Reflex Newsletter - August 2010

Contents:

 
Pin point accuracy from new touch screen displays

The demand for touch screen technology is growing. Intuitive and easy to use, touch screen products save space with no requirement for a keyboard or mouse, and are fast and robust. But historically, such products have suffered from a lack of accuracy. The new U-Touch integrated LCD and Plasma displays overcome this.

The U-Touch Integrated products combine Optical Sensing multi-touch technology with the latest NEC 20 Series professional LCD displays or Samsung HD plasmas.

They are aesthetically pleasing, as they have no brackets or detachable parts, keeping the look slim and uncluttered. Offering a fully integrated solution, the close marriage of the components results in a more accurate, near pin point, finger to cursor response.

This means that once calibrated, there's no further adjustment needed. Any object can be used as a stylus; including a gloved finger, with the lightest of touches bringing the screen to life.

The U-Touch is quick and easy to install too. They come out of the box as one complete unit, ready for wall or stand mounting. And with sizes ranging from 32" to 82" for LCD and 50" or 63" for plasma, they can cope with most environments up to the largest of meeting rooms.

The U-Touch has applications in many different markets including corporate, retail, transport, government and medical to name but a few.

Click here to view the U-Touch demonstration seen at Reflex Technology Day.

To find out more about U-Touch's integrated displays or see them in operation, contact the Reflex sales team on: 0118 31 3611 or email info@reflex.co.uk


 


Reflex pride themselves on their response times to service
calls - see our 2009-2010 response times

Reflex provides vital service for equipment support

An area of Reflex that has been developed over the last four years is our maintenance and service division. One customer we provide a complete service package to is Investec, a specialist bank and asset manager.

We provide maintenance cover for all audio visual and video conferencing facilities at their London Head Office which includes 15 x VC systems, 4 x 4 screen plasma walls, control systems, digital signage systems and many other systems spread over eight floors.

Our service provides an 8 hour on-site response with unlimited technical support, remote support for digital signage, preventive maintenance, loan units and new for old replacement. Support is available continuously through our permanent on site technician with holiday and illness cover. The technician's role includes:-

  • Support of all equipment.
  • Set-up and co-ordinate connectivity of all videoconferences
  • Set-up all rooms requiring AV presentations
  • Set-up facilities for special company events
  • To provide and maintain TV source from media star hub connecting to 70 TV's around the building
  • Pre-maintenance of all VC/AV equipment
  • Liaise with IT and Voice team for network access and analogue lines for install of laptops and conference phones in meeting rooms.
  • Purchase all AV equipment
  • Install lamps for all projectors.
  • On-site training for reception and outside agency staff as and when required

For more information about our service team and the support they offer click here or contact the service team directly on: 0118 931 4611.


 

Reflex helps streamline and unify communications at University of Bedford

The University of Bedfordshire has seen a massive investment in its infrastructure, part of which was the installation of a Onelan digital signage system.

John Wells, the University's Computer Services Manager, explains, “We looked for a digital signage system which would unify our myriad existing screens across the University."

His aim was to be able to control the content of all the screens centrally, whilst still allowing each campus building to add their own relevant content locally. Additionally, John wanted the ability to be able to show TV content onto the screens.

Having thoroughly researched the available products and solutions on the market, he decided that the Onelan system would achieve his objectives whilst giving flexibility of layout, ease of use and scalability.

The Solution
Reflex made use of the existing display screens, thus protecting the University's previous investment.

We recommended 17 subscriber NTB610 digital signage players, fed from one main publisher unit. We installed a network point for each screen and concealed the Onelan player, distributing the signal through CAT5 cable.

The system also includes one central player which gives the central control required. Additionally, an OmniServer IPTV unit allows the central distribution of live TV signals, without the need to run additional RF cabling, thus keeping costs down.

The system is used to show a wide variety of content, including pubic contents such as BBC and Sky News, feeds for local weather as well as University news and events. It is also used for department specific information such as Open days. It is planned to include an XML feed from the Association of Train Operating Companies, to provide up to date timetable information for Bedford and Luton stations, to help promote sustainable transport solutions.

The Results
John Wells is delighted with the installation which he feels fully meets his objectives. “Reflex has supplied and installed a lot of AV equipment to the University over the past year and have proven to be very reliable and professional.

The installation by Reflex went very smoothly and the new screen layout has attracted a lot of interest from staff."

Click here to view more Reflex case studies



Free audio training – back by popular demand

Further to the success of our free audio training that we ran last autumn, we are planning a further set of courses over the coming months.
Below is a summary of the areas that the training will cover:-

  • What is Feedback?
  • What is Potential Acoustic gain?
  • What is Needed Acoustic Gain?
  • Microphone and loudspeaker characteristics and why they are important
  • Discussion on frequency response
  • Audio frequency induction loops, test and measurement

The training will also cover basic acoustics including:-

  • The inverse square law and why it is important
  • Sound absorption and reflection
  • How to form an opinion about what a sound system without test equipment

The sessions will be interactive with demonstrations and plenty of time for questions. If you would like an audio element covered in our training session please let us know and we will be happy to include it.

The courses will be free but booking is essential as it is a popular event and there are limited spaces. To register your interest please contact Kristy Shepherd by emailing kristys@reflex.co.uk or contacting the sales team on: 0118 931 3611.

 

 
Twickenham Technology Day is biggest ever

Over 150 end users from the higher education, corporate and public sectors attended the seventh Reflex Technology Day, TD'10, held on 22nd June at Twickenham Stadium.

The visitors were able to interact directly with over 30 manufacturers who were exhibiting at the event, as well as attend a series of seminars.

Highlights of the day included our Program Sound for Flagship Lecture Theatres, Auditoriums, and Large Spaces seminar, which was presented in an auditorium like space to give an understanding of acoustics and demonstrate a true comparison of program sound.

HDMI was a hot topic and our technical seminar, The Challenges with HDMI/HDCP Exposed, addressed many of the frequently asked questions about this technology.

To see clips of all the presentations, click here

Product highlights of the exhibition included the latest LED projectors, Christie Micro Tiles digital canvas, as well as a wide range of audio technologies.

To see a selection of exhibitors and their products on show, click here

Feedback from visitors was extremely positive. Gary Burnham from Hounslow London Borough Council said “I've seen a lot of the main manufacturers with their new products and also seen other products like 3D TV. A well worthwhile day."

Duncan Maheswaren from The Gallup Organisation Ltd said “It's very important to me to see the manufacturers directly. I have got an office opening up in Berlin so I came here to get new ideas."

To see what other visitors said, click here

TD'10 was the latest in an ongoing series of events that Reflex run. Roland Dreesden, Reflex's MD, strongly believes that part of the role of an AV integrator is to educate users about emerging technologies. “This type of event is critical to our client relationships. It's a personal way of keeping users informed about the practicalities of new technologies and the real business benefits it can deliver."

Anyone interested in keeping updated with Reflex's programme of events or have a colleague who wants to received events information click here