“The XTP System was an ideal choice for its ability to maintain signal integrity over long distances and transmit video, audio, power, and also device control with just one twisted pair cable.”

Alessandro VellaProject ManagerSCM

Extron Delivers Wide-Ranging AV Capabilities at Châteauform’ in Italy

Châteauform’, “The Home of Seminars,” specializes in organizing business meetings and seminars

in its venues throughout Europe – spacious homes, rustic farmhouses, and other properties that are

transformed to combine the necessities of corporate meeting facilities with resort-style amenities in

relaxing settings. One of the newest venues is La Cascina Erbatici, a rustic-style farmhouse in the

Lombardy countryside of Italy. Châteauform’ wanted to equip the facilities at this venue with flexible

AV presentation systems that accommodate a variety of sources, including guest devices. To fulfill

these AV system requirements, integrator Sistemi di Comunicazione Multimediale – SCM, selected

a range of Extron products and technologies, including XTP Systems®, TouchLink®-based control

systems, audio digital signal processors, and amplifiers.

AV Needs and ChallengesLa Cascina Erbatici has numerous medium and small meeting rooms, as well as two flagship meeting

rooms: the auditorium and a large multi-purpose room. The auditorium seats approximately 70

attendees, while the multi-purpose room accommodates 60 participants and is typically configured

for small-group collaboration. These two meeting spaces were to include versatile, user-friendly AV

systems that enable clients to connect their devices and deliver high resolution video presentations.

Additionally, AV signals needed to be shared between the auditorium and multi-purpose room to

allow for meeting overflow, or to play background music and slideshows in both rooms between

meeting sessions. It was also essential for the audio systems to support a single presenter or

multiple participants, quality reproduction of music and other program content, and conferencing

applications.

Extron Delivers Wide-Ranging AV Capabilities at Châteauform’ in Italy

One of the challenges was the exposed, open ceilings in the auditorium

and multi-purpose room that limited the ability to discreetly pull cables

for the projectors. In addition, the conduits and floor box locations were

designed and installed prior to this upgrade, limiting the available space

to pull cables for AV. An equipment room nearby provides ample space

for housing the AV systems for both facilities, but cable runs of up to

70 meters are necessary to reach the sources and display devices in

the meeting rooms.

Integrated AV Distribution and Transmission with XTP SystemsThe integrator selected Extron XTP Systems to provide flexible

video distribution for the auditorium and multi-purpose room, and to

simplify the cabling infrastructure. The XTP System consists of an

XTP CrossPoint 1600 modular 16x16 matrix switcher in the equipment

room and several XTP transmitters and receivers in the meeting rooms.

Each XTP transmitter and receiver connects to the XTP matrix switcher

over one twisted pair cable to carry audio and high resolution video,

thereby streamlining the installation. The XTP  CrossPoint  1600 also

remotely powers these transmitters and receivers over the same

twisted pair cable, so fewer AC power outlets are needed in the

rooms. Additionally, the matrix switcher can send RS-232 signals to

the receivers over this cable, for controlling display devices. RS-232

signals are inserted into the XTP  CrossPoint  1600 from the control

system.

For client convenience, the touchpanel control interface is available in Italian, French, and English.

The XTP System provides flexible AV signal distribution in the auditorium. The CATx cable infrastructure allows for discreet installation using a limited number of compact cables.

“The open areas and long hallways between the equipment room

and the two main meeting rooms made wiring the AV equipment a

challenge, especially with the layout of the rooms already defined,” says

Alessandro Vella, Project Manager for SCM. “The XTP System was an

ideal choice for its ability to maintain signal integrity over long distances

and transmit video, audio, power, and also device control with just one

twisted pair cable, allowing us to pull only one cable overhead and

merely a few through conduit.”

Presenters typically use the resident PC or a guest laptop at the lectern,

with content displayed using a projector. In the auditorium, an additional

The TLP 710MV and TouchLink for iPad app allow Châteauform’ clients to easily operate the room’s AV equipment from the lectern or the iPad.

The multi-purpose room is also linked to the XTP System.

Extron Delivers Wide-Ranging AV Capabilities at Châteauform’ in Italy

flat-panel display serves as a confidence monitor. Video, audio, power,

and LAN connectivity are available at the lectern for the PC and guest

devices. Connectivity is also provided at a few floor box locations for

bringing in a podium. In this installation, AV source signals feed into the

XTP transmitters in the lectern, each of which sends AV up to 70 meters

over a twisted pair cable to the XTP CrossPoint 1600 matrix switcher

located in the equipment room. Fortunately, the XTP System can

send signals up to 100 meters if needed. The XTP CrossPoint 1600

provides AV switching and distribution for both the auditorium and

multi-purpose room. Audio, video, and RS-232 control signals from

the matrix switcher are sent to the XTP receiver above each room’s

projector and behind the auditorium’s confidence monitor.

