Conference Room Equipment

[lophix]

I'm in the process of designing a conference room to serve multiple functions:

• Board Meetings
• Video Conference Hosting
• Web-based Seminars
• Training Class
• Potentially a media room for movies if necessary

So far, I've listed out various requirements including conduits from a media closet at the rear of the room that run underneath to recessed floor boxes in the center of the room, acoustic requirements such as low reverberation, wall panels, data and power jacks at intervals along the walls and a couple of power outlets in the ceiling for a projector.

I'm having issues finding a good solution for video conferencing as I've never worked with or had to install any. I've been looking at a couple of polycom systems and they look like they could probably be better than what we have now....which is nothing but a polycom conference phone. So what do you have, what have you worked with, and what would you recommend that won't break the bank? Budget for the Video Conferencing solution is about 20k with all the accessories, mics, support, and probably a large plasma display.

Thanks!

[lbz]

We use tandberg equipment at one division, PolyCom at another but will eventually migrate the polycom to Tanberg. Recommend LCD on the display rather than plasma. Quality for VC is not a priority (IMO) like it is for home entertainment and there is a lower cost with the LCD.

Also, best practice for a set up like that is to have two displays, one for data and one for vid conference.

Some systems come with a stand that handles two monitors, the codec on a lower shelf and the camera between the monitors.

Another thing, if the room is larger than holding 10 people, get ceiling mounted speakers. This way, people up front don't get blasted and people in the back can still hear.

If you are doing the labor, then $20K is do-able. I recommend you contact a vendor that does A/V rooms. They will try to sell you a gold plated solution with wireless LCD remotes, etc but if you stick with the basics you can stay in budget.

Also, I learned not to go with a firm that is going to sub-contract the work out to others. That was a friggin nightmare.

[lophix]

Cisco Telepresence is pretty spiffy....and an arm and a leg. They've got good stuff though.

I selected the Polycom VSX7000e with an array of ceiling microphones http://www.cdwg.com/shop/products/de...6&ContractID=0
with the option to add a couple of plasmas later (I have some other ideas ;-) )
I also chose a Christie LX400 projector .
http://www.christiedigital.com/AMEN/...istieLX400.htm

I initially got introduced to Christie projectors when I was at a theater in Colorado Springs. Best PQ I had seen on a projector to date...and I'm not a connoiseur by any means.

I also got a couple of AV switches, a Yamaha receiver, a Cisco 48-port switch etc.

The actual construction (it's a new room from scratch) is going to be done by someone else and when it's time for actual wiring and placement of outlets, components, etc. I'll be on-site supervising.


Thanks for the input on the Tanberg.

[SoarVigor]

Stick with Polycoms systems.

The one you choose is excellent.

Any I agree with the sub-contract part LBZ spoke of. Can REALLY be a nightmare.

Go with LCD.

[lophix]

Two people telling me to go LCD....must be something to it. Thanks :-)
As far as the work...it'll all be through one contractor.