixing and audio creation,” said James

EMPIRE Exterior LED display technology.

creatives with workflow-enhancing features at their

Gordon, CEO of Audiotonix. “Along with investing in

core. Its product portfolio also includes multi-channel

their growth and helping the team expand their

amplifiers for high-end audio installations dedicated

current market solutions as sonible, we will also look to

to science and research, as well as speaker technology

harness their technology across our other Audiotonix

for delivering 3D immersive soundscapes.

brands. The potential to utilize sonible’s intelligence in

Located in Graz, Austria, sonible’s assistive mixing

sonible will join the growing Audiotonix brand portfolio of audio technology and solutions companies

14

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

our other brands will be a ground-breaking proposition for all our customers.”

NEWS

New NSCA Award Honors Mentors

N

SCA has established the John Greene Mentorship Award. The honor will be bestowed upon an

industry professional who demonstrates the same passion for and dedication to Biamp CEO and co-chairman Rashid Skaf was on hand to open the company new office space.

Biamp Opens Boston Office, Demo Space

O

mentorship as Greene did during his 30-plus years serving the industry before his death in 2021 at age 63 after a lengthy battle with cancer. The winner will be recognized at the annual Business & Leadership Conference, which is scheduled for February 2024 in Irving, TX. Greene was always quick to support his colleagues, coworkers, and AV industry

Chuck Wilson, executive director of NSCA Education Foundation (left), and Mike Boettcher, NSCA board member and longtime colleague of John Greene, announced the John Greene Mentorship Award at InfoComm 2023.

n July 26, the Biamp team converged on its new office space in the

friends. He began his AV career as a regional

Great Boston Area region, along with customers and partners, to host

account manager for JVC before joining Total Video Products as its vice president of

an official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event

sales. Since 2006, he worked as the vice president of sales and marketing for

began with opening remarks from CEO and co-chairman Rashid Skaf, who said

Advanced AV, which was acquired by New Era Technology in 2013.

the new location will enable the team to conduct more engaging product demos in a location that is more accessible for visitors.

While his career was impressive, so were his commitments beyond his professional life. Greene spent five years as an Ignite Ambassador and served as a

Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the new demo spaces, which provide

volunteer and co-captain for Special Olympics Pennsylvania and Alex’s Lemonade

more complete and engaging environments to test Biamp products. Skaf noted the

Stand Foundation. The association is hoping the industry can work together to pay

new space provides a compelling showcase to help partners and customers in the

it forward by mentoring up-and-coming leaders and carry on his tradition.

region gain a better understanding of the options and capabilities Biamp offers. The new space is located at 800 District Ave., Suite 310, Burlington, MA. The Boston area remains an important part of the Biamp footprint, where much

“As we navigate multi-generational staff and evolving leadership within companies in our industry, it has become increasingly important for businesses to consider implementing a mentorship program,” said Mike Boettcher, EDGE

of its sound masking product development originated. The new office space also

president, who is a former NSCA president, current NSCA board member, and

reinforces Biamp’s commitment to providing a regional showplace and demo area

longtime colleague of Greene. “We couldn’t think of an individual who better

for its Northeast U.S.-based employees, partners, and customers.

exemplifies the traits of a mentor than John Greene.”

Mersive Delivers Room-Responsive Digital Signage for WeWork

W

eWork is redefining how it works

With 15,000 Solstice Pods across more than 500

collaboration. The Mersive

locations, the solution had to be scalable and easy to

Technologies Solstice collaboration

manage. Solstice Cloud makes deploying and

platform continues to be deployed globally at

managing new Pods simple. WeWork can leverage

WeWork coworking locations to create frictionless

configuration templates and schedule updates or

collaboration systems for WeWork members, offering

change digital signage. Rich analytics lets the

nearly instantaneous sharing and collaboration.

company collect data from spaces and use those

Solstice also enables WeWork to integrate its booking

insights to optimize room use.

systems with Mersive’s Dynamic Digital Signage for

WeWork has deployed Solstice to create branded in-room user experiences across more than 500 locations.

Solstice’s new web-based sharing feature not only

a branded in-room user experience and more cost-

automatically loads security certificates for a more

use it. This helps WeWork make more efficient use of

efficient use of WeWork spaces.

frictionless sharing experience and fewer support

space and reduce conference room squatters.

“The main thing that attracted us to the Mersive Solstice collaboration platform was its reliability,” said

calls, but it also allows those who want to share their screen to do so in seconds.

“We’re pushing the boundaries of what digital signage can do with Mersive, and it’s making the

Jacob Robinson, director of engineering at WeWork.

WeWork also developed motion sensors to work

“With competing solutions, we had to constantly

with the Solstice platform, so if movement is detected

giving them a fully customized WeWork experience,”

reboot, the uptime on the devices wasn’t good, and the

in the room, the screen can display a welcome message.

added Robinson. “Since we’ve deployed digital

devices were not as modern as what Mersive was

If the room is not booked, a screen will pop up that

signage in this way, we have seen a dramatic increase

offering for essentially the same price or less.”

informs the person in the room they need to book it to

in positive experiences reported.”

16

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

experience for our members as good as it can be by

NEWS

Have We Stuck the Soft Landing?

By Peter Hansen

open positions.

The best news came from the wider economy this

G

positive as the rest of the report this month, falling from 59.3 to 56.9. Now, 56.9 is not a bad result for the

July. U.S. GDP hit a big surprise when the advance

steadier AVI-E, but it is the lowest level recorded

ood news, good news, and good news this

estimate of second-quarter growth came in at an

since July 2021.

month! Conditions aren’t perfect, but the

annualized rate of 2.4%. So much for the first-half

macroeconomy has hit a strong run of good

recession concerns.

news, and Pro AV seems to be strengthening along with it.

Interestingly, the result paralleled the data on U.S. employment for July, which showed the addition

This good news on growth was accompanied by

of 187,000 jobs, a level that was the lowest since 2020.

good news on U.S. inflation, which saw the annual CPI

Yet, the news was good overall. To start, 187,000 jobs

Starting with Pro AV: Our sales index for July

inflation rate cool to just 3.0% year-on-year (down

would have been a bit above average for the months

shows an acceleration in revenue growth, from the

from 4.0%). Core inflation, which is an important

leading up to the pandemic. Beyond that, unemploy-

positive but mediocre June mark of 55.9 to a solid but

guide for interest rate decisions, was higher at 4.8%,

ment ticked down to 3.5%, and the average hourly

unspectacular mark of 59.3 for July. In describing

though this, too, was a meaningful improvement

wage increased at a 4.4% annualized rate. In sum, a

company performance, survey respondents high-

from the May mark of 5.3%.

positive report, even if hiring is slowing down—for

lighted a variety of factors. Positive influence from

These major pieces of good news contributed to a

Pro AV and the U.S. economy alike.

the economy was common, though others high-

special outcome in the Dow Jones stock index: a

lighted ongoing economic challenges.

13-day winning streak, the longest in 36 years. In fact,

monthly survey of the AVIXA Insights Community, a

the streak was just a day short of the all-time record

research community of industry members that tracks

the consensus and our data are clear that they are on a

set back in 1897. It’s not all good news—Europe

business trends in commercial AV. For more informa-

trajectory of improvement. Hiring is also an issue;

continues to experience stagnant growth, though

tion about joining the AVIXA Insights Community,

while some companies are fine, others remain

inflation is declining there, too.

visit www.avixa.org/AVIP.

Supply chains remained a frequent factor, though

perpetually understaffed or struggle mightily to fill

The AV Employment Index (AVI-E) wasn’t as

The Pro AV Business Index report is derived from a

Peter Hansen is an economist at AVIXA.

avnetwork.com // September 2023 // SCN

17

PEOPLE EXECUTIVE Q&A

Simplified Systems through Standards PlexusAV’s Cogels Embraces IPMX for New AVoIP Solutions

By Mark J. Pescatore

Steven Cogels Position: Global Director of Business Development Company: PlexusAV Overtime: Although I’m based in Europe, I enjoy partaking in a common American tradition of grilling and cooking outdoors.

: Why is AVoIP so complicated, and how will PlexusAV simplify it?

: Anything else on the drawing board?

SC: The introduction of AV-over-IP has created an

SC: Right now, we are laser-focused on the AVN

untransparent jungle of closed, non-standardized

Series. We want to gather feedback from customers

How long have you been with Sencore and

technologies. As a result, AV-over-IP has become

and technology partners, and utilize their feedback as

PlexusAV, and what are your responsibilities?

incredibly complex because of the introduction of

we continue to build our portfolio in a logical manner.

Steven Cogels: Over a year ago, I rejoined Sencore to

proprietary solutions that have created walled

help the company re-emerge in the professional AV

gardens. These technologies have been pushed into

: What vertical markets are you targeting?

industry through the introduction of PlexusAV.

the market, and although they have become quite

SC: PlexusAV is designed for higher education, large

Previously, I worked for Sencore for almost five years

successful, they’ve created an AV-over-IP jungle.

venues, healthcare, corporate and enterprise, and

: Congratulations on your InfoComm launch.

as the regional sales manager for EMEA. During that

PlexusAV is simplifying AV-over-IP by eliminat-

time, their business in EMEA was starting and I was

ing proprietary technology. PlexusAV is designed and

other applications. We believe that PlexusAV will simplify AV-over-IP in various applications because

one of the first international employees. My prior

engineered as a standards-based, AV-over-IP solution

we offer multiple versions of encoders and decoders

history with Sencore made it easy to rejoin, as I know

to provide backward and forward-compatible,

to create an innovative, accessible, and human-

what we are capable of. My responsibilities are

reliable, capable, and future-proof products. The

centric ecosystem. Additionally, we’re embracing

centered around overseeing PlexusAV, a sub-brand of

human-centric design behind PlexusAV eliminates

both emerging and established industry technologies,

Sencore, as we launch the brand and an entirely new

traditional restrictions behind ecosystems and project

like NDI and Dante, to eliminate any concerns about

product lineup.

design. With PlexusAV, integrators are not locked into

compatibility with application-specific requirements.

a customized ecosystem that limits innovation or : What was Sencore’s thinking behind

requires more network bandwidth than necessary.

: How can systems contractors make PlexusAV

launching PlexusAV?

Most importantly, the standards are easily accessible,

part of their AVoIP solutions?

