Plenum-Rated Ceiling Storage for Audio Visual Components

Grant's Perspective on ... hiding AV components from view with Chief ceiling storage kits.

Chief participated in our recent Collaboration 2015: Educational Seminars and Demonstrations event in Winnipeg. I visited our amazing Chief rep and asked her what the box at her booth was all about (see photo below).

She told me it was the "CMS491- 1' x 2' Plenum Rated Storage Box that conceals AV equipment above a 1' X 2' ceiling tile to provide a clean professional look for classrooms and conference rooms."

CMS491- 1' x 2' Plenum Rated Storage Box

Features from the Chief website:

• Drop carriage door improves accessibility and serviceability providing full access to equipment
• Detachable power housing can be pre-installed with electricians on site and assembled to the storage box at a later time
• Inside the plenum box or facing the room
• Up to 2 single gang or 1 dual gang outlet
• 4 nested knockouts for 1-1/4", 1", & ½" diameter conduit
• Built in ventilation
• AV tray supports a variety of AV components
• Ships with 1 shelf, 2^nd shelf sold separately see CMSUNV1
• Overall weight capacity 100 lbs (45 kg)
• 50 lbs (22 kg) for projector ceiling plate
• 25 lbs (11 kg) per shelf location
• Ships with speed connect installation hardware
• Lightweight construction, one man installation
• Plenum rated, UL approved in accordance to 2043
• TAA Compliant

The CMS series has 4 different products available to help hide AV components in ceilings. Check out the different options by clicking through the links below.

CMS492 – 2 x 2’ kit

CMS492C – 2 x 2’ kit with column drop plate

CMS491- 1 x 2’ kit

CMS491C – 1 x 2’ kit with column drop plate
Options:

CMSUNV2 – 2’ x 2’ AV Component Shelf if you need a second shelf for the CMS492 or CMS492C

CMS1RU – 1 RU Rack Mount Brackets, compatible with the CMS492 and CMS492C only

CMSFAN – Plenum Rated Fan Kit, compatible with all kits.

Ken
(filling in for Grant for the next short while)

PowerCool - AC and Cooling in One Rack Space

Grant's Perspective on ... the new Middle Atlantic AC power distribution and cooling solution that takes one rack space.

There is only so much space in a rack so it is great to see a single rack space unit that can take care of power distribution and rack cooling functions when the rack gets crowded (and hot) with other components.

Enjoy the Canada Day long weekend and keep cool.

Grant

Touch Screen Boardroom CollaborativeTables

Grant's Perspective on ... great new boardroom sized tables for interactive collaborative meetings.

At Inland AV, we are seeing more and more applications of interactive monitors and projectors in boardrooms, training facilities and classrooms. The boardroom table photo below is a great example of a boardroom table suited for collaborative sessions.

The table is available in 6', 8' and 10' lengths and you can choose from 11 different colours and finishes. The table includes a surge protected power bar as well as a quiet cooling fan. There are several table shapes and is available in 2 heights: sitting around the table or standing height.

Building the touch-screen display (up to 65") into the table keeps the look of the room clean as all cabling (and space for a computer) is contained inside the table stand locking cabinet.

Grant

Furniture Racks For the Boardroom

Grant's Perspective on ... racks that are built for the boardroom, not the server room.

Middle Atlantic is one of Inland AV's suppliers of racks and they have introduced rack furniture that fits in with the boardroom. The Middle Atlantic racks are functional as well as looking great.

The YouTube video below outlines the features in the RFR Reference Series Furniture Rack. These boardroom racks are available in 12 different finishes so that they blend in with the room's decor. A great way to hide AV technology in plain sight.



Grant

Hide AV Equipment In a Credenza

Grant's Perspective on ... hiding boardroom AV equipment in a credenza.

There are many impressive looking boardrooms that are blemished by audiovisual equipment and wiring. Often the AV equipment can be racked in a credenza so that the boardroom aesthetics can be maintained.  Middle Atlantic makes credenzas that are specifically made for AV equipment. The credenza fits around the rack. It is designed for ease of cable management and proper equipment ventilation.

The rack is put in place, equipment is installed and cabled and then the credenza doors, sides and counter top are installed.

See the YouTube video below for a quick look.




Contact us for more information on how to design your boardroom audiovisual system that will match the look of the room.

Grant

Audiovisual Rack Design Tool

Grant's Perspective on ... Chief's online rack builder application.

ChiefMounts Canada, an Inland AV supplier of monitor & projector mounts as well as racks and accessories has posted a rack builder application. You can configure your own rack by following their step-by-step process. You choose the size and style of rack and then add components and  accessories and save. The finished result is a PDF or jpeg file that you can share with your audiovisual supplier when discussing your new AV system.

 

This is a nifty little tool to help visualize a rack and see how it will look before ordering.

The one issue we had in testing the application was that it ran best in Explorer and Chrome. We had trouble with it when tested in Firefox. Not perfect but a great tool to visualize a project before the money is spent.

Grant