The full potential available in modern AV gear can only be reached when the tools are best interfaced with their human operators and this is where tech furniture and mounting devices bring it home. Proper arrangement of displays, speakers, and rack equipment can save a few seconds hundreds of times per day and those saved seconds really add up. At the same time, well-arranged and secured items run cooler and are faster to maintain and upgrade. The tech furniture and mounting hardware shown here illustrates practical solutions and creates an expert-level environment.
A fiber connection right in the floor is now available with the ACE Backstage 154SLBK Stage Pocket. ACE teamed up with Neutrik to design this item that supports the ANSI recommended bend radius for opticalCon cable and allows it to exit through a hinged flap and lie flat on the floor. The load-tested solid steel lid can hold up to 750lbs. without damage to the fiber and an isolated duplex compartment separates high voltage connectivity. A zinc dipped 14 gauge steel back box is sealed in a thick layer of polyurethane to protect the body from corrosion and moisture.
The Altinex PNP417C customizable Pop ‘N Plug Tower is made for wood covered conference tables and it can fit a round, rectangular, or square cutout. A choice of eight different connector plates can be installed so that they can be easily used from either side. Simply pressing on the top activates the gas spring lift mechanism and the unit rises out of the table to expose the connectors. For quick installation, this device ships with pre-terminated cables and there is a downloadable cutout template available. The PNP417C cuts the cable clutter and presents a professional conference appearance.
The right operator console and mounting rack combination makes all the difference and the Argosy Console HALO Ultimate wastes no speck of space. Designed for video production, sound editing and other screenbased work, the console includes IsoAcoustics Aperta 160 loaded speaker mounts for near-field monitors, a central display mounting arm, dual 8-space rack bays, steel leg assemblies with floor levelers, utility shelves, a pull-out drawer, CPU mount, and an ergonomic padded armrest. It can be ordered with an optional mahogany veneer or fingerprint resistant black finish.
Allowing more efficient use of room space, the AtlasIED 324-15 19in. standalone wall cabinet and other models in the 300 Series are equipped with adjustable mounting rails, 2in. deep solid steel door, 12 or 15in. center section and a 4.5in. deep rear door. There are also corner braces, internal open raceways for cable and 20 cable knockouts on the back. Each unit also features perforated vents on both sides. Front and rear sections have frame flanges on bottom, top, and sides for superior structural support. Each unit is finished in #962 black epoxy.
The Audio Visual Furniture International CR2024 Tech Station is a mobile unit that can house a 12RU drop-in rack. It is also designed with an interior removable shelf, two pull-out side shelves for projectors and laptops, two perforated front doors, and one vented removable rear door. These doors are all securely lockable. Capable of supporting up to a 90in. video monitor, the station rides on 4in. heavy duty locking casters and the Thermowrap top surface is highly scratch resistant. There are also grommets located on the rear and sides to let cables pass through. This model is available in a wide selection of standard and optional finishes.
A mobile monitor solution for touch panel displays is ready to go with the AVTEQ DynamiQ RPS-500 height adjustable AV cart. It is quite easy to slide the display mount up and down by 15.75in. using its spring weighted mechanism. Perfect for classrooms and conference centers, the whole unit glides on 5in. casters, two of which are lockable. Cable management features are built into its solid steel construction and there is an adjustable 10RU rack shelf. A 6-port surge protector electrically safeguards all the mounted AV gear.
The Chief Manufacturing On-Wall Portrait Kiosk can fit a variety of display makes and models through its depth-adjustable exterior frame and when installed with a thin flat panel display it can slim down to a mere 4in. wall protrusion. This one keeps cool and handles uneven walls with integrated wall reveal. Servicing is facilitated with reversible hinges to avoid obstructions while tamper-proof hardware secures the engagement latch. The Middle Atlantic Lever Lock mounting system attaches small companion units such as media players and power supplies.
For flexible conferencing and classroom facilities the Crestron Flex R-Series Plus mobile UC system comes with a pre-installed Crestron unified communications engine assembly. The metal frame cart rolls on four caster wheels and includes a VESA compliant display mounting bracket. The structure supports a single display from 50 to 90in. and it has an intelligent collaboration camera with a 150-degree field of view. The quad microphone array has a 20ft. pickup range and control is done through the Crestron Mercury X console. Products in the Flex R-Series can be selected for specific needs and configurations.