SC: Sencore’s re-emergence into the professional AV

although reading them in-depth might put anyone to

SC: We are already talking to a number of key AV

industry, specifically through PlexusAV, included

sleep. The open standards that PlexusAV are designed

distributors, system integrators, and, of course, AV

months of careful consideration and strategizing.

upon are truly open and available for anyone.

consultants. We will evaluate our strategy separately

Rather than introducing a line of Pro AV solutions under Sencore, it was determined that a broadcast-

for each territory. However, in the short term, any : Why the decision to embrace the IPMX

interested parties can reach out to us via our U.S.

centric approach wouldn’t suffice. The narrative,

standard?

terminology, acronyms, and application-specific

SC: We carefully decided to use the industry standard

needs are still very different for the broadcast and Pro

for sending video across broadcast networks globally—

: After spending time on the InfoComm show

AV industries. PlexusAV was established to provide

this standard also manages networks already using 8K!

floor, what do you think is creating the biggest buzz

solutions for the modern Pro AV integrator with their

It’s called SMPTE ST 2110 (also known as IPMX).

for the Pro AV industry?

customers in mind. Most importantly, the people

PlexusAV is taking a double-faceted approach by

SC: The market adaption of AV-over-IP is growing

behind PlexusAV have decades of history in Pro AV.

harnessing a standard to simplify integration and

fast. Most manufacturers now have some form of

PlexusAV may be new to the industry, but it’s powered

empower integrators to become subject matter experts

AV-over-IP solution. This is great, as moving audio,

by 70-plus years of broadcast excellence.

on a standard rather than a proprietary technology.

video, and control signals to the network opens up a

PlexusAV users don’t have to be exclusive to IMPX, : What are the short and long-term goals for

office through our website, plexusav.com.

lot of future expandability. AV integrators now

either. PlexusAV has embraced emerging and estab-

understand they must learn about IP and become IT

your company?

lished industry technologies and components to support

experts. It’s somewhat of a challenge for them to

SC: The short-term goal is to establish PlexusAV as a

various distribution methods. As a result, PlexusAV is

learn about all the different technologies out there

trusted, technology-leading brand in the Pro AV

eliminating the stress of picking an AV-over-IP

and select what fits their application best.

industry. We aim to eliminate traditional restrictions

technology. So, integrators never have to worry about

behind ecosystems and project design by embracing a

choosing the right or wrong one—it just works.

But clearly, the most exciting trend is the interest in standards-based AV-over-IP. At InfoComm 2023, we had conversations with end users, consultants, and

standards-based approach. We’ve designed and : What products are available from PlexusAV?

integrators actively looking for standards-based

integrators are not locked into any so-called

SC: At InfoComm 2023, PlexusAV introduced the AVN

solutions. While we expected to have to explain the

ecosystem and not required to buy everything from

Series, including an IPMX transceiver (P-AVN4),

value of having an open standards-based solution,

one company. We believe that simplicity is key. The

Plexus Visual Array Appliance (P-AVN-VSA), and

we only had this conversation with a small part of the

long-term goal is to expand our solutions offerings

Plexus Gateway (P-AVN-GTW). The lineup of

people that visited our booth. In most of our discus-

with new products, technology partnerships, and an

solutions in the AVN Series will be available and

sions, there was already and understanding about what

expanded global reach.

shipping later this year.

standards benefit end users and integrators.

engineered everything using a standard. This means

18

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

EXECUTIVE Q&A PEOPLE

‘This Is Different’ HARMAN VP Trader Talks AMX’s New Role in Pro AV

Jamie Trader Position: Vice President, Global

By Mark J. Pescatore

: How long have you been with this company,

changed. You’re still trying to synthesize human

Product Line

behavior with digital information and the physical

Management Video

environment surrounding you for the sake of simplicity.

and Control (AMX)

So, while the business—or the goals—of

Company: HARMAN Professional

and what are your responsibilities?

simplification haven’t changed, the focus on which

Overtime: When you love what you do, there really

Jamie Trader: I’ve been in the AMX family for 16

friction to eliminate has. And you can’t eliminate the

isn’t spare time or overtime. There’s just time. And you

years, having performed many functions across the

friction by doing things the way our industry does

spend it on your passions. For me, that’s travel with my

business. Today, I’m responsible for HARMAN

them today. You have to look at standards adoption

wife, music on my piano, time with the family, and

Professional’s Video & Control portfolio. This means

differently. You have to look at our customers’ talent

helping great people build things that are important.

aligning teams and resources around tomorrow’s

funnel and their workstream differently. You have to

growth strategy—and empowering really amazing

look at the supply chain differently.

people to go build the spectacular things this brand was meant to build. : AMX is wrapping up its 40th anniversary. How

This is what people are noticing as different with AMX today.

pendent USB2.0 routing and MJPEG live preview.

We will continue to invest in video technology

We’re telling our customers that today’s AMX

advancements, not just in the AVoIP space, but

product outlook is about “embracing your tools.

the overall spectrum of video technologies, in

has the company celebrated this milestone?

Your skills. And enabling you to work the way you

all formats.

JT: Aside from the obvious people celebrations

want to work.” : What is AMX MUSE, and why is it so important

globally, we’ve launched 40 new products this year across the entire portfolio—solutions that begin the foundation for our next 40 years. : After touring your booth at InfoComm, it almost feels like AMX is reinventing itself. What is

: What are AMX's strongest vertical markets?

JT: AMX MUSE is HARMAN Professional’s powerful

spectrum, AMX continues to find its greatest

and secure next-generation automation platform.

adoption in government, education, corporate, and

Going beyond the traditional capabilities of AV

hospitality markets.

control, AMX MUSE simultaneously processes multiple scripting languages, supports No-Code/

the company’s new philosophy?

JT: First, I’m thrilled you noticed that something

for AMX?

JT: While adopted across a very wide market

: How is AMX moving beyond its control roots?

Low-Code capabilities, simplifies routine

seemed different. You weren’t the only one. Every

JT: AMX has decades-long expertise in advanced

development tasks, and opens up the possibilities for

visitor to the booth, at some point, stopped and said,

video solutions. Between our early AutoPatch

technicians and IT managers of all skill sets to deliver

“This is different. Really different. This is the

solutions, which brought the market its first-ever

advanced automation easily and quickly in a modern

direction I’ve been hoping this industry would finally

digital video switching technology and first fiber

era of complex, data-driven technology.

go. What’s going on here?”

video transport, to the current Enova digital video

What they’re responding to is the culmination

And it does it all without a single proprietary tool.

platform, to the industry’s first networked AV (AVoIP)

Your IDE, your tools, the languages you like (use any

of years of R&D investment where we’ve been

platform, first 4K streaming solution, first AVoIP 4K

or all of the three we support at launch). And for

reimagining the role AMX will play in the industry

video window processing, and so much more, AMX

those who don’t like to program, leverage MUSE’s

and for our customers.

has continued to invest in making video more useful

native support of the most popular, most capable No

for people trying to communicate.

Code/Low Code platform on the globe. Built for you

But to your question, I wouldn’t characterize it as a reinvention of AMX, or a new philosophy, so much as a

In fact, we’ve just launched SVSI’s next-generation

to be able to leverage a global developer community

return to the philosophies that began this business and

secure, enterprise-grade AVoIP 4K60 4:4:4 products.

and to have your diverse team all participate on one

an investment into the brand to do the right things.

This is a premium performance platform that we’ve

platform simultaneously—MUSE is built to inspire

built and positioned to be price competitive with our

your possibilities.

The AMX mission, dating all the way back to Scott Miller’s garage over 40 years ago, has always been

competitors’ bottom-tier solutions. But the advance-

The AMX MUSE platform will first appear in

about simplifying the way people interact with

ment is not just about great video at a great price. It’s

dedicated hardware controllers that include modern

technology. The way we see it, the business of

also about actually being able to do more with your

embedded processors and rugged, industrial storage.

simplifying human interaction with technology

investment in networked video, such as simultaneous

But that’s not the only place you’ll be finding this

hasn’t really changed—not because technology

multi-streaming (MWC, H.264, H.265) with inde-

technology. AMX MUSE is one of the first new

hasn’t, but because people haven’t. People want

platforms delivered as a direct result of our

the same things today that they wanted 40 years

strategic R&D investment to unify our electron-

ago. They want to get their job done. They want

ics portfolio. AMX MUSE is more than just an

to be able to go into a room, interact with other

automation platform, it’s a gateway technology

human beings, share and express ideas, and

able to communicate across ICSP (legacy AMX),

solve problems.

HiQnet (legacy HARMAN Pro audio), and

They want to have meaningful experiences,

HARMAN Pros’ new Open-API protocol:

and sometimes technology can get in the way. And

HControl. That means you can expect to find this

sometimes the physical environment can get in

across a very wide range of HARMAN Pro

the way. So, the business of automation has not

solutions and much more.

avnetwork.com // September 2023 // SCN

19

PEOPLE NEWSMAKERS ADVANCED SYSTEMS GROUP

INFILED has added JASON

MAXHUB has appointed

has announced executive-level

MANGUBA and ZACK STEWART

VISION2 MARKETING for

appointments within its

as regional sales directors for the

sales representation

Managed Services team. MIKE

company’s fast-growing fixed

TYLER has joined as director of

installation team in North

operations, productions, and Mike Tyler

Reham Ayoub

Rep Report

throughout Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi,

America. Manguba has more

North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,

than 20 years of experience in the

Florida, Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii,

teams supporting client studio

channel. His career started off in

and Southern Nevada. Founded in 2004, Vision2

and event venues. Before

a cold calling sales role, but

Marketing represents several premier manu-

joining ASG, Tyler was the

quickly moved to various

facturers of professional audio, video, lighting,

senior manager for NetApp TV.

positions including brand

and control products. The company has built a

REHAM AYOUB has joined as

management, distribution, key

seasoned team of sales and support profession-

director of operations, creative,

account manager (end user), and

als with backgrounds in production, integra-

channel sales. Stewart has more

tion, and music retail.

will oversee on-site production

and will oversee post-produc-

Jason Manguba

Zack Stewart

tion and design teams that support clients on

than 12 years in the AV world, with experience in

premises and remotely. Most recently, she served

account management, AV consulting, dvLED engi-

Audio networking specialist AUVITRAN has

as vice president of talent for Digitas North

neering, and distribution.

appointed Glasgow-based CUK as its distributor

America.

for the United Kingdom and Ireland. The full PPDS has added three new

range of AuviTran products are now shipping

ATLASIED has added two new

members to its North American

from the CUK distribution center in East

regional sales managers. MARK

team. With almost 20 years of

Kilbride, Scotland. CUK’s presence in both live

FOERDERER will manage sales

AV sales experience, TOM

sound and installed AV allows the company to

for North-Central America,

NOVOTNY has joined the

service AuviTran’s two key market sectors.

while EDDIE NAVARRO will

hospitality team. Based in

manage sales for the Rocky Mark Foerderer

PPDS hospitality sales channel

LOWELL MANUFACTURING

than 20 years of experience in

to drive sales of professional

COMPANY has welcomed a third

audio and sound masking,

TVs, digital signage, and dvLED

generation to the family busi-

Foerderer has fostered strong

solutions in the East Coast

ness. THOMAS LOWELL has

relationships with integrators

region. In his new role as

joined as a process engineer. He

and consultants. Navarro spent

director of federal government

is the son of Tom Lowell, one of

sales, LCD display, Salt Lake

Thomas Lowell

City-based AV sales veteran

serves as the purchasing manager. Thomas previously

TYE DATO will help develop

worked authoring good manufacturing practice (GMP)

and launch TAA go-to-market

documents at a Fortune 100 company. His focus at

STEVE DURKEE has joined

strategies. He will play an

Lowell Manufacturing will be to improve the quality,

BRIGHTSIGN as CEO. He brings a

important role in driving

safety, and efficiency of processes, as he designs and

awareness of PPDA TAA-

implements procedures that drive scalability and

certified solutions within the

repeatability within all areas of production.

Tye Dato

development and technology

sales roles for the K-12 market.

wealth of experience, expertise,

Steve Durkee

Chicago, he will work with the

Mountain region. With more

the last decade in both business Eddie Navarro

Tom Novotny

the company owners who also

and a proven track record of

Megan Lipinczyk

success in the Pro AV space.

AV channel and identifying new sales opportunities.

