Sound & Communications44 www.soundandcommunications.com

Contributing Editor R. David Read has been part of the communications industry for 50 years.

By r. DaviD reaD

unConventional Convention CenterVastGaylordNationalResortoffersAV-infusedamenities.

Sound & Communications44 www.soundandcommunications.com

The latest addition to Gaylord En-tertainment’s hotel-resort of ferings opened recently in the Washington DC area. In true Gaylord fashion, the Washington/National Harbor project is unique, yet keeps with Gaylord’s dis-tinctive properties in Nashville (Opry-land), Orlando (Palms) and Dallas/Ft. Worth (Texan).

largest non-Casino HotelBilled as the largest (non-casino) ho-

tel and convention center on the east-ern seaboard, the Washington National boasts 2000 rooms, an 18-story atrium and 650,000 square feet of convention/conference/exhibit space. The target-ed market for this new property is the business/convention customer. To this end, no small amount of effort was put into providing the amenities that cater

to that class of clientele. Audiovisual and information technology consider-ations were at the forefront.

The project assumed the “classic” form for new construction activities: That is, the AV design was prepared and documented by the Dallas-based consulting firm of Wrightson, John-son, Haddon & Williams (WJHW); the project was let for competitive bid through traditional channels, i.e., GC-EC-AV contractor. The successful AV systems integrator was SPL (now AVI-SPL) of Columbia MD. The timeframe for completion was set at 18 months.

As the successful bidder, AVI-SPL was awarded a contract, handed a sheaf of documents, and told to pre-pare working drawings/submittals and start staging for work that included: • installation of high-quality, intelli-

gible public-address/music playback systems in all interior and appropriate exterior public spaces• installation of sound-reinforcement systems in all conferencing facilities, including the divisible ballroom/ex-hibit spaces• installation of lounge-quality audio and video systems in the entertainment areas• installation of videoconferencing systems in designated conference rooms and hotel administrative areas• installation of an area-wide IT net-work that would link all the elements into a cohesive whole• installation of a suitable cabling in-frastructure that would be usable by the in-house rental and staging com-pany• coordination with the architectur-

Sound & Communications44 www.soundandcommunications.com

October 2008 45

al/stage lighting supplier for seamless presentation of audio/video/lighting control• coordination with the show control provider to integrate the mechanical sequencing of visuals, i.e., fountain/light shows with audio/video ele-ments• provision and installation of home theater playback systems in six luxury suites• interfacing with Gaylord’s in-house IT staff for data-AV networking provi-sions• interfacing with the data/TV guest room supplier for shared service provi-sions.

Security and fire alarm systems were under the scope of another supplier.

public space av systems

In accordance with the owner’s dic-tates, the system specifications called for a high quality, high-density, zoned paging and music distribution sys-

tem throughout the interior and exterior public spaces. This took the form of 44 full-sized, inter-connected equip-ment racks stra-tegically located in 11 equipment rooms scattered in and about the premises. To provide the nec-essar y “audio horsepower,” the system uses 134 Lab.gruppen am-plifiers to deliver 250,000 watts of power to the con-nected 2400 Tan-noy loudspeak-ers. Each rack also contains the associated DSP networks to ac-cept inputs from 499 custom-fabri-cated input pan-

els, and provide the necessary audio processing.

To interlace this complex system, AVI-SPL installed a dedicated Cisco-based network that routes 672 chan-nels of CobraNet audio, control data from 150 Crestron wallmount touch-panels and six web-based Crestron E-Control systems to the MediaMatrix DSP system. Additionally, Crestron control also integrates seamlessly with the lighting system to provide touch-panel recall of lighting presets.

Working with lighting system sup-plier Candela Controls and Gaylord’s IT staff, the entire system can be con-trolled area-wide by using PC tablet technology.

According to senior project engineer Jeff Vogt, several subcontractors aug-mented AVI-SPL’s labor force: Tech, Inc., of Lanham MD, provided field cable installation; Towson MD-based Nelson-White Systems provided field device termination services; and Wav Integrators, of Rockville MD, whose technicians performed termination at the rack equipment locations. Vogt offered, “These firms did an admira-ble job and, without them, [AVI-SPL] would have been hard pressed to com-plete the project within the allowable timeframe.”

