The modern conference or class room is often full of the latest audio visual technology, such as projectors, computers, DVD players and so on.

But as the equipment increases, two common challenges become more pressing. How do you connect it all together without having cables strung over the floors? And how do you control everything without a box full of remote controls? Extron Electronics have solutions to both these issues.

The Extron AVTrac® is an innovative, floor mounted AV and cable raceway system. It's designed to be used where AV devices cannot be placed near a wall or other areas where power, data and AV connections normally reside. Ideal for new, retrofit and reconfigured spaces, its real benefit is that once installed, it is barely noticeable, causing minimum disruption to the environment.

Extron's MediaLink® System is a family of easy-to-install and easy-to-use products that work together to connect, control, and switch AV presentation equipment. Ideal in smaller, one-projector environments, MediaLink Controllers offer a central point of control for the entire room, eliminating the need for numerous handheld IR remote controls. Users are presented with just one control interface from which all equipment is controlled, making system operation more simple and much more efficient.

Learn more about these two innovative solutions at our free Extron/Reflex training day. Hosted at Reflex's offices, Extron's 'Global Configurator Training' will be held on 24th March from 10.00am to 4.00pm this is an additional day due to the first two days being fully booked. We are also planning to run a further training session at Leeds Metropolitan University on 31st March 2009. Spaces are limited and anyone wishing to reserve a place should contact Kristy Shepherd by email: kristys@reflex.co.uk or contact the sales team on: 0118 931 3611.

Flexibility is Key for Bath University

AV Requirements

In Spring 2008 Bath University, one of the most highly ranked Universities in the UK league table, undertook a project to totally refurbish the Main Council Chambers on the University Campus into a modern meeting and boardroom.

The requirement was for a totally integrated multimedia solution. Flexibility was key for this multi functional room. The installation was to have minimum physical impact on the room, and wireless technologies were required to give added flexibility without cable restrictions.

The contract demanded the production and provision of all relevant CAD drawings and co-ordination with the University's IT personnel and other outside contractors.

The Solution

The main display devices are two wall mounted 65-inch LCD displays, which are recessed into the acoustic cladding on the walls to minimise their impact on the room. The choice of display screen was partly dictated by the future requirement for Videoconferencing in the room, as well as the high ambient light levels due to the windows on two sides of the chamber.

A networked PC was installed in an equipment cupboard within the room.  Whilst discreet and tidy, it allows for the easy loading of computer disks .Laptop connection points are recessed into each of the four columns in the room, with a further connection provided at a lectern.

An equipment rack holds a DVD/VCR combination player and document camera, which allows acetates, slides and 3D items to be easily displayed. Both items are controlled via a central control unit, which also controls all system switching, source selection, transport control and audio levels as well as system start up and shut down.

The installation was designed with future needs in mind, with hidden cabling infrastructure and system control and switching capacity to allow a Videoconferencing system to be fitted when required.

An external matrix switcher allows the high number of input sources and associated audio to be preselected before display.

Users control the system via an 8.4-inch WiFi touch panel, which can connect up to local WiFi networks, for access to the Internet or University Intranet.

Audio is handled by two ceiling mounted omni-directional microphones which give coverage of the entire room in all configurations and three wireless microphones.

Audio is relayed to the room via a series of wall mounted speakers and can be recorded and played back for future review.

The Results

The project was overseen by Peter Clark, the University's AV Manager.  He says "Following the issue of a brief to several Integrators, Reflex came up with an innovative system design and cost effective solution which resulted in them being awarded the contract.

The project incorporated a major structural build and complicated M+E installation and had to be delivered in a tight time period. Project management was always going to be the key to success. Throughout the project Reflex's Project Manager managed the installation and liaised fully with the University and outside contractors.

The entire Reflex installation team were thoroughly professional throughout, this was a 'happy project' to work on and they delivered a high quality AV installation, the design and finish of which enhanced the success of the overall project, and they delivered it on time and to budget."

Team at Reflex grows to support market sectors

	Andi Allan, Technical Sales Manager   Andi Allan, ex-consultant, has joined the Technical Sales support team with a brief to provide technical assistance to the sales team.  Andi has 10 years experience in supporting Videoconferencing, internet video communication and complex audio systems and brings a strong practical background and plenty of design experience in large, complex projects.
	Jeremy Eustace, Account Manager   On the sales side, Jeremy Eustace has been appointed as sales account manager.  His background is in account management at various audio visual resellers where he gained experience in specifying complete system solutions and developed product training skills.  He has specific experience of Higher Education markets.
	Sean McCarvill, New Business Development Manager   Sean McCarvill is announced as New Business Development Manager. Sean has been in an IT Sales environment for the last 15 years with blue chip names such as Microsoft and SAP and also brings previous experience in the audio visual market.
	Mike Atkinson, Project Manager   Mike moved to Newbury in 1990 and joined Matthew Hall, a building services company looking after commercial premises, where he rose to the role of project manager.  Mike worked for Reflex in 1998 and when an opportunity arose to use his experience in a senior role with us, he was very happy to return.

Reflex staff set new Guinness World Record!

Reflex Chairman Andy Brymer and Installation Manager Paul Taylor have succeeded in setting a new Guinness World Record by completing a 30 hour darts match.

