Systems Contractor News - October 2023

YOUR INSIDER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS

®

DRINK UP, LISTEN UP New Audio at Maker’s Mark Distillery Goes Down Smooth AVNETWORK.COM

OCTOBER 2023

20 Executive Q&A

Maile Keone celebrates 25 years of Listen Technologies.

30 More Than Immersive Marc Lopez shows how spatial audio systems enhance experiences.

42 Viewpoint

20

30

42

Nick Mathis talks video walls for command centers.

BETTER DECISIONS, FASTERTM

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

9000

YOUR INSIDER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS

®

DRINK UP, LISTEN UP New Audio at Maker’s Mark Distillery Goes Down Smooth AVNETWORK.COM

OCTOBER 2023

20 Executive Q&A

Maile Keone celebrates 25 years of Listen Technologies.

30 More Than Immersive Marc Lopez shows how spatial audio systems enhance experiences.

42 Viewpoint

20

30

42

Nick Mathis talks video walls for command centers.

BETTER DECISIONS, FASTERTM

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

CONTENTS

26

Drink Up, Listen Up A new AV system at the

Maker's Mark Distillery is improving tours, employee areas, and more.

By Carolyn Heinze

People 18 Executive Q&A

32

President Dave Malekpour reflects on 30 years of Pro Audio Design.

By Mark J. Pescatore

20 Executive Q&A Listen Technologies president and CEO Maile Keone emphasizes inclusion through audio.

By Mark J. Pescatore

Business

38

24 Who Needs the Front Row? A trio of video walls helps dress up the FastBreak sports bar at the Hilton Orlando.

By James Careless

28 All Clear on Campus Tampa’s Berkeley Preparatory School has upgraded to a new Sennheiser wireless system.

Technology

32 Voices Carry Beamforming technology helps everyone be heard.

By Ken Platz and Brent Shumard

34 Hybrid and Hands-Free Speakerphones offer versatility for today’s workforce.

By Wayne Cavadi

30 More Than Immersive

38 Office Chatter Clarity

Spatial audio systems can deliver better experiences

Jabra’s new Speak2 55 offers great features for

for live audiences.

communicating on the go.

By Marc Lopez

By Mark J. Pescatore

Viewpoint 42 Unscrambled Signals Learn why effective video wall design is critical for command and control.

By Nick Mathis

Departments 6 SYSTEMS CHECK 8 NEWS 22 NEWSMAKERS 40 NEW PRODUCTS

Vol. 30 No. 10 October 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.

Subscribe online at www.MySCNews.com. Please allow 6-8 weeks for address changes to take effect. ©Copyright 2023 by Future US, Inc. PRINTED IN U.S.A.

4

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

®

SYSTEMS CHECK avnetwork.com

The Power of Corporate Culture MARK J. PESCATORE Content Director

EMAIL

mark.pescatore@futurenet.com

FACEBOOK

facebook.com/ systemscontractor

U

nderestimate the importance of corporate culture at your own peril, not to mention the peril of your company or department.

“At the Tipping Point,” a new whitepaper released by Crestron in

Group Art Director Nicole Cobban

Production Managers Nicole Schilling, Heather Tatrow

preference for and adoption of modern work practices can be attributed to one factor above all else: a cultural re-appraisal of working life by employees around the world

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

in the aftermath of the pandemic, for whom flexible working is no longer seen as a

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

perk but an expectation.”

Roughly translated, that means people like the freedom of hybrid work, and they don’t want to give it up.

countries wanted to return to the office full time. Maybe they crave socialization, or they think the office is the best place to build their personal networks, or they just don’t have a place at home where they can conduct business without the distracConversely, almost two-thirds of all workers were unwilling to return to the office. While there are probably many factors at play, my guess is that most workers over the age of 40 just don’t want to wear pants.

Regardless of attire desires, it’s clear that companies need people-centric solutions. But what about the Pro AV industry itself? No matter where your company lies on the hybrid work spectrum—from “hardly hybrid” to “hyper hybrid,” according to the whitepaper—how healthy is your corporate culture?

One company that seems to have found a formula that works is Just Add Power.

In July, I visited the company’s headquarters near Tampa, FL, as part of a media tour.

I know, J+P doesn’t exactly have a glamorous product line. It offers a collection of black boxes and wall plates. Mind you, they are well engineered—MaxColor 4K/60 Series AV-over-IP solutions deliver 4:4:4, 36-bit color performance—but generally, J+P’s solutions are designed to be hidden from view.

Apparently, the company decided to keep the bells and whistles for the office.

Classic movie posters fill one of the main halls. There’s an onsite commercial kitchen, and the company is known for hosting community events. For the employees, there’s a gym, complete with weights and cardio gear. Every workspace I saw

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

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

LICENSING/REPRINTS/PERMISSIONS

SCN is available for licensing. Contact the Licensing team to discuss partnership opportunities.

Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw licensing@futurenet.com M A N AG E M E N T

SVP Wealth, B2B and Events Sarah Rees MD, B2B Tech & Entertainment Brands Carmel King Managing Vice President of Sales, B2B Tech Adam Goldstein Head of Production US & UK Mark Constance Head of Design Rodney Dive

can be raised or lowered, so workers can sit or stand as desired. There’s even a big

FUTURE US, INC.

sectional sofa that serves as an informal setting for team meetings. And don’t get

130 West 42nd Street, 7th Floor New York, NY 10036

me started on the cigar bar or classic car garage. No, I’m not kidding.

Going to the J+P office is an experience, which is precisely what our AV/IT Summit keynote speaker, Kay Sargent, preached in August (and I discussed in last month’s editorial). Is it working? Well, most of the employees who interacted with the media tour had been with the company for many years, so you tell me.

I’m not saying every company needs a collection of classic cars or even classic movie posters. That’s what works for J+P. But in today’s hypercompetitive environment, where hiring and retaining employees seems to be more difficult than ever, you need to develop a corporate culture that works for your company before everyone starts moving to Tampa.

6

Content Manager Wayne Cavadi Contributors James Careless, Jennifer Guhl, Peter Hansen, Carolyn Heinze, Marc Lopez, Nick Mathis, Ken Platz, Brent Shumard

culture and workplace flexibility. Here’s one of its many insights: “The growing

tions of parents or roommates.

Just Add Power is a great Pro AV example of a positive corporate culture.

Content Director Mark J. Pescatore, Ph.D. mark.pescatore@futurenet.com

Art Editor Rob Crossland

However, it might surprise you to learn that more than two-thirds of

TWITTER twitter.com/scnmag

CONTENT

VP/Content Creation Anthony Savona

partnership with WORKTECH Academy, emphasized the importance of corporate

18-34-year-olds surveyed from a pool of 3,000 employees across nine European LINKEDIN linkedin.com/company/ systems-contractor-news

OCTOBER 2023 VOL. 30 NO. 10

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

All contents ©2023 Future US, Inc. or published under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales.

Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any other changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.

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NEWS

Solutionz Unveils OptixAV Remote Management Platform

S

OptixAV

Houston Astros Team Store Scores with Digital Signage

olutionz has released OptixAV, a Remote

proactively identify and resolve issues before they

Watchfire was selected by the Houston Astros

Monitoring and Management (RMM) plat-

impact operations. With the platform’s 24/7/365

to deliver a unique dual-sided LED halo display

form designed specifically for AV environ-

monitoring and automated self-healing functionali-

suspended from the ceiling in The Astros Team

ments. With OptixAV, organizations can now enjoy a

ties, organizations can significantly reduce downtime

Store at Minute Maid Park. Measuring 5 feet tall

comprehensive solution that offers asset/inventory

by up to 92%. OptixAV empowers AV tech teams to

and 29 feet wide from ellipse to ellipse, the

management, automated self-healing functionality,

scale efficiently, enabling them to manage geograph-

custom oval-shaped display features inner and

reporting, and an added layer of cybersecurity.

ically dispersed rooms effectively and with less staff.

outer rings with continuous Watchfire S-Series

OptixAV serves as a single pane of glass,

Plus, the customizable RMM platform can be tailored

2.4mm LED displays that showcase engaging

providing real-time visibility across an entire AV

to meet individual room and customer requirements.

content, including seamlessly stitched-

environment, allowing organizations to gain

“OptixAV is a game-changer for any organiza-

together videos, live game feeds, and social

valuable insights into their operations. By securely

tion that relies on seamless AV performance as a

media posts. The display also uses two

connecting AV equipment to an orchestration

critical aspect of their day-to-day operations,” said

­BrightSign players, a Datapath wall controller,

engine, organizations can manage, monitor,

Bill Warnick, CEO of Solutionz. “With OptixAV, we

and a Wallboard content management system.

maintain, test, and repair AV environments from a

offer a fully customizable solution that optimizes

The new centerpiece of the store was a collabo-

single web browser, protecting valuable assets.

room uptime, enhanced cybersecurity, and a system

ration of the Astros management team,

Through seamless integration with most ticketing

for streamlined AV management tasks. We are

BrightSign, Wallboard, Datapath, Humble Sign

systems, OptixAV streamlines the process and

excited to empower organizations with tools that

Company, and Watchfire’s own service and

enhances efficiency.

integrate with their current IT environments and

engineering departments.

One of OptixAV’s key benefits is its ability to

Alfalite Scores First U.S. Live Event Company Sale

W

hite Tie Productions has purchased 120

deliver exceptional AV experiences.”

MultiDyne Relocates HQ to Serve Growing Business

M

ultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems has relocated its global headquarters to accommodate both its growing business

technologies that promote meeting equity.

“The need to accommodate remote participants for company meetings is especially important as

Alfalite Litepix Series panels,

and changing workplace preferences. Located in Kings

­MultiDyne’s presence expands in other regions,” said

making it the first live event

Park, NY, the company’s 15-minute move north brings

Jesse Foster, vice president of products and Western

company in the United States

modernized office facilities, hybrid meeting spaces,

U.S. sales. “We recently opened our first EMEA office

with Alfalite LED panels. It

and more to the company’s business operations,

in Poland, and our new Teams collaboration infra-

including a large showroom for trainings and events.

structures allows us to bring the EMEA operation into

The new facility will accommodate MultiDyne’s

company meetings with greater efficiency, improving

Niagara Video business following its recent acquisition

productivity. There is also greater flexibility for specific

of the company. An open interior enables stronger

teams to meet in smaller groups, and even a produc-

collaboration between departments, while providing

tion space with a greenscreen to produce our own

ample dedicated spaces for MultiDyne’s sales, engi-

corporate videos.”

marks the second U.S. sale for the new FOR-A/Alfalite alliance. White Tie specializes in creating large-scale events for

White Tie Productions has purchased 120 Alfalite Litepix panels for live event productions.

nonprofit and corporate associations.

“Having fine pixel pitch displays on a live event is a game changer for the high-end shows we do,” explained Ross Snyder, president, White Tie Productions.

Headquartered in Phoenix with a second office in

neering, and shipping/receiving operations.

“We wanted to create a more inviting workplace that people want to come to while addressing the need for hybrid events and a healthier work/life balance,”

Orlando, FL, White Tie will have 60 panels based in

said Frank Jachetta, CEO, MultiDyne. “This is a flexible

each location. The screens will be shipped to custom-

and communal space that encourages collaboration and

ers throughout the country for live event rentals.

innovation, and will empower smarter growth strate-

White Tie will house its 1.9mm pixel pitch screens at

gies for MultiDyne’s business moving forward.”

its Phoenix location, with its 2.6mm pixel pitch

A showroom includes a large video wall that

screens at its Orlando office. The Phoenix office has a

highlights MultiDyne’s latest products and innovations

streaming studio, where the video wall will be used on

for the Pro AV, broadcast, and digital cinema communi-

set for virtual programming when not on location.

ties. Meeting spaces incorporate modern collaboration

8

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

MultiDyne’s new global headquarters are in Kings Park, NY.

NEWS

How Panasonic Connect Il-LUMA-nates Binghamton

By Wayne Cavadi

T

“At the time, I was the territory account manager in

“[The projectors] are mounted on scaffolding in the middle of town, and they’re in the usual rigging cages to fly them, but they’re not in weather cases or anything,” Rose explained. “It’s treated more as a temporary installation. This being a weekend event, it’s the equivalent of a touring rock show.”

To say the festival, which lost a few shows during

upstate New York, and many of the LUMA volunteers

the pandemic, has succeeded in rejuvenating

worked at the universities up there as part of their day

downtown Binghamton is an understatement.

he LUMA Projection Arts Festival, which took

jobs,” Rose explained. “They had already known the

Pawlowski estimated that there were 40,000-50,000

place on Sept. 8-9, transformed the urban

strengths of our projectors and used them elsewhere

people there per night the last time she visited. “I

architecture of downtown Binghamton,

and said, ‘Hey, we do this really cool thing, you should

went in 2019, and when you get there it’s completely

come check it out.’”

different than what you actually envision,” she said.

NY, into a canvas for artists. The annual two-day extravaganza brings visual storytelling of local

As Rose recollected, Panasonic projectors weren’t

“Panasonic Connect really enjoys working with the

artists to life through projection mapping, with

initially used for the festival, but as it grew and

LUMA Festival organizers. We work together very well

Panasonic Connect delivering the projection

needed larger, stronger technology, Rose knew that

and it’s part of our strategy to be in the live-enter-

technology to make it all happen.

Panasonic Connect had the know-how and quality

tainment, immersive-experience industry where our

products to shine in such an immersive arena. “We

projectors really do an excellent job showcasing an

Bernard Ludzki in 2015. Why Binghamton? According

The event was founded by Tice Lerner and Joshua

enjoy doing it as well, it’s what we excel at,” Rose

artist’s talent.”

to Ludzki, they don’t believe that LUMA would have

added. “We thought this was the perfect partnership,

found the success in a big—or what he called an

so we jumped in, and we’ve been at it ever since.”

“A-list”—city. Places like Binghamton, an old Rust

This year, Panasonic Connect will work with artists

“The ability to take a digital asset and make it tangible is truly extraordinary,” said Lerner. “That’s why I love organizing the LUMA Festival each year.

