One of the advantages of the new facility was the ability to incorporate a long 24-seat rectangular conference room, divisible into two separate spaces. It was important that high resolution images could be placed easily onto a sufficiently large screen from the lectern position.
With a large membership, AITC's convention room already enjoys high utilization and while the bulk of the projected content is Powerpoint presentation, AITC also need access to finance satellite channels, with overall ease of operation. The AITC had already received a quotation for the multimedia infrastructure when The Bigger Picture AV were approached and asked to solve the problem of scale - since the proposed rear projection screen had too much depth.
TBP's Martin Wanell specified a 120in dnp new wide angle screen from distributors Paradigm, with a focal length of 2300mm, which he then had cut to give true widescreen 16 x 9 aspect ratio. He rationalized that: "everything is becoming increasingly widescreen-oriented these days - including laptops." At the same time TBP were able to demonstrate its knowledge of switchable Dolby 5.1 room surround sound, and general all-round presentation tools.
Since its core market is installing multi-room AV systems in the high-end residential market, Wanell realized that if he opted for optimum picture quality - with the best combination available at the display and projection end - he could make savings via cost-effective solutions elsewhere in the signal chain. For example a laptop and webcam have obviated the need for full ISDN videoconferencing facilities.
TBP selected a Sanyo PLV-WF10 projector to cradle in the Paradigm Easy Erect rig - the first time Paradigm has been confronted with this combination. "Although we've done rear projection work before there has been nothing on this scale," Wanell confirmed. "I had seen the dnp screen before and had no difficulty selling it to the client." Paradigm technicians assembled the rig on site, although their greater task was probably lugging the hardware up the nine floors.
The front end comprises a Philips iPronto Linux-powered remote control offering IR/RF/Ethernet wired and wireless communications links, which will also enable AITC to browse the web. Data and component video feeds from laptop S-VHS and DVD playback devices, terrestrial and satellite TV are sent via the DVDO iScan HD scaler which converts to true wide (1366 x 768) XGA resolution - ideal for modern displays. Component video switching of the TV signals is via a Netgem Freeview box.
The video element is matched by the audio, where a Dolby surround sound audio system - comprising multiple recessed Sonance hi-fi ceiling speakers - is fully switchable in and out from the Denon five-channel cinema amplifier. Future expansion for the system will see the floor plate patching repeated at the lectern end (with microphone access) and there are plans for a wireless network boardoom.
Wi-Fi provision is already in place via a Linksys 2.4Ghz wireless expander and Joanne Ross is highly enthusiastic about increasing communication in the wireless domain.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
