Intelligent AV Automation for a Hybrid-Ready Divisible Conference Room

Challenge

McCann Systems, leading a healthcare AV integration project in Los Angeles, needed a trusted local partner to execute the physical installation of a complex divisible conference room.

Given that the client was operating remotely, it was crucial to have an on-site team that could guarantee a flawless execution while maintaining excellent communication throughout the process.

Key goals and challenges:

• Deliver a clean, high-quality audiovisual installation. 
• Provide real-time visibility and progress reporting to the remote client. 
• Ensure seamless collaboration and responsiveness to unforeseen construction issues. 
• Resolve a technical issue with passive antenna splitters where no signal was detected from the R2 output. After analyzing the case, two options were proposed: adding a Shure UA834 amplifier or modifying the splitter capacitor as suggested by Shure’s official documentation (link to article). 

Despite the space being finished from a construction perspective, we encountered unplanned duct routing limitations. Fortunately, the general contractor was highly collaborative and supported the infrastructure modifications needed to complete the project on time.

Solution

We delivered a robust and intuitive AV solution tailored for a divisible space, combining automation, high-performance AV, and remote manageability.

Working from detailed architectural plans and equipment lists provided by McCann, our team ensured that all components were installed and commissioned with precision, keeping the remote stakeholders constantly informed.

Key Elements of the Solution:

1. Professional 98″ Samsung Displays
   Installed on both sides of the room, the UHD displays (model QB98T-B) supported local presentations and conference content. 
2. Dual PTZ Camera System
   Each side of the divisible room included two Cisco PTZ cameras: one focused on the presenter, the other on the audience, ensuring dynamic video capture in both layouts. 
3. Ceiling and Wireless Microphones
   Shure MXA920 ceiling microphones provided high-quality audio pickup. Each room section was also equipped with antennas for an optional wireless handheld mic. 
4. Laser Projection System
   One side of the room included a Sony VPL-PHZ61 laser projector with a Da-Lite motorized screen, all integrated into the AV automation system. 
5. Crestron Partition Sensors for Auto-Reconfiguration
   The system automatically detects when the partition wall is open or closed and adjusts audio and video routing, camera presets, and control logic accordingly. 
6. Local Connectivity
   HDMI wall plates and network ports enabled straightforward local content sharing during meetings or video calls. 
7. Centralized AV Rack with Streaming Capability
   A 40RU Middle Atlantic rack housed all the core processing and distribution equipment, including: 
   • QSC DSPs 
   • Crestron amplifiers 
   • Blackmagic Design converters 
   • Patch panels by Panduit 
   • Professional-grade routers and switches 
   • An SDI-based video streaming interface, enabling high-quality live streaming from the conference room. 

Results

✔️ A fully functional divisible conference room with seamless AV automation and reliable remote conferencing.
✔️ Precision labeling, red lines documentation, and clean installation practices delivered in line with McCann’s standards.
✔️ Real-time updates and onsite support allowed the client to manage the project remotely with full visibility.
✔️ Technical challenges were overcome through quick problem-solving and proactive coordination with the GC and engineering teams.

Conclusion

This project showcases our ability to:

• Execute high-tech AV installations with architectural and operational complexity. 
• Support remote project management with proactive communication and reporting. 
• Provide real-time solutions to integration challenges. 
• Collaborate with commissioning engineers to ensure systems are delivered fully operational. 

From physical installation to AV system behavior logic, every step was handled with expert care. Our partnership with McCann Systems delivered not just an AV installation, but a fully automated, hybrid-ready conferencing solution.