Systems Contractor News - August 2022

Welcome to the August Issue of

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CONTENTS 28

Broadcast Quality The National Association of Broadcasters has turned its

offices into a showcase for technology.

By Jennifer Guhl

24 People 18 Executive Q&A Panasonic Connect’s John Kaloukian emphasizes the importance of a solutions-focused approach.

By Mark J. Pescatore

19 Executive Q&A NEARITY CEO and founder Andy Xin is working to improve the hybrid meeting experience.

27 ‘We’re Only Just Getting Started’ New Kinly CEO Tom Martin sets his sights on U.S. market growth.

By Mark J. Pescatore

32 Blueprint for Success How did an RFP in 1401 change western architecture forever?

By John Storyk

By Mark J. Pescatore

Technology

22 Beyond The Tech

34 Entertainment on the High Seas

Way too many of us are out of balance in our personal

Learn how one cruise line has upgraded to IPTV to

and professional lives.

improve in-cabin entertainment and more.

By Douglas Kleeger

By Jim Beaugez

Business

36 Make It Big

24 If It Ain’t Broke…

The new Dollar Loan Center’s AV operations been modelled after the T-Mobile Arena.

Large-venue projectors are supporting the surging return to live events.

By Wayne Cavadi

By James Careless

Viewpoint

26 The ABCs of APIs

42 The Pace of Progress

How can you properly design interfaces that provide

Today’s Pro AV innovations are catching up with

value?

science fiction.

By Toine C. Leerentveld

By Rachael Harris

34 Departments 20 NEWSMAKERS 40 PRODUCTS

Vol. 29 No. 8 August 2022 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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MARK J. PESCATORE Content Director

AUGUST 2022 VOL. 29 NO. 8

Winning and the Waiver Wire

CONTENT

VP/Content Creation Anthony Savona Content Director Mark J. Pescatore, Ph.D. mark.pescatore@futurenet.com Content Manager Wayne Cavadi Contributors Jim Beaguez, James Careless, Jennifer Guhl, Rachael Harris, Toine C. Leerentveld

I

Group Art Director Nicole Cobban

’ll admit I’m way too invested in fantasy football, particularly when you consider my league is named the Frugal Fantasy Federation. We’re not exactly competing for

Art Editor Rob Crossland

midlife crisis sports car money; it’s more like bragging rights and enough cash for

Production Managers Nicole Schilling, Heather Tatrow

an oil change and maybe a tire rotation. Maybe.

EMAIL

mark.pescatore@futurenet.com

The appeal of fantasy football is trying to collect and manage a group of players

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

from around the NFL who can consistently deliver points based on game performance.

Vice President, AV/Consumer Electronics & Pro Audio Adam Goldstein, adam.goldstein@futurenet.com, 212-378-0465

Your league may award points, for example, for the number of yards (rushing, receivFACEBOOK

facebook.com/ systemscontractor

ing, passing), catches, touchdowns, etc. that a player collects during the game.

What adds to the fun is that you’re invested in more than just your favorite team

Sales John Casey, john.casey@futurenet.com, 845-678-3839 Janis Crowley, janis.crowley@futurenet.com, 845-414-6791 Debbie Rosenthal, debbie.rosenthal@futurenet.com, 212-378-0468 Zahra Majma, zahra.majma@futurenet.com, 845-678-3752 Andi Tureson andi.tureson@futurenet.com

every season. Now, the performance of a running back from a team you’ve never cared about can help you get the “W” for the week or drop you out of the playoff hunt.

If you happen to start someone playing against your favorite team, the mental

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

gymnastics can get complicated in a hurry. Your inner dialog sounds something like: “OK, I want my team to win, but I want them to let my fantasy QB throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns, but not to that wide receiver who is on the other guy’s team.”

Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of fantasy football success. I won’t give away all my strategies, of course, but when you’re unsure of who to draft, pick the guy who

TWITTER twitter.com/scnmag

SUBSCRIBER CUSTOMER SERVICE

went to Alabama. Yes, as an alum I am biased, but the numbers usually back me up.

To subscribe, change your address, or check on your current account status, go to avnetwork.com and click on About Us, email futureplc@computerfulfillment. com, call 888-266-5828, or write P.O. Box 1051, Lowell, MA 01853.

Roll Tide.

Last season, I just missed the playoffs in one league and was decimated in the playoffs in another. Injuries to my top wide receiver and tight end sealed my fate. My bench—the players you keep in reserve in case of bye week or an injury—simply

LICENSING/REPRINTS/PERMISSIONS

couldn’t replicate the game performance of my starters. By the time the injuries

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Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw licensing@futurenet.com

happened late in the season, the waiver wire—the pool of players not claimed by any teams in the league—had been picked clean of any reasonable replacements.

Does your company have a waiver wire strategy? For months, AVIXA has been reporting on the growth of employment in the Pro AV industry, but it’s a tough

M A N AG E M E N T

hiring market. What happens when someone on your team goes on injured reserve (IR) because of COVID-19 or another medical or family emergency? Who’s waiting on your bench when members of your team are on a bye week (aka vacation)? And in pany from poaching your top performers?

Perhaps now is a good time to evaluate your lineup. Make sure you have the players you need to remain competitive—and you have the corporate culture in place to keep your players on your team. Unlike fantasy football, when it comes to your company, there’s a lot more at stake than just bragging rights.

For months, AVIXA has been reporting on the growth of employment in the Pro AV industry, but it’s a tough hiring market.

4

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

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this market, what’s stopping another com-

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NEWS

Renkus-Heinz Helps Salvation Army Reimagine Classic Hollywood Theater

W

supported by a matching set of eight ICLX-118S subwoofers. Renkus-Heinz also deployed a set of eight P2-10 floor monitors for on-stage use.

hen the Hawaii theater opened its cur-

creator Sammy Oriti visited the Salvation Army’s

tains in the heart of Hollywood in 1940,

Hollywood center and had an inspiration.

it offered an experience like no other.

“The bones of the building have excellent potential

“It’s a great looking stage and theater so the producers didn’t want to hang big, bulky arrays that would spoil the ambiance and intimacy of the space,”

For more than 20 years, the theater personified the

for concerts, musicals, and other live performances,”

explained Garrison Parkin, western regional sales

Golden Age of Hollywood, but while many might say

said Oriti. “Working with the team at Salvation Army

manager for Renkus-Heinz. “But at the same time,

the theater’s best years are behind it, the Salvation

Hollywood, we finalized a vision for the space and

the space is wide with a curved ceiling, and they

Army Hollywood—with the help of fellow Southern-

knew that Renkus-Heinz would bring the sound

needed good coverage and fidelity for every seat, and

California company Renkus-Heinz—is bringing a

solution it needed. I called Renkus-Heinz, told them of

for that, the ICLX is the perfect fit.”

new vision for the theater to life.

the plan, and there was no hesitation to come aboard.”

The Hollywood Corps of the Salvation Army

The sound system needed to accommodate

“I’ve been a big Renkus-Heinz fan since the 1980s; their systems are always super reliable and

Hollywood purchased the Hawaii theater in 1963 and

everything from spoken word ministering to full

sound amazing,” said Oriti. “I’m proud of this

converted it into a multipurpose community center.

musical productions with multiple singers, full bands,

project, and I’m so happy to be working with Renkus-

Today, faced with an alarming growth of homeless-

and a wide range of instrumentation. After acousti-

Heinz—the company’s people and products are great

ness in Hollywood, the organization was looking for

cally evaluating the space and considering the

to work with, and together we’re building something

new ways to generate more resources and provide

supporting equipment in use, Renkus-Heinz recom-

very special here.”

hope within the neighborhood. Local performer,

mended a set of eight ICLive X loudspeaker modules

music composer, and Emmy-nominated TV show

for creating two beam-steering tower arrays,

n July, the LG CLOi GuideBot, the company’s first

Ken Buchanan, executive vice president revenue

multi-purpose customer service robot, roamed

management and customer experience. “The LG

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Termi-

CLOi GuideBot is an opportunity to provide another

Structured cabling: How do you “sell” the importance of this service?

nal D (gates D1-D4). The robot was tasked with guid-

level of service to our customers through an

Having that initial conversation and educating

ing travelers to points of interest throughout the gate

innovative technology.”

the client on why it’s important to upgrade

LG Service Robot Helps Travelers at Dallas Airport

I

area, using speech recognition and touch interactions

The LG CLOi GuideBot stands just under 5 feet tall

their structured cabling system is key. A

to facilitate mobile ordering, display flight details,

and greets everyone with a friendly 9.2-inch LG LCD

fully engineered and properly installed

provide concession options, and more.

“face” display. Using a high-quality microphone, 3D

structured cabling system is one of the most

camera, and 18 sensors, the robot can navigate busy

cost-effective and important investments a

autonomous LG CLOi GuideBot for the unique

spaces and react to approaching users with visual

company can make in future-proofing their

demonstration at DFW. According to Jeffrey Weiland,

and auditory effects. Dual 27-inch LG touch screens,

network. The modern-day structured cabling

B2B robotics team leader at LG

located on the front and back of

system serves as the foundation and provides

Business Solutions USA, the

the robot’s main body, provide

businesses with the flexibility needed in

airport has always been on the

bright, legible canvases for

supporting multiple systems, devices, and

cutting edge of customer

both interactive and static

higher bandwidth requirements today and in

satisfaction, and is continuing to

digital content, like menus,

the future. The enhancement in productivity,

find new ways to inform,

maps and videos.

LG jumped at the opportunity to leverage its

engage, and entertain travelers.

The CLOi GuideBot also

faster rollout of strategic applications, and healthier

“The LG CLOi GuideBot is up to

collects data on interaction

network is an easy “sell”

the challenge, providing

time, advertisement playback

to help business be more

wayfinding, powerful advertis-

time, number of uses, and more

profitable and

ing opportunities and valuable

and all of it can be viewed in

successful.

data on interaction times and

real-time or saved for review.

David Gross,

usage,” he said.

DFW will be analyzing data

Account Executive,

collected during the demonstra-

Cal Coast Telecom

“DFW Airport wants to help make the customer’s time in

tion and conducting its own

the airport less stressful,” said

customer satisfaction surveys.

6

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

NEWS

LEA Professional Amps Up Tumwater High School Performing Arts Center

T

amps with a series of relays. If one relay is opened, the GPI triggers and powers up the amps. They have four relays in use—two for each amplifier. One relay is controlled off the DSP for the main house, and then another relay is controlled from a touchpanel in each classroom. If someone needs to turn on the system, a single touch powers up the amplifiers, lowers a projection screen, and turns on the projector.

The Network Connect Series IoT-enabled ampli-

umwater High School in Tumwater, WA, has

always great to discover a high-quality, new product

fiers is a commercial-grade audio amplifier family

an ambitious and growing Performing Arts

line that fits well into your offerings. Because of delivery

suited for small to medium-scale installations.

Center that needed a powerful and dynamic

issues, this was a spec swap, but the high school ended

Featuring three ways to connect, users can engage the

audio system to match. When the school sought

up with a much better amplifier and a more robust

built-in Wi-Fi access point, connect to the venue’s

to upgrade the audio amplification system for its

system. Which is why we as a company are basically

Wi-Fi, or use the FAST Ethernet to connect to any LAN

main theater and other support spaces, they chose

moving away from the other company to all LEA amp

via Cat5 or Cat6 cable. The Connect Series also

the LEA Professional Network Connect Series.

solutions for this type of application and many more.”

features cloud connectivity allowing users to harness

The department hosts everything from plays and

To cover the spaces adequately, Pearson and the

the power of the cloud for remote control, monitor-

musicals to ensemble performances, solo instrument

CCI team used a mix of four different Network

ing, configuration, and more from any personal

recitals, and vocal/choir and spoken word perfor-

Connect Series amplifiers from LEA Professional. The

device, as well as HiZ and LoZ channel-selectable

mances. The main theater has seating for about 200.

system solution included 10 individual channels of

analog inputs, and external I/O control for remote on/

There are also large classrooms on each side of the

monitoring ability (a single Connect 352 and two

off and fault monitoring.

theater that can each hold an additional 100 people.

Connect 354 amps), allowing the high school to cover

Because of the pandemic and the summer

When needed, the airwalls between the theater and

the stage monitoring, but also room to place speakers

break, the system has not yet been used for a full

the classrooms can be opened to accommodate an

off stage to support special effects or to power

performance, but the high school is very anxious to

audience of about 400, making the Performing Arts

additional floor monitors for larger groups. They also

get the system in use soon. The team ran several

Center the largest venue in the school district.

have a four-channel unit (four zones of 70V with a

sound tests with various configurations, and

Connect 84 amp) handling the back of house paging

everyone is very happy with the quality and

tion company, CCI Solutions, served as the project lead

and stage manager announcements. Each side

headroom of the amplifiers.

for the Tumwater installation. He said the main space

classroom has its own Connect 702 amplifier.

Mark Pearson, from national AVL systems integra-

and each side classroom space have their own sound

“The installation was really smooth; we didn’t

“These amps have an impressive list of features we

have any hurdles,” said Pearson. “That’s another plus

systems, but they also needed to work together for

really like,” added Pearson. “They’re networkable and

for LEA—everything is very self-explanatory, and you

larger performances. The main space also required an

controlled via IP addresses, so we can easily access them

don’t have to be an engineer to walk through the

update of its stage monitor amplification. The high

with an app, and then the ability to have internal DSP in

process to program things and get things up and

school predominantly uses passive line array elements

the amp for detailed speaker tunings. I also like that

running. It’s all very straightforward and logical. The

and monitor enclosures from Martin Audio.

they’re GPI controllable and the side rooms can be

amps themselves have a good user interface, and the

turned on or off depending on the user’s need.”

app is beneficial. I look forward to many more

“Our rep firm recommended LEA amps, and it has turned out to be a great experience,” said Pearson. “It’s

8

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

To simplify the use process, Pearson set up the

installations with LEA.”

NEWS captured by physical microphones,” expalined Nancy Knowlton, president and CEO of Nureva. “As we started to think about how people would collaborate in a conference room setting, we conceived of them being much more actively involved physically within a space, with people standing at displays and moving around, and audio coming from all corners of the room. This is what inspired our Microphone Mist audio capture approach.”

Essentially, the Microphone Mist technology is built on the AI-driven assessment and control of inputs from the soundbar’s 12 physical microphones to create 8,192 virtual microphones. Each virtual microphone, or “pickup point,” is created when two or more of the physical microphones in the HDL300 work together to focus sound pickup on a distinct zone. With Microphone Mist, each virtual mic is optimized for a natural listening experience.

“With Nureva’s type of AI-controlled virtual microphones, you can direct a lobe to cover a

UNC School of Journalism Equips Classrooms with Nureva Audio Solutions

particular area, typically defined in a classroom as a place where someone is sitting,” Knowlton said.

“This is a capability not found in beamforming technology.”

