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Alvernia University upgrades with Kramer’s digital switching solution

Alvernia University from the outisde - upgrades with Kramer’s digital switching solution
“The Kramer product was not only reliable, but the value associated with Kramer was also of utmost importance for an education client.”
— Bob Lobascio | VP of Sales, IMS Audio Visual

About Alvernia University

Alvernia University is a private Catholic university in Reading, Pennsylvania that offers over 600 courses and over 50 undergraduate majors and minors to its estimated 3,000 students.

Challenge

Alvernia University wanted to reach a wider audience of students and local residents for classes, lectures, community events, and performances across its three campuses in eastern Pennsylvania. Their media suite facility houses a 125-seat lecture hall featuring videoconferencing systems that connect to the university’s two satellite campuses and outside endpoints for distance learning. The challenge was to seamlessly integrate state-of-the-art technologies that had worked in traditional classes and use them for satellite campuses, performances and other community events.

Solution

Kramer’s solution allows multiple users with different skill levels to easily control and manage AV sources throughout the site. The site includes a lecture hall, video studio, control room, sound room and an interactive computer lab. With Kramer products seamlessly integrated, participants are now able to access a variety of sources quickly and easily.

Kramer’s solution allows multiple users with different skill levels to easily control and manage AV sources throughout the site.

Three sets of Kramer TP-121EDID and TP-122EDID twisted pair transmitter/receivers transmit VGA signals from a document camera, laptop and room PC directly to the matrix switcher. Three sets of Kramer PT-571 and PT-572+ twisted pair transmitter/receivers transmit HDMI signals from a DVD/ VCR, laptop PC and Blu-ray DVD player to a Kramer VS-66HDCP DVI matrix switcher.

Three DLP projectors display video and source material in the lecture hall and are connected to the system through three Kramer VP-437xl HDMI scaler/switchers. A fourth VP-437xl unit links to a Kramer FC-32 DVI to computer graphics/component video format converter which sends a signal back to the control room.

A Kramer VP-731 ProScale® digital scaler/switcher distributes video sources to the video conferencing codec. Kramer DGKat™ cabling is used throughout the media center, connecting video sources with cable runs of up to 160 feet.

Results

“The system has been a success for us because the technology was designed to be as easy as possible,” said Miro Liwosz, Instructional Media Specialist at Alvernia University. “We want the focus to be on instructing, so we made sure the technology did not get in the way of the content.”

The solution’s reliability was critical because it would be used by a wide variety of people. It had to be intuitive and work every time. “The Kramer product was not only reliable, but the value associated with Kramer was also of utmost importance for an education client,” said Bob Lobascio, Vice President of Sales at IMS Audio Visual, the local professional integrator.

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Kramer Opens Gateway to HDMI System

“After comparing the features, complexity, and pricing of various products, we decided to use Kramer as a core infrastructure in designing our standardized classroom because it met our needs to handle both HDMI and HDCP.”
— Senadz Lubovac | Coordinator of audio-visual information technology, GateWay Community College

When GateWay Community College (GWC) in Phoenix, AZ, decided to build a new Integrated Education Building (IEB) and remodel its Maricopa Skill Center (MSC) campus, one of the goals was to incorporate state−of−the−art audio/visual and IT classrooms that would allow students and faculty access to digital A/V and HDCP content in a simple−to−use configuration. They hoped to create an intuitive model that was identical in all of the rooms, to reduce the need for frequent troubleshooting by technical support staff.  The college has an approximate attendance of 13,000 students and is part of the largest community college district in the United States − Maricopa Community College District.

GateWay’s MSC remodels/addition would feature 23 new classrooms, a PC networking lab, vocational skills labs, two conference rooms and a tri−divisible multipurpose room. The new 125,000−square−foot IEB would have 15 dual−screen classrooms, a single-screen art studio and a three−screen multipurpose room with a seating capacity of 200 plus seats.  

