Local AV equipment distributors, Peripheral Vision,
unveiled a brand new logo along with two new agencies and associated
products at an industry breakfast. The launch, aptly named “Beauty and the
Geek’, was held at the Cedar Park Conference Centre on 13 and 14 August,
2014.

The exciting new logo represents Peripheral Vision’s involvement in the analog
to digital transition that the AV industry is experiencing.

Arthur Holm
, the first agency presented, specialises in beautifully crafted, state of
the art motorised, retractable monitors and other devices for the conferencing
industry. Their sister company, Albiral Display Solutions, produces Pixtron
broadcast industry displays. The presentation, given by Albiral Display Solutions
CEO Henrik Holm, detailed Arthur Holm’s entire range of products. This included
their “Dynamic’ range of retractable LCD monitors and microphones, along with
the first in their range of motorised videoconferencing camera cubbies, which
can be customised to match the decor.

Each model is manufactured in Europe to the highest standards, built with high-
grade aluminium with multiple customisable options and sizes for each model.
For instance, the round bezel Dynamic X2 is available in 15′, 17′, 19′ and 22′
widescreen sizes and optionally features touch screen, camera and built-in
audio capabilities (microphones and speakers). The Dynamic X2 has vertical and
horizontal movement capabilities and tilts backwards by 20 degrees for an
optimum viewing angle. A variety of finishes are available for both the monitor
itself and the faceplate. The latter can be customised to match the finish of the
conference table in materials such as leather, corian or wood finishes to
seamlessly integrate with the table work surface. Other options include USB
connectivity or delegate system function buttons (e.g Bosch) which can be
integrated into the faceplate upon request.

Other Arthur Holm products include the DynamicTalk retractable conferencing
gooseneck microphone and the DynamicVision integrated motorised wall mount
for video conferencing cameras. A range of non-motorized, non-retractable
displays in all sizes from 12′ to 82′ as well as information kiosks (including a 19′
curved touchscreen information kiosk display) that can be ordered with or
without a built-in PC, is built to the same exacting standards.

The DynamicVision integrated motorised wall mount for video conferencing
cameras and controls was explained in detail. The product is a joint venture
between Arthur Holm and Sound Control Technologies (SCT), which reveals or
hides the camera, triggered through either RS-232 control messages, infrared or
SCT’s Coded Control Interface. With SCT’s Coded Control Interface, the camera
is automatically revealed or hidden depending on the videoconferencing
system’s awake / sleep state. This is aimed at creating privacy in the conference
room when the videoconferencing system is not in use, and when the system is
in “Do Not Disturb’ mode. The camera cover can be covered in a variety of
finishes to match the presentation room decor.

The second agency revealed at the event was Sound Control Technologies
, a US-based company specialising in extension kits that deliver video,
audio, power, control and IR over single or dual CAT5e or CAT6 cabling,
depending on the application. The presentation was given by SCT president
and co-founder David Neaderland.

SCT manufactures transmitter and receiver boxes, with all the required cabling
and connecting hardware, for long-distance transmission of media and control
signals between videoconferencing cameras and the codec. This solves that all-
too familiar problem that exists when the camera is too far from the
videoconferencing codec, for the cables that are supplied with the
videoconferencing system. Another problem is when a conduit needs to be used
to connect the codec to the camera and the conduit is too small to pass the
connectors on the ends of the cables supplied with the videoconferencing
system. All that is required is to identify the manufacturer and model number of
the codec and camera, and then the SCT Solution Finder on the SCT website will
assist you in determining the extender solution you require.

What is very important to note is that in the analogue days it was still possible
to make your own custom plan to extend the connections between the
videoconferencing cameras and the codec. The transition to digital cameras (for
example by introduction of Polycom’s Eagle Eye IV) has made this almost
impossible. With SCT, all make and model specific cabling and connectors are
included in the kit for both the camera and the codec end. SCT even supports a
complete integration and mounting kit to solve your problem Eagle Eye Director
sites.

SCT also manufactures custom camera mount kits that support analogue and
digital HD PTZ camera solutions for Cisco, Polycom, Lumens, Radvision, Sony,
Vidyo and others. Rack-mount hardware finishes off the complete “problem
solver’ solution for all videoconferencing sites.

Kevan Jones, Executive Director of SACIA presented at the event and explained
what SACIA stands for, especially in terms of the Code of Ethics that needs to
be signed by any new member. He said that Peripheral Vision was one of the
founder members of SACIA, and Wynand Langenhoven has been a Director of
the association since its inception, and is the current Chairman of SACIA.

“Peripheral Vision strives to adhere by the Code of Ethics as represented by the
SACIA Code of Ethics agreement,’ says Langenhoven. “Peripheral Vision is a
true distributor of quality products and represents the products of a number of
manufacturers such as AMX, NEC, Celerity and now also Arthur Holm and Sound
Control Technologies. These 2 new agencies exemplify this mission of Peripheral
Vision to provide professional, reputable products to the AV markets in Africa,
backed by sound technical knowledge and committed customer support.’

Positive feedback was received from many about the event but for those that
could not make it, please make contact with Peripheral Vision at
sales@peripheralvision.co.za for information about the products that were
launched.