The Hussman School is no newcomer to HDL300 sound bars. “We had piloted one of these several years ago and then were happy with the performance in one room,” said Kirk. “So, we built out a second classroom that had also included one of the Nureva HDL300s. Then, when the pandemic

By James Careless

technician for the Hussman School of Journalism and

happened in 2020 and everybody went remote, we

Media. “I love that the AI that’s built into this

knew that the return would include some form of

soundbar is constantly adjusting the acoustics and

hybrid classroom that had to address the poor audio

ne lasting impact of COVID-19 has been

echo cancellation to provide consistent whole room

pickup problems being experienced by remote

the acceptance of hybrid learning in col-

coverage, with no actions being required by a human

students. That’s why we increased our number of

lege classrooms, with professors teaching

operator. It’s all automatic and hidden within the

HDL300-equipped rooms to 18—and plan to add up

a mix of on-premises and web-connected remote

soundbar, and the result is clear, intelligible audio

to six more.”

students at the same time. Ensuring an equal level of

from anywhere in the space that can be understood by

participation for both groups is a challenge, particu-

remote students at all times.”

O

larly when it comes to discussions in the physical

In creating the HDL300, Nureva decided to take a

Despite incorporating sophisticated audio pickup and processing technology, the HDL300 is simple to install. “Anyone can set this up: You don’t have to be

classroom, because poor microphone placement can

“clean sheet” approach to the problem of consistent

any kind of a tech genius,” Kirk said. “You don’t

make it difficult for remote students to hear.

audio pickup. “The definition of this problem had

even have to be very good mechanically: Put two

always been expressed in terms of people seated

screws into a wall at the front of the room and you

around the table and how their audio could be best

can hang the thing up. And then you’ve got one cable

The University of North Carolina (UNC) Hussmann School of Journalism and Media in Chapel Hill, NC, has found a unique solution to audio

that runs back to your hub/breakout

pickup problems in its building. Eighteen

box, which connects to your network

of its classrooms have been equipped with

using a standard USB connection.”

Nureva HDL300 audioconferencing

All told, Nureva’s HDL300

systems, with one of the microphone-

soundbars are precisely what the

equipped soundbars placed at the head of

Hussman School was looking for to

each classroom. Using a mix of 12 onboard

resolve its audioconferencing

physical omnidirectional microphones

consistency issues. “Despite what

plus AI-driven level adjustments and

people may think, it’s the audio that

control, the HDL300’s “Microphone Mist”

matters during multi-site sessions,

technology can provide consistent audio

not the video,” said Kirk. “That’s

pickup through a 25-foot square room.

why consistent audioconferencing

(Two HDL300s can be combined to cover

technology is so vital to what we’re

larger spaces.)

doing in our hybrid classroom, and

“It’s like everybody in the room is

why the Nureva HDL300 soundbar

wearing a microphone,” said Gary Kirk,

is so central to our successful

broadcast engineer and classroom AV

operation.”

10

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NEWS

Utelogy Helps London Business School Adopt Hybrid Learning

T

he London Business School (LBS), considered one of the world’s leading business schools, is host to about 12,000 students and execu-

tives each year. Up to 120 lectures a day take place at the school, which is spread across 140 teaching and meeting spaces in several buildings in the heart of London, including the new Sammy Ofer Centre. The result is an impressive AV estate—more than 2,500 devices are in regular use at the school and maintained by a crew of just five AV support staff.

As a fee-paying school that has taught some of the brightest business minds of recent decades, there is constant pressure to ensure that everything is online and working all the time. “The first lectures start at 8:15 a.m.,” said Wayne Buttigieg, head of infrastructure, London Business School. “And on busier days you may have five lectures starting on one site, eight starting on another—and someone has to get around to all of those lecture theatres just to make sure that everything is okay before 8:15 a.m.”

Two significant events during 2020 moved the goalposts at LBS. First, the COVID-19 pandemic saw

The Utelogy platform is helping the London Business School manage its AV systems.

the school shift to new methods of hybrid learning.

Second, LBS installed the Utelogy platform to gain

the faculty. That was really useful; instead of waiting

dramatically improved visibility into its AV estate,

for a professional programmer, an AMX or Crestron

how it is being utilized, and how it can evolve in the

programmer and pay for that work to be done, we

so there are some significant areas of its functionality

future. The flexible Utelogy platform can run on any

could just rapidly prototype them ourselves with

that is yet to be explored. Part of that involves data

network and server, virtual or otherwise, and can

Utelogy. As the process was interactive, the speed to

and seeing precisely what is being used when over the

integrate with teaching spaces, smart classrooms,

concept was invaluable.”

school’s diverse estate.

and hybrid learning environments.

“In May we decided, as a school, that teaching

Saving time for LBS engineers and reducing the

efficiency is all the more pertinent.”

The Utelogy system at LBS is still relatively new,

“Utilization data will be very useful, especially for

time to lecture start have also been key benefits of the

the group rooms,” offered Buttigieg. “I often pass by

would be in a hybrid format, but hadn’t decided in

Utelogy system, which unites a wide range of equip-

a room which has some amazing equipment in it to

what form,” recalled Buttigieg. “In setting up hybrid

ment under a series of quick reference dashboards.

find someone just sitting in there tapping away at a

teaching we created several configurations—and

“We have something like 30 large teaching spaces,

laptop that isn’t connected to anything. Digging into

because we were able to come up with user interfaces

between lecture theatres and classrooms, as well as

the data will help us understand better what rooms

very quickly on our own, using U-Console and

many student rooms, and they are all equipped with

need what equipment in them and enable us to target

U-Control, we were able to demonstrate the rooms to

AV hardware,” explained Mario Vergara, teaching

our resources in a much more efficient manner.”

specialist, IT, London Utelogy's flexible platform can run on any network and server, virtual or otherwise, and integrates with teaching spaces, smart classrooms, and hybrid learning environments.

12

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

Utelogy’s integration with Zoom provides added

Business School. “Using

functionality for lecturers, but the platform is also

Utelogy software, we have

changing the way the AV team can personalize other

been able to setup automatic

AV equipment. For example, the IT team designed a

room checks that are

button for a lecturer using WolfVision Cynap to share

scheduled to run at 6 a.m.

content via Zoom side-by-side in the school’s new

daily, just before the

virtual classroom.

morning shift begins for the

“It’s just a macro that governs the functionality of

IT Customer Services

the button and ensures nothing unexpected happens,

team. They’re able to

and she loves it,” said Buttigieg. “That is exactly the

identify issues and go

sort of project we would not have been able to do in

straight to the room that

the past, as we can’t justify paying a programmer to

has that issue instead of

build something that may only ever be used by one

checking every room from

person. Utelogy effectively gives us experimentation

scratch. In the current

for free. We want to harness Utelogy further, with

COVID-19 environment,

more custom interfaces for experimentation, more

we have reduced coverage

automation for checks and healing, and ultimately

of engineers, so this

use the data to make real ROI decisions.”

NEWS

Extron Drives New AV Solutions at The Citadel

A

presentation venue. It has a videowall for public information messaging and a large projection screen and laser projector for presentations.

An Extron IN1808 IPCP MA 70 scaling presentation switcher is the backbone of the AV system for the room. It performs AV signal switching, audio signal processing, and AV system control. It supplies the ceiling-mounted projector with 4K video selected from a variety of sources.

fter two years of construction, Bastin

The switcher’s line audio outputs

Hall, which houses the Tommy and Victo-

drive two digitally steerable line array

ria Baker School of Business, opened for

loudspeakers mounted on either side of

The Commons provides Bastin Hall with a large space for presentations.

the Spring 2021 semester at The Citadel, one of six

the screen. An Extron DMP 64 digital matrix

amplifier. The classrooms feature ceiling-mounted

senior military colleges in the United States. The

processor selects and mixes audio from up to six

speakers as well as two laser projectors that receive

44,000-square-foot facility is the first new academic

wireless mics for delivery to the switcher. The

4K video and control from the switcher via DTP

building constructed on the school’s Charleston, SC,

switcher’s integrated IPCP Pro control processor

CATx cable. The mobile instructor podium is

campus in 30 years.

allows users to control all AV functions, lower and

equipped with a PC and two touchscreen monitors,

Burlington, NC-based CamCor performed the

raise the projection screen, and deploy the projector

plus an HDMI connection and a small switcher for

detailed AV design and installation. Extron supplied

lift, all from a touchpanel mounted on the rear wall.

selecting sources.

AV switching, distribution, and control equipment

Four standard classrooms of different physical

Bastin Hall also has expanded AV capabilities in

throughout the building, as well as digital matrix

sizes and configurations are equipped with AV

four hybrid learning classrooms and the dean’s

processors and speakers for audio in select venues.

capabilities anchored by DTP Crosspoint 82 4K scal-

boardroom, as well as AV system support for

ing presentation matrix switchers with integrated

informal outdoor gatherings on a rooftop terrace

IPCP Pro control processor and 100-watt mono

and other AV-enabled spaces.

The Commons is a large, high-ceiling space that is part entry lobby, part student meeting area, and part

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7/19/22 8:20 AM 18/07/2022 16:40

NEWS

San Diego Condo Building Takes Control to New Heights

D

aniel Craig (not the actor but certainly a San Diego star) started a highly unique MDU project when working for another

company, but continued on it when he started his own company, Absolute AV Design, in 2017. The builder asked him to finish the project out and help to transition it to the next phases.

The plan to put automation in every single condominium residence was proposed and accepted; units were wired for complete surround sound and music, as well as for touchscreens that would provide simple control of all the lighting and shading. A standard was proposed to the builder and was fully accepted. The opportunity for residents to select other technologies as more of an upgrade approach was also part of the picture.

At Pacific Gate Condominiums, there are a total of 215 condominium residence units, and the entire top floor is owned by the condo developer. Each bedroom in the development is fully equipped with speakers for music and premium sound. All the condo’s equipment is neatly tucked away in a centrally located closet or underneath the TV in the living room spaces.

was trained and knew how to use the products in

the home-

both the individual units and common areas. They

owner can have

7-inch ELAN touchpanel on the wall. Common areas

wanted to enable the collective group to be self-

Absolute AV or any

were also completed using ELAN touchpanels in

sufficient and assure them they didn’t have to use

ELAN dealer upgrade and

different spaces, including a full theater room, gym

Absolute AV for help.

service the product if needed.

Every condominium has been outfitted with a

and workout area, and community lounge. Easily

Craig made himself available for no cost to visit

Craig shared what he is most proud of in this

adjusted music can be played and enjoyed outside on

every single homeowner’s walkthrough to show them

flagship project: Originally, the builder intended to

the pool deck and throughout the lobby. All these

how to use the touchscreen and ensure their complete

provide a list of three dealers owners could call for

common spaces are controlled and accessed using an

comfort with using the system. He personally has met

technology upgrades and service as part of the original

ELAN control system.

with two-thirds of all the residents. Absolute AV has

plan. However, thanks to Absolute AV’s service levels

also performed enhanced systems and upgrade work

and commitment throughout the project, in the end,

was going to interact with the chosen HVAC system

The original plan for how the ELAN control system

in more than half of the units after people purchased

they decided to only recommend Absolute AV Design.

was not possible. The dealer had to go to Coolmaster

their condominium.

and share the wiring that was going to be imple-

Because of its ability to integrate with Daikin

“We continue to serve these condo homeowners today, and this project was such an amazing launch-

mented, products selected, and more for discussion

HVAC system, Mecho-shades, and Lutron in such a

ing point for our company,” said Craig. “We have

on how best to approach a successful solution.

personalized way, ELAN control systems were

built wonderful relationships and feel we are a part of

Absolute AV had to engineer a new way for the ELAN

selected. The ELAN control system allows for

the building and the families that call Pacific Gate

system to interact with the HVAC system. Because of

customized templates on each residence touchpanel,

home. We know over half of the people in this

this, the collective team had to adjust to using one

and gives the developers the ability to provide

beautiful building. This was a massive undertaking

Coolmaster per floor, rather than one in every unit as

residents with a clean interface. Homeowners can

and launching moment for us, and today it is nice to

was originally planned.

create custom lighting scenes without having to hire

have one of the most luxurious buildings in town be

Absolute AV to come back and do it for them. Plus,

such a key foundation and part of our business.”

Craig and his team also had to ensure the builder

14

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

NEWS

BenQ Projectors Showcase Art in Historic Building

I

n Texas, POST Houston is a contemporary

Attractions include a rooftop Skylawn, theater

example of repurposing and redesigning an old

promenade, market hall, collaboration venue, and

building as a mixed-used space that can be uti-

media art space, which is where visitors will find two

lized for more than one purpose and enjoyed more

large art galleries. Overseen by contemporary art

fully. POST Houston has reclaimed the building of

curator Christine Starkman, formerly of the Museum

what was once the city’s U.S. Postal Service head-

of Fine Arts, Houston, the art and film exhibitions are

technology. “Artists are creating with video, film,

quarters and central U.S. mail system hub, which

as mutable as the building.

audio, computer-based technologies, so they’re aware

closed in 2015. The historic building was bought and

For the grand opening of POST, Starkman brought

intentionally transformed by Lovett Commercial

in artists Drew Bacon and Charles Lim. Bacon’s

into a multipurpose space.

installation, Bounties from the Late Abundant Age: Drew

of what they need—really powerful projectors—to accurately depict their work,” said Starkman.

For POST Houston, BenQ supplied 10 8,000-lumen

Bacon Moving Image Projects, focused on miniature

LU9715 laser projectors. Bacon used six BenQ projectors

OMA New York, the adaptive space both preserves its

grocery products labels. Charles Lim’s Sea State 6:

to produce a massive two-channel video installation

history and welcomes ongoing change to suit the

Capsize and phase 1 is a two-channel film that explores

that filled the wall. Lim used four projectors, also used

needs of the city. It opened in November 2021,

the sea and its role in the determination of national

in a two-channel setup. But the real proof in the quality

showcasing simultaneous programming for art,

boundaries, physical, and geographical, as well as

of the laser projector technology was the comparison

entertainment, food, culture, work, and more.

psychological and imaginary.

between them and Bacon’s smaller installations, where

At the design hands of architect Jason Long and

That ambition is reflected in the seriousness in

There is a process to working with artists and

he had setup small gallery projectors.

which the building’s design and technology were

ensuring that they have what they need to bring their

pursued. Throughout the massive space are three

vision to the space. Projectors are at the top of the list,

“Comparatively, the laser projectors were brighter,

“There was a stark difference,” Starkman offered.

monumental staircases that divide the building and

but not any projector will do, with more artists

more impactful. The images are strong, but the

beckon visitors in, up, and through the complex.

requesting high-end, cinematic laser projection

equipment replicated that.”

NEWS

NYC’s Javits Center Addition Features Extensive AV Integration

I

t goes without saying that space is at a premium in Manhattan. Greatly expanding an existing commercial facility to enhance its utility,

improve its efficiency and elevate its profile in a competitive market is no mean feat. But the 1.2-million-square-foot addition to New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center has achieved just that.

