Systems Contractor News - April 2023

Welcome to the April Issue of

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YOUR INSIDER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS

®

VIEW FROM THE TOP

TK Elevator Lights Up Atlanta HQ with LED Mesh Display CREDIT TK

AVNETWORK.COM

APRIL 2023

20 Executive Q&A

Timothy Mackie demos Yahama UC gear…in his garage?

36 Classic KVM vs. KVM-over-IP

G&D’s Jon Litt explains your options.

42 Viewpoint

20

36

42

Jennifer Goodyer welcomes you to the AV Renaissance.

CONTENTS

34

View from the Top TK Elevator is lighting up its new Atlanta headquarters with an LED

mesh display on its test tower.

By Michael Silbergleid

People 18 Executive Q&A RTI is celebrating its 30th anniversary with new

30 Aviation Office Gets a Co-Pilot A custom app from 22Miles is modernizing the new offices at Tampa International Airport.

solutions for integrators.

32 Bring on BYOD

By Mark J. Pescatore

Experts discuss how BYOD helps simplify content

20 Executive Q&A Timothy Mackie makes the case for Yamaha UC…in his garage?

By Mark J. Pescatore

22 Beyond the Tech It takes tenacity to solve problems when you’re working against the clock.

By Douglas Kleeger

Business 26 Fake Products, Real Problems

sharing in meeting spaces.

By Jennifer Guhl

Technology 36 Classic KVM vs. KVM-over-IP

By Jennifer Goodyer

Departments 6 SYSTEMS CHECK 8 NEWS 24 NEWSMAKERS 40 NEW PRODUCTS

With auto tracking, the JVC KY-PZ510 PTZ camera offers flexibility for live production.

By Carolyn Heinze

By Chuck Gloman

By Wayne Cavadi

forever.

38 Follow the Leader

classrooms and

sports productions simultaneously.

Today’s innovations are changing communications

By Jon Litt

counterfeiters across the globe.

A new control room can produce two live campus

42 Welcome to the AV Renaissance

Which option is better for your installation?

Pro AV manufacturers continue to combat

28 UConn Pulls Double Duty

Viewpoint

26

Vol. 30 No. 4 April 2023 Systems Contractor News (ISSN 1078-4993) is published monthly by Future US, Inc., 130 West 42nd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036-8002. Periodical postage paid at New York, NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to: SYSTEMS CONTRACTOR NEWS, P.O. Box 1051, Lowell, MA 01853.

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SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

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SYSTEMS CHECK avnetwork.com

Let’s Get Ubiquitous

MARK J. PESCATORE Content Director

I

n this world, nothing is certain, except death and taxes—and, of course, Dante and maybe NDI. I’m pretty sure that’s what Benjamin Franklin wrote back in 1789.

Very few products or technologies ever reach the level of market saturation and/

or cultural relevance to be designated as “ubiquitous.” Xerox, for example, became synonymous with copy machines; the brand name even became a verb. Back in the archaic days when people used videotape to record television programs or buy movies for home collections, VHS dominated the market. Even today, say “Chyron”

EMAIL

mark.pescatore@futurenet.com

to a video production professional and they know you mean graphics, even if they use a different CG.

facebook.com/ systemscontractor

convinced that will hold. The competition from Teams, Meet, Webex, and others has become formidable at this point. The fact that companies tout certification of their products for more than one platform speaks volumes.

You could make the argument that Dante is already there. Launched in 2006, it has basically cornered the networked digital audio market. According to Aidan

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

Williams, Audinate CEO and co-founder, about 3,300 products from close to 500 manufacturers use Dante. Seems pretty ubiquitous to me.

NDI wants to be ubiquitous, too, but it’s not there yet. NewTek unveiled its low-latency, AV-over-IP solution in 2015. Since then, NDI has been building its popularity, partnerships, and ecosystem. (Version 5.5 was announced last August.)

TWITTER twitter.com/scnmag

CONTENT

VP/Content Creation Anthony Savona Content Director Mark J. Pescatore, Ph.D. mark.pescatore@futurenet.com Content Manager Wayne Cavadi Contributors Chuck Gloman, Jennifer Goodyer, Jennifer Guhl, Peter Hansen, Carolyn Heinze, Douglas Kleeger, Jon Litt, Michael Silbergleid Group Art Director Nicole Cobban Art Editor Rob Crossland Production Managers Nicole Schilling, Heather Tatrow A DV E R T I S I N G S A L E S

Zoom came pretty close to ubiquitous status during the pandemic, but I’m not FACEBOOK

APRIL 2023 VOL. 30 NO. 4

Last year, NDI’s Suso Carillo told me the protocol is becoming a de facto standard.

“The ultimate long-term goal is for NDI to become the video standard in the worldwide video industry,” he said. “In the short term, we’re looking to boost adoption in both the broadcast and Pro AV industries, but also explore other verticals where NDI is used, like in healthcare and corporate.”

Is the strategy working? Well, let’s look to JVC Professional Video for an answer.

In February, the company announced three new CONNECTED CAM broadcast cameras. CONNECTED CAM was launched back in 2018. This is a mature product line that already features built-in low-latency streaming options, 4K image capture, the works—what feature could they possibly need to add?

NDI, that’s what. And that’s exactly what the company is touting with its latest models. It’s even offering current CONNECTED CAM owners the option to send in their old units for an authorized NDI manufacturer modification. JVC has obviously decided the licensing fee is less expensive than losing potential customers looking for NDI solutions.

Are there other options out there? Of course. There’s more than one way to skin a cat or send video over existing IP networks in real time. SDVoE, IPMX, SMPTE ST 2110—you’ve got plenty of AVoIP options, and they all have their

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

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selling points and limitations.

Dante has even branched out to get in the AVoIP game, recently announcing its Dante Studio 2.0 software update.

Until such time as ol’ Ben Franklin tells us otherwise, NDI is where many manufacturers are placing their bets.

Unlike Dante, however, NDI is facing serious competition from alliances and other manufacturers. It will be interesting to see if any AVoIP protocol can reach VHS status in the coming years.

JVC CONNECTED CAM— now with NDI!

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NEWS

Cifarelli Jr. Returns to Roots with C10 Media Acquisition

C

10 Media has acquired ANC, a digital sig-

SDVoE Alliance Has Record Year

T

he SDVoE Alliance announced growth in members and SDVoE Academy Certifications to tally a record-breaking year. In 2022, the

organization welcomed 18 new members, including Datapath, QSC, and Yamaha Corporation.

“As system integrators, designers, consultants,

nage and video experience company, from

and other industry professionals continue to invest

Learfield. The terms of the deal were not

in AV-over-IP solutions, the SDVoE Alliance has

Cook Children’s Hospital Adds Immersive LED Video Wall

disclosed, but the company will continue to operate

welcomed new members to support the industry shift,”

under the ANC name and remain in its current New

said Justin Kennington, president of SDVoE. “The

York and Texas offices. Jerry Cifarelli Jr., C10 founder

simplified hardware architecture of SDVoE products

and CEO, will assume leadership of the company.

helps to ensure that our members have access to the

Partnering with Dimensional Innovations,

necessary components to deliver high-performance

Daktronics has manufactured and installed a new

solutions to meet industry demands.”

LED video wall in Cook Children’s Hospital’s new

The acquisition marks the return of Cifarelli Jr. to the company co-founded by his father, Jerry Cifarelli, in 1997. Cifarelli sold ANC to Learfield in 2015.

The SDVoE Academy, a self-paced online course,

location in Prosper, TX, which opened in Decem-

“For me, ANC is a return to my roots and builds

has become a resource for AV professionals to take

ber. The primary function of the display is to

on a lifelong passion in an industry that I have loved

advantage of SDVoE technology. Last fall, SDVoE

provide a “wow” factor for patients and their

since childhood,” said Cifarelli Jr. “This acquisition

introduced the SDVoE Certified Design House

families, while delivering a calming natural scene

brings together the expertise and resources from

program, a qualification for Pro AV companies.

reflective of the Texas landscape that slowly

both ANC and C10 to deliver unique solutions and

changes throughout the day. It will also be used for

create new opportunities for our partners.”

special events to show presentations, movies, and

ANC creates immersive experiences in stadi-

other messaging as needed. The LED video wall

ums, entertainment facilities, transportation hubs,

measures approximately 13.5x24 feet and features

and retail venues through the design, creation, and

1.9mm pixel spacing to deliver full 4K, high-reso-

operation of dynamic video display systems. Past

lution imagery with excellent clarity and contrast.

clients have included professional and college sports teams, large-scale performance venues, and global business centers.

PSNI Announces New Certification

P

value enablers provided by being part of the Alliance,” explained Chris

tegic Account Specialist (SAS) certification. It

everything is quickly being commoditized, it is how you

is the third accreditation developed by PSNI

engage with customers and connect with their real needs that is the differentiating factor. PSNI’s

its Certified Solution Providers (CSPs) meet

Strategic Account Specialist Certification has

the Alliance’s criteria for pre-installation

undoubtedly enhanced our customers

ships and engagement, deployment practices, and future growth strategy.

Covering several areas, including

experience already.”

“The certification will be useful for the customers that have a global footprint, as they are migrating or

customer experience, proven best

thinking about the solutions and

practices, and relationship building,

integrators that have a global footprint

CSPs are required to train and complete a strategic account management workshop, as well as present to a PSNI panel and build a

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

the critical skills that utilize common

Miller, PSNI executive director. “In a world where

practices, including customer relation-

8

on teaching CSP account managers

SNI Global Alliance has introduced its Stra-

and involves a comprehensive process to ensure

Jerry Cifarelli Jr.

“The SAS program is a business transformational model that focuses

and a roadmap, as well as the ones that are very strategic about the way they operate,” added Kulip Kamat CTS, managing director of All

suitable account plan to earn their accreditation. As of

Wave AV. “The SAM certification will help customers

late February, 10 PSNI CSPs across the globe have

who genuinely see the value in long-term business

officially earned their SAS certification.

transformations using technology.”

NEWS

SoundPro provides AVL solutions for a variety of vertical markets.

SoundPro Celebrates 50th Anniversary

S

ound Productions (SoundPro) is celebrat-

custom designed installs. When bands and produc-

personal experience. With people at the core of its

ing its 50th anniversary in 2023. From its

tion companies wanted to buy the products they

values, SoundPro cultivates a culture of accountability, a

chance beginnings as a backline rental

rented, the transition to pro audio sales and repair

passion for the industry, and an obsession with

company to its current role as a leading supplier

was natural, and SoundPro started selling new and

providing the best service to their customers.

of AVL gear, SoundPro has consistently served its

used gear across the country.

“We are thrilled to celebrate 50 years of serving

customers with stellar service and industry knowl-

By 1985, the company shifted focus to sales and

customers in an industry that we have so much

edge. The company will celebrate its anniversary

distribution. In 2012, SoundPro grew into a new location

passion for,” said SoundPro CEO Joshua Curlett.

throughout the year, and is planning an event to

in Irving, TX. A second office in Madison, WI, opened in

“With our rich company history, we will continue to

bring team members, valued customers, and ven-

2020 to better serve its growing customer base.

honor the past while we build a better future for our

dor partners together in the fall.

Today, SoundPro provides AVL products to diverse

team members, our vendors, and our customers. As

Sound Productions was born in 1973 when guitar

customer segments including contractors and integra-

SoundPro continues to grow, I’m truly grateful for

player and entrepreneur Charles Kitch was working at

tors, businesses, houses of worship, live productions,

those who have taken part in making SoundPro

a music store. The store was contacted by Elvis

bands, DJs, and more. The company’s industry-certified

what it is today, and I look forward to what we can

Presley’s tour manager, asking to rent backline gear

team members possess decades of professional and

do together in the years to come.”

for a show in Dallas the next day. When the store owner said Presley would have to buy the gear just like everyone else, Kitch pulled together the required gear to meet the show’s needs. What started as a single gig turned into a 30-day tour with Elvis, and soon led to other requests for backline gear and tech support for some of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll.

In the following decades, SoundPro expanded its services to fabricating custom electronic and speaker systems for touring bands, as well as

10

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NEWS

Smith Transitions to Distribution with Exertis Almo

By Mark J. Pescatore

D

E4 Experience Continues in April After a successful show in Dallas in March, the next stop for the Exertis Dan Smith

Smith said people often think of distributors as

Almo E4 Experience is April 25 in Santa Clara, CA. Two additional stops are scheduled for 2024: Teaneck, NJ, on Sept. 20 and Phoenix on Oct. 18.

“pick, pack, and ship,” but the Exertis Almo business

Registration is open for all three events. The

model extends to what he called “market enable-

Exertis Almo E4 Experience is a free event that

an Smith joined Exertis Almo in January as

ment.” The company’s goal is not just to sell products

features a showroom packed with Pro AV gear in

executive vice president and COO, replac-

and move on, but to help its integration partners

use, along with a lineup of AVIXA CTS-certified

ing the retiring Sam Taylor. Although he

thrive. Specifically, he said value-added services are

business, technical, and trend sessions.

had been a vice president of sales at LG for almost 13

critical to help fill in service gaps, as well as offer new

years, he said the distribution side of the business

and ongoing revenue streams.

isn’t much different from the sales side.

