However, the new way of working also surfaces changes to the way we collaborate and meet. Boardrooms are great for large, in-person meetings, but the rise in hybrid working practices means smaller, ‘huddle rooms’ for quick collab sessions and brainstorming with remote workers are now more necessary than ever.

While the ideal huddle room is one that is equipped with high-quality audio and video capabilities, and is simple – and quick – to use, the reality remains quite different. According to data from Wainhouse Research, despite the increased need for room-based video conferencing, smaller meeting rooms are not often optimally equipped for video conferencing. This creates a gap: there’s now an increased need for collaboration in distributed teams, but organizations lack the infrastructure to support it.

Organizations may be reluctant to invest in new meeting room technology due to past perceptions of costly expenses that are not cost effective for smaller rooms. However, video conferencing solutions, purpose-built for huddle rooms, are emerging onto the market that have excellent sound, audio, and build quality. They’re designed specifically to support smaller intimate discussions.

As many organizations adopt hybrid working practices, balancing the meeting experiences between remote and in-person employees becomes a critical business imperative. Workers joining meetings remotely need more than a single, lo-res shot of the room accompanied by muffled audio. Closing the disparity in experience between in-person and remote becomes a significant factor in the success of hybrid work models.

Using latest-generation hardware and smart, AI-aided technology closes this gap in the meeting experience significantly. Multiple, tight-beam microphones and 4k cameras that track speakers intelligently bring the remote attendees right into the discussion. Crisp audio and detailed video, follows the path of the ongoing collaboration, making remote attendance a first-class experience.

In the Rally Bar Huddle from Logitech, for example, sound is captured by six beamforming microphones, and optimized by RightSound AI-powered audio optimization that automatically removes background noise. Audio from remote attendees is projected into the huddle room through a full-range ported speaker for crystal-clear incoming sound.

The hardware’s camera produces 4K image quality videos, and pans, tilts and zooms autonomously – just like watching a high-budget production. The system offers two viewing modes: Grid and Speaker Views (see below) help immerse remote attendees as if they were present in the room.

In Speaker View, the camera detects and zooms in on the active person speaking, yet with an omnipresent wide-angle view of the whole room. Alternatively, Grid View captures the head & shoulder view of all meeting attendees and displays them in a “traditional” grid familiar to anyone who’s used video conferencing software.

The 55 cm-long bar is suitable for a meeting of up to six physical attendees and can be attached to a display, table, or wall, depending on the room’s layout.

It’s important that such technology, however impactful, is easy to install. It should also be fast and simple to use. For the Rally Bar Huddle, initial setup takes only minutes, with the unit powered and networked via a single cable.

For end-users, the system integrates seamlessly with Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, so meetings can be up and running in seconds. The system becomes an extension of existing workflows for all meetings, chats, brainstorms and pitch meetings.

For IT teams, the solution is easily managed, maintained and controlled by any Windows PC (Chrome OS is also supported). Accompanying cloud-based software, Logitech Sync, makes fleet management simple – updates can be deployed remotely, and provides helpful room-use insights for the organization. (An optional extra touch comes in the form of the touch-screen Logitech Tap IP)

In smaller huddle rooms, getting in-person and remote personalities in a virtual (or real) space is now a critical element of modern working practices.

Request for a demo of the Rally Bar Huddle here.

The post Hybrid meetings: How dedicated audio-visuals level up your huddle room appeared first on Tech Wire Asia.

In the past, a lot of enterprises would have invested significantly to set up unified communications facilities in meeting rooms and boardrooms, incorporating both audio and video conferencing tools that would need to be individually integrated with existing connectivity and the electrical infrastructure in the building. Virtual meetings were normally to include overseas partners and clients into mostly physical meetings, while the rest of the in-person attendees sat in the boardroom.

But over the last couple of years, company leaders have had to rethink their strategic operational objectives, as online communications, as well as collaboration tools, have entered into the mainstream of usage. Users are much more onboarded to the technologies as platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams have been widely adopted.

Source: Jands Pty

As a result, people have come to expect video and audio conferencing tools to not only connect seamlessly with minimal disruptions, but also be able to provide the sort of broader functionality that more consumer-friendly services now offer. These include, but are not limited to presentations, recordings, transcriptions, automated calendar scheduling, and even collaborative notation tools where different users can mark up and leave comments on a shared virtual canvas.

As workers have slowly eased back to the office, meeting space requirements have also changed with larger spaces and nooks for smaller breakouts becoming commonplace. With so many changes affecting meeting culture at basically the same time, IT teams and installation integrators have to consider a range of factors when implementing new audio and video conferencing solutions.

For integrating new tools from the ground up, it is still advisable to use professional audio visual (AV) installers, but the Parlé VBC 2500 Conferencing Video Bar from leading professional AV solutions supplier Biamp is both easy to set up, and simple to use. The VBC 2500 Video Bar is part of Biamp’s recent Parlé line of audio and video conferencing bars aimed at small to medium-sized rooms.