Robust Extron Audio CapabilitiesThe sound systems for both rooms consist of speech and program

audio zones, fixed and wireless microphones, as well as a subwoofer

for full-range music playback. The integrator selected an Extron

DMP 128 C audio digital signal processor for each room to provide

essential audio functions including mixing and routing, microphone

automixing, equalization and tone controls, and AEC – acoustic echo

cancellation for Web conferencing sessions.

Both DMP  128  C units were installed in the equipment room, and

accept audio signals from the microphones in the meeting rooms,

the wireless microphone receivers in the equipment rack, and source

audio from the XTP System. The two digital signal processors are

linked together via their expansion ports, which allows audio to pass

between them. This provides the flexibility to share presentation audio

and background music between the auditorium and multi-purpose

room, and for clients to route wireless microphone signals between the

two rooms when necessary.

SCM used Extron DSP  Configurator™ Software to configure each

DMP 128 C unit’s signal routing, processing, and AEC. The software

enables the integrator to fine-tune the system in order to maximize

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A compact 22U equipment rack at the front of the room houses the IN1606 and all other equipment in the system.

Extron Delivers Wide-Ranging AV Capabilities at Châteauform’ in Italy

SCM was contracted to equip

several other mid-size and small

meeting rooms, most notably one

with the Extron IN1606 Scaling

Presentation Switcher as well as

Extron audio and control. The

IN1606 provides fast and reliable

switching between guest devices

and the room’s satellite receiver.

It also delivers content optimized

to a projector, plus two overhead

flat-panel displays situated mid-

span in a long, rectangular

presentation space. A compact

22U equipment rack at the front

of the room houses the IN1606

and all other equipment in the

system. Extron DTP  HDMI  230

Twisted Pair Extenders were used

to send video and control signals to the projector and displays. As

with the XTP System, a single CATx cable to each display minimizes

the visibility of overhead cabling in a fully exposed ceiling.

The sound system is similar to those of the auditorium and

multi-purpose room, and includes several fixed and wireless

microphones plus subwoofers to deliver full-range music. Audio

from the microphones and IN1606 feed into a DMP  128  C that

provides mixing and routing, acoustic echo cancellation, and other

DSP functions. Three XPA 2004 amplifiers are housed in the same

compact equipment rack as the DMP  128  C and IN1606, and

provide a total of 2,400 watts power output to two subwoofers and

speakers throughout the room.

The integrator chose an Extron MLC 226 IP MediaLink® controller

and the Extron MediaLink for iPad app to provide clients with

convenient options for operating the system. Using the controller

or the iPad app, individuals can easily select sources, raise or lower

the projection screen and motorized flip-down flat-panel displays,

and power the display devices on or off. Similar to TouchLink for

iPad, MediaLink for iPad enables individuals to operate the system

from anywhere in the room.

performance. “The echo cancellation feature has been essential for

Web conferencing and with DSP Configurator Software, we were able

to quickly and easily make the precise adjustments to achieve the best

possible audio quality in each room,” Vella says.

For amplifying voice and program audio content, the integrator chose

the ENERGY STAR® qualified Extron XPA 2004 Four Channel Power

Amplifier and XPA 2002-100V Two Channel, 100 Volt Power Amplifier,

each with 200 watts output per channel. These amplifiers are energy

efficient, provide ample power for the speaker zones, and generate

little heat. They are housed in compact 1U enclosures, saving valuable

rack space so that all of the AV equipment for both rooms fits in a single

rack.

Convenient, User-Friendly ControlFor simplified AV system operation in the auditorium and multi-

purpose room, SCM selected the Extron TLP 710MV 7" TouchLink®

Touchpanels mounted on custom lecterns, in conjunction with one

Extron IPCP 505 IP Link® Control Processor in the equipment rack. The

AV system control interface on the touchpanel provides intuitive system

operation, including source selection and a choice of conferencing or

presentation modes, as well as the ability to power the displays on

or off. For client convenience, the touchpanel interface is available in

Italian, French, and English.

In addition to the TouchLink touchpanel in each room, Châteauform’

provides an iPad with the Extron TouchLink for iPad® app installed.

The app mirrors the TouchLink GUI, and serves as an additional point

of control for a presenter who may be away from the lectern, or for

another individual to assist the presenter in running the system. “With

the ability to easily manage the AV system on their own and the flexibility

to control from the lectern or the iPad, clients are able to focus on the

seminar without the assistance of a technician,” Vella says.

ConclusionFor Châteauform’, the use of Extron products in La Cascina Erbatici

fulfilled the need for performance, reliability, flexibility, and ease of use.

SCM also chose Extron for the dedicated support in ensuring that the

system designs suited the application. “Extron equipment was selected

for quality and reliability, as well as for the excellent technical support,”

says Vella. “The Extron staff understood the importance of the project

in terms of innovation, and did their best to assist us with a solution that

would meet the client’s needs in a high-value, cost-effective manner.”

AV Flexibility in Additional Meeting Rooms