“We are there to provide standard and customized

trucks,” he explained. “However, because there are

“The major pieces of the channel—manufactur-

support from start to finish for every AV installation,”

labor challenges, the in-country logistics system does

ers, distributors, and integrators—are all focused on

Smith offered. “We are an integrator’s one-stop shop

not have the same reliability we saw pre-pandemic.”

the same key success factors of achieving the best

for product, design, and installation support for every

Smith said Exertis Almo puts a lot of effort into

results for end users, optimizing their investment,

AV project. For us, it’s simple: Value-added services

offering a carefully selected range of Pro AV technolo-

and simplifying the deployment and usage of

help deepen our relationship with customers.”

gies and brands. So, what are the hottest products in

products and services,” he explained. “All three

Exertis Almo has had to navigate supply chain

inventory? “Currently, meeting space [corporate and

groups must work together to achieve end user

issues, too, and Smith said the problem simply needs to

education] solutions for collaboration are flying off

satisfaction. In a well-functioning channel, we are

be managed at this point. “From a logistics aspect, there

the shelves,” he noted, “along with cloud-based

collaborating on the same actions and goals.”

is plenty of capacity in the industry, on the seas and on

systems and anything with LED technology.”

avnetwork.com // April 2023 // SCN

11

Edwards Lifesciences Transforms Conference Center with Video Walls

S

ound Image has transformed an executive

and redundancies. The display delivers

conference center for Edwards Lifesciences

4K60 resolution, HDR10 compatibility,

with the installation of two 16x9-foot,

built-in Clearview technology, and

Christie 1.2mm LED video walls with redundant

low-brightness enhancements for

Christie E600 controllers driven by a Christie Spy-

incredible visual experiences.

der X80 image processor.

Edwards, a medical technology company, is

CHRISTIE

NEWS

Two Christie LED video walls and a Spyder X80 image processor deliver visuals to the new Edwards Lifesciences executive conference center.

space was unique to the project. While it added

Specified and integrated by Sound Image and

complexity to the system, and required signifi-

designed in collaboration with PLANNET, the

cantly more rack space, Sound Image was prepared

headquartered in Irvine, CA. For its renovated

conference center has seating for 126 people, with

for the challenge.

conference center, the company was looking for a

microphones installed at each seat. Six cameras are

fully redundant space that included a full video

used at the front and two in the rear of the room, in

we’ve been in the audio industry for decades,”

production suite as well as self-serviceability. The

conjunction with the Spyder X80, which enables

Shapiro explained. “The show must go on, and we

choice of Christie LED video walls was driven by

multi-window and self-configurable full auto-

could never cancel a concert because we have

budget and the unique requirements for the space.

tracking during video calls. The use of a Christie

technical difficulties. We have that same mindset

“We looked at a couple other Christie products

Spyder X80 image processor was in part to standard-

when we do permanent installations.”

and solutions as well as other manufacturers, but the

ize the technology across Edwards’ campus and to

A condensed installation timeline meant that

customer likes Christie, and I like supporting

“Sound Image is a touring company by heart, and

take advantage of its multi-windowing capabilities.

Sound Image was working concurrently in the space

Christie,” said Jared Shapiro, account executive,

“Spyder has been established across multiple

with construction crews and carpenters, but care was

Sound Image. “The customer wanted an off-board

projects throughout this campus, and what I like to

taken to ensure the project went smoothly. “From

power supply because of heat concerns they had in

do is standardize some of the technologies that

pre-sales all the way to commissioning, we had

this space. This allowed us to move all those BTUs into

we’re using,” said Shapiro. “Spyder is driving the

Christie’s support,” Shapiro added. “I adamantly

the rack room where they can be better controlled.”

multi-window and auto-tracking functionality,

take advantage of Christie’s installation support, as

which helped us create clean transitions and

well as all the commissioning services for the Spyder

multi-window presets.”

X80. Everyone loves the space, and everything about

The front-serviceable Christie LED video wall features an optional remote power supply for installation flexibility, efficient heat management,

The requirement to create a fully redundant

it—from the audio to the video—is top notch.”

Interactive Kiosks Guide Visitors in New Los Angeles Shopping District interactive wayfinding content to help visitors locate

dining, shopping, and cultural destination

information about the various restaurants, outdoor

located on Bunker Hill in Downtown Los

spaces, shops, and services located throughout the

Angeles (DTLA)—wanted to utilize a directory for

area. When idle, the kiosks display messaging and

finding shops, restaurants, and other key landmarks.

information about upcoming events.

To that end, Red Dot Digital Media and LightWerks

Once visitors engage with the kiosk, they can

teamed up to create a series of five interactive way-

explore a dedicated events page that lists all upcom-

finding kiosks located throughout the property.

ing events, or they can select a specific destination

Rather than deploy standard-format kiosks, the

and the kiosk will display the location of that business

team designed slender kiosks incorporating 37-inch

on a map. The multi-level maps display location

slim DynaScan high-brightness displays with custom

information, as well as an image, description, and

interactive touch overlays driven by BrightSign media

hours of operation for each business.

players using Carousel CMS software. Encased in

The kiosks also offer a quick-access

brushed stainless steel, the minimalist, sleek look of

directory where businesses can be found by

the kiosks is the perfect complement to the design

category. Red Dot created an intuitive user

aesthetic of businesses and common areas that

interface so Halo personnel can easily update

comprise Halo.

tenant details by entering information into a

Using the Carousel CMS and custom HTML programming, Red Dot created a library of engaging,

12

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master Google sheet that houses relevant data about each business within the complex.

RED DOT DIGITAL MEDIA

D

evelopers of the newly opened Halo—a

The unique interactive kiosks at Halo offer wayfinding information for visitors.

INSIGHT ENTERPRISES

NEWS

Three “Boulevards” in Insight’s new HQ feature LG UltraStretch displays.

A motion sensor for each display detects a viewer’s distance and automatically adjusts the screen’s brightness.

Custom LG Displays Power New Insight Enterprises HQ

W

set up is vastly more efficient than prior office signage solutions, and the technologies have advanced so far that we now have hundreds of displays throughout the building with different sizes tied into a single content system.”

When new internal teams or clients visit the office

hen Insight Enterprises set out to build

aesthetic. The Prisms are designed to mimic the letter

for the first time, Skaff said they consistently rave

a new 200,000-square-foot head-

I in Insight’s logo to further the feeling of a branded

about the architecture and the technology, including

quarters in Chandler, AZ, the com-

environment.

the “wow” factor when walking by the Prism displays.

pany’s leaders seized on the opportunity to design

Each Prism unit includes a motion sensor that

According to Tom Carroll, director, commercial

workspaces and common areas that deliver immer-

detects a viewer’s distance, enabling automatic

displays, at LG Business Solutions USA, Insight’s use

sive technological experiences and demonstrate

adjustment of the screen’s brightness and contrast to

of technology demonstrates the exciting possibilities

the firm’s capabilities to employees and visitors.

optimize visibility when viewers approach. The

that can be achieved by designing creative and unique

Officially named Insight Way, the company’s new

special feature ensures the displays aren’t overly

experiences in virtually any setting.

Gensler-designed headquarters showcases its own

distracting to those who pass by, while providing

installation and design prowess with help from LG

meaningful experiences for anyone who approaches

resets standard expectations to include novel

digital displays that outfit one of the building’s most

to learn more. For content reproduction, a picture-

technology interactions and a variety of collaborative

unique and public tech areas.

by-picture feature can divide the screen into four

spaces equipped with remote communications

sub-screens, each with its own individual video input,

technologies,” Carroll said. “The custom-designed

are surrounded by innovative technologies,” said

allowing Insight to display multiple different

Prisms are both a proof-of-concept and an advertis-

Matt Skaff, Insight’s director of information technol-

messages at one time.

ing mechanism that we can easily envision hanging

“The moment someone enters this building, they

ogy. “From the rotating displays and touchscreen

“These installations are in view all day, every day,

“In many ways, Insight’s new global headquarters

on the walls of corporate HQs, retail spaces, transpor-

tables in the lobby to the digital smartboards found in

so it is critical that we utilize reliable digital displays

tation hubs, and other high-traffic pedestrian

various meeting spaces, the building’s design offers

that will last for years and can be tied in with content

locations. We’re thrilled that our displays are part of

everything needed for efficient meetings and

systems for easy, rapid content delivery,” Skaff

this forward-thinking project and are excited to see

communication, while also displaying our own

added. “The new drag-and-drop content system we

what Insight will do next.”

systems design knowledge. One of the most

As an added benefit, the auto-brightness

unique ideas is the three ‘Boulevards,’ which

function can also reduce total energy costs and

are hallway installations that feature

extend the working life of the displays. Insight

multiple LG 88-inch UltraStretch displays

Way was designed to achieve Gold LEED

that brighten when approached.”

certification and utilizes sustainable tech-

The main Boulevard is an entrance

nologies to reduce impact, including solar

hallway just past the lobby, making it one of

panels, sensor-based automatic window

the most high-traffic areas in the entire

shutters, an HVAC ionization system, and

building. Knowing this, the company uses

smart temperature and lighting control.

the space to highlight employee stories,

LG’s Stretch displays deliver a unique

company successes, value statements, and

ultra-wide or ultra-tall HD display that can

messages welcoming honored guests.

be installed in any orientation to turn

All three Boulevard hallways feature

columns, doorway overhangs, and other

vertically mounted LG UltraStretch displays

non-standard locations into attractive and

that are angled slightly off the wall in a

profitable digital signage endpoints. The

custom cabinet solution, which Insight calls a Prism, giving the space a professional

14

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

LG displays highlight employee stories and company successes.

displays feature a 32:9 aspect ratio and 700 nits of brightness.

NEWS

High School Theater Helps Guests with Hearing Loss Enjoy the Show

D

uring a recent renovation, John Rennie High School, a secondary school in Quebec, Canada, decided to upgrade the audio

in its Louise Chalmers Theatre, as well as install assistive technology to accommodate students and guests with hearing loss.

Assistive listening systems retailer Oreille Bionique recommended Listen EVERYWHERE, an audio-over-Wi-Fi assistive listening system, and provided a demo unit for the high school to test in the theater. After a successful 30-day trial, John Rennie High School began the procurement process.

Listen EVERYWHERE streams live or recorded venue audio over wireless networks to smartphones. Users can listen via headphones connected to their smartphone, or by streaming sound from their smartphone directly to their hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Now, students and theater patrons who would like to use the Listen EVERYWHERE assistive listening system can download the Listen EVERYWHERE app on their smartphones, select a channel, tune into the sound in the theater, and listen to clear audio using their own headsets, earbuds, or hearing aids or cochlear implants.

“This means that anyone in the theater who wishes to use assistive listening can access what is being said on the stage with increased ease, enjoy the sound effects, listen to music being performed or played, as well as participate in a presentation,” said Tracey Green, an itinerant educational specialist from the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf, who worked with faculty member Chris Webb to find an assistive listening system for the theater. “By having the audio sent directly to the listener, we can provide a clear audio feed, which overcomes a poor acoustic environment for anyone listening, no matter their needs.”

“Equal access matters, and for those with hearing loss, assistive technology like Listen EVERYWHERE makes the sound accessible,” said Maile Keone, president and CEO of Listen Technologies. “Assistive listening systems make school assemblies, theater productions, musical presentations, and community events inclusive.”

avnetwork.com // April 2023 // SCN

15

LISTEN TECHNOLOGIES

Listen EVERYWHERE streams audio to smartphones.

John Rennie High School in Quebec upgraded its Louise Chalmers Theatre audio with a focus on accessibility.

NEWS

Alcons Provides Audio Answers for Alexandria Church

A

Alcons QRP20 pro-ribbon column loudspeakers deliver high-quality audio across the fan-shaped Alexandria Presbyterian Church.

allowed them to be concealed in the walls on each side of the stage, maintaining the uncluttered interior decor.”

Available in a standard 90-degree horizontal coverage pattern (QRP20/90) and wide dispersion (QRP20/120) versions, the QRP20 is a full range, hymns, and both adult and youth choirs.

The main auditorium needed an audio system that

two-way point source column system, with high-Q directivity for increased projection control. It’s loaded

would seamlessly deliver all of these in high quality to

with the RBN401 4-inch pro-ribbon driver on a

every member of the congregation. The clean lines of

“Morpher” lens, mounted in a D’Appolito speaker

the architecture also meant that it was desirable to

configuration with four, 5-inch custom-design woofers

conceal the loudspeakers.

in a sealed cabinet.

Steve Taub from Taub Sales, Alcons Audio’s

Designed as a vertical array for both permanent

mid-Atlantic representative, was invited to do a

and portable applications, the QRP20 is ideal for

demonstration by acoustic consulting firm Miller, Beam

acoustically challenging environments or applications

new building for Alexandria Presbyterian

& Paganelli, the company tasked with designing the

where intelligibility over distance is required.

Church in Alexandria, VA, is home to the first

technical systems for the new church. Later, local

Complementing two QRP20/120s, Paganelli chose a

U.S. installation of Alcons QRP20

integration company Design & Integration was chosen

pair of BF121 compact, high-output subwoofers for

to handle the install phase.

tight and accurate bass response with very low

pro-ribbon loudspeaker systems. Launched in 2021, the slim design, natural sound reproduction, and

“As both the AV and acoustic designers, we had to

distortion. The system is powered by a Sentinel10

throw of the QRP20 was an ideal audio answer for the

ensure the acoustics of the room would be appropriate

church’s fan-shaped auditorium.

for its intended use and then select speakers accord-

amplified loudspeaker controller.

