The supplied audio-location data leverages Nureva’s patented Microphone Mist technology, which fills a room with thousands of virtual microphones so everyone can be heard everywhere in a space. Sound direction, location and level are reported several times per second to enable automatic camera adjustments based on the location of the active speakers. According to Nureva, this results in more refined camera positioning and switching and a better experience for remote participants.

Hundreds of cameras by leading manufacturers integrate the use of preset recalls with the Extron control processor. With the launch of this integration, Nureva HDL300 and Dual HDL300 audio systems can supply voice-tracking data to any of those cameras with the simple installation of the Extron driver. Nureva’s sound-location device API was created as part of a program to work with companies like Extron on steering cameras with Nureva audio systems to improve and simplify remote collaboration. Visitors to ISE later this month can learn more about Nureva’s camera integrations at stand 2N450.

“It’s exciting for Extron to combine our industry leading control and automation solutions with Nureva’s audio conferencing capabilities,” says Casey Hall, Extron’s CMO. “By simplifying integration between products, our shared customers will benefit from better meetings aided by enhanced audio and control experiences.”

Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO, says, “We are pleased to collaborate with Extron to deliver the simplicity and flexibility that our mutual customers demand for their hybrid spaces by combining our sound-location data for third-party cameras with Extron control systems. Using the intelligence built into Microphone Mist technology, our IT-friendly wall-mounted systems are delivering a level of camera-tracking sophistication that, until now, was only possible with traditional pro AV solutions.”

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on MyTechDecisions’ sister-site CommercialIntegrator.com. It has since been updated as of April 14,2023.

The post Audioconferencing Systems from Nureva Now Integrates with Extron appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The ScreenBeam Spring K-12 Grant Program thus provides solutions to achieve equitable hybrid and distance learning across campus. ScreenBeam says it will move teachers into the classroom with standardized wireless display and wireless connections to the in-room peripherals. By doing so, it will make it easier for teachers to connect and collaborate with their in-room and remote students.

The ScreenBeam 1100 Plus (SBWD1100P) with ScreenBeam Conference Software provides wireless display from teacher and student devices without the need for dongles or cables. ScreenBeam Conference software also enables connectivity to in-room peripherals such as cameras, microphones, and speakers. The ScreenBeam 1100 Plus is designed with a multi-network architecture providing three physical network interfaces to connect both teacher and student devices. It does so without compromising security, digital signage, instant alerts and notifications to classroom displays, HDMI input and centralized management. The solution also includes a three-year warranty without any subscription fees.

Spring K-12 Grant Details

• ScreenBeam will grant 1.06 units of SBWD1100P for every one (1) unit of SBWD1100P purchased. For example, 200 units purchased will receive 212 additional units under the grant
• Customers must purchase and take delivery of a minimum of 200 SBWD1100P units between February 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023 to receive the grant
• Maximum grant per customer is 500 units
• Product may be purchased through ScreenBeam Authorized Resellers
• Granted units will ship upon proof of purchase

How to Qualify

1. Complete and submit the grant submission form.
2. ScreenBeam will respond to legitimate requests within one business day
3. Grant offer is available until March 31, 2023 or while supply lasts
4. All grants approved will receive grant units upon completion of minimum purchase by March 31, 2023

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on February 3, 2023. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

The post ScreenBeam Invites K-12 Institutions to Apply for Wireless Display Grant appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Choosing BenQ’s Premium RP Series Education Smart Boards for Classrooms

“One of the main reasons for choosing BenQ was flexibility,” says Delilah Rodriguez, instructional technology and STEM at McAlester Public Schools. “My teachers didn’t need a computer if they didn’t want to use one. They could use the BenQ Board as their instructional tool.”

BenQ has been developing and perfecting its BenQ Boards for 10 years, leveraging its leadership in cinematic, esports and healthcare display technology. The culmination of which is easy-to-use and feature-rich smart boards designed for hybrid and remote classrooms. All interactive displays in BenQ’s education portfolio feature a 4K UHD screen with ClassroomCare. BenQ’s ClassroomCare is a proprietary line of health-centric technologies that includes the industry’s only antimicrobial-certified screens, air-quality sensors, and low-blue-light, flicker-free, and anti-glare technologies to reduce eye strain and create a comfortable viewing experience, according to BenQ.

