Technical Resource Hub

When commissioning Interacts on site, these can only be commissioned via the GoBright App. Here's your initial quick checklist:✅ An Interact ✅ An admin account for the GoBright Portal ✅ A smartphone with the latest GoBright mobile app, logged in as an admin✅ An Interact profile (this is done the on portal)✅ If the devices sit behind a firewall, please ensure MQTT over TLS has been correctly configured.Please note: When using Wi-Fi:✅ 2.4 Ghz (supported)❌️ 5 Ghz (not supported)Now that all of the above are in place, please follow steps 1 to 3 on this article.Related Article:Hard-reset a GoBright Interact The full firewall rules can be found here.

Here's a simple guide to factory resetting your GoBright Interact.With a small screwdriver or a paperclip you can press the reset button for 5-10 seconds.Let the device fully reboot. You'll then need the GoBright app to scan the QR code shown on screen and link the Interact to the relevant desk / room.The GoBright app is available for free on both Apple and Android devices. Just check out your relevant app store and search for 'GoBright'.

Solution Overview MTR / BYOM via USB-CPerfect for small and medium sized meeting rooms, this solution provides a high quality system for Microsoft Teams meetings.  A Huddly C1 all-in-one camera and audio system gives crisp images with multiple options for automatic framing as well as rich audio.The ReThink switch extends the flexibility of the space by allowing users to attach their own computer for local screen share and access the Huddly C1 for Bring Your Own Meeting functionality. All this functionality comes at less than £4,500 RRP.Key Benefits- One-touch join of Microsoft Teams meetings - Exceptional video quality with AI framing & tracking - Outstanding microphone pickup and professional speaker output - Bring Your Own Meeting support connects screen and peripherals.  Host the meeting on your computer. - Auto switching to your computer as soon as you plug in - Single USB-C connects your computer for video, audio, data and network*.  Plus, it charges your battery!Core Components-  MAXHUB XCore MTR-  MAXHUB ND65CMA 65" display-  Huddly C1 all in one camera/audio bar-  ReThink RAV-SW-SW-C2x1HU switch-  ReThink active USB-C cableOptional Components for wireless sharing-  Mersive POD v4-  AirServer Connect 3-  MAXHUB WB05 + WT13Connection Diagram

Is History Repeating Itself? A meditation on 21:9 vs 16:9 Aspect RatioNote: This article contains cultural references.  If you were born before 1990, ask your dad.Commercial displays are going through a bit of a revolution – at least, that’s what some manufacturers would have us believe.  Thanks to advances in production technology, we now have access to ultra-wide 21:9 screens that provide a significantly broader canvasAnd yes, they look impressive.  With around 33% more display area than a standard 16:9 screen of equivalent height, they offer additional space for digital signage, video meetings and collaborative workspaces.But let’s not get carried away – bigger isn’t always better.  Sometimes, it’s just…wider.A brief history of Aspect RatiosTo understand the pros and cons of 21:9, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to 1998.The era of crop tops, tiny handbags and boy bands.  Robbie went solo; 5ive, Aqua & Fat Les stormed the charts.  At the cinema we cried at Saving Private Ryan, held our breath in Armageddon and were confused by The Avengers (the one with Eddie Izzard and some bees, not the other one). England didn’t win the World Cup.  Again.It was the year of the £2 coin, the Ford Focus, DVD’s and the start of digital television.  An visual revolution was starting.Back then, TVs (and commercial screens), were based on CRT technology so were big, bulky and immovable.  They were also 4:3 aspect ratio.  Want to know the spec of the screen?  Check out those horizontal lines.  How about that interlacing? TV was broadcast in 4:3, and most movies were released on VHS in the same aspect ratio.Then came the game changer: flat screens.  First plasma, then LCD.  These were larger, slimmer and – crucially – widescreen.  We stopped obsessing over lines and instead became familiar with new buzzwords – 720P HD, 1080i, and Full HD.But the content didn’t keep up.  That fancy new widescreen?  It showed black bars on the sides unless you were watching something special.  Even today, catch and old episode of Top Of The Pops to relive that nostalgic glory (and terrible haircuts).With the launch of digital TV, some content began appearing in widescreen.  At last, we could use the missing third of the screen.  DVDs followed suit, with options for aspect ratio settings to match your screen.  Now you could stretch your content to fill the display, but you would have squashed heads and pixellated everything.  