“I have always been a fan of pro-ribbon drivers,

Located around seven miles from the center of

ingly,” said John Paganelli, partner at Miller, Beam &

and Alcons uses them very well in the QRP20s,” said

Washington, DC, Alexandria Presbyterian Church was

Paganelli and the project’s acoustic consultant. “We

Paganelli. “The speakers sound great and have a lot

given planning permission in 2020 to demolish its

were impressed with the performance of the QRP20.

of capability for their size. The customer is very

existing building and build a new 22,794-square-foot

The high-frequency pro-ribbon tweeter delivered

happy, and the Alcons system is the perfect comple-

home. Worship at the church includes sermons, a praise

exceptional clarity and intelligibility. We thought it

ment to their brand-new house of worship, both in

band playing both contemporary songs and traditional

would be a good fit for the design, and the small size

terms of sound and appearance.”

16

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

NEWS 2022. For some, that meant contraction in

stepped in to guarantee the uninsured deposits. This

February simply due to randomness.

should stop the future “get my deposits before it’s too

Supply remains the most significant

Moderate Pro AV Growth Continues

By Peter Hansen

W

challenge, though the situation continues to

late” waves that cause bank runs and collapses.

The AV Employment Index (AVI-E) continued to

slowly improve. Economic fears are also a factor, both in

exceed the AVI-S in February, as it registered 58.8. As in

the form of already realized weakness and hesitancy to

January, this reflects that employers are continuing to

invest due to fears that things could get worse. That

catch up on hiring after a busy and difficult-to-hire

said, given the continued revenue growth, the positives

2022. It also reflects a lower rate of contraction.

clearly outweigh the negatives.

March began with an old-fashioned economic

In a steady state, month-to-month randomness means many businesses have down months. But

bump: a bank run. Modern regulations and insurance

payrolls contract far more rarely. The outsize strength

schemes have made such occurrences rare, but on

of employment is not a Pro AV-only phenomenon.

March 10, a confluence of several factors—concentra-

February showed payrolls are still the bright spot of

tion in the recently hurting startup, crypto, and tech

the current economic environment. The economy added

sectors, as well as a large percent of deposits uninsured,

311,000 jobs, and labor force participation increased

ith the economy slowing and the return

losses on excess assets, etc.—led to the failure of Silicon

enough to lift the unemployment rate from 3.4% to

to in-person boom mostly exhausted,

Valley Bank and Signature Bank in the United States.

3.6%. This is about as good a report as could be expected,

Pro AV growth seems to be settling into

Such failures are concerning; Silicon Valley Bank is

as it shows strength in the form of the huge payroll

a moderate expansion phase, according to AVIXA’s

the second largest bank ever to fail. But realistically,

expansion and easing tension in the form of the

latest Pro AV Business Index. After February’s AV Sales

these failures are unlikely to lead to any systemic crisis.

increased labor force participation.

Index (AVI-S) reading of 56.6, three of the last four

For one, the traits that hurt them—especially their tech

months have been within a half point of 57.0. This

sector startup concentration and high percentage of

monthly survey of the AVIXA Insights Community, a

level is above the no-net change mark of 50, but it is

uninsured deposits—are fairly unique. Major banks are

research community of industry members that tracks

lower than historic norms for our industry.

far more diversified and hold far more insured deposits,

business trends in commercial AV. For more informa-

while other undiversified banks are in healthier sectors.

tion about joining the AVIXA Insights Community, visit

Comments from survey respondents elaborate on why Pro AV is at this level. Several point to growing

Beyond that, the relevant U.S. institutions (the

steadiness in month-to-month sales after a frenzied

federal government, Federal Reserve, and FDIC) have

The Pro AV Business Index report is derived from a

www.avixa.org/AVIP. Peter Hansen is an economist at AVIXA.

avnetwork.com // April 2023 // SCN

17

PEOPLE EXECUTIVE Q&A

A Piece of Cake RTI Celebrates 30th Anniversary with New Solutions for Integrators

Bill Hensley Position: Head of Global Marketing Company: RTI

By Mark J. Pescatore

or media room and what you’ll see is a plethora of

Overtime: When I find time, I enjoy writing and

components that all need some sort of operational

recording music.

control, whether it’s lowering a projector screen, : How long have you been with RTI, and what are

adjusting the lighting and shades, or selecting the

your responsibilities?

appropriate source. Our solutions are built around

crew is made up of non-technical volunteers, and

Bill Hensley: I began consulting with RTI in the

enabling customers to achieve a seamless control

there’s lots of sensitive equipment that needs to be

spring of 2020 and joined full time that August. I am

experience—no matter the component, no matter

powered up in just the right order. Rather than relying

focused on increasing awareness of RTI solutions

the application.

on a list of complicated steps, an integrator can

while building the programs, communications, and

RTI’s mission is to make it easier for dealers to

tools to help RTI dealers create more opportunities

program, connect to, and control any component.

macro with the proper sequencing needed for

and win more business.

That’s why our large and continuously growing library

sensitive audio gear.

of drivers available for RTI projects is a major focus for : How is RTI celebrating its 30th anniversary?

program a button on a touchpanel that initiates a

Our KX4 delivers a simple approach to proper on/

the company. New and/or updated drivers release

off control and room control by combining an in-wall

BH: We’re celebrating by bringing to market the

every Friday, which we call “Driver Friday,” and that’s

touchpanel and hard-button input with a built-in

solutions that will pave the way forward for

just the ones done by our internal team. The network

control processor. So, an integrator could program a

integrators’ businesses to be more profitable and

of independent driver developers is always writing

sequence macro that would prevent not only the

efficient, and that will strengthen customer

drivers for residential and commercial integrations.

painful feedback of equipment when turned on out of

relationships. This includes control solutions that ensure increasingly functional, intuitive spaces—no

order, but also the damaging inrush that can fry : Your Integration Designer software is all about

thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment.

matter the environment, user, or equipment. That

customization. How important is customization for

said, we’ve occasionally paused to share some

integrators?

anniversary cake with our partners.

BH: Integration Designer is the RTI control

some of the ground rules companies should follow?

application programming platform. It provides a

BH: Like any project, integrators have to start by

single platform to achieve the full customization for

listening to the customer. What do they need the room

your company?

which RTI is renown. The latest version, Integration

to do right now? At the same time, a wise integrator

BH: RTI is always focused on helping integrators grow

Designer 11, minimizes programming tasks for the

will ask what companies may want three, five, or more

their businesses. In the short term, we have some

fastest customized installation ever. Integrators can

years down the line. This encourages an immediate

software updates that will add value to every product

modify the auto-generated pages, create their own

project that develops into an ongoing relationship. For

we make. Ongoing, it’s all about developing

custom interface, or even use a third-party template.

example, they might want to add more rooms with

exceptional control and AV distribution solutions in

It delivers the flexibility and efficiency integrators

control. By knowing that now, an integrator can begin

both the residential and commercial space.

need on projects, while the new Coral user interface

to the lay the foundation for that growth by pre-wiring

provides an intuitive experience in any application.

and saving the customer money in the longer term.

: What are the short and long-term goals for

: RTI is well positioned in both the residential

: Automation for the “smart” office: What are

The stunning UI template and auto-generated pages

and commercial worlds. When it comes to product

are important for residential integrators, but

: Many instructors are notoriously hesitant

innovation, which area tends to lead more?

Integration Designer 11 still enables the full

toward using technology. How do you get faculty

BH: What we’ve found by looking at the market is that

customization that commercial customers demand.

buy-in for control systems?

BH: The beauty of a control system is that it can take

residential dealers are increasingly securing commercial projects where control and automation is

: What was the thinking behind your

desired. Our product innovations, such as creating an

automation solutions for houses of worship?

instructors’ plates. After all, they are there to impart

ecosystem and portfolio of products that include

BH: Worship is not unlike the conferencing

wisdom and expertise to students. Again, let’s use the

video-over-IP with native video control inside the

application where control solutions are used to make

KX4 as the example. An instructor can walk into the

control system, reflect this shift. There are a number

it easy to start meetings at the touch of a button.

lecture hall with, let’s say, a projector or interactive

of ways to meet budgets while exceeding

Often, it’s the case in the worship space where the AV

display, camera, speakers, lighting, and more. But they

learning and worrying about new technology off

expectations. We work in both

don’t have to worry about all this technology

commercial and residential; sometimes

to help them present. All they need to do is

the spark comes from commercial,

push the button on the panel to initiate the

sometimes from residential, but we’re

presentation mode and achieve optimal

seeing more and more overlap.

lighting, turn on the camera, switch to the right inputs, lower the projection screen, or

: What are some of the

turn on the display and speakers. Once they do

commonalities between both markets,

that, they’re set. This can also cut down on

and are your solutions interchangeable

help desk tickets and streamline the workflow,

between them?

so tech staff don’t need to rush around setting

BH: Take a peek into any conference room

up every class.

Integration Designer 11

18

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

PEOPLE EXECUTIVE Q&A

Clarity in Collaboration With Demos from His Garage, Mackie Makes the Case for Yamaha UC Solutions

Timothy Mackie Position: Senior Field Systems Engineer Company: Yamaha Unified Communications Overtime: In my spare time, I like to road race Yamaha

By Mark J. Pescatore

: Unified communication seems to be a big push for Yamaha. What are the essential features

motorcycles. I also restore them, including some very rare vintage Yamaha grand prix race machines.

you need in a collaborative system for a : How long have you been with this company,

professional workspace?

and what are your responsibilities?

TM: You need good microphone and speaker

elements of the human voice, combined with natural

Timothy Mackie: In September 2013, I joined a

playback coverage for all participants with clear,

sounds rather than engineered noise, it achieves the

wireless microphone manufacturer called RevoLabs.

highly intelligible audio for both far-end and local

same result as traditional sound masking at a lower

That company was then acquired by Yamaha in 2014.

in-room participants. Excellent processing with

overall sound level. This is a huge deal for those folks

Yamaha Unified Communications was born out of that

dynamic echo cancellation and active

who work in these environments.

acquisition. As senior field systems engineer, I am

dereverberation is an absolute must for today’s

responsible for design support, technical sales

conference rooms and meeting areas. Familiarity

in addition to the traditional commercial customers,

training, and product demonstrations. I work closely

and ease of use from room to room or environment

such as healthcare facilities, traditional office areas,

with our distributors, dealers, and integrators to make

to environment is the key to comfortable, fast

lobbies, and open collaboration spaces. There are also

sure they fully understand our solutions. I also perform

setup, productive meetings.

non-traditional facilities like airline clubs, auto

Integrators should be targeting a variety of end users

live remote and in-person dealer and end user product

dealerships, or anywhere with sensitive sales conversa-

sales demonstrations, and forge relationships with

tions taking place. The applications of this technology

industry consultants and system architects to keep

are far beyond the traditional markets.

them fully aware of the latest Yamaha UC advanced : What Yamaha UC product is your favorite?

technologies and our competitive advantages.

TM: The ADECIA ceiling solution for sure, featuring : How has your background prepared you for

the RM-CG Dante-enabled ceiling microphone and

your role?

dynamic multi-beam tracking technology. The

TM: Having a background in both Ethernet network

distributed architecture and intelligent processing

design as well as AV systems has been highly beneficial,

: So, what’s the better choice, a tabletop

as conferencing AV systems are shifting from analog or

microphone or ceiling-mounted microphone?

digital signal processor (DSP). Simply select the

analog and digital combinations to full digital solutions.

TM: The closer you can get a microphone to a participant

microphones for your room or space and pair it with

I started in the AV industry in 1984 working for a

the better. This is always true; however, each

the RM-CR controller for echo-free, crystal-clear

high-end AV retailer and car stereo shop in Silicon

microphone type has its own benefits and applications.

audio. For over 90% of today’s rooms and spaces out

Valley. That was an amazing learning experience and

Dynamic multi-beamforming ceiling microphones are

there, you no longer need a traditional DSP. With

where I learned basic audio principles and practical

an excellent choice for training rooms, classrooms, and

ADECIA solutions, once everything is plugged into the

applications of acoustics.

larger environments where cost-effective coverage of

Ethernet switch and the switch is powered up, you are

large numbers of participants is needed and changing

just a handful of clicks from world-class audio and

seating arrangements are in play. A combination of

your first videoconference meeting.

: On YouTube, I saw you turned your motorcycle

mean that users no longer need to use a traditional

garage into a microphone demo area. What made

tabletop and ceiling microphones is advantageous in

you think of that, and how is it working for you?

many applications as well. DECT wireless microphone

TM: The pandemic forced us to think outside of the

systems are amazing and always feature in designs

from other UC products?

box regarding customer product demos, inspiring

where there just can’t be any wires at all. The choice

TM: Yamaha is unique in the level of automation we

me to turn my garage into a microphone demo area.

comes down to each individual application—and

are bringing to the UC space. Yamaha leads the way

It has worked well beyond expectations. Being able

helping our customers sort out these decisions is a big

with artificial intelligence in audio processing and

to demonstrate the audio performance on the far

part of my job.

advanced algorithms. Our ADECIA solutions are true

end, which is critical to conferencing, has been paramount. In many regards, it has been more

: What makes Yamaha UC products different

100% power-over-Ethernet, which means just a : How does a speech privacy system work, and

single cable type for everything—and it leverages

powerful than bringing the product on site. Virtual

who should integrators be targeting for potential

existing Ethernet infrastructures. The auto-routing,

demos allow our customers to hear how they would

installations?

auto-tuning, and intelligent intuitive interface allows

sound with Yamaha’s microphones: clear,

TM: Speech privacy, while similar to sound masking,

the technicians that are mounting the equipment to

uninterrupted, and echo-free. Interacting with so

features advanced technology and a more surgically

achieve world-class audio before they move to the

many customers using multiple cameras and

installed application, meaning that it can be targeted

next room. The mixing, tuning, and configuring is all

viewing angles within my shop has also been a lot

at either large or specific areas. Utilizing Yamaha’s

done within the system with a few simple mouse

of fun.

unique Info-Masking technology, made from

clicks. The game has changed.

