“There are many parts and pieces to deploying a videowall system for a project of this scale and complexity,” says Hans-Joachim Spies, founder and managing director at Mevis.tv. “As an integrator, it’s paramount that everything works together seamlessly. VuWall’s ecosystem exceeded our high standards not only for performance, but also for scalability, flexibility and interoperability. It dramatically reduced our integration time and eliminated any concern about compatibility between the various products within the AV and IP infrastructure. It’s an exceptional system for an exceptional project.”

The Installation

SIMOS houses two independent control centers. This consists of the integrated control center (ILS) and the integrated traffic control center (IVLZ). The ILS provides around-the-clock operation and support for incoming emergency calls for the fire brigade and German Red Cross. Meanwhile, IVLZ is responsible for monitoring all of the city’s traffic and tunnel surveillance cameras. It also monitors electronic traffic display systems on the main roads, which are overseen by four dispatchers from the office for public order, civil engineering office, the Stuttgart tram and the police.

For this project, Mevis.tv installed two videowalls for each of the control centers. The ILS features a videowall comprised of 48 Barco UniSee 55-inch LCD displays. On the other hand, the IVLZ control room videowall features 14 Barco UniSee 55-inch displays. In addition, there are eight displays installed across two crisis meeting rooms that need access to the same sources. Although all these rooms are distinct, the VuWall system provided the organizations with a single, IP-based videowall processing and management system that connects them with a virtual infrastructure.

Ensuring High-Quality Performance

VuWall’s  videowall processor and VuStream encoders ensure high-quality video stream distribution across the network with low latency. It also ensures high performance for up to 4:4:4 of 4K video streams. The Application Server also provides quick access to websites, dashboards and applications from a single, centralized source. It achieves this with the necessary security and without overburdening the network. All these appliances are managed by the TRx centralized videowall management platform. As a result, it enables SIMOS operators to easily control and distribute visual information and data to any display or videowall on the network, says VuWall.

According to VuWall, the TRx is unique in combining AV-over-IP distribution and advanced multi-video wall and KVM management. Its engineering also allows it to be robust enough for multi-room distribution projects such as SIMOS.

The centralized platform ensures intuitive configuration, management and distribution of virtually any source type to any display without any programming. Its simple drag-and-drop capability also saves time for integrators and operators alike. Mevis.tv also benefitted from TRx’s API, which integrates with the organization’s Crestron building control system.

“We are so proud to see that SIMOS is leveraging the modularity, ease of use and reliability we’ve built into our ecosystem, fulfilling their objectives with this incredible project,” says Eric Hénique, EVP of international sales at VuWall. “Operators can see exactly what they need when they need it on the display of their choosing while providing the redundancy and low latency that control rooms demand. Plus, it all works seamlessly within their existing workflow for the most effective distribution of visual information.”

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on December 6, 2023. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

The post VuWall Enhances Operational Efficiency for SIMOS Control Center appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The Moment Vault was designed and managed by Smart Monkeys, Inc., and utilizes Realmotion’s interactive media servers and a proprietary AI-powered marker-less motion capture system. The total solution provides content creators a unique set of capabilities that enable novel, memorable interactive experiences for travelers.

The Monument Vault Installation 

According to Realmotion Founder and Project Lead Alexandre Simionescu, the installation in the Airside Hub of the new Terminal C is a destination itself where passengers can walk through three monumental curved 2mm LED displays that form a circle.

“The Moment Vault reflects Orlando International Airport’s established air, water and sky aesthetic and provides an exciting new opportunity for visitors to create lasting travel memories and form positive associations with the airport and the city of Orlando,” Simionescu says. “The immersive real-time experience is made possible through Realmotion’s latest G32 real-time media servers and Fusion tracking technology that instantly converts a subject’s motion into digital wireframes that are integrated into the onscreen content produced by creative studio Gentilhomme, providing delightful selfie-ready moments.”

The company’s powerful new multi-GPU Fusion server uses six cameras to provide 3D marker-less tracking for up to 25 subjects within the confines of the Moment Vault. The real-time tracking system then transmits the data to three Realmotion G32 servers where it feeds into an Unreal Engine scene. This setup involves AI and machine learning to ensure accurate people tracking through the generation of a ‘3D pose estimate’ for each individual in the space. Each pose estimate is used to accurately place real-time virtual avatars in live digital content.