The new space added another 200,000 square feet

working on large projects.”

Decision-making for the project took place over

be distributed over the Internet anywhere it’s needed.

New pre-function areas, consisting of hallways

an 18-month period, during which Metinteractive

and room entries, also have extensive audio coverage

of meeting rooms and pre-function areas, including a

often upgraded the equipment roster with more

and video signage. The front atrium entry boasts a

54,000-square-foot special event space, and a truck

robust gear that made the best use of space and

35-foot-wide Mitsubishi 4mm pixel pitch Diamond

marshaling facility designed to make event opera-

demonstrated the most flexibility and functionality.

Vision LED video wall driven by Metinteractive’s

tions more efficient. The Javits Center is run by the

David Bullard, Metinterctive project manager, said a

ElationLogic Storyteller Transmedia-native software.

New York Convention Center Operating Corporation,

facility the size and scope of the Javits Center required

The video wall can display event-specific informa-

and its expansion is part of New York City’s long-term

Metinteractive to consider systems that would “work

tional signage as well as advertising for the Javits

Midtown West redevelopment plan.

over large distances and repeat across rooms while

Center or its clients. Each meeting room doorway has

maintaining an even quality of performance every-

a Planar 50 or 86-inch display fed by Exterity players

for architecture, communication, and technology,

where.” He called the new special event space “a

and operated by a quick, intuitive interface.

partnered with Lendlease Turner JV as a member of the

next-generation meeting infrastructure equipped to

design build construction team and as AV integrator

meet clients’ demands. It not only expands meeting

An outdoor terrace, planted with small garden beds

for the Javits Center expansion. “The Javits Center

room facilities, but also provides clients with a dimen-

and offering views of the Hudson River, is equipped

now has a vastly more versatile and complex AV

sion of functionality they never had before.”

with a Sonance outdoor-rated speaker and QSC amp

Metinteractive, which provides strategic solutions

system, rigging system, lighting system, IPTV system,

The Javits Center’s special event space on Level 5

The expansion extends to rooftop spaces as well.

for pre-function events. A glass-enclosed pavilion

and motorized room partitions—all the components

is a mammoth, sub-dividable area that can be

offers the same extensive AV capabilities as the large

seen as the gold standard for today’s convention

configured as four giant meeting rooms, while

indoor meeting spaces.

centers,” said Jeff Mele, Metinteractive CEO.

meeting space on Level 4 includes a number of

“The sheer size of the project was monumental,” added Sal Russo, vice president/project management and construction for Lendlease Turner JV. “The

A new capability now available to clients is

smaller rooms. The flexible architecture accommo-

Sennheiser’s MobileConnect, an assistive and

dates any AV equipment brought in by the client.

personal listening solution that utilizes Javits Center

A QSC Q-Sys Core 110f control system with custom

Wi-Fi to stream live audio content to any iOS or

design team at consultants JB&B and Metinteractive

interfaces enables any audio feed in the building to be

Android phone. “It was particularly exciting to see the

played a critical role in developing an appropriate

directed to any room. A QSC AD-C1200 ceiling speaker

potential of this technology, which can be used

infrastructure for the expanded Javits Center, so it’s

package ensures even speaker coverage, while an IPTV

throughout the facility,” said Bullard.

fortunate that Metinteractive is accustomed to

system from Exterity allows up to 60 cable channels to

For easy communication among 12 AV equipment rooms, Metinteractive installed a Clear-Com Eclipse matrix intercom system with V32LD user stations.

Metinteractive was also responsible for an almost behind-the-scenes area that’s vital to the smooth and efficient rotation of events at the Javits Center.

“The expansion included the addition of a fourlevel truck marshaling facility with AV coverage,” Mele said. “With 27 additional loading docks inside, the facility can house 200 trucks at any one time, meaning trucks will no longer be lining up on the West Side Highway and tying up traffic. The Javits Center can turn over shows at a much faster pace now.”

16

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

NEWS

ENCO Automated Captioning Boosts Productivity for U.S. Veterans Affairs

A

s part of the U.S. Department of Veterans

All VAKN content is closed captioned both for

Affairs, the VHA Employee Education System

regulatory compliance and to ensure full accessibility by

(EES) delivers an extensive range of training

staff and Veterans with disabilities or impairments.

content, wellness programming, and departmental

Until recently, EES had exclusively used live captioning

communications to VA staff and veterans nation-

service providers with human transcribers. Looking to

wide. Since successfully piloting an ENCO captioning

boost productivity, the VA began researching an

solution, EES has deployed the company’s enCap-

automated, AI-powered captioning solution to enhance

tion automated captioning system to achieve the

existing captioning services.

department’s goal of increasing productivity, reducing

Hugh Graham, telecommunications specialist,

time to market for its products and services, and

EES, said the previous workflow was labor intensive.

delivering accurate captioning services.

“Human captioners do a great job, but our unique

The VA Knowledge Network (VAKN) satellite

medical terminology can be difficult for them,” he

uplink center, located in St. Louis, MO, distributes

explained “enCaption allows us to upload word

two programming channels to 250 VA Medical

models for spelling things like medical terms and the

Centers and Community Based Outpatient Clinics

names of our leadership, which it can then use for all

nationwide. The VA-1 channel is dedicated to

future captioning. Even without the word models,

delivering training and communication to more than

enCaption has proven to be amazingly accurate for

400,000 VA staff and contractors. Its second 24/7

most of our content right out of the box.”

channel, Veteran News Network (VNN), is also

nels. “The two additional units … enable a whole

EES is now in the process of adding two more

new workflow, where it’s all done in real time rather

distributed to both internal and external audiences on

enCaption units to dedicate to real-time live

than captioning the content and archiving it for

platforms including YouTube and Roku.

captioning of its two 24/7 satellite program chan-

playback later,” said Graham.

Multi-Domain AV Solutions ™ for Mission-Critical Data We’ve Got You Covered

THE WALL

THE DESKTOP

THE PHONE

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7/18/22 4:42 PM 18/07/2022 16:40

PEOPLE EXECUTIVE Q&A

Customers at the Core

Panasonic Connect's Kaloukian Emphasizes Importance of Solutions-Focused Approach

John Kaloukian Position: Director of Solutions and Services Company: Panasonic Connect Ovetime: In my spare time, I love spending time with my wife, three kids, extended family, and friends. I also enjoy watching and playing many different sports, though my favorite is soccer.

SCN: How long have you been with this company,

SCN: What do you mean by “certified” solutions?

and what are your responsibilities?

JK: Panasonic Connect has been delivering

John Kaloukian: I’ve been the director of solutions

dependable, durable products and solutions to

requires user-friendly and easy-to-integrate technol-

and services for the Panasonic Connect Professional

businesses and end users for over a century now.

ogy, all while delivering high-quality streaming and

Imaging and Visual Systems group since August

There’s so much value that our extended ecosystem of

visual services. Panasonic Connect delivers Pro AV

2020. In this position, I am responsible for

partners provides, so when we talk about “certified”

solutions from PTZ cameras and projection technology

developing core solutions—such as our All-In-One

solutions, this is the output of combining core

to digital displays and audio equipment to help house of

Lecture Capture and Auto Tracking Solution and

Panasonic technology with third-party products and

worship create engaging experiences for congregations

Complete Digital Signage Solution—and

services to develop a solution that fulfills market

regardless of location.

professional services for Panasonic Connect

needs. Our technologies are backed by innovation,

customers, as well as driving profitable growth by

experience, and rigorous testing—three factors that

popularity following the pandemic and have allowed

building and executing detailed strategies to grow

allow us to ensure that our solutions are fulfilling the

individuals to escape into a world of new experiences

existing and new business opportunities.

requirements of our customers.

and to create fond memories. The need for scalable,

We actively seek out pain points and design our

Live, immersive experiences have increased in

high-brightness projection technology that blends into

SCN: How has your background prepared you for

products and solutions to fit the specific needs of

any environment is key to enable digital creators and

your role?

those markets, which are consistently changing.

artists to open up these experiences for all to enjoy.

JK: With more than 25 years of B2B sales and

Our “certified” solutions make Panasonic Connect

marketing experience, I’ve worked with a variety of

who we are in today’s market—a trusted partner,

plug-and-play tools that are easy to operate and

companies, organizations, and individuals and that

stakeholder, and solutions provider delivering a

reliable is greater than ever. Panasonic has a close

experience has led me to where I am today. Prior to

best-in-class portfolio of solutions.

pulse on the changing needs of this workforce, as our

joining Panasonic Connect, I spent more than 16

In today’s fast-paced workforce, the need for

employees must navigate it each day. Our AV and

years at Sony Electronics as a vice president of sales

SCN: Does this mean Panasonic is competing with

wireless presentation solutions help share informa-

in broadcast and Pro AV products and solutions.

systems integrators?

tion quickly and seamlessly to keep collaboration and

Outside of my day job, as a principal consultant at

JK: We actually work very closely with systems

productivity high.

Yessayi Group, I have delivered cost-effective

integrators and other partners to make sure our

business solutions to clients based on their sales,

customers get the best possible end result needed.

SCN: Remote production continues to gain

marketing, management, or financial goals. I also

Throughout all of Panasonic Connect—whether

momentum. How can KAIROS assist with remote

serve as an advisory board member at EPA Audio

dealing with professional audio video solutions,

production efforts?

Visual, where I’ve helped oversee the organization

rugged devices, or industrial tools—we bring together

JK: As noted above, many of our customers are

for more than five years.

the entire ecosystem to support customer needs. That

prioritizing remote production to fit the demands of

means not only relying on our own stellar teams but

their end users. KAIROS is a production platform that

SCN: What makes Panasonic’s solutions-focused

bringing in additional experts to help get out

allows our customers to have flexibility across the

approach unique?

customers where they need to be. Customer service

entire production workflow to create and deliver rich

JK: Panasonic Connect’s solutions-focused

isn’t about the ego of one company, but rather taking

content to multiple screens. The layer-based

approach addresses the changing technology

a collaborative approach to deliver the best end result

interface allows customers to create content within

needs of businesses and end users to deliver not

to our customers and our customers’ customers.

seconds, dragging photos, videos, and words onto the

only the appropriate hardware and software, but

screen in their preferred order. With KAIROS, users

also services like consulting, systems integration,

SCN: What are some of the biggest challenges

have simultaneous baseband and streaming alongside

and more. We place the customer at the core of

facing your customers?

to send outputs from one system while managing

everything we do. No matter what industry our

JK: No matter what customer we’re working with and

various streams and screens.

customers serve, we strive to create engaging,

no matter what industry they serve, everyone is being

immersive, and inspiring experiences for all

challenged to reach their audiences in new, exciting,

SCN: Where do you see the Pro AV industry

individual customer activations through strong

and engaging ways. Like many markets, higher

heading?

collaboration between our entire AV ecosystem

education has gone through a tremendous shift since

JK: We’re moving toward an industry that is focused

of customers, partners, innovators, and

the pandemic started. Our ecosystem of AV solutions

on creating engaging opportunities for consumers

integrators. We’re dedicated to building strong

has allowed universities to upgrade their in-person

from the integration of technologies that create a

customer relationships to foster an environment

and virtual environments to better suit student and

seamless user experience. With all of the innovating

where we can provide the right technologies

faculty demands.

happening right now in the tech industry itself, we’re

to address our customers’ specific needs at any given time.

18

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

Similarly, house of worship has seen an increase in streamed services following the pandemic, which

going to start seeing some really great experiences across all industries moving forward.

EXECUTIVE Q&A PEOPLE

Moving Toward Meeting Equity NEARITY CEO Xin Works to Improve Hybrid Experience

Andy Xin, Ph.D. Position: CEO/ Founder Company: NEARITY Ovetime: I enjoy watching NBA basketball and I love running. I lived in

By Mark J. Pescatore

can sufficiently cover the room from both an audio

Seattle for a couple of years and used to run the Lake

and video perspective. By combining the camera,

Sammamish half marathon every year.

speaker, and microphone into a single unit, they offer SCN: When did you start NEARITY, and what are

a very space-efficient and visually unobtrusive

your responsibilities?

solution. They also minimize wiring requirements,

example, traditional echo cancellation could not

Andy Xin: I founded NEARITY back in 2018. In

which saves both installation effort and the number

totally cancel out all echo, so nonlinear echo

addition to leading the company’s overall direction,

of ports that you need to use on the connected laptop.

suppression was often used to cancel the rest of the

I also continue to be heavily involved in overseeing

Our all-in-one units such as the NEARITY C30R can

echo—but it could also detrimentally affect important

R&D and engineering.

also be daisy-chained with our A20 SpeakerMics, so if

speech. This can be solved quite effectively with deep

the all-in-one camera is enough to capture the whole

learning, and we are one of the first companies that

SCN: How has your background prepared you for

room but you need additional audio coverage, you can

has combined deep learning with traditional signal

your role?

pair an all-in-one with additional audio endpoints.

processing in practical, real-world products.

company that supplied enterprise-grade computing

SCN: You announced earlier this year that MVD is

SCN: How important are features like speaker

solutions. I gained a lot of insight into companies’

distributing your products in North America. How

tracking and auto-framing in today’s corporate

evolving IT device needs from a business perspective.

important do you see this region for your future,

environment?

It was clear that AV capabilities were already intrinsic

and how is your progress so far?

AX: These features are very important in helping

in enterprise work, and that trend has further

AX: The North American market represents a

achieve “meeting equity” for all participants. As

accelerated as remote working proliferated during the

tremendous growth opportunity for us, and with our

mentioned earlier, our goal is to make the hybrid or

pandemic. One of the things I noticed was that as

solutions well-established in Asia already, the U.S. is

virtual meeting experience replicate the in-person

laptops got smaller and thinner, built-in audio and

our most important strategic initiative. While we’re

meeting experience as closely as possible. In a face-to-

video capabilities were not improving significantly.

off to a good start in North America, the reduction in

face meeting, an attendee will turn their head and focus

This was part of the inspiration for NEARITY to

in-person trade shows in recent years has made it

their attention on the person who is speaking; speaker

develop professional AV accessories to supplement

difficult for integrators and customers to truly

tracking and auto-framing are the closest equivalent to

laptops’ built-in functionality.

experience the advantages of our products. We were

being able to simulate that experience for remote

excited to exhibit at InfoComm in June so attendees

participants when using just a single camera.