20

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

PEOPLE BEYOND THE TECH

Problem Solving Against the Clock It Takes Tenacity to Accomplish the Impossible

hours, mind you).

And then I got it. What they needed looked like shooting muffs, the double earmuffs you use at the gun range to protect your ears. There was a gun store nearby, so I called them. I bought 30 double earmuffs, and then I bought 30 earpieces from Bernie.

I got there in time and it worked. While not a perfect solution, this was a (video) shooting emergency. The director had to be able to direct the cameras; the

By Douglas Kleeger

operator and tell them what to shoot.

On the early afternoon of the first show, I got a call

production could do without having the camera operators talk back for the night. You can imagine the

M

from one of the production folks with whom I had

cost of a 60-person crew, rental equipment, etc., and

any years ago, I faced an insurmountable

previously worked. They did not get/could not get

the wasted money if they could not film that night.

task for a high-profile project. Through a

their headsets that worked with the Motorola walkie

combination of cleverness and tenacity, I

talkies. Think of what a helicopter pilot wears—big,

enabled me to accomplish this task. First and

was able to make it happen. And it all started with a

double-muff headpiece with a noise cancelling mic. If

foremost was tenacity. Second was my years of

bit part in a music video.

I remember correctly, they would not be able to get

experience in the audio/sound industry, and familiar-

them for a few days and needed me to provide them.

ity with all different types of equipment. Third was

I started my business as a sound contractor, designing, installing, servicing, and renting sound

I owned some 36 of these radios, but I did not have

There was a combination of factors here that

just my nature as an engineer, always looking to make

systems. (A shout out to Sam Ash, with whom I

the headsets. I was well connected, though, so I called

partnered with for about 15 years.) I had been working

everyone I knew, from film houses to sound guys to

for Billy Joel and his production folks putting in sound

communication distributors, with no luck. (Remem-

Whether you’re using the right cable or even the

systems at their offices and homes. That’s when they

ber, this was the 80s.) After a few hours, I checked in,

right piece of gear for what you are doing is not as

asked me to act in one of Billy’s music videos.

and they still had not found anything. I told them not

important as getting the job done. The show must go

to worry—I would get something together and be

on, as they say.

Initially, I said no but eventually acquiesced. I spent two grueling days filming, one day on a 350-foot garbage scow leaving Manhattan and the other at

there in a few hours.

something work.

When you’re in the field, you learn to be clever.

There is a difference in this world between those who survive and those who thrive. When faced with

various locations. Yes, you can see me early in the

Shot in the Dark

“The Night is Still Young” music video. When Billy

My mentor and friend, Bernie Zuch, and I discussed

it, get someone else, or keep pressing until you find a

opens a door, I swing from a crossbeam and follow

this. I rented a lot of equipment from him, including

solution? Let’s fill our industry with those who

him. Later, you can see me as a factory worker next to

the walkies I owned. He said he did have single ear

thrive—be tenacious and clever and know your trade.

a Richard Gere lookalike walking out of the factory.

earpieces that would connect to the Motorola radios

Here’s to your success!

with an adapter. Of course, this would be useless—the

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

concert would simply be too loud—but I figured there

founder of AudioVisual Consulting Services. Contact

had to be a way to make this work (in the next two

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

Let Me Do That This was near the beginning of the music video era,

an obstacle, what would you do? Say you just can’t do

and I noticed the production assistant was doing the sound. After the video, I asked him to let me handle the sound next time. After all, I had the time, the training, and the equipment.

A few weeks later, I got the call. For two nights, I shot the “Walk This Way” video (with Run DMC and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry) at the Capital Theater in New Jersey. It was my first gig running sound professionally for a music video. I spent two important days hanging out, making friends, and coming through with everything they needed. I became well known, first call for most projects coming to New York.

Fast-forward to August 1988. Pink Floyd was at New York’s Nassau Coliseum for five nights, and they were filming a movie of their release and tour, A Momentary Lapse of Reason. I was actually planning to attend one of the shows.

A recording truck had been hired for the production. I had worked on some of these large multi-camera shoots, where I would have to run as much as two miles of cabling to hard wire communication, typically Clear-Com. In this case, they used Motorola walkie talkies for communication between the cameras and the director. There were 20 cameras at least, and the director needed to talk to each camera

22

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

Back in 1988, I had to recruit these gun range shooting muffs for a different kind of shooting project.

PEOPLE NEWSMAKERS

Rep News Rep Report

Two more distributors in the PowerHouse Alliance

Industry veteran KATHY SKINSKI

introduction of multiple generations of profession-

are now carrying the

has joined INFILED as vice

ally installed audio and videoconferencing, video

BLUSTREAM product line.

president of sales for North

streaming, wireless microphone, digital signage,

PIONEER MUSIC COM-

America. Skinski has more than

and camera products. He has also authored 13

PANY services the Midwest, while 21ST CEN-

25 years of experience in the

patents, including many patents that are critical to

TURY DISTRIBUTING serves the Florida, Georgia,

technology and media industries,

ClearOne’s success.

North Carolina, and Tennessee markets.

Kathy Skinski

with roles at top media giants

including ABC, WarnerMedia, and Time Warner Cable.

RGB SPECTRUM is expanding

HP MARKETING has

Prior to joining INFiLED, she was recruited to lead the

internationally, and has

transitioned to new

broadcast, media, and virtual production unit at

appointed KEN PEFKAROS, a

ownership. Veteran vice

Planar Systems, where she established an exceptional

20-year veteran of the company,

president of sales, ANDY

track record developing new partnerships, alliances,

as a sales director for Europe. He

CONNORS, has bought

and managing the North American sales team.

out Steve Johnson,

has a wealth of experience within Ken Pefkaros

the industry, as well as expansive

long-time owner and

FIELDLINK has appointed JEFF

knowledge of the

CEO, who retired. It marks the fifth owner-

GREER as president. The firm’s

RGB Spectrum product portfolio.

ship/leadership transition in the 49-year

managing partners, Joe Rosen-

Currently based in San Francisco,

history of the company. HP Marketing

feld and Mike Schiano, helped

Pefkaros will be establishing a

represents Pioneer DJ, Perdue Acoustics,

create the role, and will report to

new office in Paris later this year.

Lowell Manufacturing, Pensar LED, König &

Greer as they work together to

The company also announced

Andy Connors

scale the rapidly growing

Bill Hildebrand

that BILL HILDEBRAND has

Meyer, DPA Microphones, and Harman

Jeff Greer

Professional. It also has developed strong

business. Most recently, in his role as vice president

come out of retirement to serve as director of sales for

distribution partnerships with Exertis

of operations for a national systems integrator that

North America. He spent nearly 14 years in sales at

Almo and ADI.

he helped grow to the $600 million dollar level,

Planar Systems, and previously held positions with

Greer was a client for FieldLink.

Gateway and Quantum Technologies.

VISION2 MARKETING WEST has expanded its partnership with HARMAN Professional to

The Board of Directors of

JENNA SILBERFELD has joined

include Las Vegas and Hawaii along with

CLEARONE appointed DEREK

PLANAR’s recently expanded

Southern California. V2 West has also added

GRAHAM as CEO in January. He

U.S. sales force as a member of

Jon Garner to its South California team, Corey

had filled the role of interim

the Metro New York Team. Based

Ferren to support efforts in Hawaii, and Jim

CEO since May 2022. Graham

in New Jersey, she will leverage

Chase to lead integration sales in the Las

joined ClearOne in 2003 as a

her professional network and

Vegas territory.

Derek Graham

lead engineer and rose through

the ranks. He has overseen the development and

Jenna Silberfeld

extensive industry experience to

help bolster the company’s presence in the region.

Grass Valley Expands Leadership Team Grass Valley has added three industry veterans to its leadership team in an effort to reinforce its accelerated business transformation. TIM BANKS has been named chief revenue officer, along with MAREK KIELCZEWSKI as chief technology officer, and JIM KIRKLAND as senior vice president global delivery and support.

With more than 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment space, most recently as vice president of sales EMEA at Grass Valley, Banks had been in the interim CRO role for about six months. Over his years at Grass Valley, Banks has established an exceptional in-region sales and pre-sales presence, and has achieved impressive rates of revenue and market share growth.

Kielczewski comes to Grass Valley with more than 20 years of industry experience in running engineering organizations in the broadcast, media, and entertainment segments. Prior to joining Grass Valley, Kielczewski co-founded TVCoins, a streaming media startup, and previously served as CTO of SeaChange, where he led the consolidation and transformation of the global R&D organization.

Kirkland brings more than 15 years of experience of senior customer-fac-

24

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

NEWSMAKERS PEOPLE

With more than a decade of experience in the AV

Based in Phoenix, MARK

potential and existing customers throughout the region

industry, Silberfeld joins Planar from Samsung,

PLAYDON is the new western

to assess their needs and provide product and system

where she served as a channel account manager for

regional sales manager for UTAH

recommendations. Playdon started his career in 1993 as

commercial displays and signage. She previously

SCIENTIFIC. He will oversee sales

a systems design and installation engineer for FOR-A.

served in sales support at Crestron.

and customer management in the

Before joining Utah Scientific, he worked as a director

Western United States and

of broadcast sales for JVCKenwood, where he managed

Canada, regularly visiting

all direct account sales west of the Mississippi.

Industry veteran JOSEPH M.

Mark Playdon

CONOVER has joined CHRISTIE as its new director of sales for live entertainment and events for the Americas. Conover comes to Christie with more Joseph M. Conover

than 30 years of experience,

most recently with Panasonic, where he led strategic development and immersive partnership efforts for North America. Based in Los Angeles, Conover will be responsible for immersive entertainment venues and live events, and will oversee the company’s rental and staging partners.

ATLONA has welcomed STEVE BOGART as business development manager for the education market in North America. His extensive AV/IT experience and sales insight will bring value to Steve Bogart

customers navigating a quickly

changing technology landscape. An important support component of his position will be the relaunch of Atlona’s educational alliance program, Ed Tech VIP, which provides financial incentives to education customers along with design assistance, evaluation gear, technical support, and more. Bogart recently had roles at HARMAN and WolfVision.

From Left: Tim Banks, Marek Kielczewski, Jim Kirkland

ing positions to his new role, having worked in service and pre-sales in Omnibus, Miranda, and Grass Valley.

“I’m delighted that Grass Valley’s leadership is strengthened by the experience and market knowledge that Tim, Marek, and Jim bring to the team. They will be pivotal in reinforcing GV’s customer-centric culture and leading our ongoing business transformation,” said Louis Hernandez Jr., CEO and executive chairman at Grass Valley.

avnetwork.com // April 2023 // SCN

25

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL COUNTERFEITING

Fake Products, Real Problems Pro AV Manufacturers Continue to Combat International Counterfeiters

By Carolyn Heinze

B

ack in December, L-Acoustics celebrated a victory.

L-Acoustics celebrated a victory last year when counterfeit products were destroyed and five individuals were convicted of counterfeiting in Guangzhou, China.

Counterfeit products are a problem for a number of

Monitoring and Mapping

reasons. In Pro AV, counterfeits don’t deliver the same

The International Trademark Association (INTA),

Headquartered in Paris, the professional

performance that both AV integrators and their clients

headquartered in New York City, focuses on supporting

audio systems manufacturer had just obtained prison

expect. They can also pose a safety threat: Faulty wiring

trademarks and complementary intellectual property.

sentences for loudspeaker counterfeiters operating in

could produce a fire hazard, for example, or a low-qual-

It has a global membership of brand owners, and its

Guangzhou, China. Five individuals were arrested for

ity rigging apparatus could cause equipment to fall on

Anti-Counterfeiting Committee is made up of 350

fabricating and selling fake L-Acoustics products. They

performers or audience members during a show. And if

members worldwide.

were found guilty of counterfeiting a registered

producers are unable to present a genuine certification

trademark and received prison sentences of up to three

of conformity for their rig during a safety inspection,

and head of INTA’s Anti-Counterfeiting Committee,

years. Chinese authorities also seized counterfeit signs,

they risk having their entire production shut down.

noted that large brands (luxury handbag manufactur-

molds, and other evidence during the arrest.

Laurent Ostojski, L-Acoustics senior legal counsel

Buyers of counterfeit products aren’t immune to

Christina Mitropoulos, director of external relations

ers, for example) have in-house teams that are

legal action as well. In most countries, owning or

dedicated to anti-counterfeiting activities. She said

and head of its Anti-Counterfeit Task Force, explained

renting fake products is illegal. “People can be sued just

smaller brands tend to outsource their anti-counter-

that this case was a bit unusual, since it was the Chinese

because they bought a pair of fake products—that’s

feiting efforts, either to a specialized law firm or a tech

authorities that alerted the manufacturer to the

something that we are not afraid to do,” said Ostojski.

provider that will monitor for counterfeiting activity

problem. In criminal cases like this, the manufacturer

“Of course, we try to focus on the counterfeiters—going

online. At L-Acoustics, production volume isn’t nearly

must coordinate with, and rely on, local authorities to

directly to the root of the problem—but we have already

as large as that of a luxury handbag brand. But as

move things forward.

acted against companies that bought fake products to

in-house senior legal counsel, Ostojski spends about 50% of his time fighting against counterfeiting.

Most times, L-Acoustics learns of potential

put them on the market. So [when it comes to] integra-

counterfeiting activity through its own monitoring

tors buying fake products, the mere fact that they own

efforts, its customers, or its global distribution network.

fake products is counterfeiting in most countries.”

