CoreLan’s deployment of traditional AV systems and video over IP systems at two separate MercedesBenz showrooms in Seoul, Korea provides an opportunity to compare and contrast both options.
The potential of AV over IP needs to be realised by application. It is through deployment that AV over IP systems can demonstrate value
that is tangible and can be
quantified by measuring the
impact they have the customer’s
business.
CoreLan, a Korean integrator,
began a conversation with a
Mercedes-AMG distributor in
Seoul, Korea regarding the benefits
of switching from a traditional AV
system to a video over IP system.
Andrew Park, managing director
of CoreLan, says: “We started to
talk about video over IP when we
were engaged to deliver the AV
systems for the Mercedes-Benz
showroom in Cheongdam [Seoul,
Korea]. Unfortunately, due to the
timing of the project and the
completion date we were working
towards we could not move ahead
with video over IP. But the idea of
moving from a traditional AV
system towards an IP-based
system was discussed.”
When CoreLan was given the
responsibility to provide the AV
systems for another MercedesBenz showroom in Bucheon,
Korea, the thread of the video
over IP conversation was picked
up again.
Park says: “After the HDBaseT
high definition video transmission
device was deployed into the
other showroom, Mercedes-Benz
was willing to discuss the move to
an IP-based system. A HDBaseT
matrix system is a very heavy
investment and it also requires
additional components which
can add to the cost. It is a full
ecosystem. We highlighted the
simplicity of video over IP to them
and we also mentioned the ease of
maintaining such a system. After
our conversations, they were very
willing to try a video over IP system
for the Bucheon showroom.”
The design process for the video
over IP system for Mercedes-Benz
was handled by CoreLan. Park
details: “The new showroom was
quite a deviation from the standard
and the designs we had at the start
needed to be changed. We worked
to implement an IP-based design
that would be much simpler than a
similar system designed in the
traditional AV way. There was also
a need to localise the design so that
we could take into consideration
what products were available in
Korea. All in all, the end result was
great and I think our design might
become the template for MercedesBenz going forward.”
Of course, the 10Gb versus 1Gb
debate was brought up during the
design phase and Park says:
“Content in the world of retail is
getting heavier and heavier, with
higher resolutions becoming more
popular. But since the Crestron
NVX encoders and decoders were
deemed suitable at the time of this
project, we decided to go ahead
with 1Gb infrastructure.”
Crestron NVX encoders and
decoders are used for video
transmission over the IP network
at the Mercedes-Benz Bucheon
showroom. A Cisco 48-port switch
sits at the heart of the video system
and control is provided via a
combination of a Crestron CP3
control processor and Apple iPads.
Park shares the thought process
behind the selection: “From the
beginning, we had the objective
to make sure that the AV system
was simple and easy to maintain.
Of course, as integrators, we are
more than capable of taking
products from many different
manufacturers and bringing them
together as a whole. But having
a unified system is easier to
configure and it is easier to
maintain on the end user’s side.
There are less conflicts and less
troubleshooting is required to keep
the systems running error free.”
The main visual display at
the Bucheon Mercedes-Benz
showroom is a 6 x 3 videowall
comprising LG 55-in flat panel
displays which are kept in place by
Chief mounts. A twin NVX unit is
used to transmit video signals from
PC CMS players which serve as the
inputs. The displays are daisy
chained via DisplayPort, creating
the contents onscreen through tile
mode.
Park explains the set-up: “The
twin NVX unit is provided and
each controls a 3 x 3 segment of
the videowall. The reason for this
is to effectively present MercedesBenz’s special contents. It was
also designed to be used for all
sorts of exhibition events.”
Ensuring quality performance
for the videowall was a priority
and Park details: “Our main
concern for the videowall was
latency. We needed it to be low
and the visuals to be in sync which
we were able to achieve. We also
needed to make sure that the end
user was able to use the videowall
without any problems. To do this
we have provided an iPad which
lets them access the control
options.”
Single LG display panels
can also be found across the
showroom in consultation rooms
and the media carrier. These
feature NVX units for video
transmission as CMS players (PC)
serve as the input source. The
upcoming Customer Experience
Element feature will be
transmitted to the CMS player
through the NVX units, so that
the contents can be modified
according to user response.
In keeping with MercedesBenz’s working process, CoreLan
has provided Crestron Air Media
units for wireless presentation.
Park says: “The employees at
Mercedes-Benz are provided iPads
and also have their own devices.
There is no wired connectivity,
we went for a completely wireless
solution in the shape of the
Crestron Air Media. This means
that they can turn the areas which
feature flat panel displays into
impromptu presentation spaces.”
Park explains the reason to
provide only wireless connectivity:
“When it comes to AV, the
customer’s experience has
become an extremely important
component that we cannot ignore.
With wireless presentation we can
provide a seamless experience
for both the dealership and the
customers who come to the
showroom.”
With the video over IP system in
place, Mercedes-Benz has got its
bases covered according to Park.
He says: “The Crestron NVX
system makes the showroom
future-proof. It can be expanded
and has a great deal of flexibility
with regards to how it can be
changed or upgraded.”
Looking forward, Park suggests
changes he would like to
implement: “Lighting and lighting
control is something that we
would like to pay attention
to. Lighting is an important
component and it can have an
impact on the emotion people
feel when they are inside a space.
It can invoke an emotional
response which can be very useful
in a showroom environment.
I believe that lighting should be
included with the AV systems and
I would like to see if we can work
towards the use of a real lighting
control system with specific focus
on colour temperatures in the
future.”