AX: Prior to founding NEARITY, I had been running a

SCN: Where do you see the Pro AV industry

could experience the NEARITY difference first-hand,

heading?

and look forward to carrying that momentum into the

SCN: Besides “buy NEARITY,” of course, what

AX: One of the ultimate goals of the AV industry is to

rest of 2022 and beyond.

advice would you give an integrator looking to

make online meeting experiences as close to their

outfit conference rooms and huddle rooms across

face-to-face counterparts as possible. There have

SCN: What is the greatest challenge you face?

a corporate building?

been many innovations in this field in the past five

AX: As a global company, we want to attract and hire

AX: As discussed earlier, each type of room may need a

years, but there are so many different scenarios to

the best R&D talent to make world-class products. We

different type of device to ensure optimal experiences.

cover that achieving this is still complex. People could

have invested heavily in audio technology innovation,

The ability to offer scalable, optimized solutions for

be chiming in from their home office, a Starbucks, an

and continue to look for talent and expertise to

each space from a single vendor like NEARITY makes

open-space office desk, or a meeting room. Each

expand our team. We also are expanding our sales

life easier for both systems integrators and their

scenario needs a different AV device to make the

team to best serve the unique needs of each country.

customers. Integrators can meet the requirements of

experience optimal. You can’t simply make one

In addition to working with distributors such as MVD,

any room without needing to support multiple

device that covers all use cases—but as a

who have extensive local-market experience, we want

different vendors’ products, and their end users get a

manufacturer, if you offer multiple devices, you want

to make sure we are hiring the right people in each

consistent operational experience regardless of which

the user experience to be consistent across all of

region to best support our systems integrators,

room they are using for their meeting.

them. NEARITY has been working on this problem for

resellers, and customers.

SCN: What new initiatives are we likely to see

the last four years, and offers optimized products for a SCN: There is a lot of competition for conference

from your company?

room AV products. What are some of the unique

AX: While our initial products all focused on video and

SCN: In addition to the separate devices, you sell

technologies that NEARITY offers?

audio endpoints such as speakers, mics, and cameras,

all-in-one speaker/mic/camera units. When is an

AX: One of our unique strengths is our audio algorithm

we plan to expand our portfolio with additional

all-in-one unit the best choice?

innovation. Deep learning can be used to solve some

offerings such as collaboration whiteboards that can

AX: All-in-one units are ideal for smaller spaces like

very tricky problems with audio, and there have been

make the AV experience even more interactive and

huddle rooms and small meeting rooms, where they

significant advances in the past couple of years. For

immersive.

wide range of environments.

avnetwork.com // August 2022 // SCN

19

PEOPLE NEWSMAKERS

Mike Novak

MIKE NOVAK has joined

In his new role, he will build a stronger industry media

CALIBRE, an Optoma Technolo-

presence for the entire Live Media Group Holdings

gies company, as sales director

family, and work with the corporate executive team

for North America. Based in

on branding and marketing initiatives. Dugger

Buffalo, NY, Novak comes from

founded TNDV in 2004 and grew the company from a

Daktronics, where he managed

single-truck operation to a 10-truck fleet.

various verticals and developed

new markets and revenue streams. Novak hit the

MATTHEW PARSONS has joined

ground running with the Calibre New Product Preview

MAXHUB in the newly created

Showcase event in June.

position of marketing manager.

Based in Irvine, CA, he will focus

Dan Housel

GROUP ONE LIMITED, the U.S.

on the company’s website,

distributor for a number of top

newsletters, email, and social

professional audio and lighting

Matthew Parsons

brands, has welcomed industry

contribute to various initiatives with the head office

media endeavors. Plus, he will

veteran DAN HOUSEL to the post

in China and will help generate ideas and programs

of pro audio sales to support four

designed to increase company awareness at trade-

of the company’s manufacturers:

shows and related events. Previously, he served in a

DiGiCo, KLANG, MC2, and XTA. Housel is now responsi-

variety of capacities for Ameris Bank, as well as the IT

ble for developing and overseeing many of Group One’s

and PR manager at Ideal Services NW.

business relationships. Working closely with independent rep firms, he is also tasked with facilitating product

RGB SPECTRUM has added

sales, system design, and technical training support for

COURTNEY MAMUSCIA as

consultants, integrators, touring companies, venues,

director of marketing. Mamuscia

audio engineers, and other customers.

has more than 20 years of

Top Row (l to r): Nikolaj Vejen, Richard Watts, Konrad Majchrowski; Middle Row (l to r): Helga Somava, Torben Ekenberg; Bottom Row (l to r): JC Bittence, Carlito Cobo, Tetiana Kulyk.

DPA Adds Numerous Team Members

experience in the high-technolNew CEO TOM MARTIN takes the

Tom Martin

ogy, B2B industry. Prior to

reins at KINLY following a

Courtney Mamuscia

successful spell as managing

served as chief marketing strategist for Compass

director for Northern Europe. His

Integrated Solutions, a boutique marketing and

experience with the company

communications agency primarily focused on

stretches back 15 years, beginning

supporting businesses in the physical security

with Viju in the Nordics with roles

industry. Previously, she led marketing for the fraud

in support, services, and operations. With a passion for

and security dvision of Verint.

DPA MICROPHONES recently welcomed an

audio, his achievements and successes have seen him

array of new team members to key departments

climb through the ranks. Based in the company’s

DOVER MUNDT has joined

around the globe. The recent hires include

Norway office, Martin will continue to drive Kinly’s

RIEDEL COMMUNICATIONS as

HELGA SOMAVA, who joined DPA as one of the

expansion with the latest technology offerings

regional sales representative for

brand’s directors of product management.

combined with a focus on service and support.

North America. In her new role,

Another recent addition TORBEN EKENBERG,

Mundt will cover both the New

the company’s new head of research and

KRAMER has added JESSE

development, will lead the research efforts

GADON as vice president of North

Dover Mundt

needed for the creation of new technology and

America sales. With a proven

years of experience working in the broadcast and

equipment. To further strengthen the R&D team,

track record in leading sales

video industry in an encompassing range of technical,

NIKOLAJ VEJEN has joined DPA as senior

operations, Gadon will accelerate

project management, and sales roles. She comes to

and scale Kramer’s ascent in

Riedel from Canon, but previously worked on remote

market penetration and brand

projects for NASCAR Media Services, NEP Broadcast-

project manager. The DPA sales force has also

York Metro and U.S. mid-Atlantic regions. She has more than 20

added many new faces around the globe, with

Jesse Gadon

RICHARD WATTS joining as the new regional

recognition throughout the region. In more than 10

manager for Southern U.K. and KONRAD

years at Kramer, Gadon served as director of global sales

MAJCHROWSKI joining as the area sales

operations before most recently holding the position of

SCREEN INNOVATIONS has

manager in Poland. J.C. BITTENCE is the new

chief of staff and head of business operations.

appointed KIM PARKER as COO.

ing, and New Century Productions.

area sales manager in the U.S. Midwest, while

Formerly Snap One’s vice

CARLITO COBOS will focus on the U.S. South and

LIVE MEDIA GROUP HOLDINGS

president of sales, specialty

Latin American sales. Back at headquarters, DPA

has appointed media and

channels, Parker has more than

has added a new digital marketing specialist,

entertainment industry veteran

TETIANA KULYK. Additional hires from earlier

NIC DUGGER as chief marketing

Kim Parker

this year include ASGER BECK PETERSEN as

officer. Reporting to LMGH

business plans for a wide range of companies within

president Brad Sexton, Dugger

the custom integration industry. He will spearhead

will oversee marketing and

programs focused on building a larger presence for SI

automation engineer, MICHAEL SLUTH HEN-

20

joining RGB Spectrum, Courtney

25 years of experience building and implementing successful

RIKSEN as mechanical engineer, and ULRIHS

Nic Dugger

VESMINS as supply chain planner.

communications for the company’s five divisions,

within AV, systems integration, window covering,

including Live Mobile Group, Lyon Video, and TNDV.

and other residential and commercial channels.

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

NEWSMAKERS PEOPLE STREAMGUYS has welcomed

RTI has hired RANDY LOGAN as

has also welcomed back TYLER

MEGAN KILLION as vice

channel management director. In

NELSON as national training

president of sales and market-

the newly created role, Logan will

manager. He will ensure all new

ing. The newly created execu-

focus on developing and manag-

dealers receive the knowledge

tive-level position signals an

ing RTI’s distribution partners to

needed to specify, sell, and install

evolution in sales philosophy.

Megan Killion

benefit all integrators working

Reporting to president Kiriki

Randy Logan

Delany, Killion will develop strategic initiatives that build a stronger sales culture across the organization, with an emphasis on driving new business and increasing close rates. She brings 15 years of B2B technology sales and marketing experience to StreamGuys, and has worked closely with the company through her previous position with CacheFly and her own MKC Agency.

In an effort to strengthen its leadership teams in North America, PPDS has appointed three highly experienced and successful AV professionals. In a newly created role, MITCH Mitch Rosenberg

ROSENBERG, director of LED and LCD videowalls, will be responsible for driving awareness and new business opportunities across PPDS’ full range of Philips LED and LCD solutions.

Working alongside Rosenberg,

Adam Coleman

ADAM COLEMAN, solutions manager, LED and LCD videowalls, will focus on building support for the Philips X and L-Lines, and will oversee the development of strategic training and learning programs. JEFF HANDIS, who began his AV

Jeff Handis

career in 1988, has been named channel manager– distribution and DMR, overseeing growth at the key distribution and DMR partners, and working with their teams to drive the business.

ORIGIN ACOUSTICS has promoted MIRANDA GRANTHAM to national sales director and appointed GEENA SANCHEZ as its new customer experience manager, strengthMiranda Grantham

ening the company’s commitment to customer care and satisfaction. With more than a decade in the C.I. Channel market, Grantham’s diverse CI background includes five years as Origin’s East Coast regional

Geena Sanchez

sales manager. Previously, she

was the national sales manager for Metra Electronics. Sanchez brings more than 12 years of customer service experience and six years of managing successful teams. She is responsible for both customer service and technical support teams.

avnetwork.com // August 2022 // SCN

21

with RTI control solutions. RTI

RTI products, while creating Tyler Nelson

programs for existing dealers.

PEOPLE BEYOND THE TECH

Out of Balance Technology Made Us More Efficient, But at What Cost?

us via carpel tunnel syndrome, poor vision, and a lack of mobility (from sitting for so many hours), among other ailments. No big deal, though. Younger folks are lining up to replace us, and they say they can do the same job the old guy was doing in less time—and they will do it for less.

What would happen if we all worked less

By Douglas Kleeger

and slowed down the pace? I’m not talking about a short-term change of pace and the

I

dilemmas it would create. I mean a long-term

am an engineer—and not just by trade. It’s in my

adjustment to our lifestyles. Wouldn’t it be

blood. I constantly look to fix things, create things,

better for us individually, as well as our

improve things, and take great pride in that and

helping others. But for some time, I have been observ-

families, our society, even good ol’ planet IBM

earth?

ing a cultural issue and its related consequences that

May I suggest that you make use of

we, the human race, seem unable to fix.

this extra time technology has given

I am talking about the issue of balance and how

you. Don’t squander it away on doing

it affects our business and personal lives. We are

more work to make more money to buy

out of balance in most cases, both professionally

more things you don’t have room for or

and personally. Not all of us, but too many of us,

won’t use more than once or twice.

in my opinion. In fact, I daresay that we are

I challenge you to think of

living in a society of extremes; many of us have morphed into extremists.

Future Shock I remember reading an article at around the dawn of the personal computer (PC) age. At the time, some

something you enjoyed doing Released in 1981, the IBM 5150 Business PC was priced just under $1,600 and included 64 KB RAM, Intel 8008 CPU, monochrome display, and one or two 160 KB, 5.25inch disk drives. At the time, one writer boldly predicted the mass adoption of PCs like this one would result in a four-day work week.

when you were younger (and did not work so much) and just do it. See if you can’t spend some quality time by yourself or with friends with no phone, laptop, etc.

I have my own prediction. Years (likely many)

businesses had one computer, and a few folks even

from now, more mature human beings than us

had a computer at home. The article (which I have

will look back at these times, pity us, and be

been unable to relocate) was exciting to read. The author was making some bold predictions. Not only would families have their own PCs at home, but individual employees would have their own PCs at their desks at the office. Can you imagine that?

He went further, predicting (correctly) that a PC would allow you to do 40 hours of work in 30 hours.

Then, his powers of precognition went sideways, as he predicted that the efficiency of PCs would lead to a four-day work week. Please, stop for a second and think about that. If you can do 40 hours of work in 30

We are out of balance, driven by our own greed. For what, more and better everything?

hours, you could work less hours, accomplish all your tasks, and have perpetual three-day weekends.

thankful for whatever the catalyst was for the balanced life they lead between their careers, families, and themselves.

Doug Kleeger, CTS-D, DMC-E/S, XTP-E, KCD, is the founder of AudioVisual Consulting Services.

Contact him with questions or comments at doug@avcs.us.

LinkedIn is Not Facebook

How did that work out for us?

Pressure to Produce

I’ve enjoyed LinkedIn, but not so much anymore.

The naïve message here was that computers at

I believe one of the major catalysts to the future we

When I want a break from my day, I often peruse

your office would benefit you personally. We would

are living in now was software. The first major

posts to see what is going on in our business

have more personal time and reap the benefits of this

adopted software was Lotus 123, a spreadsheet

world. However, I would like to remind those

technology. I feel betrayed—because the exact

program. Of course, you know what businesses do

that use LinkedIn that while personal posts are

opposite has happened.

with accounting software: They account for every

often interesting, heartwarming, or even gut

dollar. With this software, the bottom line, among

wrenching, they do not belong on a business-

times more powerful than the computer that landed

other things, could be analyzed and scrutinized to

orientated place for those looking for work,

us on the moon in 1969. If you think about the time

levels never before seen.

training, mentoring, etc. Telling us that you are

Computers like your cell phone are thousands of

you spend in the morning, at work, after work, on the

Make no mistake, we let this happen. Why do we

going on vacation (I just saw such a post

weekends, and during vacations and holidays, how

have to produce so much? What is the big rush to do

including a great family picture) or your child

many hours do you use your phone for work every

more, so much more, in less and less time? Will it ever

graduated college is best posted on Facebook

week? And we’re not even counting the hours you

end? Is it a race to the super efficiency line, or perhaps

or another personal social media site. I say this

spend on your laptop!

a race to the end of our existence as social and/or

with a smile, not meaning to offend, but there is

recreational creatures?

a time and place for everything. What would

Compared to the 1980s, technology arguably allows us to work much more effectively, producing far more than 40 hours of work product in 30 hours.

What the hell happened?

22

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

We are out of balance, driven by our own greed.

For what, more and better everything?

As we age, this unrelenting pace catches up with

happen to the platform if we all started posting personal tidbits instead of professional info?

BUSINESS NEW VENUE

If It Ain’t Broke…

Dollar Loan Center Models AV after T-Mobile Arena

with Fujinon lenses wired via SMPTE hybrid optical cables, as well as an additional SK-HD1800 connected using a Waves Central bi-directional RF interface. Six Marshall POV cameras are equipped with Thor bidirectional fiber transceivers, and two Sony BRC-X1000 4K PTZ cameras connected by fiber. The TOC’s camera

By James Careless

system and recreating it here, it is very easy to move

control suite has six Hitachi RU-1500JY remote camera

people back and forth as needed. There is no learning

controls, one Marshall remote CCU station, and one

curve to move from one TOC to the other.”

