We won! At the recent 2019 Audio Visual Industry Awards (AVIAs), we took out the 'Best Application of AV in a Commercial or Government Project'. This was for our work on the Parliament of Victoria's new Office Accommodation Project.

This is the second time Parity has won this award. Thanks to an excellent client for letting us push the envelope, and to the AVIA judging panel for seeing the innovation in this project. Also a special thanks to the design team at Peter Elliott Architects, and to Fredon Technologies for completing the installation to a high level.

Parity is proud to have worked with the Parliament of Victoria to deliver the Audio Visual facilities within the new Annex building, housing 102 Members of Parliament. The project covered technologies including:

- Audio broadcasting system to all 102 offices, with individual control in each office.

- Network infrastructure and distribution to all areas including Dante/PoE loudspeakers, totalling 110 separate zones.

- Division bells to cover all areas of the new building for both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, including redundancy.

- Integration to the clock system and division bell light indicators.

- IPTV and digital signage system with Free-to-Air, Foxtel and Parliamentary Channels.

The project delivered an innovative solution that is very comprehensive while retaining flexibility.

The project has been featured in AV Magazine: https://www.avapac.net/sitting-pretty/

Creating Leading-Edge Audio-Visual Solutions in 6 Steps

Parity Technology Consulting is an award-winning business at the forefront of the Audio-Visual industry. We work closely with clients including architects, interior designers and builders to deliver

AV solutions that complement the desired aesthetics and produce a quality outcome.

We offer comprehensive Audio-Visual Consultancy Services for projects over an extensive range of applications. While end‑to‑end services are recommended, the below components can be provided independently.

1. Scoping

We listen carefully to your unique requirements and provide professional advice on available options.

2. Functionality Brief

We produce a detailed Functionality Brief to confirm the desired requirements and objectives.

3. System Design

We provide comprehensive system design documentation including system drawings and equipment

specifications.

4. Seek Tenders

We seek tenders from relevant suppliers and installers as well as comprehensive tender evaluations.

5. Project Management

We oversee the installation of the systems to ensure that the project is delivered as specified.

6. Testing / Quality Assurance

We thoroughly test the solution to ensure that it meets the specification and optimised for client's

use.

In addition, a wide variety of other services are available including auditing rooms, writing AV standards, peer reviews, value for money reviews and more.

…A little more to think about:

The most important aspect of an independent consultant is to avoid any vested financial interest. We do not have any financial interest in any product, distributor, or integrator. An independent consultant acts in the client’s best interest and only specifies the most suitable products for their application.

This knowledge base is developed through practical experience combined with education and training. Keeping up to date with new technology enables a deep understanding of the various aspects of Audio Visual and Video Conferencing technologies.

We have earned our award-winning reputation and credibility through our independence and insistence on putting our clients’ interests first.

Martin Audio breathes new life into an old cottage

September 17, 2018

AUSTRALIA: Once a humble cottage, the Alcott – or Old Cottage – is now an entertainment hub for the Lane Cove Community in the northern suburb of Sydney. Transformed over decades, the stylish community club was built as memberships had tripled in recent years. Comprising a gaming area, bar, restaurant and function room on its three levels, the interior design also incorporates furnishings and fixtures from the original club created in 1957.

Three weeks into his tenancy as venue manager, Ty Younger reflects on the challenges the newly opened Alcott has faced. Heralding from Portsmouth in the UK, Mr Younger is refreshingly not the sort who sugar coats his sentences or codes them within three letter acronyms. ‘We experienced the usual teething problems before and during opening,’ he expresses candidly. ‘However, the A/V system has proved to be extremely straightforward to use and we’ve had no problems regarding its functionality.’

Following a request from Solvie’s Jason Robertson, Parity Technology Consulting had undertaken specialist A/V consulting for the project. Following careful and detailed requirement analysis, a full evaluation of A/V solutions was conducted. Parity’s lead consultant, Andrew Hicks, led the project. ‘Considerations included the low ceilings, wide room dimensions, interior design aesthetics, weatherproofing and the ability to host DJs with a “feel the bass” requirement. As a result, we evaluated many different options currently available on the market to strike the right balance with a mindful eye on budgetary limitations.’

Following the works, the dust has settled and the abundance of interior shrubs and plants dotted around the Alcott are starting to bed down and take root. Fulfilling the contract to install the specified audio and video technology fell to Sydney-based systems integrator, Intellect Projects Group Pty Ltd. The musical ambiance is enhanced by a Martin Audio CDD (Coaxial Differential Dispersion) install series, delivering improved coverage and consistency to all three levels. While CDD5W 5-inch cabinets have been wall-mounted within the street-level gaming area, larger 6.5-inch cabinets adorn the main level Spritz Bar and Alcott dining room.

Neighbours may have vented their anger with regards to the double-parking practices of some members, but there have been no complaints directed towards the outdoor speaker system. Mounted on weather-resistant brackets, the CDD5WTX-WR and CDD6WTX-WR weatherised variants meet an IP54 rating. ‘The directivity of the speakers is contained within the club with a minimal of spillage,’ explained Mr Younger. ‘They create an excellent ambience and I can easily change the musical selection via the Secret DJ app on my smartphone.’

Eight CDD8W wall-mounted cabinets provide the primary audio reinforcement to enhance the LG 75-inch visual displays and NEC P502H projector in the upper-level function area. An extensive ceiling loudspeaker solution consisting of Quest MXC601 units was selected to supplement the main loudspeakers, primarily for when the rooms are combined. Corporate events, private parties and weddings can be catered for in the divisible Sirocco room, while X115B single 15-inch subwoofers enhance the lower frequencies of the 120-seat capacity divisible venue. Capable of seating up to 30 guests, flexibility of use in the smaller Terrazza venue can be enabled via Extron and Attero Tech wall interfaces hosting VGA, HDMI and audio inputs. Speeches and presentations can draw on Shure SLX wireless microphone channels. The A/V and lighting parameters of both rooms can be managed from an iOS touchscreen over Wi-Fi to the Crestron Control CP3 processor.