Belt city, had to reinvent themselves, and did so

to help them leverage the Panasonic PT-RQ22,

From standing with the artists and watching their

through the arts.

PT-RQ35, and PT-RZ21 projectors. “The projectors are

digital work first come to life on the side of a building

all 3-DLP technology,” Rose explained. “They’re all

during set-up to then watching faces in the audience

and Binghamton seemed ripe for a festival that

20,000 lumens or above. There are six sites around

light up as they witness the projection-mapped

brought everyone together in the name of art. Tice,

town being projected on. Depending on the size of the

artwork—it’s a magical experience.”

who always had an interest in art, technology, and

building, some projectors are 4K, while some are not.”

how the two merged together, had a passion for

The high-brightness, high-performance, and

“They started with someone else’s, and they came to

practical effects, as well as what he called making an

reliability are large factors in why Panasonic projec-

us because of the quality, the color, and the reliability

adult feel like a child again. It was he who suggested

tors work so well. Panasonic Connect gives the artists

of what we’re doing. And I think it shows a partnership

projection mapping to Ludzki, and after a deep dive on

an easy-to-use solution that simplifies the process of

that really brings out the artists’ vision on these unique

YouTube, the concept of LUMA was born.

projection mapping and brings their stunning blended

surfaces—it’s interesting. If you see the building, what

Artists moved downtown to stir up local interest,

“As our personal technology advances to the point

“They picked our products for a reason,” Rose said.

visuals to life with complete coverage of buildings. The

was there before, and then they light them up, you

where watching a movie at home offers just as good of

end result turns Binghamton’s historic architecture

pause for a minute. You have to think back to what it

a visual experience as watching from a movie theater,

into a digital canvas of fine-art visual displays.

was. And that’s the amazing part for me—the artist’s

we distance ourselves from these common shared

As Rose explained, the setup is not intricate. The

vision of what they’re doing from a building. And we’re

experiences,” explained Ludzki. “That’s what we aim

show’s organizers and city of Binghamton want to be

just proud to be able to partner with people to do that

to solve through the LUMA Festival—to rebuild that

able to set it up and tear it down quickly and easily.

kind of work.”

shared storytelling experience and common cultural vocabulary that’s so critical today.”

To bring these historic buildings to life in ways no one could have ever imagined just a decade ago, the right projectors are a must. It took some time, but eventually Lerner and Ludzki learned Panasonic projectors, paired with Dataton’s WATCHOUT multidisplay software and servers, were the right choice.

“We started our collaboration with Tice Lerner and Josh Bernard Ludzki in 2019,” explained Cynthia Pawlowski, marketing manager-visual systems and professional audio at Panasonic Connect. “Panasonic donated projectors for a couple of their venues organizers. We offer our technical expertise by sending our engineering team up to the festival. They work with the Luma volunteers to set up the projectors, do the edge blending, and collaborate with them to get everything up and running.”

It was Howard Rose, senior product managerprojectors at Panasonic Connect, that helped bring the two forces together on the artistic collaboration.

10

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

VAN ZANDBERGEN PHOTOGRAPHY

directly and worked very closely with the show

Panasonic Connect projectors bring artistic visions to life on historic buildings at the LUMA Projection Arts Festival.

NEWS ZTransform provided design, build, integration, and launch services for the newly relocated KNKX.

enables all KNKX audio sources to be accessed and controlled by all devices on the network, including mixing consoles, control surfaces, software controllers, and automation devices.

Broadcast Electronics (BE) AudioVAULT was selected for audio storage, studio automation, playout, and automation. Customized BE NewsBoss software now serves all KNKX newsroom workstations for content creation, ingest and distribution, on-air presentation, and editing. ZTransform also worked with Cabinetworks Unlimited to design innovative and flexible custom technical furniture including sit/stand broadcast consoles.

The new workflow enables KNKX to broadcast live from multiple studios within the facility or on location, which means transitions to and from its Tacoma-based studios are seamless. This functionality also provides the station with an extra layer of redundancy that was crucial for the switchover at launch. Plus, the IP-based workflow opens new remote broadcasting opportunities.

ZTransform Builds New IP-Based Facility for KNKX

Z

Transform recently completed a $5.9 mil-

“We had outgrown our original facility,”

“This was a true collaboration of diverse user needs that we led through a year-long process,” said Erik Utter, president and founder, ZTransform. “Early in the project, we met with multiple end-user groups from both the news and music production teams whose needs didn’t necessarily align. We helped to prioritize these different needs and conceived some creative solutions that deliver

lion facility relocation project for KNKX,

explained Joey Cohn, president and general manager,

flexibility for all users when it comes to equipment

a not-for-profit radio station serving

KNKX. “The site was also in one of the sleepiest parts

and room configuration. These solutions will also

Washington’s Seattle-Tacoma market. To meet the

of the city, so when the funding came through, we

enable KNKX to reconfigure the physical layout of

diverse needs of the broadcaster’s news and music

strategically moved to a more vibrant area downtown,

spaces and operations to accommodate growth and

programming, ZTransform provided design, build,

more reflective of the jazz hub and buzz that we’ve

new functionality in the future.”

integration, and launch services, and worked with

built up over the last 10 years.”

V Three Studio architects to transform a concrete

“The key for us was entrusting the end-to-end

The studios are optimized to capture audio for

design and build to an experienced technical facilities

warehouse within the Madore Building (built in 1915)

radio broadcasts to approximately 325,000 listeners

provider,” said Albertson. “ZTransform came highly

into a modern broadcast facility.

weekly, as well as video for its YouTube channel. A

recommended—and when our transition team met

large newsroom, where all KNKX reporters can be

with them, it was obvious from their ideas about

Place Market, KNKX’s new home boasts an on-air

accommodated, as well as multiple offices, complete

design and implementation, to their can-do attitude,

studio, live mix studio, and three production rooms.

the facility.

and work ethic, that we’d found a perfect fit. The

Overlooking the Seattle waterfront next to the Pike

Studio X, KNKX’s new performance space, can

At the station’s core, ZTransform implemented

entire ZTransform team really understood how to

comfortably seat 25 people in the audience and hosts

the Wheatstone AES-67 compatible ­WheatNet-IP

balance the strengths of systems, people, and spaces.

jazz and blues sessions that are shared online

audio infrastructure. This end-to-end AoIP solution

Plus, they made the experience enjoyable.”

worldwide.

“ZTransform understood our vision to create an engaging environment for our staff, our visitors, and the wider Pacific Northwest community,” said Steve Albertson, director of administration, KNKX. “Not only did the space need to fulfill our technical and operational ambitions, but also our creative needs so we could better connect and collaborate with local people more effectively on live music production, news programming, studio sessions, events, panels and more.”

The station’s relocation from Pacific Lutheran University was prompted by the university’s sale of KNKX (originally KPLU-FM) to the not-for-profit organization, Friends of 88.5 FM, and supported by significant funding through the KNKX Next campaign, which generated approximately $4.5 million.

12

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

KNKX’s new performance space, Studio X, can capture concerts for radio and online audiences.

NEWS

Credit Union Creates Better Privacy with Holosonics

G

eneral Electric Credit Union (GECU) has

tional sound of the speakers ensures that only the

always been committed to providing

intended listener at each ITM position hears their

exceptional banking experiences to its

respective audio feed—without any noticeable bleed

members. During a recent initiative called “Voice

from station to station— while the surrounding area

of the Member,” the credit union learned members

remains quiet, creating a more peaceful and confiden-

wanted more privacy during transactions, especially

tial environment.

during sensitive conversations with personal tellers

GECU selected its Highland Heights branch in

at their Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), which

Kentucky as the pilot location for the Audio Spotlight

had been in use since 2019.

speakers last fall, and the feedback from members

ITMs are similar to traditional teller lines in that

was overwhelmingly positive. The directed sound

members communicate with a live teller, but the tellers

technology solved the privacy issue, and the audio

appear on a video screen—and their voices are usually

came through more clearly.

amplified through built-in speakers. With multiple

Van Williams, GECU’s ITM product specialist who

ITMs per location, the ITMs created a loud environ-

drove the Holosonics integration, was impressed by

ment. Although the ITMs are equipped with handset

the inherently touchless nature of the Audio Spotlight

receivers for private conversations, the use of them has

technology, which limited the need of the handsets

been practically nonexistent since the pandemic.

and made the ITMs more hygienic. He also liked the

we are now looking to retrofit all our lobby ITMs with

thin, flat appearance of the speakers, as well as how

this technology within the next 2-3 years or sooner,”

Audio Spotlight speakers, which create a highly

the technology integrated seamlessly and unobtru-

Williams said. “With any new, future branch open-

focused sound beam that can be directed to a specific

sively into the lobby environment.

ings, we will most certainly be implementing the

To address these issues, GECU turned to Holosonics

area, allowing for private conversations. The direc-

“The Audio Spotlight has been a great success, so

Holosonics Audio Spotlight speakers mounted to the ceiling provide private conversations and a less noisy environment for the General Electric Credit Union.

Audio Spotlight speakers.”

avnetwork.com // October 2023 // SCN

13

NEWS

GUTS Church Expands Use of MAXHUB Displays

By Jennifer Guhl

stream, and GUTS Church adds lower-third graphics to display song lyrics to help further engage the

The St. John Paul II National Shrine features interactive tables for visitors to explore details of the life of the pope.

MultiTaction Upgrades Touch Display Table at St. John Paul II National Shrine Collaboration and visualization solutions developer MultiTaction, headquartered in Elk Grove Village, IL,

T

congregation. ulsa, OK-based GUTS Church aims to

“We use our MAXHUB walls for computer

be the option for those looking to break

graphic content as well as camera shots for our live

away from more traditional houses of

service,” said Blake. “They have provided a drastic

worship. Founded by Pastor Bill Scheer in 1992,

quality boost compared to the laser projectors we

the contemporary church has a “come as you

had before. Plus, our team loves how easy the panels

are” approach to worship—and has been at the

are to service.”

forefront of integrating technology to better engage and interact with parishioners.

As part of a 2022 facility upgrade, the church

GUTS Church partnered with the Tulsa-based TES Productions, which offers live event production as well as integration services, to install the lightweight

purchased and installed two MAXHUB Raptor Series

displays. The units offer a sleek, screwless fabric

LM220A07 220-inch integrated LED walls to enhance

design that was easy to integrate within the existing

the messaging within its main worship sanctuary.

space. “We got to see a demo of this product and were

The church liked the displays so much that it had a

immediately sold,” said Alex Forrest, sales engineer

138-inch model installed in a classroom in late July as

for TES Productions.

part of its new school of ministry.

“We have had several members and guests

MAXHUB provided onsite support during the two-day installation process in the sanctuary,

recently delivered touch displays as part of an AV/IT

approach our production team to tell us how

working with the TES Productions team to ensure

upgrade at the St. John Paul II National Shrine in

impressed they have been with our MAXHUB walls,”

there were no complications. Even leading up to the

Washington, DC.

said Zach Blake, technical director at GUTS Church.

installation, MAXHUB provided valuable resources

“They have been a huge help to attendees sitting on

and insight to guarantee the installation process went

cultural events, as well as religious celebrations. A

the outside wings of our sanctuary. The MAXHUB

as smoothly as possible. It was the first time TES

permanent exhibition, highlighting the life of Pope

walls provide a clear and high-quality viewing

Productions had installed Raptor Series products.

John Paul II, features interactive displays.

experience for people that sit in those areas.”

The shrine is a place of worship that hosts art and

About 10 years ago, MultiTaction supplied displays

The displays were installed on two walls that slant

“I believe that as far as installs go, it was very smooth. Usually, on any construction project, you’ll

configured into an interactive table that allows

outward away from the main stage. Previously, the

run into things like we didn’t know there was a brick

visitors to access information about the events that

church was projecting directly onto white walls, so

wall here, or we have to drill through to get one cable

took place throughout the course of the pope’s life.

the image quality was dim and insufficient for the

outside,” said Forrest. “Stuff like that happens all the

For this upgrade, the manufacturer provided four

church’s needs. It also didn’t match the image quality

time. This one was straightforward. We had the space

55-inch interactive displays featuring its ClearSight

of the 60-foot LED screen behind the main stage,

to work, the support of MAXHUB onsite with us, and

touch technology, which enables unlimited simulta-

which made the disparity highly noticeable.

our team is good at what they do, so it all worked out.”

neous touches from various sources, including

Each Raptor Series display measures 16 feet wide

The Raptor Series is available in 1080p or 4K,

fingers, hands, pens, and Codice 2D markers.

and has a discreet profile, coming only two inches out

but the church opted for the 1080p model. “With

from the wall at most. The displays deliver a striking,

the graphics in iMac and the closest audience

cameras that are looking out through the LCD

“Built into each of our displays are 32 infrared

clean architectural aesthetic that emulates a giant TV

member about 30 feet away, you wouldn’t notice a

display—they’re ‘looking’ for touch,” explained Dan

instead of a projection screen. Both displays project

considerable difference between the 1080p and 4K,”

Acquafredda, president and CEO at MultiTaction. “We

content directly from the church’s five-camera live

Forrest explained.

don’t actually feel touch, we look for touch.”

The displays are also driven by MultiTaction servers. “Each of the displays is doing something unique, which requires quite a bit of processing power,” Acquafredda added. “That’s why we provide the servers to run the underlying software.”

Maxime Nogier, executive director at the St. John Paul II National Shrine, noted that the facility uses technology like this as a way of welcoming and engaging its visitors, no matter their faith or background. “The people who visit the shrine aren’t all Catholic or of the Christian faith. Even fewer know [about] John Paul II because they may have been born after his death,” he said. “This intuitive technology allows them to enter into almost a physical communication with it.”

14

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

Two MAXHUB LED walls were installed to replace insufficient projector solutions for GUTS Church.

NEWS

Gillette Stadium Installs Enormous End Zone Display

C

of display control software, video processing, data integration, and playback hardware.