Durkee will co-CEO the company

And MEGAN LIPINCZYK, the new channel marketing

ROB LAMB has joined

with JEFF HASTINGS through

manager based in Tampa, FL, is tasked with develop-

NANOLUMENS as CFO. He is part

the end of the year. On Jan. 1,

ing and executing comprehensive channel market-

of the executive leadership team.

Hastings will assume the role of

ing plans and programs, as well as overseeing joint

Previously, he served as CFO at

CTO within BrightSign, dedicat-

marketing campaigns, promotions, and trade shows.

Hodinkee, where he led the

ing his efforts toward the

company through the acquisition

development of products and

SOLOTECH has appointed

Rob Lamb

services. In addition to his role as

STEVEN PECHIE as vice presi-

nearly 20 years with Turner Broadcasting in a variety of

CTO, Hastings will remain on the

dent, global managed services of

finance roles. At Nanolumens, Lamb will lead the

BrightSign board and continue to be a significant

the Sales and Systems Integration

finance, accounting, international procurement, and

investor in the company.

Division. With more than a

information technology functions.

Jeff Hastings

of Crown & Caliber, and spent

decade of experience in leaderLOTTA SCHIEFER is the new

Steven Pechie

global sales lead for BROMPTON

operations, managed services, and sales management,

the dvLED and digital signage

TECHNOLOGY. Her 30-plus-

he brings a wealth of expertise to his new position.

markets, RYAN WILHELM has

year career includes stops with

Pechie will oversee the strategy and deployment for

joined PEERLESS-AV as business

Barco and other global manu-

global managed services, evaluating growth opportu-

development director for North

facturers. Most recently, she

nities and market strategies to enhance client services

was the operations manager for

worldwide, as well as developing a comprehensive

Ryan Wilhelm

broadcast and technical services at the Royal

roadmap to drive the continuous evolution of man-

for a global dvLED manufacturer, and had served as the

Swedish Opera.

aged services offerings and solutions.

business development manager for an integrator.

Lotta Schiefer

20

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

ship roles encompassing

With more than 10 years in

America. Previously, he held a regional sales manager position

PEOPLE BEYOND THE TECH

Free Stuff or Investment?

Manufacturers Must Measure ROI of Long-Term Evaluations GETTY IMAGES

By Douglas Kleeger

I

save some money. To be clear, I planned on replacing

stadium during the tours.

the TV in the future, so I didn’t want to buy anything.

The manufacturers, consultant, and integrator

One of the new manufacturer’s reps I had met

had been working on it for almost two weeks, and

would like to share a recent situation I was in,

was touting a company’s video products that I had

nothing was successful, except putting a composite

which is directly related to when a consultant

never used before, so I looked at their product

signal out of the tuner directly into the modulator.

requests equipment from a manufacturer

lineup and asked to try a particular scaler with a

They decided to use the component output of the

for “long-term evaluation.” This aspect of the

VGA-to-HDMI out. It worked great. I went into the

tuner to feed a scaler that would send HDMI to the

industry was something I didn’t know about

menu and was able to customize and shift the

modulator. The modulator manufacturer specified a

until I was working for a consulting firm years

picture to get it just right. A few weeks later, the rep

piece, the consultant signed off, and nine units were

ago—typically, equipment manufacturers (some

got back to me and said he would gladly sell it to me

purchased. I won’t name names here, but the devices

more than others) don’t mind giving consultants

for 10% over cost or he wanted it back. I returned it.

didn’t work with the modulator, though they did work

equipment to test and use, with no return date in

Now that I knew what I needed, I contacted a few

directly to a display. This added to the frustration and

the near future.

Integrators typically don’t get the same treat-

other manufacturers looking for their version of the piece. I was up front in my request. Everyone I

ultimate decision to bring in someone else (me).

When I reviewed the drawings they sent, l

ment. The reason is simple, of course: Integrators buy

contacted had been burned by consultants trying

thought it might be an HDCP issue. Why weren’t

equipment and sell it for a profit, while consultants

pieces, never returning them, so I got no after no.

they going directly into the Blonder Tongue

don’t buy or sell equipment at all, they just recom-

That is, until a rep came around who I had not

modulator’s component input if the HDMI did not

worked with before with a product I had never used

display a picture? It turned out the Blonder Tongue

before. He was very accommodating, so I asked how

was “value engineered” out of the system, and a

he would feel about a “loaner” piece for me to try.

less expensive modulator from another manufac-

I have an older TV in our playroom and wanted to hook

He figured there wasn’t a better way to show how

turer only had HDMI and composite inputs, hence

a PC to it. It was not going so well—connectivity issues,

good his product than to let me use it.

the need for a scaler.

mend equipment.

In Search Of…a Scaler

format issues, you know what happens when you try to

He was right, by the way. It worked great. I was

Of course, I was immediately concerned, as they

impressed with its picture

didn’t even have the right drawings to reflect the

and ease of use, and I

installation. Still, I signed on to the project and visited

started specifying his

the site the next day. And since I had that loaner

product on some projects.

scaler with VGA or component in and HDMI out, I

Troubleshooting on a Deadline

decided to bring it.

When I arrived, I started systematically looking at all the devices, testing each for functionality. After a

Later, I got a call request-

few hours, I reached the same conclusions as the

ing onsite troubleshoot-

others. With much resistance from the team, I tried

ing help for a system that

my scaler—and just like that, HD pictures everywhere!

wasn’t working. It was in a

I had to laugh; what were the chances that I would

new stadium for a

have the exact piece needed to fix this? I called the rep

university—more than

and let him know we needed nine of these for a

200 displays sourced by

project. He was thrilled that his efforts really paid off

nine cable tuners for HD.

here (and so was I).

The issue was that the

There was some engineering to do, such as

HDMI outputs of the cable

logistics for the placement of the scalers (another

tuners going into the

rack and complete re-racking was required), but in

modulator wouldn’t

the end, the solution worked and the consultant

produce a picture. The

signed off. So, to all those manufacturers who

upcoming event, just a

missed out, what’s the ROI of your long-term

few days away, would host

evaluation strategy?

many of the facility

Doug Kleeger, CTS-D, DMC-E/S, XTP-E, KCD, is the

contributors, and the

founder of AudioVisual Consulting Services.

organizers wanted HD

Contact him with questions or comments at

pictures throughout the

doug@avcs.us.

22

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

BUSINESS ESPORTS

USC’s new Digital Creative Lab is packed with Pro AV technology, as well as extensive hardware and software for gamers.

Reading, Writing, Replays USC’s Digital Creative Lab Offers Something for Everyone

By Wayne Cavadi

Plus, the broadcasting side of esports opened the door

F

for a wide range of studies, from film and television to illed with the latest technology, the University of Southern California’s Digital Creative Lab is an esports venue to behold.

social media.

As a result, they added a video production room,

something, so we just added everything.”

For the gamers, there is a mix of Microsoft Xbox Series S, Sony PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch OLED consoles. Dante Domain Manager and a slew of other

anchored by Panasonic’s KAIROS live production

Audinate solutions back the audio. An ARHT system

The Trojans esports team now has a place to call

platofrm, for teaching YouTube and TikTok production.

powers the hologram area, while a BrightSign XT11144

home—but they aren’t the only ones. The innova-

They added a podcast studio. They installed 3D printing

media player feeds the displays. There are also several

tive facility is home to content creators as well as

stations. They made sure it was a live streaming

Canon cameras and lenses and Huddly conference

learning spaces and practice areas for those that

classroom. Oh, and if they ever need a hologram, they

cameras throughout the facility.

want to hone their skills in everything from pod-

added a system to do that, too.

casting to live production.

And it may just be the start.

A Wider Focus

“People, especially the younger generation, are

The esports production control room is powered by the KAIROS, but there is also the QSC Core 110F audio

now a personal brand,” Way said. “If you’re a music

DSP, Crestron DM NVX encoders and decoders, Epiphan

student or if you’re a film major or broadcast, those are

Pearl Mini and Pearl 2 live production systems, and

easy. But what if you’re a humanities major? How can

RØDE RØDECaster podcast production studios all in play

The doors to the Digital Creative Lab opened in February

you build your brand and utilize a space like this? That’s

throughout the facility. For videoconferencing, there

2023, but the idea was in motion for some time. Prior to

where we thought, well, if you’re in class, maybe you

are DTEN D7 all-in-one collaboration solutions, as well

its creation, USC had an esports club team that practiced

wanted to create your own YouTube channel, talking

as Shure MXA710 and MXA910 ceiling array micro-

in an old firehouse garage four blocks off campus. When

about things you’re learning and develop that type of

phones. (You’ll also find a Shure MV7 podcast micro-

you pair the interest in gaming with one of the top game

content, a conversational thing and interview style. And

phone in the podcast studio.)

design programs in the nation, it was clear there needed

it was like, ‘Wow, now we’ve really taken every disci-

Way knew refresh rate was important, but there was

to be a central space on campus to build that community

pline and we’ve been able to give them a space to work

also a lot to learn. “Esports people, they don’t care about

and give them an identity.

and share ideas and build projects together.’”

resolution, which is surprising. They want high refresh

USC’s AV director, Joe Way, Ph.D., CTS, and his

rate,” he explained. “They don’t want a big screen—

team went to work on a plan before the pandemic hit,

Did We Pack Everything?

but when the world went hybrid, an esports venue

The Digital Creative Lab holds roughly 200 people

tion. In order to make that happen, we knew that we

became less of a priority. When they were able to

because, ultimately, it was designed to be an event

needed to keep things synced. We needed to be faster

refocus on the project, they found a large enough space

space. There are a lot of nooks and crannies that seat

and get rid of latency.”

in the bottom of the basement of the Leavey Library to

different amounts of people. For example, the esports

Of course, with so many different hands on

make an esports venture work. But there was one catch.

space is somewhat closed off, but it has 20 workstations

everything—from teachers to students to those more

“One of the things that’s important for my position

they want simple right here in front of you, no distrac-

plus a broadcast control room that seats six. The podcast

comfortable with Pro AV—ease of use was a major

is I’m funded through the central provost office, which

studio seats another six, while the live streaming

factor. “There’s kind of two sides of it, to be honest,”

means anything I do has to serve every student, not just

classroom has 30 seats. But it’s the design that brings it

Way offered. “One of our key philosophies here at USC

any particular major or discipline,” explained Way. “We

all together.

is that we want this to be a very frictionless experience.

recognized even if we put in the gaming, we’re still

“Because everything is completely interconnected

The systems have to be simple. They have to work for

really only servicing gamers or the team. But as we

as an AV-over-IP system, all of the screens can end up

everybody, and we want people to be able to utilize it

started putting the computers together and what it took

being turned into overflow,” Way explained. “The big

independently.

to do high-performance gaming, we said, ‘What if we

collaboration room can hold probably 80-100 itself. If

just deck them out a little bit more and we could use

we have an esports tournament, they can watch because

We created it where if it’s being used as a class, essen-

them for 3D modeling?’”

not everyone’s going to fit inside, but we can live

tially, there’s two settings on it,” he continued.

produce it and overflow it into all the screens out there.”

“There’s classroom, which the GUI of it looks exactly

venue enveloping many activities across the entire

Reading the list of the Pro AV solutions in the lab

like a regular classroom. And you flip the switch, and it

student body. Way quickly saw how many different

almost feels like a who’s who of manufacturers in the

turns into a ‘go have fun, everything’s available, mess

disciplines gaming touched. There was video render-

industry. As Way said, “We took everything and more

with it all, and learn how to use it’ experience. All the

ing and graphic animation for film students, as well

because we didn’t know what we were getting into. We

broadcast options are available. And then you flip it back

as 3D model renderings for architectural students.

didn’t want to come to find out later that we forgot

and it resets, and it’s all back to simple.”

