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Alliance Bank
Eau Claire, WI
Audio/Video System Installation

A local architect contacted us to assist with a conference room audio/video system at a new bank office. The system needed to be fairly basic with a projector and screen, a few different inputs, and speakers. It also needed to be user friendly as a variety of people would be using the system, not all of whom understand audio/video systems. They wanted a one-button system, i.e. one button would turn on the projector, lower the screen, and default to the presentation laptop setting.

We would have liked to have installed a screen that hid completely in the ceiling and lowered through a slit in the ceiling tile. Due to the soffit work and the lack of height above the soffit, we had to go with a standard wall-mount screen. The carpenter did an excellent job of blending it with the wood trim by boxing the screen case with the trim.

The projector is a simple pole mount attached to a 2x2 metal tile that easily replaces a standard ceiling tile. The advantage of this mount is that it comes with a box cutout for the AC and an adjustable pole location.

The inputs included a local PC, a local DVD player, and a floorbox input for a laptop with both audio and video connections. The three inputs went into a video switcher/scaler, which allows the end user to switch between inputs and allows us to only run one cable up to the projector. It also scales the images so regardless of the type of input (computer, DVD player, VHS player) it displays at the correct resolution and size for the projector. The rack includes this switcher, the DVD player, local PC, and a sheet of basic instructions.

The control for the system is done via an Extron wall plate. This wall plate controls the projector, screen, and switcher. By controlling the switcher, the end-user can choose the appropriate input, adjust volume, and mute the sound. This particular controller also has all the button controls for the DVD player. There are two reasons for this: first, this way the cabinet doors can remain closed for a tidier appearance during a presentation and, second, the presenter does not have to juggle a remote control. The power button turns on the projector and lowers the screen when pushed once. When pushed and held, it turns off the projector and raises the screen.

The final system is simple, is easy to use and has room for future expansion.