Ballroom/Conference room systems

Most of the ballroom/exhibit space and conferencing facilities are sited in a three-story adjacent structure joined to the hotel proper by an enclosed walkway. The lower level, three-foot-ball-field-sized exhibit space is divis-ible into four sections. Naturally, each section can be used independently or in a room-combined mode. Similarly, the two distinct ballroom areas can be used in either a combined or a decom-bined mode, thus allowing the prop-erty to be adapted to fit the needs of a particular group or function.

The 55 discrete, standalone meeting rooms were equipped with the neces-sary cabling infrastructure to support local AV presentations. Selected areas, i.e., boardrooms, administrative sales and staf f conferencing rooms, were

The combination of show control, lighting effects and AV presentation transforms the Atrium fountain into a spectacular display.

The new Gaylord Hotel & Convention Center is a glimmering beacon on the banks of the Potomac River just outside Washington DC.

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October 2008 45

Sound & Communications4� www.soundandcommunications.com

equipped with telepresence systems to facilitate AV conferencing situations.

Specifications (unless other wise noted) excluded providing sourcing materials and equipment. To avoid hav-ing the property owner capitalize and maintain such equipment, responsibil-ity for its provision was vested with Production Ser vices AV Company (PSAV), the in-house AV staging and rental company.

Referencing the new facility, PSAV’s Victor Escobedo, facility manager for the Washington property, said, “PSAV is the onsite rental and staging com-pany for all four of the Gaylord Hotels. I’ve been in the hotel/resort/conven-tion/AV end of this business for up-wards of 12 years, and this property is the most intricate and comprehensive facility with which I have ever been involved. At the onset of the project, we at PSAV were asked our ideas of what should and should not be a part of the specified AV/lighting systems.

WJHW ConsultantsTheDallasTX-basedacousticalconsult-

ingfirmofWrightson,Johnson,Haddon& Williams is well known for its designworkinvolvingstadiumsandarenas.Of-tenoverlooked is thefirm’s involvementinnumerousnon-sports-relatedprojects.TheGaylordproperty inWashingtonDCmarksWJHW’ssecondmajorprojectforthisclient.WJHWwasalsotheacousticalconsultantandprincipalAVdesignerforGaylord’shotel-resortpropertylocatedintheDallas-Ft.WorthAirportarea.

A Gaylord spokesperson commented,“WeareextremelypleasedwithWJHW’sdesignworkontheWashingtonNationalandourotherongoingprojects.”

This graphic elevation drawing puts the various elements of the property into perspective.

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We do. With Yamaha’s LS9, countless features are jam-packed into this miniaturemixer. A virtual effects rack, plenty of EQ and dynamic processors, full-size 100mm faders, an integrated MP3 recorder/player, and recallable head amps makethe LS9 worthy of major notice. Once you pick it up (LS9-32 weighs a mere 42 lbs)you won’t want to put it down, so give it a little attention and see how this compactconsole can make a big difference in your mixes.

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1 WohlerAMP1A-30rackaudiomonitormARYLANd1 Acopian24PT10ADCpowersupply5 ADCPPA3-14MKII3ESNaudiopatchpanels2 ADCPPI2224-SVJvideopatchpanels3 APCSMART-UPSXLuninterruptible powersupplies1 CiscoCatalyst3750SeriesEthernetswitch1 Clear-ComPS-464intercompowersupply1 Clear-ComRM-440intercommasterstation1 Crestron2-Seriescontrolprocessor12 CrestronTPS-2000Ltouchpanels1 DellPowerEdge860servercomputer2 ExtronMDA-5Vvideodist.amps1 InterlogicIndustriesRKS-204B-20Mcomputer monitor1 I-TechKB-1Ekeyboard2 JensenDIN-2L1audiobalancingtransformers9 Lab.gruppenC16:44-channelamps2 Lab.gruppenC28:44-channelamps1 Lab.gruppenNLB-60Eampcontrolprocessor4 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyCAB16oCobraNetoutputs2 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyNIONN3DSPs1 PanduitDP245E88TGRJ45patchinputpanel1 PanduitFRME2fiberpatchpanel3 SurgeXSX2120surgesuppressors72 TannoyCMS12TDCspeakers6 TannoyCMS601DCspeakers51 TannoyCMS801DCspeakers1 WohlerAMP1A-30rackaudiomonitormeetING ROOm4 Acopian24PT10ADCpowersupplies15 ADCPPA3-14MKII3ESNaudiopatchpanels4 ADCPPI2224-SVJvideopatchpanels6 APCSMART-UPSXLuninterruptiblepower supplies