What started as a very targeted idea evolved into a

24

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

“That said, this is also a high-end broadcast space.

ESPORTS BUSINESS Crestron control panels help make switching from esports to classroom features as easy as flipping a switch.

The Digital Creative Lab also features a podcast studio.

Remember the Mission

straight up, we can get it connected outside and

everything has to be sustainable, accessible,

The Digital Creative Lab seems to have no

could both put in and out of the room.”

and safe,” Way noted. “The [Listen Technologies]

boundaries. Way explained that they made sure

Though it has only been open for a short time,

assisted listening system hidden throughout,

to leave room for growth, and that required having

reviews for the facility have been positive. But with

the transcription services throughout

cloud options within the AV ecosystem. As a result,

all the flashy technology and innovative spaces for

everywhere—everything is completely ADA

the lab can expand to other areas around campus.

study, it is important to remember how the lab links

compliant. We want every workstation set to

“We do a lot of events outside, where maybe

back to a vision of a space that gives every student

be accessible to people in wheelchairs. Those

we want to overflow it outside to show it,” Way said.

“Right outside this building is actually the main

the opportunity to succeed.

“A lot of people wouldn’t know by looking at it,

are really things that I think a lot of people overlook, but they’re actually very important

quad area where they do events for either football

but our mission statement is that every space we

when we do our design to be able to have

days or rallies. So, we thought, if we run [equipment]

utilize is user-centered in design, but it’s also that

everything to work for every student.”

avnetwork.com // September 2023 // SCN

25

BUSINESS RESTAURANT AV

Recipe for Success Key Digital AV-over-IP Components Are Main Ingredients for Atlanta Restaurant

W

hen Chef Mimmo Alboumeh opened

Simplified Switching

which then connects to the iPad,” he explained.

his latest venture, Botica, a res-

One of Botica’s needs was the ability to support

“You just open up their KD app, and it allows you to

taurant in the Atlanta's Buckhead

vendors doing product launches (a new brand of

change the source to display, pair a display and

district, he quickly gained a loyal following of

tequila, for example) in the restaurant for the

source, or pick the video wall and select the source

customers and restaurant critics/journalists alike.

Buckhead Atlanta market. That meant, in part,

and swipe across the video wall to very simply

Botica features fare based on two of Mimmo’s

being able to show dedicated content on its TV

stretch that image across the video wall screens.

favorite national cuisines, Spain and Mexico.

displays for each new brand being launched, while

It’s all very intuitive and user friendly.”

But delicious food is only part of the recipe that

being able to instantly switch to a baseball or

For audio, Kirk chose the KD-MAX8x8 audio

makes up Botica. Featuring a warm and engaging

football game or even split up the content across

matrix switcher, which allows the restaurant to

atmosphere, the restaurant occupies 5,000 square

displays. “They wanted to have a higher-end

control up to eight sources in up to eight different

feet of open indoor and outdoor seating, including a

control system for the managers and the staff that

zones. For example, the volume of the music in the

private dining room. When it came to designing and

was very easy to operate,” Kirk said.

bar area can be adjusted, while the private dining

installing an AV-over-IP system to support the

He recalled a recent product launch: “With just

room can have audio from a football game and the

property’s 41 displays, Mimmo hired Atlanta-based

three or four button presses, all the TVs were

patio has a completely different music source. “And

Kirkyard A|V (KYAV).

changed to what people wanted to watch after the

when there is a live band performing, they can play

product presentation without having to walk

it over the sound system if they choose,” Kirk

around the restaurant with a handful of remotes

added. “The MAX8x8 is a great little device.”

History of Hospitality KYAV has a rich history in both the restaurant and

and trying to figure out which one controlled what.

AV industries. Daniel “Dano” Kirk began his career

We just stepped up to the iPad and it was done.”

working in restaurants and hospitality in the

For video distribution, Kirk installed Key Digital

Another advantage was how little custom programming Kirk had to do. “Once the devices are configured, the Key Digital app that runs on the

mid-1980s. After several hospitality jobs, owning

KD-IP822ENC 4K AV-over-IP encoders and

iPad finds the devices, does the work, and is rock

his own restaurant, and consulting for many of his

KD-IP822DEC decoders. Every display has a decoder

solid,” he noted. “I have a 20-plus year history with

former co-workers and associates about both

and every source—from satellite receiver to

Key Digital, and I’ve definitely appreciated their

restaurant operations and existing and emerging

streaming service to auxiliary input device—has an

ability to stay ahead of the curve with reliable,

technologies, he formed KYAV. The specialized

encoder. “Those all plug into a network switch,

intuitive products.”

system integration firm understands restaurant operations and the technologies that help restaurateurs function efficiently.

“I’ve been involved in the restaurant industry since I was about 14 years old,” said Kirk. “In the late 90s, after I had moved to Atlanta, the owner of the restaurant where I was working kept saying, ‘Man, the service from this technology is terrible.’ I knew how to solve those problems and offered my services.

“Since then, I have been a go-to resource for restaurants looking to install AV systems that provide the best possible experience for themselves and their customers. The level of knowledge and service Kirkyard A|V provides to our clients is based on my understanding of restaurant operations,

The outdoor area at Botica features video displays driven by a Key Digital AV-over-IP system.

which sets us apart from other technology consultants. If you’re going to do things right, it helps to really be immersed in that world from the start.”

When Kirk was designing the AV system for Botica, he chose to employ components from Key Digital. “I definitely appreciate Key Digital products, because at the end of the day, they just work,” he explained. “I also appreciate their customer support. Whenever there’s a complication or something that needs to be looked at or addressed, they’re right on top of it. They’re very easy to work with, and I always feel comfortable installing their products.”

26

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

With a Key Digital audio matrix switcher, the restaurant can control up to eight sources in up to eight different zones.

Botica's gear rack features Key Digital encoders, decoders, and an audio matrix switcher.

BUSINESS STADIUM AV New Lighthouse 8mm displays at FedExField debuted during a July 30 Premiere League doubleheader.

AV Takes Command at FedExField AJP Teams with WPS and ANC to Enhance the Gameday Experience

selected ANC to provide not only new gameday and ribbon board displays, but an entire graphics package for the first year. The North American representative for Lighthouse, ANC turned to the company’s LED screens for the north and south endzones, game-in-play displays, and the LED ribbon displays encircling the bowl.

“There are endless benefits to working with a trusted single-source solution partner,” explained Alison Burke Benesta, senior director, marketing and

By Wayne Cavadi

T

capacity it holds today.

branding for ANC. “More than simply adding new

While stadium seating, team ownership, and

digital screens is required to improve a venue’s

even the team name have been through numerous

experience fully. Beyond the required technical

he Washington Commanders, one of the old-

transformations over the past decade, the facility’s

integration expertise, teams want to take the latest

est NFL franchises, have certainly not been

AV offerings had not. According to Royce Wall,

display technologies to the next level.

strangers to change over the past few sea-

vice president, construction services at Anthony

“Venue display systems must deliver a connected

sons. Now, with the help of Anthony James Partners,

James Partners and the lead on the LED design,

experience visually and behind the scenes. To achieve

the Commanders are bringing more transformation,

procurement, and construction oversight at

that, there needs to be a strategic network of compli-

this time ushering in a new era of gameday AV expe-

FedExField, the Daktronics displays at the stadium

mentary technology and venue solutions, including

riences to Commander fans.

needed to be updated. More than a decade old, the

powerful control software, creative content production,

previous displays were faded—and with so many

multimedia advertising solutions, ongoing mainte-

and plays host to Commanders football, a slew of

different modules replaced over the years, it took

nance, and reliable partners that build custom solutions

musical acts and tours, and even Premier League

on the appearance of a checkerboard more than a

that ensure our client’s success for years to come.”

soccer matches—opened its doors in 1997. Then

fan-friendly display.

FedExField—which is located in Summerville, MD

named Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, the stadium

The main end zone Lighthouse displays are 8mm HD displays (tighter than the previous 23mm

changed its name entering the 2000 NFL season to its

Flash and Flare

current moniker. From 2004-2010, FedExField seated

The LED enhancement began as early as July 2022,

displays flank each scoreboard and measure

91,000 people—the most in the NFL—until the

when AJP designed the system and began fielding

2.95x674.5 feet with a 10mm pixel pitch. Four 8mm

stadium contracted the seating to the nearly 68,000

bid offers. By December, the Commanders had

game-in-play displays were installed throughout the

28

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

displays) that measure 95x26 feet. A pair of ribbon

STADIUM AV BUSINESS

stadium measuring at 4.4x31 feet. ANC also provided a

keep the big picture of the fan experience in mind.

All About the Experience

one-year unlimited graphics package that includes,

Hence, all boards deliver a fun but cohesive look and still

The audio Wall referred to is a work in progress. As

well, everything.

play to their strengths.”

with the LED displays in place, the sound system was

Wall said ANC will handle marketing and other

We always hear that new LED displays—which

old and needed to be replaced. Jack Covert, director of

graphics for both main displays and ribbon board

made their FedExField debut during a Premier League

audio and AV engineering at AJP, quickly realized he

displays. “In terms of fan engagement, just think about

doubleheader on July 30—bring a better gameday

had a monster on his hands.

the ability to highlight 30 sponsors throughout the

experience. But what exactly does that mean? “The

stadium throughout the experience, along with

flash and the flare,” Wall explained. “When you sit in

size of the stadium and access, it was going to be

continued game prompts, touchdowns, get loud,

these stadiums, you can see the action on the field,

broken into two phases,” Covert explained. “The

scoreboards, things like that,” he added. “ANC is

but you get more out of it when you watch the

stadium doesn’t stop; it doesn’t shut down. They’ve

creating all content for the whole year for them.”

high-definition boards. FedExField’s new 8mm

got events, they’ve got soccer, they’ve got Beyoncé

“ANC Studios designers have an extensive under-

displays are probably the tightest pixel pitch in the

coming in in a couple of weeks. The amount of staging

standing of unique aspect ratios, wrapping content, and

industry; most venues are at about 10mm. Before the

they do takes—let’s put it this way, it’s not as fast as

visibility,” added Burke Benesta. “Additionally, we

upgrade, you really didn’t even pay attention to [the

halftime at the Super Bowl.”

utilize the primary objective of the location to creatively

displays] because they had no impact. Now it’s bright,

Phase one was ready for the Commanders first NFL

produce content for the purpose of the different

it’s clean, it’s fresh, and with the enhanced audio, it’s

preseason home game in mid-August, and phase two

displays. It’s important when starting the process to

just going to be incredible.”

will begin as soon as the NFL season ends. During the

“We recognized based on the complexity and the

“The upgraded video displays and audio systems are the next steps in modernizing our stadium to create an exciting and immersive gameday experience.”

Trista Langdon, Washington Commanders

BUSINESS STADIUM AV AJP has already installed more than 40 Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeakers at FedExField, and more audio upgrades will be completed after the NFL season.

first phase, AJP identified existing components that could be used for another year.

“It’s a distributed system around the stadium everywhere, and you can tell that although it was a thoughtful design originally, a lot of delay fill speakers have been added in different places,” Covert explained. “We had to get around and identify all of that, the condition of that, and the reason it was put in. So, phase one: a new front-of-house mix position refit and a completely new loudspeaker system.”