According to Senadz Lubovac, coordinator of audio-visual information technology at GateWay Community College, the team wanted the capability of using both digital and analog devices in the classrooms, and they hoped to reduce the size and cost of lectern−to−projector cabling. “After comparing the features, complexity and pricing of a variety of products, we decided to use Kramer as a core infrastructure in designing our standardized classroom, because it met our needs to handle both HDMI and HDCP,” Lubovac said. “In addition, Kramer’s pricing really made a difference.”

The GateWay A/V team selected a slim lectern that houses a built−in PC and document camera and has a flip top for a laptop computer.  It also contains the core of the classroom system, the Kramer VP−729 ProScale® digital scaler/switcher and Kramer TP−573 and TP−574 DGKat™ twisted pair transmitters/receivers for HDMI, bidirectional RS−232 and IR signals. Each room features AMX control, motorized screens, LCD projectors, microphones, audio amplifiers and IP cameras. The lecterns offer front plates for additional student connections to the system.  

The conference rooms use the VP−729 at heart, then add videoconferencing equipment and a 60− or 70−inch display. The multipurpose rooms follow the same configuration, and also include a Kramer VS−66HDCPxl 6×6 DVI Matrix switcher, TP−581T/582R HDBaseT twisted pair transmitters/receivers and FC−46xl audio de−embedders.

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“This design with the VP−729 scaler/switcher as the backbone enables us to display any analog or digital AV device on the screens, with an easy interface control. The goal was to design for the end user and get all the rooms to operate exactly the same way.”
— Senadz Lubovac | Coordinator of audio-visual information technology, GateWay Community College

The VP−729 scaler/switcher also allows the broadcast of emergency messages in classrooms, an essential communications tool that can reach students in all Kramer−equipped classrooms daily.

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Kramer Twisted Pair Product Hot at Boston’s Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar

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“We chose the Kramer routing and switching product because of its performance and reliability. Also, the Kramer seven−year warranty is a huge bonus to my clients.”
— Jim Fraser | Commercial/ Professional Systems Designer, All Sound Designs

When Boston’s Pizza in Grand Junction, CO, planned a major restaurant remodel complete with multi−media, Kramer products were there. In the two−day period the restaurant/sports bar closed for remodelling, and dozens of video displays and routing equipment were installed, transforming the space into a sight and sound extravaganza.  

Jim Fraser, commercial/professional systems designer for All Sound Designs, a local audio/video integrator, created the system for Boston’s Pizza. “The goal was to achieve a full HDMI system that would send a variety of HD video to screens throughout the facility,” he said. “We chose the Kramer routing and switching product because of its performance and reliability. Also, the Kramer seven−year warranty is a huge bonus to my clients.”

The Boston’s Pizza A/V system includes seven Kramer VM−2Hxl HDMI distribution amplifiers, each of which distributes HDMI signals to two identical outputs. Three sets of TP−573 DGKat™ twisted pair transmitters and TP−574 DGKat twisted pair receivers allow the system to move HD video and audio over a single twisted pair wire. The signals include satellite, local off−air broadcasts and a promotional video from Boston’s Pizza. Wireless interactive gaming is also available in the bar area on any of the big-screen displays. 

Crystal-clear videos throughout the facility surround guests. Four 80−ft. flat panel displays line the east wall of the bar and a variety of 80-, 60-, 55- and 42-inch displays are showcased on the remaining walls. The dining room has three 47-inch and four 32-inch flat panel displays in each corner. Every display can receive video from any of the signal sources by using the independent control system. Serial control, IR control for the head end and monitors and IR distribution for the dining area displays allow the universal remote control system to reach the entire complex.

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“The Kramer product is easy to use and control – each piece of equipment talks to the others, making it seamless and easy to operate.”
— Jim Fraser | Commercial/ Professional Systems Designer, All Sound Designs

All Sound Designs created and built a special rack system in the bar area to house the Kramer product and video sources. The six-foot rack pulls out and rotates 65 degrees for easy access to the equipment and wiring.

Boston’s Pizza Grand Junction, CO, is the first of this nationwide franchise in the state.  Boston’s Pizza has more than 50 locations across the U.S. and Mexico and 350 locations in Canada.

