Project Portfolio

Thomson RCA Design & Retail Visualization Center

Thomson RCA, Indianapolis, IN

Challenge:

Thomson RCA is a global manufacturer of retail electronic products. The client sought to integrate an advanced conference room -- a Design and Retail Visualization Center -- in their Indianapolis, IN research facility. This space would have the flexibility to be used for two primary purposes: product design and planning for retail placement strategies.

Solution:

For a new cutting-edge look, the centerpiece of the conference room is the 8' x 18.5' Draper Cinescreen designed to provide true 2048 x 1024 high-definition images. Installing two Christie Digital Mirage 4000 projectors with 1280 x 1024 resolution; dynamically blending 20% of the two images accomplished the HD image.

A variety of sources are projected onto the screen, including images from MACs, PCs, the DVD player, cable TV, and an HD DSS receiver as well as a videoconferencing system. However, the most sophisticated applications use the Silicon Graphics Fuel worskstation. Located in a room adjacent to the conference room, engineers use the workstation to make immediate changes to CAD drawings and prototypes, thereby reducing development times and costs.

Regarding retail placement, Thomson RCA shows retailers how their products can be strategically placed in a store to increase sales. For example, the system visualizes a store's sales area, places a life-size image of an RCA TV in the store, and then inserts a live TV program onto the virtual TV's screen. Also, a Genelec surround sound system and a Yamaha surround sound processor were integrated to maximize the audio quality of any audio source.

A Polycom videoconferencing system facilitates communication between its key global research facilities in Indianapolis and France. Ceiling-mounted microphones enhance the out-bound audio capabilities for video and audio-only conference calls. Additionally, a Crestron control system was programmed by with multiple touch-screens control panels controls the audio and video systems.

Equipment Highlights:

Projectors; rear projection screen; videoconferencing system; ceiling mounted microphones; sound system and processor; control system

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