BenQ Boards in the Classroom

With BenQ Boards in the classroom, educators can be as efficient and effective on the displays as they are on their PCs. The displays have 20 points of simultaneous touch recognition with no lag, according to BenQ. With EZ Write, users can write on top of any app, video, website, document, or image and save it to a cloud platform like Google Classroom or Dropbox, right from the screen.

InstaShare allows any teacher or student to wirelessly present content and stream media, including full HD video, from their device to the screen from anywhere — even remotely. The BenQ Boards also boast front-accessible I/Os, including USB-C for the latest in connectivity, and built-in speakers and microphones with noise cancellation to enable screen recording with clarity.

Other features include the ability to run two applications side by side and an optional slot-in PC to expand onboard functions even further, such as compatibility with videoconferencing platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Teams and more.

Easing the IT Management Burdens

Finally, IT and tech staff never have to feel overwhelmed with the onslaught of new devices added to their inventory with features such as integration with Windows Active Directory or Azure for account setup, AMS software for centralized management, over-the-air updates, and X-Sign Broadcast software that enables administrators to use the screens as digital signage and for alerts and other communications.

“McAlester investment in our BenQ Boards is a great example of the technology decisions that schools are currently making as part of their digital transformation,” says Bob Wudeck, senior director of business development at BenQ America Corp. “When it’s time to replace aging projectors and whiteboards in the classroom, smart boards that can integrate into existing teaching approaches and deliver the latest collaboration and engagement tools that are intuitive to learn and use, and help ease IT’s management burdens, are essential. That’s where BenQ Boards come in. They meet teachers where they’re at while shaping the future of education.”

The post Oklahoma School District Selects BenQ’s Interactive Smart Boards for Classrooms appeared first on My TechDecisions.

On March 13, 2020, the president declared a national emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. If they had not done so already, every higher-education institution, on that day, announced a move to online learning. It would only be temporary…or so they thought. What was initially believed to be a short-term stopgap became a transformational moment in learning: Distance education moved from being a niche enrollment category to the single biggest defining factor in education as it moves forward. 

As technologists, we naturally jump to the things that make distance learning possible. Many of those tools — for example, unified communication (UC) platforms, in-room cameras, ceiling microphones, learning management systems (LMSes) and recording capabilities — might not have been part of classroom standards in prior days. But although having the proper tools is important for an effective installation, the tools themselves are not the lessons learned. 

Content is Critical for Distance Learning

Effective distance learning is about content — specifically, content delivery and content comprehension. Translated, that means it’s about the people: People sending the content and people consuming the content. Students adapted extremely well to online content delivery. In fact, they have been doing it for more than a decade; just look at the popularity of TikTok, Snapchat, FaceTime and a host of other social-media communication platforms. The college-aged demographic was primed to learn through the screen. 

Faculty members, on the other hand, experienced a roadblock. “How do I take what I have been doing for 20 years and put it online?” the professors asked. “You don’t,” the tech managers responded. The world is different; learning is different; and your teaching style and skill set must also be different. Faculty must adapt to the technology provided and students’ experience of it. 

Online teaching is a fundamentally separate endeavor than in-person instruction is. Distance education is not traditional education, and it should not be treated as such. The move out of brick-and-mortar classrooms and to virtual learning exposed some weaknesses in conventional education practices. Issues of equity and access became glaringly apparent. Whereas, formerly, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was considered a checklist item during space design and construction, the pandemic demonstrated something important: There are people behind the regulations. Likewise, online-learning best practices, like those of Quality Matters (QM), had to become commonplace rather than being “nice-to-haves.” 