equipmenteXHIBIt HALL7 ADCPPA3-14MKII3ESNaudiopatchpanels4 ADCPPI2224-SVJvideopatchpanels5 APCSMART-UPSXLuninterruptible powersupplies4 CiscoCatalyst3750SeriesEthernetswitches1 Clear-ComPS-464intercompowersupply1 Clear-ComRM-440intercommasterstation2 Crestron2-Seriescontrolprocessors6 CrestronTPS-2000Ltouchpanels1 DellPowerEdge860servercomputer112 EAWMK2399speakers2 ExtronMDA-5Vvideodist.amps3 FiboxFBAI/FBAOfiberopticaudiotransceivers1 InterlogicIndustriesRKS-204B-20Mcomputer monitor1 I-TechKB-1Ekeyboard4 JensenDIN-2L1audiobalancingtransformers2 Lab.gruppenC10:4X4-channelamps6 Lab.gruppenC16:44-channelamps2 Lab.gruppenC28:44-channelamps4 Lab.gruppenNLB-60Eampcontrolprocessors3 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyCAB16oCobraNetoutputs2 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyCAB4NCobraNet breakoutboxes2 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyNIONN3DSPs4 PanduitDP245E88TGRJ45patchinputpanels4 PanduitFRME2fiberpatchpanels5 SurgeXSX2120surgesuppressors170 TannoyCMS601DCspeakers6 WohlerAMP1A-30rackaudiomonitorsPOtOmAC1 Acopian24PT10ADCpowersupply8 ADCPPA3-14MKII3ESNaudiopatchpanels1 ADCPPA3-14MKII3ESNaudiopatchpanel

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1 CiscoCatalyst4507CoreEthernetswitch1 Clear-ComPS-464intercompowersupply1 Clear-ComRM-440intercommasterstation1 Crestron2-Seriescontrolprocessor36 CrestronTPS-2000Ltouchpanels1 DellPowerEdge860servercomputer4 ExtronMDA-5Vvideodist.amps1 InterlogicIndustriesRKS-204B-20Mcomputer monitor1 I-TechKB-1Ekeyboard4 JensenDIN-2L1audiobalancingtransformers22 JensenDIN-PCaudiobalancingtransformers1 Lab.gruppenC10:4X4-channelamp2 Lab.gruppenC16:44-channelamps3 Lab.gruppenC20:8X8-channelpoweramps7 Lab.gruppenC28:44-channelamps1 Lab.gruppenNLB-60Eampcontrolprocessor9 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyCAB16oCobraNetoutputs7 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyNIONN3DSPs1 PanduitDP485E88TGRJ45patchinputpanel1 PanduitFRME2fiberpatchpanel7 SurgeXSX2120surgesuppressors6 TannoyCMS12TDCspeakers416 TannoyCMS601DCspeakers44 TannoyCMS801DCspeakers1 WohlerAMP1A-30rackaudiomonitorSALeS ROOmS1 BoschDCN-WAPwirelessaccesspoint1 BoschDCN-WCCUwirelessmicsystem11 ChristieLW-300projectors7 Crestron2-Seriescontrolprocessors9 CrestronSTX-1700CWwirelesstouchpanels2 CrestronTPS-2000Ltouchpanels11 Da-LiteAdvantageElectrolprojectionscreens6 ExtronCrossPoint450Plus88matrixrouters1 ExtronISM-482scalingswitcher

More than 44 racks of equipment in 11 different locations provide the AV services for the hotel property.