“Daktronics has been providing our LED displays and has been a tremendous partner since we opened Gillette Stadium in 2002,” said Jim Nolan, COO, Gillette Stadium. “Their products

ontinuing its partnership with the Kraft

newly renovated “Row of Honor” measuring 5x30

provide the highest resolution in the industry, and

Group, New England Patriots, and New

feet provides additional messaging opportunities.

the brilliant colors bring our fans closer to the

England Revolution, Daktronics installed

The main video board, as well as the ribbon and

action. This year’s installations, especially the

field-level displays, all feature 10mm pixel pitch.

addition of the nation’s largest outdoor videoboard

14 new LED displays at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, over the spring and summer—including

The “Gillette Stadium” channel lettering above

the largest outdoor videoboard in a sports venue in

the north end zone displays will also be brought to

the country.

light in conjunction with

Located in the north end zone, the new curved-

DCL (Design Communications with full-color

convex curvature mimics the stadium’s architec-

LED modules that can

ture. Much like the south end zone display, the new

change colors and

installation is capable of variable content zoning,

content. These channel

allowing it to show any combination of live video,

letters measure 14x108

instant replays, statistics, game information,

feet and feature 10mm

graphics, animations, and sponsorship messages to

pixel pitch. Bringing the

keep fans immersed in the action.

installation together is a

Just below the main video board is an additional

Daktronics Show Control

ribbon board measuring 10x214 feet. The end zone

system, which was

also features a field-level outdoor display measur-

upgraded at Gillette

ing 3.5x82 feet on the recently announced Bud Light

Stadium in 2022 and

Celebration Beer Hall. A display in front of the

provides a combination

game experience for our fans.”

The new end zone display at Gillette Stadium has a convex curvature to match the stadium’s architecture.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

radius video display measures 60x370 feet, and its

at a sports venue, will greatly enhance the day of

NEWS

New Venue Elevates Esports Experience with 1 SOUND

A

djacent to the Capital One Arena in the

120-degree dispersion and clarity technology, were

heart of downtown Washington, DC,

positioned on each side of the main LED wall,

District E Powered by Ticketmaster, which

utilizing the Tower Wall Bracket for mounting.

opened in late March, is an esports and entertain-

Complementing the Towers were two WSUB45i Wall

ment venue that offers a unique and immersive

Subs, which were positioned below and flush to the

gaming experience. With a prime location and

wall, to enhance the low-frequency impact while

partnerships with globally recognized esports teams

keeping a low profile.

including Team Liquid and Wizards District Gaming,

Beyond the main space, McCann incorporated

District E spans nearly 14,000 square feet and stands

Cannon C5i loudspeakers for sound reinforcement

as a hub for esports enthusiasts and fans.

in other areas of the arena. For example, in the

From high-stakes esports matches to corporate

The new District E esports venue features 1 SOUND loudspeakers in the gaming areas.

offerings with 13 displays and a 2×2 video wall.

The entire AV system operates on an AV-over-IP

dining area, they were hung as pendants using the

platform, seamlessly connecting various sources,

events and viewing parties, District E’s audio system

C-Clamp for the desired angles. The synergy

including digital signage, BrightSign media

needed to accommodate diverse programming and

between different audio components ensured a

players, and Apple TV 4K players. With 90 indi-

integrate seamlessly with LED video throughout the

cohesive audio experience throughout the venue.

vidual sources, the setup provides the versatility

venue. Monumental Sports, an assembly of seven

Spectators can follow the action on the three

needed to accommodate District E’s diverse

regional sports and gaming teams, turned to McCann

large-format LED video walls, two LED column

Systems to design and install an AV system to create

displays, and two LED tickers featuring live stats.

an elevated esports experience.

The arena also includes two locker rooms and

future of live experiences by bringing esports, latest

For the main gaming space, McCann selected

scrimmage facilities packed with 98-inch screens,

technology, and community engagement together in a

1 SOUND loudspeakers to create an optimal auditory

32 individual gaming stations, public spaces with

one-of-a-kind space,” said Marla Ostroff, managing

environment. Two Tower LCC84 columns, which offer

digital canvases, and complete food and beverage

director of North America, Ticketmaster.

16

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

programming needs.

“District E Powered by Ticketmaster reimagines the

NEWS in oversupply as supply chain

new spaces, an unusually large market share could be

issues ease, leaving some

available to ambitious first-movers.

companies disappointed in their bottom lines.

Survey respondents high-

Continued Solidity for Pro AV

By Peter Hansen

L

Like the AVI-S, the AV Employment Index (AVI-E) also ticked up modestly this month, accelerating from 56.9 in July to 58.0 in August. This represents a steady

lighted many positive and

expansion of payrolls. Notably, hiring remains

negative trends this month.

difficult. Hiring new employees was once again the

Several comments focused on the

second biggest challenge reported by respondents, just

return to office, including clients

five percentage points behind supply chains.

firming up long-term return-to-

The persistent moderate growth mirrors what is

office plans and the associated AV

happening on the broader labor market in the United

needs. This remains a key area of

States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,

uncertainty for our industry, especially since corporate

payrolls added 187,000 jobs in August—roughly

offices are our industry’s largest vertical market.

normal for the pre-pandemic years—as unemploy-

Technological advances and COVID-related

ment edged up to 3.8%. Not all labor markets are so

ast month, our Pro AV Business Index report

workflow shifts have created unusually high levels of

strong. In China, the world’s second largest economy,

focused on the news of the improving global

new, untapped, and undeveloped market opportuni-

unemployment is a growing issue. Youth unemploy-

macroeconomy. That positivity continues in

ties: adding AI into conferencing and collaboration,

ment is particularly troubling, at over 20% in June

the AV sales index (AVI-S), which moved up about a

taking advantage of avatars in virtual meetings, diving

before the government stopped breaking down

point from 59.3 to 60.2. So far in 2023, the AVI-S has

into the immersive potential of esports, and more.

unemployment by age in July.

averaged 59.1, so this month is a touch better than

However, our data suggests the AV community

the growth we’ve measured this year.

The Pro AV Business Index report is derived from a

continues to focus on more traditional spaces. A

monthly survey of the AVIXA Insights Community, a

We note that this growth hasn’t been equally

majority of our Insights Community report that VR,

research community of industry members that tracks

shared across all sectors. On the positive side, live

esports, and virtual production present little to no

business trends in commercial AV. For more informa-

events are experiencing strong growth as they

opportunity for their business over the next five years.

tion about joining the AVIXA Insights Community,

consolidate financial gains from the return to

By comparison, just 25% feel that way about control

visit www.avixa.org/AVIP.

in-person. On the negative side, certain products are

rooms. If the crowd is reticent to jump into promising

Peter Hansen is an economist at AVIXA.

avnetwork.com // October 2023 // SCN

17

PEOPLE EXECUTIVE Q&A

Technology Meets Vibe

Dave Malekpour

Malekpour Reflects on 30 Years of Pro Audio Design

outdoors.

By Mark J. Pescatore

Position: President Company: Pro Audio Design Overtime: I start nearly every day with a CrossFit workout to get me on the right track. In my free time, I love to play guitar and spend time with the family

integration for our clients’ projects. As we see demand increase, we aim to grow our team and

as well as color-changing LED lighting, to achieve

potentially into new locations and markets. We

unique and varying vibe for client spaces.

: What made you decide to establish PAD?

recently appointed Robbie Dunne as EMEA sales and

Dave Malekpour: When I started in 1993, there were

marketing director, who will be focused on bringing

places to buy equipment, often through an 800 number

the PAD Group brands to EMEA regions and building a

services for several vertical markets. Generally

(pre-internet), and then you would find a tech to install

wider team, both nationally and internationally.

speaking, what type of facility is the most

it and someone else to design your facility. I wanted to

: Your company offers design and integration

challenging to design? : How is PAD celebrating its 30th anniversary?

DM: When working for a single client and user, the

be completed for clients with less variables. Often,

DM: We started our celebrations during the NAMM

projects can be easier than projects where there are

clients would buy gear and not realize the costs for

Show in Anahiem with an awesome party at one of our

committees, boards, and varying visions within

installation or simply buy the wrong products for the

client studios, and intend to follow up with another

those groups. Smaller projects can also be difficult

job. I also started selling high-end used gear, which

event in New York City during the AES Show in

when the client budget and vision may not be in line.

allowed a lot more clients to access better equipment

October. We have also been taking time as a team to

Working on houses of worship often presents

within their budget. My first employee was a

reflect upon the last three decades, and will be

challenges, where the interiors are often older and

technician, which meant we were also able to service

hosting an open house at our Hanover HQ later this

more grand, and it is of importance that the acoustic

the gear and then install what we sold.

year with live music, guest presenters, and a chance

treatment or sound system does not impact the

to hear some incredible Augspurger studio monitors

visual aesthetic. This is also true in residential

and TAD Hifi and Mastering speakers.

listening rooms, where aesthetics may not lend

be able to bring all that together so that projects could

: What’s the deal with all these musicians in the Pro AV industry, and how has your love of music

themselves to the user’s vision for the space. That

helped you with your business?

said, every project presents challenges which help us

DM: When you’re a musician or audio engineer, you

push our team’s creative efforts, and we excel in

often must find a way to make a living to supplement

that way by bringing various ideas to each brief.

your musical passion. Luckily, I was able to connect : OK, time for a name drop—who has the coolest

those two parts of my life through the business of creating facilities and selling equipment and services.

personal recording studio that you’ve installed?

Understanding as a user allows me to see how each

DM: This is a tough one—we have worked on so

facility will be used; client perspective, user perspective,

many cool spaces. But I would have to say that

and design perspective together is powerful.

When tuning speakers or rooms, it’s more than

working on Snoop Dogg’s Beach City studio has : PAD offers so many options, so how do you

been one of the most fun and cool projects we’ve

just hitting targets or measurements, it’s feeling the

choose the best acoustic treatments for a given

music and making sure it hits correctly. We want to

space?

create inspiring studios and environments that go

DM: There are so many great acoustic products today,

beyond just looking or sounding good—we want

and we like to blend fabrics, wood, ceramics, cork,

design?

them to work well and help clients make better

and some cool recycled materials made from plastic

DM: The first part of designing a facility is to best

music and experiences.

bottles. Our first steps are to simulate a room’s

understand the technical requirements and how it

acoustics using predictive acoustic modeling to

will be used, and then ensure the user experience will

sounds inspire better performances and results. This is

understand decay time and frequency response and

be top notch. When we start the design process, we

always front and center when designing a space—from

see where the challenges may be. Once we know

first get to understand the client’s vision, taste, and

the vibe to acoustics and the equipment—they all work

what we need to get it to work, we can choose the

space, and begin to plan what it will look and feel like

together to put the listener and performer in the right

right blend of bass trapping, absorption, and

when completed. By using photo realistic rendering,

state of mind to be creative and reach new heights.

diffusion to achieve natural sounding response in

predictive acoustic modelling, and the team’s

the space.

imagination, we are able to create a visual starting

For musicians and performers, the spaces and

: What are the short and long-term goals for

One benefit of predictive acoustic modeling is

ever been involved with. : What is the PAD approach to fixed installation

point to be “inside” the space. This can help guide the

your company?

that we are able to see what to remove from the

process and explore with the client until we all love

DM: As we have grown from selling and servicing gear

space rather than having to treat every surface,

the vibe—and then we can put all the pieces together

into a full-service design company, our goals are to

leaving as much of the room’s natural response

to hit the brief and exceed expectations. These plans

continue building great studios and branch into live

as possible.

help everyone go through their part of the project,

entertainment spaces and other venues where we can combine design, acoustics, equipment, and

18

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

Visually, we can also achieve some really great looks blending attractive fabrics, woods, and color,

from builders to installers, to ensure the finished project perfectly reflects the design.

PEOPLE EXECUTIVE Q&A

Inclusion through Audio Listen Technologies CEO Keone Celebrates 25 Years of Assistive Listening Systems

By Mark J. Pescatore

: How long have you been with this company, and what are your responsibilities?

Maile Keone: I will celebrate my 10-year anniversary

audio-over-Wi-Fi solution at InfoComm 2023 and

Maile Keone Position: President and CEO Company: Listen Technologies Overtime: I love to work with entrepreneurs and mentor them. I spend time with my family and love to eat exceptional food.

rebranded the solution ListenWIFI. When ListenWIFI becomes available later this year, it will replace the Listen EVERYWHERE solution. ListenWIFI is an

and remain charged for the duration of tours. Guides

entirely new solution suite, not a product upgrade, so

could create groups on the fly and participants would

we have given it a new name. “ListenWIFI” is a clear

be able to hear clearly whether they were in large,

descriptor for the technology, and it follows the

noisy, indoor spaces like the convention center, or

naming convention of other Listen Technologies

outdoors and in spaces where guides moved through

products, such as ListenIR and ListenRF.

various rooms, around corners, and out of sight.

ListenWIFI, like earlier versions of our audio-over: How do you determine which kind of assistive

with Listen Technologies in November. As president

Wi-Fi solutions, lets venues stream audio over their

and CEO for Listen Technologies, I’m committed to

wireless network to guests’ smartphones. Guests

listening system is right for your environment?

creating value for our shareholders, partners,

access the audio via a free app and listen with head-

MK: Listen Technologies has created a system

employees, and customers through innovative

phones or earbuds. An optional personal induction

recommendation tool to help venue owners,

technology and solutions that promote inclusive

loop, or neck loop, is available for guests with telecoil-

integrators, and consultants select the right assistive

listening experiences across markets and applications.

equipped hearing aids or cochlear implants.

listening technology and system for their specific

The ListenWIFI system features new hardware,

application, building, type of venue, and seating

including LWR-1050 dedicated receivers, new LA-490

capacity. Users answer questions about the type of

anniversary?