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Kramer Products Make Training Easy at St. Alexius Medical Center

Alexius Medical Center, from the outside - where Kramer AV products are installed
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“Kramer product had the compatibility and the ease of use we needed for this project. In addition, the Kramer technology support group was always available by phone to work out any bumps.”
— Jay Griffin | VP and Co−owner, Dakota Sound Systems

Customer

St. Alexius Medical Center

Industry

Education

Easy. Simple to use. Push the button with confidence. These words echoed throughout the team at St. Alexius Medical Center when reviewing objectives for a new training center. Tasked with creating a whole new building near the Bismarck, ND campus that is home to the 306−bed hospital, the group required a presentation system that could be used daily for education. The users would range from professional presenters and trainers to senior citizens and serve the communities in around central and western North Dakota, South Dakota and eastern Montana.

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“The system was to be part of a multi−functional facility,
and our paramount challenge was simplicity.”
— Jeff Beauchamp | Director of biomedical services, St. Alexius Medical Center

Local audio/video designer and installer Dakota Sound Systems worked with St. Alexius design technicians Justin Wilson and Rob Hoffman to assess the challenges of a new technology center. Together, the team created a design that features a training room that can be divided into four rooms, each seating up to 40 people. The rooms work together in pairs, with equipment shared between them. Each room has a projector with a projection screen and a custom podium where the presentation can be controlled with a Kramer RC−74DL master room controller. The panel has 12 programmable buttons that can be color−coded in groups of three, back−lit and labeled for easy source identification. The equipment rack includes a Kramer VP−725N Proscale® presentation digital scaler/switcher with 21 inputs that manages several sources including a Blu−Ray DVD player, digital tuner and VCR. The system also uses a Kramer (model #) 4×4 HDMI Matrix switcher and multiple sets of Kramer PT−571 and PT−572+ twisted pair transmitter/receivers. The system allows the option of sending the same content to both screens or presenting differing content on each screen.

“The presenter simply presses the ‘on’ button on the control panel and the system automatically lowers the projection screen, turns on the projector and switches to the desired source,” said Jay Griffin, vice president and co−owner of Dakota Sound Systems. “The Kramer product had the compatibility and the ease of use we needed for this project. In addition, the Kramer technology support group was always available by phone to work out any bumps,” he said. Likewise, Dakota Sound Systems extended that technology support to the team at St. Alexius, training and supporting them at any time.

Officials at St. Alexius note that they met their objectives with Kramer products in the system. “We wanted to be able to push one button and have the system work. We reached that goal,” Beauchamp said. “In addition, we are comfortable that we’ve set the stage for expansion by selecting Kramer products. We are poised for the future, yet still have a simple, easy−to−use system that meets our needs now,” he concluded.

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Kramer HDMI Switching Dazzles Hollywood Crowd

Kramer HDMI Switching Dazzles Hollywood Crowd
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“The switcher was smart enough to recognize the signal resolution, and it cropped the picture beautifully. We proved the ‘set it and forget it mentality.”
— Pete Putman | AV Technology Consultant, ROAM Consulting LLC

Set it and forget it… it works! Attendees at the Hollywood Post Alliance® Technology Retreat in California witnessed first-hand the ease of a fully HDMI-based presentation system. During a panel discussion about next-generation projector technologies, the newest “lamp-free” projectors and a successful “hot” switching of multiple laptop presentations were highlighted for an audience of more than 500 people. Six presenters and two moderators connected a variety of MACs and PCs “on the fly” at the podium, displaying presentations on two 16-foot projection screens.

According to AV technology consultant Pete Putman, who co−moderated the discussion, he decided to show an example of the new hybrid projection technology instead of just talking about it. To build the system, he chose a Kramer VP−728 ProScale™ Digital Scaler/Switcher that would manage all of the anticipated input signals. He showcased two 3500-lumen XGA light-emitting diode projectors, which letterboxed the displays to a 16 x 9 image. “We had no idea what sources the presenters would have, but we knew the VP-728 would be able to handle them, recognizing and reformatting the signal and establishing the right resolution,” he said.