Keeping the features from previous models and adding more, the Crimson AV VW4600G3 video wall mount has numerous points of adjustment and allows nearly 3in. of depth micro-adjustment. There is up to 11in. of pullout extension and a quick release mechanism for display servicing. Security is assured with the integrated lock and key system. Among multiple displays, one can be easily removed for maintenance using the proprietary Pushin, Pop-out Technology. Features include vertical adjustment and leveling, lateral shift and plumb adjustment.
The Da-Lite Multi-Media Lectern is a stable and well-designed platform for conducting presentations using a range of AV tools. Its monitor shelf can fit a 15in. diagonal display for easy use by the presenter and the keyboard shelf incorporates a flip-up door to completely hide the keyboard when it’s not in use. The hinged reading surface can be opened for access to cabling. The existing shelves can be adjusted to fit user installed equipment and a rack can be added to allow organization for standard 19in. AV rack units.
For events and installations requiring large video walls, the Draper Foundation Mount System features fine Z-axis wall adjustment, a plumb alignment pin, and vertical rail adjusters. LED panel mounting slots minimize the amount of contact between LED modules and a spring-loaded mounting stud pushes them into final z-axis position. The system is available for many dvLED brands and models for mounting on flat interior walls but this mounting system can also work on uneven surfaces. Laser level notches on the sides of each upright assist with rapid and easy leveling.
The new Extron AVEdge 100 is perfect for new installations, temporary setups, and retrofit projects. It clamps to the edge of a table and accepts two double-space Extron AAP AV Connectivity Modules. The UL/c-UL listed enclosure has cable pass-through brackets for up to eight AV cables, or three Retractor cable retraction modules. An optional CCB 30 three-button remote provides control for remotely mounted Extron switchers and control products with contact closure control ports. Available in black powder coat finish, the device can use optional clips to secure an Extron PS Series power supply.
Operators at a desktop position have to be able to reach controls easily, especially those used quite frequently and the Lowell Manufacturing LDSR-1218 desktop sloped front rack puts it all within reach. Made of 16 gauge welded steel, the unit has a 12-degree front slope with rails and an open back and base. The 12RU rack has plenty of room for equipment and ventilation. It’s black wrinkle epoxy finish blends anywhere for a professional appearance and the rubber feet keep it solidly in place. The rear side can be enclosed with the optional LDTR-RAC12 rear access cover.
How do you take everything you may need for a presentation and make it all easily mobile? The Marshall Furniture SCM280DC Workstation has the answer with its black laminate top, heavy duty drop leaf shelf, pullout keyboard shelf, locking document camera drawer, and 12RU fixed rack. This one can be ordered in left or right configuration and the floor access opening allows the unit to be parked directly over a floor pocket for interfacing with the room or stage AV lines. There are also locking rear access doors and locking multi-surface casters to make the whole thing glide easily into place and stay there.
The Middle Atlantic Products SRSR Series slide out rotating rack solves the problem of equipment rear access where there is no easy way to get behind the racks. Available with a 19in. or 23in. useable depth, the rack slides out, rotates in either direction and locks at 0, 60 and 90 degrees for simple maintenance or equipment replacement. The self-centering mounting base assures a good fit for the unit to slide back into a cabinet. The builtin cable support lets the rack move easily with no snags.
Providing unlimited mobility for 37-70in. plasma, LCD or LED displays in portrait or landscape orientation, the Mustang AV MPM-L75U Adjustable Height Mobile Cart includes easy gliding rubber casters. The stand fits monitors with VESA patterns up to 723x501mm and there is a pin locking incremental tilt adjustment from +15 to -5 degrees. The device is constructed of aluminum and high-grade cold rolled steel with 150lb. weight capacity. The finish is scratch resistant epoxy powder coat and adjustable shelves can be added.
