Studio Spectrum has maintained a long relationship with the City of Burbank Fire Department. As the original AV system designer, we have seen the presentation capabilities of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) evolve over the years. One major evolution included using the EOC facility as a cadet training center for Burbank and adjoining cities. A different use of the space meant the AV system had to accommodate different configurations, including room combining and conferencing.
The most recent upgrade to the EOC’s AV system was the installation of a Crestron Digital Media matrix switching system. The AV system was originally designed around an analog computer RBGHV format. Like many old AV systems, the need to support these contemporary digital sources like HDMI enabled laptops and portable devices prompted an upgrade.
Crestron DM offered us a frame based matrix switcher that meant flexibility in supporting different input and output formats in the future. DM systems handle HDCP issues well, meaning that we could provide reliable use of Blu-ray players as playback sources. The DM switcher also provides HDMI outputs to video conferencing codecs, so those in a remote location can have direct views of the presentations.
Multiple destination routing was a mandatory feature in the DM system. Three Sony projector displays can be used simultaneously, or separately in a three-room divided configuration. While Crestron easily handled the video routing, a BSS BLU Soundweb audio processor maintained the room combine functions on the audio side.
The room is continuing to evolve, as Crestron’s control of multiple television installations will aid in monitoring live news broadcasts during an incident. Studio Spectrum’s dedication to clean, easy to operate AV systems is a big reason why our crew maintains long term working relations with customers like the Burbank Fire Department.