Anamorphic fill?  No thanks.Then came Blue-ray in 2006.  Finally, content matched our screens.  Native 16:9 was here, and HD channels began broadcasting in earnest – only 8 years after flat screens had hit the market.Why the delay?  Well, when TV cameras cost £25,000 apiece – and up to 20 of them could be used on a single show – broadcasters were reluctant to reinvest.  Especially when no one was sure of HD wasn’t just another fad.  Remember 3DTV?  No?  My point exactly.Fast forward to Today : Welcome 21:9Unlike the shift from 4:3 to 16:9, which was driven by the consumer market, the current wave of 21:9 displays is primarily a business-led evolution.  These ultra-wide screens are designed to offer more information on signage and provide richer experiences in meeting.They’re especially good for touch applications.  Wider screens mean that more people can interact together – and crucially, no one needs a stepladder to reach the top.However, we nor find ourselves in a familiar place: a transitional period.  We’re stuck between current 16:9 HD resolutions and new 5K resolutions in 21:9 aspect ratio.As always, early adopters face challenges.  The infrastructure to support native 5K content simply doesn’t exist yet.  It’s Betamax, LaserDisc and HD-DVD all over again.If your application already supports 5K (or at least a lower resolution 21:9 ratio), then great.  You’re ahead of the curve.  But if not, your fancy new display may be stuck with the same black bars we saw in the early 2000’s, or you can use built-in image stretching.  And while this tech has come a long way, it still can’t prevent everyone on a Teams call looking like Danny DeVito.Let’s be honest – no one wants their meeting persona to look like something from a hall of mirrors.  So once again, you’re left with a dilemma : underutilise the screen or settle for distorted content.When (and when not) to position 21:9 screens Here’s the deal: if your application can run on a PC where you can force a 21:9 resolution, go for it.  Ultra-wide screens are fantastic in that case.If not?  You may be better served sticking to 16:9.For example, a Windows based Microsoft Teams Room (MTR system works well with ultra-wide displays.  Whilst they may not support full 5K, you choose resolutions like 3440x1440 or 3840x1660 to preserve 21:9 and fill the screen.  Plus, you get the full benefit of Front Row, which much better use of the available space than the default view.However, Android based MTR’s do you offer that flexibility. Either stick to a 16:9 screen or proceed with caution.If you’re running an application on an OPS module, that’s fine too – as long as your screen accepts OPS or has the correct module.  Always double check compatibility before you buy.Planning a Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) setup?  Be wary.  Most laptops run 16:9 native resolutions.  If you mirror the display onto a 21:9 screen, you’ll get black bars.  If you extend the desktop, some laptops may support 21:9 – but this depends on the machine.Running multiple ultra-wide displays for collaborative work?  You’ll need a high-spec PC with dedicated graphics card capable of powering multiple 5K screens.  This is not the time to skimp.  Cabling & infrastructure: not all cables are created equalMost screens and computers today support HDMI 2.0, but this does not handle 5K resolution.  You can, however, use HDMI to run 21:9 format at lower resolutions (3440x1440 or 3840x1660), if the computer supports it.HDMI2.1 and 2.2 are newer and support full 5K resolution, but they are rare in commercial screens, computers or AV infrastructure.DisplayPort will support 5K at 21:9 ratio. , but it’s generally found on higher end desktops, not laptops – unless you add an extra graphics card.USB-C can support 5K too, but here’s the catch: USB-C is just the shape of the port.  The cable inside could do anything – from charging your phone to transmitting high-speed video and data.  A full-featured Thunderbolt cable is what you need.  And there’s a second issue: passive Thunderbolt cables max out at 3 meters before the signal degrades.  Active cables can run up to 15 meters, but they’re expensive.  And because they are optical, they are also fragile.If you’re using switchers or extenders (like ReThink, LightWare, WyreStorm etc), don’t expect 5K support just yet.  Most of these max out at 4K, and any higher resolution will be scaled back.But there is good news.  Higher spec versions of these products are on their way.  Just like the migration from 4:3 to 16:9, there is lag between screen technology and the back end infrastructure.  