The record was set on Saturday 10th January at The Waggon and Horses in Twyford, Berkshire, with the record breaking dart being thrown at 6.00pm. Over the marathon match the pair, who were playing in a team against two others, played 342 games and threw an estimated 20,500 darts - as well as walking 19.3 miles from the oche to the board and back. In total, they played for 30 hours, split into seven 4 hour stretches with a 20 minute break between each.

As well as the challenge of the breaking the World Record, the darts duo were fund raising for Cancer Research UK and The MS Society, and succeeded in raising over £7000 to date for the two causes.

According to Andy Brymer, "Paul and I are part of the darts team at the pub, and I've enjoyed the game for 15 years. Some members of the team have family members affected by cancer and MS and we decided to use our hobby to raise money for these two causes that are close to our hearts. There's worse ways to spend 30 hours than in a pub, although by the end I have to say we were aching from head to toe! "

The record is in the process of being officially verified but the match took place under the stringent conditions demanded by Guinness World Records. This included having two witnesses record every score and ensuring a medic was on hand at all times.

For anyone who would like to contribute to these good causes there is a website http://www.justgiving.com/worldrecorddartathon set up to collect donations and will be live until mid April 2009.

The number one event for AV technologies and solutions - 23rd April

The latest in Reflex's regular Technology Days is scheduled for Thursday 23rd April, at Baylis House, Stoke Poges Lane, Slough, Berkshire SL1 3PB.

The theme for this event is Communications and the day will not only showcase brand new audio visual products, but include inspirational seminars, live demonstrations and technical advice direct from the manufacturers.

The day runs from 8.00 am to 3.00pm with seminars throughout the day. The seminars include Unified Communications covering audio and high definition voice and visual communications. Reflex are also carrying out a unique training session on audio looking into how to design the audio as part of your solution. Seminars also include as well as the latest in digital signage and multi display environments and how to present efficiently.

The exhibition will also incorporate live hands on demonstrations covering Videoconferencing and 3D technologies. These will run at hourly intervals through the day.

The event is free but booking is essential as it is a popular event. Please contact Kristy Shepherd to reserve your place by emailing kristys@reflex.co.uk or contacting the sales team on: 0118 931 3611. Further details will be released on the Reflex website events page www.reflex.co.uk/events

ISE increasingly important for Higher Education visitors

ISE increasingly important for Higher Education visitors

Icy runways and cancelled flights couldn't stop audio visual specialist Reflex Limited's trip to this year's ISE for 15 of their key Higher Education customers.

A luxury VIP coach not only safely transported the visitors along the snowy route, but allowed for ‘on the road' networking between the group, many of whom were members of SCHoMS (The Standing Conference for Heads of Media Services).

A key element of the trip was Reflex's University Workshop.  It's the third year running that Reflex has held the workshop but this is the first time it has been held during ISE.

The Workshop's objectives were twofold.  Firstly it aimed to open up a dialogue with the Higher Education market about their requirements for technology services and most importantly, gave Reflex an understanding of what Universities are looking for in the future.

Secondly the Workshop helped to educate 18 Universities about various aspects of AV.  It also promoted the sharing of ideas on how Universities use AV, the importance of Project Management, maintenance of equipment plus many more topics.

Toki Akintokun, Associate Director of Information Services and Libraries at City University London found ISE an efficient way to explore the range of audio visual products and electronic systems show cased.

"ISE was useful as it enabled City to look at cost, maintenance, new business, strategy, new technology and training. The Reflex workshop was also beneficial as it created discussion regarding whether technology drives teaching and learning or vice versa" he said.

Stuart Davies Vice Chair of SCHoMS, Chair of the AV section of HEPCW and Audio Visual Services Manager of University of Wales, Newport reinforces the importance of ISE to the Higher Education Market.  "I believe ISE to be the number one AV event in Europe.  It gives delegates the opportunity to network and meet with manufacturers to view the latest Audio Visual technologies.

Reflex started the University workshops three years ago.  Through them, I believe Reflex has gained a better understanding of what we, the universities, are looking for in an integrator".

Toni Kelly, Team Leader at the University of Birmingham and Chair of SCHoMS, welcomed the opportunity to talk specifically about Higher Education and to see audio visual solutions demonstrated.  "Exposure to the largest Audio Visual Exhibition in Europe was illuminating and extremely useful, if not exhausting!  The demonstration sessions arranged in advance specifically for us were thorough and informative."

The whole trip was supported by VTRON, TeamMate, Crestron, Sony and of course Reflex, with the manufacturers having the opportunity to present their products to the workshop.

Big screens in the city big success

In conjunction with our client, Imperial College in London, Reflex held a 'Big Screens in the City' event from 24th - 26th February, with a VIP reception on 24th February.

Visitors were able to compare a range of large screens including the Infinite MPDP Plasma wall, the Aquivo 47" weather resistant HD screen and the Panasonic 103" plasma with touch screen, which was also used to demonstrate how well large screens work with digital signage systems.

Big Screens in the City was also the UK launch of the Sharp 108" LCD, the world's largest LCD display. This huge 2.3m wide HD ready display means that every image is displayed with incredible detail, whilst its high brightness and contrast levels mean the content can be easily seen even in brightly lit environments.

According to Reflex's MD, Roland Dreesden "This was an opportunity for customers to see just how large screen technology has developed over the last year. It's not that long ago that a 21" screen was considered 'large' which seems laughable now in the face of 108"! Visitors were able to compare the many different products that Reflex are able to supply, for any application, inside or out, as stand alone screens or as part of an integrated solution."