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14 ExtronRGB-468xiwallinputpanels7 JVCSR-MV50USDVD,VCRcombounits7 Lab.gruppenC10:4X4-channelamps1 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyX-FRAMEDSP1 PolycomVortexaudioconferencing6 Symetrix322DSPs40 TannoyCMS601DCspeakers2 TannoyIW6speakersHOteL5 Acopian24PT10ADCpowersupplies13 ADCPPA3-14MKII3ESNaudiopatchpanels3 ADCPPI2224-SVJvideopatchpanels1 AlesisiO|2USBaudiointerface10 APCSMART-UPSXLuninterruptible powersupplies165 BoseFreeSpace360Pgroundspeakers1 CiscoCatalyst4507CoreEthernetswitch1 CiscoCatalyst3750SeriesEthernetswitch2 Clear-ComPS-464intercompowersupplies2 Clear-ComRM-440intercommasterstations27 CrestronTPS-2000Ltouchpanels3 Crestron2-Seriescontrolprocessors13 CrestronTPS-2000Ltouchpanels2 DellPowerEdge860servercomputers4 DenonDCM-280PCDchangers4 ExtronMDA-5Vvideodist.amps2 InterlogicIndustriesRKS-204B-20Mcomputer monitors2 I-TechKB-1Ekeyboards4 JBLVRX915Ssubwoofers12 JBLVRX932LApolearrays4 JensenDIN-2L1audiobalancingtransformers3 Lab.gruppenC10:4X4-channelamps4 Lab.gruppenC48:44-channelamps14 Lab.gruppenC16:44-channelamps30 Lab.gruppenC20:8X8-channelpoweramps

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Sound & Communications50 www.soundandcommunications.com

avi-splTherecentAVIandSPLmergerhascreatedwhatisreputedto

bethelargestAVsystemsintegratorinNorthAmerica.Withmorethan1200employees,privatelyheldTampaFL-basedAVI-SPLhas40 offices across the US, with additional offices in Mexico andDubai.

JeffVogt, chief project engineer for theGaylordWashington-National project, cited the following individuals for their effortsinbringing theprojectonlinewithin thestatedbudget and timeframe:GeorgeDouglass,accountsalesmanager;SkipWarrington,seniorprojectmanager;TomFortwengler,projectmanager;AlexVasquez,PM/engineer;LDParker,PM/engineer;HenryHsu,seniorengineer/programmer;andDustinMain,seniortechnician.

Vogtnoted,“Theseindividuals,alongwithourfinegroupofsub-contractors,madecompletionofthisprojectaprofitablereality.”

Consequently, a lot of what was includ-ed on our ‘wish list’ was incorporated into the design. The result, from an operational standpoint, is the most flexible and thorough infrastructure imaginable.

“By utilizing the multiple input pan-els and the built-in fiber and Cat5 ca-

bling network, we can literally route and combine signal and control sig-nals from practically any point on the property to virtually anywhere else. We have yet to find the need to pull in temporary cabling for any event.”

Escobedo further elaborated, “The designers and systems integrators

Selected conference and hotel meeting rooms are equipped with full-scale telepresence systems.

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involved were the most thorough and conscientious group of people with whom it has ever been my privilege to work.”

In addition to the core AV system, AVI-SPL installed standalone audio sys-tems in four restaurants and six retail shops, as well as Relache, the hotel’s

October 2008 51

spa and fitness center. Vogt elaborated, “We provided pre-sentation/audio conferencing systems for six sales rooms, two boardrooms and the ho-tel manager’s meeting room. In addition, six home-theater-style systems were installed in the luxury hotel suites.”

large, Curved videowall

The National Pastime Sports Bar features a 32-foot-wide by 9-foot-high curved videowall that is capable of displaying up to 12 discreet HD channels at any one time. This is made possible by videowall pro-cessing from Vista Systems’ Spyder, as well as warping and blending by 3D Perceptions’ CompactUTM. Video is projected by six projectiondesign F30+ SXGA projectors onto a custom Stewart Filmscreen AT3 screen. The videowall is complemented by a 10,000-watt JBL

The National Pastime Sports Bar’s 32'x9' curved videowall can display up to 12 discreet HD channels at any one time.

sound system in 7.1 surround by Lexi-con, as well as 20 flat-panel displays from LG and Sharp located throughout the bar.

In Pose, Gaylord’s 19th-floor Ultra Lounge, which provides a panoramic view of the Washington skyline, AVI-SPL provided a sound system to rival Washington DC’s hottest nightclubs. EAW’s MK and SB series loudspeak-ers were selected for the main dance

floor sound-reinforcement system, with additional sub-bass provided by eight NEXO CD12s, all driven by 60,000 watts of Lab.gruppen amplifiers. The front-end for this system is a high-tech DJ booth featuring Pioneer CDJ1000 players, Technics SL1210 MK5 turn-tables and a laptop computer running Serato ScratchLIVE software, all in-tegrated via a Rane TTM57SL USB-equipped DJ mixer.

