Commission Chambers, Room 422

Transcript

TM Sound and Lighting 2991 NE 6th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 Phone: 954.522.1200 Fax: 954.567.0450 A DIVISION OF MANNINO INDUSTRIES, INC. Thursday, December 08, 2011 Governmental Center 115 S. Andrews Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Phone: Facsimile: Attention: 954-357-5851 954-357-6182 Leslie Stout, Media Services Administrator Since 1975 The following is a full evaluation and report for the audio and video systems associated with room 422 and room 430 of the Broward County Governmental Center. Listed below are observations of actual and potential problems followed by proposed solutions to be considered for each individual room as well as the system as a whole. It is recommended that if any of these issues are to be addressed that they should all be addressed under one contract/proposal with a single contractor to ensure full compatibility between all the different elements and components involved. It is very obvious that the current state of the system is a direct result of multiple add-ons over the years by different parties. Many of these add-ons are not fully compatible with the system and it seems that previously installed components were not taken into consideration when some of the more current equipment was installed. All of this over the years has resulted in a system that performs very poorly and no longer meets basic expectations and needs. Commission Chambers, Room 422 Dais Microphones: -The dais microphones are of good overall quality. The red light at the head of the microphone that indicates if the microphone is on or off is very appropriate for the situation. However the switch for turning the microphone on and off is not in a good location. Due to the current location of the on/off switches it is very easy to cover the switch with paperwork and other necessary materials resulting in the mics not always being turned on or off at the proper times. Not only is the placement not ideal for the situation but neither is the type of switch. Recommendation -The placement of the on/off switch should be located closer to the base of the microphone and the type of switch should be changed to a momentary button for simplicity. It is also debatable as to whether the main system operator should have the ability to turn a microphone back on should a commissioner forget to do so themselves when addressing the public. However if the system operator has such ability they shall not have the ability to turn a microphone off but the mayor may desire the ability to do so. This can all be achieved using a network of relays if desired. Another alternative may be to install a flashing indicator light signaling the commissioner to turn their microphone back on. Dais Speakers: - The speakers above the dais are not currently active. The type of speaker, the physical placement along with the implementation of the wiring and associated equipment make these speakers an obvious source of severe feedback problems. It is assumed that these speakers where intentionally disabled due to feedback problems in the past. Unfortunately due to the shape and size of the room there is a great need for the commissioners to have speakers to help them hear each other, presenters, presentation audio, people speaking at the podium and/or from the audience via wireless microphone. -There should be seven or eight new aim-able in-ceiling loud speakers with no more than a 90 degree dispersion pattern as far forward of the commissioners above the dais as the ceiling structure allows. Each speaker shall have its own dedicated channel of amplification. The entire system of dais speakers shall be implemented in a mix-minus configuration using DSP (digital signal processing) ensuring a variety of processing (i.e. notch filters, EQ, dynamics and/of delays) is available if necessary to achieve crystal clear monitoring and communication. Recommendation Dais Video Monitors: -The overall quality and condition of the dais video monitors is acceptable. The installation of these monitors is poor because the bottom portion is currently not visible. This may not seem detrimental while viewing the camera feed of the current meeting but it is certainly a problem for presentation media because important details could be missed entirely. -The solution here is a simple one. The monitors need to be raised a few inches via the base or with a bracket and they should be tilted further back to maintain their low profile. Recommendation Video Distribution System (a.k.a. The Coffin): -This video distribution system located at one end of the dais uses 13 separate components to distribute one of 6 sources to 10 displays simultaneously. Within these 13 components high resolution VGA (PC) video signals are being degraded to standard definition composite video for source selection then converted back up to High Resolution RGBHV for distribution via a RGBHV Matrix that is being used as a distribution amplifier. The fact that 13 components are being used for this purpose means that there are 13 potential points of failure. Additionally the degradation of High Resolution signals to a lower resolution results in poor image quality regardless of the fact that it is being converted back to a High Resolution signal for distribution. As long as this system configuration remains it will difficult to read small print or see fine details during graphic presentations. -The 6 current sources mentioned above include the camera system feed, 2 VGA (PC Video) inputs without audio connections, 1 VHS cassette player, a slide projector that is seldom used, and an outdated document camera with standard definition video outputs. -The entire system is currently powered by 3 consumer grade Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS). -The 13 components in this system should be reduced to just 3 components. These three components should include 1 multi format presentation switcher/scaler with at least 2 UXGA, 2 HDMI, 2 Composite Video, 2 Component Video inputs and 1 RGBHV output, 1 single input by 12 output RGBHV distribution amplifier, and 1 RGBHV scan converter with a composite video