How Does Discussion System Work?

We have supplied conference and discussion systems throughout the UK, from portable wireless systems for regional meetings and multi-use rooms, to fully installed systems in boardrooms and council chambers. Every system is designed to suit each customer’s specific needs.

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Conference and discussion systems provide an individual microphone and loudspeaker to each delegate ensuring everybody taking part in a meeting is clearly heard. They add structure to a meeting, promoting interactive discussions while allowing the chairperson to control the flow of the meeting.

As each delegate unit has a loudspeaker and microphone, clear and even amplification is achieved around the room. A red ring illuminates around the top of each microphone when in use so other delegates can clearly identify who is speaking.

Wired or wireless?

If the system is to be permanently installed into a room with a fixed layout, then a hard wired system is recommended. The delegate units are available as surface or flush mounted. NB. Flush units can be custom finished to help blend into Listed premises.

If the room is multi-use and different room configurations are required or the system needs to be portable, then a wireless conference discussion system is ideal. A wireless system allows delegate positions to be set up quickly without the clutter and health and safety issues of trailing wires.

Wireless conference discussion delegate units use rechargeable batteries and are charged in charging racks.

Additional features:

- Conference discussion systems are much more than speech reinforcement systems. They can be used to control delegates speaking time, votes (with delegate ID), provide simultaneous interpretation, camera control and record the meeting.

- Whether the conference discussion system is wired or wireless, a 'chairman unit' is usually used to enable the chairperson to control the proceedings. They allow a chairperson to interrupt at any time, start voting and other functions depending on the system in use.

- Conference discussion systems are controlled via a central control unit (CCU). The CCU is used to control and configure the system. They also allow the connection of ancillary equipment into the system such as-

- An input from radio lapel and radio handheld microphones to allow presenters to move around the room, and members of the public gallery to ask questions to the floor.
- An input to allow the output audio from a laptop or any other audio system to feed the conference discussion system.

- An output to feed a recording device to keep a record of what has been said.

- An output to feed loudspeakers (to reinforce the sound for the public gallery or for any observers) and/or to feed an induction loop or infrared system to assist people that are hard-of-hearing and to comply with the Equality Act.

The central control unit can often be controlled via a PC. This can allow the user to configure the system and pre-set room layouts, remotely control microphones, provide graphical display of voting results and more!

We can supply systems from all the leading manufacturers including DIS, Beyer, Bosch, RCF, JTS, Sennheiser, Televic and TOA.

Do you need a discussion system that can be used on the move? Have you considered a Williams Sound Digi-Wave system?

Televic

Confidea wireless

JTS

CS-1 i-Conference system

Sennheiser

Even among consultants and integrators, the words “conference system” and “discussion system” are thought to mean the same thing. The fact is, they are distinctly different. More importantly, choosing the right system is critical to success – for both you and your customer.

 This article defines these audio tools in terms of the solutions they provide.

 Background

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In recent years, there has been an ongoing shift in institutional audio needs, especially in terms of instruction, presentation, and discussion. Trends include collaborative, team-based management, multi-site meetings, and increasing reliance on multimedia. This means that “many-to-many” communication is more and more commonly required, replacing traditional “one-to-many” presentations.

In addition, many traditional A/V departments are now part of the IT infrastructure. This puts a distinct burden on consultants and installation contractors to provide easily integrated turnkey solutions to meet increasingly sophisticated communication needs.

Conference and Discussion systems can be the key to successfully meeting those expectations.

 The Quandary

Intelligibility of audio, feedback susceptibility, and the need for knowledgeable set-up are all potential problems. Traditional multi-microphone solutions used for voice lift, including those with mix-minus and automixing capabilities, have distinct limitations – especially when deployed in acoustically challenged spaces like meeting rooms, lecture halls, and council chambers.

 The Opportunity

Conference and Discussion systems eliminate most of these issues by integrating a microphone, amplifier, and loudspeaker within a single station. Each meeting participant can be heard when needed, and can hear everyone else, with exceptional clarity and virtually no chance of feedback.

Already proven effective in Europe, where simultaneous translation is a common requirement, these dedicated voice systems also remove the need for a sound engineer, and can interface audio from a variety of external sources. They are also very easy to design, install and operate.

Diagnosing your customer’s needs and prescribing the right system – discussion or conference – is all that stands between their problem and your solution. 

Why They Are Easy 

Conference and Discussion systems share a common structure: Each station is connected daisy-chain style with a single cable – a shielded Cat5e. These stations connect serially to a rack-mount “brain” called the Central Unit, or CU, which in turn can be connected to a computer or tablet for control. The CU knows how many stations are plugged in, and handles the audio routing automatically, muting the associated loudspeaker when its attached microphone is live.

Both systems, Discussion and Conference, provide a simple web-based GUI for control, and can connect to external audio sources like videoconference systems, computers, and audio players, both digital and analog. Both offer microphone control options like voice activation vs. request-to-speak, with a light ring on each microphone to show when it is active. Finally, both Discussion and Conference systems can be integrated into control systems like AMX and Crestron, and both support separate audio channels for language interpretation.

 So How Do I Choose?

In most applications, choosing the right system is mostly a question of the event or meeting style. A Discussion system like the Shure DDS enables free-flowing communication among up to 250 participants and offers two language interpretation channels. The system can be set up for several different microphone modes (automatic, first-in/first-out, voice activated, and manual). It’s ideal for corporate meeting rooms, city councils, courtrooms, and rental houses.

The DCS Conference System starts there, but adds advanced options that let it truly shine in larger and more formal settings, such as legislative or corporate meetings where attendance is taken, an agenda is followed, and votes are recorded. Scalability is enhanced, with up to delegate units and 31 languages accommodated. Additional software options enable web streaming, recording/archiving, and more.

 Both Conference and Discussion systems offer the same audio benefits, including excellent intelligibility, freedom from feedback, and ease of installation. Both include options for permanent installation, but also offer portable base units that make them exceptional choices for rental houses, conference centers and hotels.

 Traditional audio may have gone digital, but the physics of sound waves travelling from a sound source to a listener never will. Today’s Conference and Discussion systems solve the age-old problem of multiple microphones with simple set-up, superb sound quality, and sophisticated features. Audio consultants and contractors can easily leverage these solutions into today’s “many-to-many” presentation environment.