Sony RM-IP500 PTZ camera remote controller.

T-Mobile Arena—home of the NHL’s Vegas Golden

Monitors Everywhere

level through multiple junction boxes, installed at key

Knights in Las Vegas, NV—and then got an AV gig

Super-sized video scoreboards dominate modern

areas around the facility, via single-mode fiber optic

at the new 5,567-seat Dollar Loan Center in Hen-

arenas, and the Dollar Loan Center is no exception.

and analog cables. “We’ve got fiber runs that go

derson, NV, you could be forgiven for doing a double

Suspended over the center of the stadium is a Daktron-

everywhere you would expect fiber to run, with the

take after entering its Technical Operations Center

ics video scoreboard LED display with four faces, each

exception of the restrooms,” Carl said with a laugh.

(TOC). The reason?

one approximately 11.5 feet high by 20 feet wide with

“Seriously, we’ve got connectivity through our

I

f you are an AV engineer who first worked at

The cameras connect back to the TOC on the event

“Our AV system was designed to be a miniature

3.9mm pixel spacing for high-resolution imagery.

junction boxes located throughout the facility.

version of T-Mobile Arena’s,” said Steve Carl, director

Each screen can be used to show one large image or

Basically, we can setup cameras anywhere we want to,

of audio visual and production, Dollar Loan Center.

multiple zones of live video, instant replays, player

and send their video to anywhere in the building.”

“We’re kind of the little sibling of that facility, in the

statistics, graphics, animations, and advertising.

sense that we have the same AV DNA as they do.”

The reason for the resemblance has everything to

The Dollar Loan Center also has a Daktronics

Top Shelf Equipment

360-degree indoor LED ribbon display (23,616x72

Modelled after the T-Mobile Arena’s TOC, the Dollar

do with Golden Knights owner Bill Foley. He also owns

total resolution) running around the stadium’s upper

Loan Center’s TOC definitely punches above its

the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey

perimeter, as well as an 11x19-foot Daktronics

weight. The star of the operation is a Ross Carbonite

League (AHL), who call the Dollar Loan Center home.

outdoor marquee display at 960x540 resolution. Plus,

video switcher with TouchDrive control surface, with

Foley also co-owns the Dollar Loan Center, which

there is a NovaStar exterior pylon LED sign in the

a Ross Xpression CG Suite included to support

opened its doors in March. “Mr. Foley is very happy

property, offering messaging at 256x384 resolution.

real-time motion graphics and clips playout. The TOC

with the T-Mobile Arena and how AV production is

“We have 147 HDTVs that are running on an IPTV

also features a CharacterWorks CG system for

facilitated there,” Carl explained. “So he just basically

system throughout the facility,” Gaddy said. “Their

ancillary score bug/graphics applications, which is

used its AV operation as a template to be copied here.”

content is sure to catch your eye wherever you are,

integrated with the Daktronics All Sport scoring

because we have complete control over all that

system and the four video scoreboards. “We’ve got

Center has an NHL-quality AV system, but it also

digital signage and can tailor it to whatever event is

more options on this system than most of our

ensures a source of highly qualified personnel for this

coming through.”

operators ever need,” said Carl.

Not only does this decision mean the Dollar Loan

stadium. “This is because we use AV technicians from

To supply its screens with video, the Dollar Loan

To manage its video, the TOC has an Evertz

the T-Mobile Arena,” said Davin Gaddy, the Dollar

Center has a full complement of broadcast-quality HD

DreamCatcher DC-Playout four-output system,

Loan Center’s AV engineer. “By copying their AV

cameras. There are five Hitachi SK-HD1800 cameras

Evertz Dreamcatcher DC-ONE six-input replay

The Technical Operations Center for the Dollar Loan Center was modelled after the T-Mobile Arena.

24

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

NEW VENUE BUSINESS

both adjustable color temperature and RGBW fixtures installed, and a Musco lighting control system. Facility lighting employs LED systems that have Eaton DMX external control capabilities, as well as software timing and control systems, while lighting for specific events varies depending on their needs.

Finally, to aid TV production, the stadium has two television truck remote locations with full interconnectivity and power, plus multiple show power

Home to the Henderson Silver Knights, the Dollar Loan Center features a Daktronics four-sided video scoreboard, as well as a LED ribbon display.

system tie-in locations around the facility.

Given the top quality and flexibility of its AV, lighting, and infrastructure, it’s not surprising that

system, four FOR-A FA-505 multi-channel signal

primary audio transport method, with a main P.A.

Carl described the Dollar Loan Center as being a

processors, and a NewTek TriCaster Mini for video

analog backup available. This is topped off by a Riedel

“very cool” place to work. He and Gaddy love the fact

streaming applications. Signal transport and pro-

intercom system with multiple base stations and 20

that it can support everything from basketball, AHL

cessing is handled by an Evertz EQX hybrid router,

wireless Bolero belt packs with facility wide antenna

hockey, and IFL indoor football, as well as a full

configured to 164x164 SDI channels with fully

distribution and connectivity, plus Clear-Com analog

range of other sports, entertainment, corporate, and

routable audio capabilities. Other Evertz gear includes

partyline system capabilities.

trade show events.

a MAGNUM system control server, SCORPION SDI-to-Dante bridge, and 5700MSC-IP master clock.

The Dollar Loan Center’s lighting system keeps

“Davin and I both come from Cirque du Soleil,

pace with its stellar AV setup. “Our lighting was

where you basically do the same show twice a day, five

created by designer Sean Guarino of Sexy Lights, who

days a week,” Carl explained. “Now Cirque is wonder-

S31 FOH mixing console, Fulcrum Acoustic main PA with

has done Olympic figure ice skating lighting,” Carl

ful in itself, and that’s not an experience to shake a

Powersoft amplifiers, JBL facility-wide P.A. with QSC

said. “He’s also done lots of sporting events, includ-

stick at, but having the absolute variety of events that

amplifiers, QSC Q-SYS processing with Extron zone

ing the lighting design at the T-Mobile Arena.”

come up in this facility is just thrilling for us as users

controllers, and a TASCAM analog/Dante converter.

General lighting in The Dollar Loan Center is

On the audio side of the house, this TOC has a DiGiCo

A Dante infrastructure serves as the stadium’s

provided by Musco DMX addressable LED fixtures, with

of AV technology, especially because we have the right equipment to serve them all.”

avnetwork.com // August 2022 // SCN

SCN344.AD_.indd 10 SCN344.bus.indd 25

25

7/19/22 8:23 AM 18/07/2022 19:17

BUSINESS API DEVELOPMENT

The ABCs of APIs How Can You Properly Design Interfaces That Provide Value?

By Toine C. Leerentveld

A

s noted in an overview from Red Hat, the technical definition of an API, which stands for “Application Programming Interface,”

always want to be sure an API is structured

NVX—which, of course, has its own API—the

in such a way that if someone knows how to use one API call (that is, a request for data), then the other calls will follow the same pattern. n

Create an API that isn’t

overly complicated. If the finished design is something in which every function requires 12 calls, the design

Crestron DM-NVX-363 AV-over-IP Encoder/ Decoder

must be simplified so that fewer calls are required.

Build an API so that it can’t be misused. Don’t

benefit is that if the IT department wanted to query

n

it using something other than a Crestron control

expose things on any interface to people who

system, they could. All the functions that an API

may not have the proper rights.

performs are running seamlessly in the back-

n

ground, and when the right API is integrated

new features (and often optimizations) will be

Stay up to date with the versioning because

properly, you’ll always get the results you’re

added to newer APIs.

expecting in a given situation.

n

Here’s a real-world illustration: One of the

Ensure that any kind of error conditions are

processed correctly. At Crestron, we define all of

things that dealers or integrators can do is build a

this in API documentation, so if you’re asking

is a “set of definitions and protocols for building

tool on top of XiO Cloud to combine the data from

for values of a device that doesn’t exist, we’ll

and integrating application software.” API is a term

XiO Cloud and, for example, Microsoft Exchange.

give you a specific, consistent error message. If

that’s been popping up more and more in this age

This could then provide the customer with a view

an error condition isn’t processed correctly, that

of digital transformation. Understanding what APIs

into the functionality of both, tying all of these

leads to a situation where the API is being

truly are—and what they can do—can help com-

disparate systems together. If a room’s been

bombarded with requests, and nothing is

panies large and small unlock the potential of this

scheduled via Exchange, then XiO Cloud can

resolved.

powerful tool.

confirm that said room was actually occupied at the

For example, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

time it was booked and not going unused—and

is used often to communicate between APIs—and

API, I compare application programming interfaces to

When I’m asked for my personal definition of an

that’s the kind of data that can make any business

JSON allows you to send just a partial object. (For

something we’re all familiar with: user interfaces.

vastly more efficient.

the uninitiated, JSON defines a small set of format-

Simply put, a user interface involves a human

As a manufacturer, building an API takes time.

ting rules that is easy for programs to interpret.)

interfacing with a program by clicking a mouse or

There’s quite a bit of thought on the front end, and

If you haven’t written your code in such a way that

striking a keyboard, while an API involves a program

a lot of testing before the API is released. The first

you can handle partial objects, you’ll begin to see

interfacing with another program.

thing you need to be aware of is every possible use

error messages. Do those messages precisely

case for that API. You’ve got to make sure that

identify the issue? Is the device broken or is it

ubiquitous is the familiar weather snippet. A search

you’re not “painted into a corner,” so the product is

actually nonexistent?

engine such as Google will provide a small box on your

flexible enough to accommodate additions to the

screen with a forecast—but that doesn’t mean Google

API without breaking its existing behavior.

A very common example of an API that’s fairly

is compiling weather data. They’re reaching out to a

When we’ve finished and tested the API—and attempted to break it in every way we can think of—there’s one last step. When it’s finally ready for

third party, and as one program queries another, the

Creation Considerations

human using the search engine and glancing at the

To achieve the desired end result—a product that’s

real-world testing is by using our own API in the

temperature is receiving customized data based on his

very intuitive—we undertake a complex develop-

background. We’re actually a consumer of our own

or her location.

ment process. How complex? When it comes to

API—and I can’t think of a better way to ensure that

Who’s the End User?

implementation, one of the ways we perform

proper API design, there are several considerations

it’s functioning properly.

that we must keep top-of mind:

Toine C. Leerentveld is the director

An important distinction to keep in mind: The end

n

user of an API is a program. Naturally, a human will

read, and easy to work with—the API should be

Make sure the API is well documented, easy to

of product management, cloud and control, for Crestron

be the beneficiary of those communications, but it’s

as close to self-explanatory as possible. You

Electronics.

critical to note that if two programs are speaking with one another and one program changes, the other will need to be updated to understand the new behavior. New versions of APIs tend to “layer” atop old ones as they’re introduced, since the updates often build on previous functionality.

In our world here at Crestron, the human benefitting from the work performed by an API could have their IT department query Crestron’s XiO Cloud to provide info so they can make dashboards and reports. In the case of Crestron’s DM

26

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

As a manufacturer, building an API takes time. There’s quite a bit of thought on the front end, and a lot of testing before the API is released.

NEW CEO BUSINESS

‘We’re Only Just Getting Started’ New Kinly CEO Martin Sets His Sights on U.S Market Growth

By Mark J. Pescatore

culture that has continued to bring us success and how we are perceived in the market.

I

n June, Kinly announced Tom Martin, a 15-year

: What is Kinly go-to-market strategy?

company veteran, as its new CEO. While the com-

TM: We are currently active in 5 regions: U.S., U.K. and

pany’s headquarters are in Amsterdam and he’s

Ireland, Benelux, Norway, and Asia. We have global

based in the Norway office, Martin is looking to grow

delivery capabilities for large enterprise services. It is

the company’s worldwide business, particularly in

possible this footprint will be further expanded in

the United States.

Europe, and we are currently growing organically in all

Starting as a service coordinator, Martin has successfully climbed the ranks during his time at Kinly.

regions. We focus on three core customers segments: local corporates, public sector, and global enterprise.

Most recently, he served as managing director and

Here at Kinly, we pride ourselves in offering a

executive vice president for Norway and Northern

brand-agnostic approach when supporting custom-

Europe. “Under his management, we have seen Kinly

ers with their AV and UCC solutions. Instead of

become the number one player across Europe,” said Jos

starting with technology, we cooperate to examine

Zandhuis, chairman of the Kinly board of directors, “so

our client’s needs, wants, and spaces before we design

we have the fullest confidence in his ability to lead Kinly

a proposition. Regardless of project size, we support

through its next phase of growth and development.”

every part of the process from start to finish to ensure

In an exclusive interview, Martin provided SCN with some answers about Kinly’s corporate culture

a lasting harmony between the solutions we provide and the people who use them.

and sustainability efforts, as well as how the pandemic changed the Pro AV industry.

ing to a hybrid model, something that has, as you might expect, been heavily driven since the pandemic.

: What are your plans for growing Kinly’s presence in North America?

: Congratulations on your new position. With

The pandemic has opened people’s eyes on how important collaboration technology is, and probably accelerated the UCC market by around 10 years. : How has the integration business changed in

TM: Kinly U.S. is actually something of an unsung

the wake of the pandemic?

your track record, we know why Kinly wanted you as

hero, going largely under the radar, but this arm of

TM: The pandemic has opened people’s eyes on how

CEO, but why did you want the position?

the business has been crucial for us from a client

important collaboration technology is, and probably

Tom Martin: Firstly, thank you your kind words. It’s

management perspective—and has been successful

accelerated the UCC market by around 10 years. The

been an incredible journey for not just me but for

in the years since we have been present. We have two

ability to become completely remote without

everyone at the company, and it’s a position I’m truly

main office locations on the East Coast in New Jersey

impacting day-to-day operations is no longer a

enjoying and embracing. It’s a true acorn to oak tree

and New York, with a team of around 100 people.

subject for next week, month or next year—it’s vital

story. I’ve seen this company and its incredible teams

That’s a figure that will continue to increase in the

now. The technologies are becoming less expensive as

grow significantly over the past 15 years, going from a

coming months as we further grow our business in

well as more accessible and user friendly, which has

single small business in Norway to a globally

the region. It’s a big growth opportunity for Kinly.

and will continue to drive adoption.

recognized leader in the AV and video collaboration industry. Today, we have more than 1,200 employees,

: How important is sustainability to Kinly?

