A present-day conference room in state, industrial or commercial organizations demonstrates a blend of innovative and field proven audiovisual and information technologies, which are able to provide multifunctional performance and high technical level to hold meetings, discussions, business meetings, conferences and other status events.
However design of all technical solutions should take into account architectural features of quarters and customer's requirements. This is the basis of systematic and rational approach, unique opportunity to build up and develop functional and technical advantages of the project.
Audiovisual complex equipment for conference rooms is divided into 4 main groups.
Equipment for information display:
The main information display tool is a front projection system based on multimedia projectors.
A projector should satisfy certain requirements to ensure high image quality, in particular, provide the light quantity sufficient for the target contrast ratio in existing light conditions.
Among other things, projectors should have low noise level and high widescreen resolution.
Special conditions – sophisticated layout, interior requirements – may require a projector with interchangeable lenses.
An alternative to the front projection system may be a video wall consisting of projection modules. The solution has the following advantages:
High screen resolution – considerably higher than that of conventional projectors or LCD-displays - allows comfortable use of cartographic information, reference and information systems and other information, which requires high level of detailing;
Multi-window display of information – one screen can simultaneously display presentations, work materials, screens from participants' laptops, videoconferencing, over-the-air television – all the things needed for multi-aspect presentation of the situati
on;
High image resolution irrespective of illumination – unlike conventional projection screens, which provide sharp images subject to shading only;
High reliability – adopted for operation at critical facilities;
Modular structure – screen reconfiguration, enlargement;
Video wall may be covered by a special cover unit to decrease noise and match the interior design.
LCD displays serve as auxiliary display tools in the conference room, which provide comfortable working conditions for all participants irrespectively of their place in the room, including viewers far from the main screen.
VC cameras are mounted below the displays to provide a good camera angle for the meeting participants without the need to rotate the camera.
For the purpose of data security, all switching operations in the room as a rule are digital, while video and audio signals are transferred via optic fiber cables ensuring high interference protection and eliminating external emissions along the signal path.
Loud speaker and conferencing equipment:
It is a good practice to implement professional wall mounted loudspeaker systems, which provide high speech intelligibility.
For the purpose of speech amplification and comfort of conference participants in small halls, miniature cut-in or desk microphones are used. This leaves a lot of free space on the table without any bulky microphone consoles.
Work places in conference rooms are equipped with microphone consoles of conferencing systems. This equipment ensures participants' speech amplification as well as compliance with event procedures. Conferencing equipment includes consoles for delegates, console for the chairman, control equipment and other sub-systems interface equipment.
Microphone consoles are provided with a speech request button.
A conferencing system has several selectable modes of operation. One provides for as much simultaneously operating microphones as possible where each participant may deliver a speech. Another mode provides for participants’ requests for speech, and their microphones are switched on by the operator. Thus, a queue of contributors is formed controlled by the operator or chief by means of a touch screen.
System equipment provides for automatic camera pointing at the speaker.
Videoconferencing equipment:
Only professional equipment is used for videoconferences. The systems have a wide range of applications and perfectly perform the function of an instrument for project team work, holding negotiations and other events.
Aside from video signal, remote users receive computer images of presentations, documents, desktop copies and other content.
Integrated control equipment:
Integrated control equipment is designed to insure the most comfortable system equipment control – selection of a source to display on the screen, switching microphones on and off, volume control, switching a projector or a video wall on and off, switching between private and public meeting mode.
The system user interface is represented by a compact touchpad with a screen. Dedicated graphic interfaces enable the user without profound technical knowledge to successfully manage all system modes.
The control system monitors the system technical state and generates alarms in case of technical problems for the responsible persons to take the required measures, e.g. by SMS or e-mail.
All the equipment is installed into a noise-proof switchboard cabinet.