“A” comes before “V,” but the “V” is vitally important for equity and accessibility. The pandemic helped clarify the old AV adage that audio is more important than video. In the context of work-from-home offices, many would argue that it’s OK if people can’t see you so long as they can hear you. That, however, is a flawed theory when it comes to distance education. While audio is important, closed captioning ranks above it — and that is visual. It is not the camera that is so important, but, rather, the ability to consume the content’s message. And that message is delivered both aurally and visually in an equitable digital world. 

Learning without being able to stop a livestreaming professor for questions and discussion means that having ability to rewind, relisten and reread is also a determining factor in the success of distance learning. 

Considering the Visual/Hearing-Impaired 

Distance education proved to be a blessing for those who are visually impaired and/or hearing impaired. Although most technology managers would agree that professors aren’t supposed to serve as AV technicians and show producers, they are expected to follow best practices in content delivery. Many institutions’ Offices of Teaching and Learning formerly taught these practices, but they were rarely obeyed in in-person teaching. For example, proper audio enhancement and voice lift, as well as proper microphone-placement techniques, have always been important. It’s always been good practice to be sure you’re speaking loud enough — and toward the students (not the whiteboard). It’s also important to consider appropriate fonts and point sizes on presentation slides, ensuring they can be easily read by the farthest student in the room. 

When “share screen” became a standard, students were empowered read the content without feeling displaced and without fear of exposing their disability to the rest of their colleagues. Likewise, with streamed content, ear buds and headsets were a huge boon to people who formerly had struggled to comprehend a professor’s soft voice or accent. Paired with the previously mentioned closed captioning, true digital equity could be attained in distance education. 

Thankfully, these feature sets were enacted for a long enough time that there’s no going back. Students now expect multi-modal content delivery. Both colleges and UC platform manufacturers have figured out how to utilize automation, plugins and SaaS-to-hardware integrations to create interactive, accessible and equitable content on the fly, with limited faculty involvement. 

Capitalizing on the Transformation 

How do manufacturers and integrators capitalize on this transformation? The answer is by focusing not on the technology, but, rather, on the outcome. That entails considering the following questions: Who is being served? What obstacles are possibly present that might interfere with teaching and learning? Can the lectures be recorded? Can remote students hear and see? Can the presentation slides be uploaded for review? Is the lighting and projector brightness sufficient to be picked up by an ePTZ or PTZ camera mounted at the back of the room? Because rooms are typically designed with seated viewing angles in mind, is the camera angle sufficient for a remote student without being skewed? How will the in-room faculty know the remote student wants to ask a question? 

All those questions must be asked, thoughtfully considered and answered before the appropriate technologies can be selected. 

In conclusion, we learned that effective content delivery matters. What works is providing solutions for equitable and accessible learning. What does not work is assuming the world will, or should, return to former practices. The technology provided must complement the learning requirements to ensure that distance education is not simply an informational transaction. More importantly, it must be a connection to the needs of the student consumer.

Joe Way, PhD, CTS, is the director of learning environments with the University of Southern California (USC). 

The post Distance Education: What We Learned, What Works and What Doesn’t appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The overall goal of the AV system was to maintain the integrity and dependability of every device on the network. Hybrid and remote learning were major components in the design program, and ensuring high-quality audio was an essential outcome for both teacher and students.

“If you have any interruptions in the voice-feed, especially for remote students who are learning in different countries, it will disrupt the classroom,” says Duguay.  They needed an overall solution that had to be both nimble and reliable. “The goal is to connect the students via broadcast across either Zoom or Teams, which was best achieved by AVoIP because all the devices are connected and can be monitored in one center. If there is a problem it can easily be identified and addressed.”

AV and IT Align

Transitioning over to an AVoIP system required a collaborative effort between both the AV and IT departments. Duguay reports that both groups had to be aligned on equipment choice, since achieving end-to-end AV quality was of the utmost importance.

François Wermenlinger, eastern Canada sales manager of Sennheiser, says, “They required great microphones, PTZ cameras as well as other devices to grab the teachers screen over the platform.” The TCC2 was the perfect solution especially considering the University faculty was comfortable with the Sennheiser SpeechLine Digital Wireless microphone system that was integrated across the entire campus in 2020.