ListenWIFI Beacons, new 2, 4, 8, and 16-channel

system they need, and the tool recommends which

MK: Listen Technologies marked its silver anniversary

servers, and enhanced software that simplifies

technology and Listen Technologies solutions would

on June 4. We kicked off a series of celebratory

system configuration and management. The new

best meet their needs.

activities at InfoComm 2023 (maybe you saw some of

LWR-1050 receivers, when used with signage and

us in Orlando sporting our 25th anniversary shirts)

neck loops, meet ADA and international require-

and debuted the next generation of our audio-over-

ments, making ListenWIFI a global assistive listening

determining the right number of assistive listening

Wi-Fi solution. It is an exciting time for Listen

system. The ListenWIFI LA490 Beacons enable

systems for a venue?

Technologies and for our industry!

automatic connection to audio based on location.

MK: Listen Technologies has an assistive listening

: How is Listen Technologies celebrating its 25th

There are several advantages of audio-over-Wi-Fi : What is the strongest vertical market for your

: Is there some sort of formula or ratio for

device accessibility calculator to help venue owners

assistive listening systems. The technology is simple

and managers ensure their assistive listening

company?

to use, familiar, and discreet. With an audio-over-­

system meets the latest compliance guidelines.

MK: Listen Technologies continues to see growth in

Wi-Fi system, it is not obvious people are using their

Venue owners enter the seating capacity for their

houses of worship, education, and tours, but also in

smartphone and earbuds to hear better, and that may

space and the calculator will tell them the minimum

manufacturing, corporate, hospitality, attractions,

be important to someone who is self-conscious about

number of assistive listening devices and neck loops

events, museums, courtrooms—any venue or

using assistive technology. From a venue’s perspec-

required to meet compliance.

environment where it can be challenging to hear

tive, audio-over-Wi-Fi systems are affordable, easy to

clearly. Listen Technologies solutions are flexible,

install and manage, and enhance the guest experience.

portable, and easy to use, so partners and customers are always finding creative applications beyond what we initially intended for the technology.

: What do people get wrong about assistive listening systems?

: We tend to focus on assistive listening for the

MK: They think assistive listening systems are only

hard of hearing, but how popular is your ListenTALK

for people with hearing loss, but they are for

product line?

everyone. Anyone can experience situational or

School in Plain City, UT, where an innovative AV

MK: ListenTALK is a two-way communication system

environmental hearing loss. Imagine participating in

integrator and dedicated teachers used our audio-

that is ideal for tours and remains very popular

a guided tour through a noisy manufacturing plant,

over-Wi-Fi solution to help a student with hearing

because of its flexibility. It can easily adapt to fit the

watching a game on TV screens in a crowded bar, or

loss and a passion for musical theater hear lines and

needs of any tour group and the system is simple to

trying to focus on a presentation in a distracting

song cues, so he could fully participate in his school’s

set up and use.

classroom. Assistive listening systems can help

A great example of this happened at Fremont High

production of Anastasia. We are thrilled our solution

ListenTALK’s versatility was recently on display at

overcome the challenges of hearing loss, ambient

could help, and we’re continually inspired by the

InfoComm 2023. AVIXA used ListenTALK to support

noise, distance, poor acoustics, and language in each

creative, inclusive thinking of our partners.

show floor tours inside the Orange Convention Center

of those situations. When clear sound is delivered

and for Integrated Experience tours offsite at various

directly to listener’s ears, regardless of whether they

: Why did the company rebrand Listen

locations in and around Orlando, FL. AVIXA guides

have hearing loss, it can provide a richer, more

EVERYWHERE to ListenWIFI, and what’s new with

knew they could rely on ListenTALK transceivers

immersive experience. Assistive listening systems

this solution?

(combined transmitters/receivers that participants

also foster inclusion because everyone can share the

MK: We debuted the next generation of our

wear on a lanyard around their neck) to charge quickly

same listening experience.

20

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

PEOPLE NEWSMAKERS As the new senior sales

THE FARM has added

as vice president of manufacturing as well as on the

­engineer—pro audio for the

CHRISTOPHER LAMBERT as field

board of directors. In his new role, Winkler will

North American territory, JEFF

engineer and AV programmer. In

spearhead the development and design of the next

TAYLOR will play a central role in

his role, he will configure, build,

generations of new products. Winkler has been with

DAS AUDIO’s sales and support

deploy, test, and troubleshoot

the company since 2004, most recently as vice

Q-SYS, Visionary, and manufac-

president of sales and marketing.

network, while concurrently Jeff Taylor

driving the company’s rapidly

expanding presence in the Western United States. As

Christopher Lambert

turer-partner DSP and control programs. Lambert began his AV

RIEDEL COMMUNICATIONS has

an internationally recognized live sound engineer with

career at Crawford Integrated Technologies as an AV

appointed KEVIN COLLINS as

multiple decades of major tours under his belt, Taylor

integration designer and programmer. Prior to

senior vice president of sales,

brings a wealth of industry acumen and experience to

Crawford, he spent 10 years as an electronic healthcare

North America. In this role,

his new position. Previously, he held sales positions

records software workflow specialist.

Collins will leverage the many

with CODA Audio and VUE Audiotechnik.

contacts he gained in his varied LECTROSONICS has promoted

Kevin Collins

experience as a customer,

ENCO has added KEITH LUCAS as

WES HERRON to president and

integrator, and vendor, while also

international sales manager. His

KARL WINKLER to executive vice

leaning on his expertise in pulling

focus will be on building ENCO’s

president of product design and

together multiproduct solutions.

presence in the EMEA and North

distribution. Former president

Collins joins Riedel after nearly 30

American broadcast and Pro AV

Gordon Moore has retired after 35

years at Diversified, where he was

markets, including channel

Wes Herron

one of the founding members and

new role, Herron will be responsi-

Peter Tsegaye

spent nearly 21 years with Screen Subtitling Systems as

ble for the business management

agement role throughout his tenure. Meanwhile, to

business development director, where he was respon-

of Lectrosonics, overseeing all

assist the company’s continued growth in Canada,

sible for U.K. and North American direct sales and

aspects of the business and

Riedel has hired PETER TSEGAYE, who operates out of

managed the company’s European distribution

manufacturing operations.

Toronto, as regional sales manager. Tsegaye most

Herron has been with Lectroson-

recently served technical sales and solutions manager

ics since 1988, previously serving

at ES Broadcast.

Keith Lucas

partner network growth. Lucas

years with the company. In his

network. He also spent 18 months at Ai-Media, where he served as senior sales manager for the EMEA region.

22

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

Karl Winkler

maintained an executive man-

BUSINESS VIDEO WALLS

Who Needs the Front Row? Trio of Video Walls Dress Up Hilton Orlando’s Updated FastBreak Sports Bar The Primeview FusionMAX LED video walls can display multiple sports feeds simultaneously.

bar itself or on its open-air outdoor patio. An Aurora Multimedia AVoIP routing and distribution system featuring 70 VPX-TC1-Pro transceivers delivers the video content to the various screens. The AV system also includes three Aurora VPX-TX1-WP2-B transmitter wall plates, two RXT-10-B 10-inch in-wall touchscreen control panels, one DTX-1616D 16x16 Dante DSP, and one RXC-4 control processor. Other components include four NETGEAR M4250 Series network switches and an LEA Professional Connect 354 audio amplifier.

“On the headend switching end, it was Aurora Multimedia that stepped in to deliver a working solution on time and within budget,” said Chanan Averbuch, Primeview Global’s executive vice ­president of the Americas. “For content playback, the system includes a BrightSign multi-head 4K player.”

As Averbuch explained, FastBreak delivers a premium sports bar feeling, but it also provides an immersive dining experience for the breakfast and lunch time slots. As part of the overall AV package, Primeview curated and provided the digital artwork,

By James Careless

the main AV equipment manufacturing partners.

including custom abstract and nature scenes, to

FastBreak features three Primeview FusionMAX 32:9

complement the primary broadcast content.

I

All-in-One PRO Edition 1.5mm LED video walls, all

Orlando’s FastBreak sports bar should have its

receivers—16:9 images at 138 inches diagonal—each

allows diners to fully embrace the space while thinking

picture in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Along

with a resolution of 1920x1080,” said Fred Grob, senior

where their next enjoyment will be on property.”

with the usual smattering of widescreen monitors

sales engineer with The Integration Factory.

seamlessly stitched together with an H2 NovaStar

sports. “While the primary use case is to watch a

watch the game on the very best screens while

processor. Collectively, the system can display “six

multitude of sports games at the same time,” he noted,

enjoying fine food and drink, then the Hilton

sports TV channels from 35 DirecTV H25 satellite TV

“the addition of blue-chip premium digital videos

all around the bar, FastBreak’s main interior wall is home to three 20-foot LED video walls.

walls inside FastBreak was not taken lightly. “As part of

displays of varying sizes, which are mounted inside the

the design conversation with Primeview and the owner,

seamlessly mounted side by side (see above), creating an overall video wall measuring a staggering 40 feet in length. The bar’s interior wall is split by a door, so the 40-foot video wall is to the left, while the 20-foot video wall is on the right. When they are not showing nature or artistic videos, FastBreak’s video walls are blowing customers away with big views of multiple sporting events.

The FastBreak revamp is part of an overall facelift at the Hilton Orlando. Located in the lower level of the Hilton Orlando, the FastBreak video wall installation was led by Primeview Global. The Integration Factory handled the actual installation, while Osborn Engineering was brought in to design the bar’s AV system. Before FastBreak’s renovation, the sports bar was simply outdated, according to Grant Ramsay, Osborn’s vice president and director of technology.

Content Control Primeview, Aurora Multimedia, LG, and NETGEAR were

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

The decision to install a trio of massive 32:9 video

FastBreak is also home to 32 LG flat panel HDTV

To add to the “wow” factor, two of the walls are

24

After 4 p.m., guests can enjoy access to plenty of

f the definition of a sports bar is the ability to

No sports, no problem—FastBreak also displays abstract art and nature scenes on its video walls.

VIDEO WALLS BUSINESS

they wanted a product that was aesthetically impressive and allowed for multiple TV channels in native 1920x1080 resolution,” Grob explained. “As well, they wanted to use the video walls as an extension of the video displays.”

Cost was also a concern, but “the Primeview 32:9

“On the headend switching end, it was Aurora Multimedia that stepped in to deliver a working solution on time and within budget.”

Chanan Averbuch, Primeview Global

FusionMAX all-in-one solution allowed us to build a unique setup when tiled together, while also keeping expenses down,” said Averbuch.

Infocomm 2023,” Ramsay said.

quickly solved the problem.”

“Primeview had the right product that made the

Every AV installation has its challenges; in the

Despite the challenges, the results of the

design simple, cost-effective, and easy to deploy,”

case of FastBreak, it experienced “scope changes,”

­FastBreak AV project are truly breathtaking. The

added Ramsay. “It was the perfect solution that Osborn

according to Averbuch. “Digital art was truly added in

Hilton Orlando’s video walls stand as a testament to

was able to integrate into the design. That, coupled with

the 25th hour to create that ‘wow’ factor, and

technological innovation and the determination of

the fact that Hilton ownership knew Primeview well,

everyone had to step up to make adjustments, in the

the Primeview Global team to give their client what

just made this project even easier to execute.”

final hours, on programming,” he explained. “We

they wanted, on time and within budget. “Everyone

also had to swap some components within the AV

was extremely impressed with the final result,” said

Ready for InfoComm

system to bring this project to the finish line—to

Grob. “The physical characteristics including the

Deadlines were a top priority for the FastBreak

ensure 16:9, 32:9, and 64:9 canvases can be fed with

shallow depth of the Primeview video walls and the

installation. The bulk of the installation was started

not just satellite TV feeds but also the custom

image quality are top-of-the-line.”

toward the end of winter 2023, but Hilton wanted

immersive digital art.”

everything completed before InfoComm 2023 came to

“The original LED video wall processors provided

“My face lights up every time I visit the site,” Averbuch said. So do the eyes of the Primeview Global

town in early June. As it turned out, the project was

with the video wall did not include the necessary

sales team whenever the topic of the FastBreak video

wrapped the month before. “Final commissioning of

HDCP keys for the DirecTV receivers,” Grob added.

walls comes up in client conversations. The reason?

the system came down to the wire, but everything was

“After our field engineers diagnosed the problem,

“Several hotel owners have expressed interest in

set up in time for local government officials to

new LED video wall processors from Primeview with

duplicating this experience at other hotels around the

experience the reimagined sports bar prior to

the required HDCP keys replaced the originals. This

country,” he replied.

avnetwork.com // October 2023 // SCN

25

BUSINESS AV RENOVATION Locations like the Innovation Lab have their own audio zones, which can be controlled via a touchpanel.

The Maker’s Mark breakroom was equipped with Martin ceiling speakers as well as three NEC displays.

Drink Up, Listen Up Maker’s Mark Distillery Overhauls AV System Across Campus

operations at Maker’s Mark, explained that audio quality throughout these spaces was a top priority.

Because many people arrive before their guided tours—and therefore use this time to do some initial exploring on their own—it was also necessary for them to hear announcements throughout Home Place.

By Carolyn Heinze

don’t get blasted with music,” Peake explained.

F

where whisky makers formulate new products based

feel welcome and have music playing,” Riggs said.

or the last 70 years, Maker’s Mark Distillery

on the producer’s classic bourbon recipe. The building

“They might be drinking in the bar or sitting on the

in Loretto, KY, has been producing whisky.

features eight separate audio zones, with an Allen &

patio, so being able to announce those tours no

Its 1,300-acre Star Hill Farm features 30

From there, JCA moved on to the Innovation Lab,

“Our visitor center is the first thing people experience at the distillery, so we want our guests to

Heath AHM processor distributing sound to the lab

matter where the guests are and getting them where

buildings housing production, bottling, and ware-

itself, plus a conference room, VIP tasting room,

they need to be on time is important.”

house facilities, as well as an Innovation Lab and the

outdoor patio, kitchen, restroom, and two offices. A

Home Place Visitor Center, the latter of which serves

main RTI KX7 touchpanel provides control throughout,

high-quality audio while respecting the building’s

as the starting and end point for guided tours. As

with two smaller touchscreens located in each office.

architectural and design elements. “[Home Place

part of a major renovation, Maker’s Mark recently

Peake highlighted the need for delivering

needed] audiophile-quality sound, the equipment

enlisted local AV design and integration firm JCA

Keeping Tours on Track

Media to upgrade its AV systems across its campus.

