AV Technology - March 2008 - (Page 53)

less AMX MVP-8400 touchpanel. According to Watkins, there are some distinct advantages to using these panels, including a faster user interface, animated graphics, larger panel size, expanded feedback channels, and IP connectivity. The panel can also be accessed remotely through Virtual Network Computing (VNC) software. During this phase, they upgraded the Jupiter display wall controller and beefed up the display technology by replacing the existing video walls with 42 WN-5020-XP Planar Puma 50-inch LCD video cubes. Finally, Reynolds had Constant Technologies build and install 68 custom operator control consoles. The AMX system is especially valuable during times of crisis because it maximizes staff efficiency, enabling quicker resolutions. By selecting pre-programmed macros via the Modero touchpanel, the staff can execute a series of commands, such as dimming the lights, switching audio and video, and initiating a videoconference with just one touch. “It used to take Bob and his staff about an hour to set up a videoconference call and route it to the video wall. Now, this process now takes about two minutes,” says Watkins. From the touchpanel, the staff can quickly preview, select, route, and display any source device in the room. The system also allows full control of their Lutron GRAFIK lighting system, Polycom video and audioconferencing equipment, cable television receivers, DVD players, VCRs, and the heating and air conditioning. Overall, 31 individual sources are controllable via the AMX and can be sent to 65 different output devices. “It’s extremely important for the CNCC to integrate the most advanced technologies to ensure we receive immediate notification of any IT problem. Our sophisticated systems also provide the tools and resources needed to rapidly respond to and solve these problems,” says Reynolds. With the hardware in place, Constant Technologies turned their attention to control system programming and touchpanel interface design. Watkins wrote almost 38,000 lines of code to integrate all of the components via the AMX control systems. “Today, the CNCC is really a showcase for Aetna,” states Reynolds. “We conduct 80 to150 tours every year. When a current or prospective client visits, they see several large video walls displaying a multitude of information and staff members who can walk up to one of the touchpanels in the wall and make just about anything happen. I believe this provides a level of comfort to them, knowing the steps Aetna has taken to ensure our network and data are safe and secure.” According to Reynolds, they plan to expand their control capabilities in the future. This will include greater control over their HVAC systems, security systems, and lighting to include areas external to the CNCC like their server rooms, all in an effort to continue to provide the best service and support to Aetna and their clients. A Reminder: INTRICATE SYSTEMS CAN BE HARD TO BUILD AND EVEN HARDER TO PATCH UP. That’s why The Digital Signage Group offers the products and expertise to help you do things right from the start. We distribute a full spectrum of performanceevaluated digital signage products—basic hardware to displays and projectors to content management software and connectivity devices. Better still, we know how each of these components performs when combined with others—meaning you can buy with the conﬁdence you’re doing things right the ﬁrst time, every time. So take the ﬁrst step. Give us a call at 1.866.591.1974 today. INFO AMX: www.amx.com CLARITY VISUAL SYSTEMS: www.clarityvisual.com LUTRON: www.lutron.com PLANAR: www.planar.com POLYCOM: www.polycom.com JUPITER SYSTEMS: www.jupiter.com George Klippel is the manager of classroom technology and distributed education at Carnegie Mellon University’s Information Networking Institute. He can be reached at gklippel@cmu.edu. march 2008 | AVTECHNOLOGY | 53 HELPING YOU DO IT RIGHT EVERY TIME. http://www.amx.com http://www.clarityvisual.com http://www.lutron.com http://www.planar.com http://www.polycom.com http://www.jupiter.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of AV Technology - March 2008

AV Technology - March 2008 Contents Precedent Corporate: Whose Job Is It Anyway? Education: There’s No Business Like Show Business Government: Technology and the New World Order Buying a Videoconference System They Will Actually Use AV After Hours The Sound of HD Conferencing Assembling the Design Team Concert Hall Acoustics on a High School Budget Audio Architecture Keeping a Watchful Eye Product Spotlight Tech Horizons Product Review New Products AV MO

AV Technology - March 2008

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