After Jean-François did his research and tested the product with the manufacturer he decided to move forward with the TCC2.

Capturing the perfect sound

“The TCC2 is plug-in-play, it’s simple,” Duguay says. “Even the control software is easy to use with Control Cockpit.” Capturing Sound with 25-foot High Ceilings The integration itself was particularly challenging given the amphitheater’s 25-foot high ceiling as well as the frequent rumble from the subway stop that ran directly beneath the building. The TCC2’s also had to circumvent pre-existing elements in the facility, including a projector, roll down screen, camera, sprinklers and air patterns within the building.

Wermenlinger was an active participant in exploring design options — including strategic placement of each TCC2. “At first, I was not sure it was going to work, but we looked at the design drawings and placed five TCC2’s around the amphitheater,” says Wermenlinger. “We climbed up on ladders and taped the ceiling in mock positions.” Since the facility was undergoing simultaneous renovations, Jean François and his team were able to look at the wiring and infrastructure usually concealed by the ceiling further assisting with the install.

Sennheiser TCC2 delivers strong signal over the network

Ultimately, Duguay and his team achieved their goal. Each TCC2 device delivers a strong signal over the network. The patented Beamforming technology is able to capture the voices of both students and faculty with superior intelligibility — without the noise.

“The clarity is perfect, especially with a lot of reverberation in the big amphitheater,” adds Duguay. “The recordings are clean, and the students sound as if they are speaking into a close mic. It is an avant-garde system that is future-proofed with flexibility to be improved upon over time.”

The new TCC2 system has been up and running for two full semesters, and the amphitheater in particular is getting heavy use. It hosts roughly 300 students from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., five days a week as well as additional weekend events. The ability for staff to run diagnostics and monitor the devices remotely greatly improves the continuity.

The post University of Québec in Montréal Transforms Campus to AV-over-IP appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The HDL410 system combines two Nureva microphone and speaker bars with a new connect module, powered by the company’s Microphone Mist technology and a new unified coverage map to deliver pro audio performance in extra-large working and learning spaces up to 35′ x 55′ (10. 7 x 16.8 m). The unified coverage map enables the two microphone and speaker bars to act is if they were a single device with a single coverage map that spans the entire space. This greatly improves audio performance and sound location data accuracy for camera switching and steering, while avoiding the complications and performance challenges of systems that require manual setup and complex processing to stitch together overlapping coverage areas from multiple ceiling microphones.

A new Console Direct feature provides a secure and continuous connection between the HDL410 and Nureva Console, allowing IT managers to manage the HDL410 remotely without having to rely on an in-room computer running client software. Users get access to remotely install firmware updates, check device status, view analytics and historical data, change settings, access APIs from the Nureva Developer Toolkit and more.

Also new to the HDL410 is an audience mute feature within Nureva’s Voice Amplification Mode, which can focus microphone pickup on the presenter or instructor’s voice while reducing all other microphone pickup in the space.

Nureva HDL410 Audio Conferencing System Designed for Easy Deployment & Management for IT 

The continued shift to hybrid environments has put a strain on IT resources to meet new and growing needs in collaboration spaces of all sizes, requiring solutions that dramatically improve the experience of remote participants. For audio in larger spaces, this challenge is amplified by the higher cost and complexity of designing, installing and managing traditional pro AV solutions.

Nureva says it’s at the forefront of finding innovative, IT-friendly ways to meet these challenges with intelligent audio systems that are easy to deploy and manage. The HDL410 connects easily by USB and can be installed and operational in about an hour, with no DSP required, simple bar mounting on the wall via 2-screws and continuous autocalibration. Microphone Mist technology handles echo cancellation, noise reduction, position-based gain control and the challenges of multiple in-room participants speaking at once. Nureva audio systems integrate with UC&C platforms including Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and the HDL410 is currently in the certification process for Microsoft Teams, which would make it the first microphone and speaker bar certified for extra-large Microsoft Teams Rooms.