Sound & Communications52 www.soundandcommunications.com

2 Lab.gruppenNLB-60Eampcontrolprocessors9 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyCAB16oCobraNetoutputs9 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyNIONN3DSPs2 PanduitDP485E88TGRJ45patchinputpanels1 PanduitDP245E88TGRJ45patchinputpanel2 PanduitFRME2fiberpatchpanels7 SurgeXSX2120surgesuppressors20 TannoyCMS12TDCspeakers452 TannoyCMS601DCspeakers11 TannoyCMS801DCspeakers18 TannoyDI5DCT-AWspeakers27 TannoyDI6T-AWspeakers4 TannoyI8T60-AWspeakers9 TannoyIW6speakers2 TannoyV12speakers4 TannoyV17speakers48 TannoyCMS12TDCspeakers2 WohlerAMP1A-30rackaudiomonitorsSPORtS BAR1 3DPerceptionCompactUTMbasicvideowall warpmodule2 ADCPPA3-14MKII3ESNaudiopatchpanels3 APCSMART-UPSXLuninterruptiblepower supplies1 AutoPatchModula32x32matrixmixer1 ChristieLW-300projector1 CiscoCatalyst3750SeriesEthernetswitch1 Crestron2-Seriescontrolprocessor2 CrestronTPS-17touchpanels1 CrestronTPS-2000Ltouchpanel1 Da-LiteAdvantageElectrolprojectionscreen2 DenonV300DVDplayers1 EAWMK8198-2LFspeaker5 ExtronDA4RGBHVdistributionamps3 ExtronDVS-304scalers2 ExtronIN-1502scalers3 ExtronQSD-204quaddecoders2 ExtronRGB-468xiwallinputpanels3 ExtronUSP-405scanconverters2 ExtronVSC500scanconverters1 FocusEnhancementsFIREFLYMCdigitalvideo player2 JBLASB4128subwoofers8 JBLVRX928LAarrayedspeakers1 Lab.gruppenC10:4X4-channelamp1 Lab.gruppenC16:44-channelamp1 Lab.gruppenC28:44-channelamp2 Lab.gruppenC48:44-channelamps1 Lab.gruppenNLB-60Eampcontrolprocessor1 LexiconMC-4surroundsoundprocessor2 LG20LS7DC20"monitors2 LG26LS7DC27"monitors8 LGM3201C32"monitors1 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyCAB16oCobraNetoutput2 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyNIONN3DSPs1 PanduitDP245E88TGRJ45patchinputpanel1 PanduitFRME2fiberpatchpanel8 projectiondesignF30sx+videoprojectors2 SharpLC-52D62U52"monitors6 SharpPN-465-U46"monitors3 SurgeXSX2120surgesuppressors1 TannoyDI5DCT-AWspeaker8 TannoyCMS12TDCspeakers13 TannoyCMS801DCspeakers4 TannoyV12speakers1 VistaSpyder344and380videowallprocessorBOARdROOmS2 APCSMART-UPSXLuninterruptiblepower supplies2 BoschDCN-WAPwirelessaccesspoints2 BoschDCN-WCCUwirelessmicsystems1 CiscoCatalyst3750SeriesEthernetswitch2 Crestron2-Seriescontrolprocessors