With the help of Washington Professional Systems (WPS), AJP selected and installed more than 40 Fulcrum Acoustic FH15 Series loudspeakers, which, according to Covert, cover the majority of the stadium. A Powersoft Unica amplifier system was chosen for its power and reliability. A QSC Q-SYS system is being used for processing, Shure digital wireless improves speech intelligibility for the PA announcers and hosts, while a DiGiCo FOH mixing console brings it all together.

Phase two will literally take the audio to new

Elevated Expectations

According to Wall, with the recent change in

Whether it is football or fútbol, fans at FedExField are

ownership, if a new stadium is on the horizon in the

heights, as the plan is to install Fulcrum Acoustic AHC

now engulfed in an experience that touches all the

not-so-distant future, the Commanders are ready to

Series loudspeakers and US221 subwoofers on the

senses. “There’s absolutely no doubt in our minds that

move forward. “The buy-in to replace these displays

lighting towers at season’s end.

this upgrade is exactly what is needed at FedExField and

was that potentially in the next three to five years, if the

Covert said the challenge is to offer enhanced live

is going to elevate the client expectations for the NFL

team ends up with a new home, the intent is to take the

sound that is comparable to audio performance from

games and other performances in the stadium expo-

displays with them,” he explained.

quality headphones or earbuds. “It’s twofold. Number

nentially,” said Covert.

one, certainly we want to enhance the experience for

“The upgraded video displays and audio systems are

Not only did this project expand AJP’s audio portfolio into the sports world, but for Wall, there was

the audience, which means the subwoofer, the

the next steps in modernizing our stadium to create an

some personal satisfaction with the successful installa-

sub-low content of the sound system, needs to go

exciting and immersive gameday experience,” added

tion. “I’ve been a Washington fan my entire life,” Wall

down to the bottom of the spectrum,” he noted. “At

Trista Langdon, senior vice president of operations and

said. “Being part of this build and working in the

the same time, we need to be able to have efficient

guest experience for the Washington Command-

stadium was something that my family and I were

coverage from the upper mids to the high frequen-

ers. “The upgraded resolution will immediately improve

excited about. We’ve watched them since forever. On a

cies, defining speech intelligibility, as well as

the in-game experience for our fans by providing crisp

personal level, it meant a lot to be at FedExField getting

providing that kind of sparkling clean sound that

views of video content and game information, as well as

to know all the folks there. They’re just incredible

everybody’s used to from a full range device.”

immersive play-by-play engagement.”

people.”

Two new main video displays will highlight Green Bay Packers football in 2023.

Daktronics Delivers at Lambeau Field The Green Bay Packers selected Daktronics to manufacture and install two main video displays, two

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

All 60 displays in the concourses will feature 2.9mm

auxiliary video displays, and 60 concourse LED

pixel spacing as they connect with fans away from their

displays at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. The

seats and keep them immersed in the action while

installation of approximately 24,500 square feet of

moving about the stadium. Varying in size, each display

LED displays totaling 79.5 million pixels took place in

is optimized for its location inside Lambeau Field for

the spring, and the technology was set to debut at the

maximum impact on audiences, whether showing live

beginning of football season this fall.

game feeds, concessions, pro shop promotions, live

Each main end zone display will feature 6mm

30

follow along with the game.

data updates, or other special messaging.

pixel spacing and measure more than 10,500 square

“Daktronics is proud to once again have a

feet at 48x220 feet. The Packers displays will be one of

significant presence inside Lambeau Field,” said

the few 4K displays in professional football. These

Tony Mulder, Daktronics regional manager. “We

displays are also HDR-capable and feature environ-

have been fortunate enough to work with the Packers

mental protection to keep them operating as expected

recently as they have updated their outdoor mar-

in the Green Bay weather.

quees and some of their club area high-resolution

The east and west auxiliary scoreboard displays

displays, but the in-bowl displays are certainly our

will each measure more than 7x74.5 feet and feature

core business. We couldn’t be happier partnering

6mm pixel spacing to share all the scoring and

with the Packers organization and such a legendary

statistical information fans expect to see as they

stadium on those centerpieces once again.”

BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS BUSINESS

Dance in the Rain Despite Industry Uncertainty, It’s Time to Change Pro AV Business Practices

By Julian Phillips

A

UCC and Cloud First

lifetime value metrics, coach our people in strategic

As if like magic, our customers have migrated most

customer management, and create career paths for

of their communication and collaboration tools to

college graduates. This requires transformational

very proud dad walked his eldest daughter

UCC platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom

sales leadership and substantial investment—but

down the aisle in Stockholm this sum-

hosted in the cloud. Not necessarily new news, but a

again, the returns in customer loyalty and recurring

mer—and if you ever get the chance,

cloud-first strategy has deeper implications for

revenues are easily justified.

I thoroughly recommend a Swedish wedding,

integrators; we must mirror and match. Our kit bags

because they’re so much fun. And so it happened

for deploying, provisioning, monitoring, and

Throw Away Our Umbrellas

that during the five-hour session of marvelous

managing our customers need to follow suit. Our

Whoever thought an Englishman would entertain

food, speeches, and singing, I had my “a-ha”

programmers need to be app developers and our

such sacrilege? Without wishing to stretch our

moment, though admittedly they were Norwegian.

UCC offerings professionalized and priced to

precipitation metaphor too far, think of an

It was this quote that grabbed my attention: “Don’t

equivalent IT services.

umbrella as a shield protecting us from the tough

sit and wait for the storm to pass, learn how to

realities ahead. It’s easy for us to stay busy being

dance in the rain.” Perhaps it is time for us all to

Service Design Culture

shake our stuff and get thoroughly soaked, because

Everything we do should be designed as a service,

the AV industry is about to get funky and none of

including how we procure hardware and stage for

This is exactly the time that senior leadership

us are going to stay dry.

our customers. But here’s the thing: We can’t just

needs to provide the vision, clarity, resources, and

proclaim, “We need to sell more services.” We must

unwavering support for the business to make

most financial analysts, in February I brazenly

totally redesign their scope and simplify the

transformational investments, experiment with

predicted there would be no recession in 2023, and

delivery model so that we can scale at lower cost.

the new, chuck out the old, and above all else make

as the latest job, growth, and inflation numbers

This also extends to how customers pay. Our

allowances for some failures along the way. The

attest, I should be proven lucky. Of course, that

customers are used to subscription and enterprise

future direction, sustainable growth, prosperity,

doesn’t mean that the Federal Reserve and the

licensing for their IT—why not their AV?

and well-being of the AV industry and its commu-

First, let’s do some storm watching. Contrary to

markets won’t try their best, as “bust-to-boom” economics has proven highly profitable in the past.

Despite this macro safety net, there appears to

Hunting Out Inefficiency

busy, as there is still enough business out there to lull us into a false sense of security.

nity is entirely in our hands.

It is, of course, entirely possible that you don’t

No doubt, we have made progress over the last

believe in my sense of urgency or indeed in the

be an abundance of caution in most sectors of the

decade, but it remains a reasonable certainty that

priorities I have set out here. You may have already

economy, and we’re feeling it in the AV industry,

most integrators are still not achieving the levels of

transformed your business to withstand whatever

too. There’s certainly a lot of opportunity out there,

profitability they deserve for their hard work and

projectiles outrageous fortune hurls in your

but we’ve also seen delayed decision-making and

expertise. It’s easy to blame declining profit

direction; good, well done. Hopefully, you can agree

rollouts and some downscaling of original plans.

margins, but you can’t control that. Focus on

with me on one thing: It’s not necessarily what you

A lot of this is understandable given the

internal operations and dysfunctions, recruit

do, it’s the fact that you are trying something new,

uncertainties about hybrid work, return to office,

experts from outside the AV industry, and back

and you keep on trying come what may.

and real estate utilization. However, just as with our

them to transform your supply chain, shipping,

analogous weather, behind the dramatic events,

processes, and cost controls. Then, watch the

rain” is an attitude of mind. For those of us more

there lie fairly predictable causes. Just as climate

dollars flood back to your bottom line.

advanced in our careers, we owe it to the next

change didn’t happen overnight, neither did the

Stripped bare of its metaphors, “dancing in the

generation of AV professionals to modernize and

evolution of work—and although the pandemic put

Sales Conversion

a spotlight on our fundamental issues, they have

I’m not talking about closing rates here. We have

should leave us all breathless. Promise me this:

been present for a generation and long overdue for

some brilliant salespeople, many of whom are

Next time there’s a rain shower, walk outside and

overhaul.

legendary, but in comparison to other technology

stand in it until you are soaked to the skin. It’s

markets, we have neither matured our sales

amazing how refreshing it is.

COVID-19, we cannot lock ourselves away and hope

methodologies and performance measurement, nor

Julian Phillips is the managing director of XTG, the

for a return to normality, as nothing appears to be

embraced omnichannel marketing to the extent we

AVI-SPL Experience Technology Group, and was

normal anymore. Whatever storm is on the horizon,

need. We need to migrate from transactional to

named a member of the SCN Hall of Fame in 2019.

However successful our survival reflex during

professionalize our beloved industry at a pace that

sitting it out is not an option. Let’s slip on our tap shoes and find our inner Gene Kelly.

The general rule in times of uncertainty is to identify the things you can be reasonably certain of and those that you can control, and then focus management attention and resources to accelerate fundamental change. These are the “big five” that I believe not only integrators but everyone else in the AV value chain should focus on.

We have made progress over the last decade, but it remains a reasonable certainty that most integrators are still not achieving the levels of profitability they deserve. avnetwork.com // September 2023 // SCN

31

BUSINESS CORPORATE VIDEO

spacious, elegant corporate boardroom-style set with multiple shooting zones. While every project is unique and has its own set of learning opportunities, Provost said the most impactful part of this project was the close collaboration.

“We worked together to design a studio that prioritized flexibility and allowed the team to generate compelling and impactful content for a variety of audiences,” he added. “They basically wanted to update everything aside from their control rooms. We designed a flexible studio environment that features multiple shooting areas within a 30x40-foot footprint. By tracking scenic elements and technology, we were able to create four distinct shooting areas, including a media wall area, informal area, stand-up area, and chromakey area.”

Variety Show With a blend of static and dynamic elements, each space on the Prudential Studio set can host multiple programs.

A Smart Investment New Prudential Studio Maximizes Production Values and Flexibility

At the far left of the studio, the media wall area has a news-style anchor desk and large 1.6mm Planar LED video wall background. To its right, Provost installed a freestanding, movable 75-inch Philips touchscreen/whiteboard for interactive presentations in its stand-up area.

Next in line is the main studio conversation/ informal area, which features full wall-length “windows” with city views. These are not actual windows, of course, but they also aren’t LED

By James Careless

H

discussion area, but didn’t provide the flexibility,

displays. “Due to budget limitations, we utilized a

brand alignment, or optimization for mobile

system of scenic backdrop rollers in two areas rather than LED,” Provost explained.

content.” ow does a fiscally-responsible firm like

“This setup allows Prudential to

In fact, one of the studio spaces was

Prudential Financial build a new video

kind of a “Between Two Ferns” setup.

update in a later phase with LED if

production studio that can create

“It had a backdrop, a riser, literally a

they choose.”

broadcast-quality content at a reasonable cost? By

fern, and two chairs,” Provost said. “I

combining the best of new and old technologies to

think Prudential realized, from a visual

can be filled using one of three

create a modern studio that looks great on camera

perspective, that their environment

different pulldown photographic

but stays within budget.

didn’t really match the quality and the

backdrops that show urban and other

That’s the approach that the design firm Provost

thought leadership that their content

scenes. Granted, using static photo

Studio of Raleigh, NC, adopted when it accepted the

provides, so they really wanted to raise

project. Located in a separate, multi-story building

the overall level of production in all

near Prudential’s headquarters building in Newark,

elements.”

