Last month, Mike, Gene, Drew and Dan from DFX’s Leadership Team had the opportunity to travel to Orlando, FL for the 2021 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Trade Show at the Orange County Convention Center. Over 4 days of exhibiting, DFX met with over 100 prospective and existing customers who are all looking to upgrade or expand their venues. 2022 certainly looks to be a very busy year for our design and integration teams!
Through the weekends of Thursday December, 9th and Thursday December, 16th, DFX gave its assistance to the Camden Promise Charter Joy of Lights 2021 Event. This is the 2nd annual event held by the Camden Charter School Network showcasing a dazzling environment of holiday lights and a drive-in sing-a-long for all to enjoy. DFX offered it’s help through providing a 30′ wide inflatable screen with a 15k lumen projector, custom glass Gobos projections, wireless LED up lighting and DFX’s IP VersaBars. Events like these embody the spirit of the holidays and giving families the experience of shared joy. DFX is proud to have played it’s part in providing equipment for this magical event. Happy Holidays!
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mercer County Community College was in need of a smart classroom system that would provide two-way communication, multiple screen sharing and agility on demand.
We’ve been working with the college since the summer installing 86” interactive displays, 65” confidence monitors, speakers, 180 degree panoramic 4k cameras and height adjustable
podiums equipped with touchscreens for system control and document cameras for 20 classrooms throughout multiple campus locations.
These systems are ideal for small groups that need to communicate quickly and efficiently for classwork.
The CrossRoads Social House in Wytheville, Virginia is a 25,000 square foot Family Entertainment Center structured with 14 lanes for bowling with six lanes used for private events. The CrossRoads Social House also features a laser tag arena, party rooms, arcade, restaurant, bar, outdoor patio area, a billiards and darts area and a trampoline jump zone.
DFX was contracted to deliver the WOW factor through the use of our custom audio, lighting and video systems. We utilized our own Versa Lamps and VersaCap lighting systems for the main and VIP lanes. Pendant and surface mounted speakers and subwoofers were used throughout the space for the 15 zone sound system. We also provided ceiling speakers in the 4 party rooms along with flat panel tv’s. For video, we provided our custom video projection system for the 4 VIP lanes and 25 flat panels throughout for cable television and digital signage. For control of this massive A/V system, we provided 7″ touchpanels at multiple locations for “easy to use” selection of sources, volume, power on/off and lighting commands.
Upon our job completion, Crossroads Social House opened its doors on November 5th, 2021 welcoming the residents of Wytheville, Virginia to a modern, top of the line Family Entertainment Center for all ages to enjoy.
This clip from LeGrand does a great job of comparing the difference between various cameras.
But in a world filled with Zoom classes, Google Meetings, and Microsoft Teams, these affordable little microphones and cameras have become real pain points! Issues with lens glare and white balance combined with a typically poor camera angle can make a meeting or classroom experience distracting and disengaging.
Oh, and the stock / integrated microphone? That’s usually positioned right next to your keyboard and built-in speakers (use headphones or earbuds instead), making audio quality inconsistent at best and feedback-inducing at worst.
Too often, manufacturers treat integrated cameras and microphones as an afterthought- something to cut corners on to keep the product’s cost low. It also has to do with size- people like thin laptops, but better webcams need space for a proper lens and sensor.
Prior to 2020 the average user wasn’t too concerned with the built in camera or microphone, anyway. With a casual video chat the limited capability was sufficient. We could appreciate the novelty of seeing / hearing far-away relatives and forgive the inconvenience when overall quality left something to be desired.
Apple hasn’t updated its integrated laptop camera since 2012!
One of our recent projects involved a PTZ camera for a round table classroom.
Simple USB cameras that clip-on to the top of your device are often better webcams than the integrated ones. They will usually capture video in a higher quality and with better sensitivity to light. However, as shown in the above video, these only represent a modest improvement.
Enter Vaddio’s ConferenceSHOT AV, one of our favorite PTZ cameras. PTZ is short for “Pan, Tilt, & Zoom,” meaning it is able to freely rotate and look around a room, even zooming to view occupants who are farther away.
Apart from appreciating the dynamic functionality of a PTZ camera, we also love Vaddio’s microphones and other options that integrate seamlessly with this camera. It’s easier than ever to place microphones on desks (or hang them around the room) and tie them all into one system.
The goal of all of this technology is to bring us closer together when we can’t be, and to make remote collaboration, conversation, and education as productive and engaging as possible.
Want to learn more about what sort of cameras and collaboration systems are out there and how they work? Get in touch with us for more information, documentation, or a sales quote!
In our DFX News November 2020 update, we review our coverage in BCM Magazine’s latest issue, as well as our production team’s take on a virtual Thanksgiving!
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