A t the heart of the renovation was the Home Place

needed to be simple to operate yet extremely flex-

needed to disappear aesthetically, and the control

First on the list was the employee breakroom,

Visitor Center, which includes a main gallery,

ible,” he said. The system is used for music playback

which required distributed audio as well as video for

check-in area, cocktail bar, and a sitting room.

and announcements; staff members also have access

both internal messaging and presentation. JCA

Outside visitors may stroll through the Culinary

to four roaming microphones that can be fed into the

outfitted this space an Allen & Heath AHM-32 audio

Garden, a pergola, or gather on a patio.

system when necessary.

matrix processor integrated with eight Martin ceiling

Joe Riggs, senior manager of engineering

For Home Place, JCA selected speakers by Danley

speakers, which are driven by a LEA Connect Series

Sound Labs to fulfill both audio quality and aesthetic

704 amplifier. There are also three NEC commercial

requirements—there are 48 positioned throughout

displays, one 98-inch and two 65-inch screens.

the facility, including in every restroom stall. “One of

Switching is achieved through a Kramer presenta-

the issues with the visitors center was that these were

tion switcher, and an RTI KX7 touchpanel provides

very small spaces. We needed something we could

control. “Using the touchpanel, users can choose

make disappear while also having all the headroom

between different audio sources on the AHM and control

we needed and crystal-clear audio,” Peake said.

what shows on the large screens,” explained Alex Peake,

He recalled that his team worked with the loud-

project manager at JCA. “It’s simple but flexible.”

speaker manufacturer to custom paint the cabinets to

The breakroom deployment expanded to the

match the Maker’s Mark color palette. “We have about

nearby bottling lines, above which JCA integrated

17 Danley Cube speakers around the outside of the

Technomad speakers, also driven by the LEA amp and

house that are [painted] a specific Maker’s Mark

controlled by the RTI interface. “We did a little bit of aiming for directivity to make sure that the people on bottling would hear and the visitors walking through

26

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

Left: From welcoming music to tour announcements, the audio quality throughout the Home Place Visitor Center was a top priority for the distillery.

AV RENOVATION BUSINESS

brown,” he added. “That can only be found here.”

palette—to reduce reflections in this area.

Audio distribution for Home Place required a

Maker’s Mark is continuing to perform renovations

larger processor, and JCA selected the Allen & Heath

and make AV upgrades across its campus. One end goal

AHM-64. An 11-inch RTI KA11 touchpanel serves as

is the ability to provide communication and paging

the main control interface that displays a blueprint of

between its buildings. This scalability is why JCA

the interior and exterior zones. “[Users] can easily

selected Allen & Heath’s AHM platform. “It’s very

select a room, then choose what it’s listening to and

much going to be a connected distillery from building to

mix in different sources like the wireless mic or music

building,” Peake said. “That is the ultimate end game

playback or the level of the tour announcement audio,” Peake explained.

RTI touchpanels provide AV control across the Maker’s Mark facility.

JCA also programmed music playback presets for

that we’ve kept in mind as we’ve built these systems.”

This level of connectivity—and even that which already exists in each of the revamped buildings—

each room that allow announcements to take priority.

people to hear announcements when large groups

requires communication between the AV and IT teams,

Additional presets let users turn the music off when

were in the spaces.

Riggs noted. “JCA has worked phenomenally with our

the wireless mics are in use, and a “Do Not Disturb”

To address this, JCA activated the AHM-64’s

corporate IT department,” he said. “Any time we do a

feature prevents announcements from being heard in

Ambient Noise Compensation function, which

connected conference room IT is always involved, and

selected spaces when VIP tours are in progress. In

works in conjunction with hidden boundary micro-

Alex and his team are more than willing to jump on

addition to the KA11, RTI touchpanels positioned in

phones that are fitted into the ceiling. These mics

Teams calls with that team to discuss the details.”

the cocktail bar and check-in desk enable staff at

“listen” to the room and increase or decrease the

these locations to recall presets as well.

master volumes in these spaces, based on their

he’s observed at the entertainment behemoth’s

occupancy at any given time.

amusement parks when thinking about how AV can

Cocktail Bar Challenges

“If 50 people walk into the gallery, the announce-

Peake, a fan of Disney, drew inspiration from what

contribute to creating an experience at Maker’s Mark.

One of the challenges JCA faced was providing

ments and music levels will gradually rise with the

“We wanted audio everywhere,” he said. “At Disney,

intelligibility in the cocktail bar and gallery. The high

noise in the room,” Peake said. “As the group leaves,

everywhere you go you hear something that is keeping

glass ceilings, combined with materials like plaster,

it slowly rolls back down.” JCA also outfitted the

you in that area, keeping you in that feeling. That’s

tile, and hardwood floors, presented a number of

cocktail bar with acoustic treatments—again,

what we wanted for Maker’s: to use audio to help that

reflective surfaces that would make it difficult for

custom-painted according to the Maker’s Mark color

experience continue throughout the visit.”

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BUSINESS NETWORKED AUDIO

McMullian explained. “Being able to control the wireless from the Control Cockpit software is a necessity for Christopher. All of this, with the flexibility to use any Neumann or Sennheiser capsules to outfit the church choir, made this a spot-on setup for Berkeley Prep.”

Situated near downtown, frequency coordination for wireless mics can be particularly challenging. The school is a few blocks from Tampa International Airport, and there are a dozen digital TV transmitters in the surrounding area, which adds an additional layer of complexity. “Frequency coordination can be hinky,” Cook admitted. “I’ve had bad experiences in the past and have had to learn what high traffic times are at the airport. For instance, in the past I couldn’t do outdoor rehearsals around 2 p.m. without getting squashed by air traffic.”

The new chapel on campus relies on Sennheiser EW-DX for services.

All Clear on Campus Berkeley Prep Upgrades to Sennheiser Wireless Audio

B

With so many daily activities across campus that require wireless audio (both indoors and out), Berkeley Prep needed a wireless system that could to room—I have to hop on the golf cart,” he said.

handle the crowded RF spectrum while minimizing

“Now I just go on computer, pop on Control Cockpit,

the legwork for Cook and other wireless users. Part of

and make sure everything is good. We are networking

Sennheiser’s Evolution Wireless Digital family of

all audio consoles.”

products, EW-DX offers low, 1.9ms latency and

Cook’s early adoption of the new EW-DX system

eliminates the need for frequency calculation thanks

was a natural progression, as he’s been a Sennheiser

to its equidistant frequency spacing, which does not

user since his time touring with musicians more than

pollute available spectrum with intermodulation.

20 years ago. “I started working in audio in 2000, and

“With the EW-DX units I don’t have these [frequency

when you go on tour, people are picky with what

coordination] issues,” Cook noted. “They don’t get

brand they use,” he explained. “Through traveling

stomped on by anything.”

erkeley Preparatory School, a pre-K-12 day

and using different wireless systems and micro-

Beamworks has been equipping the local Tampa

school in Tampa, FL, maintains a packed

phones, I found that I always got more gain out of

market with wireless solutions since the late 1990s,

schedule of activities for more than 1,400

Sennheiser versus other wireless brands. I fell in love

and McMullian has almost two decades of first-hand

with Sennheiser early and kept with it.”

experience with the crowded RF environment and

students as well as faculty and staff. From theater productions to chapel services to daily staff meet-

how to best navigate it. “In this area, anything from

ings in the auditorium and more, the school regu-

Beating RF Traffic

larly requires wireless audio solutions. In March,

Cook worked closely with Beamworks to plan,

“EW-DX can find nooks and crannies that work

with support from Beamworks, a full-service AV

purchase, and rollout the EW-DX system across

whereas regular bands don’t even function.”

rental and production company in nearby ­Oldsmar,

campus. Drew McMullian, operations manager at

FL, Berkeley Prep rolled out 40 channels of

Beamworks, brought hands-on support to the

A Sound Production

Sennheiser’s EW-DX wireless system.

installation process and found Control Cockpit’s

The recent installation of EW-DX across Berkeley

networked approach to be a comprehensive solution

Prep’s campus was completed at a crucial make-or-

for the school’s needs.

break-it point. The rollout was right in time for tech

Christopher Cook, productions technical director, is Berkeley Prep’s resource for all things AV, and solely responsible for the technical aspects of all

“Getting everything connected and networked

500-540MHz band completely disappeared,” he said.

week for the school’s highly anticipated production

concerts, plays, and assemblies. The school has long

has been incredible. They built a beautiful new chapel

of Mean Girls. It was the first school in Tampa to

used Sennheiser G3 wireless for its audio needs, but

recently, and the AV room is up a spiral staircase, so it

adapt the popular musical, and the wireless system

he recently began looking for a new solution to meet

is not accessible if you need to get there quickly,”

rose to the challenge.

RF challenges while enabling a fully networked solution across the campus.

He also needed a solution that could be managed offsite. As Berkeley Prep’s wireless setup spans

“I used 24 channels of EW-DX, and it was immeBerkeley Prep’s 820-seat theater uses 24 channels of EW-DX for a variety of performances and events.

diately night and day [from our previous system]. The sound quality was more natural, the intelligibility was better—they were just so clean,” recalled Cook. “I

three black box theaters across the elementary,

didn’t change my mic technique, it was just the units.

middle, and upper school divisions, plus a recital

I got a lot of great comments about how natural the

space, 820-seat theater, and new chapel, being able

production sounds.”

to manage all wireless needs from a centralized hub was a key consideration.

Sennheiser EW-DX can be managed via Control

Cook plans to improve campus audio in more places with EW-DX. “I’m really excited to eventually merge out into the athletic fields,” he said. “Eventu-

Cockpit so Cook can oversee, coordinate, and trouble-

ally, I want each venue to have EW-DX managed

shoot wireless operations from his laptop. “Our

through Control Cockpit. I look forward to expanding

campus is 80 acres, so I’m not able to walk from room

with the EW-DX line and growing with it.”

28

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

TECHNOLOGY IMMERSIVE AUDIO

More Than Immersive How Spatial Audio Systems Deliver Better Experiences for Live Audiences

By Marc Lopez

I

layer of content and context comprehension and

localization for all but a small sliver of the audience.

filtering.

Spatial systems can deliver it all—precise intelligibility, smooth coverage, and accurate localization for the

mmersive has become a common buzzword

Sound Alignment Assistance

in the AV world. It has been used to describe

While our different senses can work independently,

quality loudspeaker systems and spatial processing

enhanced experiences ranging from cinema and

they also work as a cohesive group to improve the

engines that incorporate dynamic time delay along

themed entertainment to theatrical performances,

efficiency of comprehension. Scientific studies have

with level processing.

conjuring up images and sounds of panoramic

shown that our brains work harder when we are

environments, jets flying overhead, or being in the

forced to manually align sound with what we are

of worship have more in common than one would

middle of a rainforest enjoying a dining experience.

seeing.

assume, at least from an AV perspective. Both

The term “immersive audio” actually has roots in

For example, when viewing a panel of presenters

entire audience—particularly when utilizing high

Corporate auditoriums and contemporary houses

environments typically have a variety of video

cinema, creating some perceived association to

on stage from afar and hearing all of them from a

content and a talking head (or more) on stage who

surround sound as the closest relatable concept,

single loudspeaker position, usually the one closest to

expects their listeners to engage with every word.

although they are not in the same realm of perfor-

us and nowhere near the presenters’ actual position,

They want to provide a distraction-free environment

mance and flexibility. Beyond the buzzword, there is a

our brains work overtime in the background to

for best transmission of their messages.

world of commercial applications that will help

discern who is speaking before we can digest the

achieve the practical communication goals of venue

content of what is being said. This can affect one’s

production lighting, and a sound system to support it.

stakeholders.

ability to engage with the content at a deep level.

Line arrays can be problematic to video sightlines, but

The systems usually consist of large video screens,

“Spatial audio” is a less dramatic and more

Spatial systems can ease this extraneous workload for

a spatial audio system can offer smaller loudspeakers

accurate description for the systems being deployed

the brain, simply delivering the spatial context that is

or shorter array lengths, just distributed to more

today. We live in a spatial world; therefore, our senses

aligned with the person speaking on stage.

positions. This brings an advantage to both visual

are highly tuned to interpret our three-dimensional

Another benefit that should not be overlooked is

sightlines and sound localization, augmenting the

environments efficiently. We know when people are

that spatial systems can widen the “sweet spot”

speaking directly to us and can easily redirect our

listening area to ensure the entire audience is

engagement that stakeholders expect.

attention when our name is called from a distance in

experiencing the same localization, no matter where

functions that can be performed. For example,

any direction. Our highly advanced ear-brain system

they are seated. Traditional audio system design

spatial systems can unify a house-of-worship

can use sound pressure levels and arrival times to

focuses on intelligibility and even coverage through-

congregation for a shared experience using virtual

pinpoint localization of sounds with the additional

out the seating area, but typically lacks accurate

acoustics. To alleviate the feeling of a congregant

In addition, there are other enhancement

NewPointe Community Church Elevates Services with Spatial Audio In the realm of worship, the fusion of technology and

resemble rock shows, bombarding you with sound from the front with little to

spirituality can create a transformative experience. This

no spatial awareness. We see the Soundscape system as the future of the

potential has been fully realized at the Dover, OH, campus

worship experience.”

of NewPointe Community Church with the integration of

Alex Earnhardt

With its two, 12-inch woofers in a dipole arrangement for directivity control,

d&b Soundscape, a spatial and augmented acoustics

the d&b 24S two-way loudspeaker was chosen for mains. The 44S, an ultra-­

solution. The Dover campus broadcasts its services to five

compact point source loudspeaker with flexible mounting options, was used as

other campuses, providing a cohesive multisite worship

the front fill system. Earnhardt said that implementing the Soundscape system

experience to all who attend.

presented no significant challenges because of the ease of rigging, predictabil-

NewPointe Community Church is a nondenomina-

tional church, nestled in a town of roughly 30,000 residents that draws a weekly

ity, and accuracy of the system components.