2,500 customers, 20 offices in 12 different countries,

TM: That’s a short question with a very long answer.

projects?

and annual turnover of $261 million. That’s some

Sustainability is incredibly important to Kinly and

TM: Like for everyone, supply chain issues have been

growth. The incredible thing is, I still feel like we’re

plays a big role in almost everything we do as a

a challenge. In the AV industry we have been spoiled

only just getting started—and I’m so excited about the

business, including the partners we choose to work

given that we have never really had to deal with long

future and what we as a business can go on to achieve.

with and how projects are managed and delivered. All

lead time items. There was always a ready supply. This

For me, as CEO, the hard work really starts now.

our partners are audited, and we work with suppliers

has changed dramatically, putting more emphasis on

that demonstrate a similar commitment to the

the importance of solid project and resource

: As CEO, what sort of corporate culture are you

: How are supply chain issues impacting Kinly’s

environment and develop appropriate environmental

planning, with our internal logistics and procurement

bringing to Kinly?

management systems. It’s absolutely not a box

working even more closely together with our vendors

TM: The foundations of this business are built on

ticking exercise for us.

and partners globally. The long lead times will remain

having a strong team—in my opinion, the strongest

As a business, by 2025 Kinly aspires to use 100%

for the foreseeable future, but the predictability on

in the industry. When we bring people to Kinly, it’s

renewable energy across its offices. We’re already well

product availability is improving all the time. It just

not just their abilities we look for; they also have to fit

on our journey to achieving this: Around 70% of Kinly’s

means we need to plan further ahead with our

the business culture, and that centers around

electricity supply is from renewable energy. Kinly has

customers to continue to ensure timely delivery going

providing exceptional levels of service. It’s that

also reduced its office footprint by 35% by consolidat-

forward.

avnetwork.com // August 2022 // SCN

27

BUSINESS NAB HQ The main lobby on the 10th floor features six transparent LG OLED screens.

Broadcast Quality NAB Offices Retool for TV’s Next Generation

NAB’s main lobby on the 10th floor.

“Once you step off the elevators, the first thing you see is six transparent LG OLED screens,” said Michael Tow, NAB senior vice president, information technology. “They were cutting edge when we bought them two or three years ago and they still are now. LG

By Jennifer Guhl

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convenient location is only one block from the Navy

was actually showcasing this same transparent OLED

Yard-Ballpark Metro Station, and provides easy

technology at NAB Show in April.”

access to Capitol Hill, Nationals Park (home of the ooking to make a statement within a trending area of commerce and entertainment, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)

Washington Nationals), and two interstates.

“They already had in mind that they wanted LG as

The 2x3-panel video wall, comprising six 55-inch transparent OLED panels, can operate as one immersive canvas or be divided into six separate screens

their design partner so that made life a little bit

running content simultaneously. Due to the trans-

decided to move their headquarters from Dupont

easier,” said John Paganelli, principal at Miller, Beam

parent nature of the screens, visitors don’t miss out

Circle to a high-traffic corner on Washington D.C.’s

and Paganelli. “With that, they wanted to use the

on the expansive city view of Washington, DC,

South Capitol Street in the trending Navy Yard. As

headquarters to showcase new technology and be

including breathtaking views of the Washington

the premier organization for the nation’s radio and

cutting edge. Teaming with LG, we looked to them to

Monument and other iconic landmarks. The video

television broadcasters, its new home needed to be

see what new technologies they had and what would

wall is also accompanied by vertically mounted,

more than just your average headquarters.

be exciting and different, and that’s how we came up

86-inch LG Ultra-Stretch displays that are ideal for

with some of the concepts that we did.”

sharing meeting information, company updates, and

Partnering with LG Business Solutions, technology solutions provider Diversfied, and audiovisual

other internal communications.

consultant Miller, Beam and Paganelli, every part of

Visual Statement in the Lobby

the space was designed as an opportunity to showcase

When entering the first-floor lobby, visitors are

greeted by the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame video

the latest in broadcasting technology, cementing NAB

greeted by a 20-foot-high, 22-foot-wide 2mm pixel

wall comprising five ultra-narrow-bezel 55-inch 4K

as a true leader and innovator in the space. Located

pitch LG LED curved video wall, which not only serves

UHD LED displays in a 5x1 configuration, taking

within a 118,000-square-foot, 10-story building,

as a statement piece for showcasing broadcast history

visitors on a colorful journey through broadcast

owned by its own 1M Properties, NAB’s new head-

and content but is visible to passersby on the street.

history. The interactive display allows visitors to learn

quarters occupies five-and-a-half floors. The

But this is just a preview of what awaits visitors in

about past Hall of Fame winners and listen to audio

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As visitors continue through the lobby, they are

NAB HQ BUSINESS

tion value is really high

The first-floor lobby features a large LED curved video wall that is visible from the street.

soundbites or videos from their induction ceremonies.

Throughout the headquarters space, NAB wanted a

Within two project rooms and the Conventions

because it’s NAB. When

Open Team Room, 65-inch LG Interactive Digital

you walk into a normal

Boards give employees the opportunity to save and

office of their size, the

share meeting information, present content, edit on

production value is not

screen, and utilize collaboration options without a PC.

nearly as nice as theirs.”

Everything from the fitness center to the café is

Workspace Technologies

outfitted with LCD or LED displays, making it feel like innovation is truly just around every corner.

Bringing this much technology online, especially

Another touchpoint is the 5,000-square-foot

new technology that had never been seen beyond

multipurpose room, also located on the 10th floor,

trade shows, provided a challenge for all involved,

continual nod to the industry’s past, present, and

which features a bezel-free 1.88mm pixel pitch,

from figuring out what technology was going to be

future to be a main design theme, including “speaker

6-foot high, 32-foot wide UHD LG LED video wall.

provided to dealing with delays due to how “of-the-

box” treatments for several meeting room windows,

Almost every room within the headquarters is

moment” the technology really is. This also presented

“countdown” graphics marking floor numbers by the

outfitted with digital displays, including 10 executive

challenges when it came to mounting, with custom

elevator doors, broadcast icons on the bathroom

offices and 12 team rooms that each house a 43-inch

mounts needing to be designed and configured.

doors, and rooms featuring light-up “on-air” signs.

LCD display. (The CEO Team Room includes the

These tributes to the old age of radio combine the past

65-inch 4K UHD model.)

with the present, as they are juxtaposed with the modern architecture and technology within the space.

With a display network of this size and quality,

The pandemic stressed many organizations, including NAB, which suffered from a less-than-ideal

Displays can also be found as visitors exit the

move into its new headquarters in March 2020. Staff

elevators on each floor, providing NAB the opportu-

did not begin working within the space until Summer

nity for continued messaging and brand awareness

2021, on a voluntary basis, and only recently began

NAB also had to ensure the content was produced

throughout the building. Additional conference

utilizing it on a more permanent basis as employees

at the same level—and relied on design agency

rooms throughout the headquarters have also been

returned to the office three or more days a week in

Bluecadet for high-quality, engaging content. “The

outfitted with 4K UHD displays, including the Gordon

early 2022.

content is really nice,” said Michael Burnstein, vice

H. Smith Conference Room and the Edward O. Fritts

president with Diversified. “It’s sharp, the produc-

Conference Room on the fifth floor.

Employees returned to the office to a nice surprise: 34-inch curved ultra-wide LG monitors at every desk.

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29

BUSINESS NAB HQ

These monitors have a wide footprint, making daily work easier and more efficient, and eliminates the

From Left: Mike Khatcheressian, John Paganelli, Michael Tow, Michael Burnstein, April Carty-Sipp

need for employees to have multiple monitors.

Media Production Facility Most people would assume the NAB has always had a state-of-the-art production facility, but Mike Khatcheressian, Emmy-winning producer and NAB vice president of media production, said that wasn’t always the case. “When I came for my job interview at NAB years ago, one of the things I was most excited about was to see the NAB studio,” he recalled. “They walked me into this room and there was a greenscreen, a 10-year-old camera, and a few lights. I remember being shocked and saying at the time that this is going to be something you’re going to want to upgrade. I love what we have now and it really is a showpiece for NAB, kind of like what we all envisioned a studio at NAB could be.”

The new NAB Media Production Facility is highlighted by a curved, 15-foot Planar interactive video wall that can serve as an immersive backdrop for live and pre-recorded content. The studio is also outfitted with an 8K-capable edit suite and provides the ability for design capabilities to be done from remote access.

The NAB Media Production Facility features PTZ cameras and a curved, 15-foot Planar interactive video wall.

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Below: Almost every room within the NAB headquarters is outfitted with digital displays.

NAB HQ BUSINESS

ogy and how modern it was—it really makes you proud to work at a place like NAB and makes you happy to come to work,” said Khatchersessian. “You don’t mind the long commute in because you’re going to be in a comfortable space and one that is just fun to be in.”

The space is well equipped to accommodate Zoom interviews or interactions, providing additional options when their CEO or other stakeholders are unable to be on-site for outside events or interviews.

Four PTZ cameras are housed in the studio, but the space can accommodate up to eight cameras, with future capabilities expanding to pull in camera feeds from across the headquarters. Plus, a prompter is currently being installed that has the ability to detect who is speaking and provide seamless tracking amongst multiple speakers.

Originally, the space was not conceptualized as a studio—but through careful design, the compact area was designed to appear larger on camera. The studio provides NAB with the ability to produce a wide array of programming, including live webcasts, updates, educational content, sales seminars for NAB members, and future content for tradeshows. There is also the opportunity to use the space to bring in additional revenue from outside rentals, helping NAB make up for losses accrued during the pandemic.

Much of the studio was built through the support of NAB partners like Planar, Vitec Production Solutions, PESA, Barbizon Lighting Company, The Launch Group, Video Visions, Angry Badger Productions, Magis Media, and The Light Source, all of which donated services and equipment to help bring the innovative space to life.

“It’s great for our partners to showcase their new technologies,” said Khatcheressian.

In choosing the partners, April Carty-Sipp, NAB executive vice president, industry affairs, said, “We had many conversations and leveraged connections our team has with companies we’ve worked with previously in the broadcast business or through our work at NAB.” She said the first official partner was Angry Badger Productions, which helped bring in additional partners along the way.

While visitors can look forward to touring the studio space, the partners will benefit from the exposure their involvement provides, along with the opportunity to bring potential clients to see their technology in action. With this in mind, many of the partners are committed to continually upgrading technology to ensure the space showcases the latest and greatest. This also goes for LG, which is using the NAB headquarters as an opportunity to showcase its offerings and is committed to refreshing the technology for years to come.

With remote and hybrid work becoming commonplace, NAB hopes the headquarters is seen as a benefit to employees wanting to return to the office. “I remember the first time I walked in to 1M and saw all the technology. Just seeing all this beautiful technol-

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31

BUSINESS BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS

Carpe Diem What One Moment Changed Your Path?

created them, ending at the two he didn’t get to see complete—Pazzi Chapel and the Church of Saint Spirito—both completed after his death.

On my most recent visit just a few weeks ago, I added what I now know to be his last work, the mechanism for a large clock on a church about 15

By John Storyk

T

struction of the dome for the then incomplete

miles north of Florence. This mechanical assembly of

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

gears and levers, about the size of a small refrigerator,

The western architectural world was never the

was lost for almost 300 years and then found in the

his column continues to fascinate me—just

same. Brunelleschi went on to create what for me are

church’s basement. I smiled when I learned that he

the idea of dealing with success is enough of

defining works of architecture for the next 30 years—

had never been paid for his work—his grandson

a challenge. I’m reminded of one of favorite

buildings and spaces that changed our world. I always

negotiated a payment many years after Brunelleschi’s

pairs of words, in a foreign language, not to mention

wonder what would have happened had he won the

death. It appears even the great Brunelleschi had

a language we don’t speak anymore.

Baptistery doors contest. It was a life-changing

client collection issues from time to time.

Like most of us in high school in the 1960s, I had to

moment for him. He had “seized the moment.”

study a foreign language. Several were offered, includ-

Serendipity had struck, although I often wonder if

My Own Serendipity

ing Latin. Figuring that the Roman Empire had long

Brunelleschi was aware of that happening at the time.

Back to carpe diem—seizing the moment. Like that

disappeared, I studied Spanish, which turned out to be

We will never know.

image at the end of Spielberg’s Forrest Gump, is it

useful in my life, as my second home has long been on

Until the past two years (thanks, COVID), I had

possible that a small floating feather can change the

Mexico’s Caribbean Coast. But two Latin words stayed

religiously lived in Florence at least for a few days every

events on the other side of the world in larger-than-

with me: carpe diem. It literally means “pluck the day.”

year, visiting those buildings and works of art. Usually, I

life ways? I believe so. Those two Latin words have

For me, it has always meant “seize the moment,” but

visited them almost in the same order that Brunelleschi

been the root of serendipity striking so many times.

I believe everyone has at least one moment in their life that inspires them, changes their path, and keeps a creative flame alive. It is this flame that fuels success. During my life, that flame has flickered sometimes, burned bright most of the time, and every now and then has to be re-lit.

A Loss Changes Destiny More on my story in a bit, but the time in history that I often dream about is architecture in the Italian Renaissance. It begins more than 600 years ago, almost exactly in 1402, with of all things an RFP (Request for Proposal).

Basically, the Baptistery (next to the great Florence Cathedral) was constructed between 1059 and 1128. It has stood there for all this time—but in 1401, the leaders in Florence decided to have a contest for to see who would create new bronze panels for the eastern pair of doors. It was the city’s most prestigious public commission ever. Seven artists competed by submitting a sample bronze plaque. As history tells us, the winner was judged by more than 30 of Florence’s most prestigious citizens.

The two finalists were Filippo Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti, who did not like each other. I have seen the two test submissions many times (and to this day, they both look amazing), but as it turned out, Ghiberti was the smoother talker and won the award.

These two masters hated each other for the rest of their lives, and their paths would cross again.

Brunelleschi became very depressed and moved to Rome with his younger partner, Donatello. They both studied ancient Roman sculpture and architecture, returned to Florence years later, and the rest, as they say, is history. Brunelleschi went on to submit what is possibly the most famous response to an RFP in architectural history, solving the design and con-

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The Florence Baptistry doors as designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti.

GETTY IMAGES

more on what these words really mean later.

BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS BUSINESS

My story might not have changed the world, but it changed my life. No, I did not lose a contest for

create a recording studio (another carpe diem

same dime I used to make the phone call at the ice

moment, as I wanted to strangle Eddie).

cream store.

two church door panels, but one summer evening in

Somehow, despite the fact that I reminded

1968, I found myself waiting for ice cream at a small

everyone I had never been in a studio, they trusted

since. Keeping them focused and in tune is the hard

downtown Manhattan shop.

me and Eddie to create what became Electric Lady

part; turning static to music should be part of

Studios. My life changed on a dime, arguably the

everyone’s “blueprint for success.”