High-level executives from television networks, movie studios, post-production houses, and corporate production departments enjoyed a seamless demonstration as the presenters took turns at the podium.

High-level executives from television networks, movie studios, post-production houses and corporate production departments enjoyed a seamless demonstration, as the presenters took their turns at the podium. Each speaker interfaced his or her notebook computer to the VP-728 switcher through HDMI and DisplayPort/HDMI adapters. The switcher converted all signals to 1280 x 720 HDMI output for display on the projectors. The switcher was connected to a Kramer VM-4Hxl 4×1 HDMI distribution amplifier by a 25-foot Kramer HDMI cable, which in turn was connected to each of the projectors by a pair of 50-foot Kramer HDMI cables. The system used the switcher’s analog audio connections to connect to the ballroom’s audio system.

“The transitions were quick, and there wasn’t as much as a hiccup with the system,” Putman said. “The switcher was smart enough to recognize the signal resolution and it cropped the picture beautifully. We proved the ‘set it and forget it mentality.”

Normally, a big-screen presentation in a large ballroom or auditorium would use DVI or VGA signal distribution at the podium with the signal running back to a master control system and a preview monitor prior to being shown on the projection screen. Putman said that even though his system used the more complex HDMI digital interface standard for switching and distribution, it worked because the VP-728 recognized every signal from every computer, regardless of the maker and operating system. He noted, “It didn’t matter what presenters brought in the door. The VP-728 figured it out.”

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Ambler Theater Rolls Out Red Carpet with Kramer Equipment

Ambler Theater's, a Hollywood retro theater - where Kramer equipment is installed
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“The team at the Ambler Theater was really impressed with how quickly and smoothly the VP−728 ProScale™ handled switching all of the inputs. There wasn’t a single hiccup.”
— Pete Putman | AV Consultant, ROAM Consulting LLC

The glamour of the Oscars made a red carpet appearance at the Ambler Theater in Ambler, PA, thanks to the help of the Kramer VP−728 ProScale™ Digital Scaler/Switcher, Kramer PT−571/PT−572+ DGKat™ twisted pair transmitter/receivers and Kramer DGKat twisted pair cable. The annual Oscars party at the non−profit, community−based movie theater welcomed hundreds of guests for pre−awards show activities and the Oscar broadcasting high-definition splendor.

When planning the party, executives at the Ambler Theater hoped to show the Bravo “red carpet” pre−Oscars HD telecast, the live Oscar broadcast, the Ambler Theater’s Oscars poll and live event announcements and raffle winners on all three of the theater’s screens. They also wanted to broadcast the Awards show in the theater lobby. The theaters already had high−brightness LCD projectors and a digital cinema server with HDMI output.

A/V technology consultant Pete Putman knew the event would require seamless switching capability to achieve all goals. He recommended Kramer equipment for the job. “The event required a switcher that could communicate easily with the different brands of equipment already in the theater and run it at a resolution of 1280x720p/60,” Putman said. “The Kramer unit is well−known for its flexibility and ability to deliver stunning picture quality.”

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“The event required a switcher that could communicate easily with the different brands of equipment already in the theater and run it at a resolution of 1280x720p/60. The Kramer unit is well−known for its flexibility and ability to deliver stunning picture quality.”
— Pete Putman | AV Consultant, ROAM Consulting LLC

Using the Kramer VP−728 ProScale™ Digital Scaler/Switcher and Kramer DGKat PT−571/PT−572+ twisted pair transmitter/receivers, Putman achieved the necessary switching capacity for all of the sources. The twisted pair of equipment was connected to the off−air tuner and cable box for the pre−Oscar show, the digital TV receiver that carried the Academy Awards, the laptop computer for the Ambler Theater’s polling results and the HD camcorder that was recording the live party announcements. The camcorder, located in an upstairs conference room, was connected through 100 feet of Kramer DGKat twisted pair cable for a crystal−clear signal.

