February 25, 2019
In recent years, we’ve had the pleasure to create some great audio video system updates for our clients. Audio video technology has come a long way in the last few years, and our clients are often surprised and occasionally blown away by how much we can customize a project to their specific needs. Today, I’m going to share some of our projects and describe ways we’ve updated old technologies.
Audio Video Example 1: School Gymnasium
School gymnasiums act as multi-function event spaces. They must transition from a pep rally or athletic event to a graduation space. A week later the same gym may house a speaker stage or an arts performance. Ease of transition and usability are key factors in these multi-use facilities.
Our audio video system update for a school gymnasium in Alexandria, MN optimized the space for a variety of its regular uses. We installed a 3x3 video wall synced with AirMedia, allowing anyone with a mobile device or laptop to wirelessly connect, and using a passcode, display their data on the video wall.
The gym features multiple audio speaker zones. With audio zones, users decide which speakers have output at any time. For example: During athletic events they can allow partial audio so output is only above the bleachers, and during graduation ceremonies users enable full audio, which fills the space evenly with clear, crisp audio throughout. This audio system also includes microphone input plates for wired mics to feed directly into the distribution system as well as wireless mics with antennas.
Audio Video Example 2: Boardrooms
Banking is big business, and it keeps getting bigger. Banks branch out into large cities and rural areas to serve more and more people. Although being stretched across the state is great for client access, it makes staying in-touch with co-workers in different branches more difficult. When meeting face-to-face became cumbersome for one North Dakota bank, they solved their problem by outfitting all of their branches with audio video conferencing systems.
Marco provided each branch with cameras and dual monitors, allowing one monitor to be on whomever is speaking while the second can focus on what is being presented. Ceiling microphones collect and transfer high-quality audio through a full bi-directional audio flow, ensuring everyone is equally involved. By eliminating the need to drive to a centralized location for meetings, this audio video system saves the company time and money.
Audio Video Example 3: Courtrooms
We worked with a Minnesota Judicial District to update their courtroom audio video systems. This project was a massive change from the Matlock-era projector and paper system previously in place. Marco installed ceiling cameras capable of zooming in on evidence being discussed, increasing clarity on smaller details.
Now, counselors can share laptop evidence right from their council table, while the judge remains in control of access and permissions for anything displayed in the courtroom. Each council table and the witness stand is outfitted with 20-inch touchscreens where users can physically annotate evidence and print to the courtroom’s printer.
Audio Video Example 4: College Ballrooms
Large group spaces need to be multi-function, and Marco’s installation at a college ballroom considerably increased the space’s usability. The ballroom’s divider walls allow there to be one, two or three rooms to suit a variety of occasions.
The ballroom contains three 6,000-Lumen projectors, each with its own touch panel to control lighting, microphones, audio and screen switching. This way, the rooms are each technologically enabled regardless of how they’re divided.
Audio Video Example 5: Video Wall
This final example comes right from Marco's headquarters in St. Cloud, MN. Back when we had under 100 employees, Marco headquarters began a tradition of displaying a printed photo of each employee on a 30x10 foot wall - in order of hire date. Since starting this tradition, our company has grown to well over 1,000 employees, which is great in terms of business but troublesome for maintaining our employee photo wall. We showcase all of our staff because the work we do here at Marco truly is a group effort, with each and every employee contributing to our successes. We wanted to continue this tradition, but had outgrown the wall. We needed a better way.
Our solution became a 10-screen video wall displaying all of our employees on a rotating pages. Each screen in the 2x5 display is 55 inches with 1920x1080p resolution. A single computer controls all ten monitors, and as employees come and go, the photos are automatically resorted to reflect the changes.
Audio Video Systems Updates
There you have it, three pretty cool (if I do say so myself) presentation technology upgrades. At Marco, we get excited about using technology to improve and optimize space and workflow. If you’re wondering what audio video systems could benefit your space or organization, have one of our audio video specialists contact you.
At Marco, we’re focused on how we can bring the right technologies to your business or organization. If you’re wondering how audio video business technologies could work for you, contact one of our technology advisors.