Existing pose estimate solutions only worked in 2D and could not differentiate between the size and distance of objects, so Realmotion designed a new, proprietary system that utilizes the aforementioned six cameras to capture the space from different perspectives. Having multiple camera angles also eliminates occlusion, or sight-line blockages, that would otherwise miss visitors who are behind someone else relative to the camera.

This brings a new set of capabilities to location-based immersive environments by providing precise, responsive and robust 3D marker-less tracking for groups of users.

Knowing that content designers need more than one tool to bring their visions to life, Realmotion provides support for tools including Unreal engine, ISAAC, Unity, Notch, TouchDesigner and Realmotion Flow to enable ultimate flexibility for real-time content creation.

“This project is a crowd pleaser, and that is its intent,” Simionescu continues. “More and more organizations are looking to create novel technological experiences for customers and guests, and they often require significant research and development, including software design and new combinations of hardware. At Realmotion, we are building on the success of our tools by turning the best of them into productized solutions that can be deployed industry-wide with greater speed and affordability, as we are planning to do with our G32 and Fusion servers that helped bring The Moment Vault to life.”

The Generative Content Creation & Motion Capture System

Realmotion has previously worked with Smart Monkeys, Inc., a Florida-based consulting firm that specializes in feature-centric technology implementations for location-based entertainment and was brought in to provide a media server with generative-content capabilities and the motion-capture system.

“Creating installations that support generative content is critical to maximizing use and flexibility and provides today’s artists with the tools and canvasses they need to present their latest works,” says Smart Monkeys, Inc. Design Consultant Paul Bristol. “Often, art installations are temporary traveling exhibits that require tight scheduling and limited options for the host location. With the amazing permanent digital canvas offer in the Moment Vault, Orlando International Airport can offer much greater visibility and opportunity to artists and content creators, while enjoying a simpler, more powerful management system.”

Realmotion’s advanced products and capabilities made it the perfect choice for this project, including the fact that Realmotion servers are fully compatible with the ISAAC AV monitoring and management platform used by Smart Monkeys, Inc. A core goal of the project was to ensure operating and updating the displays is as easy as possible for both owners and artists, and using a trusted, reliable hardware and software solution from Realmotion was key to simplifying daily use.

“We’re also working directly with artists to help identify more streamlined workflows and cut down the time required to go from concept to presentation,” Bristol adds. “Our innovations, combined with improvements in LED technology and the supporting infrastructure that enable drag-and-drop content control, can drastically cut the time-to-market for art pieces, reduce costs for owners and enable more artists to be featured. In a custom-built environment with a semi-captive audience, these experiences can help artists gain name recognition and notoriety while providing a one-of-a-kind space that is instantly identifiable when shared on social media.”

To help prepare content developers, Realmotion built a software emulator of the tracking system that allows creators to test and develop reactive content without requiring real-world subjects or displays.

The exterior of the Moment Vault is also adorned with 4mm DVLED displays, ensuring that every visitor in Terminal C can be part of the experience, even if they don’t walk through the middle of the installation.

The Moment Vault is the first part of Terminal C’s Experiential Media Environment, which will grow to include two additional high-tech installations. “Windows On Orlando” comprises three adjacent panoramic screens that form a 100-foot-long, 32-foot-tall display, while “The Portal” presents a 3-story steel sculpture in the shape of a helix featuring 32 custom curved screens. All three digital display experiences display content relevant to the locale, including space launches, underwater adventures, and the story of Florida’s transformation from springs and ranchlands to the dawn of theme parks and spaceports.

“There is high demand for creating memorable moments that don’t require physical touch or employee interaction, and their use is certain to grow as travelers and consumers begin to expect these types of installations,” Simionescu adds. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and now that we’ve figured out the way to deliver these amazing experiences, we are excited to see what other organizations have the desire to build something special with us.”

Click ‘View Slideshow’ for additional photos of The Moment Vault installation at Orlando International Airport.

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on January 11, 2023. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

The post The Moment Vault Multi-User Interactive Technology Solution at MCO’s New Terminal C appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Sightline assembles the core platforms of Crestron, including Crestron Flex Digital Workplace Technologies, DigitalMedia Content Distribution, and Control and Management, to create the ideal meeting experience by promoting natural conversation, meeting equity and enhanced collaboration across organizations regardless of where employees are.

Today’s meetings are more successful when everyone is fully connected. For employees, this means an inclusive meeting experience that empowers everyone to participate rather than observe.