output to send a feed to the video broadcasting system. Each of these 3 components should be new with full manufacturer warranties. - Audio wiring and connectors should be added to the 2 VGA (PC) input locations so that wireless microphones are not being used to capture sound from laptop speakers during presentations. The slide projector should be removed and put into storage until needed. A new High Definition Blu-ray/DVD player should be added to the system to show current media. A new High definition Document Camera should be considered and a few auxiliary audio/video input connectors should be added to the front of the equipment rack for flexibility to accommodate outside video sources. Finally a new commercial grade rack-mountable Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) should be added to increase overall reliability of this system. Recommendation Audience Video Displays: -The 3 audience video displays rely on automatic signal sensing inputs that do not work reliably resulting in the screens shutting down during use or when changing sources. When this happens the system operators are forced to scramble for the remote controls and turn the screens back on. -These three monitors should be controlled via RS-232 communication for greater reliability. A new simple and easy to use touch screen control system should be installed to control these monitors as well as the source selection of the media to be displayed. Recommendation Rear Projection Screen: -At some point the rear projection system behind the dais was replaced and an improper type of projector was specified and purchased. In order to make this projector work an opening was created in what could possibly be a fire wall. Additionally the projector has been aimed off axis resulting in a less than optimal image quality. -This installation should be inspected by an electrical inspector or fire marshal to ensure that fire safety and electrical codes are being met. -An Ultra Short Throw Projector should be installed for this situation to ensure optimal performance and the opening in the rear wall should be sealed. Recommendation Speaker Volume Controls: -The speaker volume controls behind the dais are old and outdated. The capabilities of these controls are very limited. The intended purpose of these controls is to attenuate (turn down) the master volume level in the chamber, hall, and executive offices. The location of these controls is good during initial setup but forces the system operator to have to walk up behind the dais during a meeting if the levels need to be adjusted. For example currently if during a meeting it is realized the overall volume in the hallways is too loud or soft the system operator must leave their post to make the adjustment. -These controls should be replaced by a digital keypad capable of controlling the line level outputs that feed the amplifiers so that the levels can be turned up as well as down or muted. A digital keypad in this location can also possibly allow the sound system to be turned on or off and used for basic functions by other authorized personnel without the need to access the control room or have paid technicians on hand. An example of these situations may be after hour meetings, or functions held by other organizations or groups within the facilities. One of the main benefits of a digital keypad controller is that any or all parameters can be overridden by the main system operator from the control room if needed. Recommendation Podium and ADA Microphone inputs: -The Podium and ADA Microphone floor inputs are showing signs of normal wear and tear. Recommendation -These connectors should be replaces with new ones. Wireless Microphone system: -There are 2 outdated wireless microphones within the system that use radio frequencies within the 200 MHz range that are currently susceptible to outside interference. Recommendation -Replace these wireless microphones. Chamber Speaker System: -An insufficient amount of amplifier channels are being used to power speakers in the chamber, control room, media room, hallway and executive offices. This is preventing efficient distribution of audio and does not allow independent processing for optimal sound quality in these areas. -The ceiling speakers in the chamber and control room are limited to only using 5 watts of power each and produce poor quality sound when pushed toward the limit. -Replace all ceiling speakers in chamber with new ones that can accept more power each. Replace speaker wiring to separate each row of speakers and install more channels of amplification and DSP to achieve proper volume shading and delay which will help prevent some of the current feedback problems that occur when the volume is increased. Recommendation Main Audio Mixing System: -There are currently a total of 19 microphones plus other audio sources in the system. The audio mixing system consists of a 16 channel computer based digital mixer being fed into an analog 12 channel mixer along with 7 other audio signals. The main output of the analog 12 channel mixer is fed into a basic 4 channel mixer along with one other source for the purpose of performing a cross fade of audio signals to the broadcast feed. This sort of configuration often results in poor gain structure and promotes distorted audio signals across the entire system. -Install a new digital automatic microphone mixing system to be controlled via a new multi-touch touch screen computer. The new touch screen should be at least a 21” wide screen with a wired mouse and keyboard. The touch screen shall be wall mounted using a sturdy articulating VESA mount to maintain maximum counter top space and allow the screen to move out of the way or be adjusted to the operator’s preferred position. The digital automatic mixing system must have at least 32 mic/line inputs and 16 or more independent outputs plus have room to grow in the future if needed. Recommendation Executive Office Speaker Systems: -There is an unclear amount of speakers in the executive offices with a toggle switch and volume attenuator per speaker. The toggle switch alternates whether the speaker is connected to the amplifier from room 422 or room 