ADENA Hack: How to use KS-CC2 in video conferencing applications?

Our two-way speech-to-text translation and transcription station, the KS-CC2, can make communication easier in different scenarios, including hotels, hospitals, universities, and many others. Importantly, this device can also be used in online settings, and this time we will focus on conferencing rooms, showing you how you can use KS-CC2 in Teams, Zoom, and other similar and popular videoconferencing platforms.

To begin with, keep in mind that the KS-CC2 model was designed to accept audio via two USB Type A ports. These ports are colour-coded for simplicity, with one colour (green) standing for one language input, and the other (blue) standing for the other. Given that the inputs must be USB, you may need adapters to connect the KS-CC2 to computers running conferencing applications, hardware conferencing devices, or DSPs. 

This is how your configuration should look like after following the steps below

To give an example, we will use our KS-CC2 with Voicemeeter Banana, a free Windows software audio mixer with the necessary functions to route audio. Our computer running this application is connected to the KS-CC2 via a RADA HDMI-to-USB Bridge. The Bridge converts the HDMI output of the computer into USB, which allows us to connect it as an audio input to KS-CC2. With the cables connected, all that is left to do is to configure Voicemeeter. One of the audio outputs should be your speakers, headphones, or another device that you use to listen for conference calls. Make sure to enable this output for conferencing audio. Your other output should be the KS-CC2. It will most likely be recognised as CBOX – this is the default way in which AREC devices are recognised when connected as audio inputs/outputs. Simply allow conferencing audio to be outputted there. Don’t forget to output your own microphone to conferencing only, for the other side to hear you, and you are good to go.

At this stage, conferencing participants can already be transcribed and translated. If you want your audio input to be transcribed and translated too, simply connect it to the other audio input of the KS-CC2. In our example, we are using RADA Duo Wireless Microphones for this. When you are ready, simply press the microphone button on the KS-CC2 to begin.

The example above resolves the audio part of using KS-CC2 in meetings, but a few more steps are required to display the translated/transcribed dialogue in a meeting. One of the ways would be to connect KS-CC2 as another participant in a conferencing call – using another computer or conferencing hardware and setting the KS-CC2 as a webcam. Alternatively, it can be shared as ‘content’ in a meeting – for that, you will need to connect the HDMI output of the KS-CC2 to the conferencing, either directly or via HDMI-to-USB converters like the RADA Bridge. The advantage of this connection is that there are no ‘fake’ participants, and the dialogue could be easier to see this way. Another way to show KS-CC2 would be to use a camera and a big screen. However, our recommendation is to use an AREC Media Station – this is because with a Media Station, you will be able to dynamically switch between showing the KS-CC2, computer slides, cameras, and other video sources, add custom graphics and other effects to make your video stand out. Moreover, using a Media Station to show KS-CC2 also allows you to effectively display it for the local audience, thanks to loop-through outputs present on every Media Station.

And that’s all there is to it! If you would like to know more about the KS-CC2 or check how it works live, let us know at www.a-dena.com, and we can arrange a demonstration when it is convenient for you. Also, if you want to know more about Voicemeeter Banana, we have a video walkthrough describing its configuration and use with AREC devices here: https://youtu.be/4tY86NJO7h0.

ADENA Hack: How to bundle AREC Media Stations with third-party products for the education sector?

As lecture capture hardware, AREC Media Stations are essential for any university, college, or school that wishes to improve their students’ learning results, hybrid teaching, attract new students, and more. They are easy to add to existing and new AV setups alike and add a plethora of useful features. In this post, we will review some of the ways you could pair our devices with third-party solutions to achieve greater results in the education sector, using the LS-300 Media Station to make an example.

The LS-300 is a very versatile device and a solid pick for any educational institution — after all, it was primarily designed for such users. Thus, to export lecture recordings, users just need to plug their USB drive into the front USB port. This same port can be used for other devices too: computer mice and interactive screens to use the station’s GUI, wireless audio dongles to input audio, control keypads to send commands, UB-01 Recording Light accessory, and more. It is designed to be plug-and-play, to make it as simple as possible for teachers and lecturers.

In a typical lecture hall, there will be content coming from computers, including lecture slides and diagrams, various gadgets, interactive displays’ software, document cameras, regular ePTZ and PTZ cameras, and more. All of these devices can be connected through the HDMI and VGA ports of the Media Station. If there are many content sources, multiviewers from brands like Wyrestorm MX-0402-MST, CYP CDPS-U42HPIP, or Muxlab 500446 can be used to combine and select the ones needed for recording and streaming and to dynamically switch between them. For smaller rooms, it is often enough to just connect a computer with slides or a conferencing application like Teams and Zoom, and a document camera like WolfVision VZ-2.UHD, IPEVO VZ-R ULTRA or Epson DC-13 directly to the station, without any extra hardware.