DSP functionality and settings are configured and stored in two linked QSC Core 110f DSP processors. Should it be required, future expansion can be provided. The DSP solution integrates eight Flex channels offering greater functionality with Layer 3 routing and SNMP monitoring. The Alcott DSP functionality features level control, source mixing and microphone audio inputs. In addition, an audio source can be routed to any zone via Q-LAN within the venue, while room combining is also provided from the simplified GUI.

While the bulk of the CDD speakers draw their current from four QSC GX5 700W 2-channel amplifiers in the lower-level rack room, the six X115B subwoofers require power from two higher-specification GX7 models. QSC GX3 together with Lab.gruppen E5.4, E4.2 and E8.2 make up supplementary amplifiers. The QSC inventory is completed with a PS-1600G Q-Sys 16-button desk-mounted paging station, outfitted with a gooseneck microphone that is able to page any of the multiple zones across the venue.

For more pictures please go to: https://www.proavl-asia.com/?RID=gJp9hW5zgC

www.intellectprojects.com.au

www.parity.com.au

www.solvie.com.au

www.tag.com.au

www.thealcott.com.au

Story by Robert Lawn ~ Pro AVL Asia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Following the strategy and vision of Andrew Hicks and Pasquale Valpied; our Directors, we have now set up a permanent Sydney office in Milsons Point.

Parity Technology Consulting has been working closely with clients in Sydney and all of NSW for many years. This move will enhance our customer service with a better geographic reach, technical capabilities and response time as well as other strategic considerations.

“The opening of our Sydney office will allow Parity Technology Consulting to provide an exceptional level of service with local coverage to our customers and will strengthen current and future projects across NSW” said Andrew Hicks, Director of Parity. “This decision builds upon our strategic plans for continued growth and development across Australia”.

What can you expect from the people at Parity Technology Consulting?

Develop realistic and practical solutions to client problems,No financial interest in any product, distributor, manufacturer, or integrator,Act in the client's best interest, and only specify the best products for their application or standard,We have the credibility associated with being entirely independent,Render impartial, factually-based, independent advice,Behave with integrity and professionalism at all times,Agree with the client in advance on the basis for their professional fees,Safeguard confidential information.

If you are already a consultant then this may look familiar, many of these statements are from the Australian Institute of Management Consultants Ltd.

We have pledged to abide by this Code of Ethics and voluntarily adhere to this which signifies the self-discipline of our profession. We will maintain our professionalism and adhere to the highest ethical standards while providing the best services to our clients; and also in our dealings with our colleagues and the public.

Reputations in business can be fragile. It can take years to develop and can be lost overnight. The reputation of Parity is no different. Consultants can be swayed by distributor and/or manufacturer financial interest. This will never happen at Parity as our ethics are one of the key differentiators of our business. We do not have a financial interest in distributors and/or manufacturers.

We will always promote and adhere to these ethics on all work we do on your behalf.

That is our promise.

Sincerely,

The Parity Team

One question that we often get asked is, which microphone is best for me? The short answer is, it depends. There are ideals, but then there's also other factors that need to be taken into consideration.

Typically, this is a fairly detailed discussion with our clients where we need to establish what is important to them. Some of these factors are performance, aesthetics, location, coverage, flexibility and of course cost.

It's quite difficult to discuss the different performance of microphones, there's nothing better than hearing it for yourself. A good overview of three different types of conferencing microphones can be seen in a video produced by Production Audio Video Technology. Click on the below image for the 5 minute video.

One challenge with audio in conference rooms is acoustics. The acoustics of the room greatly affects the audio performance in the room. This is particularly important when there is a large portion of speech, such as in video and audio conferencing. When the room is being designed from an architectural perspective, the acoustics should be considered depending on the usage of the room.

While acoustic treatment can be implemented in an existing room, the best result is always when the room itself is designed and built with the acoustics being taking into consideration. This also enables a more integrated solution, with some aspects not even noticed by the users of the room.

A good overview of room acoustics can be seen in a video produced by Production Audio Video Technology. Click on the below image for the 5 minute video.

Video conferencing (VC) can be a great technology to use, however if it's not designed and implemented appropriately it can be more hassle than it's worth. Here's an interesting video from one of the software VC manufacturers showing how difficult a call can be. Click on the below image for the video.

Audio Visual (AV) has become more and more widespread, being essential to many presentations, events and teaching. Often people seem to think that the extent of AV is just throwing in some speakers and putting a screen somewhere. For those who have used an AV system, chances are that you have had both good and bad experiences.

While the AV is important, it's also not the only factor. The space that the AV is being used in and the content are just as important. To provide an exceptional AV experience, all three components need to work together.

InfoComm International is the primary AV industry association globally and have put together a two minute video about creating exceptional AV experiences. Click on the below image to view the video.

Parity is proud to announce that we were awarded the 2015 AVIA for "Best Application of AV in Commercial or Goverment". The project was the Library at The Dock for the City of Melbourne.

Judges' Comments: The judging panel see this project as representing everything that good AV is about. Parity worked very closely with the client from the very earliest stages of the project to achieve the integration of appropriate technologies into a facility that provides innovative and useful applications for Melbourne’'s inner city community.

The project has also been featured in AV Magazine (cover story) and CX Magazine. To download the AV Magazine article, .

Parity have been busy with the move into our new office, great location and great space.

One of our many product evaluation sessions.. Lots of fun!

At Parity we always take the time to evaluate products, as this is the best way to find the most appropriate solutions for our clients.