“When we were approached to design a new PA system for NewPointe

congregation of 2,000 people at its main campus. On average, all six campuses

Church,” Earnhardt said, “we aimed to provide them with a cutting-edge

together attract about 4,000 worshippers over two weekly services, a number

solution and approach worship technology with a forward-thinking mindset.

that has seen steady growth since the end of the pandemic.

d&b Soundscape, boasting unique audio features, advanced predictability JOSH BEAVER

When Ben Abbott, NewPointe’s production experience director, approached MediaNet AV about upgrading the church’s existing line array system, Alex Earnhardt, head of installation, was able to identify some design improvements.

Coupled with the age of the current system, it paved the way for a new modern system design approach.

Earnhardt proposed the Soundscape system to meet NewPointe’s requirements. After a live demo in Pittsburgh, Abbott was sold. “I knew instantly that it was the future of live sound,” Abbott recalled. “The Soundscape system, with its immersive experience, stands out in the church world, where most PA systems

30

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

Spatial audio systems can widen the “sweet spot” listening area in facilities such as NewPointe Community Church in Dover, OH.

IMMERSIVE AUDIO TECHNOLOGY

the efficacy of a system to deliver proper localization of a sound object, providing insight on whether adjustments to the design are required at the planning stages.

Through this marriage of multiple loudspeaker positions with an intelligent central processor, object-based mixing becomes a reality. Simply stated, the processor makes all the decisions on which loudspeakers are outputting signals to achieve the best spatialization of that object, having awareness of those loudspeaker types and positions. Loudspeakers act as a functional group rather than individual outputs.

This is very different than a bus-based system

Stereo PA with same signal out of both sides (dual mono).

In this example of a stereo PA with the same signal out of both sides (dual mono), areas in red, orange, and yellow indicate an audience member who hears localization toward a speaker, not to the sound icon (performer position). Only members seated exactly center can perceive the “ghost image” of a stereo system correctly.

Approximately 3% of audience is hearing the show as intended.

This image represents the effect on the audience once the d&b Soundscape spatial algorithm is applied through five speaker positions. Although the performer’s signal is present in all five speakers, it is distributed with time and level offsets to maintain intended localization for all audience locations, regardless of what speakers the audience member is hearing. Now, approximately 98% of the audience is hearing the show as intended. The front rows can be further improved by adding front fills, which also render the signal with spatial awareness.

singing alone, the system can disperse enhanced

ever with convenient simulation tools, streamlined

standard control systems can regulate presets and

acoustical energy throughout the space, creating a

workflow, and simple control. Systems are designed

parameters for typical setups.

sense of togetherness. These systems can even

with many of the same fundamentals, albeit some

deliver flexibility for a multipurpose conference

different than what we have been accustomed to

spatial audio systems can deliver to commercial

area, where different seating and/or speaking

with traditional audio systems. The loudspeaker

applications beyond entertainment. Technology is

configurations are required, or even rooms that

layouts are flexible, allowing for systems to be

making the versatility, ease, and scalability of these

need to be split and combined, all without the need

designed in 180-360 degrees and everything

“immersive” systems more attainable to a wider

of traditional DSP systems—and with the added

in between.

range of applications, particularly as stakeholders

where the operator is assigning inputs directly to loudspeaker outputs. The result of object-based mixing provides seamless interaction of placing objects in a graphical representation of the stage, making it very simple for audio engineers to quickly assign positioning. Tracking systems can also be utilized to decrease the effort further, and even

benefit of audio localization for the audience.

The ability to scale based on the configuration of

We haven’t even begun to tap the potential that

strive to gain more engagement from their listeners

the stage or size of the audience area is not a

and deliver a more captivating in-person experi-

problem. Use point sources, line arrays, augmented

ence through technology.

The concept of spatial sound is not new, but

arrays—whatever is appropriate for the space will

Marc Lopez is the vice president of marketing for

technology has enabled us to deploy it easier than

work. Acoustic simulation software can now predict

d&b audiotechnik Americas.

Simulation Simplicity

software, and a comprehensive toolset, aligns with the future direction of the house of worship market. We are confident this Soundscape deployment will serve them well for the next 15-20 years.”

NewPointe’s updated Soundscape system at NewPointe Church includes seven 24S-D point sources for mains, 12 44S for front fills, eight Bi6 in a flown sub array, five 10S-D for delays, and four 8S for lateral enhancement speakers, plus a DS100 signal engine with En-Scene processing, two DS10 Dante network bridges, five 40D amplifiers, and three 5D amplifiers.

A 180-plus-degree configuration that utilizes lateral speakers to extend the system into the congregation was implemented for the church. The ­Soundscape system optimizes speaker performance, adding fidelity and headroom throughout the space. It also reduces the burden on the mix engineer and delivers a superior listening experience for the entire congregation while keeping sightlines clear.

NewPointe Community Church continues to use technology to create appealing and distraction-free worship environments. The investment in Soundscape not only enriches the church’s audio experience, but also paves the way for future technological advancements in worship settings.

“When we embarked on this project, our primary objective was to enhance the worship experience,” Abbott said. “While it’s not our official mission statement, our guiding motto is to ‘create irresistible experiences.’ To achieve this, we believe in leveraging technology that truly engages our congregation.

Soundscape, with its immersive technology, combined with engaging video content and lighting, plays a pivotal role in realizing that vision.”

avnetwork.com // October 2023 // SCN

31

TECHNOLOGY MICROPHONES Beamforming technology is optimized in situations where various speakers must be heard, such as a conference room.

Voices Carry

Beamforming Technology Helps Everyone Be Heard

By Ken Platz and Brent Shumard

achieve beamforming in our Microflex Advance portfolio of ceiling, wall, and table array micro-

B

phones (including the newly launched MXA902 eamforming technology describes the way

integrated ceiling array microphone and loud-

in which the spatial response of any wave-

speaker), and that’s accomplished with many

based propagation is manipulated. It can be

signals that are manipulated to manage direction-

used across RF applications, lighting applications,

ality in a conference room or other space.

and, in our case, acoustic applications. Beamforming

Today, you tend to see beamforming technology

technology helps manage the directionality of vari-

with DSP. Physical, interference tube beamforming

ous sound behaviors to ensure the acoustic waves

is mostly seen today in shotgun microphones, but

are pointing in the intended direction—and not

the industry is largely moving away from the

pointing where it is not intended.

physical domain and toward digital with DSP

At Shure, we employ beamforming technologies across countless audio devices and microphones to ensure voices can connect regardless of location in a

architecture and processing blocks that enable the manipulation of signals for communication.

With DSP-based beamforming technology, the

Shure MXA902

room or conferencing space. Here’s how to use

directivity of the microphone can be changed

beamforming technology to enable better communi-

dynamically without altering the physical position of

cation within your organization.

the microphone. It is simple to notice a difference

determine the areas of highest sensitivity that

when using an array microphone versus a shotgun

require manipulation.

Technology Evolution

microphone. With a shotgun microphone, you must

Beamforming technology can be implemented in

physically point it in various directions to pick up

Beamforming Benefits

several ways—geometrically, physically, in the

sound.

Beamforming technology is optimized in a situation

analog signal domain, and with digital signal

With an array microphone integrating

where there are various speakers whose voices must

processing (DSP). Geometrically, beamforming is

­DSP-based beamforming technology, you can alter

be heard, such as a conference room or office meeting

attained using the shape of the object. Physically,

the processing program to point to the area of

space. It provides the ability to direct the intended

it’s done with an interference tube and a single

highest sensitivity in one area of a room, while still

area of pickup to a specific speaker or area of the

condenser microphone. In the analog signal

managing the areas of lowest sensitivity in other

room, while lowering the sensitivity in other posi-

domain, beamforming is realized using analog

parts of the room. The DSP-based technology

tions in the room. This ensures speakers in certain

signal processing and solid-state components,

enables the microphones to seamlessly adjust to

areas of a room are highly intelligible, while other

resistors, capacitors, and conductors. We use DSP to

pick up the necessary pieces of conversation and

noises are minimized.

32

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

MICROPHONES TECHNOLOGY

technology for studio recording use, as that is a

Shure launched its MXA910 beamforming ceiling

hall or presentation space, beamforming technol-

In reverberant spaces, like a large conference

scenario where you want the true-to-life, uncolored

array microphone in 2016, and several years since that

ogy can isolate direct sound. As a result, it blocks

sound.

initial innovation, beamforming technology contin-

out the reflected energy and noise circulating

While certain scenarios are not always ideal for

ues to evolve for use across applications.

around the room for a clear conversation. In larger

beamforming technology, it is inspiring to see how

Ken Platz is the director of acoustics and Brent

rooms, beamforming technology can reduce noise

the technology comes to life across new applications.

Shumard is an acoustic engineer at Shure.

and assist with noise isolation. It minimizes air handling and stationary noise in the signal chain to increase intelligibility.

Beamforming technology also results in a more aesthetically pleasing environment. While traditional single-element microphones may be peppered around a conference room or scattered across a surface, beamforming technology allows you to remove the microphones from the tables and still maintain high levels of intelligibility.

Devices with beamforming technology are well suited for a number of environments. We have mentioned use in conferencing and office spaces, as well as larger reverberant spaces filled with hard surfaces. Classrooms prove to be another prime use for beamforming technology, as classroom spaces are often large and require isolated voices. Students want to clearly hear a teacher at the front of the room, and the teacher needs the ability to easily pick up voices in the back of the room.

Whether integrating into a classroom or a meeting room, beamforming technology allows you to isolate the voices of individual speakers and form a room response that directs the sound or audio to the intended listener.

As we continue developing devices with beamforming technology, we constantly come across new use cases. There are still areas, of course, where we don’t recommend beamforming technology, as it won’t be as effective as intended. For example, the technology doesn’t perform best in high sound pressure level (SPL) environments where it will interfere with linearity, such as a large sports arena.

We also tend to not recommend beamforming

With DSP-based beamforming technology, the directivity of the microphone can be changed dynamically without altering the physical position of the microphone. avnetwork.com // October 2023 // SCN

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33

TECHNOLOGY SPEAKERPHONES

Hybrid and Hands-Free With Noise Cancellation and Other Features, Speakerphones Offer Versatility for Today's Workforce BEYERDYNAMIC

with participants encircling it, can yield optimal results. This convergence of design and functionality generates an environment where the speaker’s voice is faithfully captured, transcending geographical barriers.”

One factor that always makes headlines is when a device gets certified by reputable UCC companies like Zoom or Microsoft. According to Ken Eagle, CEO of Hall Technologies, a certified speakerphone ensures better audio quality, compatibility with videoconferencing software, ease of use, and reliability.

“It lets you know that you are working with those vendors in creating a product that meets their criteria, their standard,” added Harvell. “People get a lot of confidence with that; it’s been run through a lab, run through tests. It is that peace of mind and confidence that gives end users that confidence that it has been tested out, so they don’t have to do as much benchmark testing themselves.”

As Eagle also points out, it’s not always just about the speakerphone. Pay attention to the size of the room the speakerphone will be used in, which includes the number of seats at the table. The location of the room is also an important factor, because with

Speakerphone technology—whether it be via AI or advancements in audio capture—continues to evolve to meet the needs of the remote and in-person colleagues.

greater space comes greater chance for disruptive noises. Plus, budget should always be a consideration, as speakerphones pricing can vary widely.

By Wayne Cavadi

T

he market for speakerphones is evolving. No longer strictly confined to meeting spaces

board rooms to open spaces—there are several factors that should be considered in finding the ideal

AI Is Here

speakerphone. The ability to expand in range is one of

Artificial intelligence is the buzzword everywhere,

those important considerations.

and it’s no different in the world of Pro AV. AI is

Take the AVer FONE540, for example. “It has a

already playing a pivotal role in several products, such

and videoconferencing in the office, speaker-

15-foot pickup radius, but you could daisy-chain two

as auto-tracking videoconferencing cameras. What

phone technology has had to account for the hybrid

other ones with a network cable to be able to cover a

role does AI have in the next age of speakerphone

world in every sector. While many workers are back

large room,” noted Carl Harvell, director of product

technologies?

in the office, many are still home, at least a portion

marketing for AVer. “It has the expandability option

of the time. Instead of having to pop on a headset

to be able to throw one in for a small conference room,

on many speakerphones, helping to reduce back-

every time a call comes in, a speakerphone is cer-

but if you have a large conference room, you could

ground noise and improve audio quality,” said Eagle.

tainly a nice accessory.

chain three of them and then have that single USB

“This is especially important for hybrid workers who

connection going back to the PC.”

may be participating in calls from noisy environ-

“In the era of burgeoning remote and hybrid work arrangements, the importance of seamless commu-

It may sound like a no-brainer, but audio quality is

“AI-powered noise cancellation is now standard

ments, such as coffee shops or home offices.”

nication in virtual meetings has surged,” explained

rather important when choosing a speakerphone.

Joel R. Cruz, director of marketing for BZBGEAR.

That’s why understanding how a device’s audio

voice localization features to speakerphones,” added

“This entails the need for effective videoconferencing

capture technology works within the required space is

Cruz. “Essentially, this technology tracks the current

and voice calls for workers operating offsite. The

pivotal for your use case.

speaker’s voice in real time, enabling speakerphones

convenience offered by an all-in-one device combin-

“At the core of each contemporary huddle room or

“Artificial intelligence has introduced distinctive

to deliver clear and succinct audio, even when the

ing a microphone and speaker, coupled with user-

conference room lies a delicate interplay between

speaker is active or situated in a bustling environment

friendly plug-and-play functionalities, significantly

design and technology,” said Cruz. “Amidst the

with background noise.”

streamlines the dynamics of remote work.”

multitude of factors influencing this combination,

So, what should you look for in speakerphones in the home office, conference room, and beyond?