NJ, the new Prudential Studio has everything to produce a range of live and recorded programs, from

In its current form, the windows

Peter Provost

The new Prudential Studio, which opened last fall, is a significant step up. Provost was hired to build a

interviews and group discussions to news. These programs are streamed to employees in-house, and some are also made available to customers, investors, media, and other external audiences on the company’s YouTube channel and other outlets.

Out with the Old Before the new studio was built, Prudential used two small studios that really didn’t do the company justice. “Prudential had two state-of-the-art control rooms with a strong ability to produce quality video content, as well as seasoned video professionals in place,” explained Peter Provost, Provost Studio’s president and director of design. Unfortunately, its existing studios didn’t match them in quality. “They included two small greenscreen areas and an informal

32

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

The media wall area features a news-style anchor desk and Planar video wall background.

backdrops is an “old tech” solution that harkens back to the earliest days of TV broadcasting. But when it comes to on-camera visuals, these backdrops look just as real as actual window views or electronically

CORPORATE VIDEO BUSINESS

generated images on LED video walls or inserted via

production needs,” he continued. “There is defini-

pause with this client and others in terms of

greenscreen in the control room. It works well with

tively a common theme in the use cases, but the real

getting back to the office after COVID and starting

the room’s stylish contemporary interior, while

art/science comes from the nuance of creating

to create content in these spaces. But now that

keeping costs down.

original spaces as distinct as each of our clients.”

they are up and running, it all seems to be doing

Going further to the right is a bookcase wall/

As for Prudential’s reaction to its new studio

really, really well—and we’ve been getting very

informal area, which can also be used for multi-

space? “It’s been great,” said Provost. “We saw a

positive feedback.”

person shoots. The 75-inch touchscreen can be rolled into this space to serve as a display. There is also a chromakey area for video insertions.

For those times when a non-windowed space is needed, Provost Studio has built a roll-in wall with multicolored panels and lit areas. This can be moved around the set as needed, essentially creating an entirely new visual space for the set’s multiple Sony HSC-300 cameras, which are equipped with Telescript prompters. The cameras are holdovers from the last studios, along with the Sony MVS-6530 video switchers, Soundcraft Vi5000 digital audio mixing consoles, Ross XPression CGs, and Evertz routers in the control rooms.

“We reimagined the look and feel of Prudential’s on-air brand to align with other communication channels and generally elevate the way video content is created with scenic, lighting, and AV display systems,” Provost noted. “In addition to the scenic environment, we took a comprehensive approach to increasing the overall production value of the video content for Prudential, including lighting design and integrating display technology at multiple scales.

The new studio material palette takes inspiration from the new corporate headquarters, with particular attention to creating a less corporate, more hospitality-inspired space.”

Corporate Design Looking back on the Prudential Studio project, Provost feels a sense of satisfaction. His people succeeded in creating a flexible multiuse studio space that elevated the look of Prudential’s video content to align with the quality of its content and corporate reputation—all while harnessing existing equipment and cost-saving solutions that kept project expenses under control. The result was in line with Provost Studio’s approach to corporate design.

“Our main goal with any project is to create a visually stunning environment that resonates with the brand and target audience,” Provost said. “Just as important is the fact that the spaces we design meet and exceed current and future needs. Our job as production designers is to collaborate with our clients to provide them with a custom studio ‘toolbox’ that they can use for their specific needs.

“That said, our measure of success for a project isn’t ‘are they using the studio toolbox as we originally imagined,’ it’s ‘are they creating new shooting use cases and content scenarios with the toolbox we designed that we hadn’t previously anticipated?’ With every project, we learn a bit more about how to anticipate current and future content

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33

TECHNOLOGY TRANSPORTATION AV

Building a Better Airport Unifying AV Systems Promises Better Experiences for Passengers and Staff

By Carolyn Heinze

A

irport AV is complicated. The sheer amount of mission-critical communications required in this environment can lead to

some intricate technology designs. But while the systems themselves may be complex, some argue that centralizing airport AV leads to a better experience for passengers, as well as the airport staff

From left, Ron Birkla, Vlada Shchepynska, Ryan Biziorek, and Doug Freutel

responsible for managing the audiovisual technology.

Shchepynska, an experienced AV project coordinator

Opportunities and Challenges

a firm that provides design and consultation services

and Ukraine native who joined Red Envelope as project

For airport AV/IT staff, a unified approach to AV offers

to facility owners, manufacturers, and AV integration

coordinator, cited herself as an example.

the convenience of remote monitoring and trouble-

Ron Birkla is president of Red Envelope Consulting,

companies. An AV industry veteran, Birkla has spent

“I am not a native English speaker, and [in an

shooting. According to Birkla, this enables staff—who

much of his career designing systems for theme parks,

English-speaking country] for me it would not be

are too busy to dispatch personnel to check up on

casinos, and museums.

possible to understand what they’re talking about when

equipment—quickly identify system failures, decreas-

In 2022, he and his team began focusing on the

the gates are so close together, and the sound from the

ing the number of unused (and useless) displays,

transportation industry, including airport AV. One of

bars, restaurants, and newsstands are conflicting with

speakers, paging stations, and amplifiers throughout

the first things he noticed: Unlike the markets he was

the paging system,” she offered. “I think that confusion

the facility.

accustomed to working with—where audiovisual

is the biggest problem [in airports].”

systems were operated, monitored, and managed from

Based on this, Birkla and his team began working

“We design an overarching monitoring system where they get automated reports of failures, whether

a centralized location—in airports, each AV system

with airport clients on what he calls a “unified

it’s IPTV, paging, mass notification, or even conference

was designed to run on its own.

approach” to AV. This model applies the same method-

room equipment or command and control centers,”

ology the firm uses with its themed entertainment

Birkla explained. “When it comes back to a central

subsystems in an airport environment. This usually

clients to simplify the airport’s AV ecosystem. “We look

station, it puts one person in a seat, in charge of

includes passenger information displays, public

at every subsystem that touches AV and design a

monitoring and then dispatching service calls.”

address system, wayfinding, digital signage, conces-

solution that unifies them into a single pane of glass for

sion AV, ADA compliance systems (such as assistive

control and monitoring,” he said.

For example, there are approximately 8-10 AV

listening and visual paging), conference rooms,

Concession audio, for example, is connected to and

There is also the opportunity for airports to generate added revenue by applying an AV-as-a-Service model to its concession clients. Concessions already lease

command-and-control center, and an emergency

controlled by the facility-wide public address system.

internet and cable TV from airports; Birkla said services

operations center. “In any other project—a casino or a

Birkla argued this not only prevents separate systems

such as passenger information, public address, and

theme park, for example—these systems would all be

from competing against one another, but also “provides

assistive listening and visual paging services could be

interconnected,” Birkla said.

a slick solution for connecting assistive listening that

added to this package.

Dangers of Disconnection When AV systems are disconnected, any number of

can play back passenger info or IPTV in the conces-

While a unified approach to airport AV may solve

sions.” He said these relatively simple modifications

many problems, Birkla conceded that one of the main

significantly improve the passenger experience.

challenges with the model is the relationship between

issues arise, especially in an airport, where passengers need easy access to critical flight information at all times. Birkla cited airport concessions as a prime problem area: “When John’s Sports Bar plays a

AV and IT. “The keystone technology Traditional flight boards can be enhanced with wayfinding and other information to help passengers.

that makes the unified AV solution possible is networking infrastructure,” he explained.

This means airport IT departments

game really loud, it conflicts with the

must be open to AV being on the

passenger information from the PA in the

network. “In transportation, that can be

concourse or adjacent gate,” he explained.

difficult because the AV systems might

“The bar turns up its audio, the airline

only be partially funded by IT—the

requests audio at the gate to be louder to

budgets come from a wide variety of

compensate, so the bar turns up its sound

[departments] including operations,

even more.” In the end, it’s all noise and

passenger experience, public relations,

passengers can’t hear important

tenant relations, marketing, and the

announcements.

airlines themselves,” he noted. Getting

This is particularly problematic in an

all these different stakeholders to

airport, since those they serve are, quite

understand the benefits of this design

literally, from all over the world. Vlada

model can be difficult.

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SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

TRANSPORTATION AV TECHNOLOGY

Reducing Congestion

wall systems for digital art, design elements that convey

people to have a positive opinion of their brands.

Radiant Technology Group, an AV design and

the fabric of the community in which the airport is

“People tend to remember bad experiences, and even if

integration firm headquartered in Lewis Center, OH, has

located, or even performance spaces, theaters, or small

my trip was absolutely perfect but I had a bad experience

been focused on building smarter airports since 2010,

museums sponsored by local institutions.

in the airport, I will remember it and I will tell everybody

when the John Glen Columbus International Airport

For Shchepynska, providing a great passenger

solicited the firm to centralize its digital signage

experience is essential if airports—and airlines—want

about it,” she said. “It is really important for passengers to have a good experience.”

management systems. Since then, the company has done work for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and several others, according to Doug Freutel, vice president and visionary.

Aside from simplifying digital signage management, Freutel explained that Radiant Technology is working with airports to limit congestion at key points, such as the gates where passengers wait to board their flights. He said part of this solution involves enhancing traditional flight boards that are positioned throughout amenity areas with regular updates on things like gate changes or passenger alerts. Wayfinding and public information screens may also display data on wait times in nearby restaurants, or occupancy levels in the restrooms—important information that helps passen-

CELEBRATING NEARLY 50 YEARS AS THE TOP CHOICE for Pro Audio, Video, and Lighting Integrators & Contractors

gers plan their time at the airport.

Freutel also noted that Radiant recently worked with Omnivex, a digital signage content management software developer based in Concord, Ontario, to enhance the mobile passenger experience. By scanning a QR code at their gate, passengers may receive up-tothe-minute information about their flight as they are visiting other areas of the airport.

“The challenge with flight apps is there can be a delay of as long as 20 minutes between [the information they deliver] and what’s actually showing at the gate,” he said. “You may be at the Sky Lounge with your [flight app] up and it’s showing, ‘my flight’s taking off in 20 minutes, I’d better get to my gate.’ When you get to the gate, you find out your flight’s been delayed an hour.”

By delivering actual gate data, Freutel said airports can decrease the congestion that often manifests around boarding areas. This same information is also translated into text messaging that can be delivered to the displays positioned throughout the airport for ADA compliance. “We’re really looking at how to use digital signage to optimize flow throughout the airport to make people feel more comfortable, take advantage of the amenities at the airport, and feel less tethered to the actual gates,” he added.

A Better Experience Ryan Biziorek, associate principal and acoustics and audiovisual expert at Arup, a global sustainable development consultancy, noted that airlines themselves are paying increasing attention to customer experience from the moment passengers purchase a ticket, all the way through to the conclusion of their trip.

