The Frontier Conference Center at Fort Leavenworth underwent a major remodeling to upgrade its aging AV systems. The remodel focused on installing high-quality, versatile analog systems to maximize value while keeping costs low. Key elements included a 64x64 Extron matrix switcher using Cat5 cable, centralized equipment racks, wireless presentation capabilities, and digital signage. The new systems enhanced the facility's competitiveness while maintaining a fiscally conservative approach.

1. NOVEMBER // VOLUME // ISSUE svconline.com
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2. SMART
ANALOG
Fort Leavenworth conference upgrade
combines high tech with fiscal responsibility.
By Steven Swift
34 Svc | Nov e m b e r 2011 | SvcoNliNe . co m

3. H
ow do you cost-justify
a complete remodeling
of a federal facility in
these days of trillion-
dollar deficits? You
count your pennies and make sure
every penny you spend gives you two
cents worth of value. Such was the
case at the Frontier Conference Center
(FCC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., which
finished a major remodeling in May.
Innovative AV systems designed by
the Conference Technologies, Inc. (CTI)
office in Kansas City ensured that the
upgrade was fiscally conservative yet
ready for future technologies.
long overdue
No one could accuse the center’s managers
of wasting taxpayers’ money on an unneeded
upgrade. Built more than 50 years ago, the
center averages 600 events each year involv-
ing tens of thousands of participants. It’s
used extensively by the garrison for plan-
ning meetings, training, and retirement cer-
emonies, by officers as a social center, on a
rental basis by local businesses, and by base
personnel for weddings and parties. Soon the
Army’s Command and General Staff College
Images: Pamela Kudlacek of Conference Technologies
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4. Above: Digital signage monitor outside the ballroom shows the day’s schedule. Top right: AMX panel in the
control room. Below left: The ballroom, an ABC combinable room, with air walls open. Below right: Extron
wall plate with component, S-Video, VGA, and audio inputs plus VGA monitor out.
will begin using the center for classes and replaced the kitchen, upgraded the lighting, support facility-wide digital signage and pag-
videoconferences. electrical, and HVAC, painted, replaced the ing, and combine any or all of the AV systems
The facility is now self-supporting. Rev- carpeting, and installed AV systems for the into a single system supporting very large
enues from room rentals and meals served in first time,” Wobker explains. The systems are meetings and events.
the center must pay for all maintenance, per- installed in 12 meeting spaces on two floors,
sonnel costs, and other operating expenses. including an ABC divisible ballroom with
“The new systems have definitely made the seating for up to 398 people, together with a AnAlog vs. digitAl
space much more competitive,” says Brett master control room with centralized equip- One reason FCC was able to afford the
Wobker, the project manager for the upgrade ment racks. extensive AV systems was a decision to stay
and an engineer for the Directorate of Logis- Wobker says the goals for the new AV sys- with analog versus digital audio and video
tics at the fort. tems included the ability to show computer signal transport.
Given the demand for meeting space and and video images in high definition, provide The most important reason to install an
the potential for income, managers decided in HD videoconferencing connectivity, support all-digital system, according to Steve Mar-
2010 that a major upgrade was in order. “We meetings and events with multiple presenters, tin, design consultant for CTI, would have
36 Svc | Nov e m b e r 2011 | Svco NliNe . com

5. Like all of the rooms at FCC, Room 005 on the lower level can be used as overflow for large meetings originating in the ballroom.
been HDCP compliance, necessary to show This is not to say that the center expects use considerably more copper than twisted
Blu-Ray movies and other consumer media in to stay with an analog system forever. “Our pair, are more expensive to manufacture, and
high definition. But that just wasn’t an issue biggest concern,” Martin adds, “was making require much larger conduits. It also takes con-
in FCC. sure they had a cable plant that would handle siderably more labor to pull the heavier cables
Still, Martin and Don Otting, senior AV 1080p video in native formats when they were through that conduit and then terminate them.
technician for the center, wanted to make sure ready to make that investment.” In addition, the Extron switcher and Extron
MTP transmitters and receivers make it pos-
sible to carry an RS-232 signal on the Cat-
“Our biggest concern was making sure they had a cable plant 5e cable, avoiding the need to purchase and
install a separate set of serial cables for the
that would handle 1080p video in native formats when they AMX control system. The Extron MTP trans-
were ready to make that investment.” mitters also have EDID minders built in, so
EDID compliance—an issue today for many
—Steve Martin, design consultant for CTI analog systems—is not a problem.
Martin estimates FCC may have saved as
much as 25 to 30 percent of the cost of the
that the facility would be ready for new lap- CAtegory CAble entire AV system by using Category cable and
tops and other devices with digital HDMI out- Martin says that, for the Frontier Confer- the Extron components.
puts. Martin says that as long as HDCP copy ence Center, CTI purchased the very first
protection is not an issue, there are several MTPX Plus 64x64 Cat-5 matrix switcher
inexpensive converter boxes that will take shipped by Extron, and that made significant AdvAnCed feAtures
an HDMI output and convert it to a VGA or additional savings possible. Otting, who has worked in meeting support
component signal. “The quality will not be as Cat-5e cable not only will able to handle for more than 20 years, says the new FCC sys-
high as it would be carrying the native digital 1080p digital video when the center is ready, tems are the most advanced he has ever seen.
signal, but the difference will be subtle,” he but it is far less expensive to install than other “The video is crystal clear, the audio is
explains. cabling systems. Component and VGA cables unbelievably clean, and it’s user-friendly. I
38 Svc | N ove m b e r 2 011 | Svco NliNe . com