Hopefully, this time it won’t take 8 years.In summary - your cut out and keep guide for customers-  Advances in screen technology tend to happen before advances in content for the screens-  21:9 ultrawide screens are still new to the market-  The majority of content and meeting room infrastructure is suited for 16:9 resolutions-  21:9 ratio screens need a dedicated computer to support ultra-wide resolutions-  21:9 ratio screens are best suited to applications such as Front Row on Windows MTR or collaborative planning-  16:9 ratio screens are best suited to Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) environments where content is routed via a sharing device or video infrastructure.-  Windows and MacOS both support 21:9 resolutions if directly connected – Android does not.-  Switchers, matrices and other infrastructure currently do not support ultra-wide resolutions-  Wireless sharing devices currently do not support ultra-wide resolutions-  Most laptops will only support ultra-wide resolutions on an extended desktop (screen 2).  -  If you mirror your primary laptop screen it will be 16:9.-  Most screens have an HDMI2.0 input which will support 21:9 ratio at lower resolutions (3440x1440 or 3840x1660).  To support 21:9, 5K resolution DisplayPort or USB-C Thunderbolt cables should be used.  Passive Thunderbolt has a limited cable length.  Active Thunderbolt is required to run longer distances.-  If you provide 16:9 resolutions to a 21:9 screen you can either:Display the native image, which will show black bars on either side of the screen OR,Set the screen to stretch the image, which degrades image qualityIt is important that you understand your requirements before recommending a 21:9 screen and they understand why they may not be able to get a full, native full screen image on an ultra-wide screenStill unsure? Speak to Nick in the Ascentae support team.  He still remembers Betamax.

During compatibility testing, we have identified the following potential issues when using all-in-one screens and USB switchers.Outline of issues When using a USB switcher with active cable, it is possible to exceed the maximum number of USB Tiers (levels / hubs)The total permitted number of USB tiers is 7.  This is set out in the USB standard.  In theory, this limitation shouldn’t be reached, but as laptops develop and AV installations make greater use of USB devices, it is possible to exceed the limit.In our tested scenarios we used 2 different makes of Windows 11 laptops, 4 switches and 4 screens.- A laptop computer typically users 2 or 3 tiers, depending on complexity of internal USB.- A USB Switcher uses 2 tiers- An Active USB Cable uses 2 Tiers- An All-In-One screen with built-in camera, speakers and microphone will use 2 or 3 TiersSymptomsIf the total number of USB tiers is exceeded, Windows 11 machines will typically display an error message ‘USB device not recognised’ or ‘Maximum USB Hubs Exceeded’.  Occasionally, a “silent failure” will occur and no error is displayed.  However, in Device Manager, a USB Hub will be shown in fail state.USB devices on the All-In-One screen will not be accessible via the USB switch (microphone, camera, speakers and touch back). Fig 1.  In this scenario, the laptop will not see any of the peripherals on the AIO screen  How to determine if you have this issueWhilst you can check within Windows, we downloaded a USB Diagnostic tool to provide more detailed information.  There are lots available, but we used the Liteware USB20 Configurator app. Potential WorkaroundsBecause this is a fundamental restriction of USB architecture, there is no ideal solution.  However, options may include:Option 1.Using a passive USB connection to the laptop (USB-C

Nureva HDL410 – Best Practice for Camera IntegrationDirect Integration Before installing a camera steering and switching solution to integrate with your Nureva audio solution, we recommend you refer to the below information and important links.You can find comprehensive instructions on installing and configuring a Nureva / camera solution on the Nureva Support site.This article gives guidance you may not find online, plus some Top Tips that we have picked up.Understand the customer requirementsNureva can support both camera steering (tracking/switching presets), and camera switching (changing to different cameras).It is important to have a view of the customers room, and understand which areas of the room need to be covered by a camera.  From this, you can determine the number of cameras required and the fields of view.If you have any queries about this, please contact Ascentae for advice.  We can even offer a full pre-installation consultancy service to help with this.Understand the limitations of the technology – HDL300 / HDL310         When integrating with a HDL300 or HDL310, you have a single sound bar – and so only one point of reference.  