2 CrestronSTX-1700CWwirelesstouchpanels2 CrestronTPS-15G-QMtouchpanels2 Da-LiteAdvantageElectrolprojectionscreens2 DenonV300DVDplayers2 DisplayDevicesDataLiftprojectorlifts2 ExtronCrossPoint450Plus88matrixrouters2 ExtronMGP464multigraphicsprocessors2 ExtronUSP-405scanconverters2 Lab.gruppenC10:4X4-channelamps2 Lab.gruppenC20:8X8-channelpoweramps1 Lab.gruppenNLB-60Eampcontrolprocessor2 LexiconMC-4surroundsoundprocessors2 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyNIONN3DSPs1 PanduitDP245E88TGRJ45patchinputpanel1 PanduitFRME2fiberpatchpanel2 PolycomVortexaudioconferencingunits2 projectiondesignCINEO301080projectors2 SurgeXSX2120surgesuppressors11 TannoyCMS601DCspeakers3 TannoyIW6speakers4 TannoyIW62subwoofersSPA1 APCSMART-UPSXLuninterruptiblepowersupply1 CiscoCatalyst3750SeriesEthernetswitch1 Crestron2-Seriescontrolprocessor18 CrestronAPAD-Wcontrolpads1 DenonDCM-280PCDchanger7 ExtronVTT001VT-VGAtwistedpairtransmitters forRGBHV7 ExtronVTR001VT-VGAtwistedpairreceiversfor RGBHV2 FocusEnhancementsFIREFLYMCdigitalvideo players2 Lab.gruppenC16:44-channelamps2 Lab.gruppenC20:8X8-channelpoweramps1 Lab.gruppenNLB-60Eampcontrolprocessor1 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyNIONN3DSP1 PanduitDP245E88TGRJ45patchinputpanel1 PanduitFRME2fiberpatchpanel1 SurgeXSX2120surgesuppressor8 TannoyCMS-110SRsubwoofers72 TannoyCMS601DCspeakersSuIteS6 Crestron2-Seriescontrolprocessors6 CrestronST-1700Cwirelesstouchpanels6 DenonV300DVDplayers6 Lab.gruppenC10:4X4-channelamps6 TannoyCMS601DCspeakers6 TannoyIW62subwoofers6 ToteVisionLCD1044TTVs6 YamahaYSP-1000surroundprocessor/speakersNIGHtCLuB2 AJAHDPvideoDACs1 AnalogWayBroadScanHDscanconverter2 APCSMART-UPSXLuninterruptiblepower supplies1 AshlyMX-206micmixer1 CiscoCatalyst3750SeriesEthernetswitch1 CommunicationsSpecialties7250Series videoADC1 Crestron2-Seriescontrolprocessor1 DellPrecisionM6300computer22 EAWMK2394speakers7 EAWSB625subwoofers6 ExtronDA6RGBHVAdistributionamps6 ExtronDVI-RGB150DVItoanalogRGBvideo interfaces3 ExtronQSD-204quaddecoders3 JBLCBT4tweeterarrays2 KRKRPS8monitors1 Lab.gruppenC16:44-channelamp5 Lab.gruppenC20:8X8-channelpoweramps6 Lab.gruppenC28:44-channelamps2 Lab.gruppenC48:44-channelamps

4 Lab.gruppenC68:44-channelamps1 Lab.gruppenNLB-60Eampcontrolprocessor30 LG20LS7DC20"monitors2 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyCAB16oCobraNetoutputs2 MediaMatrixbyPeaveyNIONN3DSPs8 NexoCD12speakers4 NexoNX-242speakerprocessors1 PanduitDP245E88TGRJ45patchinputpanel1 PanduitFRME2fiberpatchpanel2 PioneerDVJ-1000CDplayers3 projectiondesignF30sx+videoprojectors1 RaneTTM-57SLDJmixer1 SennheiserEM500G2wirelessRX1 SennheiserSKM545-G2micreceiver8 SunfireTrueTypeGspeakers2 SurgeXSX2120surgesuppressors8 TannoyCMS-110SRsubwoofers42 TannoyCMS801DCspeakers2 TechnicsSL1200Mk5turntables2 ToshibaP27LSA27"monitorsRetAIL5 Crown280MAdualpoweramps5 DenonV300DVDplayers1 FocusEnhancementsFIREFLYMCdigitalvideo player3 NECLCD321032"monitors20 TannoyCMS801DCspeakersList is edited from information supplied by AVI-SPL.

Potomac Ballroom stage presentations can be controlled from a stage manager’s rack.

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October 2008 53

In each of six luxury suites, AVI-SPL was tasked with providing a high qual-ity, home-theater-style AV system. Each suite boasts a Crestron system featur-ing an ST-1700C wireless touchpanel controlling a Denon V300 DVD player as well as the owner-furnished LG flat-panel displays with integrated LodgeNet HDTV receivers. For sound, the Yamaha YSP-800 provides virtual surround sound with a minimal visual impact. The low end is augmented by Tannoy’s in-wall subwoofer, the IW62 TS.

av/lighting/show Control interfaces

In what has become a hallmark at Gaylord properties, a nightly show-control, lighting, AV presentation ex-travagance centers around the central atrium fountain display. The combined, coordinated efforts of AV supplier AVI-SPL, lighting supplier Candela, and the motion control designer and supplier results in “ooohs and aaahs” from fas-cinated viewers.