Ease of installation is paramount with the Peerless-AV SmartMount Articulating Wall Arm series. One person can mount a display using the Hook-and-Hang system and the I-shaped adaptor plate blocks very little of the display’s rear side. The post installation leveling capability rounds out a simple setup. The SA771PU model allows a 46in. to 90in. display to be extended up to 26.8in. from the wall and retracted to protrude just 3.1in. It can be tilted +15 to -5 degrees while built-in cable management maintains a clean, uncluttered appearance.
The Premier Mounts EBC60-MS2 mobile cart makes it easy to move and aim a video display weighing up to 160lbs. Consisting of the PSDEB60C elliptical floor stand with two 60in. chrome poles and the CTM-MS2 tilting flat-panel mount, the unit allows the monitor to tilt 12 degrees. Minimum mounting pattern is 200 x 200mm and maximum is 800 x 505mm. The weight of the stand itself is 103lbs. Accessories include the PSD-EXT extension collars that fit over the ends of the chrome poles and the PSD-CAM shelf for videoconferencing cameras.
Unless it’s mounted to a movable wall, a wall mount is rooted in place so the ability to point and swivel the mounted display is a prime factor in functionality. The Snap One Strong Carbon Series Single Arm Articulating Mount can swing a 100lb. display as far as 19in. from the wall and swivel it up to 180 degrees. The mount comes with adapter brackets that go up to 400 x 400mm and H-pattern brackets can be purchased separately to allow up to a 600 x 400mm VESA pattern. During installation conical washers on the back help to guide the plate into place and the arm assembly base plate has a tilt angle of +12 to -5 degrees. There is integrated cable management and a mounting template is included.
Take your entire presentation toolbox with you anywhere in the room with the Spectrum Industries CORE lectern. Its outer side panel assembly and removable, locking audienceside panel allow easy access to top surface equipment and interior installed gear as well. Each one can be specified with one or two of the outside folding shelves. The powder coated steel chassis houses a high-pressure laminate work surface, ventilation slots, and 12RU front rack rails. Equipment is secured with locking front doors and cabling can be run through pre-drilled work surface monitor mounting holes.
The Tripp Lite DWM2655M Swivel/Tilt Wall Mount can accept flat panel displays from 26 to 55in. diagonal and allow them to swivel 120 degrees, tilt -15 to +15 degrees, and level adjust from -5 to +5 degrees. Its metal frame has a scratch resistant powdercoated finish and the built-in bubble level gets installation right the first time. The wide variety of VESA-compliant mounting holes fit just about any display type. This model can support up to 110lbs. while the weight of the mount itself is only 18.45lbs.
Racks and very tight wall spaces don’t typically mix but the Video Mount Products ERVR4U rack and others in the ERVR series can turn a minimal wall space into a well-placed home for AV gear. Available in 1RU, 2RU, and 4RU versions, the ERVR units are made of sturdy steel with two rear surface cable pass-through holes. These units can house equipment of any depth and they have a load capacity up to 150lbs. They are great for mounting gear vertically to a wall or horizontally under a desk. The rail channels are tapped with 10-32 holes in the universal E.I.A. spacing and the rack is painted with a durable static resistant black powder coat finish. The ER-VR4U dimensions are 5in. high x 19.2in. wide x 7.5in. deep.
For WallVIEW PRO HD1, WallVIEW PRO EagleEye and CCU HD1 camera systems, the Vaddio Drop Down Mount for Large PTZ Cameras – Long eliminates the problem of locating camera shelves to allow a good view while keeping them out of the way. These cameras, along with the Polycom EagleEye and TANDBERG Precision HD, can be held securely 2ft. below the conference room ceiling. The black mount is unobtrusive and it is made extremely tough with heavy gauge steel construction. This model is one of a series of Vaddio units that allow a wide range of conference camera mounting options and styles.
The Winsted Paramount Technology Credenza solves the problem of unobtrusively housing technical AV gear in a furniture item that is really made for it. Topped with a laminated Safeguard Edge top panel for which there are Endurance Plus and Comfort Edge options, the unit has welded EIA 19in. 14RU rack compartments with front and rear rails. There is also a vented base panel that can be fitted with optional fans. Front and rear doors allow complete access for mounting and wiring equipment and the back of the top surface can be fitted with data/power ports and adjustable mounts for video displays.
