by Brianna Crandall — August 22, 2018 — If you are looking for integrated controls for audiovisual (A/V) and conferencing equipment, workplace technology solutions provider Crestron announced three collaborations in recent months intended to integrate technology and enhance interface control possibilities for enterprise end-users.
Crestron says it “builds the technology that integrates technology.” The company’s automation and control solutions let people control entire environments with the push of a button, integrating systems such as A/V, lighting, shading, security, BMS and HVAC to provide greater comfort, convenience and security. Crestron products are designed and built to work together as a complete system, enabling users to monitor, manage and control everything from one platform.
Zoom Video Communications
Crestron announced an extension of its relationship with Zoom Video Communications, a provider of enterprise video and web communications technology, to offer an integrated solution for A/V presentation, conferencing, and collaboration beyond the Crestron Mercury experience to larger, integrated spaces, with the TSW Touch Screen line.
Zoom UX is now available on all Crestron Mercury and TSW Touch Screens for native Zoom Rooms integration in conference rooms, meeting rooms, and huddle spaces. Image courtesy Crestron
With this expanded partnership, Crestron and Zoom are able to integrate the entire Crestron ecosystem of control, including DM NVX, A/V, fully integrated-audio, lighting, and shades, with the native Zoom Rooms experience.
Joseph Sarrasin, technology manager of Unified Communications at Crestron, remarked:
Crestron and Zoom’s collaboration continues to deliver new and exciting products that revolutionize the video communications experience for the enterprise. People want to work and collaborate from anywhere without worrying about the quality of their conferencing solutions. Our robust partnership enables users to continue to enjoy the benefits of the native Zoom Rooms experience while providing a simple turn-key solution for integrators and end-users alike.
Oded Gal, head of Product for Zoom, commented:
Teaming up with Crestron has been a major benefit for Zoom’s customers who enjoy Crestron’s turn-key, user-friendly devices and want to deploy them with Zoom’s powerful and scalable Zoom Rooms systems. This new collaboration extends the offering to satisfy more use enterprise cases and spaces. We are excited to explore further innovations with our valued friends at Crestron.
Sennheiser
Crestron also announced that through the company’s partnership with audio specialist Sennheiser, the new Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling 2 ceiling microphone will be fully compatible with Crestron’s control system platform. The announcement represents the continued collaboration between the two companies, simplifying integration and enhancing interface control possibilities for end-users. Founded in 1945, Sennheiser is a leading manufacturer of headphones, microphones and wireless transmission systems, operating in more than 50 countries.
Sennheiser’s open Sound Control Protocol (SSC) is planned to be used in different Crestron APIs to allow remote monitoring and configuration. This includes TeamConnect Ceiling 2, which will support remote access to audio parameters, mute and customizable LED control.
TeamConnect Ceiling 2, which is launching in Q4 2018, features automatic adaptive beamforming technology, enabling it to focus on the voice of a speaker in the room — regardless of their position. The groundbreaking ceiling microphone also offers support for Dante networks and Power over Ethernet, and will be fully compatible with Crestron’s control surfaces and interfaces — bringing enormous control and flexibility to enterprise installations.
Bob Bavolacco, Partnerships manager for Crestron, stated:
We are at the beginning of the road of what we can do together, and we see tremendous potential for the TeamConnect Ceiling 2. Sennheiser has an outstanding pedigree when it comes to audio and corporate solutions, and we see a great opportunity here because ceiling microphones will become a key part of conference room functionality and aesthetics.
Nick Pemberton, head of Global Business Development, Business Communication, for Sennheiser, added:
Sennheiser has worked with Crestron for several years and we are excited to develop mutual integration possibilities even further. By optimizing our joint solutions for the enterprise market, we stand to increase operational efficiencies and performance for both integrators and end-users.
Huddly
In addition, Crestron announced that, through its new partnership with Scandinavian vision technology company Huddly, Crestron Mercury, the company’s best-selling all-in-one unified communications (UC) and audiovisual (AV) tabletop solution, is now compatible with the Huddly wide-angle USB camera. The new pairing is designed to provide an undistorted, ultra-wide viewing angle of all participants in a meeting room during videoconference calls.
Crestron’s all-in-one tabletop UC and AV solution is now compatible with Huddly’s ultra-wide-angle USB camera, allowing all participants in the room to be seen during videoconference calls. Image courtesy Crestron
Nic Milani, director, Technology and Development, at Crestron, said:
By pairing the best USB camera in the industry with the best open UC platform, Crestron continues to raise the bar for the Unified Communications experience.
Beyond simply supplying the camera, Huddly is also partnering with Crestron on next-generation features that leverage the Crestron XiO Cloud service. Embedded in every new Crestron device, Crestron XiO Cloud enables organizations to reduce installation time by up to 90%, with no programming or setup required.
