As anyone who’s ever bought a new TV knows, it’s not enough to get the best and biggest technology. You also have to figure out how a piece of equipment will work in an actual room. Where will the screen look best? How will your fancy new gear work with the furniture you already have? How will you keep the cables and cords out of view? The same concerns can and should occur to companies undertaking A/V integration projects. Here are four such design and installation matters that should be on your mind while you undergo your A/V transformation.
Screen Height
You’ll probably have a pretty good intuitive sense for where to place your video conferencing screens, but it never hurts to have a few rough numbers for guidance. So remember: displays should be at least four feet off the floor. If you want to get even more nerdily specific about screen placement, use this equation: multiply the distance of the person sitting farthest from the screen by six. That should give you an ideal height placement. When you’re ready to install your perfectly placed screens, consider the top-of-the-line mounts manufactured by Chief.
Cable Management
We might be living in an increasingly wireless world, but you will still need cables to connect your components. And depending on just how many devices you’re using in your rooms, this could get pretty messy. Nothing can ruin a room’s aesthetic like a tangle of cables snaking around every table leg and under every chair. So when you’re shopping for furniture for your room, keep an eye out for tables and stands with built-in hiding spots for pesky cables and cords.
Table Shape
Admit it: you did not consider the shape of your tables when you began thinking about A/V integration. It’s okay! But now that it’s on your radar, give it some thought. Your classic rectangular table will be more or less okay, but if you have a full house, there will be participants who won’t be able to see the entire screen or be seen by the people on the other end of a video call. An angled table will break up the placement of people in such a way that everyone will have a clear sightline, and it will look pretty darn sharp too.
Versatility
You’ll want your A/V solution to be ready to connect to all manner of devices. Of course, connecting wirelessly is ideal, but you never know when you’ll want a wired connection. So be sure to have adapters on hand that can accommodate the range of cable types (HDMI, VGA, S cable, DVI, et al.). Check out C2G (Cables To Go) for any and all cable and connectivity solutions.
Learn more about the furniture and equipment you need for a proper A/V integration and get in touch with us for help with a custom room design. Use our advanced search tool to find anything else you’re looking for.
