In an integrated conference room, the user must handle simple and virtually all components without complicated configurations or wasted time when trying to prepare the site.
By Richard Santa S.
Thanks to the development of ICTs, it is increasingly common that in company meetings or at a conference, one or more people are not physically present but have an active participation. This is presented thanks to telepresence.
In this field, the audiovisual industry has played a fundamental role. Manufacturing companies have been able to respond to this market need, so every day news is known about the launch of new products, referring to intercom, interactive screens, mounts, monitors, among others.
But how much do companies invest in audiovisual integrations for conference rooms that facilitate telepresence? In general, in Latin American countries it is little. Meetings with virtual presence are made with facilities that in many cases are improvised, affecting the final quality of the video and sound.
Guillermo López Montero, country manager of Kramer Mexico, maintains that "In our country the percentage of investment is still minimal. Today we can find that the one who has invested the most in conference rooms is the educational sector, such as the UNAM, which has more than 200 videoconference rooms used mainly for distance education. "
He adds that there are also other sectors that are investing in this aspect moved by digital signage that is the trend for advertising in receptions of companies, airports, banks, etc., since in both cases this type of facilities allows the sending of digital signal from a source such as a DVD, Blu ray, or through satellite reception.
Trends
Integrated systems that allow from a single panel to control the audio and video for a conference room, that is the solution offered by the AV industry, according to Ivette Mancera Bermúdez, Marketing Coordinator of AMX Mexico.
He assures that "Nowadays companies tend to unify all solutions to be able to control them more easily, from simple boardrooms with a single projector to telepresence rooms, videoconferencing, auditoriums, control and crisis centers."
What they are looking for is that more and more equipment is included in the rooms and with it have more and different needs that require other ways of approaching the solution.
For his part, Guillermo López Montero indicates that the most important aspect to consider when carrying out a project of this type is undoubtedly that the audiovisual equipment that is handled from different and varied sources, since the quality of the meeting that will be carried out depends on this.
"Regardless of the source or digital or analog sources to select, it is important to have a clear video signal that allows you to appreciate all the details and an audio that is clear and without interference, for this it is very important to contemplate high quality equipment and professional grade wiring and an adequate connectivity and automation system."
The trend marks a clear direction in the development of products in digital HDMI format, since it allows a connection through a single audio/video source cable, either interactive or only for visualization; as well as the integration of UTP Interfaces that offer excellent quality in signals over long distances with low costs.
"To achieve state-of-the-art total integration into a conference room, having a single device that unifies the operation of both analog and digital technology is the first step in advancing the trend towards remote control communication and external wireless devices. It is important to have products designed from the beginning with open protocols that facilitate the integration of technologies in the same environment," added López Montero.
What's New
There are several new equipment and integrations offered by the industry to meet the needs of users.
Kramer has a full line of RC (remote control) products with open protocols that easily interact with external device applications such as the iPad, intended to meet any need for control in rooms.
AMX, with its philosophy of open architecture, has been given the task of developing solutions completely compatible with different brands and models in the market, which allow the development of integral environments that from a single interface can control the entire room, from the smallest to the largest.
Its new Modero X series has three features: Panoramic, large multitouch control area and with several activities open simultaneously to facilitate the selection of the one that will be used at the moment.
In addition, AMX has versatility for different types of budget and technologies that allow maximum performance from the most essential equipment with Novara type keypads with integrated control and simple presentation switchers such as the AVX400.
It also has integrated Netlinx controllers, Radia lighting control, signal handling and distribution with Autopatch equipment and integral "all-in-one" ENOVA switchers, such as the DVX2100HD.
The most developed
The countries that have cutting-edge technology for telepresence are: the United States, England, Canada, India and China. In Latin America, the most advanced countries in this area are Argentina, followed by Chile and Mexico.
According to Ivette Mancera, in Mexico particularly the work styles of large transnationals are beginning to permeate where floating offices and collaborative environments are the common work dynamic and this implies new and modern facilities that demand equipment and versatility for users of all kinds, not necessarily versed in technological aspects.
What they are looking for are results based on an infrastructure that allows high productivity and availability of rooms always ready, comfortably and effectively set aside from an AV resource management software to know the status and use of the rooms, thus adopting a proactive and preventive discipline.
Guillermo López Montero concludes that his company is sure that investment in conference rooms will increase exponentially in the short term, this motivated by new technologies such as HDMI, UTP connections and integrated control systems that reduce costs, improve quality and increase the efficiency of the systems.
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