While counterfeiting spans the globe, Mitropoulos said the major hubs continue to be China, APAC, and

These cases are generally handled as civil lawsuits; the

At Shure, a solid distribution network helps to curb

company has more control in civil cases because it leads

counterfeiting, explained Abby Kaplan, vice president of

the investigation. It then works with attorneys on the

global retail sales. Depending on the region, customers

“It’s been very interesting to see, with our mem-

ground to pursue legal action, if necessary.

may purchase genuine Shure products directly through

bership, how counterfeits travel from one end of the

a distributor or online through Shure or an authorized

world to the other—and the routes that they take,” she

Define ‘Win’

South Asia. Once manufactured, though, these products travel around the planet.

channel partner. “The number one thing is to setup a

said. “And because this is such a global issue, it’s very

The main goal of pursuing legal action against counter-

robust, vetted partner community of resellers and

difficult because the regulations or laws in one region

feiters, Ostojski noted, is to remove fake products from

distributors that are authorized,” she explained, “and

are different in another part of the world. Keeping up

the market and put counterfeiters out of business.

we put all of our effort into directing people to buy from

with the frameworks that are in place globally is

“Winning” a counterfeiting case is not a revenue-

those authorized sources.”

definitely a challenge.”

Kaplan conceded that the online landscape makes

Some INTA members have teams that are dedicated

“Of course, we try to get remedies because it

monitoring counterfeiting activity more complex, but

to intelligence gathering, so they can map these routes.

costs money to initiate a lawsuit, [but] most of the

Shure maintains a network of e-commerce partners

According to Mitropoulos, it’s one thing to target the

time, the money we get as a remedy is lower than the

that are authorized to sell its products. “There are some

point of counterfeit manufacturing— but engagement

money we had to invest,” Ostojski explained. A win,

[sites] around the world that are mostly the purveyors of

along the entire supply chain is important, too. This

then, is usually when the company is reimbursed for

counterfeit goods, and we try to educate [customers] to

means that organizations like INTA and their member-

its legal expenses.

beware of those types of sites,” she said.

ship must work with border officials around the world

generating exercise.

26

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

INTERNATIONAL COUNTERFEITING BUSINESS

to educate them on their role in combatting counterfeiting, especially if they’re located in a hub that’s used for the transit of counterfeit products.

Some regions have prioritized intellectual property and their own anti-counterfeiting measures over the years, but Mitropoulos said other countries continue to be less proactive. “When we are interacting and engaging with officials in [some] parts of the world, there is definitely a learning curve,” she added. “But it seems, overall, that there is a willingness to at least try to address the issue. How that actually plays out differs around the world.”

Red Flags for Pro AV Counterfeits Often, it’s possible for B2B customers and end users to determine whether the product they are procuring is a counterfeit. Here are a few common red flags to consider.

• Price. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

• Inventory quantities. Pro AV is a niche market driven by companies that, in general, manufacture high-quality products in a limited production environment.

“When you come across a company claiming that they have hundreds or even thousands of each product [in stock], there may be a problem,” observed Laurent Ostojski, senior legal counsel and head of the Anti-Counterfeit Task Force at L-Acoustics.

• Bad spelling. Many counterfeits are produced in countries where English (or the language the authentic manufacturer uses) is not the primary language. “When you look at the product, sometimes you will notice spelling mistakes,” Ostojski noted. “Genuine companies pay a lot of attention to all the product markings, especially because some of the markings we put on our products are mandatory under national laws.”

When buyers source products from authorized retailers, distributors, and online marketplaces, the need for identifying these red flags disappears, according to Abby Kaplan, vice president of global retail sales at Shure. She encourages integrators and other Shure customers sourcing Shure products to utilize its dealer locator, which is accessible through its website.

“If a customer has a question, or maybe a nagging feeling about who they’re purchasing from—maybe it’s a new source that they’ve never bought Shure from before—reach out to us,” she said. “We’re happy to let you know if it’s an authorized source or not.”

avnetwork.com // April 2023 // SCN

27

From left: Abby Kaplan, Laurent Ostojski, and Christina Mitropoulos

BUSINESS SPORTS PRODUCTION

UConn Pulls Double Duty

The new UConn control room provides coverage of two on-campus sporting events simultaneously.

New Control Room Can Produce Two Live Sporting Events Simultaneously A and B-side double control room, where you have to

One System for All

have the agility to shift which sport is coming out of

As with most college athletics operations, there is a slew

which side of the room, because there’s plenty of

of different hands in the control room for broadcast

taying ahead of the game to enhance the fan

overlap,” Mele said. “It was always anticipated that

production, including students with a range of experi-

experience is not simply about the bright-

softball and soccer would play out of one side and

ence levels. Metinteractive knew they needed to design

est lights and largest scoreboards. In today’s

hockey and baseball the other side, because there

a system that could be easily controlled by a wide variety

sports world, the latest in-venue broadcast capabilities

wouldn’t be collisions in some of those. But with the

of end users.

and audio systems are equally important.

whole COVID era and the cancellations of the season,

By Wayne Cavadi

S

The University of Connecticut is no slouch when it comes to sports. Now, with the help of design and systems integration firm Metinteractive, the Huskies

“We use a diverse group of people—students,

even up through this year, it’s caused mayhem with the

full-time staff, and even freelancers at times,”

schedule for the teams.

explained David Kaplan, assistant athletics director

“And there are unexpected conflicts in time where

of video and production services at UConn. “The

are ahead of the game technologically speaking as

you might have to run softball and soccer at the same

system is extremely user friendly for all the different

well. Metinteractive delivered AV and broadcast

time. That happened a number of times from a technol-

people we bring in.”

integration to the UConn Athletic District Develop-

ogy standpoint,” he continued. “It’s a very complex

“David Kaplan is an amazing producer, and they’ve

ment, a recent program that improved outdated

network infrastructure, and a very complex intercom

got a great assembly of cohesive people that worked on

campus sports venues.

infrastructure, because communications is clearly a key

making UConn’s games a great experience,” said Mele.

component when your control room is up to half a mile

“But there are those moments where things happen,

away from some of your venues.”

and they need assistance. And if we had to, we could

UConn in Complete Control Between the soccer and baseball stadiums is the new

The decision was made to connect the multiple

fundamentally run the whole game remotely. Most of us

Rizza Family Performance Center, which houses the

venues via fiber. According to Mele, there was no other

[at Metinteractive] have come out of live production, so

video production control room for on-campus sports.

option. “In current sports applications, I still see

we understand the gig of having to be able to turn stuff

The control room is a blend of Pro AV technology, but

mistakes happen where consultants will specify coaxial

on and hope to God it’s all going to work. And that

the centerpiece items are the Ross Carbonite switchers,

cable just for the in-house cabling, let alone going

makes us very well adapted for dealing with clients like

Ultrix router, and graphics systems, as well as the Q-SYS

building to building,” he explained. “Part of the

this, because they need somebody who’s not going say,

system for audio amplifiers and DSP. Also in the

problem with that is your distance limitation is pretty

‘Oh, we’ll have to send you a quote for that,’ or ‘We’ll

production mix are Hitachi SK-HD1200 cameras,

fierce. So, the strategy inside the buildings these days is

have somebody get back to you within two hours.’”

Clear-Com intercoms, ElationLogic control and coding

all about running fiber. As an example, the hockey

solutions (a brand also owned by Metinteractive), and

arena—bringing that online, we ran 72 strands of single

name that resides close by in Connecticut. When ESPN

HP Aruba networking.

mode back to the control room.”

wants to air a game from the UConn, there is no reason

You may be familiar with another iconic sports

What is particularly impressive about the control room is that it was designed to produce two live events simultaneously. “The two halves of the room are similar, but not 100% identical,” explained Jeff Mele, CTO, Metinteractive. “But there are separate switches, separate replay systems, separate graphics systems, separate scoring systems, all tied with a common network infrastructure and common communication system.”

Of course, a double control room designed to juggle multiple sports didn’t come without challenges. “It’s an

28

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

UConn baseball games can be easily streamed to ESPN for broadcast.

SPORTS PRODUCTION BUSINESS

for anyone to come on site. The system is designed to

some fun technologies, like systems to analyze baseball

push streaming content to ESPN, which is another

and softball players’ swings, that enhance the team

example of how easy this complex system makes things

experience as well. Metinteractive has also equipped the

on the athletics department.

new Toscano Family Ice Forum for the men’s and

Thus far, the system has been a success. Mele, who has led Metinteractive’s recent string of successful installations for Major League Baseball, offered advice

women’s hockey team with a d&b PA system, among other technological solutions.

“For us, within the last two years, we’ve put up new

for the future of gameday integrations. “Most of our

soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, and now hockey

projects this past year, we have been in control of our

venues,” said Kaplan. “Metinteractive has been

own destiny,” Mele offered. “From a network

involved in all of those from an audiovisual standpoint.

standpoint, I highly suggest that projects don’t go the

Due to their work, we’ve had some great shows and are

way of trying to converge networks with the rest of the

looking forward to build in the new arenas.”

facility—not because of a technological reason, but

Hitachi cameras are used for campus sports productions.

“During the design phase and installation, Jeff and his group were always available to us, helped

because of an aptitude reason. What goes into what we

Hometown Home Run

do from a networking perspective is far more compli-

All parties involved are happy with the installation, but

“Now that we are producing shows in the venues,

cated than what the average IT person is dealing with

even more so with the relationship built between the

they are always available and coming on site when

on a day-to-day basis. IT folks are dealing primarily

school and integrator. Especially for Mele, whose

needed. It’s been a great partnership. Sometimes

with intercommunication and security, whereas we’re

family grew up a fan of the Huskies, this project was a

installations come and the companies go. And I don’t

dealing with multicast traffic, precision time concepts

little bit more rewarding.

think it’s just because they are a Connecticut

that don’t really mean much to the typical, day-today IT person.”

While Daktronics took care of the videoboards,

“We certainly believe in all of our clients, but there will be something to be said for the hometown advantage here,” said Mele. “There’s a little extra tilt

guide us along when needed,” Kaplan explained.

company; they are willing to be there well after the installation and help in any way they can.

“I’ve talked to other people in Major League

Metinteractive amped up the acoustics on the field.

on this when you’re dealing with your own home

Baseball and hockey arenas around the country. We

According to Kaplan, the sound is “absolutely fantastic”

team—and especially being a state institution. But it’s

didn’t just hire them because they are Connecticut-

and has exceeded expectations. An EAW outdoor

all a matter of just making sure you want all your

based. We hired them for their expertise and the

speaker system pumps up the fans, but there were also

clients to have a great experience.”

value they bring after the installation.”

avnetwork.com // April 2023 // SCN

29

BUSINESS HYBRID WORKSPACES

Aviation Office Gets a Co-Pilot 22Miles App Modernizes Hybrid Employee Experience at Tampa International Airport

tenants had no desire to dilute their commitment to energy efficiency with, for example, a building-wide deployment of large-scale digital signage—but the

I

occupants needed the advantages that a strong visual

building located at Tampa International Airport

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority worked

own custom experience. Instead of a native app, they

(TPA) that’s connected to the transportation hub’s

with integrator AVI-SPL to design audio and visual

can access a browser-based HTML5 app with a simple

main terminal via a 10-minute tram ride. The

systems throughout its new office space. A key

QR code scan. Powered by the same 22Miles CMS

move represented an opportunity for TPA to create

aspect of the solution was a custom enterprise iOS

backend, the app offers a building directory with

a sleek new corporate workspace and modernize

app, Sky Reserve. Powered by the 22Miles Content

wayfinding and turn-by-turn navigation.

its employee experience with new tools to support

Management System (CMS), Sky Reserve allows

remote and hybrid work.

anyone with a TPA corporate iPhone to access their

Who, What, Where, When

digital workplace experience, whether they are

The solution has not only eased the TPA’s transition

onsite or working remotely.

to a new hybrid office, but also enabled its decision

n early 2022, the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority began the move into its new home at SkyCenter One, a luxuriously appointed office

The Aviation Authority, which operates TPA, occupies three of the building’s nine floors, a total of

communications system offers.

The Sky Reserve app can reserve a hot desk or provide turn-by-turn directions to any space in SkyCenter One.

More Than Reservations

more than 90,000 square feet of office space. Officials

AVI-SPL and 22Miles hosted a series of meetings

didn’t just intend to open a new nerve center for TPA

with hardware vendors and the client to identify the

collaboration practices on an ongoing basis. Through

at SkyCenter One; they wanted to create a modern hub

right solution for the project. “Working with 22Miles

the reporting capabilities of the integrated 22Miles

for activity-based work, with more than 280 hot

in the discovery portion of the project was just what

and Embrava systems, facility managers have a truly

desks and meeting spaces. They also wanted to

was needed for a solution to the client’s complex

accurate portrait of who is using the space, as well as

smooth the transition for TPA employees by making it

needs,” said Rebecca Criswell, account manager

how and when.

easy to navigate their new workplace, request help

for AVI-SPL. “Their experts joined us for several

from facilities, and collaborate with each other.

conversations to discuss the solutions and alterna-

improve SkyCenter One by furnishing offices and

Also, the TPA isn’t alone at SkyCenter One. The

tives, stayed right on top of dates and timelines for

meeting rooms with the systems common to the most

building houses its own conference center, as well as

completion, and became a part of our success team.”

in-demand spaces, creating more independent or

tenants ranging from real estate offices to health

The discussions resulted in a custom app combin-

makers to better assess their workplace needs and

Over time, this will allow TPA to continuously

collaborative spaces in alignment with worker

insurance providers to cybersecurity companies.

ing a space reservation solution, digital directories,

behaviors, or expanding or contracting their physical

SkyCenter One needed a solution that could guide

and integrated wayfinding. TPA employees can use

footprint in response to actual usage. The single,

visitors and contractors around the site while

the app to reserve a hot desk or meeting room, get

centralized 22Miles backend makes it easy for facility

prioritizing the security of the building’s occupants.

turn-by-turn directions to any space in the building,

managers to make changes and propagate them

and locate colleagues in real time.

instantly to all employees and visitors.