Evolution of Audio Quality As hybrid meetings change—from huddle rooms to

34

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

“AI should reflect human intelligence,” added

the arrangement takes precedence, particularly with

Harvell. “ You have to be able to figure out who the

regard to the audio capture capabilities of the

active speaker is and intelligently do that, because if

speakerphone. Imagine a speakerphone endowed

there’s multiple people talking in the conference

with an impressive 360-degree voice pickup range.

room or they’re having sidebar conversations, you

Positioning it at the center of the conference table,

don’t want to pick those guys up.”

SPEAKERPHONES TECHNOLOGY

Eagle also mentioned some “cool new features” to

office, it’s an ideal plug-and-play

reverberation, echo, or feed-

look out for, including real-time translation to allow

solution for hybrid working.

back—25 hours of battery life, and

people to communicate in different languages,

Equipped with 360-degree SMART

IP64 certification to protect against

automatic transcription, and virtual assistants to

MIC TECHNOLOGY—which

dust and splash water, SPACE MAX

control a speakerphone using your voice to take calls,

automatically detects voice or noise

adjust settings, and more without having to touch the

signals while suppressing unwanted

device.

There is no shortage of speakerphones to choose from, so which one is right for you? SCN can help start your search with selected models from 16 manufacturers.

AnkerWork SR500 Speakerphone The AnkerWork SR500 is ideal for both conference rooms and busy open areas thanks to the company’s VoiceRadar 2.0 technology, which uses deep learning to isolate voices from background noise. The speakerphone can accommodate several room sizes with up to five SR500 speakerphones linked together for larger rooms. With an all-in-one conference speaker and microphone, the SR500 picks up voices up to 16 feet away and syncs up with UCC software, including Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

AVer FONE540 The FONE540 is a daisy-chainable USB speakerphone that enhances audio conferencing experiences in personal workspaces, huddle rooms, and mediumto-large conference rooms. Easy to plug in, install, and use, the FONE540 boasts flexible connectivity, noise suppression, and three-way calls. The FONE540 silences noise to guarantee audio clarity to free participants from traditional audio distraction. Additionally, the FONE540 promotes remote collaboration and conversation by implementing double-talk detection.

beyerdynamic SPACE MAX The beyerdynamic SPACE MAX wireless Bluetooth speakerphone combines high-quality speech intelligibility and enhanced audio quality for speech reproduction, multimedia, and music. Whether it’s in a large meeting room, huddle room, or individual

avnetwork.com // October 2023 // SCN

35

is a speakerphone for professionals on the go.

TECHNOLOGY SPEAKERPHONES

Biamp Parlé TTM-XEX The Parlé TTM-XEX is a low-profile tabletop micro-

closest to the person speaking, reducing interference

speaker. Presentation

from ambient noise. It retains the leading features of

options include a

the original CHAT 150 speakerphone—including

USB-hub (resolution

advanced noise cancellation, full duplex distributed

up to 1080p@60Hz),

echo cancellation, and Automatic Level Control (ALC)

HDMI (up to

algorithms—to ensure highly intelligible, natural

4K@30Hz), HDBaseT,

audio capture and playback.

and wireless casting.

phone designed to extend the range of the ­Parlé TTM-X, an audio-bridging-over-ethernet (ABV)

Crestron Flex Pods

microphone for use in Tesira systems. The TTM-XEX

Crestron Flex Pods

includes Beamtracking technology with four

tabletop wireless audio

90-degree zones, providing full coverage of the

solution provides

meeting space. The Beamtracking performance is

customers and channels

delivered via an unobtrusive design that can be either

with even more choice in

ceiling mounted (the Parlé TCM-XEX version) or

how they deploy

placed on a tabletop. The TTM-XEX actively tracks and

Crestron microphone

intelligently mixes conversations from around the

and speaker solutions

Jabra Speak2 75

table, allowing far-end participants to experience the

across an organization.

The Jabra Speak2 75 is engineered specifically to meet

conversation as they would a face-to-face meeting.

BZBGEAR BG-OMNITALK-PRO

Crestron Flex Pods include built-in microphone,

the needs of hybrid working. The professional

speaker, and audio controls that wirelessly connect to

speakerphone features a custom-designed

UC room solutions such as a Microsoft Teams

­Microphone Quality Indicator and a 360-degree light

Offering crystal-clear communication, the

Room. No matter where a user is in the space,

ring that shows users how well their voice is being

BG-OMNITALK-PRO boasts an impressive 360-degree

Crestron Flex Pods can be moved to ensure optimal

picked up by the microphones, giving users the

voice pickup range, extending up to nearly 20 feet. Its

range and reach, so everyone can hear and be heard

reassurance of true professionalism from wherever

four-microphone array ensures every participant is

clearly. In-room participants experience consistent

they may be working. In addition, the speakerphone

heard with utmost clarity. With plug-and-play

audio levels as volume levels are synchronized across

includes an advanced full-range 65mm speaker,

all Crestron Flex Pods in the room.

offering a dramatically more powerful audio experi-

connectivity via USB-C or Bluetooth, it seamlessly integrates with various devices

EPOS EXPAND 80

ence and ultimately resulting in much more efficient and productive meetings.

and communication

This scalable Bluetooth speakerphone unites up to 16

apps such as Zoom

in-room participants, which are heard clearly

MAXHUB BM35 Speakerphone

and Skype for

through six adaptive, beamforming microphones that

MAXHUB’s BM35 is a powerful, portable, Bluetooth

Business. The

isolate voices from room reverb and ambient noise.

speakerphone that provides crystal-clear audio and

built-in 8000mAh

An ultra-low distortion speaker in a unique sus-

disruption-free sound for any size meeting space.

battery provides 12 hours

pended speaker box provides rich, natural sound.

With a 19-foot pick-up range,

Conference room attendees can expand the reach of

AI noise cancellation,

their meetings with up to two speakerphones for

and full-duplex

of music playback and 14 hours of talk time. Designed to accommodate gatherings of up to 15 attendees, its compact design, coupled with

audio, the BM35

advanced DSP technology and universal compatibility,

transforms any

establishes it as an efficient instrument for fostering

room into a

productive conferences.

modern meeting space. Certified for

ClearOne CHAT 150 BT

Zoom, the BM35 offers

With simple and instant connection to personal

flexibility and easy installation.

computers, mobile devices or Bluetooth-enabled

larger meetings. Conference calls are easily setup in

Connect the BM35 easily to any PC, with a variety of

desk phones, the CHAT 150 BT group speakerphone

seconds with multiple connectivity options, intuitive

connection options to choose from including a

with USB and Bluetooth connectivity provides users

user interface, and one-touch access to a preferred

Bluetooth dongle, plug-and-play, or NFC.

with an upgrade to home offices, executive offices,

Voice Assistant.

and mid-sized meeting rooms. Featuring a steerable

Poly Sync 40

microphone array with first-mic priority, the

Hall Technologies Odyssey

CHAT 150 BT intelligently activates the microphone

Odyssey is a meeting collaboration system that

designed for flexible and huddle workspaces. Everyone

includes mic, speaker, and a built-in presentation

can hear and be heard without missing a word with a

switch for a high-quality audio and video experience,

multimicrophone array. The speakerphone is battery-

whether across the room or across the globe. Odyssey

powered, so teams can use it anywhere in the room.

works seamlessly with all soft-codec conferencing solutions and is compatible for Windows, Mac OS, and Android, as well as UC platforms like Zoom, WebEx, and Teams. The audio includes an omnidirectional microphone array with echo cancellation and noise reduction paired with an advanced 10W conference

36

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

The Poly Sync 40 USB Bluetooth smart speakerphone is

SPEAKERPHONES TECHNOLOGY

Pair two units together for larger meetings with louder

Shure Stem Table

or backpack. It is

volume, more microphones, and wider voice pickup.

Part of Shure’s

ideal for hybrid

Smart and simple, the Poly Sync 40 is just as flexible as

Stem Ecosystem,

workers who are

the space it sits in.

Stem Table is a

working remotely,

high-quality

putting clear

conferencing

outgoing and

speakerphone

inbound audio at their fingertips. The speakerphone

Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Intelligent Speaker is

that turns any

also offers 10 hours of wireless battery life and a

certified for Microsoft Teams. With this solution,

environment into

headphone jack for private listening.

Sennheiser supports smart, focused, meetings for up

a professional conferencing space. Firmware updates

to 10 people, whether participants are in the room or

Sennheiser TeamConnect Intelligent Speaker

have delivered improvements in clarity, more

Yealink CP965

remote. It features an

consistent speech levels, and enhanced intelligibility

The Yealink CP965 is designed

omnidirectional

for more natural communication for end users. These

for medium and large-sized

speaker that

enhancements to Stem Table yielded improved

conference rooms. Based on

covers more than

double-talk performance. Additional updates have

Android 11, the CP965 provides

an 11-foot radius

improved the installation experience with new

an easy user interface for both

and seven

Link-Local functionality, a new view to RoomDesign,

Microsoft Teams and Zoom

integrated

and API for third-party control for IT professionals.

(the speakerphone is already

beamforming

Microsoft Teams certified with Zoom certification in

Through the TeamConnect Intelligent Speaker,

Yamaha Unified Communications YVC-200

Microsoft Teams provides an automatic meeting

Offering USB, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity

providing a crystal-clear voice calling experience, as

transcript in real time, identifying the individual

options, the Yamaha UC YVC-200 is an efficient and

well as another microphone for noise cancellation.

people speaking by name, if they have enrolled their

effective plug-and-play device that can be used in an

Additionally, the CP965 easily connects to mobile

voices. This provides an inclusive meeting experience

array of use cases, from the classroom to the huddle

devices via Bluetooth or USB to accommodate a variety

for remote and hard-of-hearing participants.

room. The compact YVC-200 fits in any handheld bag

of UC hybrid meeting modes.

microphones to achieve enhanced sound quality.

the works). The CP965 has a 12-microphone array armed with Yealink’s Optima HD Voice technology,

TECHNOLOGY PRODUCT REVIEW

Office Chatter Clarity Jabra Speak2 55 Illustrates Appeal of Speakerphones

Holger Reisinger at Enterprise Connect 2023, and he said the integrated USB cord was a design decision based on customer requests.

On the one hand, if you break the cable, you break

Built for Travel

your phone. On the other hand, when was the last

Like many other speakerphones on the market, the

time you broke the integrated cord on your vacuum,

Speak2 55 resembles an overambitious hockey puck,

toaster, or other device? Bonus design points: The

never thought I needed a speakerphone in my

though this one has black fabric covering the speaker.

integrated cord wraps neatly around the base for

home office until I tried one. No more headsets

It also ships with a carry pouch. No, it’s not ballistic

transport and includes a USB-C adapter, so you have

on videoconferencing calls. No more muffled

nylon, but it provides some protection for your

connectivity options.

By Mark J. Pescatore

I

cables, this is a welcome feature. I spoke with Jabra’s

sound from the speakers of my closed laptop (my

speakerphone when it’s tucked in your backpack or

external monitor has no speakers). No more pick-

briefcase.

Ring of Power

ing up my cell phone to answer calls. Throw in the

Then there’s the integrated USB-A cord. In a

The Speak2 55 speaker is surrounded by an LED light

­ability to take it on the road for small meetings and

world filled with removeable (read: easily misplaced)

ring, which is a nice feature. It is fully illuminated in

you can start to understand the appeal.

and proprietary (read: a nightmare if misplaced)

white when you initially begin use, but eventually

Jabra offers several speakerphones, and I recently tested the Speak2 55. Priced at $189 on the Jabra website, it’s a mid-priced speakerphone option.

Considering SCN’s recent emphasis on

reduces to a small, glowing arc near the power button.

The entire light ring turns green when a call is live or red if you press mute.

Around the ring are all your controls. Press

sustainability, it should be noted that Jabra

the power icon for a few seconds and Jabra

reduced its packaging for the Speak2 55, and

Speak2 55 comes to life. The rest of the

the packaging is made with recyclable

controls are equally intuitive. Plus and

materials and FSC-certified paper. I under-

minus icons control volume, with the mute

stand that unboxing videos are an ongoing

button positioned between them. You also

trend—don’t worry, it’s still a nice presenta-

have dedicated icons for picking up and

tion. Now, let’s see what you get once it’s out of the box.

Above: The Jabra Speak22 55 speakerphone is pretty intuitive, with controls situated around an LED light ring.

hanging up your phone. The unit charges when it’s plugged into your laptop; touch the battery icon to see how much battery power you have.

Hold down the Bluetooth button for a few seconds

Whether connected via USB or Bluetooth, the Speak2 55 performed well during videoconferences.

38

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

PRODUCT REVIEW TECHNOLOGY

and you can pair the Speak2 55 with your cellphone or

Plus, I used the Speak2 55 connected directly to my

choice, it really shines as a Bluetooth add-on for your

laptop. Once you’ve paired your other device, it just

computer for numerous videoconferences without

phone calls or videoconferences. The main reason to

takes a tap to reconnect, or you can set it to auto-

complaint. I have a reasonably quiet Logitech wireless

get a speakerphone is to hear and be heard, and this

reconnect. The Bluetooth icon has its own blue light

keyboard and was told my typing could not be heard

Jabra unit certainly delivers. The integrated cable,

indicating you’re connected to another device. The

on the call.

long battery life, and Teams compatibility just add

Bluetooth connection takes precedence over your

While the Speak2 55 is a solid speakerphone

more value.

computer, so any laptop-based content is muted when a call comes through.

Easy Operation You can download the user manual from Jabra’s website, but the Speak2 55 is pretty intuitive. A quick update through the free Jabra Direct software (the LED circle turns purple) and I was ready to go. I reviewed the Microsoft Teams version, which provides special functionality for the videoconferencing platform. (The UC version has a customizable play/pause button in place of the Teams control.)

A built-in battery allows for up to 12 hours of wireless use. You can check the battery status by pressing the battery icon on the unit. I let the ­Speak2 55 play music from my iPhone for more than eight hours via Bluetooth, and it had still had plenty of juice.

Of course, your speakerphone can also serve as your system’s speaker, which means you’ll probably be using it to listen to music as well as meetings.