“Today’s IT leaders are asking for intelligent solutions that deliver the collaboration experience their users demand without putting a strain on IT resources,” says Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO. “The Nureva HDL410 system is our latest and most dramatic example of using our IT-first approach to innovation to deliver great audio in large spaces.”

Nureva will debut and demonstrate the HDL410 system at EDUCAUSE in Denver, Colorado, October 25–28, 2022, and Zoomtopia in San Jose, California, November 8–9, 2022.

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

The post Nureva Unveils HDL410 Audio Conferencing System for Large Hybrid Spaces appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Additional features include germ-resistant screens with up to 40 touch points, license-free EZ Write interactive whiteboard and annotation software, InstaShare wireless screencasting, speakers, X-Sign Broadcast PA capabilities and Cloud Classroom Management with single sign-on to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and more.

“There’s no question about the benefits of interactive displays in the classroom, but not every display is created equal,” says Bob Wudeck, senior director of business development at BenQ America Corp. “Educators today need to be able to start their lessons from the classroom display as easily as they would any computer. Likewise, IT staff need to be able to configure and manage them seamlessly alongside other devices. That’s why we’re shaping the future of education with our broad lineup of BenQ Boards, which come standard with all the tools and resources schools need to jump-start their interactive experience at no extra charge. Nothing should stand in the way of learning.”

The 4K 20-point multi-touch BenQ Board Entry-Level RE Series opens the door to affordable smart whiteboard technology, boasting BenQ’s standard features — ClassroomCare, EyeCare, EZWrite, InstaShare, and more — and is available in 65-, 75-, 86- and 98-inch sizes. The Master RM Series adds front-accessible USB Type C ports, a six-microphone array with noise cancellation and speech enhancement, remote with spotlight and digital pointer, germ-resistant stylus and more.

Unleashing the full potential of BenQ smart board technology, the next-generation Premium RP Series builds upon the innovation with an onboard subwoofer, Dolby Digital Plus surround sound for lesson clarity in class and online, an eight-microphone array with noise cancellation and speech enhancement, and a Tap and Teach NFC tag reader to instantly log into the network or cloud services and access personal settings.

It also has Duo Windows to run apps side by side, an air ionizer, and smart sensor technology for motion detection that enables BenQ’s advanced EyeSafe screen settings to protect eyes and provide the best user experience and for BenQ’s ClassroomCare technology that monitors temperature, humidity and air quality. The Master RM and Premium RP Series are available in 65-, 75-, and 86-inch sizes.

Related:8 All-in-One Videoconferencing Displays That Make Meetings Easier

BenQ Smart Board Features 

No matter what model schools choose, BenQ Boards come standard with the following features:

BenQ ClassroomCare

BenQ smart boards come with germ-resistant screens as part of the company’s ClassroomCare benefits. Leveraging BenQ’s years of expertise engineering medical equipment, BenQ Boards ship with nano-ionic silver coating (guaranteed toxin-free) that guard against most bacteria, letting instructors teach without worrying about germs spreading among students.

The coating provides protection for years, even when the screen is cleaned regularly, says BenQ. With official TÜV and SIAA certification, BenQ displays meet quality standards.

In addition, as students and teachers spend more class time using interactive screens, it is crucial to safeguard their eyesight. Extended exposure to blue light, flicker and reflections causes eye strain and may lead to damaged eyesight. ClassroomCare also incorporates BenQ’s EyeSafe features: low-blue light, flicker-free, and glare-resistant properties.

EZ Write

BenQ’s EZWrite annotation and collaboration software gives users the ability to annotate and work directly from the interactive display or a wirelessly connected device. When teachers are creating or presenting lessons, EZWrite’s Floating Tool enables them to add text to any app, video, website, document or image. They can also choose the pen color, erase, open files or take screenshots.