Any solution would also need to be eco-conscious.

SkyCenter One is Tampa Bay’s first LEED Platinumcertified building. The architects, owners, and

Integrations with other enterprise systems make

Sky Reserve has also positioned facility managers

the app even more valuable. With Office 365 integra-

to be more responsive and prepared in the face of an

tion, employees can verify their co-worker’s avail-

emergency or public health concern. Using the

ability, reserve a meeting space, schedule a

22Miles CMS, facility managers can disable or enable

videoconference, and send an invitation to all

a space on demand. For example, they can efficiently

participants with just a few clicks in the app. TPA

restrict bookable spaces to increase social distance,

employees can also submit maintenance requests

remove spaces from inventory to be disinfected, and

directly through the app.

perform employee contact tracing to enable anyone

Sky Reserve prioritizes both ease of use and security for TPA employees. The app uses active

AVI-SPL installed Embrava desk-booking smart sensors, which are integrated with the 22Miles Sky Reserve app.

30

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

with potential exposure to be swiftly notified.

As the new home of the Hillsborough County

directory single sign-on, giving workers access to all

Aviation Authority, SkyCenter One offers employees

resources they need from a single login. AVI-SPL also

and visitors alike the resources they need, right at

installed Embrava desk-booking smart sensors

their fingertips. Through expertly integrated enter-

throughout the TPA offices. The 22Miles CMS

prise systems, facility managers have the centralized

integrates with the Embrava system, eliminating the

ticketing, data, and administrative access to provide

need to check in or out of a reserved space manually:

exceptional support, plan for the future, and respond

As long as employees have their phones, the system

to extraordinary circumstances. This is a modern

knows they are there.

workplace built on a technological foundation that

SkyCenter One visitors such as contractors, conference delegates, or tenant customers get their

can evolve to serve its occupants’ needs for whatever comes next.

BUSINESS HYBRID WORKSPACES

peripherals connected to the device, such as cameras and speakerphones.”

Built-in tabletop enclosures can help keep cables organized while reducing wear and tear from daily use. Extron Cable Cubby enclosures, for example, can provide easy pass-through for cables, but also allows them to retract automatically with the simple push of a button, decreasing the stress caused by messy wires and cords.

Those looking to not worry about cable management can look to wireless BYOD. Many organizations are now investing in well-engineered wireless systems so participants to share content from any location, making proximity to wiring or worries about organizing them a non-issue.

BYOD systems allow meeting participants to use their personal devices to present and share information seamlessly.

With systems becoming more reliable and robust, wireless BYOD empowers organizations to think outside the box and increase connectivity within smaller or less frequently used spaces. This is useful

Bring on BYOD Meeting Spaces Simplify Content Sharing with Personal Devices

as businesses makeover traditional office spaces to support hybrid workers.

Meeting rooms may be the first thing to come to mind when discussing BYOD. Still, BYOD can easily transition into another trending topic, BYOM (bring your own meeting), where portable devices are used to participate in videconferences where remote users

By Jennifer Guhl

which can be challenging with the high usage of these spaces and limited IT staffing resources.

T

Disadvantages to not embracing BYOD include

use Unified Communications (UC) software.

“While these UC meetings often use a dedicated conference computer to run the meeting and use

he modern conference room is built on the

higher overall costs, relying on software updates, and

cameras, microphones, and speakers to communicate

ability to share content, including shared

being stuck using only specific hardware or vendors.

with the remote users,” said Joe da Silva, vice presi-

documents, videos, and slide presentations.

“Closed systems are very limiting, and the process of

dent of marketing for Extron, “there are options in

As a result, organizations are moving away from

sharing content—the steps of finding a collaborative

which a laptop or other portable device can host the

stationary proprietary presentation and conferenc-

means of communication [email, Dropbox, etc.],

UC meeting, connecting to the room’s camera and

ing systems—and embracing the BYOD (bring your

loading it onto the proper device in a closed system, and

microphone to show all the room participants to the

own device) movement.

then either instructing the guest on using the native

remote attendees.”

“In the past, where multiple contributors needed

device or controlling the sharing of content yourself—is

Extron’s MediaPort 300 or MediaPort 200 bridges

to share from their portable devices, implementation

pretty laborious,” said Simmen. “And what if your

the connection between room cameras and audio

had been clumsy at best, with USB drive file swapping

machine doesn’t have the right program to open the

systems, allowing remote users to hear everything

or cable sharing for laptop sources, and no practical

content in question? The ability of a BYOD collaborator

from the local meeting room and vice versa. “A logical

way to include content from tablets and smartphones

to call up a file on their tablet and send that content

progression will be to extend presentation and

beyond emailing files and links to the host,” said

right to a display saves time and frustration.”

collaboration spaces to incorporate both local and

Jonathon Ferry, vice president of product education and experience at Key Digital.

Making Connections

remote users for more comprehensive, efficient, and seamless collaboration,” da Silva added.

BYOD systems leverage the power and comfort of

Unless you have a wireless system, most BYOD

personal devices and give participants the freedom to

systems will need a myriad of AV connections to

Be Our Guest

present and share information seamlessly. “Think

support laptops, mobile devices, and other equip-

Classrooms and educational settings are also starting

about how many times you may have accessed your

ment. With the ability to support a wide selection of

to embrace BYOD, allowing educators to utilize

workplace apps on your smartphone, then multiply

devices, BYOD systems are configured to accommo-

personal devices to share content and enhance their

that across your organization,” offered Lauren

date various connection types.

lessons. With many educators working out of shared

Simmen, director of product marketing at Creston.

“The scope of BYOD becomes very apparent.”

Eliminating the need to be tied to a dedicated

A significant transition within BYOD spaces is

classrooms, BYOD offers the flexibility to connect

USB-C, which is growing in widespread acceptance

wirelessly to the classroom system to deliver content

and can transmit data and power through a single

through their preferred devices.

computer or transfer files, BYOD delivers an intuitive

cord. “A modern system with a USB-C connection will

solution that allows presenters to share with confi-

allow the presenter to walk in with a laptop, connect,

to have the ability to present from their devices and

dence and ease, reducing the headaches caused by

and supply power,” explained Garth Lobban, director

preferred platform. This is also a selling point for

using a fixed system and avoiding the potential

of marketing, Atlona. “It will send video and audio out

corporations hosting outside consultants, contractors,

roadblocks of stationary technology. Switching to

and receive video in. For example, a presenter that

and salespeople. “The ability to share and work together

BYOD systems can also reduce the overall expense of

walks into a room designed with an Atlona AT-OME-

on those digital assets that the guest has brought into

maintaining and updating dedicated computers,

MS42 system can immediately take control of any USB

the building—with as little friction as possible—makes

32

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

BYOD also allows guest speakers, or even students,

HYBRID WORKSPACES BUSINESS From left, Lauren Simmen, Jason Pavao, Joe da Silva, Jonathon Ferry, and Garth Lobban

the internet, making wireless systems more of a concern. Risk can be mitigated using technology like Extron’s ShareLink Pro wireless presentation system, which can encrypt content or require an access code to connect securely to display and for a terrific experience,” said Simmen.

Laptops are still the leading technology used in BYOD. Still, as systems continue to evolve, mobile devices will play a more vital role as smartphones can

grade conferencing cameras and audio systems through the user’s device, creating a comprehensive, all-in-one conferencing solution.

For those that don’t want to be confined to the four

share content.

IT departments must implement plans and policies to control user access within these open systems, helping to keep user data and information

support major codecs and connect wirelessly. Jason

walls of a meeting room or classroom, BYOD will

safe. “Unless IT departments ensure that personal

Pavao, field sales engineer with Yamaha Unified

genuinely allow them to reimagine what it is to meet.

connections cannot interface with the corporate

Communications, envisions major players like Teams

“Now that hybrid work is the new normal, different

network, employees logging into their personal

and Zoom incorporating value-added services like

types of meeting spaces are beginning to emerge,” said

e-shopping accounts or emails can be at risk for stolen

real-time document editing and sharing. “It is not

Simmen. “Areas like lounges or casual sitting areas are

information,” explained Pavao.

enough to just have the platform for connectivity,” he

now commonly used as meeting points. BYOD can bring

said. “By leveraging the cloud, platforms will enable

the meeting to those spaces where dedicated confer-

enterprise logins may be the more sensible option

true collaboration.”

encing solutions aren’t always feasible.”

for organizations where security is paramount, or

Integrators are also starting to incorporate new

A dedicated presentation computer with

the average user does not have personal devices.

technology coming to market that capitalizes on

Secure Entry

wireless USB connectivity, including USB-enabled

Traditional wired BYOD systems that connect solely

computer and BYOD connections, or making some

mics, speakers, and webcams. This increases the

to a local display system are innately secure unless

rooms BYOD and others native are options many

spaces’ ability to connect directly to professional-

the presenter connects the local network or LAN to

companies are considering.

Hybrid options, outfitting spaces with a dedicated

TECHNOLOGY OUTDOOR SIGNAGE

View from the Top TK Elevator Lights Up Atlanta HQ with LED Mesh Display

By Michael Silbergleid

brought us in to support the project, which included the lobby showroom in the main building and the

I

mesh LEDs on the three sides of the building.” f you want to make a statement—a big, bold, and bright statement—there’s probably no

Let’s Hang

better way than placing a large LED display on a

“It’s just so large,” said DeYoung. “From a resolution

part of your building. That’s exactly what TK Eleva-

perspective, there’s not that many LEDs, just a few

tor (TKE) did for its new headquarters in Atlanta,

hundred thousand, but it’s visible all the time. The

which opened in February 2022 and features an eye-

scale was massive and it was complicated. It was a

catching LED mesh display on the tallest elevator

team effort of vision and functionality that was really

test tower in North America.

an engineering project.”

“TK Elevator chose our unique location in The

Put simply, the mesh was mounted inside the

Battery Atlanta in order to raise brand awareness

glazing by Atlanta Rigging Systems and hosted

and also to make our home in a vibrant commu-

structurally by the curtain wall mullions, the slender

nity,” said Sasha Bailey, TKE senior director,

vertical members that form the division between the

communication, North America. “Once the site was

windows. But it’s actually a bit more complex than

chosen, we worked on ways to maximize our

that.

exposure, and the LED mesh became a focal point

“There are 18 different assemblies, including nine

within our project team, which included global

different LED bar widths ranging from 460-1,340mm

architecture and design powerhouse Gensler.”

and two different heights for each width, with

Let Me See

assemblies that are 9-bars and 11-bars per assembly,” explained Doug Dieringer, director of engineer-

The massive project came together in five months.

ing for XTG. “The LED spacing on each bar is 20mm,

The basic idea was a digital display that could be seen

with bar spacing of 75mm. The input resolution of

from outside of the building but would not disturb

1682x1669 is squeezed 1:3.75 for a virtual resolution of

those working inside. It's the same concept as mesh

1682x445 in order to appear in the correct aspect ratio

banner advertising placed over bus windows, which

when played back on the building and mullion gaps,

displays messages outside the vehicle while allowing

as they represent gaps in the content requiring offsets

passengers to see outside the windows.

at each daylight opening, which are the individual

According to Kurt DeYoung, chief revenue officer

panes of glass. The ‘TKE Grid’ shows the input

for Nanolumens, the Brand Design division of Gensler

template with blue lines filling missing pixels at the

Architecture collaborated with Nanolumens to outfit

mullion gaps.”

TKE’s new 420-foot Innovation and Qualification

Of course, once something is put in place, you

Center (IQC) with an LED mesh canvas that displays

have to be able to maintain it. Each assembly has

the TKE logo, brand messaging, and animations. TKE

removable—pin hinges on both sides, so they can

tests its new elevator technologies in the IQC using 18

swing out from the glass from either side or be

elevator test towers.

removed completely by removing all four hinge pins.

“At 420 feet, the IQC and test tower is the tallest building in Cobb County, so it is very visible,” said

Dieringer said this allows for unfettered access to the curtain wall glass for biennial cleaning.

Bailey. “Factor that with one of TK Elevator’s key principles—transparency—and it became a winning idea with an eight-story blank canvas to tell our story and be part of our community.”

The display is built from 11,000 square feet of Nanolumens CLRVU LED mesh installed on the interior of the IQC building, directly behind the glass windows. To assemble the IP65-rated display, TKE brought in AVI-SPL’s Experience Technology Group (XTG), which was formed as a business by AVI-SPL in January 2022.

“Everyone realized that this was going to be a complex project,” said Julian Phillips, senior vice president and managing director for the XTG. “While Nanolumens was engaged by the design firm, TKE

34

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

From left: Julian Philips, Doug Dieringer, and Kurt DeYoung

The TKE tower’s LED mesh display can display brand messaging and other content.

OUTDOOR SIGNAGE TECHNOLOGY

During the project’s concept design phase, Nanolumens’ Special Projects Group (SPG) made several

system will automatically fallback.”

High-end displays aren’t only visible outside the

modifications so the mesh control boxes and cable runs

building at TKE. Other smaller Nanolumens LED

would become part of the architecture and not be

installations include a video wall at the mezzanine

visible. Traditionally, each section of mesh has 20 LED

level that overlooks the elevator shaft and the city,

bars with power and data running through it. The SPG

with a pair of displays and a BrightSign player, plus

reconstructed the CLRVU display to sister up with the

displays in three conference rooms.

window mullions and hide the power distribution alongside the bars to be more aesthetically pleasing.

