Florida-based contractor APG Electric has recently invested in a 22-room extension to house its new engineering department. Included within the new office space is a state-of-the-art conference room, which will serve as a showcase for clients who are considering their conference room options. To ensure optimal audio performance and voice intelligibility, APG Electric invested in a Symetrix SymNet Radius AEC Dante networked audio processor.
“The conference room really has two purposes,” said Larry Stephen, technology account manager at APG Electric. “First, we want to make our clients aware of the technology solutions that are available to support their communication needs. Including Symetrix audio processing is part of that. Second, we want to close the loop between on-site decisions and the approval they require from office-based staff. Formerly, this required driving back to the office, holding a meeting, marking up documents, getting approvals, and then driving back to the client and/or the site. With the conferencing system, those decisions, mark-ups, and approvals can all be made in real-time, with the client present. We can transfer files, print in the field, and have everybody sign off on a decision as it’s made. The conferencing features of this room save hours and days. It simplifies logistics.”
The Symetrix SymNet Radius AEC includes eight AEC (acoustic echo cancellation) inputs, four auxiliary inputs, eight outputs, and an expansion slot for any SymNet I/O card. Critically, it includes sophisticated AEC and related processing algorithms that deliver clear audio to both sides of a remote conversation. The SymNet Radius AEC is easily expandable and networkable using the Dante Network protocol over Ethernet. An AMX DVX system controls all of the conferencing room’s functionality, including calls, video, audio, and lighting. Two Teamboard 90in interactive whiteboards also serve as projection screens for Panasonic short-throw projectors. Video is handled by a LifeSize ICON system using its UVC platform. The conference table includes pop-up boxes for connectivity and a collection of Shure boundary microphones for clear capture of discussions in the room. ElectroVoice Evid in-ceiling speakers provide output.