InstaShare Screen Sharing

With InstaShare, students can share their ideas with up to nine screens being shared simultaneously. Where remote students or guests are joining, the display is compatible with videoconferencing software such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams with the optional slot-in PC, which expands the utility of the screen even further. BenQ has also made it possible for two apps to be opened on screen side by side, making lessons more efficient. For example, teachers can explain in detail with a whiteboard on one side and support content on the other, or utilizing InstaShare’s Floating Window mode, share a connected screen alongside another app in use.

The Classroom Ecosystem

BenQ Board smart displays are cloud-friendly, making them the epicenter for classroom management as well as engagement. They eliminate the complexities of using interactive display technology that robs valuable class time or having to depend on connected devices to access and manage files and content. Once teachers are logged in, their personal settings are instantly recalled and they can securely access and save lesson materials on Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or the network.

As a central hub for each and every classroom, it’s important IT and admin staff have the tools they need to manage and update the BenQ Boards. IT staff have access to at-a-glance device analytics for any BenQ display using the included AMS software. They can easily monitor and analyze the status of all the BenQ devices on a single dashboard, including managing displays, apps, and OTA updates remotely for maximum convenience.

BenQ Boards also benefit from BenQ’s X-Sign Broadcast software, which turns any BenQ smart board in the school into signage and allows schools to keep everyone informed and up to date on events, safety protocols, and emergencies.

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

The post BenQ Smart Board Displays Empower Educators and Students appeared first on My TechDecisions.

According to a statement, the design of the 65-inch RM6503, 75-inch RM7503, and the 86-inch RM8603 smart boards provide an intuitive learning hub that allows teachers to start, manage and create lessons directly from the display. They feature BenQ’s health-centric ClassroomCare technology. This includes its antimicrobial touchscreen and pens to help prevent the spread of germs, EZWrite 6 intuitive collaboration software and InstaShare 2 wireless screen sharing. They also have IT and administration management tools such as AMS, X-Sign Broadcast digital signage software and OTA updates.

“We regard the classroom display as the central device in the room where everything should happen — from the access and creation of teacher presentations to student collaboration and sharing to school alerts,” said Bob Wudeck, senior director of business development at BenQ America Corpm in a statement. “For more than a decade we have built BenQBoards based on the feedback of teachers, IT staff and administrators with technology that sets them apart from the most expensive interactive displays on the market. The RM03 Series is the result of that continuous commitment. [It delivers] the classroom’s most robust, intuitive and feature-rich display at a price that allows schools to complete upgrades much faster than projected.”

Display That Protects the Entire Class

Per the company, it has prioritized safe screen use for years. That’s why all BenQBoards have touchscreens as well as pens coated with a nano-ionic silver formula. This formula kills 99.9% of common germs after contact, says BenQ. Also part of ClassroomCare technologies, they come with low blue light and flicker-free technology for reduced eye strain and a comfortable viewing experience. The anti-glare screens additionally ensure that display content is visibly clear. This is possible even on hybrid and remote calls.

Also Read: BenQ Introduces Zoom-Certified DVY32 Smart 4K Ultra-HD Conference Camera

Built for In-Class, Hybrid and Distance Learning

Technology should never stand in the way of learning, BenQ remarks. The BenQBoard RM03 Series thus foster collaborative learning with an intuitive smart board that utilizes BenQ’s license-free EZWrite 6 annotation and collaboration software. It gives users the freedom to annotate and work directly from the interactive display or a wirelessly connected device.

This further empowers students to present their ideas in class, without the hassle of cables via InstaShare. With this, users can share up to nine screens simultaneously. Where remote students or guests are joining, the display is compatible with all leading videoconferencing software. This includes Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. It also has the optional slot-in PC, which expands the utility of the screen even further.

BenQ has also made it possible for two apps to be opened on screen side by side, making lessons more efficient. For example, teachers can explain in detail with a whiteboard on one side and support content on the other. They can also share a connected screen alongside another app in use with InstaShare’s Floating Window mode.

Made for Teachers

BenQ’s mission is to eliminate the complexities of using interactive display technology that robs valuable class time. It also wishes to reduce dependency on connected devices to access and manage files and content. The BenQBoard RM03 Series thus allows teachers to select their personal settings, which are instantly recalled when they log in.