By taking its cue from the time-con-trolled motion control system and its associated computer controller, the system handshakes with the AV and lighting system computers to create the varying lighting ef fects and ac-companying audio playback that are synchronized to complement the danc-ing waters.

With the advent of today’s comput-er-control technology, integrating the various functions was basically a mat-ter of writing the necessary codes to

allow the various disciplines (motion control, lighting and audio) to com-municate with each other in a reliable and consistent manner. [Very different from a system this writer was involved with many (pre-computer) days ago, when a New Orleans hotel attempted to implement a similar system. It took the form of hundreds of electro-me-chanical relays controlling scads of so-lenoids. Needless to say, it was not too successful and required untold hours of maintenance. The owner soon aban-

doned the project.]

lightingCandela Controls’ scope of work

included installation of sophisticated architectural and specialty show-room lighting control and instruments. This included virtually all public spaces, with the exception of guest rooms and guest floor corridors. Hence, Candela Controls outfitted the four ballrooms, 55 meeting rooms, two boardrooms,

Candela Controls inc.In business since 1999, Candela Con-

trols,Inc.,isaspecialtylightingsystemsintegratorandcontractorlocatedinCentralFlorida.Thecompanyhasprovidedlightingcontrolandspecialty lightingforarangeof venues across the US and Canada,including theme parks, museums, hotelandconventioncenters, casinos,housesof worship and theaters. In addition tothecurrentGaylordWashingtonlocation,otherclientsincludeSeaWorldofFlorida,the New World of Coke Museum, Houseof Blues, Borgata Hotel and Casino, andNorthlandCommunityChurch.

(continued on page 100)

Sound & Communications100 www.soundandcommunications.com

achieve those. Providing an AV solution that can be used for one of those credits, although it may have sustainable value, really provides little value to an architect figuring out how to achieve the required number of points.

Bottom line is that, in spite of all the hype, in actuality, there is virtually little or no opportu-nity for AV systems within the current LEED rating system at this time. The next version of the rating system, LEED 2009, due out in several months, also does little in recognizing com-munications systems.

Unfortunately, there likely will not be another overhaul of

ARCHITECTuRAL PERSPECTIVES(Continued from 28)

three restaurants, the sports bar, the Pose Ultra Lounge, spa and salon, as well as all the lobby, pre-function areas. Additionally, lighting ef fects were installed in some exterior locations and also used to highlight the effect of the Atrium fountain.

To accomplish all of this, Can-dela installed 56 dimmer racks, five standalone dimmer panels, and control and processing racks, along with area-wide signal distri-bution—all of which involved al-most 1000 connection points. More than 400 color-changing LED fix-tures were utilized in the ballrooms and to highlight the architectural elements on the exterior façade and corners of the building.

For the 19th floor Pose Ultra Lounge, Candela provided six High End Systems DL2 digital lighting fixtures, 36 Martin auto-mated lighting instruments and, as Bill Ellis of Candela remarked, “numerous color-changing LED fixtures for architectural empha-sis.” To blend the visual aspects together, video routing is provid-ed and coordinated through the lighting system controllers.

uNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTION CENTER(Continued from 53)

the rating system for as long as two years. In the mean-time, as an industry, we need to use that time to become better organized and focused with our sustainable message.

Although gaining formal recognition within the LEED rating system may still be a distant light at the end of the tunnel, there are many opportunities already avail-able to us for incorporating sustainable elements into products and designs. As we adopt these, we will gain trac-tion and begin to see formal recognition outside of our industry. n

When Chess McKinney, Gay-lord’s director of project technol-ogy, was asked to comment, his response was, “I couldn’t have asked for a more competent or dedicated group of designers and systems integrators.” He also expressed appreciation to the equipment suppliers for the cooperation they provided when modifications were required to fit the project’s specific needs

McKinney noted that he comes from an IT background and he is astounded at how combined AV-IT systems are coming together to satisfy the needs of complex networks in spaces such as the Gaylord Na-tional.

“To be able to walk around the site and adjust lighting, AV systems and motion con-trol aspects from a tablet PC is simply phenomenal,” he of-fered. “I can sit in my office in Nashville and diagnose and monitor performance to cope with unusual circumstances. It is truly a successfully integrat-ed AV-IT computer-controlled network.” n

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