To show the Awards broadcast in the theater lobby, Putman added a second Kramer ProScale Digital Scaler/Switcher to feed an off−air HD720p signal mixed with graphics and video clips from a notebook computer to another Sanyo LCD projector. The mix created an attention−getting show on a 92−inch screen for guests strolling through the lobby area.

“The team at the Ambler Theater was really impressed with how quickly and smoothly the VP−728 ProScale™ handled switching all of the inputs,” Putman said. “There wasn’t a single hiccup.”
The Kramer Electronics equipment earned its own award of satisfaction at the Ambler Theater Oscars party.

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Kramer CORE™ Products at Heart of First All−Digital Main Event Entertainment™ Building

Kramer CORE™ Products at Heart of First All−Digital Main Event Entertainment™ Building
“No one had a big enough switcher to send video from the satellite receivers to all the TVs. Kramer was the only one who could handle it at the required resolution.”
— Tim Boyd | CEO, SAVE Electronics

The newest Main Event Entertainment™ facility in San Antonio, TX, boasts the company’s first fully digital AV infrastructure center, powered by Kramer CORE products. In its tenth location, Main Event Entertainment continues its innovative concept of bowling, laser tag, obstacle courses, arcades, pool tables and food and beverage offerings all under one roof. The newest center adds a rope course and a Bowling Music System, along with a digital sight and sound experience.

Designed and installed by SAVE Electronics, a local professional electronics design and integration company, the San Antonio complex features 35 big-screen TVs ranging in size from 47 to 70 inches, as well as 11 WXGA projectors. Bowlers in the 22-lane bowling alley enjoy programming on 11 screens that span two lanes each. Music videos, advertising and programming are transmitted from six digital satellite receivers, six digital signage PCs, and five laptop connections.

According to Tim Boyd, owner of SAVE Electronics, who has been designing complex AV systems for over 30 years, the San Antonio location is the first of its kind, with a completely digital AV electronics system. It required switching equipment that could handle both the heavy source volume and be expandable for the future. “No one had a big enough switcher that would send video from the satellite receivers to all the TVs. Kramer was the only one that could handle it at the resolution we required,” Boyd said. “The system lets us send anything, anywhere throughout the building.”

Designed to be complete end-to-end solutions, the Kramer CORE products handle any Pro AV signal type and allow for easy future expansion.

The very nature of the Kramer CORE products fit the requirements for the Main Event Entertainment application. Designed to be complete end-to-end solutions, the Kramer CORE products handle any Pro AV signal type and allow for easy future expansion.
SAVE Electronics used two Kramer CORE VS−3232D matrix switchers. The modular chassis matrix switchers can be populated with input and output boards with four inputs or four outputs per board. The Main Event Entertainment system in San Antonio is populated with a total of 12 HDCP-compatible DVI input cards and 12 HDCP-compatible DVI output cards making it capable of distributing 48 sources to 48 displays. Forty Kramer PT−571 and PT−572 DGKat™ technology twisted pair transmitter/receivers for HDMI signals, six Kramer TP−581T and TP−582R HDBaseT™ transmitter/receivers for HDMI signals, and six Kramer WP−121 and TP−122 wall plate transmitter/receivers for computer graphics video signals convert the various sources to HDMI for long−distance routing around the facility. Six Kramer VP−434 ProScale® Digital Scalers and 20 Kramer VM−2HXL 1:2 distribution amplifiers for HDMI signals are used to scale the video to a uniform resolution and distribute it to every display. A Kramer VS−1616A 16×16 audio matrix switcher handles the audio signal routing in the system.

One of the challenges faced by the installation team was the different native resolutions of the displays – native 1280×800 for the projectors and native 1920×1080 for the flat panel displays. To get the best and most uniform image on all displays, the team kept in mind that the DirecTV receivers would be the most frequently used source. After capturing the EDID (extended display identification data) from the displays that contained all native display resolutions, they chose the best common resolution for all the displays. The result was a crystal clear, clean image on every screen.

The system also uses Kramer power supplies, rack mounting kits and over 16,000 feet of Kramer DGKat™ cable. The switchers and sources are all housed in a dedicated control room on the building’s second floor. Boyd said the longest single cable run is about 330 feet, and the digital image on that display is as clear as those only 20 feet away.