In addition, teachers can securely access lesson materials on Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or the network. When creating or presenting lessons, EZWrite’s Floating Tool empowers teachers to add text to any medium. This includes app, video, website, document or image. They can also choose the pen color, erase, open files or take screenshots. The display’s two built-in 16W speakers and six-microphone array ensure that the entire class can hear and be heard during hybrid and remote lessons.

For desired connectivity, BenQ has put a range of inputs on the front of the panel. As a result, it’s convenient to charge a notebook or mobile device or connect and display a USB-C-enabled laptop. Plus, they can command the screen and teach lessons from anywhere in the room with the included remote control and voice assistant for increased flexibility.

Respected by IT and Admin Staff

According to BenQ, it is equally important that IT and admin staff have the tools to manage and update the screens. To meet this, the BenQBoard RM03 Series benefits from BenQ’s X-Sign Broadcast software. This turns any BenQ smart board in the school into signage. Thus it allows schools to keep everyone informed and up to date on events, safety protocols and emergencies. IT staff also have access to at-a-glance device analytics for any BenQ display using the included AMS software. They can easily monitor and analyze the status of all the BenQ devices on a single dashboard. This includes managing displays, apps, and OTA updates remotely for maximum convenience.

To assure a greater ROI, the company states that BenQBoard RM03 Series is also IP5X-certified. This further ensures that the panel will deliver consistent operation, even in dust-prone environments.

Check out BenQ’s product catalog on AV-IQ.com here.

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

The post BenQ Adds to Its Family of BenQBoard RM03 Series for Improved Education appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Over the last 24 months, it has deployed its solution, offering it to higher education and corporate clients. In mid-2021, the integrator wrapped up a build in its own small office, commandeering precious warehouse space to build and kit out a Proscenium demo studio for McCann’s use, for clients’ use and to show prospective clients the future of collaboration.

In just 750 square feet in its Edison, N.J. building, McCann built a studio environment that can host up to 12 people in the room, with two instructors, as well as another 42 on the fine-pitch LED walls, faceted to give everyone proper perspective. This engages the entire team, regardless of where team members are in the world. 

From Warehouse to Collaboration Space 

When the COVID-19 pandemic descended in 2020, McCann made a unilateral decision not to cut people, pay, hours or benefits. The integrator also had some inventory, with equipment shipping channels tightening. In a creative move, McCann hired themselves to create what it intended to be the best studio collab space in the northeast. Leveraging what it had on hand and what trusted vendors could provide, McCann designed and built this space in its New Jersey office. Formerly, the space had been used for warehousing.

Related: Extron AV Solutions Create Engaging Study Venues at Renovated NCSU Hill Library

New rooms were framed for both the studio and the supporting rack room. In both cases, the rooms had to be outfitted with new electric, while also having HVAC needs tended to.

Ultimately, McCann had to design this connected studio environment for a small office — its own — that was already full. Thus, in McCann’s words, “We stole a piece of the warehouse!” But those who enter the space would never believe it, as it’s now fully decked out for collaboration. 

Bringing the Space to Life 

The installation took place over about eight months, right at the peak of COVID-19-related problems with supply lines. McCann Systems worked with the small amount of stock it had in the small space that it thought could be made available. From there, McCann did what it does best — namely, it ideated and got creative. 

The resulting installation involves 21 individual LED screens, which have a 1.2mm pixel pitch for super tight and close-up viewing. McCann leveraged the intuitive Barco weConnect platform and participant perspective cameras are mounted in a way that gives each remote participant a view of the instructor from where they are in the room. This is essential to letting people interact with each other as if they were in the same room. Full-duplex directional audio from that same perspective, using mics and speakers, completes the system. 

The connected studio is fully up and running, and it’s open to the public. Contact McCann to check it out in-person. 

Customer Reaction 

Although McCann Systems integrated the studio environment at its own New Jersey facility, the integrator’s certainly not the only one to be using it. It has invited several universities, corporations and assorted teams to use the room, and all have given glowing reviews.