800-356-5844 • fullcompass.com

“The hospitality experience is end-to-end, [and] the airport terminal has really become a hospitality experience,” he offered. “With that, we’re seeing more

Free Shipping | Free 2-Year Service | Low Price Guarantee

investment in audiovisual technologies integrated in

Flexible Financing | Certified Experts

the architecture to create this experience.” These experiences may come in the form of large LED video

avnetwork.com // September 2023 // SCN

35 081123-con-scn-news-6x9.5.indd 1

7/24/23 1:26 PM

TECHNOLOGY PRODUCT REVIEW

Show and Tell New AVer A30 Universal Camera Brings Flexibility to Classrooms

By Mark J. Pescatore

though the other function keys are found on one side of the unit. You can connect the A30 to a computer via

A

The A30’s adjustable camera arm has three points of articulation and auto image rotation.

USB or directly to a monitor via HDMI. pparently, AVer isn’t satisfied with just making document cameras. Its new A30

Presentation Options

universal camera adds audio capabili-

A red light below the AVer logo in front of the A30 lets

ties, webcam functionality, picture-in-picture,

you know it’s off. The red light turns blue when you

and more. Because of its all-in-one capabilities,

press the power button, and you’re greeted with a

intuitive remote control, and expanded function-

musical chirp, which means it’s time to start

ality when integrated with AVer’s free AVerTouch

presenting.

software, it’s a tempting option for integrators outfitting K-12 classrooms.

The A30’s adjustable camera arm has three points

The USB-A slot offers some important functionality. First, you can plug in an external webcam and create a picture-in-picture display, so you can stay on

of articulation, so you can accommodate many points

screen while using the A30 to display documents, 3D

of interest. Need to reposition the camera to show-

objects, even X-rays or film slides. The on-screen

case items to the left or right? Don’t move the unit—

menu lets you change the location or size of the PiP, or

the adjustable arm also rotates 90 degrees in either

even make the A30 camera the secondary (small)

direction. There’s a noticeable “click” so you don’t

image. You can also use the USB-A slot to connect

twist the unit too far and damage it. Auto image

external storage for recording stills and videos.

rotation flips the camera image automatically, so your content is oriented properly on the screen.

That’s one of the things I really like about the A30: options. You have tons of them, and most are readily

When positioned straight up, the camera arm is

available via the remote control. The function keys on

about 17 inches high, with the camera at about 15.5

the unit work as well, but they are clunky by compari-

inches above the table. For text, the camera sits a

son. In other words, don’t lose the remote.

little less than 3.5 inches from the table when lowered

For example, the “visor” feature lets you black

completely in front of the unit. For clean, easy storage

out parts of the screen and reveal them later. A

and transport, the arm folds back into the unit, with

“spotlight” offers similar functionality. In either

the camera head resting on top of the unit (camera

case, the D-pad on the remote lets you manipulate

cated than necessary to access—but you can really

down for protection).

the area. Got the perfect shot of that object you are

personalize or customize your experience. The image

discussing? Freeze it. Need an on-screen timer? The

menu lets you adjust brightness, contrast, and more.

The A30 ships with a power cord, USB-C-toUSB-A cable, and a remote control. Connectivity is

A30 has that, too.

confined to the rear of the unit, with HDMI, USB-A,

When you add the AVerTouch software, the A30

I suspect most users will defer to the “auto”

becomes even more versatile. Basically, the software

USB-C, HDMI, and 3.5mm line/mic ports, plus a

settings—the menus are a bit extensive to navigate,

provides whiteboard functionality and better control

Kensington lock slot. The power button is also here,

and some advanced functions can be more compli-

of some features. For example, the spotlight and

The A30 offers delivers good pictures of text and objects for classroom presentations (left). The integrated light works pretty well, but it can also create a visible bright spot (right).

36

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

PRODUCT REVIEW TECHNOLOGY

visor options are more easily controlled with a

webcam. That said, it worked pretty well, especially

it handles text extremely well. It also has the flexibility

mouse than with the remote. Plus, you can “snip”

with its built-in microphone and speaker, and can

to handle 3D objects, and even works as a wide-angle

images to keep the focus on a specific area of

eliminate the need for an additional piece of equip-

webcam. Built-in audio, plenty of options for custom-

interest. You can even connect with Google

ment in the classroom.

ized presentations, and expanded features through the

Classroom. However, when I recorded in 4K through the AVerTouch interface, the audio and video were

With an MSRP under $700, the A30 certainly makes its case as a universal camera. As a document camera,

AVerTouch software makes me think the A30 will be universally accepted in K-12 classrooms.

clearly out of sync, so stick to lower resolution options when recording through the software.

More than a document camera, the A30 allows you to connect a separate webcam for picture-in-picture presentations.

Sound and Video Options The onboard microphone delivered surprisingly good sound reproduction for my videoconferencing test. I turned on the noise reduction and echo cancellation, and was told I sounded clear, even from several yards away. If there’s a chink in the armor, it’s the integrated 6-watt speaker, which does a good job for speech but lacks high-fidelity music reproduction.

However, when you consider the A30 was designed for a classroom, not a recording studio, it does the job—and the convenience of a built-in speaker cannot be overlooked.

The A30 features a 13-megapixel 4K camera that supports up to 30 fps in 4K or 60 fps in 1080p. The 23x digital zoom can be a little imprecise, particularly when you hold down the button to speed up the process, but the 1x button on the remote instantly brings you back to the standard view. Once you engage the digital zoom, you can use the remote (or mouse with AVerTouch) to shift the image and get the precise framing you want.

As you might expect, the digital zoom adds noise to the picture almost immediately (motion mode adds even more), so consider moving the camera head closer instead, if possible. If you are using the A30 as a document camera close to the document and without the digital zoom, you will be very impressed with the legibility of text, even the “fine print” on an advertisement or a medicine bottle.

Depending on the location of your lighting, the camera head can cast a shadow over your content. A small light positioned just above the camera lens does an admirable job illuminating small objects or documents in a darkened room, but it can also create a visible bright spot on your materials.

Because of its wide-angle lens, I don’t think even AVer would try to convince you that the A30 is the best choice for videoconferencing. Plus, its color reproduction couldn’t match my professional

avnetwork.com // September 2023 // SCN

37

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37

TECHNOLOGY CLASSROOM AUDIO

Loudspeakers with beam steering technology tend to be much taller than wide and mounted flat against the wall.

Willamette University resolved the challenging audio environment in its Paulus Lecture Hall with Renkus-Heinz compact arrays.

Speech Intelligibility Solutions How to Choose the Right Speakers for Your Entire Space

cost-effective than flying a line array and much easier to blend into the building’s architecture. Realistically, the fewer loudspeakers deployed, the fewer visual distractions for students. If the loudspeaker manufacturer supports custom paint schemes for their cabinets, so much the better for having them “disappear” and not act as a visual distraction.

Willamette University Case Study Founded in 1842, Willamette University in Salem, OR, is the oldest university in the Western United States. The school’s 120-seat Paulus Lecture Hall in the College of Law needed a sound system upgrade to facilitate better remote and in-person lectures and discussions. With a

By Garrison Parkin

S

While multiuse spaces like auditoriums, cafete-

fan-shaped layout and stadium-style seating, they

rias, and gymnasiums often feature music reproduc-

needed a solution that provided granular control over

tion, they always have spoken word, so the sound

where the sound was directed.

peech intelligibility is paramount whether

system must ensure the message is clear. The only

a class is in-person, virtual, or hybrid.

way to provide an accurate speech intelligibility rating

Heinz Iconyx Compact ICC12/3 arrays because of the

The university’s AV team selected a set of Renkus-

If students can’t hear or understand the

is to measure it in the room (which is highly recom-

extremely challenging room. The ICC12/3 offers the

instructor, their ability to learn and retain information

mended). A rule of thumb for the threshold of 100%

quality and flexibility of an ICONYX array but with a 40%

is compromised. The larger the room, the more critical

intelligibility is usually a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)

smaller footprint. The reduced footprint allows the ICC

speech intelligibility becomes. In small classrooms,

of 12 dB, meaning the signal should be roughly four

to blend into the most architecturally sensitive spaces,

instructors may be able to speak louder to reach the

times louder than the noise floor.

while the high vertical directivity of the ICC12/3 can

back of the room, but that’s not a viable option in a lecture theater, cafeteria, or gymnasium.

Intelligibility plays a huge role in learning and

The next best thing to having data measurements is understanding the details of speech intelligibility

tame the most challenging acoustics environments.

An integrated 12-channel digital amplifier

and the Sound Transmission Index (STI). STI is a

and DSP system power the loudspeaker’s 3-inch,

information retention. If you’re in a reverberant

numeric representation measure of communication

full-range drivers. The professors can now use lapel

space like a church or train station and all you hear is

channel characteristics whose value varies from 0

mics without concern about feedback in the room,

muffled speech, you’ll quickly give up trying to

(bad) to 1 (excellent).

while remote students can hear clearly because the

understand what’s being communicated. The same is

STI predicts the likelihood of syllables, words, and

audio is properly controlled.

true for students: If they can’t hear and understand

sentences being comprehended. An STI of at least 0.6

the instructor, they’ll zone out. The higher the speech

throughout the seating area is recommended for

especially in educational environments. The audio

intelligibility, the easier it is to retain information and

education facilities. For the listener, this equates to

quality needs to help create immersive experiences for

understand the topic of conversation.

roughly 75% of syllables being understood, 90% of

students. When students struggle to understand the

words understood, and 95% of sentences understood.

instructor or program audio, it reduces their under-

Beam steering technology allows loudspeakers to

standing of the topic and increases their audio fatigue,

Simply put, speech intelligibility is the percentage of

tightly control the sound and place it where needed—

creating a less-than-optimal learning environment.

speech a listener can understand. Intelligibility is

on the students—while keeping it away from other

Using loudspeakers with high directivity, such as

affected by the volume level and quality of the speech

surfaces that may cause echoes and reflections. Beam

digitally steerable arrays, provides granular control over

signal, the type and level of background noise, room

steering loudspeakers are typically much taller than

where the audio is distributed.

reverberation, and more. It’s an essential considera-

wide and mounted flat against the wall since the beams

Garrison Parkin is the western regional sales

tion for loudspeaker selection.

are digitally steered. For that reason, they’re more

manager for Renkus-Heinz.

Sound Transmission Index

38

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

Every listener deserves the clearest sound possible,

TECHNOLOGY NEW PRODUCTS

Boom Collaboration AURA As the growing appeal of all-in-one devices continues to accelerate, Boom Collaboration has launched the AURA intelligent videobar, with built-in AI functions designed to deliver superior meetings. AURA offers 4K picture quality, 10x digital zoom, and a 120-degree field of view. AI functions include facial detection and sound source localization, providing intelligent auto-framing

Roland VR-400UHD

ClearOne BMA 360D

and voice tracking. Six digital array mics ensure high-fidelity audio and an optimal intuitive response.