For companies, this means creating meeting room environments that drive productivity and connections. While videoconferencing has expanded workers’ capabilities to meet, it often leaves remote participants missing the big picture while in-room participants struggle to connect with the people next to them and pay attention to the person on the monitor. The hybrid work problems has its challenges:

1. Remote participants want to clearly see who is in the meeting and hear every word, ensuring they feel they are equal contributors in the meeting.
2. In-person attendees must juggle the ease of communication with others in the room while also including remote participants in the conversation.

To address these challenges, intelligent video solutions are central to Crestron’s Sightline room. Speakers are tracked and framed, and multiple displays offer improved visibility of remote participants, creating more immersive and engaged calls.

Employers looking to design a best-in-class technology experience for their teams can apply the fundamentals of Sightline to scale for different rooms, especially in larger and more specialized spaces which have proven to be especially challenging in the hybrid world.

In a Sightline setup, Crestron solutions collectively deliver an equitable meeting experience for every participant.

A Crestron Sightline room uniquely provides a successful meeting experience for all parties by accomplishing a few key principles:

• Makes it easier for attendees to engage in the flow of the meeting and follow the in-room dialog as the conversation moves from person-to-person.
• Displays a view of the entire room while simultaneously framing individual speakers using intelligent cameras and AI-driven video software for remote participants.
• Removes the cognitive element of knowing where to look by having the video of remote participants in the line of sight for in-person attendees.
• Increases visibility of remote attendees and improves natural interaction to in-person cues or non-verbal body language.

“Hybrid work has opened many opportunities and over the last two years, we have learned how to leverage technology to remain connected, even when physical proximity is not possible,” says Crestron’s EVP, Global Marketing, Brad Hintze. “However, this working style also creates a different subset of challenges for the meeting experience, most notably in larger rooms. Sightline delivers upon our legacy of making the complex simple; it truly creates an inclusive hybrid meeting experience in every space.”

To achieve the optimal meeting experience for all participants, a Crestron Sightline room would include:

Crestron Flex Digital Workplace Technologies 

• Multi-camera Intelligent Video (such as 1 Beyond Automate VX) brings together multiple standalone camera solutions into a fully automated experience
• Multiple camera technologies ensure the right frame is always available
• 1 Beyond AutoTracker tracks the presenter so they can freely move around
• 1 Beyond AutoFramer frames the participants, so they are the focal point of the space
• 1 Beyond PTZ cameras provide dedicated video for each participant
• Crestron Flex Video Conferencing Solutions provide a dedicated Microsoft Teams or Zoom Rooms meeting experience for every space. BYOD capabilities provide the flexibility to choose the preferred platform.
• Crestron AirMedia wireless presentation makes it simple for participants to connect and share content instantly.
• Microphones
• Speakers

DigitalMedia Content Distribution

• Crestron DM NVX AVoIP technology enables users to push content and video feeds to multiple displays throughout the room, either over the network or local to the room.
• Crestron DM Content Distribution provides content share from the network and distributes it throughout the room.
• Displays

Control and Management

• Occupancy Sensors determine when there is a presence in the room and will trigger the Crestron Control System to activate to a predetermined state.
• Crestron XiO Cloud Technology Operations Platform provides monitoring and management of all workplace technologies.
• Environmental control for lighting, shades and temperature can be used manually or pre-programmed based on the individual needs of the space and optimal room comfort.
• Scene management delivers configuration for any type of meeting environment and room setting adjustments with a simple touch of a button.

Cestron DM NVX AVoIP technology

Crestron’s DM NVX software-based video encoding platform has the ability to simultaneously encode four 4K streams, enabling the distribution of native 8K content.

The resolution that 8K provides has implications for everything from dazzling signage to critical government applications.

Crestron DigitalMedia content distribution debuted in the digital age when 1080p resolution became the standard and, as resolution demands have increased, the DigitalMedia portfolio has continuously evolved to support the next generation of resolutions, now up to 8K.

The new DM NVX encoding software features an innovative approach to AVoP content distribution with multi-stream GPU-based encoding that delivers a visually stunning image composed together with multiple streams on a video wall or large format display.

“There are strong indicators that 8K video displays will first appear in retail settings and then quickly emerge in other markets such as government and enterprise. These use cases require a proven AVoIP platform like DM NVX that can equip these environments with the best quality content,” says Andrew Ludke, senior director of product management AV solutions at Crestron. “As companies work to make the office a more appealing place for hybrid workers, these videowalls will play an important role in crafting an engaging content in spaces large auditoriums and training rooms that can replicate the successful experiences created across retail, government, and live event environments.”

