Systems integrator Zdi Inc. in Normal, Illinois is finding Vista Systems’ Phoenix to be a key piece of equipment as the merger of AV and IT becomes more commonplace in customers’ installations.
“We understand the relationship between AV and IT better than anyone,” says Jay McArdle, vice president of Zdi Inc. “We understand networking and how to integrate it as companies try to strike a balance between AV and IT today. More and more installs fall under IT for purchase decisions and coordination. We truly understand what AV systems do on the network – they’re not isolated systems anymore.”
Vista Phoenix is a network distributed open content management system for simultaneous encode, decode and display of AV data. With Phoenix, AV distribution and monitoring is no longer confined to a single location. It enables seamless access and control of AV data regardless of the user’s location; it can be used by multiple parallel participants, single offices or in the field via mobile technology.
Zdi Inc. discovered Phoenix about eight months ago when it considered the system for a medical simulation center in Peoria. As a result Phoenix became the basis for the design of a current project, the Memorial Medical Center’s Center for Learning and Innovation in Springfield, Illinois.
“Medical simulation is a big market for us,” says McArdle. Phoenix plays a role in enabling physicians and students to view the output of multiple IP cameras across a network to a variety of control stations. For example, in the Center for Learning and Innovation install Zdi has teamed Phoenix with Christie Brio wireless presentation system for classrooms and collaboration rooms. “Brio plugs into Phoenix so we can put multiple images on the screen at the same time,” he explains. “One feed is the simulated vitals of the patient; three other feeds show different perspectives of IP cameras rendered onto situation awareness. The simulation can be run from a control booth or by an iPad right in the room.”
Phoenix has also come into play at the Quad Cities Metro Link mass transit dispatch center in Rock Island, Illinois. “Phoenix is used as the videowall processor handling different computer feeds and IP cameras so personnel can view maps and other visuals on the same canvas,” McArdle says.
Zdi sees applications for Phoenix in security stations, for rendering IP cameras, and in a university speech pathology observation room, where, once IP cameras are on the network students’ interaction can be viewed remotely anywhere on the campus.
“Phoenix is uniquely positioned in the marketplace with its price point,” says McArdle. “For small and medium-sized installs it’s the most price-compelling selection. And its features are more robust than other systems.”
About Vista Systems
Vista Systems’ switchers have become the industry standard for live multiple-destination video and data mixed signal switching with real-time windowing and composition. For more information on Vista Systems, visit their website at
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