Like others in a time with no cell phones, I passed the time reading the want ads in a local newspaper. Life was exciting that summer—Village apartment, my blues band was on its way up, my daytime filled up as a budding architect, New York City was exciting, etc. One ad in particular caught my fancy. It read (more or less): “WANTED: Carpenters to work for free on Experimental Night Club” One dime in a pay phone and an hour later, I found myself meeting an interesting artist who had an idea for an experiential sensorium, kind of a cross between a nightclub and theater, in downtown Manhattan (the name Soho was just unfolding.) I love carpentry and I thought it would be fun, so I agreed to work on the club at night—but only if they allowed me to redesign the club, which I did.

Four months later, the club was on the cover of Life magazine. Anyone who was interested in the arts in New York City went to Cerebrum at least once before its life ended the following summer. One such visitor was Jimi Hendrix, who along with his manager had decided to purchase the lease on The Generation Club. It was the very blues club I used to go to a few years earlier during college, because I was in a blues band and it was located in the basement below a theater designed by an obscure European architect, Frederick Kiesler, whose work I greatly admired. Talk about serendipity!

Back to the story—Jimi asked his manger to seek out the designer of Cerebrum. You can imagine a carpe diem moment for me when I got a call from his office inviting me to design this club, which I did, only to have Jimi’s producer/engineer, Eddie Kramer, convince the team to scrap the club and

John Storyk (left) with producer/engineer Eddie Kramer in the original brick entrance to Electric Lady Studios back in 1996.

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Our serendipity antennas have been raised ever

TECHNOLOGY TRAVEL AV

IDAnova—a whopping 183,900-metric-ton vessel that carries up to 5,200 travelers, making it one of the world’s largest passenger ships.

With thousands of passenger and crew cabins on each vessel, and 11,000 cabins served in total, ensuring the infrastructure could handle the amount of requests the servers on each ship were receiving was a high priority. Through the VITEC ArtioView IPTV portal, viewers now have hundreds of HD international channels, as well as movies and on-demand TV content.

“The TV and video channels are delivered over multicast, so it comes in satellite TV and goes to a headend, which is also a VITEC product, in a server room,” explained David Peat, VITEC’s head of deployments. “Satellite TV gets distributed over IP multicast, so there’s probably about 100 TV channels.

The scalability of that is pretty much infinite when you use multicasting. The network will deliver that traffic to the end points.”

The client isn’t locked into providing a fixed slate of channels and streaming apps, though, and the

Entertainment on the High Seas How One Cruise Line Upgraded to IPTV to Serve Returning Passengers

on-demand options are not based on any particular cabin or group of cabins. The ability to create multiple profiles gives AIDA an opportunity to reward VIP customers, for example, with additional channels and services. And crew members, whose lives onboard the ships can be hectic, have the ability to catch up on the previous two days of TV as their schedules allow.

More Than On-Demand The ArtioView system also powers digital signage throughout the ships in areas like reception and

By Jim Beaugez

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crisis mode to developing and enhancing the cus-

lounges, which can carry news channels, weather

tomer experience. That includes responding to

updates, event information, and live sports events.

ike every other sector of the travel and tour-

passengers’ newly acquired entertainment habits—

“In public areas, our system is there to provide live TV

ism industry, cruise ships suffered might-

namely, an increased preference for streaming TV, a

in bars and signage-type stuff, so maybe news items

ily during the early waves of the COVID-19

sector that ballooned to more than 1 billion subscrip-

or what time the restaurants are opening,” Peat

tions worldwide during the pandemic.

added. “That’s displayed on some of our screens on

pandemic. As a consequence of serving as ground zero for some of the first major outbreaks, affected

the ship, as well.”

cruise ships were turned into quarantine centers and

New Customer Expectations

triages for passengers overnight. And as countries

Customer and end user expectations on cruise ships

and converts it to an IPTV stream, it becomes a

around the world tightened travel restrictions,

have risen in kind, said Eleuterio Fernandes, director

channel on the IP system, same as a live TV channel.

cruise ships were at the top of the list.

of accommodation at VITEC (formerly Exterity), an

Through an application on the VITEC server, the client

IPTV, streaming video, and digital signage provider

has the ability to distribute individual channels to

that serves the cruise line industry.

individual endpoints, whether that means passenger

While ridership had increased nearly 70% in the previous decade—from about 18 million passengers in 2009 to just under 30 million in 2019—those

“We are coming now into increasing demand for

Once the headend/encoder picks up the stream

cabins or a restaurant. For global announcements and

numbers nosedived to depths not seen since the

on-demand services like Netflix or HBO,” Fernandes

emergency situations, ship staff have the ability to

1990s, as ports around the world closed. After

said. Passengers who got used to over-the-top TV

automatically mute all TVs. “I use what we call

disembarking their passengers, many of the 300-plus

during the pandemic “are now coming onboard

signage as a channel,” Peat added. “Essentially, it’s

active cruise ships anchored in clusters off coastlines

saying that they want to have the same [amenities].

an MPEG transport over IP multicast.”

around Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean with

Those are trends that we have to adjust to for cruise

skeleton crews kept onboard for maintenance.

liners and passengers.”

But tourism has reemerged, returning millions

IPTV was a central piece of a solution VITEC

Interactive features on the in-cabin display screens allow passengers to view their billing statement and see how much money they have

of passengers to cruise liners. The industry is

provided to AIDA, a cruise line based in the Baltic

spent, and also book off-ship excursions in the next

now posting strong numbers and is forecasted to

seaport of Rostock, Germany, that carries 750,000

port of call.

recover to pre-pandemic passenger levels in just a

passengers annually across its fleet of 13 ships. AIDA

few seasons.

enlisted the company during the pandemic-forced

cruise ship whose weight and storage capabilities are

downtime of 2020 to upgrade the in-cabin entertain-

paramount? Not a lot—Peat said the VITEC equip-

ment on six of its ships, including the flagship

ment commands just 8 RU.

That’s good news for AV integrators, as cruise lines and onboard tech teams return their focus from

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So, how much space does all this command on a

TRAVEL AV TECHNOLOGY

“There is a server room that’s got all the physical headend current, so that’s in what is called the broadcast center,” said Peat. “The virtual infrastruc-

AIDA has upgraded in-cabin entertainment on six of its ships to meet the increased demand from passengers.

ture is in the IT server, so it’s in a different place. And to manage the system you connect into that server, and you can do that from anywhere … and then control the system from there.”

When working with cruise ships, Eleuterio advises integrators to be certain they have anticipated and met every need before the ship leaves port. Opportunities to make modifications are few and far between once a ship sets sail.

“Cruises are different clients than anyone else,” Eleuterio said. “A very important point is to give reliable solutions and reliable support, because the cruise lines are not available 24/7. There are times when they have no passengers and times when they have, depending on the size of the cruise, from a thousand to three or four thousand passengers at the same time demanding services.

“So, it’s a mix of state-of-the-art technology and entertainment, but at the same time the reliable solution and support that makes the solution and the ‘wow’ factor a workable solution. Because if it doesn’t work, the ‘wow’ factor will not be important.”

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TECHNOLOGY NEW PRODUCTS

which relies on dynamic visuals that try to provide immersive environments for consumers—there are more factors to look for when selecting the right projector for the job.

“Important considerations for large-venue projectors include flexibility of use—for instance, large lens shift ranges and a full set of lens options,” Phipps explained. “These allow flexibility in placement.

Additionally, low maintenance designs like filter-less or self-cleaning filter systems are beneficial. Typically, large-venue projectors may not be easily accessible.”

“The compatible, interchangeable lens family should cover the full range, from ultra-short-throw to long-throw with minimal gaps,” Shakra added.

“Ensuring compatibility and consistency across

Make It Big Large-Venue Projectors Support Surging Return to Live Events

projector platforms and different chassis will help with efficiency and cost savings over the long term for end users.”

Let’s not forget about edge blending. Large, high-quality images are easier to create with dvLED displays and video walls, but the process is a little trickier with projectors.

By Wayne Cavadi

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ive events, one of the verticals hit hard

lumens, while LCD offers an excellent visual perfor-

With advances and added control in projector

mance at an economical price point for applications

technology, has edge blending become as easy as

with lesser brightness needs.”

one-touch technology?

Making the case for DLP projectors, Soto offered

“A touch of a single button may be a bit of an

during the pandemic, are starting to see

several advantages. “Since DLP technology is based

oversimplification,” Shakra said. “However, with

people come back. A lot of people. And now,

on reflective mirrors rather than an organic material

advanced tools available today, we have been able to

integrators are looking to new, innovative ways to

(liquid crystal display), its image quality does not

reduce the complexity and time required to create a

enhance that experience.

degrade over time,” he explained. “DLP also mini-

large, blended image with multiple projectors.”

“Integrators and technology professionals are

mizes the ‘screen door’ effect when producing

“One key here is that the projector needs the ability

turning toward large-venue projectors to create

images, whereas LCD has space between the liquid

to project deep blacks and have an accurate gamma

engaging displays,” said Ramzi Shakra, product

crystal pixels, so users can more readily see that

response,” Phipps added. “With this, the blend zone

manager, Epson America. “While this includes concerts

spacing. Additionally, DLP technology allows a

will be very smooth and minimize the ‘bright stripe’ so

and live events, we’re also seeing a lot of interest in

compact architecture for virtually maintenance-free

often seen when projectors are blended.”

theater production, corporate events and spaces, across

designs, requiring no filters and, for laser projectors,

school campuses, and tradeshows and conventions.”

no lamp replacements.”

The larger the venue, the more oomph is required

Conversely, Shakra feels LCD, specifically the

Simply put, projectors, especially for larger venues, have changed. There are more use cases and higher lumens needed than ever before. Chances are

from the projector. At the same time, projectors need

3LCD technology that Epson uses, may provide more

that large-venue projectors are being used more

to be nearly invisible—a quiet, unobtrusive piece of

advantages. “The 3LCD three-chip architecture

frequently and longer during performances or events.

equipment that keeps the focus on the content.

dedicates an entire chip to process each primary color

“The weight and dimension for large- venue

continuously, resulting in vibrant, realistic content

Which makes the lamp projector a dying breed.

“Laser projectors are preferred for numerous

projectors have been considerably reduced over the

with true-to-life color and equal brightness,” he

reasons, including the ability to lower your overall

last decade,” explained Brian Soto, director of product

noted. “While available on premium higher lumen

total cost of ownership,” Phipps explained. “With

management, Optoma Technology. “In the past, a

projectors with three-chip technology, the majority

laser projection, there’s no costly, inconvenient, or

10,000-lumen projector easily weighed 50-60 pounds

of DLP projectors use single-chip technology that

dangerous lamps to replace, as laser systems usually

without a lens. Today, however, high-lumen projec-

delivers color sequentially.”

run much cooler. They also provide a light source that

tors on the market weigh far less, even with a lens, and offer a much smaller footprint.”

The Great LCD/DLP Debate

So, the debate has not only shifted to consider LCD

allows the projector imager to last longer. And, with

or DLP, but which chip technology is best. According

instant on/off features, users no longer wait for lamps

to Soto, one-chip technology leverages one color

to warm up or cool off. Time is money.”

wheel for color performance, so it is more affordable

“There is no denying that laser technology in

Most venues are looking for very high brightness levels

and compact, but others feel that three-chip technol-

projectors is on the rise,” Shakra agreed. “When

that manage a diverse range of content. Over the years,

ogy is more advantageous in today’s market.

choosing lamp or laser, there isn’t a specific feature set

one of the larger considerations in projectors, espe-

“One-chip projectors are, to an extent, a design

to look for per se—it really depends on the application

cially when looking to maintain the same quality with

compromise,” Phipps said. “They can be made smaller

of the projector. Pending the exact application and

higher lumens, was whether to go LCD or DLP.

and less expensive, but at the sacrifice of picture

setting for the projectors, a few things worth looking

quality. 3LCD offers picture quality at a one-chip cost.”

for are brightness level, size, weight, and fan noise.”

Sony Electronics. “Three-chip DLPs are well suited

Other Features

types, the following list provides several models

for high-brightness applications above 20,000

In today’s world of entertainment and services—one

to consider.

“Both LCD and DLP offer their advantages,” explained Sander Phipps, senior solutions engineer,

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With so many different venue and performance

LARGE-VENUE PROJECTORS TECHNOLOGY

Barco G100-W22

compatible with legacy M, J, and Crimson Series projector lenses. With 25,000 lumens, a 46 dBA sound

Barco’s single-chip DLP laser projector offers WUXGA

level, and Rec.2020 color performance, the M 4K25

(1920x1200) resolution and 22,000 lumens of bright-

RGB features double the brightness, double the color

ness for up to 20,000 hours. Inputs include HDMI 2.0,

volume, and quadruple the resolution over Christie’s

DisplayPort, DVI-D, HDBaseT, 3G-SDI, and VGA. The

legacy M Series projector. The 92-pound projector

pounds. It also features a hermetically sealed optical

3D version (G100-W22 3D) supports active and passive

offers extensive inputs, including 12G-SDI, HDMI,

engine for high dust resistance and a filter-less cabinet

3D. The 119-pound projector works with Barco’s

DisplayPort, HDBaseT, 3D sync, and fiber (for use with

for low-maintenance operation. Other interfaces

Projector Toolset software for easy setup via computer.

the optional Christie Link Transmitter).

include HDMI, HDBaseT, DVI-D, VGA, USB, RS-232C,

The software also supports blending and warping

and RJ45. The EB-PU2220B pairs with nine optional

capabilities. An extensive GC-lens range allows the

powered lenses, and the optional PixAlign camera

flexibility to shoot from long or short distances and to

streamlines multi-projector setups.

play with 360-degree orientation possibilities.