Main Event Entertainment plans to upgrade and retrofit its other nine locations as they become the leader in completely digital AV entertainment systems.

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Kramer Transmitters/Receivers Keep Lines Open at AT&T

Kramer Transmitters/Receivers Keep Lines Open at AT&T
“We chose the Kramer product for its flexibility, adjustability, and technology. The transmitter/receivers are a robust combination that can handle the retail atmosphere.”
— Tim Johnson | Manager of Strategic Innovation and Prototypes, AT&T Services, Consumer IT division

Guests at AT&T retail locations can relax and browse the store while keeping their spot in line, or they can expedite bill-paying or service questions with the touch of a button. AT&T’s new Retail Sales Queing (RSQ) is designed to manage customer flow and provide a more satisfying service experience.

Over 300 AT&T retail locations have been equipped with technology to make the most of visitors’ time in the store. Powered by the Kramer TP-112HD twisted pair transmitter and PT-120 twisted pair receiver, the RSQ system keeps track of the guest’s arrival time and position in line. Guests can see their positions on the 46-inch LED displays hanging in the store, and can feel comfortable shopping or learning about AT&T products while waiting for service.

Upon arrival, customers enter their name and mobile phone numbers into a self-service Retail Sales Kiosk (RSK) at the store’s entrance, or a representative does it for them. The Kramer unit transmits the data via twisted pair cabling from a web-based enabled PC. The graphics are then sent to the Kramer receiver and displayed on a flat-screen monitor on the sales floor, where customers can see the data. Twisted pair cabling and Kramer’s transmitter/receiver pairs allow the PC to be conveniently stored in an IT closet, resulting in a sleek, minimal look at the kiosk or service desk.

“We chose the Kramer product for its flexibility, adjustability, and technology,” said Tim Johnson, manager of Strategic Innovation and Prototypes at AT&T Services, Consumer IT division. “The transmitter/receivers are a robust combination that can handle the retail atmosphere.”

Upon arrival, customers enter their names and mobile phone numbers into a self-service Retail Sales Kiosk (RSK). The Kramer unit transmits the data, then graphics are sent to the Kramer receiver and displayed on a sleek monitor on the sales floor, where customers can see the data.

Johnson, a former audio/video integrator, knew the Kramer product would meet the exacting standards of the varied in-store environments. The connections on the transmitter/receivers allow the signal transmission to more than one screen – a requirement for many stores. In addition, the product reproduces sharp, clear picture quality no matter what the length of the cable run. While the average length is about 50 feet, some environments require up to 200 feet of cable. The Kramer product was distributed through Norcross, GA-based IT reseller ProSys, and installed by local technicians in each market.

“The product would also be installed by hundreds of different technicians across the country, so the learning curve needed to be short,” Johnson said. “Any technical issues were handled quickly by the Kramer staff. I was comfortable knowing they would resolve anything reliably and efficiently.”

The RSQ systems also provide AT&T stores with important data on customer service. Managers can identify store traffic patterns and customer wait times. They can review customer needs in advance, be prepared, and adjust resources as necessary. From a guest perspective, the system makes store visits more efficient. For example, bill-paying can be done right at the kiosk, and service questions are referred immediately to a designated area. Guests in the queue always have a clear view of their status.

AT&T is scheduled to roll the RSQ system out to its remaining stores this year, keeping the lines open for a pleasant shopping experience.

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Kramer and Sierra Video Respond to Emergency Center

Kramer and Sierra Video Respond to Emergency Center
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“We used the training facility for a management seminar and were amazed at what it can do.”
— Maynor Schott | Fire Chief in the County Seat of Springfield

When the officials of Robertson County, Tennessee, planned a new 911 Emergency Command Center, their ideas called for a dual-purpose system: information sharing and a communication base for emergency personnel. Kramer and Sierra Video responded to the call.