The LS-300 can use both AREC and third-party network cameras as inputs. We recommend AREC CI-21H for smaller rooms and CI-22H for bigger rooms if no tracking is required. These cameras feature tally lights that are integrated with the LS-300 to light up when the station is recording. To track a teacher, we recommend either our IR tracking camera CI-T21H or its AI tracking analogue, RADA A-TC02 OnyxCam. To capture students in the classroom or lecture hall, you can use the wide-angle RADA PanoCam. This camera can be connected to the station twice, with one stream showing the wide-angle shot, and the other showing actively speaking students. Alternatively, a combination of our IR tracking cameras, a wireless handheld microphone, and an AM-360 can be used to enable student tracking with minimal effort. All cameras can be connected directly to the station to restrict access to them and ensure that the location’s network does not affect the station’s recording processes.

Projectors and displays of different sizes can be used to output video sources for the local and remote audiences. The LS-300’s HDMI and VGA outputs ensure wide compatibility and make it a great option to use with old and new hardware, allowing users to pick the right options for their budget. Connect VGA-equipped projectors like Optoma ZH507+ and BenQ EH620 to display computer content and slides, or use education-tailored interactive displays, like Promethean ActivPanel 10 and SMART Technologies MX Series V5.

The LS-300 supports a variety of audio inputs, including HDMI, USB, 3.5mm line and mic inputs, balanced audio input, and RTP/RTMP network sources. This makes it easy to connect both simple and advanced audio solutions, such as Allen & Heath Zedi 8, ClearOne Converge Pro 2, Dante AVIO adapters and Dante microphones for them, e.g. Sennheiser Teamconnect Ceiling 2 and so much more.

Lastly, personalise the controls for your users with a control system. Our devices support control over RS-232, TCP, and HTTP, and thus the vast majority of control brands and models can be used with our products, including Crestron MPC3-302-W, Extron MLC 62 RS D, AMX NX-1200, and others. Specifically for universities who need it simple, consider the DS-AC1 — AREC’s own control solution. This model is designed in such a way that it does not require programming skills, software, AV, or IT background. Moreover, it is integrated with AREC Media Stations, offering an Online Director-like interface for control and preview. The built-in virtual joystick lets the operator move PTZ cameras and toggle their presets, whereas easily manageable lists can display buttons for various room functions, like control of a projector, lights, recording, and streaming, and more.

And that is just one small example of the kinds of solutions that can be created for education with AREC. Contact us at www.a-dena.com to discuss your project and see how to add our products there for the best results!

ADENA Hack: How to bundle AREC Media Stations with third-party products for conference rooms?

In our previous post, we looked at several ideas of how you could bundle AREC products to achieve the best results. But what about products from other manufacturers? Let’s focus on that this time, using LS-410 in a conference room as an example from our side.

The LS-410 is the perfect example to describe these ideas, thanks to its many interfaces. Starting from the front panel, there are 2 USB ports that can be used for all kinds of devices. For instance, to export your videos or record directly on a flash drive, plug it into either of these ports. To easily control key features of the Media Station, you can connect a USB numeric keypad that is supplied with the station or use any other keypad. Connect a computer mouse with USB, or an interactive display with a USB and HDMI from the back panel, to use the station’s GUI. You could also use these ports to connect a camera or a microphone to capture audio and video.

Every standard conferencing AV hardware can be connected to the LS-410. For example, you could start by adding a hardware videoconferencing processor, like a Yealink MCore Pro Mini-PC, Poly G7500, or Avaya C190. This will let you record and stream conferences on the Media Station, mix them with other sources, and display them through any of the station’s outputs. 

And what better to mix these conferences with than a wireless content-sharing system, like Barco Clickshare or Mersive Solstice, letting every attendee beam their work without worrying about cabling? The station’s loop-through output will make sure that this content is visible to all, and you can output it in the highest quality on a big display, like the Clevertouch Impact Max 2. 

Add the remaining video sources by USB or network - LS-410 can work with 4 video sources simultaneously, allowing you to add multiple PTZ and ePTZ cameras from AREC or other manufacturers to capture every meeting participant.

The station’s support for Dante Audio makes it simple to connect professional audio inputs like Shure MXA920, while an array of balanced and unbalanced line/mic inputs ensures easy setup with analog microphones, like RADA Duo.

Finish the solution by personalising it for the user - add a controller, such as Q-Sys Core 510i, and show commands for all devices on its compact screen accessory, TSC-101-G3.

And that is just one of the many ways you can deploy LS-410 in conference rooms. You could also use the station as a webcam for any conference system through NDI|HX, HDMI-to-USB converters such as our RADA Bridge, or through the same and other videoconferencing hardware from brands like Yealink, Poly, and Avaya.

The Media Stations improve conferencing results greatly through their ease of use. You can add video sources, arrange them into premade or custom layouts, and combine these layouts with your graphics: corporate logos, backgrounds, images, links, QR codes, and so on. All of that works plug-and-play style and does not rely on any particular conferencing platform.

There is a lot more you can combine with AREC stations and numerous other applications where they shine. Stay tuned for the next ADENA Hack to read about bundle ideas for the education sector, and contact us at www.a-dena.com to find out more about our solutions!