There’s something of a “demand loop” created by increased resolutions: An image with more pixels brings a sharper, clearer image to larger screens — which, in turn, helps drive demand for bigger displays. Instead of chaining smaller displays together for large installations like videowalls, one screen will be able to provide the sharp image quality that’s needed for these monumental effects. This translates to more easily discernable details and allows videowalls and signage to handle multiple duties in the modern environment.

8K digital displays in commercial environments

• Retail displays: Video displays have proven to be an enticing tool for attracting and selling to customers in retail establishments. As retail recovers from lockdown, 8K screens are likely to become a differentiator, used both to lure customers into a store and to market products and brands.
• Videowalls:8K is increasingly important for large communications and content display at greater distances. From corporate lobbies to college campuses to government centers, 8K panels will bring much higher resolution and clarity at significantly greater distances.
• Live events: Concerts are designed to be spectacular, and 8K video is likely to become more common across broadcast, sporting events and more.

Per a Mordor Intelligence report, the videowall market is expected to grow at 11% CAGR over the next 5 years, and much of this growth will come from non-traditional installations in corporate and campus spaces. Whether supporting an organization’s brand, providing messaging from other departments, or acting as a delivery medium of company news – digital signage helps workers and students feel connected and informed.

The post Creston Showcases Sightline Room Experience & 8K DM NVX Content Distribution Platform appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The Tech Decision

“In partnering with Black Box, we were able to concentrate on both sides of our business: the entertainment side, or the taproom, and the manufacturing side, which is our brewery,” said Shannon Carter, proprietor at Shannon Brewing Co, in a statement.

“The AV system we put into the taproom is amazing, and the amount of control we now have over content is remarkable. It’s an incredible tool for us to engage with customers and build loyalty. Then, in the brewery, we’ve gained a whole new level of peace of mind with our new remote monitoring capabilities, having that data right there on our phones and being able to see — any time, day or night — that the business is humming along correctly, effortlessly, efficiently,” Carter said.

Related: Black Box and Inseego Partner on Future-Proof 5G Solutions

To support flexible visualization in the taproom, the Black Box MCX network AV distribution and management system pairs with the company’s iCompel digital signage system to allow the Shannon Brewing Co. team to display sports and entertainment on the big screens along with visual information about the beer on tap, pub grub on the menu, upcoming events, advertising, education and more.

Back in the brewery, the Black Box Alertwerks product enables environmental monitoring, as well as process monitoring for key brewery processes, capturing and presenting a wide variety of parameters on a single dashboard that can be accessed locally or remotely through a web interface.

Black Blox AVoIT Solutions for Breweries & Wineries

“Shannon Brewing Co. is a special operation, brewing award-winning beer that guests can enjoy at the company’s one-of-a-kind brewhouse,” said CJ Ballejos, vice president of sales at Black Box, in a statement. “Our work with Shannon is a great example of how Black Box can partner with breweries and wineries to implement AVoIT solutions that deliver a wonderful quality product for customers while boosting the efficiency of overall business operations.”

The post Shannon Brewing Co. Transforms Operations & Customer Experiences With AVoIT Solutions From Black Box appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Barco’s TruePix is now available to view at booth 3D400 in Hall 3 at ISE 2022 from May 10-13 in Barcelona.

Key Product Highlights

• Truly seamless display
• Smart engineering for an easy, perfectly aligned installation
• Unmatched viewing experience thanks to the next gen Infinipix processor
• Purpose-built robustness and ergonomics for 24/7 smooth and efficient operations
• Superb color accuracy, under all lighting conditions
• Reduced ecological footprint
• 10 years of dedicated service and support

With TruePix, Barco combines the latest technological evolutions, a vast amount of expertise, and innovative, smart engineering. The result is a unique mounting technology, impressive image quality and ensuing longevity. These high-resolution 16:9 tiles are available in multiple options, with pixel pitches ranging from 0.9 to 1.9 mm.

Reliable and Clarity

TruePix is the first product to incorporate Barco’s Infinipix Gen2 image processing system. It ensures optimal viewing experience for all types of content. No visual distortions, low latency, perfect sync and no tearing are the hallmarks of this system, says Barco. Infinipix Gen2 also guarantees dimming without any loss in color accuracy. Thus, it drastically expands the effectiveness of the installation. What’s more, Barco’s proprietary smart calibration method for wide color gamut support and full color balancing control creates rich and true-to-life images. TruePix also shows that visual excellence does not equal high energy consumption. Its EcoPower mode ensures reduced energy consumption which then limits the ecological footprint.

