Architecture and intuitive AV work hand in hand to deliver a modern conferencing solution for one of Slovakia’s most important associations. Reece Webb reports.
The Association of Industrial Unions and Transport (APZD) represents Slovakia’s transport and industrial sectors and workers within these industries, bringing a voice to more than 16 unions, 2,500 companies and more than 180,000 employees. With a storied history of championing workers’ rights throughout Slovakia’s transition from socialism to democracy and on to the present day, the organisation acts as the voice of companies and workers from the automotive, mechanical engineering, construction, transport and logistic worlds.
The APZD required a new conferencing space that would allow it to modernise its meeting capabilities with an extensively renovated video conferencing system and simplified meeting experience.
The association turned to MediaTech to design and install this system, aiming to create a functional and technologically sound environment for professional meetings that are easy to arrange with a system that is intuitive to use. The requirements were crystal clear: design a conferencing system that offers a seamless, technology-empowered experience for 30 participants, with no variation in coverage or clarity. This AV system also had to blend in naturally with the architectural elements of the room to create an intuitive yet unobtrusive design.
Uniform functionality was a key requirement for the APZD, creating a system that was easy to use without technical skill while also reflecting the sleek and modern nature of APZD’s working environment. Michaela Tonkovicova, marketing manager, MediaTech, explains: “The client was completely reorganising their meeting space, cooperating with architects to revamp the whole facility. As a result, we were in touch with the architects from the very beginning to determine where the cables would go, and how the finished project would look like.
“As a state owned agency, the client wanted to have a nice looking representative space for their members with a professional AV setup. The client wanted this to be a highly professional system that is also easy to use for the people that are using the space.”
With a plan in place that put the AV system at the core of the design, MediaTech helped to play a role in the design of a meeting room for 30 participants that offers flexible and clear videoconferencing for every participant.
MediaTech supplied a system centred around a Televic conference system, supported by four motorised PTZ cameras which are programmed to automatically record the speaking participant. This setup brings a complete round table experience without any gaps in the line of sight for remote participants.
The Televic system comprises 30 D-Cerno digital control units with integrated recording capabilities, as well as D-Cerno CSL chairperson discussion units and D-Mic 50 SL gooseneck microphones. This system works in tandem with the room’s four PTZ cameras that provide comprehensive viewing angles. The system operates via a Crestron control system that ties the room’s array of AV equipment together.
Tonkovicova says: “The unique feature is that there are four Atlona AT-HDVS-CAM PTZ cameras that actively track the speakers, connected to the Televic audio conferencing system, which was a key requirement for the client. Integrating the system into the Crestron control environment was the biggest challenge for us.
“We programmed everything on our own. Our technicians are programmers as well, but it’s not something we do every day, so we were in contact with Televic and Crestron throughout the process [to make sure the programming was seamless]. There is one Crestron touchpanel on the table, and all of the technologies are controlled from this panel, making it very user friendly as everything is set up on the panel. Everything from the audio system to the wireless presentation is handled through this.”
A Crestron AirMedia wireless presentation system is used to bring seamless wireless connection and screen sharing for effective BYOD functionality.
MediaTech put emphasis on designing the system to offer as much comfort and intuitive control as possible via a Crestron touchpanel, programming it for effective startup and control of the entire system. This ‘user first’ approach allow users to focus on the content of their meetings rather than focusing on controlling the technology in the room.
MediaTech kept in touch with its partners throughout the installation process, ensuring that the supplied equipment met the needs of the user, and that any corrections better suited to the space could be made on the fly. Tonkovicova explains: “We were communicating with Televic a lot, and we ordered gooseneck microphones that were 70 cm long, but once they arrived, they were far too long and droopy, so we quickly replaced them with 50 cm versions which were better suited for the design of the room.”
MediaTech also supplied Equipson IC 6 K Pro ceiling speakers, bringing uniform sound to the entire space, supported by a Blaze Powerzone 252 amplifier. To enhance the meeting experience, four Samsung 55-inch displays have been placed in the centre, ensuring all participants have a clear view of the presentation and videoconferencing proceedings as they unfold.
As a result of working closely with the architect during the design and installation phases Tonkovicova says: “We are proud of the integration between all the technologies so that anyone can use it, you don’t have to be technically skilled to operate this system. We cooperated closely with the architect so that the audiovisual system blends well with the architectural aspects of the space. The technologies are advanced, but the end user wouldn’t realise that because it’s so easy and simple to use, which is a personal point of pride for us.
“Architects are aware of the aspects of AV, and they know that they must collaborate with AV integrators in advance to deliver the perfect solution, and this is exactly what happened.”
Ultimately, MediaTech delivered a comprehensive meeting environment that meets and exceeds the needs of the APZD, blending its needs for a modern, user friendly workspace into a sleek, intelligently designed space that blends architecture and technology together seamlessly.
MediaTech spent four months on this project from first contact to completion, delivering the final roll out on time and on budget without major technical challenges or delays.
Tonkovicova closes: “The client is bringing very important people for meetings there. The system is running smoothly, and it works well. The modernisation of the meeting room for APZD was an opportunity for us, where we could take advantage of our experience in implementing the most modern solutions in the field of audio and video technologies. We are proud that we could participate in the creation of a unique space that meets the high demands of our clients for technology, comfort and reliability. We believe that this modern space contributes to a more efficient and comfortable collaboration of all participants, and we look forward to other similar projects in the future.”
Kit list
Atlona AT-HDVS-CAM PTZ cameras, Omega 6x2 matrix switcher, 4K HDMI distribution amplifier Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro
Blaze Powerzone 252 amplifier
Crestron Air Media
Equipson IC 6 K Pro ceiling speakers
Samsung 55-in displays
Televic D-Cerno conferencing systems, D-Mic 50 SL gooseneck microphones