Digital Projection Satellite Digital Projection has created a modular laser projection system. The Satellite HIGHlite Head

BenQ LU9800

supports native WUXGA resolution and up to 20,000

Optoma ZU2200

lumens. The 42-pound head is compact and light-

As part of Optoma’s DuraCore laser lineup, Ultra

weight with sealed optics, so it is nearly maintenance

Bright Series WUXGA projectors feature 4K HDR

free. The 3 RU modular light source (MLS) and 4 RU

compatibility, pure engine video processing, color

The 10,000-ANSI-lumen LU9800 BlueCore laser

satellite control module (SCM) are rack mountable

matching, and passive 3D compatibility. The 22,000-

projector offers native WUXGA resolution and delivers

and connected to the head by a satellite link cable,

lumen ZU2200 delivers up to 30,000 hours of laser

95% Rec. 709 color coverage and accuracy. With its

which is available in various lengths. Combine up to

lifetime, with an IP5X rating for dependable perfor-

flexible design and multiple lens options, dynamic

two modular light sources—or share one source to

mance even under extreme conditions. Eight inter-

installation options include 360-degree rotation and

multiple heads. The 3-DLP system supports up to 120

changeable lenses are available for the 119-pound

projection onto ceiling, walls, floors, or angled signage.

frames per second via DisplayPort or HDMI input,

DLP projector. Visual Suite software and an integrated

In addition, motorized zoom, focus, horizontal/vertical

with other connectivity options included. Four lens

camera create seamless setups with automatic image

lens shift, and customizable memory features ensure

options are available.

adjustments, warping, and calibration for consist-

the image is perfectly aligned to the room’s requirements. The 59-pound projector offers a variety of I/O

Epson EB-PU2220B

interfaces, and its fully enclosed laser engine is

Housed in a sleek, black

IP5X-certified for maintenance-free operation. The

cabinet, the 20,000-hour

LU9800 is also preinstalled with BenQ’s MDA central-

EB-PU2220B laser projector

ized control software for remote monitoring, configur-

is optimized for live events

ing, and control of individual or multiple projectors.

with 3G-SDI I/O to accom-

Christie M 4K25 RGB

ently bright and uniform images while reducing

modate daisy-chaining and long cable runs, plus a

The Christie M 4K25 RGB pure laser projector with

mechanical shutter to

dust sealed 3DLP laser optical system re-imagines the

protect the projector during

rugged and reliable M Series with RGB pure laser

laser light shows. The 3LCD,

technology, UHD 4K resolution with precision pixel

20,000-lumen projector

shift (native 1920x1080), electronic color convergence

delivers WUXGA resolution

(ECC), and an intelligent lens system (ILS1) that’s

and weighs about 54

avnetwork.com // August 2022 // SCN

37

TECHNOLOGY LARGE-VENUE PROJECTORS

installation hours. Connectivity includes HDBaseT, DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, DVI-D, RS-232, and 3G-SDI, with RJ-45 and USB-A control options.

Sony VPL-FHZ85

Panasonic PT-RQ25K

Sharp NEC PX2201UL

Sony’s compact, 29-pound WUXGA 3LCD laser projector, the VPL-FHZ85, supports 4K60 input and

Launched in April, the PX2201UL 1-DLP projector

combines brightness with efficiency, installation

A 3-DLP 4K laser projector, the PT-RQ25K weighs about

offers WUXGA resolution and 21,500 lumens, with a

flexibility, and advanced operational capabilities.

77 pounds and delivers 20,000 lumens. The projector is

20,000-hour, virtually maintenance free laser light

Designed for mid-sized corporate, education, worship,

significantly smaller and lighter than the previous

module. A variety of motorized lens options provide

and esports environments, it delivers 7,300 lumens

PT-RQ22K model. Its Quad Pixel Drive, a two-axis

throw distances from 3.3-137 feet. Tilt-free

(8,000 lumens at center) and delivers rich imagery in

pixel-quadrupling technology, creates smooth 4K

installation make the PX2201UL ideal for almost

demanding lighting conditions. It incorporates Sony’s

images. An Intel SDM-ready slot integrates preferred

any install environment, and the +50%/-10%

Reality Creation real-time signal processing, mapping,

terminals with optional proprietary or third-party

vertical lens shift and +/-30% horizontal lens shift

and analysis technology, which results in crisp and

interface boards, but the PT-RQ25K also features HDMI

capabilities make alignment easy. Inputs include

clear pictures and text for effective presentation and

and DisplayPort inputs, plus multi-projector sync

HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI-D, HDBaseT, and

display. The Reality Text feature improves text-based

(including 3D), RS-232, and RJ45 interfaces. Its

3G-SDI. Other features for the 112-pound projector

presentation materials by providing clearer letters and

hermetically sealed optical block is cooled by a high-

include edge blending, 3D support, and geometric

lines with enhanced legibility. Input connectivity

efficiency, liquid-cooling system that enables mainte-

correction for projection on spheres, corner angles,

includes DVI, HDMI, HDBaseT, BNC, and RGB. A variety

nance-free projection for 20,000 hours.

and other non-standard surfaces.

of lenses are available.

38

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

TECHNOLOGY NEW PRODUCTS

Vanco International PA-CVB1 An all-in-one video collaboration product, the PulseAudio Collaboration Video Bar (PA-CVB1) has a modern soundbar form factor, built-in six-ray beamforming microphone, and 4K ePTZ camera.

Built for enterprise deployments, the PA-CVB1 transforms any small meeting space into a video

RGB Spectrum QuadView IPXe

Da-Lite SightLine

The QuadView IPXe high-performance 4K

Available as an option with Da-Lite’s Tensioned

framing that automatically adjusts to frame

multiviewer displays multiple video sources

Advantage and Advantage electric screens, SightLine

participants, auto-tracking to automatically follow

simultaneously on a single screen in customizable

gives the impression of a floating screen. The single

moving speakers, and a 120-degree viewing angle.

layouts. Four video windows chosen from 12 HDMI

roller design suspension system features three or four

The camera can respond to either motion or sound to

and IP sources can be displayed simultaneously. The

thin cables that can accommodate drop distances up

focus on the correct speaker. Its beamforming

QuadView IPXe model delivers superior image quality

to 70 inches between the ceiling and the top of the

microphone can locate and focus on speakers in real

at up to 4K 60Hz resolution with display windows of

screen. It eliminates the need for the traditional black

time. In areas with a high noise floor, the PA-CVB1’s

any size, anywhere on the screen. IP streams can be

border above the projection screen—and with the

microphone technology isolates and focuses on the

decoded and viewed, providing display of signals from

click of a button, the screen retracts into the ceiling

active meeting participants, rejecting distractions

both local and remote locations. The system supports

and out of the way when not in use. The flexible

and background noise. The PA-CVB1 also features

mix-and-match input source types and resolutions,

system also makes specifying, ordering, and installing

plug-and-play USB 3.0 connectivity and a built-in

scaling any video input up to 4K resolution, and both

a screen quick and easy. Traditionally, integrators

software package, which offers functionality for

analog and digital I/O audio, including audio

need to calculate the drop distance ahead of time when

Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and other popular

embedded in HDMI and IP sources. It is a novel

ordering a screen, but SightLine eliminates this step.

conferencing platforms.

combination of a multichannel encoder, decoder, and

Integrators simply order the screen and dial in the

multiviewer, all in one small, desktop package.

appropriate viewing height on site.

collaboration room. Its camera features smart

Kanto MPC77 Specifically designed for use with the Logitech Rally Bar and Rally Bar Mini videoconferencing devices, the MPC77 rolling A/V cart accommodates displays from 37-77 inches and VESA sizes up to 600x400. It comes with accessories to attach a Rally device either above or below the TV, and offers mounting holes for a Logitech Tap controller and table mount. It features an accessory panel with mounting holes and slots, to accommodate

Waves Audio CA3000-MX

mini-PCs and other

The CA3000-MX is an install-ready audio mixer and

components. It allows

processing engine that delivers stellar sound quality

The RXT-4 is a four-inch JavaScript-based

for display height

for a wide range of single-room and multi-zone AV

touchpanel control system that is ideal for

adjustment. The 4-inch

installations. It offers powerful mixing and built-in

conference rooms, educational facilities,

lockable wheels and

processing capabilities that can upgrade the sound of

hospitality, digital signage, and more. The RXT-4

easy-to-reach handles

any installed audio system, and offers the option to

has a 480x480 aspect ratio with 160-degree viewing

provide easy portability.

add plugins from Waves’ massive catalog. The

and room status lighting in just about any color

Convenient cable

CA3000-MX system is compatible with standard

combination. It is designed to mount in a two-gang

management keeps

ASIO audio or Dante network configurations. Housed

or European style electrical box. The 2D/3D graphics

cables concealed and out

in a compact, half-width 2 RU rack-mount chassis,

engine with 1080p H.264 streaming decoder

of the way, and the unit

the CA3000-MX couples a powerful digital audio

provides a powerful solution for complex graphics

includes space for a

processing engine with an install-ready version of

and video, ensuring an enhanced user experience.

power strip. The MPC77

the Waves eMotion LV1 mixer, which supports up to

Other features include a one-watt speaker, stereo

is ideal for use in

32 stereo inputs, 24 stereo aux mix outputs plus

digital microphone, proximity sensor, and ambient

classrooms, lecture

L/R/C/M outs, and a 12x8 stereo matrix. It is ideal for

light sensor. The RXT-8 (pictured) features an

halls, business, and

any corporate, commercial, government,

8-inch, 1280x800 touchpanel with a 170-degree

other situations where a

educational or house of worship installation that

viewing angle. Both units feature a dual core

portable all-in-one

demands a high level of audio quality and advanced

processor running Linux with a ReAX core engine.

solution is required.

processing flexibility.

Aurora Multimedia RXT-4 / RXT-8

40

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com

NEW PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY

DVIGear DN-300 Based on the latest SDVoE standard, the DN-300 represents a significant breakthrough in performance and value for IP-based AV signal distribution applications. It delivers flawless HDMI video

MetraAV PR-R13PI

distribution with limitless scalability, zero-frame

The Big Dog Power Smart Power Distribution Unit

latency, and zero-image artifacts. The compact unit

(PR-R13PI) features 12 individually controllable

supports near-seamless switching and distribution of

outlets with power metering, self-healing, and

FSR PWB-CMU8

automatic reboot capabilities. Devices can be

The PWB-CMU8 is a dedicated flat panel TV project box

with 8-bit color, or 4K/60p (4:2:2) with 10-bit or

turned on and off without an internet connection,

engineered for installation in 8-inch block walls. Ideal

12-bit color. Like other DisplayNet products, the

allowing for scheduled reboots and an easy network

for gymnasiums, auditoriums, stadiums, and numerous

DN-300 provides independent multi-layer routing of

equipment power reset that can solve most

other masonry applications, the all-metal CMU8 is

HDMI audio and video signals, as well as bidirectional

common technical issues. The PR-R13PI includes a

designed to replace the front portion of one block and,

analog audio, USB 2.0, IR, RS-232, and 1GbE Ethernet.

surge mileage meter that shows when surges have

with the optional paintable cover, provides an attractive

The unit provides silent, fanless operation, powerful

occurred and the percentage of remaining

surface with no visible jagged block edges. Inside the

network security features, and versatile KVM routing

protection. When a surge happens, two removable

box are two opposing two-gang device boxes, providing

with full bandwidth USB 2.0. Its intuitive, web-based

surge protection modules can be replaced without

space for power and low-voltage devices. These

GUI and a powerful API make setup and maintenance

sacrificing the entire PDU, making this solution

compartments are convertible to a single gang with the

fast and easy.

unique and cost effective. Temperature control can

provided block-off plates that are also removable for

also be automated with four magnetic temperature

installing active brick receivers and accommodating

sensors that can be used to program turning on a

standard electrical plates. The gang compartments are

fan or turning off devices when the temperature

oversized to allow for extra service loops and cable

gets too high. The 13th service outlet powers a

storage. The PWB-CMU8 has an available 1, 1.25, and

temporary device without having to reach behind

1.5-inch knockouts centered on the opening of the most

the PDU.

common two-hole CMU blocks.

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To Advertise in the SYSTEMS CONTRACTOR NEWS CLASSIFIEDS, Contact Zahra Majma at zahra.majma@futurenet.com avnetwork.com // August 2022 // SCN

41

VIEWPOINT

The Pace of Progress Today’s Pro AV Innovations Are Catching Up with Science Fiction

By Rachael Harris

I

One of the prominent features of the production

Early Inspiration

design for this show were transparent screens.

All this thinking of the past and looking toward the

They had them on everything—cell phones,

future takes my mind back to the dawn of my own

t all started on the airplane. With six hours

computer monitors, even a large-format transpar-

career in this field.

between me and Las Vegas, I knew I had to fig-

ent TV screen—which made for a beautiful and

Cut to Memory Montage.

ure out a way to put the quiet time to good use.

luxurious installation over a living room fireplace.

When I was a teenage girl, just becoming inter-

So, I decided to watch the entirety of a premium

It disappeared into the décor when switched off and

ested in audio engineering as a career, my dad gave

network series that I don’t subscribe to at home,

hooked me right in, as in: I want that, where is it?

me my first pair of pro headphones. He was a creative,

of course.

The show was set 15 years in the future, just as

Cut to InfoComm 2022.

future-forward thinker in his own right, and deliv-

I was casually strolling the show floor, collecting

ered the gift along with an unexpected aspiration for

scientists were releasing a technology using

cards and smiles, when I stumbled upon the transpar-

his daughter. He thought the path would lead me to

principals of quantum physics to connect users to

ent OLED of the future world, right there, before my

participate in the development of a well-known and

their one true love. Heartwarming, right? Sort of?

eyes. Neither a prototype nor a CGI trick, this sci-fi

loved situation simulator from a fantasy space

Somewhat. Nevertheless, the visual world they

screen was a dream no more, ready for real-world

exploration show on TV. I was not thinking that big at

built around the premise was believable, engaging,

applications today. Right there on the show floor.

the time and brushed the comment off, as teenage

and technologically just far enough out of reach to inspire an AV tech in all the right ways.

The Future Is Now

I was really inspired because it illustrated to me just how close we are to having many of the

girls tend to do.

Even though I avoided my father’s high expec-

technologies that have only existed in human

tations at the time, that was one of my first inspira-

imagination for centuries. Items like this have long

tions as a budding AV tech. Now, I may not be

Fifteen years is not so far into the future. We can all

been the domain of creatives like writers and scene

mixing on a starship, but I am still finding inspira-

relate to how video and communication technolo-

designers, but we have come to a point where Pro

tion all around me, whether via in-flight entertain-

gies have changed and developed since 2007. In

AV really has the tools to turn even farfetched ideas

ment, on the trade show floor, or motivated by the

that time, we have gone from having mobile phones

into reality.

need for an urgent solution at the office.

that just make calls to having whole computers in

And not just with transparent screens. We are

I hope we are all experiencing the positive

our pockets. We now expect to see a person’s face

showcasing tools like LED virtual stages, which

results of today’s stimulating technical environ-

when we are talking to them from halfway around

break barriers for the dreamers themselves, boosting

ment, and using this opportunity to continue to

the world. And we have tidied up our desks and

the potential for use cases traditionally handled by

imagine new creative solutions that improve the

living rooms with flat panel displays devoid of

greenscreens on the soundstage and in the office.

way we work and that look good enough for the

cathode ray tubes. Looking toward the next 15 years of innovation through the eyes

As the AV industry continues to respond to the

silver screen. For me, after seeing what I have seen

recent remote work situation and the subse-

on TV reflected back to me from one of the centers

of today’s Hollywood art directors

quent, often reluctant, return to offices

of our AV universe, I know that if the future is

just might hold some inspirations

around the world, the explosion of

coming from anywhere, it’s coming from us.

for what we can expect on the technical horizon.

creativity in audio and video products will continue—encouraging new standards of ease of use, security, and connectiv-

Rachael Harris is a senior infrastructure engineer (II) at American Express. The views expressed here are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of her employer.

ity to make modernity look a lot like the future dreams of the past.

I was really inspired because it illustrated to me just how close we are to having many of the technologies that have only existed in human imagination for centuries.

8

SCN // August 2022 // avnetwork.com