Thanks to Biamp’s 40-plus years of AV expertise, the Parlé VBC 2500 incorporates all of the company’s latest audio and video technology innovations in one conferencing bar, including an array of 27 Parlé microphones that feature Biamp’s patented Beamtracking technology to listen to and track users around the room.

Biamp’s award-winning echo cancellation, paired with an Artificially Intelligent trained Noise Reduction Algorithm, provides sharp sound quality and speech clarity. When used in tandem with Biamp Launch, its intelligent processing features can be tuned to address the differing acoustic needs of each connected meeting room, creating a balanced audio experience. This is called Biamp Audio Intelligence – or, Biamp A.I.

Alongside Biamp’s Digital Signal Processing, the VBC 2500 has a best-in-class 4K ePTZ camera. Sporting Biamp Video Intelligence, the device delivers auto-framing capabilities, tracking participants using Pan, Tilt & zoom, ensuring everyone is seen clearly. Meeting attendees are kept in view with premium optics and a 120-degree wide angle lens – even when they are pacing around the conference room. An automated privacy shutter adds extra security to cover the camera when it is not in use.

Source: Jands Pty

For systems integrators logistics headaches are eased with Power over Ethernet cables (PoE) transmitting data and electrical supply with one cable. The VBC 2500 can also be connected by plugging a USB cable directly into a UC system or a Devio SCR-10, and hitting ‘Launch’ to deploy professional-grade tuning.

Parlé video and audio conferencing bars offer professional-grade AV accessible ad usable by end-users, using simply-integrated technology to create a cost-effective, single-vendor solution.

To discover how the VBC 2500 delivers premium big-room quality experiences to smaller rooms, get in touch with the official Australian distributor of Biamp audio visual business solutions, Jands, who will happy to assist with specialised installations and expert opinions for your next AV project.

The post Bridge the remote communication & collaboration divide with premium audio video conferencing appeared first on Tech Wire Asia.

Most businesses will have some form of basic audiovisual capabilities installed in-house, but this technology is typically confined to the boardroom or to a handful of large meeting rooms. The events of the last two years have triggered a change in business practices across the globe. A shift in operational priorities has required businesses to rethink and reassess their  utilisation of audiovisual communication technology. In 2022, it’s become expected that organisations can connect seamlessly and can provide immediate access to facilities for presentations, interviews, webinars, board meetings, and so much more.

The underpinning technologies powering this new type of facility are complex – at least to the layperson. From the everyday user’s perspective, what’s important is how easy it is to connect a laptop or tablet to a large-screen TV or projector, and doing it reliably, every time. Satisfying the need for reliability and security while balancing image and sound quality against ease of installation and maintenance has historically been the job of the audiovisual professional. In 2022 a new generation of audiovisual technology has emerged capable of satisfying all criteria.

The evolution of HDMI over IP networks has been taking place over the last ten years or so as a natural evolution of analogue KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) solutions found in data centres’ computer racks. The widespread adoption of HDBaseT™ protocols means point to point connections can carry uncompressed video and audio at 4k resolutions with low latency and medium latency options – perfect for the fast-paced business environment. Achieving high image, and sound quality at a reasonable price has been a challenge until quite recently.

Although it’s still advisable to use a professional AV installation service to help with a business’s initial infrastructure needs, the Blustream AMF41W is a device that is ideal for end-users on a day-to-day basis. Meeting attendees can connect wirelessly to the device (it can act as a VLAN-ed WiFi hotspot) to pass 4K media to connected devices. It even supports Apple AirPlay and Miracast for consumer-focused hardware sources. For wireless presentations or demos, the AMF41W can be connected and operational within seconds to provide high quality picture and audio that has won Blustream multiple industry awards.

With over 30 years’ of experience with the company, its AV engineers have dedicated chipsets for the HDBaseT™ hardware that maximise quality and emphasise usability.

There’s no sign-up or log-in required by users, no licensing restrictions, and therefore, no waiting around as colleagues search for cables, adapters, dongles, or driver downloads.

Wireless connectivity is complemented by four physical inputs for permanent device installations, and there is a range of control options (including RS232) plus upgradable microphones, speakers, and cameras.

Power is supplied to the AMF41W via PoE (48v) on existing Cat5e or better, and cable runs can be up to 100m without repeaters. Even at that distance, latency is measured in µ-seconds – arguably, the hardware is over-engineered for 2022; Blustream is clearly confident that this is future-proof hardware. When companies decide to invest in beam tracking microphones or facial recognition cameras, the AMF41W is not only capable of handling this upgrade but designed to.

Like all the best AV systems, the AMF41W works quietly and unnoticeably in the background, freeing users from cable concerns, scaling easily to 4k, and providing reliable, day-in, day-out service. Businesses needing the air of effortless professionalism need look no further. They get the bonus of no meeting time lost as people look under desks for cables, USB memory sticks, or spare laptops with different ports on their sides.

Presentations, online meetings, virtual interviews, and webinars will have the platform they need in 2022 and beyond. To learn more about the HDBaseT™-based Blustream AMF41W and the options available for your installation and setup, reach out to an AV professional at Jands.