Notably, for some McCann team members, the integrator’s leadership conference was their first opportunity to experience Proscenium as an in-room participant or instructor.

The consensus all around was “mind-blowing.”

McCann Systems’ Proscenium Equipment List

• Barco weConnect
• Unilumin 1.2mm LED
• NovaStar LED controller
• Crestron control processor
• tvONE videowall processor
• Biamp audio processor
• Cisco switches
• Vaddio cameras
• Avocor touchscreen
• QSC speakers and subs
• Stewart and Ashly amplifiers
• Shure microphones
• Brightline lighting
• Surge-X PDUs
• Chief mounts

The post Creating a Collaborative Studio Out of Vacant Warehouse Space appeared first on My TechDecisions.

“The future of the corporate workplace is top of mind this year as companies experience the impacts of returning to the office after two years with a remote workforce,” says Annette Sandler, director of live Content U.S. and Canada, AVIXA. “For InfoComm 2022, we’ve assembled top technologists, engineers, designers and end users to share what solutions are working for them and what changes are needed to move conferencing and collaboration forward.”

Engaging with Industry Experts

On June 7, the session “Conference Room Refresh to Support Hybrid Work” will address how legacy videoconferencing environments don’t adequately support hybrid meetings since they were built for a time when video calls were room to room. Andy Howard of Howard & Associates, Nia Celestin from DTEN, and Irwin Lazar of Metrigy will discuss the variety of technologies and design methodologies that can improve the meeting experience for both the in-room participants and remote participants.

The session “Why Meeting Equity is the Lifeblood of the Hybrid Workplace” will explore how office, home and mobile environments play a role in creating inclusive meetings, in addition to factors such as language, height, hearing disabilities and more.

Also Read: LG CLOi ServeBot To Roam InfoComm Show Floor

Today’s leaders are focused on navigating the territory of hybrid work and searching for ways to create a positive, productive workplace and a sense of belonging for employees. This session will thus examine the innovative use of technologies in delivering an inclusive and immersive meeting experience with the overall goal of meeting equity.

The session will be held on June 8, featuring Mansour Brek of X2O Media, John Burnett from Pexip, Rony Sebok from Crestron, Derrick Kelly from AVI-SPL and Stijn Henderickx from Barco.

On June 9, the session “Voice of the End-Users — Envisioning Successful Hybrid Solutions” will address how we are living in a time with an abundance of tech innovation and tools that enable new ways to connect. However, many of us are still working in conference rooms where we can’t connect, and meetings are viewed as a waste of time. In this session, Kay Sargent from HOK, Monique Rezaei from Microsoft, and Casey Carlson from Deloitte will discuss the need to embrace these new tech tools to enhance and support meaningful human interaction.

The full schedule of conferencing and collaboration sessions is available at infocommshow.org/CC. Moreover, the Technology Innovation Stage (booth W2247) will host free presentations Wednesday through Friday, spotlighting conferencing and collaboration solutions in addition to other critical pro AV solutions.

Trade Show Floor and Beyond

On the InfoComm 2022 trade show floor, nearly 200 exhibitors will showcase conferencing and collaboration solutions. These range from meeting room booking hardware and software and team collaboration apps to videoconferencing hardware and software. Sharath Abraham, digital workplace consultant for Accenture, will also lead 90-minute show floor tours of conferencing collaboration solutions on June 8 at 2 p.m. and June 9 at 10 a.m.

InfoComm 2022 will also host a tour of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). Here, attendees will experience the university’s hybrid learning classroom solution, RebelFlex. This solution allows instructors to teach a face-to-face class simultaneously with remote students.

The tour will also explore the Flora Dungan Humanities building’s 254-seat theater/classroom featuring a Dolby Atmos immersive audio experience and a 4K Barco cinema laser projection system. Frank Alaimo, CTS-I, DMC-E-4K, senior AV systems specialist at UNLV, will lead two tours on June 7. The timings are from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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

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