In order to facilitate real time information exchange, an environment which accommodates seamless data transfer is needed. This data could be in the form of audio, video or text files often coming from different sources. This whole concept is termed as digital convergence. A truly collaborative AV environment is possible, thanks to the proper technology.
To truly harness the potential of this no barrier environment, it is essential to apply collaborative AV technology in a useful and user-friendly way. Thorough knowledge of designers and integrators in building and implementing a collaborative AV system plays an important role in this. For building a collaborative AV system, it requires –
- A powerful video wall controller
- Interactive technologies
- A well-designed interface
- An experienced integrator to bring it all together
Video Wall Controller and AV Collaboration
Video wall controller acts as a focal point in a collaborative AV environment. It accepts inputs of various video formats, and provides output to different displays devices like LCD, plasma or front end rear projectors. The advantage of a video wall controller is that one single video controller, concurrently can operate with various devices located at different location. It can also cover the devices of an entire building. High definition video capture is also possible (up to 60 frames per second). In addition, a video wall controller displays standard Windows applications on any of the device thereby making it possible the convergence between Windows applications and the video wall.
Video and Audio Distribution
Once the video wall controller is configured and set, the video system needs to be designed so as to converge onto the video wall controller. It is important that all video content be sent to the video wall controller. Matrix switches and signal repeaters are used for this purpose. Once this operation is perfected, it’s easy to derive the video signal as a whole or in parts to any other device connected to the video wall controller.
Audio is to be sent via an audio matrix switch or a zoned audio system so that any audio source can be selected as per the requirement.
Interactive Technologies for AV Collaboration
A truly collaborative AV environment requires a variety of devices to share the information between users. This is what lends flexibility of a video wall controller that truly drives any AV collaboration.
Systems and Platforms
Video wall controllers are not bound by any particular system or platform. They can accommodate a variety of technologies running on different operating systems to render the display anywhere in the building.
Teleconferencing
Teleconferencing is one of the prime usages of collaborative AV environments. New generation video wall controllers are able to handle multiple MPEG4 video streams (a codec commonly used by video conferencing devices) to be streamed simultaneously. Latest video wall controllers can handle this, including feeds in DVI and VGA formats.
Digital Whiteboards
Another great addition to collaborative AV environment is a digital whiteboard and large touch panel display. Routing signals from these devices to a video wall controller ensures that the video rendered on them is also available on other displays. Basic IT setup comprising of Microsoft Exchange Server or other applications (Google Apps) that allow multiple users to work on the same file are very useful here.
AV and IT Convergence
An ideal AV collaborative environment is one where all components like vide, audio and text files, converge and run seamlessly together. This ensures that the data is available for all end users in an abstract manner. In short, the users will experience easy real time sharing of all data and displays simultaneously, no matter how many types of them are needed. Such a collaborative environment requires a single and simple interface which has access to all the components of the system, namely video wall controller, display devices and audio system, teleconferencing platform, and even shared-file systems on individual PCs.
One way to creating a converged AV interface is to build a single touch panel control panel that is connected to a serial processor or a basic micro-controller capable of commanding all the hardware. Programmed to send multiple commands to multiple devices at the push of a single button, such control panels allows preconceived scenarios to be built into the collaborative AV system.
However, it is design and implementation that is the most crucial aspect of the custom interface whether it is, or it is not a touch panel. Proper design allows easy access to all functions even for the first time users; a hallmark of a truly successful AV collaborative system.
Conclusion
Numerous AV collaboration systems exist in the market today, and singling each one of them is an exhaustive task. Any environment that requires real time information sharing from more than a single source can benefit from this collaborative technology. A few of the areas, where such technology is used include NOCs (network operation centers) command and control centers, traffic surveillance and corporate board rooms.
Advances in technology, particularly in the realms of digital convergence over the last few years, have further broken all barriers to AV collaboration. Designers and integrators now are burdened with the task of applying this collaborative technology in the most useful ways possible. However, to do and to achieve this, a clear understanding of the above concepts is required. In addition, they also require a thorough understanding of the requirements for the implementation of a collaborative AV system.