The post Simplified Quality Solutions for Audiovisual Presentations appeared first on Tech Wire Asia.

As workers slowly return to their workplaces, organizations wishing to present a professional image are rightly investing in reliable video conferencing and collaboration technology. Dedicated audiovisual systems that produce crisp audio and sharp video have never been better and easier to use. Professional audio companies are producing business-oriented hardware and software perfect for small and medium-sized businesses. If you’re keen to give your employees, clients, and the outside world the best possible AV (audiovisual) experiences when working with and within your organisation, then read on.

 Many businesses face an uphill challenge when setting up dedicated video conferencing solutions as it usually comes as an afterthought for most IT teams. The average company boardroom might only feature an old desktop PC, a last-generation webcam and a “flying saucer” style desk phone. This type of equipment might have been adequate for occasional use before the events of 2020. But today, most people grow quickly tired of latecomers struggling to join virtual meetups, tinny audio, and blurred video (if video works at all). Most IT teams don’t have the staff to hand-nurture video conferencing solutions for every meeting, and few teams have an audiovisual expert on hand to fine-tune the available equipment.

Luckily it is a relatively simple matter to create AV installations in multiple sites around a business, from small breakout rooms right up to large conference rooms that seat dozens. With modular hardware, installations can be as simple or as intricate and exacting as required. In some cases, solution costs are low enough for small businesses to set up several spaces permanently for the same money as a single, specialist installation.

The Stem Ecosystem of audiovisual equipment comes from audio specialist Shure, designed for exacting AV standards at very attractive price points. The Stem Ecosystem provides the type of audio excellence you might expect from a market leader, with hardware designed to be installed on walls, ceilings, and tabletops.

What puts the Stem Ecosystem in the category of AV excellence is, of course, its usability. Expensive solutions are rarely used if they come without an easy-to-use user interface — it’s just too difficult for the average person. However, the Shure Stem Ecosystem is accessed through the Stem Control, a single powerful tabletop touchscreen device about the size of an iPad. It controls the audio system and the software operating behind the scenes. The Stem Control works in conjunction with the optional Stem Hub, enabling multiple audio units in a space to function as one.

The Stem Control gives all users real-time control over the software used to set up and maintain virtual meetings (like Zoom, for example) and optional access to the company’s VOIP system. Furthermore, the device acts as a central controller for administrators over all connected Stem audio devices across the organisation.

There are two multifunction units in the Stem range, the Stem Table and Stem Wall. Each uses real beamforming microphone “tunnels” that intelligently focus audio reception onto whoever is speaking, wherever they are in the room. Built-in speakers reproduce incoming audio with all the clarity you’d expect from a market-leading audio company, easily filling smaller spaces with crystal clear sound.

The Stem Table has a USB 2.0 port to connect to those coworkers who want to use their own laptop and video conferencing software in a meeting room but extend the native hardware’s capabilities with pro-quality audio.

The Stem Speaker gives companies options for where it’s mounted: wall, ceiling, or tabletop. Subtle LED lighting around the circumference shows when the device is active or whether audio is muted. Cabling is simple too, with power-over-Ethernet technology meaning only one wire is needed for full connectivity.

Microphone technologies can be pushed to the limit for meeting and conference rooms where many voices can be heard at once. The Stem Ceiling microphone array gives companies full-room coverage via mic “tunnels” that focus audio reception on whoever happens to be speaking at any one time. Multiple microphone beam settings give companies ultimate control over their meeting spaces and ensure that wherever in the room the speaker might be, everyone at the meeting is given the best quality audio reception.

For larger rooms where more than one device is required, it’s wise to include the Stem Hub in plans. It extends interconnection options for the AV system, including enabling access to the company’s VOIP system thanks to its extensible interfaces.

The Stem Ecosystem innately connects with all common conferencing and meeting software such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Hangouts. Whether your setup is a single small, breakout-style room or many larger conference rooms, the Shure Stem range offers options that will be the perfect fit.

Each room’s setup, large or small, can be automatically “tuned” for optimum acoustics. This process takes seconds but ensures that the sound output and input consider a space’s natural acoustics. Cameras can be mounted where needed (onto the Stem Wall bar speaker/mic combo, for example), and with an optional dedicated mini-PC, the pro-level AV solution is ready to go.

There’s a centralised dashboard for systems administrators in the IT team and the audio specialist tasked with managing multiple AV setups to control and track all the available, interconnected equipment. Right from the Stem Control, there are options to configure rooms, experiment with equipment placements, see call log files, get equipment’s current network status, and much, much more.

To learn more about how Shure equips those with exacting audio standards, reach out to the official Australian distributor of the Shure Stem Ecosystem range of audiovisual business solutions, Jands. Jands has a range of AV specialists and installation experts who will be delighted to assist you with your next AV project.

Hear the difference for yourself.

The post Professional Quality Audio for Digital Communication & Collaboration appeared first on Tech Wire Asia.