Situated just outside Reykjavik, The Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland's most popular choices for international visitors, is in the midst of a major redesign and expansion programme, set to complete by the spring of 2007. This will include the bathing, shower and lagoon facilities, but also a greater choice of restaurants - including a 250-cover diner built into a lava cliff - and the sophisticated Conference Centre. With three separate rooms and an entrance hall, it can accommodate up to 400 people (220 theatre style) in the largest of its reconfigurable facilities.
The new system is part of a turnkey AV upgrade of an existing system in which the ceiling speakers, amplifiers and video projectors have been retained.
The contract was awarded to Reykjavik-based Exton ehf, who selected QSC's Rave platform for its ability to meet the control, monitoring and processing needs of amplification and loudspeaker systems over an Ethernet network. The Rave 522aa units combine two distinct QSC technologies within a single hardware unit, with configurable DSP and CobraNet audio transport, all seamlessly integrated into a powerful 1U package.
Operating under the QSControl.net networked audio system, a Rave 522aa sits in the amp rack alongside Extron video switching and matrix devices while a Rave 522ua provides DSP at the portable lectern, which includes mics, DVD/VHS player, Extron switchers/converters and AMX touch-screen control (with which the QSC system is compatible).
Via the Extron VGA switch, signal feeds between the laptop and the desktop computer that resides in the podium can be switched as necessary.
According to Exton project manager, Kari Eythorsson it is now possible within the complex to connect the lectern at four different locations. "This is due to the lectern's cable loom, with its colour coded connectors - Cat5 for IP/CobraNet, Cat5 for VGA, BNC for video, AC and a 6-pin XLR for identification use," he explains.
"When the lectern is plugged in the AMX system boots up and knows where the podium is connected. It then asks the user if operation should be restricted to that sector of the complex only, or if it should be network-wide."
At the same time, the AMX processor patches the Rave in the main equipment room to the user's requirement, as well as routing the VGA and video signals (via the Extron device), turning on the projectors and selecting their inputs; this is all implemented via IP address.
The Podium's Rave 522ua mixes the signal from the PC's, DVD, mic and the wireless microphone and sends a stereo mix down the Cat5 to the RAVE 522aa in the technical room where it is processed. It then routes the signals to the relevant zones, while the preset levels are under the command of the AMX system operating over a Telnet session.
Eythorsson says: "This was the most affordable and user friendly solution that we could come up with. It is easy for the user to set up and allows for variable configurations/points of usage."
As for The Blue Lagoon, during 2005 354,000 guests visited the spa, making it among Iceland's most well-known and popular attractions.
QSC Audio Products, Inc. is a manufacturer of power amplifiers, loudspeakers, signal processing, digital signal transport, and computer control systems for professional audio markets worldwide.
(Chris Henry)