While I can’t say it provides the best fidelity from a speakerphone I’ve tested, it did provide a nice streaming rendition of “The Tipping Point” from Tears for Fears. With its connection to Jabra Direct, I’d like to see EQ choices in a future update.

The Speak2 55 features four beamforming, noise-cancelling mics to provide 360-degree coverage, plus voice level normalization so everyone in the room can be heard. All of that is handled automatically by the unit.

Let’s be clear: This is a speakerphone, not a headset (though Jabra sells those, too) that is designed to pick up audio from more than one person in a room. I had several Bluetooth test calls with the Speak2 55, and no one thought I was on a handset or headset. That said, I was told the Speak2 55 sounded “infinitely better” than another speakerphone I tested, even when I wandered across the room.

The Jabra Speak2 55 has an integrated USB-A cord that wraps around the base.

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39

TECHNOLOGY NEW PRODUCTS

cameras can send full HD feeds to an EasyIP Decoder or EasyIP Mixer for delivery to web-based conferencing solutions through a connection to a 1 Gb PoE+ switch.

This eliminates the need for costly USB extensions and makes it easy to integrate audio.

Palmer Digital Group OWDMB Series digital menu boards are designed for QSRs and fast

LYNX Technik PDM 1484 B and PDM 1484 D

casual restaurants that lack real estate for traditional

The PDM 1484 B and PDM 1484 D are multipurpose

menu board structures, including businesses located in

yellobriks supporting both embedding and de-

Palmer Digital Group’s new line of on-wall outdoor

outdoor shopping centers, strip malls, and busy urban

embedding functions simultaneously. The PDM 1484

areas. The OWDMB series offers single, double, and

Extron XPA Ultra FX Series

triple display configurations, with display sizes of 46,

The new Extron XPA Ultra FX Series of eight and

audio, and the PDM 1484 D (D-sub audio connection)

49, and 55 inches. Unlike PDG’s pedestal-style

four-channel multizone audio power amplifiers offers

supports balanced AES and analog audio. The modules

displays, the on-wall outdoor menu boards do not

exceptional flexibility. A single unit can be set up in a

allow access to four audio groups (16 channels), which

require a concrete foundation. PDG provides in-house-

variety of configurations to support large systems with

can easily be selected and assigned by a rotatory

built IP56-rated enclosures with each OWDMB on-wall

multiple speaker types. The amplifiers can simultane-

switch on the unit or via LynxCentraal or yelloGUI

digital menu board system to protect against inclem-

ously drive 8 ohm, 4 ohm, 70 volt, and 100 volt loads,

software. Ideal for applications that require multi-

ent weather elements and other natural intrusions.

and are easily configurable per channel. Each channel

channel audio handling, these yellobriks embed or

The enclosure also houses the company’s quad-outlet

of an adjacent pair dynamically draws power from the

de-embed digital AES or analog audio within any SDI

box, surge filters and media players, and is discreetly

pair’s total wattage, delivering optimal power where

video stream up to 12G, with embedded audio

mounted to remain out of customer sightlines.

it’s needed according to system requirements. The

automatically synchronized with the video. With

amplifiers feature Extron InstaWake+ technology,

built-in “auto-black” generation, the modules can

which can return to full power from standby in under 5

transport audio signals only, which provides an

milliseconds, ensuring no part of the audio is ever cut

efficient way to transport multichannel audio over

Made of commercial grade,

off. With an appealing new design, the fan-cooled

fiber (or coax) without dedicated audio A/D converters

extra heavy-duty zinc,

enclosure can be part of a high-tech aesthetic or

and external optical conversion.

Arlington’s new single-

hidden away in a rack, without requiring adjacent

gang, low-voltage mounting

empty space for ventilation.

Arlington LV1M Mounting Bracket

bracket offers extra rigidity, so it won’t bend like plastic.

LG ML5K-B Series

Its threaded holes deliver

A new line of patient engagement boards from LG

easy, fast device installation,

Business Solutions USA empowers hospitals to outfit

which saves on labor, and its

patient rooms with HD screens for displaying patient

B (BNC audio connection) supports unbalanced AES

wings hold the bracket secure when mounting screws

information. Both the 43-inch UHD (43ML5K-B) and

are tightened. With a recessed screw hole, It also seats

32-inch FHD (32ML5K-B) models are UL-listed for

wall plates flush with the mounting surface. The LV1M

Health Care. The ML5K-B Series are designed to

is designed for installations of Class 2 low-voltage

improve experiences for patients and caregivers while

wiring—such as communications, computer, and cable

simplifying operations for administrators and IT staff.

TV wiring—in existing construction.

The 32-inch model can be rapidly deployed utilizing

Magewell Eco Capture M.2 Capture Cards

POE without the exhaustive approval process com-

The Eco Capture HDMI 4K Plus M.2 and Eco Capture

Vaddio EasyIP 5

monly associated with modifying a room’s electrical

12G SDI 4K Plus M.2 capture 4K video at 60 frames per

To address an increasing demand for

components. An automatic brightness sensor ensures

second over HDMI or SDI interfaces, respectively.

meeting equity, the EasyIP 5 ePTZ camera

viewing comfort by matching ambient light levels

Higher frame rates available at lower resolutions, and

is a low-profile, professional camera

throughout the day. Both models can be wall-mounted

eight channels of embedded audio can also be captured

offering a dynamic viewing experience

vertically or horizontally and offer up to 50,000 hours

alongside the video. Eco Capture cards offer systems

via Vaddio’s IntelliFrame motion-

of life, making them ideal for 24/7 use. Integrated

integrators and OEM developers a space-efficient,

based auto framing technology.

stereo speakers further simplify deployment and

high-performance video capture solution with low

Vaddio’s EasyIP 5 is an HD ePTZ

provide flexibility to host a variety of content.

latency and low power consumption. Ideal for use in

camera with 5x zoom and an ultra-

small, portable, or embedded systems where full-sized

wide field of view. It offers customized

PCIe slots are not available, the cards feature an M.2

camera performance for different

connector and are the first Eco Capture cards to

environments and meeting types, mass firmware

leverage a PCIe Gen 3 bus interface, offering increased

updates, and free local technical support without any

DMA bandwidth over earlier models. FPGA-based

service contracts. It features one EasyIP (Network PoE+)

video processing enables high-quality up/down/

video output with plug-and-play connectivity with

cross-scaling, picture controls and color space

other Vaddio EasyIP collaboration endpoints. EasyIP

conversion without burdening the host system CPU.

40

SCN // October 2023 // avnetwork.com

NEW PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY

PTZOptics Link 4K The Link 4K features SDI, HDMI, USB, and IP streaming outputs—plus, it is

Christie M 4K15 RGB and M 4K+15 RGB

is Dante AV-H enabled, which

TASCAM DR-10L Pro

allows users to

Building on the strengths of the previous generation

control and

Part of Christie’s M 4K RGB Series, its two new RGB

DR-10L Micro linear PCM recorder, the new DR-10L

manage all their audio and video devices in one

pure laser projectors, the M 4K15 RGB and M 4K+15

Pro is an ultra-compact, lightweight, portable 32-bit

place. The camera delivers high-quality video at a

RGB, deliver 15,750 lumens and are designed for the

float recorder with clip-on microphone. Featuring

resolution of 4K at 60 fps, making it an ideal choice

most demanding applications, including staging and

exceptional sound quality and long battery life,

for broadcast settings, houses of worship, and

live events, projection mapping spectacles, and

the DR-10L Pro is an ideal choice for events like

educational institutions. One of the standout

theme park attractions. Christie has simplified

weddings, interviews, and on-location shoots. The

features of the Link 4K is its onboard auto-tracking

installation and operation by delivering full bright-

compact recorder is easy to hide, and the included

capabilities, which eliminates the need for a

ness at 120V or 220V, omnidirectional rigging

belt clip attaches easily and securely to clothing. The

dedicated camera operator. With PoE+ capabilities

capabilities, and TruLife+ electronics, which elimi-

DR-10L Pro offers plenty of storage capacity, with

and options for 12x, 20x, and 30x optical zoom, the

nates the hassle and cost of removable options cards.

support for microSDXC cards up to 512GB. Other

Link 4K can seamlessly integrate into any produc-

The new 3DLP projectors are compatible with legacy

features include an OLED display and a headphone

tion scenario. The Link 4K also offers users access to

M, J, and Crimson Series lenses, as well as M Series

output, as well as remote control and timecode

the latest Web UI, which provides everything

rigging frames, for additional cost savings. The M

sync (with optional dongle). Plus, the DR-10L Pro

needed in one menu.

4K15 RGB offers a 2,700:1 contrast ratio and 4K UHD

is bundled with a complimentary version of RX

resolution, while the M 4K+15 RGB offers a contrast

Elements, iZotope’s audio repair and noise

ratio of 2,200:1 and 4K UHD+ resolution.

reduction software.

FIBER CABLES

FLYPACKS & ROAD CASES

FURNITURE

MODULAR FLOOR BOXES

INSTALLATION PRODUCTS

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

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

avnetwork.com avnetwork.com // October 2023 // SCN

41

VIEWPOINT

Unscrambled Signals Why Effective Video Wall Design Is Critical for Command Centers

By Nick Mathis

desirable that only the most critical information be displayed—and only displayed during the active work

C

phase (query, decision, alerts, support, resolution). ybersecurity has never

The biggest challenge of all is managing all the data

been more important.

coming from different systems efficiently while

Increasingly, organiza-

ensuring users see what they need to see when they

tions are coming under attack from new and much more sophisticated methods, making

need to see it without compromising the data.

It’s no question that technology brings with it many benefits, but it also means that employees are

it imperative that information streams be rigorously

charged with constantly learning new technology and

monitored. For this reason, command and control

how it integrates with legacy equipment. In addition,

centers have become vital security hubs in many

security operation centers (SOCs) typically utilize a

applications—airport and transit security, computer

software-based VMS to manage the security infra-

and data security, event and facility security, and

structure. The VMS is the primary tool, and although

two ways to increase productivity through visualiza-

more. However, despite advances in technology,

optimized for desktop work at the operator station, it

tion automation: unattended monitoring and

there are significant challenges in command center

is not designed to manage content on video walls,

customized automation.

environments that impede the monitoring and

which is where operators need to share information

decision-making process.

with others. The video wall is also used to show

most monitoring software systems. However, the

First, it’s imperative to highlight how essential the

Operators need to monitor multiple information streams on their workstations and video walls.

Some form of automation is already built into

general information valuable to all operators that is

best video wall management solution will boast

operators or users are to the command center environ-

not part of the VMS, such as social media feeds,

automation features capable of triggering events

ment. To optimize decisions, they must be equipped

weather information, cable TV, and maps.

based on a combination of signals from different

with the right tools and comfortable in their use. At the

Further, the video wall is typically managed

systems that are not directly related.

heart of effective design is the mission to improve

through a separate software application. This requires

productivity via workstation and video wall tools, so

switching between the VMS and the video wall

ple. An alarm might be triggered by a failed traffic

operators can quickly diagnose, react, and resolve

management system, which is not only cumbersome

light from a traffic light synchronization system. At

abnormal situations in a timely manner, whether in

and time consuming, but also impacts operations and

the same time, a VMS detects a stalled vehicle in the

prevention mode or crisis management mode.

response time.

area. Imagine a system that can process such a

It’s not uncommon for command center operators

To stay on top of trends and develop streamlined

Let’s take a traffic monitoring center, for exam-

combination of events to trigger a more critical

to need to monitor and access multiple information

workflows that improve decision making, organiza-

response than each of these individually. It would

streams to make accurate mission-critical decisions.

tions should seek out an interoperable platform that

greatly increase productivity. This can be done with

While having many more sources of information and

can handle both old and new technology—and be

color detection software that detects a change of color

data than ever before is beneficial, it does pose the

prepared for upcoming new technology with an open

on a screen or video wall from a combination of color

unique challenge in the ability to manage and

architecture. In addition, the platform should address

changes coming from multiple applications at once.

visualize content quickly and efficiently.

any interoperability issues, providing centralized

When New Meets Legacy

management and VMS integration.

Customized automation provides an easy way to program repetitive tasks, such as opening a layout on a specific video wall or switching the audio signal to a

Operators are flooded with data from disparate

Automation and Unattended Monitoring

sources and networks as well as IP-based streams.

Organizations run more smoothly when operators

layouts and room lighting to work shift changes.

Fundamental and frequent changes in operating

and stakeholders can easily share content between

From a control panel, such commands can be

systems like Windows are innovative but massively

workstations, between operators and the video wall,

programmed to be done at a touch of button. This

disruptive. In addition, users may already be working

and between the video wall/operator workstations

delivers the benefit of giving operators the freedom to

with a video management system (VMS) like Genetec

and other screens in the building. Command center

change layouts and control devices with a simple

or Milestone, which presents the issue of managing

design should rely on an ecosystem that harmoni-

touch, improving response times in urgent situations.

different software applications.

ously brings together all sources and technology in

Visualization and video wall technology gives

one platform, and allows all displays in the entire

stakeholders critical information on a single display

right information at the right time and at the right

organization to share content between them (prefer-

surface, be it from single or multiple sources. This

location on the screen. Often, the large amount of

ably with drag-and-drop operation). With ease of use,

common operational picture is at the heart of a

information to be managed requires more and more

facilities can decrease staff turnover and make

timely and comprehensive response. Simplifying

monitors. Essential systems are permanently con-

training faster and easier.

workflows in control centers with a single platform to

Adding to the challenge is the need to visualize the

nected to designated screens and operated directly

Delivering a simple, straightforward operational

specific channel, or even readjusting the video wall

control and manage all devices offers simplicity,

from there—but other screens are often assigned

experience also demands a new way to process the

flexibility, interoperability, and scalability to AV

additional information and used only when necessary.

increasing amount of data. With so much information

deployments.

All essential information must be visualized on

to process, it is impossible for the human eye to catch

Nick Mathis is the director of business development

it all. That’s where automation comes in. There are

for VuWall USA.

the large main screen. Of course, it would be most

42

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