Multimedia Gateways Provide Tools for Educators, Challenges for IT Departments

Nov. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- The ability to share content wirelessly in a classroom or conference setting is having a tremendous impact on not only educational opportunities but on the technological needs of those settings.  Apple TV®, Roku®, and the Google TVTM platform are prompting IT planners across the country to equip classrooms and large halls with these popular high definition multimedia projectors and gateways. The old-fashioned podium with a VGA plug for the instructor is quickly going away, replaced by a more convenient and responsive system for sharing information.

Sharing information wirelessly with participant devices has multiple benefits.  Materials can be made available on the listener's own devices, making them easy to access when needed.  Incorporating images or video into a discussion can make the content more meaningful for those with visual learning styles.  Interactive materials can gather data instantly or build a sense of community as observers take on a more active role in discussions.

When an educator or presenter integrates multimedia material into courses, it is vital that the technology be available when it is needed.  However, the popularity of products such as the Apple TVTM make them likely targets for theft or damage.  These technologies require a more open placement to work properly, and as a result, are more difficult to secure.  By its very nature, a multimedia gateway cannot be locked in the podium. The gateway must be “visible” to all participants for the IR controller and wireless connectivity to function. The gateway should also be close to the projector or monitor to minimize the length of the HDMI cable (HDMI cables greater than 5 meters in length are very expensive, and may require a powered HDMI extender). The multimedia gateway must be powered, network-connected, and secured.

Oberon, a leading producer of wireless and telecommunications enclosures, has announced a new line of  secure mounts to assist the education and conference industries in securing multimedia gateways.  The new Multimedia Gateway Enclosures line will allow these popular devices to be mounted in a suspended ceiling setting in the area where they are needed, providing both security and good line-of-sight between the multimedia gateway and the devices connecting to it.  The new mounts are UL-listed for use in the plenum space.  Model 1075 is a ceiling tile insert; Model 1077 is a ceiling tile replacement.  Both come with a choice of clear polycarbonate cover for multimedia gateways or white ABS plastic cover for wireless access points.  The Model 1074 holds up to 2U rack-mounted network equipment with attachment points for the user's choice of universal projector mounts.  By keeping vital technology secure and placed where it will work best in a classroom or conference setting, the new Oberon enclosures will help to ensure that educators are able to make reliable use of presentation and interaction technologies.

A video featuring the new products is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU5s3dVKiHU.



For more information about securing network equipment in educational or conference settings,  please call 1-877-867-2312 or visit http://oberonwireless.com.  Apple TV® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.  Roku and the Roku logo are registered trademarks of Roku, Inc. in the United States and other countries.  Google TVTM is a registered trademark of Google.