Category Archives: AV Department

Our delegate microphone systems are the back bone to a successful hybrid meeting. An essential part of the technology is the ability for the microphone system to trigger the movement of cameras. Using Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) cameras that automatically focus on a newly activated microphone means any operator is not searching for the active microphone and then manually moving the camera. Potentially a manual camera will take so long to line up that the delegate will have finished speaking before the camera is made live in the vision mix so missing the entire contribution.

AV Department Ltd’s camera integration not only moves the cameras but can also automatically vision mix the video making sure the screen content keeps up with the dialogue. The system also follows audio triggers for when 2 speakers have a conversation without switching their microphones on and off.

The system automatically cuts through a wide shot so avoiding any wild camera swings being broadcast. It has a geographic mimic which shows the technician which microphones are live as well as offering added microphone control to switch microphones on and off remotely should a participant forget to switch their microphone off. Combined with Shure’s MXCW advanced ‘hands free’ mode no one need touch a button to produce a near perfect vision mix for online participants. Contact us to find out more and get a quote.

AVD have now converted all their headphone stock to hard ear pads to allow them to be wiped down between uses. This is in response to heightened concern over the hygiene of headsets being used by multiple users in quick succession. The hard ear pad, though less comfortable to wear, is user cleanable and poses less of a risk for cross infection if cleaned between uses. Being less comfortable it may also deter persons form ‘borrowing’ them for use at home.

The previous foam ear pads were difficult to clean needing to be teased off the headphone washed and re applied if they had not fallen apart in the process. Prone to trapping hair, wiping make up, absorbing perfume and perspiration, the foams were a problem looking for a solution which we have now applied.

The headphones are used as part of our simultaneous interpretation systems for multilingual events.

If you have concerns over the hygiene of issued headphones at an event then a solution is to bring your own. All our equipment can be used with a cabled stereo headphone, fitted with the industry standard 3.5mm jack. Please note that bluetooth or wireless headphones / ear pieces or ear pods are not compatible.

We hope this is helpful and a step forward.

Do you need Tech Support or Tech Provision?

It may seem a small difference in language but it makes a big difference in costs.

Technical Provision is where a supplier provides an element of the technical capacity to host an event. ie they may supply the physical equipment, provide the on-line platform, help you create engaging content or provide broadcast facilities to reach your audience.

Technical Support is where you may already have all that you need in terms of equipment and on-line services, and you understand how to fully utilise what you already own but you just need an extra pair of hands to make things run smoothly. Essentially it is a staff only option.

Technical Provision usually comes with Technical Support. Provision with out support is termed as a ‘Dry Hire’. To be clear Technical Support does not include any equipment or access to additional services, it is staff only working with your existing equipment and facilities.

To use an analogy. If AVD provided dish washing services, washing Provision would see us bring a dish washer, power cables, hose connections, bowels, washing up liquid… everything to get the job done. washing Support would see us load your dishwasher, use your sink, water and detergent. We may however bring our own yellow gloves (as I can never find the right size)…

I hope this is helpful when sourcing your next quotation and ensures you get exactly what you need. If we can be of service please contact us to provide for, or support, your next event.

Personalised Audio Can Help Socially Distanced Meetings

As we return to Face to Face meetings we must maintain vigilance and keep socially distanced. Keeping socially distanced though requires more space.. meeting in bigger spaces can cause problems with your audio visual requiring innovative solutions. With bigger spaces you get bigger acoustics. Either the venue will be large and echoing (meaning you can’t hear properly) or large and dampened (meaning you have to be louder to be heard). A solution is to personalise the audio. What we me mean by personalising the audio is instead of amplifying the audio in the room, we use personal devices like IR receivers, or delegate smartphones utilising an app, to directly transmit the audio to the delegates. This gives participants the choice to set the own levels to what is comfortable to them with out needing to blast those closest to the traditional PA speaker.

We have a range of personal devices to help you depending on your meeting size, single channel, multichannel, even fully mobile solutions for outdoor tours. For hygiene participants may wish to use their own headphones as all can be used with standard corded headphones.

Our wireless microphone discussion systems can also help provide personal audio as each unit has headphone sockets for personal listening as well as a speaker for low level voice raising. Ideal for acoustically challenging venues like sports halls. This approach has many side benefits too. Non typical delegates who require hearing augmentation are automatically supported and if planning a hybrid meeting with remote attendees then this can be integrated as part of the whole event. Contact us to help you keep safe and socially distanced as you come back to face to face meetings this year.