The information passed to the camera controller is based on the central point of the sound bar.  This makes it an ideal solution for azimuth presets, with a single camera mounted in line with the centre of the sound bar.Typically, up to 8 presets can be configured, each covering 22.5° of the room.The same is true if you have the legacy Dual HDL300 system.  The reference point for camera tracking will be the centre point of the primary sound bar (plugged into port 1 on the Connect Module).  The 2nd sound bar is not used for camera tracking).If using more than one camera, the best position for the cameras is either side of the sound bar, each covering half the room and using 4 presets.Understand the limitations of the technology – HDL300 / HDL310The HDL410 has 2 sound bars and when correctly positioned in the room, they can deliver accurate X,Y coordinate information to the camera controller.  Depending on the sophistication of the camera controller, it can interpret those coordinates in different ways.                Select appropriate camera and steer to coordinate location                Select appropriate camera and steer using presets                Select appropriate camera and switch to pre-defined zoneNote:  Not all camera controllers support all these modes.  Refer the camera vendor documentation for details.Camera zoning is covered in detail in a separate knowledge base article.Choosing the correct cameraNureva have created a suite of API calls which different camera providers have utilized to integrate with the Nureva devices.  Currently these are Aver and Lumens, plus drivers and sound tracking modules by Crestron and Extron.Typically, each camera vendor has created a software camera controller (in some instances it may be a hardware device).  Nureva confirm compatibility with the camera controller.  However, not all cameras from a specific vendor will be supported on the controller software.  It is the responsibility of the integrator to confirm compatibility of cameras and camera control solution.Make sure you check the focus length / zoom capabilities of the proposed camera.  If you are installing in a large room, the camera should be able to zoom and focus clearly on the furthest participant.Currently supported camera drivers are as follows.Note that camera switching is not supported by PTZApp 2 (single camera only)Note that camera switching is not supported by CamConnect Lite (single camera only)Cameras that support preset recall and have a Crestron module can support sound location data.Cameras that support preset recall and have an Extron driver can support sound location data.Positioning of the Nureva Sound BarsFor the HL300 / HDL310 remember that the camera reference point is the centre of the sound bar.The ideal position for the sound bar is above the screen – allowing sufficient clearance for the audio to be reflected off the wall into the microphones.It is important that there is no obstruction underneath the sound bar as this will degrade audio quality and cause inaccurate sound location data.To ensure best audio performance, measure how far your screen sits from the wall, and mount the sound bar so the bottom is 1.5 x this distance.E.g.  if you screen sits 10cm proud of the wall, the bottom of the sound bar should be 15cm from the top of the screen.Refer to the Microphone clearance requirements guide for more detailshttps://support.nureva.com/docs/installation-hdl300-microphone-clearance-requirements-and-recommendations-2We recommend that cameras are mounted underneath the screen where possible, but if underneath HDL sound bar, allow at least 6” (15cm) clearance from the top of the camera to the bottom of the sound bar.Available ResourcesSupported camera solution - https://support.nureva.com/docs/supported-integrations-for-camera-switching-and-tracking-1Aver Integration Instructions - https://support.nureva.com/docs/integrate-aver-cameras-with-camera-trackingLumens Integration Instructions - https://support.nureva.com/docs/how-to-integrate-with-lumens-ptz-camerasCrestron Module Instructions - https://support.nureva.com/docs/use-crestron-sound-tracking-moduleExtron Driver Instructions - https://support.nureva.com/docs/using-extron-sound-tracking-driverWatch out for reflectionsCameras are dumb and can easily be confused by reflections in windows.Be mindful of setting presets that can catch reflected images, or setting the camera to track in areas where windows will reflect if it’s dark outside.Ideally, curtains or blinds will not only avoid this issue, but have the additional benefit of reducing echo and reverberation in the room and so improve performance of the HDL device.If in doubt, ask AscentaeWe are here to help.  Please ask if you need any guidance, or would like to engage us to do a consultation on HDL and camera integration.