Content Creation

The showroom in the lobby is intended for lobby visitors and those having a meeting with TKE, who can take them into a specific area of the showroom or on a full or partial tour. “It’s a mix of analog and

“TKE has a full-time content creator on staff to help us

digital, like a museum showing the workflow of

manage not only the LED mesh content, but also the

mechanical devices,” DeYoung explained. “A

digital experience in our visitor showroom on the first

Crestron controller handles how the scale models

floor of the facility,” said Bailey. “The tower imagery

work, with a Navori Labs CMS system feeding content

changes depending on the timely and relevant content

to another BrightSign system. Content is in a loop but

that we can provide. For instance, recently we added a

has cut-in ability from touch enabled monitors.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Day recognition to our playlist.”

There are six segments in the showroom, each

The master control room is located at the top of

featuring a different part of TKE’s activities, such as

the mesh on the 24th floor, with show control for the

construction, modernization, and maintenance.

mesh handled by TouchDesigner with a BrightSign

“One segment has a Nanolumens display with

failover. “If the Seneca PC running TouchDesigner

L-Acoustics immersive sound,” Dieringer noted,

does not respond, the system will automatically

“while some segments are as simple as a large

failover to BrightSign, which has the content,” said

format monitor with a touchscreen controller below

DeYoung. “When the Seneca PC is back online, the

or just a touchscreen monitor.”

AVI-SPL's Experience Technology Group and Atlanta Rigging Systems worked to make sure that the mounting points for the CRLVU LED mesh were correct.

avnetwork.com // April 2023 // SCN

35

TECHNOLOGY KVM SYSTEMS

Classic KVM vs.

KVM-over-IP Which Option Is Better for Your Installation?

By Jon Litt

D

eeply rooted in the Pro AV industry, KVM systems provide an ideal basis for the flexible, distributed switching of computer

Classic KVM systems have dedicated cabling and fully secure access.

signals. They are used very successfully in control rooms and numerous other areas. For years, AV and IT applications have been merging more and more.

KVM systems offer an excellent basis for operating various heterogeneous systems on a homogeneous user platform and thus gradually become the backbone of the entire IT infrastructure.

Generally, we distinguish between classic KVM

One of the most important requirements for every

pixel-perfect compression offer users significant

KVM transmission, whether classic or over IP, is the

advantages and a much better visual result compared

video quality. The transmission of video signals must

to other “visually lossless” compression methods.

systems and KVM-over-IP. The distinguishing

be pixel-perfect and as latency-free as possible, with

criterion is the choice of transmission technology.

high performance and without sharpness reduction.

IP-Based System Basics

Are the signals transmitted directly, dedicated

The most important difference between the

IP-based KVM systems have been gaining in impor-

(proprietary) between the modules, or would you like

various classic systems lies in the video transmission.

tance for years. Many AV applications benefit greatly

to use an existing network for this purpose? And what

Some systems transmit the available information

from the use of IP. Using existing cabling, switches,

technology is the better choice for your application?

precisely and in real time. Here, transmission takes

and routers not only saves costs, but also provides

What are the differences, benefits, and challenges,

place uncompressed. Uncompressed KVM extender

operators and administrators with flexibility and ease

and what should you be looking for when choosing a

systems work as a kind of transparent intermediary

of use. Almost all components are plug-and-play

KVM system for your project?

between computer and workplace: Incoming infor-

devices, making it even easier and more comfortable

mation is output unaltered at the other end.

to install and operate the system.

With KVM systems, computers can be removed from the operators’ working environment, such as a

Uncompressing systems require a high bandwidth

In addition, IP networks are becoming more and

control room, and housed in access-protected and

to transmit the incoming video signals from the

more powerful. Control rooms designing their

air-conditioned areas. From the equipment room,

computer’s graphics card to the monitor. Transmis-

network infrastructure for 10 Gbit, 40 Gbit, or even

fiber optics, CAT cables, or IP structures extend the

sion is precise, transparent, and absolutely lossless.

100 Gbit bandwidth are no longer an exception. This

computer signals back to the workplace.

However, a higher video resolution also requires a

means there is usually sufficient bandwidth to easily

higher bandwidth, which in turn can only be provided

scale IT installations and implement them over IP.

KVM also allows users to be separated from each other by enabling them to work on other premises, while still getting full access to all the systems they

by a more powerful, more expensive system.

Classic, compressing KVM systems guarantee very

Transmission is compressed and IP-based over Ethernet networks. For existing infrastructures with a

need. Thanks to KVM, operators have uniform access

high video quality thanks to their video compression,

smaller bandwidth, several KVM devices can be

to the most diverse systems.

but also offer numerous other advantages. By com-

bundled, depending on the application requirements.

pressing video signals, the systems require a lower

Here, the bandwidth per route can be reduced to

bandwidth and allow for more cost-effective compo-

approximately 300-500 Mbit. So, even a network with

The most important difference between classic KVM

nents. In addition, the matrix compatibility makes it

limited uplinks based on 1 Gbit can be sufficient to

and KVM-over-IP is the type of connection technology.

easy to expand the systems quickly and easily at a later

operate small KVM installations over IP.

Classic KVM uses dedicated cabling, meaning that a

point. Due to the usually simpler cabling, they are

dedicated network is usually set up for these systems.

often also more flexible in their application.

The Video Signal

This way, the available bandwidth can be optimally

Especially in control rooms where uncompromis-

Another advantage of IP-supported structures are duplex-capable IP networks. Therefore, the cabling can be used in both directions when transmitting KVM

utilized without other network-capable devices taking

ing image quality, pixel perfection, and latency-free

packets. This provides further flexibility, so cabling can

up bandwidth for themselves. Operators benefit from

operation are essential, uncompressed systems or a

be saved in cross-building installations, for example.

optimum performance combined with the best possible image quality and a perfect user experience.

Plus, thanks to the standard connection technology, already existing in-house cabling can often still be used or even extended. Classic KVM systems also ensure fully secure access because of the complete control of the transmission medium.

36

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

Whether you use KVM-over-IP or classic KVM, systems must be adaptable and scalable to ensure a safe investment for the future.

KVM SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

KVM-over-IP enables flexible, reliable, and highly secure infrastructures.

Security Concerns

use of VPN, VLANs, and secure encryption is neces-

systems must be adaptable and scalable to ensure a

Especially with KVM-over-IP, the issue of security is

sary to avoid unauthorized access. Here, input data,

safe investment for the future. Only in this way they

essential. Access to a network from the outside via the

primarily from keystrokes (such as logins and

can adapt to changing conditions and be expanded as

internet or, even easier, from the inside poses a risk.

passwords), is critical. Secure encryption and

the system architecture grows.

Using the appropriate software or operating systems,

regularly exchanging the security key at the shortest

KVM-over-IP offers many opportunities to

it is possible to scan the entire internal network for

possible intervals so that it cannot be read out over

organize work and workflows in a resource-saving

security holes.

time are absolutely essential.

and cost-efficient way. The technology enables

Usually, such an attack is targeted at the weakest

flexible, reliable, and highly secure infrastructures,

link in the chain. These can be so-called “man-in-the-

Make Your Choice

middle” attacks, for example, where the entire network

KVM-over-IP provides an optimal basis for flexible,

traffic is forwarded to a third party. Therefore, separat-

distributed switching of computer signals, and

ing and segmenting networks is an important tool to

facilitates the spatial separation between users and

one or the other, because each project is based on

protect the actual application from cyberattacks.

servers. It also allows users to be separated from each

individual requirements and framework conditions.

In KVM-over-IP systems, keyboard and mouse

creating user-friendly systems that are intuitive to use and easily scalable as needed.

It is simply not possible to generally recommend

other by enabling them to easily work in other

Classic KVM has its own advantages and is still a good

data, as well as audio and video data, must also be

locations, while still giving them full access to all the

choice for many projects. But depending on the

encrypted to prevent unauthorized users from

systems they need. Thus, operators can use KVM

application, it may be worth comparing classic KVM

tapping data transmissions and thus gaining access to

technology to access their remote computers and

systems with KVM-over-IP.

internal information.

work in real time and at full performance.

Jon Litt is the managing director of G&D

Especially for system-critical applications, the

Whether you use KVM-over-IP or classic KVM,

North America.

avnetwork.com // April 2023 // SCN

37

TECHNOLOGY PRODUCT REVIEW

Follow the Leader New JVC PTZ 4K Streaming Camera Includes SMART Auto-Tracking

By Chuck Gloman

I

n the video realm, 4K cameras have replaced most of the 1080p cameras. Now, if you need a camera for the conference room, classroom,

church, or webcasting, JVC jumps out front with its

JVC’s KY-PZ510 4K PTZ camera features SMART Auto Tracking, which recognizes and follows the subject.

remote KY-PZ510 camera.

Behind the 12x optical zoom (3.4-41.6mm) f/1.8 -F3.7 lens is a 1/2.8-inch CMOS 8.4-megapixel low-light sensor offering a 4x, 8x, and 16x digital zoom, with shutter speeds ranging from 1/601/10,000 of a second. You can white balance the camera manually or automatically, and the 3D digital noise reduction will clean up potentially grainy images. The camera boasts an 80-degree field of view, which is plenty wide for a most applications.

You have three options in compression: H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and Motion JPEG. The KY-PZ510 allows streaming in UHD, HD, and SD at 1-60fps. The video

white, also ships with an infrared remote control,

For PC users, it’s basically plug and play. End

bit rate ranges from 32 Kbps to 60 Mbps, and the AAC

ceiling mounting bracket, AC power adapter, and an

users need almost no training: If you can use a remote

audio bit rate is 96 and 128 Kbps.

RS-232C cable. Once activated, the camera transmits

or plug in a USB or Ethernet cable, you can handle the

At the top of the JVC KY-PZ510 camera is a large

NDI, SRT, RTMPS, and RTSP protocols using IP video

basic operation of the KY-PZ510.

tally lamp. From left to right on the front is a built-in

streams. You can change the camera’s positioning

The most advanced feature is the SMART Auto

microphone, green standby lamp, informational

with the remote control or from the web interface.

Tracking, which recognizes and follows a subject. You

display, power lamp, and another microphone. The

use the remote to choose the person of interest. The

left and right of the base unit houses vents for the

In Your Sights

internal fan. Between the restore/reset and power

The JVC KY-PZ510 camera may be used as a UVC USB

camera to follow. It will not follow multiple people,

switches on the rear panel is a line of terminals:

camera when connected to a computer via a USB 2.0

so choose wisely.

HDMI and 3G-SDI outputs, mini 1/8-inch Line In,

port or as a streaming camera. In both configura-

RS-485, USB-C, RS-232 I/O, LAN (PoE+), and DC 12V

tions, you have a choice between HDMI or SDI live

the camera to follow me as I moved around the TV

power supply input.

video output to connect to a monitor, video switch, or

studio and demonstrated equipment during the

other equipment.

lecture. Using the KY-PZ510 camera for the first time,

The KY-PZ510, which is available in black or

catch is that you can select only one person for the

While teaching a class live and on Zoom, I wanted

The rear panel of the KY-PZ510 provides numerous connectivity options.

38

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

PRODUCT REVIEW TECHNOLOGY

I plugged in the included AC adapter and wanted to

video and sound so easily with just an internet connec-

candidate was required to teach a class on campus.

attach a USB cable (not included) from the camera to

tion. Using the KY-PZ510 PTZ is an easy way to stream to

When I recorded one candidate lecture, the camera

the Mac desktop computer in the classroom. Unfor-

Facebook, YouTube, or almost anywhere.

flawlessly tracked her movements as she taught—and

tunately, the Mac only has Thunderbolt interfaces—

Right before I packed up the KY-PZ510 to ship back

using the remote, I was able to zoom in or out as needed.

and even though it has a USB-C port, the camera

to JVC, I had one final opportunity to test it. Our

The candidate did not get hired, but the camera passed

needs a USB-A connection to the computer. Thank-

department was doing a faculty search, and each

with flying colors.

fully, my Windows 10 HP PC (and its USB-A ports) provided an easy solution. (Note, JVC let me know later that an USB-C to USB-A adapter will work on the Mac.) I also used the camera’s HDMI port to connect to a flatscreen monitor in the classroom, and it brought out the true majesty of the camera’s 4K resolution. I have never seen such detail in a PTZ camera.

Watch Your Bits I believe most users will prefer using the JVC KY-PZ510 as a streaming camera, either 4K or at a lower resolution. In the past, I’ve tried to use a PTZ camera on our university’s network, but the firewall had always prevented it. While I appreciate the university’s aggressive blocking, I really wanted to test the camera’s streaming capabilities, so I took it home.

The first step is to connect to your network via an Ethernet cable. Turn the camera on and it begins its “opening dance,” where the KY-PZ510 pivots, tilts, and turns as it goes through its startup procedure. The network IP address is then displayed in blue letters as it scrolls across the screen beneath the camera. Type that address into Google Chrome and you’ll be rewarded with the camera’s GUI. From here, you can configure the camera to send a video stream to your distribution platform (YouTube, Facebook, etc.).

If you’re a Mac user, you’ll also need to use Google Chrome. Thanks again to JVC’s Dwayne Kersey, as he gave me access to the JVC SRT Portal to test my camera’s SRT feed. Entering the SRT Portal’s IP address and the other relevant parameters into their GUI, the camera video stream was recognized and I was in business. If I had a PC at home, the whole process would have been easier.