The BMA 360D beamforming microphone array

An 8MP CMOS sensor is combined with plug-and-play

Solutions like the VR-400UHD 4K streaming AV

ceiling tile offers native compatibility with any

functionality as well as a standard three-year warranty.

mixer are crucial in everyday applications where

Dante-enabled DSP mixer. Dante integration in the

professional operators are not always readily

BMA 360D enhances the array’s functionality by

available. With two touchscreens, the VR-400UHD

delivering unprocessed beam audio on individual

allows users to quickly set various scene presets,

Dante transmit channels. Additionally, a smart-

preview them in real time, and confidently run

switched output is delivered on a separate Dante

transitions. The VR-400UHD can preview eight

channel to provide the optimal mix of active inputs

scenes at once on the touchscreen, and with eight

while enabling ClearOne’s full suite of audio

Sonnet Technologies Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock

programmable scene banks, the VR-400UHD can

enhancements, which include echo cancellation,

The latest in the company’s Echo family of docking

hold up to 64 possible saved scenes, providing

noise cancellation, and level control. With proprietary

stations, the Echo 20 features three Thunderbolt 4

churches, companies, and schools with all the

FiBeam and DsBeam technology, participants

ports, one internal M.2 NVMe SSD socket, four USB

presets needed for production. Equipped with seven

experience natural and full-fidelity audio across all

3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C charging ports, four USB

HDMI ports, the VR-400UHD supports high-quality

beams and within a single beam. The BMA 360D

3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type A ports, one HDMI 2.1 port,

video up to 4K/60p with four cross points. The

comes in both 24-inch and 600mm ceiling tile sizes,

one 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) port, one 3.5 mm

fourth cross point has four HDMI inputs, so

while a VESA-mount hole pattern provides support

combo audio port, two analog line level output jacks,

additional sources can be connected and instantly

for pole mounting. Integrator setup is simplified by

one 3.5 mm microphone jack, and one SD 4.0 card

assigned with a scene switch. It also includes a

convenient preset beam patterns for common room

slot. It enables users to connect peripherals to a

14-channel audio mixer for combining analog

layouts, while custom beam patterns can be created

central point instead of directly to their computer. All

inputs with embedded digital audio.

for unique floor plans.

devices are connected through a single Thunderbolt cable, which can also charge laptop computers with up to 100 watts of power. The Echo 20 also supports one M.2 NVMe SSD inside the case, so users can install up to 8 TB of storage.

Sound Devices A20-Nexus Go / A20-TX The newest additions to the Astral series of wireless audio products, the A20-Nexus Go true-diversity

Vaddio AV Bridge Nano

digital wireless receiver (supporting up to eight

AV Bridge Nano is a compact AV-to-USB bridge

channels) and A20-TX digital wireless transmitter

designed to provide seamless connectivity and

were designed to streamline wireless audio

Vanco POP4390 and VWA3770

processes. A20-Nexus Go users can scan a global

Vanco has added to its collection of wall mounts,

systems in lecture halls, town hall meetings, or houses

VHF and UHF tuning range of 169-1525 MHz with

which offer simple installation and a variety of sizes

of worship, enabling reliable streaming and video

Sound Devices’ SpectraBand technology to quickly

to support single displays and video walls. The new

capture scenarios over USB or RTSP/RTMP without

find clean and open frequencies, easily assign

POP4390 pop-out mount is VESA compatible,

needing to purchase two separate devices. Mass

transmitters to those frequencies, adjust transmit-

supports up to a 90-inch television, and is rated at 165

deployments and remote management are simplified

ter gain as needed directly from the receiver using

pounds. The mount offers functionality, cable

with the free Vaddio Deployment Tool, while the

GainForward, and keep tabs on any potential RF

management, and easy access to the back of the TV.

Vaddio Device Controller touchscreen accessory adds

difficulties with A20-Nexus Go’s integrated Real

Plus, it has a motion range of five degrees up and 10

simple in-room control. Thanks to its USB 3.0

Time Frequency Analysis (RTSA) functionality. The

degrees down. With similar benefits of pop out

interface, the AV Bridge Nano is compatible with the

A20-TX digital wireless transmitter uses the same

functionality and cable management as the POP4390,

most popular software conferencing applications. It

high headroom mic preamp from Sound Devices’

the VWA3770 video wall mount (pictured) can bring

can also be used as a USB capture card for ingesting

8-Series mixer-recorders to deliver high-quality

simplicity to the tedious process of mounting video

HDMI video into video editing applications. Its

sonic purity with a minimum of noise. Other

walls. It can accommodate displays from 37-70

networking capabilities enable the creation of

features include a built-in 32-bit float, 48 kHz

inches, is rated to 99 pounds, and offers both hori-

production-quality live streams on platforms such as

recorder with removable microSD card.

zontal and vertical adjustments.

YouTube Live, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

40

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

versatility for videoconferencing. It complements AV

NEW PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY

Christie Hedra Available in three models, the Hedra video wall processor offers a secure, all-in-one control room solution. It allows users to make quick and informed

Blaze Audio Constant Curvature Array (CCA)

decisions with real-time access to data that can be controlled from virtually anywhere. Based on a Linux

Omnirax Hybrid Conference Table

Available both bi-amped or self-powered, the

hardware system and with multiview KVM, users can

Initially commissioned in partnership with

CCA10i is a compact, three-way arrayable point

securely work remotely or centrally, and easily switch

Primeview USA, Hybrid Conference Tables have been

source loudspeaker designed to deliver concert-

between different on-screen layouts and configura-

carefully designed to achieve meeting equity for all

quality audio for medium-sized venues to large

tions. Drag-and-drop interfaces and customized

participants, both onsite and remote, by creating a

distributed systems that need a flexible, scalable

layouts make it easy to arrange and control video wall

synergy between four key components: Microsoft

loudspeaker solution. It is an ideal choice for

displays. Hedra can deliver data to up to four UHD

Front Row meeting software, large format LED

performing arts centers, houses of worship,

displays—and supports video walls up to 32 megapix-

displays or monitor walls, AI-driven camera technol-

commercial theaters, nightclubs, and stadiums.

els in configurations up to 8x2, so operators can make

ogy, and the conference table. The lineup includes a

It features two 10-inch high-excursion, ultra-low

timely and collaborative decisions. The control-

desk engineered to pair with a 105-inch monitor from

distortion drivers that offer reduced power

room-in-a-box is ideal for small to medium-sized

Primeview as well as larger video walls, addressing a

compression, with diaphragms providing efficient

applications including command and control rooms,

broad range of potential applications. Each table

and accurate bass reproduction down to 52Hz.

broadcast operations, and security and surveillance.

features three primary components: the counter-

The system’s constant curvature waveguide

tops (made from high-pressure laminate or Corian),

provides array coherence along with precision

technology “cylinder,” and structural metalwork.

160-degree symmetrical horizontal pattern control.

Regardless of size or configuration, each Hybrid

Mounted horizontally with tight acoustic centers

Conference Table has been engineered to create

to minimize comb filtering, each CCA10i enclosure

enhanced sight and sound lines for both onsite and

provides a fixed 20-degree vertical coverage pattern

remote participants. Customized versions of the table

and can be flown with additional enclosures in

designs, including such options as laser-cut or

vertical arrays.

silk-screened logos, are available.

FIBER CABLES

FLYPACKS & ROAD CASES

FURNITURE

MODULAR FLOOR BOXES

INSTALLATION PRODUCTS

To Advertise in the SYSTEMS CONTRACTOR NEWS CLASSIFIEDS, Contact Zahra Majma at zahra.majma@futurenet.com

For the latest industry news and information, visit us online at

avnetwork.com avnetwork.com // September 2023 // SCN

41

VIEWPOINT

Here Comes Convergence The Streaming Era Unites Pro AV and Broadcast

By Sarah Joyce

W

e’ve been living in the era of streaming

to hybrid and remote work, they’re opting to

For decades, we’ve been talking about AV and IT

transition the space and add production capabilities

blending together as more AV technologies are

to reach their audiences.

connected to the network. Media servers and storage act as the management and distribution

for quite some time on the consumer

Forecast: More Content

side. And now it’s forging ahead in a

According to AVIXA’s 2023 Industry Outlook and

solution revenue in 2023, or nearly $19 billion.

big way in the commercial world, leading to a cross-

Trends Analysis (IOTA), content production and

Capture technologies are next, in the form of

over between broadcast and Pro AV. What factors are

streaming revenue is forecast to grow from $39

cameras and other video production equipment,

at play boosting this trend?

billion in 2023 to $51.3 billion in 2028. In addition,

representing another $10 billion.

engines, accounting for more than half of the total

Part of it is the pandemic. It was difficult to

our research of end user decision makers shows AV

Integrators provide some value-added services

interact with audiences in person during that time,

production rooms for broadcast among the top five

such as installation and design. That skillset part is

so streaming content was a crucial solution. In fact,

spaces in which they are planning to make AV

an important piece of the puzzle.

revenue for content production and streaming, in

investments.

addition to conferencing and collaboration, never declined during the pandemic.

Quality or Quantity?

What are the tools and skills needed to deliver these solutions to customers? The technologies

Historically, AV and broadcast have interweaved

powering content production and streaming are a

through time. Many people started in broadcast and

convergence in AV, IT, and broadcast.

crossed over to AV or went back and forth. AV and

As an event producer ourselves, AVIXA had to implement streaming capabilities for InfoComm 2021, since many people couldn’t attend in person.

AVIXA’s in-house content delivery team, led by Sam Minish, vice president of content delivery, put together a livestream content program and worked with a vendor to deliver a remote experience.

As the world started opening up more in 2022 and people were attending events in person, Sam’s team realized we needed to approach streaming differently. Our livestream was about making sure we were providing an experience that was reaching those who, perhaps through budget reasons or being newer to the industry, couldn’t attend the physical show. We focused on delivering content at the show that would resonate with that

Crossover Considerations

broadcast professionals share skills in audio and

For decades, we’ve been talking about AV and IT blending together as more AV technologies are connected to the network.

video systems implementation, live events production, pre and post-production, filming/recording, and staging/rigging. AV differentiates through skills relating to effective integration of tech into space, while IT increasingly overlaps with both AV and broadcast as technology joins the network.

AVIXA is closely watching this trend of broadcast and AV convergence, and facilitating ways for AV professionals to learn more and make connections to deliver high-level solutions to the market. In June, AVIXA and IABM hosted the first UpStream conference in London to dive into this topic. We brought together broadcast technology suppliers, AV/IT solution providers, and enterprise buyers.

The event featured discussions on virtual

audience. The team also learned that

production, the pros and cons of different

ramping up the quality while dialing down

streaming platforms, NDI, and much more.

the quantity was very effective for us.

Virtual production was also top of mind

During the pandemic, there was some

at InfoComm 2023 in Orlando with The

tolerance for mediocre quality streaming.

Unreal Ride, presented by Vūu, Unilumin, and

As long as you were delivering your

MRMC. Attendees experienced a blend of the

message, then that was good enough.

physical and virtual worlds through a

Now, with the advancements of streaming

combination of virtual production technol-

technology, there’s an expectation for

ogy, including advanced LED panels, a

better quality. When you have YouTubers

motion-controlled camera, camera

producing top quality video content,

tracking, and virtual environments.

people expect that out of workplace

What’s in store next? ISE 2024

professionals.

will host the Content Production, &

Adding to that, we’ve had a

Distribution Summit on Jan. 31 in

generation with video in their

Barcelona, so mark your calendar.

DNA filling the workforce for a

Also be sure to check out the

while now that expects to be

Content Production and Streaming

aspect of real estate—with some footprint for employee office space due

42

SCN // September 2023 // avnetwork.com

AGE S

companies not needing such a large

GETT Y IM

visually engaged. There’s also the

channel on AVIXA Xchange for news and discussions on the topic.

Sarah Joyce is the chief global officer for AVIXA.