6. Left: The signage head end in the control room. The signage system is powered by a Keywest MediaZone server,
which can send messages to an LCD panel in the lobby, another outdoors, and to each of the meeting rooms.
Above: The 64x64 Extron Cat-5 switcher, which routes any signal from any source to any combination of displays
and sound systems in the facility.
can set up the AV for a major conference by ing the combined room. The room-combining every meeting room, hallway, kitchen, and
myself,” he explains. and other audio functions are handled by nearby outdoor area, making it easy to reach
According to Otting, by putting virtually seven Biamp AudiaFlex processors. any officer or address any group should there
all of the system components into a master CTI installed two Polycom HDX8000 vid- be a major or minor emergency.
control room, Martin and CTI made it possible eoconferencing systems, one in the ballroom There’s also a digital signage system, pow-
for a single technician to support the multiple and one in the 20-seat Centennial Room ered by a Keywest MediaZone server, which
meetings typically going on at the center. A (shown on this issue’s cover), together with can send messages to an LCD panel in the
17in. AMX Modero touchpanel in the control Polycom EagleEye HD cameras. There’s an lobby, another outdoors, and to each of the
room gives Otting the ability to operate every additional Polycom system on a rolling cart, meeting rooms. The outdoor system uses a
system in the facility, switching inputs, dial- which can plug into any of the other meeting 55in. LG LCD display in an iTech environ-
ing videoconferences, even adjusting the gain rooms and combine with the center’s AV and mental enclosure.
on microphones. control systems.
In addition, 12 7in. AMX touchpanels give Another rolling cart delivers a Mackie
presenters basic controls over individual sys- 16-channel mixer and 100ft. snake to any still hAve their plACe
tems, and a password-protected technician’s meeting room. Otting uses it mainly to mix As conservative as FCC managers have
page on each gives Otting the ability to fine- microphones for events with multiple present- been with their capital and operating budgets,
tune the systems. “We also have a wireless ers or speakers. Seven wireless mics can be they are very pleased with the capabilities
AMX panel, which I can take from room to assigned individually to a particular room they have been able to add. “The more I work
room during setups or use for close support of from any of the technicians’ touchpanels. A with the AV system, the more I am amazed at
an important meeting,” Otting explains. ClearCom Tempest wireless intercom system all the features it has,” Otting explains.
The 64x64 matrix switcher allows Otting to allows up to three technicians to communicate “The other day, for example, I set up 16
route any signal from any source to any com- during larger events. microphones on a U-shaped table. Some of
bination of displays and sound systems in the A facility-wide paging system extends into the generals are a little older and don’t speak
facility, allowing very flexible overflow for very loud. I was able to leave all the mics live
large meetings. Otting can also route cable TV and adjust the gain for each individually, with
yMore Online
programming into the lobby or meeting rooms, absolutely no trace of feedback.”
which he does frequently for social events. Technology Showcase: “Analog systems still have their place,”
Routers and Switchers
The ballroom includes an ABC room-com- svconline.com/avcontrol/products/routers_switchers_tech_ Martin adds. “When thoughtfully designed,
showcase
bining audio and video system, with individ- they can provide exceptional value and out-
The Wire: Delta Diamond Installation at JFK
ual Panasonic projectors and Da-Lite screens blog.svconline.com/briefingroom/2011/09/21/scharff-
standing service for many years to come.”
on the north walls serving each section and a weisberg-delivers-display-playback-and-control-for-delta- Steven Swift is a freelance writer based in
diamond-installation-at-jfk/
larger projection system on the east wall serv- Des Plaines, Ill.
40 Svc | N ove m b e r 2 011 | SvcoN li Ne . co m