The majority of the ProAV systems integration market is made up of small to medium sized conference rooms, training rooms and boardrooms. These systems don't have the need for complicated matrix/routing switchers, video processing or even THX-quality audio. Simplicity is the key for both the integrator and the client.

Well, here are two boxes that meet that simplicity need as well as do the trick!

Box Number 1: Well, I have finally found the ultimate box for just about every install. Extron's new System 7SC is killer!

What's it for? Well, it's a 7-input (video, s-video or RGBHV) switcher that has a built in scaler (to convert video and s-video to RGB at ANY resolution) with stereo balanced or unbalanced audio-follow.

Most systems for boardrooms, conference rooms and training rooms don't exceed the seven-input maximum of the System 7SC, so it will work well in just about every install. But, the key component of the System 7SC is its ability to scale video to any output resolution. Scaling video, as I have said many times before, is the future of video on digital displays, and this one's all the features a scaler needs including H&V shift, color, hue, brightness, contrast sharpness and even vertical blanking controls - on each input. In addition to scaled 4:3-outputs, the scaler can also handle 16:9 and any of the HDTV rates.

Finally, it's controllable via IR or RS 232 control. It truly is the ultimate video box.

Box Number 2: Want a cool audio matrix switcher that's easy to use and integrate in small systems? Check out the dbx 481 DriveRack.

What is it? Well, it's a 4-input, 8-output routing and summing audio matrix switcher. It includes four 31-band graphic or 9-band parametric equalizers, 27 different crossovers, dual real-time audio analyzers, 485-control and all housed in a 1U high rack. Each output even includes compressor/limiter adjustment and equalization.

Finally, its PC user interface software virtually eliminates the learning curve to setting it up and using it. It truly is the ultimate audio box.

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Gary Kayye is Principal of Kayye Consulting a firm that specializes in providing marketing consulting, telephony integration and training development to the professional audiovisual industry. He spent 12 years at Extron and AMX as VP of Sales and Marketing before founding his own firm. He can be reached at www.kayye.com or via e-mail at gkayye@kayye.com.

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