SteadyView, a unique Barco feature, improves viewing ergonomics and reduces eye fatigue. This is especially important in control room environments where the staff intensely use the wall for multiple hours on end. Thus, TruePix is a purpose-built LED wall for critical and high-intensity applications like control rooms and command centers.

Smart Engineering, Seamless Outcomes

Barco highlights possible imperfections in flatness of the walls and level of the floors which often cause mechanical stress in the tiles’ frames. This then leads to seams, damage or difficulties during maintenance. However, TruePix’ auto-balancing system counters these imperfections and makes sure the LED wall is 100% level and frictionless.

Also Read: Barco on its Versatile Videowall Solutions

Furthermore, the installation time is also cut because the tiles all slide perfectly into place without the need for manual adjustments. The guided module insertion ensures a fully contactless and risk-free installation, with no risk of tile damage.

Full Service Support

For Barco, ensuring longevity, reliability and perfect display uniformity is of major importance. The company says it takes every measure to deliver the promised experiences to customers. Availability of batch compatible modules throughout the life of the wall is therefore a key part of Barco’s service offerings. If a module needs to be replaced, Barco guarantees that batch-compatible spare tiles (along with full service support) are available for up to 10 years. This brings peace of mind and a reduced cost of ownership over the full lifetime of the product.

The Video wall Management Suite, Barco’s cloud-based platform for advanced video wall management, allows users to monitor, diagnose and/or control the TruePix installation remotely. This maximizes uptime and reduces the need and length of service interventions. TruePix is also the first LED product on the market to leverage 5Gb bandwidth, per a statement. This makes the system up to five times more efficient with fewer cable runs and points of failure — as more LED modules can be connected in a single link. Additionally, 4-way inter-tile communication and signal loop redundancy are embedded to further guarantee an uninterrupted data flow. Thus, TruePix is a reliable LED solution in the market, says Barco.

Result of 25 Years of Innovation

“We are proud to introduce the impressive TruePix platform, which will spearhead our LED portfolio,” says Bruno Devos, R&D director at Barco. “It was our goal to create a platform that not only guarantees great visual experiences, but also perfectly answers the needs of our customers in several key markets. TruePix is therefore the result of Barco’s 25 years of experience in innovating LED visualization. Again, we have raised the bar to deliver bright outcomes to our customers.”

This article originally appeared on MyTechDecisions’ sister-site Commercial Integrator.com.

The post Barco Launches TruePix LED Videowall Platform appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The company says it designed the VW-9 driver for 3X3 videowalls. It features 10 outputs, making it flexible and ideal for wall shapes up to 10 identical displays, such as 5X2 configurations. The VW-16, with 16 outputs, drives huge videowalls of up to 16 displays. Both drivers incorporate 4K60 4:4:4 video processing and support audio input switching and de-embedding. Integrators can install them in any square, rectangle or elongated configuration. Moreover, they are suitable for varied applications. These range from airport signage to shopping malls, command and control centers, and more.

Related: Kramer AV-over-IP Boosts Experience at New Atlanta Music Venue

The drivers also come with redundant power supplies for uninterrupted operation. Thus, according to Kramer, the units are exceptionally robust. What’s more, they meet strict security requirements. These include mission-critical applications such as situation rooms, air and land traffic control centers, security command and control, and medical installations.

They also process video without compression, thereby ensuring high image quality with sharp, clear pixel clarity. In addition, zero (sub-millisecond) latency enables real-time video display. This makes it highly suitable for applications that are ultra-sensitive to time lags, such as live presentations and events.

Additional Features

The VW-9 and VW-16 drivers make videowall set-up and management fast and simple. They also come with a choice of Ethernet and RS-232/422/485 control interfaces, a unique, intuitive front panel on the processor unit, and varied video processing and audio options. Per a statement, the videowall processor is therefore easy for anyone to set up and manage. It also requires no training.

“As the market evolves, Kramer continues to lead in creating innovative products and solutions that meet the needs of our customers across all markets,” comments Shai Yaniv, VP of products & solutions at Kramer. “Our VW-9 and VW-16 videowall drivers are designed to deliver impressive and intuitive solutions for large-scale video walls, in varying shapes and sizes, that are simple and cost-effective to set up and operate. Adding the drivers to our product portfolio completes Kramer’s eco-system for video walls by offering a premium engine for large-scale installations and continues to enhance the customer’s audio visual experience.”

The VW-9 and VW-16 will be in stock and shipping worldwide in late Q2, says Kramer.

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