Extron Equipment Enhances Dallas Holocaust Museum Capabilities

Clear ProAV has implemented a DTP system of Extron with wired and wireless connectivity, audio processing and AV streaming. The installation is operated using a Pro Series control system.

The new AV system of the Dallas Museum of the Holocaust and Human Rights is based on Extron's DTP and Pro series control solutions.

This center includes a state-of-the-art Cinemark theater that provides a viewing environment where survivor testimonies are displayed. It features 250 seats and features a theatrical-quality projection system with a wall-to-wall display and an immersive surround sound system.

Museum administrators decided to improve the capabilities of the theater space, with the aim of creating multipurpose facilities where private presentations and events of other external organizations could be held. This would require the installation of a new AV system that would work in conjunction with the current Cinemark system..

The new AV system had to be powerful enough to support a wide variety of uses, from simple PowerPoint presentations to multimedia music performances and their integration with mobile production units.

This high-performance switching and distribution system would facilitate presentation from a wide variety of connected sources., as well as premises.

additionally, it had to support the lobby/atrium monitors and would offer distribution to the entire infrastructure for special events sponsored by the museum. At last, the installation had to be easy to handle for museum guides and other users, no need for assistance.

AV DTP and Pro System

Design limitations were presented to integration firm Clear ProAV with challenges they had not normally experienced with most design and construction projects.. AV components should not block movie lines of visibility, projection cones, surround sound speakers THX ceiling or exclusive lighting. The facility also needed to operate within the constraints of the theatre's acoustic treatment..

Clear ProAV designed an AV system based on Extron products that provide flexible signal distribution from all sources to a variety of display devices and associated sound systems.

To support the widest variety of uses, theatre resources include a managed network connection package of culm, a video production system BlackMagic, three PTZ cameras Panasonic and a projector M-Vision 21K of Digital Projection with a screen Electrol motorized with IP of Da-Lite.

The separate lighting system consists of 16 Led ellipsoidal lighting equipment Etc ColorSource.

To connect all this, Clear ProAV integrated an Extron DTP system with wired and wireless connectivity and powerful audio processing plus AV streaming. The installation is operated using a control system of the Pro series by Extron, which also allows the control of ambient and scenic lighting systems through DMX.

"Extron equipment is at the center of our design for the Dallas Holocaust Museum's Cinemark Theater", Says Anthony Stowell, Director of Integration at Clear ProAV. "The use of the control products of the series DTP and pro has allowed us to create an easy-to-use but extremely powerful AV system".

Signal switching and distribution

At the core of the installation is the switching matrix for presentations of 10×8 DTP CrossPoint 108 4K by Extron.

Had the right mix of features and capabilities, such as powerful skip-free switching with integrated scaling and signal extension up to 100 metre. It is rack-mounted in the adjacent control room with a dedicated main control interface for advanced control of all AV systems.

To extend AV signals from connected laptops and other mobile devices to the switching array, the transmitters on wall plate DTP T UWP 4K provide convenient connectivity on stage, on the mobile lectern and side walls.

A wall plate receiver DTP R HWP 4K Extron is installed behind or near each display device, minimizing mounting distances from walls and ceiling.

A gateway ShareLink Pro 1100 enables secure wireless presentation, and a DMP 128 bonus of Extron that provides audio mixing and processing to complete the system.

Content presented in the theater can also be sent to display devices in the lobby and atrium., as well as the devices strategically placed by the museum campus using the DTP switching system along with local DTP receivers.

When the theatre is rented, each client provides their own content for the event. They can use Mac computers from Apple connected to the DTP switching array Crosspoint or connected through one of the stage's DTP wall-mounted transmitters. Another option is the wireless connection through the ShareLink Pro gateway with temporary authorization.

Streaming and playback

A streaming set-top box Smd 202 Extron provides the ability to play media files from SD cards, a USB or LAN storage device.

A default video file stored in the internal memory of the streaming set-top box is available to museum guides who lead visiting groups through the museum's exhibits.. They can also activate other specific video files through touch screens.

Clear ProAV included the ability to play content uploaded to the museum's network. To support live flows, the SMD 202 decodes H.264 video and AAC audio. While the SMD 202 can be operated using the controls on the front panel or remote control, museum staff and guides prefer to use the control system.

Museum guides and private event clients can easily control all AV system signal operations and routing using one of the four TouchLink® Pro touchscreens from 10 inches of Extron that are installed in the theater and control room.

Touch screens work in conjunction with a control processor IPCP Pro 250 rack-mounted, that communicates with all controlled devices.

Custom user interface on touch screens TouchLink Pro is intuitive, makes the operation of the theater's AV system more efficient for both beginners and experienced users alike.

According to Eric Schell, founder and owner of Clear ProAV, "The Extron platform offers great flexibility and features that have allowed us to provide the highest level of performance and system control throughout the Cinemark theatre".

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