Advanced Integrates AV Solutions into GE'S New Grid IQ Global Innovation Center

General Electric recently opened its new $40 million, 200,000 sq. ft. Grid IQ Global Innovation Center, dedicated to promoting its next-generation energy management grid. To help bring the center to life, Advanced, an AV integrator, designed and installed an integrated AV and IT solution that encompasses 55 rooms. This includes a Customer Experience Center that features a 58' Prysm LPD video wall.

According to Mark Mulford, president and CEO at Advanced, "This expansive AV and IT installation encapsulates GE's mantra of 'Imagination At Work' and provides an immersive media experience that is vital to convey the forward-thinking technologies GE is developing to improve the efficiency, reliability, and security of the world's electrical grids. As Canada's premier AV and IT integration company, we are proud to be recognized by GE for our industry-leading solutions and to help GE deliver an unmatched visitor experience."

The Customer Experience Center brings the Grid IQ technologies to life in a visual way. Advanced utilized the Prysm video wall and several wall-mounted touchscreen displays to allow customers to explore GE's energy technologies firsthand and enable them to discover solutions to improve and enhance their energy grids. In fact, it is the world's largest curved Prysm video wall, measuring 58' wide by 7' tall and comprising 175 individual tiles with the thinnest seams currently possible. Incorporating green large-format display technologies, the video wall consumes just one-tenth the power of traditional digital displays. Video processing is provided by an Extron Quantum Elite processor and a professional grade multi-zone audio system was installed to complete the media experience. The entire Customer Experience Center features Crestron automation and can be controlled through an iPad.

"GE wanted to create a one-of-a-kind experience for their customers," said Mulford, "and we proved that Advanced, more than any other integration company, has the knowledge, experience, and vision to deliver compelling and effective AV solutions. We worked directly with GE and Prysm on the concept, design, and implementation of the system and utilized the newest cutting-edge AV and presentation technologies. This resulted in one of the world's most immersive digital environments. To put it simply, there is no other system like this on Earth."