Working with a local audio/video systems integrator, Robertson County officials designed their new emergency communications hub and training facility. “We wanted to have a secure place for local government representatives and emergency management personnel to come and share information and make decisions for the community during a crisis,” said Elvis Wilson, Robertson County 911 System director. “The space also needed to be multi-purpose to support use on a regular day.”

Fingerprint recognition is required to enter the secured facility, and the walls throughout the building are 12-inch thick reinforced concrete. Inside, two rooms house the advanced electronics equipment that enables efficient communication. A dispatch center takes incoming calls and routes them to the appropriate emergency department – fire, police, or EMS. An 18-seat training room boasts 16 computer connections routed to a Sierra Video SierraView™ multi-viewer and dual 60-inch flat panel screens. Emergency representatives can connect their laptops and share data on the left screen with others in the room to help expedite decisions in emergencies. The second 60-inch flat panel provides the ability to monitor reports from up to four local and national television news outlets simultaneously on a multi-screen display.

Routing the video and audio behind the scenes are Kramer and Sierra Video products: a Kramer 16×8 RGB HD router (VP-1608), a Kramer 6×6 DVI switcher (VS-66HDCP) and a Sierra Video 32×1 audio router (3201S). A Kramer video switcher/scaler (VP-728) manages signals from the lectern and outputs information to a Smart device. An intuitive touch-screen interface controls the entire system.

A Kramer video switcher/scaler manages signals from the lectern and outputs information to a Smart device. An intuitive touch-screen interface controls the entire system.

Maynor Schott, fire chief in the County Seat of Springfield, was among the first to experience the new Emergency Command Center’s system. “We used the training facility for a management seminar and we were amazed at what it can do,” he said. “It took five years to get the funding and the plans in place, but the end result is simply amazing – that’s the only word to describe it.”

Emergency responders are being trained on the system so they are prepared to use it in case of emergency. “The system is easy to use because of the controller,” said Wilson. “The Kramer and Sierra Video products are great equipment at a great price.”

“Robertson County is among the first of Tennessee’s 95 counties to create a new 911 Emergency Command Center using their own financial bonds,” said Police Chief Mike Wilhoit. The Center will serve more than 62,000 county residents in emergency preparedness. 

They can be confident that the Kramer and Sierra Video system will respond – every time.

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Technology at Highest Peak with Sierra Video’s Viper™ Routing Switcher

Technology at Highest Peak with Sierra Video’s Viper™ Routing Switcher
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“They have been extremely pleased with its ease of use, and they are excited at the upgrade potential of the system as they continue to grow.”
— Mary Hood | CEO, Digital Roads Incorporated

Nestled among the mountain peaks and tall buildings in Denver, CO, is a new training center that is home to one of Sierra Video’s most powerful switching technologies, the Viper 6464V5.
A learning center for one of Colorado’s major energy companies, the facility boasts five training labs with state-of-the-art electronic presentation systems. Visitors enjoy video and graphics showcased on dual projection screens and distributed through the presentation system.

According to Mary Hood, CEO of Digital Roads Incorporated, the professional audio/video installation company, the Sierra Video Viper 6464V5 routing switcher was the ideal choice for this system because of its bandwidth and reliability. “We were able to design a system that was all HD video (RGBHV) using the Viper to meet the customer’s needs and budget,” added Hood. Because of its modular configuration, the Viper will accommodate system growth, up to 64×64 in each frame. Hood noted that as the high-definition standard grows, the company will be able to expand easily with the Viper at the heart of the system.

The Viper resides in a nearby control room in a rack configuration, along with several Kramer audio and computer graphics video distribution amplifiers—the VM-3A, VP-200xln, and VP-3xl. The DAs and all sources, including VCRs, DirecTV receivers, DVDs, PCs, laptop and desktop computers, IP cameras, DVD changers and audio equipment, feed into the Viper and can be switched to any of the displays throughout the center.

“We did extensive training with the technology team at the client’s location to help them get comfortable using the system—they have been extremely pleased with its ease of use, and they are excited at the upgrade potential of the system as they continue to grow,” Hood stated. The Sierra Video Viper routing switcher has indeed taken training and high-definition video to new heights in Denver.

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