430. The volume attenuator is in place to limit the associated speaker’s volume. -An accurate count and evaluation of these speaker setups must be performed to calculate the current maximum possible power draw on either amplifier to ensure that sufficient power is available for reliable performance. Recommendation Small distributed stand-alone audio monitors: -It has been noted that small stand-alone audio monitors have been distributed throughout the entire building via the telephone wiring. It is unclear exactly how audio from the console chamber is currently being routed to this system therefore it is unclear how to control or troubleshoot this system. -The main phone room in the building must be checked to try and find the audio distribution equipment associated with this system in order to gain a better understanding. Recommendation Wiring and connectors: -Excessive wire clutter and the use of several adapters throughout the audio and video systems is contributing to poor performance and making it very difficult to troubleshoot and maintain these systems. At times the system operators are forced to wiggle wires in order to restore functionality to some elements of the system. -All wires should be completely removed and the system should be neatly rewired and labeled for reliability and ease of service/troubleshooting. The equipment rack in the control room should also be replaced by a wall mounted hinged rack to help prevent excessive wire clutter from occurring again. Recommendation Video Signal Flow: -The video system signal flow to the distribution system, recording devices, broadcast and webcast feeds is very confusing and difficult to trace. -This part of the system must be evaluated in great detail and possibly reconfigured. A new up to date and highly detailed signal flow chart/map should be created as a reference document for system operators and service technicians. This document shall be created in a format that should be relatively easy to update in the event anything within the system is changed. Recommendation Teleconferencing System: -The current teleconferencing system performs very poorly and is not properly integrated into the main sound system. The current setup forces the system operator to constantly mute inactive microphones and un-mute the active ones in order to minimize confusing echo at the far end of the call. -Must replace the teleconferencing system with one that lends itself to which ever digital sound system is to be installed to ensure proper audio referencing for optimal echo cancellation for the far end. Recommendation Camera Locations: -The cameras located to the left and right of the dais do not capture a good profile shot of the presenters and the amount of usable shots are limited by their locations. Recommendation current position. -These cameras would be more useful if located about 6’ forward of their Camera System: -There are 4 older cameras and 1 newer camera in this system. Although these cameras may be of the same or similar make and model the older cameras show much wear and tear when compared to the newer one. The color saturation and image clarity is much greater on the new camera. This lack of consistency reflects poorly on the system as a whole when viewed via broadcast, webcast, or on the recordings. -Install all new cameras to achieve consistent image quality and store the old ones as backups if needed in the event of a malfunction. Recommendation Room 430 Microphones: -There are 17 wireless microphones being used in this system and the receivers are stacked on top of each other in the corner cabinet without proper antenna and power distribution making it likely to experience signal dropouts. It has been stated that the reason for all the wireless microphones is that the table configuration was at one time always changing making it difficult for a traditional wired microphone system to be used. Currently there are six wired microphones, a wired speaker phone for teleconferencing and electrical wiring distributed to all of the tables. These wires have been brought to the tables via a custom built wire chase on the floor and the positioning of the tables seems to be more static than originally intended. One drawback to using wireless microphones includes the reoccurring cost and labor of replacing batteries. Another drawback is that these microphones have very inconvenient on/off buttons for use during meetings and were designed for use in live stage performances not as permanent conferencing/dais microphones. -Install 15-20 wired table top dais microphones with clearly visible on/off indicator lights. Connect these microphones to a Cat-5 digital snake system with a connection hub installed under each table that easily interconnect and route all the audio signals via a single wire back to the main equipment rack in order to maintain the originally intended flexibility of multiple table arrangements within the room. Maintain 4 wireless microphones for the podium and other miscellaneous uses and ensure the microphone receivers are installed in the equipment rack with proper antenna and power distribution for optimal performance and reliability. Recommendation Microphone Mixing System: -The system is controlled by 4 manual 8 channel rack mounted audio mixers chained together providing one master output/mix used for the speakers in the room, overflow, broadcast, webcast, and recording. This is resulting in poor sound reinforcement within the room as well as poor levels to broadcast, webcast and recording. Additionally the system operators are stationed in the commission chamber (room 422) control room and have no control over the individual microphones and audio sources to ensure proper functionality. -Remove the 4 manual 8 channel mixers and replace them with 1 digital automatic microphone mixing system with at least 32 inputs and 8 outputs with room for future expansion. The digital system should have 1 local keypad in the room for basic controls as well as a custom touch screen control panel in the commission chamber (room 422) control room for the system operators to have detailed control and metering over all input and output levels. This