beyerdynamic videoconference microphone comparison

Grant's Perspective on ... beyerdynamic videoconferencing microphone comparison video.

We often get asked about microphone options for videoconference systems.  I came across this YouTube video posted by beyerdynamic. The video provides a comparison and demonstration of  a ceiling-mounted boundary microphone, table-mounted boundary microphone, portable boundary microphone, gooseneck microphone and the new Revoluto line array microphone.

MPR 2012 Revoluto line array microphone

The line array microphone is a new microphone with a corridor pick-up pattern as opposed to a cardiod or omni pick-up pattern. This enables the person seated at the table to act naturally (looking around the room to make eye-contact or lean back in their chair) without the sound quality changing.


Another option to consider for boardroom videoconference microphone applications.

Grant

Slim-Line Array Speaker System Review

Grant's Perspective on ... K-Array ultra slim-line KV50 speaker system review

This week we reviewed some audio equipment from K-Array, an Italian company with fresh thinking ideas, distributed in North America by Sennheiser.

One product that caught my attention was an ultra slim-line array speaker, the KV50.  This might be a great solution for video conferencing systems and boardrooms – the speakers look nice, are small and lend themselves to blend into the décor. They provide full range audio in the vocal spectrum, and use a technology that will assist with echo canceling.


I am holding one of the speakers beside a videoconference monitor in the picture below. This perspective provides an idea of the look and size of the speaker that could be mounted on the wall on either side of a monitor.

They may also be a great solution for areas where hidden AV is a requirement.  The small size but effectiveness of the audio dispersion assist to blend the speaker into its surroundings.  The gallery on the K-array website shows some interesting applications.

I know their larger systems get rave reviews and these units seem to be very well built.

Once powered up and cranking some tunes and a live mic through it, the crystal clear punching sound cuts through the air like a knife. This is the best way I can describe how these speakers reproduce the sound.

Grant

University Audio Conferencing System

Grant's Perspective on ... Audio Zones

I spent most of yesterday slaving over a hot laptop to finish up some Crestron programming for the AV system in a brand new university boardroom. I also kept the laptop hot when I configured the new audio system. It sounds great thanks to the ClearOne components. The entire AV system was admirably designed by the University's own staff. Their proper speaker & mic selection and placement, made my job much easier.

The audio portion of the system includes 20 table microphones, 2 wireless lapel microphones, as well as recording, auxiliary inputs and audio teleconference ability. All the audio is completely automated with auto-gain and echo cancelling. The user only needs to control the volume level of the media sources (DVD, laptop etc).

Utilizing the ClearOne Converge Pro 880TA (and a few other models from the same line to increase the quantity of required inputs), the audio speaker system is organized into 4 zones and this unit managing the audio. The unit’s interface was very effective in maximizing speech intelligibility. With the built-in phone line port and the acoustic echo cancellation the room sounds great to the caller and the caller sounds great to the room. Delegates should not worry about fatigue from straining to listen.

Speaking of which, just a few clicks of the mouse enables the room's voice reinforcement. A delegate speaking at one end of the table will not be heard through the speakers in the zone nearest to him/her but the delegate's voice will be amplified in the other zones (and of course to the audio conference caller). Overall it sounds natural – so natural in fact, no one realizes there is reinforcement until the system is shut off (or someone drops something on the microphone).

The auto-gain and echo cancelling features are an example of AV technology being integrated properly, the technology becomes transparent and the professors and students can concentrate on the content of their meeting.

Another example of Improved Communication from System Integration. With the opening of hockey camps, I liken AV technology to a good hockey referee - invisible when the job is done right.

Grant