1. Consultation Phase - This is the initial process where Spectrum sales personnel and system designers define project requirements and draft initial schematics. Meetings with clients, site surveys of the room, and proposal development are all completed during this phase.

2. Pre-installation Phase - Upon receipt of a purchase order for the system, components are ordered, personnel are assigned to the project, and an installation timeline is developed. If touchpanel control systems are being used, programming occurs as equipment is being shipped to Spectrum. Upon receipt of all components, the system is assembled to the fullest extent possible and thorough testing is accomplished at Spectrum's shop. This process ensures that all electronics, wiring, and programming are functioning up to spec and ensures the system will perform as designed upon installation. Client preparations, such as installation of power and structural modifications are also completed during this time. Final site surveys are often conducted to confirm the facility's readiness for installation.

3. Installation Phase - The Installation Team arrives onsite with a fully tested system. Cable pulls are normally the first thing accomplished, followed by cable termination and the actual equipment installation. With all components installed and wiring connections complete, onsite system testing commences. All electronics are repeatedly powered on and off to confirm stability, and all touchpanel functions are confirmed to be fully operational. A training session with appropriate client staff is normally held upon conclusion of system testing, and the system is then commissioned by the Project Manager and placed into service. Project documentation is turned over to the client at this time.

4. Follow-Up Phase - Completion of the installation marks the beginning of the Spectrum-Client relationship. Our staff is always available to answer questions on the system, and to integrate future additions, such as document cameras or videoconferencing equipment, as required.

These phases may be subdivided further, based upon the project, but this is the basic approach that we've found to be most effective. A critical component of the entire process is the testing that takes place at our facility. The time invested in this step empowers our technical staff to complete complex installs with a minimum of time in the field, and gets our client's systems installed with very little downtime. We believe, as our clients do, that this is the most productive approach to multimedia system integration.

Research and Development:

As a systems integrator, Spectrum Video gets tasked with some unusual projects. For example, we are often asked to convert closets into rear-projection rooms. One project had projectors mounted above a ventilation duct, with multiple mirrors bouncing images around obstacles until they finally hit the screens. The Callaway Golf project required us to adapt our RETROLITE rear-projection technology into high-grade cabinetry, with the projection engines hidden above and to the side of the screens to allow computers to be mounted inside the projection chamber.

These are just a few examples of why we've included an R&D area in our facility. It gives us room to test out concepts and experiment with new ideas. We can mock up actual projects to prove performance before proceeding with the design of a client's facility.

Our lab includes workbenches for testing equipment, equipment racks, and plenty of space for experimentation. We've solved a lot of problems in this room, and devised some interesting solutions. This is where we assemble our patented RETROLITES, and implement design improvements. We also developed our proprietary Educational System Integration Module (ESIM), and numerous prototype displays for the U.S. Military in R&D. Basically, our philosophy is that if a client requires a product that doesn't exist, we'll develop one. Our R&D lab gives us the tools to make that happen.

Do I Need a Systems Integrator?

When it comes to upgrading a facility's presentation equipment, the task is often handed off to someone with little or no experience in the pro A/V field. These people usually find themselves in the difficult position of having to make purchasing decisions on specialized, high-tech products they know little about.

Even choosing a simple projector can become a time-consuming and frustrating process. Countless hours are spent reviewing specs, reading product literature, and talking to sales people in an effort to find the right solution. If they're lucky, they may get to actually view some images on different systems before making a decision.

But what if you're looking for more than a simple projector to set on a table? What if you need to display multiple sources with varying resolutions in a bright room that also requires sound reinforcement? And what if you don't have the technical staff or the time to figure out how to make this a reality? Who can you turn to for help? The answer is, to a system integrator.

A systems integrator provides the technical know-how to design and install complete systems based on customer needs and budget. They serve the same role in designing audio/video systems as architects do in designing buildings. Working hand in hand with clients, they determine the best solution while optimizing use of current equipment and leaving room for future upgrades.

Working with these professionals can result in dramatic cost savings. Modern audio-video equipment isn't cheap, and buying the wrong equipment can be a costly mistake, so it makes sense to work with someone who has expertise in this field. Fortunately, there are a growing number of companies providing this service.

Spectrum Video Inc., has been in the systems integration business for twenty years. Operating out of Oceanside, CA, they have provided systems for Microsoft, TRW, SPAWAR, Northrop Grumman, Apple Computer, the U.S. Marine Corps and many others.

In the course of providing these systems, it became apparent to the staff at Spectrum that companies were expending valuable resources trying to piece together systems from multiple sources: One for projectors, another for audio equipment, another for control systems, etc. There was an obvious need for a one-stop resource where customers could test products, learn about the latest display technology, and purchase complete solutions. Hence, the Technology Demonstration Center was born.

The Technology Demonstration Center is the brainchild of John and Sasha Bilar, founders and owners of Spectrum Video, Inc. John explains:

    "What we wanted to build a totally integrated facility where clients could test-drive complete, operational systems in a variety of settings. I think we've done that. The entire building is under touch-panel control, and we can route video, audio, and computer displays to any of our five venues. It's an extremely complex system, yet it's simple to operate. That's the whole idea behind multimedia system integration."

The five venues include a corporate boardroom; trade show booth; production stage; large venue/R&D area; and a unique multipurpose space known as the flexroom.

    "The flexroom concept evolved out of work we did in the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center. We installed two of our Retrolites, whose primary function is to display hi-resolution computer graphics during emergencies such as earthquakes. But there's no reason those systems can't be used for other things, like training or meetings, so the room was designed to accommodate those uses as well. Our flexroom does the same thing."

Touchpanels are commonly specified by system integrators to provide a simple interface for end-users. They can be programmed to control projectors, VCRs, computers, even drapes and room lighting. Their main advantage is that they can be placed on a podium or table, where one person can control the entire room. It eliminates the need to have technicians onsite, and presenters don't have to fumble around with a rack full of complicated equipment. As new components are added, the touchpanels can be reprogrammed to control the new devices.

Other important considerations in modern systems include computer interfacing, wiring, bandwidth issues, and power distribution, all of which can be properly addressed by a qualified integrator. Given the basic guidelines and budget for a project, it becomes the integrator's job to figure out how to make everything work, and to provide several options for the client. After completing the installation, they can provide maintenance and repair services to keep things running smoothly.

Summary

With presentation technology advancing rapidly, it's a prudent decision to hire a systems integrator when it's time to upgrade a facility. They have the knowledge, tools, and experience to get the job done right, with minimal downtime.