will ensure optimal system performance for any and all meeting situations. Recommendation Teleconferencing System: -The audio teleconferencing system in this room consists of a desktop speaker phone with a wired microphone placed on top of the speaker as an attempt to incorporate it into the sound system. -A specialized wired telephone interface should be installed to fully incorporate the telephone into the audio system while maintaining a desktop speaker phone for use with or without the full sound system. Recommendation Speaker Amplification: -There is currently one 2 channel amplifier to power the speakers in the room as well as in the executive offices which may or may not be sufficient depending on the maximum potential speaker load from the executive offices. -An accurate count and evaluation of these executive office speakers must be performed to calculate the current maximum possible power draw on the amplifier to ensure that sufficient power is available for reliable performance. Recommendation Speaker System: -The ceiling speakers and left and right surface mount speakers are almost unusable due to severe feedback problems with the current microphones in the room. -Install multiple channels of amplification and DSP to eliminate problematic feedback frequencies plus set delays and shading as needed for the system to perform as expected. Also there should be 4 new aim-able in-ceiling loud speakers with no more than a 90 degree dispersion pattern in the center of the ceiling between all of the tables aiming back toward the people seated at the tables to ensure that everyone is heard clearly. Recommendation Video Projector: -The current video projector’s overall image quality and brightness is less than ideal. Lights around the area of the wall where the images are projected are being turned off as an attempt to improve the situation. -The current projector should be removed and a new high definition projector should be installed along with a motorized screen that rejects ambient light so that all the lights can remain on during presentations. Recommendation Video Presentation System: -The current presentation setup only allows for VHS, DVD and VGA (PC) presentations. Moving forward this may not be suitable for future presentation media as digital video sources are becoming more popular. -Install a multi format presentation switcher/scaler with at least 2 UXGA, 2 HDMI, 2 Composite Video, 2 Component Video inputs and 1 RGBHV output converting video signals to the ideal resolution for the display/s in the room. Also a RGBHV distribution amplifier and a RGBHV scan converter with a composite video output (for broadcasting) should be installed along with a new Blu-ray/DVD player to show films and presentations in HD formats. Recommendation Overflow Audio/Video from Room 422: -The overflow video from room 422 in room 430 is accessed via the Comcast channel using a VCR with a built in tuner resulting in a delay as well as a dependency for the meeting to be broadcasted on cable TV. -A direct audio/video feed from room 422 should be ran to the projector and TVs in room 430 for good quality reliable overflow viewing without the need to broadcast the meeting over the cable TV channel. Recommendation Video Cameras: -There are only two cameras in the room. This limits the system operator’s ability to always show the person who is speaking on the video. Also some of the video monitors in the room 430 camera control rack are no longer working. -At least 2 more cameras as well as a new multi-camera PTZ controller should be installed. The old cameras from room 422 may be usable if new ones are to be installed there. Also a new set of video monitors and a seamless video switcher with more inputs including a PC or DSK input will be required to accommodate more cameras and the ability to overlay text and graphics. Recommendation Overall Audio/Video System Room 422 and Room 430: Audio/Video System and Broadcast System: -Neither the audio system nor video broadcast/webcast systems of room 422 and room 430 are completely independent from each other. For example if a webcast is to done from room 430 the result is that the audio/video system in room 422 is rendered completely unusable. If a broadcast from room 422 is in progress a webcast from room 430 is not possible. Furthermore even if no broadcast or webcast from either room is in progress the Audio/Video systems in both rooms are not capable of being simultaneously fully functional. The result of this dilemma is that no more than one meeting can be held at any given time. Even if holding two simultaneous meetings is not a popular concept it should not be a limitation of the system’s capabilities. In theory the system should be capable of webcasting from one room while recording and broadcasting over cable television from the other. Even in the event that broadcasting or recording is not desired it should at least be possible to hold two meetings at one time. -Ensure that both the audio and video systems of each room are independent of each other. The audio and video signals from each room should be routed through an audio/video matrix switcher that will delegate which signals are sent to broadcast, webcast, recording and/or overflow distribution. Recommendation Electrical Surge Suppression: -It has been noted that on several occasions around times of stormy weather various system components have been known to malfunction or require repair/replacement. This suggests that although conventional surge suppressors are currently present in the system electrical surges and spikes are still coming through and causing damage. -Replace all existing surge suppressors with new stronger surge suppressors that do not use conventional MOVs and can withstand multiple strikes of up to 6000 Volts. . Recommendation Conclusion: The entire scope of recommended work described by this report could result in a public bid with an estimated price ranging up to $300,000 depending on the equipment and implementation selected by the chosen contractor. For any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact Eric Manev of TM Sound and Lighting at (954) 522-1200 or [email protected].