HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA – JUNE 2012: When it came time to move into a new office space, One Firefly, LLC seized the opportunity to turn its workspace into a cutting-edge demonstration of the integrated systems it helps homeowners, commercial clients and electronic system contractors design and install. The Hollywood, Florida-based firm is multifaceted and provides a variety of services offered under its three Firefly brands. Firefly Design Group provides system design, documentation and consulting services specializing within the integrated building technology space. Firefly Creative is a full-service marketing and public relations agency that caters to the custom electronics industry’s member contractors and manufacturers. Firefly Programming is a full service control system programming company. For the flagship demonstration, Firefly Design Group senior systems engineer Mike Harrell chose Symetrix’ new SymNet Edge DSP hardware, which features a powerful open-architecture topology, modular I/O counts and types, and next-generation
Dante audio bus networking, to deliver sophisticated audio processing and routing with full Crestron control system integration.
At One Firefly’s new headquarters, each of six office zones demonstrates different aspects and possibilities that will expand the horizons of its clients. “We regularly have visitors from integration firms, end-clients and members of the design trade through our space,” states Ron Callis, One Firefly CEO. “We find it extremely helpful to show off the technologies offered by Symetrix and other leading manufacturers.” Firefly Design Group’s Mike Harrell further explains, “Many of the A/V technology solutions that are aimed at the residential market are quite limited and lack the flexibility needed to create well-tuned and high performing systems. We’re excited to demonstrate SymNet Edge because it has all the right specifications – including powerful DSP, lossless Dante bus networking, customizable I/O, and seamless integration with either Symetrix or third party user interfaces – at a price that allows an integrator to make a profit. We’re really showing off the tremendous capabilities of the SymNet Edge system at our new offices so that people can see it in action.”
Three 1-rack space SymNet Edge Frames, networked into a single functional unit via Ethernet cables conveying near-instantaneous Dante bus audio, supply the audio processing for the entire facility. Each SymNet Edge Frame accommodates up to four I/O card slots, which may be fitted with four-channel analog inputs, analog outputs, digital inputs, or digital outputs. Currently, One Firefly’s system is configured with twenty analog inputs and twenty analog outputs. The system’s varied inputs include computer outputs from around the facility, microphones, iPod docks, Blu-Ray players, and Apple TV. Crestron MC3 and DM MD8x8 processors integrate all user control into one cohesive structure. Crown CT-series amplifiers power all the passive loudspeakers in the facility.
Of the various demonstration spaces, One Firefly’s new conference room is the most elaborate. A surround sound system composed of active Genelec AIW25 left-center-right and AIC25 rear loudspeakers, and two 5041A subwoofers can convert the space into a stunning multimedia center and demonstration home theater. The SymNet Edge provides unique processing for the surround system that is unavailable in consumer-grade surround processors. It provides a program-sensitive cutoff for the subwoofer content that effectively delivers left- and right-channel bass, in contrast to the usual fixed-cutoff, center-mono channel. More card options for Edge are currently in work.
Acoustician Michael Chafee consulted on the acoustical treatment of the new space, which included considerable work in the conference room. In addition, the SymNet Edge system provides comprehensive room tuning. “Because we were dealing with existing construction, we weren’t able to arrange the physical space exactly as we would have liked,” said Harrell. “Nevertheless, good acoustical treatment and a full complement of room-tuning tools in the SymNet Edge system compensates quite effectively. It actually ends up being a better demonstration this way, because no project – no matter how high-end – is free from constraints. Here, we present strategies for working within a less than perfect environment.”
The goings on in the conference room, or any room for that matter, can be watched and listened in on from any other room. User control of this and every other system function is accomplished by Crestron TPMC-3X handheld WiFi touch-panels, TPMC-4SMD fixed-position touch-panels, and Xpanel computer-based interfaces. In addition, Symetrix ARC-WEB, which provides password-protected system control that is fully customizable by the integrator, will be available for use on employees’ smartphones.
For Harrell, part of the attraction of SymNet Edge is its embrace of the Dante audio bus. “I’ve been following the development of Dante for some time now, and it offers a number of important advantages for our clients,” he said. “For one, it is easily expandable up to 128 channels of lossless audio. That’s critical in the residential market, where we typically use more channels than the commercial market because every source is stereo or surround. The fact that Dante is nearly instantaneous is exciting.” Harrell programmed the system using SymNet Composer software, which he reported was even easier and more intuitive than the already easy and intuitive SymNet Designer software that preceded it.
The remaining demonstration spaces, which include CEO Ron Callis’ office and the sales, creative team, engineering, and accounting offices, show off different combinations of acoustical treatment and loudspeaker, video, computer, and lighting technologies.
ABOUT SYMETRIX Symetrix engineers high-end professional audio solutions, specializing in DSP hardware and software. Symetrix products are distributed worldwide, and designed and manufactured in the U.S. at the Seattle area headquarters. Since 1976, Symetrix customers have enjoyed the benefits of Symetrix’ independent ownership and management.
ABOUT ONE FIREFLY, LLC One Firefly, LLC is the parent company to three business Units, each offering a unique selection of services geared around the custom electronics industry. Firefly Design Group is the leading design, engineering and consulting firm specializing within the integrated building technology space. Firefly Programming is a full service control system programming company specializing in Crestron and Prodigy technology solutions. Firefly Creative is a full service marketing and public relations agency that caters to the custom electronics industry’s member contractors and manufacturers. One Firefly, LLC is based in Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale, Florida with additional offices in Mexico and has been operating since 2007.
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