The image appeared on JVC’s SRT Portal, but the video was choppy and pixelated. Not a problem—I changed the bit rate to one that was suitable for the available bandwidth (my home internet upload speeds don’t match the university), and the video appeared as it should with only a slight lag. By lowering the resolution slightly from UHD, I had my streaming video.

Pass the Test In the old days (and they weren’t that long ago), a camera operator would have to follow the action of the speaker. With the KY-PZ510’s PTZ controls and tracking capabilities, you have the perfect “smart” camera. The KY-PZ510’s remote control is helpful with its zooming ability—you now can easily show in close-up what you’re discussing without moving the object closer or farther away from your computer’s fixed camera.

It still amazes me that you can stream high-quality

avnetwork.com // April 2023 // SCN

39

TECHNOLOGY NEW PRODUCTS

JVC NDI-Compatible HC500 Cameras

Vanco International EVSP8K22

switch or locally should the switch not support PoE++. The

The first 8K distribution product from Vanco’s

capabilities. Other features include support for combined

Evolution line, the EVSP8K22 Evolution 8K HDMI 2x2

or independent LAN and Dante connections, DSP with a 31

switching splitter has two HDMI inputs and two

band EQ, audio delay for lip sync correction, and control via

HDMI outputs. Users can split one source at a time to

front panel, IR, RS-232, TCP/IP, web GUI, or 12V trigger.

two displays, and switch between sources using the

unit can lower the amplifier power output subject to PoE

front panel button or included IR remote. The

Sony SRG-A40 and SRG-A12

JVC has introduced its first NDI-compatible broadcast

EVSP8K22 supports video resolutions up to 8K@60Hz

Sony has added to

cameras, the GY-HC500UN, GY-HC550UN, and

and 4K@120Hz over four channels of 10Gbps FRL for

its PTZ camera

GY-HC500SPCN. The NDI-compatible versions

40Gbps bandwidth. The EVSP8K22 was designed to

lineup with two

ensure that facilities can seamlessly incorporate the

allow signal switching and splitting while preserving

new 4K models

cameras within their existing IP infrastructure for live

advanced video functionality. It supports optional

with built-in AI

video with tally and IP remote control capability.

HDMI features required to deliver high-performance

analytics. The

Current HC500 Series users can also have their

graphics from real-time sources such as gaming

SRG-A40 and

cameras upgraded by JVC to implement the new NDI

consoles and computers, and supports a wide range of

SRG-A12 automati-

capabilities. All HC500 Series cameras feature a

HDR formats. The compact design and easy installa-

cally (and consistently) track and naturally frame

one-inch 4K CMOS imager and integrated 20x zoom

tion make the EVSP8K22 a flexible solution for a

presenters, regardless of movement or posture, for

lens with built-in ND filters and manual zoom, plus

variety of projects including gaming, videoconferenc-

seamless content creation and control. The new PTZ

focus and iris control rings. Additional features

ing, education, and more.

Auto Framing technology features automatic opera-

include a high-resolution LCD screen for menu

tion for quick object tracking and rediscovery, as well

SSD recording, and built-in streaming and connectiv-

Snap One Strong In-Cabinet Slide Out Racks

ity options. The GY-HC500SPCN model includes the

The new Strong

support 4K 30p and Full HD 60p. The SRG-A40 offers

unique ability to provide sports graphic overlay with

In-Cabinet Slide Out

Clear Image Zoom technology, which digitally doubles

real-time updates via the Sportzcast/Genius Sports

Racks simplify access

the optical zoom, while the SRG-A12 provides up to

SCORELINK devices.

with a revamped design

12x zoom. Both cameras offer 3G-SDI, HDMI, and IP

that’s more space-

connectivity (NDI|HX through optional license), plus

conscious and doesn’t

PoE++, RTSP support for remote viewing, and SRT for

require sacrificing rack

stable video streaming.

navigation, LCOS viewfinder, dual XLR inputs, 3G-SDI and HDMI video outputs, M.2 drive slot for external

space for a slider base. The wide range of sizes (from

ClearOne CHAT 150 BT

as multiple framing options. A tally light helps users easily identify which camera is actively in use. Both cameras feature the Exmor R CMOS sensor and

8-42 RU) makes these racks easy to integrate into any

LEA Professional Sharkware

room and project, while the 300-pound capacity and

Developed in part based on integrator and customer

premium steel hardware of each model guarantees

feedback, Sharkware is LEA Professional’s first

long-term performance. Each model features a slide

application software. Sharkware allows integrators to

out with locking 180-degree rotation, and both the

work both in offline design and online mode on a

slide and rotation can be unlocked using convenient

systems amplification configuration to ensure a more

With simple, instant connection to personal

foot pedals that enable single-person operation. The

seamless, accessible, and flexible user experience

computers, mobile devices, or Bluetooth-enabled

rotation can be locked into three different positions for

with all LEA Professional Connect Series amplifiers.

desk phones, the CHAT 150 BT group speakerphone

optimal accessibility. Strong is also focused on

Free to download and available for both Windows and

provides users with an affordable way to upgrade

convenience and flexibility with the optional rack top,

Mac, Sharkware includes amplifier grouping, offline

home offices, executive offices, and mid-size

adding pre-cut knockouts on top for cable entries, and

design, granular user access control levels, locked

meeting rooms with BYOD convenience and superior

ensuring that all cable management channels are easy

speaker tunings, and a graphical EQ. It also incorpo-

audio clarity for audio conferences and video

to access and provide a clean, sleek appearance.

rates key features from LEA Professional’s existing

meetings. Featuring a steerable microphone array

Web UI tool, allowing users to monitor the status of

with first-mic priority, the CHAT 150 BT speaker-

every amplifier connected to the network as well as

phone intelligently activates the microphone closest

the status and performance of individual channels. In

to the person speaking, reducing interference from

addition, Sharkware allows users to view and adjust

ambient noise. Other features include Full Duplex

channel settings such as input settings, load moni-

Distributed Echo Cancellation, advanced noise

toring, and more for all LEA Professional Connect

cancellation, and automatic level control algorithms to ensure highly intelligible, natural audio capture

Blustream NPA70DA

and playback. It also supports NFC tap-to-pair and

With a 2x35W digital amplifier (1x70W mono) or 70V/100V

includes a wired USB connection for broad device

high-level constant voltage output and Dante audio

compatibility. The CHAT 150 BT weighs just over one

integration, the NPA70DA networked audio zone

pound and works with popular collaboration

amplifier delivers advanced audio integration within a

platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, WebEx,

commercial or residential AV installation. The NPA70DA

Google Meet, and others.

can be powered via PoE++ from a compatible network

40

SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

Series amplifiers.

NEW PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY

PPDS Philips Tableaux No plug? No problem. The full-size and full-color Philips Tableaux advanced color ePaper (ACeP) signage displays can deliver 24/7 vivid content while running entirely unplugged. Available in 25-inch 16:9 and 28-inch 32:9 stretched variants at launch, Philips Tableaux displays are an energy-saving solution for

Studio Technologies Model 545DC and Model 545DR

businesses looking to digitize paper-based signage, delivering messaging such as store hours, menus, or

The new Model 545DC and Model 545DR intercom interfaces allow users to utilize analog partyline (PL)

promotions. Perfect for any environment, including in spaces with limited or no access to power sources, the

intercom circuits with Dante Audio-over-Ethernet

NewTek Flex

(AoE) applications. A PoE Ethernet connection is all

With the Flex control panel, operators can take direct

electricity source when content is being updated, and

that’s required to make either unit part of a sophis-

control of PTZ devices, audio connections, audio and

immediately revert to zero power upon completion.

ticated, networked audio system. The Model 545DC

video mixing, and talkback—all connected with NDI.

Content updates can be managed manually or remotely

supports two single-channel PL intercom circuits

With these controls built directly into the panel, it

using PPDS in-house or third-party professional

and is directly compatible with Clear-Com single-

significantly reduces the margin for error. With the

display control and management platforms.

channel analog PL products. The Model 545DR

addition of audio I/O, Flex instantly expands the

offers one two-channel interface and works directly

on-board I/O of any TriCaster, with the option to add

with the RTS TW series of two-channel analog

external sources directly to the NDI ecosystem. For

intercom circuits. Both can interconnect with

years, operators have been physically tethered to

Dante-supported devices such as matrix intercom

video switchers with fixed cable runs and complex

systems, digital audio processors, and audio con-

setups. Flex simply connects to a network with

soles. The interfaces are also compatible with Studio

NDI and can have control of any video switcher on

Technologies’ line of Dante-enabled user belt packs,

that network, giving operators production freedom.

intercom stations, and intercom audio engines. Both

Not only can the panel connect to any switcher on a

units are housed in durable, lightweight aluminum

network by using NDI, Flex also offers operators all

1/2 RU enclosures for desk or tabletop use, but

they need for distributed productions by working with

optional rack mounting kits are available.

all current TriCaster models.

INSTALLATION PRODUCTS

FLYPACKS & ROAD CASES

Tableaux range only requires connection to an

FIBER CABLES

MODULAR FLOOR BOXES

FURNITURE

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VIEWPOINT

Welcome to the AV Renaissance Today’s Innovations Are Changing Communications Forever Artistic Expression

By Jennifer Goodyer

T

industry’s manufacturers and engineers could be the patrons of this era, stepping up to the plate to support and assist the growing need for AV innovations for art, culture, and enterprise.

Practical Applications When advancements in technology positively affect the ease of communication, it crosses over to all aspects of our everyday life. Creativity and the art movement aside, the AV industry stepping up to

However, it wasn’t all just business and solutions.

provide the technological solutions required to

Although the access to mass communication and

meet the demands of distance communication,

he recent high demand and widespread

education was made possible by paper, the true

work collaboration, and education is what truly

integration of AV technology in our every-

historic and cultural impact from the Renaissance

makes the industry worthy of the recognition of

day lives grants me permission to declare

was through artistic expression.

sparking an AV Renaissance.

that we are officially living in the exciting era of

With isolation and seclusion, creativity and

In education, when colleges needed micro-

an AV Renaissance. Just like the more widely

exploration were booming in the AV art world. From

phones and cameras in classrooms to ensure

recognized European Renaissance beginning in the

drone art shows to immersive experiences to virtual

distance learning students were participants, not

14th century, its creation was a consequence of a

museum walk-throughs, AV made art appreciation

just observers, the AV industry had solutions to

pandemic coinciding with revolutionary innova-

at a distance possible. AV artistry and popularity

support these efforts. Although distance learning

tions in technology.

grew during the pandemic, creating immersive

has been around for decades, the transition from

works meant to be felt in real time that were only

optional to absolute necessity for all levels of

resources of the time, the European Renaissance

possible because of the advancements in technology

education, even K-12, allowed the AV industry

came to an end, making room for the Reformation

within our field.

to deliver the “printing press” technologies

Hindered by the limitations inherent to the

and Enlightenment movements. But with the

When society was ready to reopen, it truly felt as

that would change the way future generations

nature of the ever-evolving technology linked to

if there was a rebirth to our art world. Now, the

our current AV Renaissance, I don’t see an end in

innovation and societal recognition of AV art seems

sight for our industry.

to be at an all-time high.

Isolation Breeds Creativity

the great art patrons of the time, such as the Medici

were no longer adequate. Thanks to the technologi-

A pandemic strong enough to affect the social, eco-

family. It’s not too much of a stretch to think our

cal advancements and scientific discoveries of the

The European Renaissance is synonymous with

access education.

Regarding religion, historians noted that the Renaissance caused a societal reflection on these institutions, revealing that the ways of the past

nomic, and cultural aspects of a society seems to

time, they were able to change and advance

be a vital ingredient to create a Renaissance

religious structures and systems. Similarly,

movement. Although we are fortunate to have

although many houses of worship took

modern medicine—so we didn’t experience the

advantage of streaming and broadcasting their

same population loss we would have in the

message before the pandemic, it became no

medieval times of the European Renaissance—the

longer a choice but a requirement during

requirement to isolate, quarantine, and distance

lockdown and social distancing.

ourselves from others seems to be the match that

What makes a Renaissance so monumental

lights the fire of creativity and innovation.

is how the movement can change our way of life

Also, during the Renaissance, the invention

as we know it even centuries into the future.

of paper and advancements in technology made

Although many companies are now welcoming

it possible for education to reach more of the

back their employees to the office, many

population than ever before and open the world

companies have either switched completely

of communication. These two factors seem

over to remote work or are testing hybrid

prevalent in our current age, with businesses

arrangements. Previously, many of these

and institutions having to close their doors and

companies never had the infrastructure to

pivot to remote work and distance learning.

support working from home in any form.

It may not have been as revolutionary as the

However, because of the substantial invest-

invention of paper, but the adoption and

ments companies made in the proper AV

integration of AV solutions in more homes and

technologies, effective and efficient operational

workplaces has advanced mass communication

business infrastructures have been adopted.

to a new level. AV manufacturers and install

In short, much of the world used to view AV products as a nice-to-have commodity to

“Necessity is the mother of invention,” when

possibly help make their lives easier or more

they began rapidly deploying AV products and

entertaining. The pandemic has ushered in an

solutions to battle the challenges of quarantine,

AV Renaissance, and it is changing the way we

remote work, and distance learning. Advance-

live forever.

ments in unified communication technology made AV not only accessible but necessary.

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SCN // April 2023 // avnetwork.com

EVA GARIS

engineers successfully verified the old saying,

Jennifer Goodyer is a sales manager at RT Sales and founding board member of WAVIT.