In a quest for differentiation in a competitive market, demand for high-quality AV systems in hotels continues unabated. However, available budgets remain static at best in many parts of the globe. Richard Lawn reports on the state of play in the expansive Indonesian archipelago.
“TO FULFIL TENDERS, AV INSTALLERS MUST DELIVER five-star service functionality and value on a three-star budget,” comments PT Ideal Systems’ CEO for SEA, Fintan Mc Kiernan. This wry observation followed the successful AV fulfilment of meeting rooms, restaurants, lobby and ballroom in the Mercure Jakarta Batavia in Java’s capital city.
The satisfied property now promotes its cutting-edge AV functionality – including networked audio, conferencing, digital signage and projection – to a widening clientele of business travellers and tourists. Naturally, the extensive works were completed on a limited budget.
All meeting rooms are equipped with portable video screens
Indonesian systems integrators who serve the hospitality sector are long accustomed to cash flow problems, construction delays and tight deadlines. Balancing limited budgets while providing an exceptional level of performance is also a leading trait among successful SIs. Respected for many years among the broadcasting fraternity, PT Ideal Systems relocated to a new office in late 2019, where the expanded team continues to lend its expertise to international hotel chains among the other verticals it services.
Having delivered an impressive package at the Mercure Jakarta Batavia, PT Ideal Systems was requested by developer PT Delta Merlin Dunia Properti to tender for its next hospitality project in the heart of Central Java. As one of three bidders for the four-star Swiss-Belhotel Solo, PT Ideal Systems created a new AV blueprint that would enhance functionality for business, leisure and events. The winning design proposed by PT Ideal Systems’ designer, Suteja, was selected as it would justifiably stimulate the guest experience and provide ease of functionality for the hotel duty managers within the owner’s restricted budget.
Having been selected to install an extensive AV infrastructure, the Jakarta-based SI worked closely with independent consultant, Dani M Alafah. Crucially, however, Suteja and his colleagues could modify plans and specifications from the outset to the benefit of all parties. “Most Indonesian hotel BGM designs are based on dated analogue audio systems,” comments Suteja. “I think a fear remains that digital equates to expensive, so I had to convince the client that not only would digital be more beneficial in terms of remote management, reliability and ease of use, it would also be slightly cheaper.”
Meeting Room
The hotel’s BGM is streamed digitally from a ground- level server connected to two Extron DMP 128 Plus AT matrix processors and the loudspeaker outputs over an Ethernet Cat-6 local area network (LAN). “Extron was of great assistance, as our works in Solo represent the first application of digital BGM being installed in an Indonesian hotel,” adds Suteja. Volume control and other audio parameters connecting the various Samsung DVD players and other sources are controlled from Samsung Galaxy Tab wireless touchscreens. “The tablets not only provide ease of use for managers on the move, but they’re relatively inexpensive.”
In addition to the 12 analogue inputs and eight outputs, a USB port on each DMP 128 Plus AT processor provides up to four channels of digital audio input and output and eight audio file players. For the Swiss-Belhotel project, Dante audio networking enabled by the two digital processors are capable of connecting up to 96 audio inputs and 48 outputs. The BGM is streamed over the LAN to four Extron AXI 44 AT audio interfaces located on each level. Each quarter rack width Dante-enabled unit features four line inputs and outputs for routing to the loudspeaker outputs. Enabled by an AV Network BGM switch, an Extron IPCP Pro 250 processor controls the multiple devices and signals within the AV infrastructure.
Powering a combination of QSC AC-C8T and Apart CM6T and CMT4 ceiling speakers, the Extron ecosystem is completed with the addition of Extron XPA 1002, 2002 and 1004 two-channel amplifiers. “By selecting 70V line low-level impedance, the distributed cable runs on each level are minimised,” confirms project manager, Chairul Amri. Between the downstairs lobby lounge and fifth-level restaurant, PT Ideal Systems designed standalone BGM networks for the fourth-level spa, outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre.
Daylight Meeting Room
A higher SPL system comprising Yamaha VXS speakers and subwoofers was specified for the pool deck and gym. Aerobic teachers provide instructions using a AKG WMS420 Presenter head-worn wireless mic.
The majority of the company’s works, however, focus on the eight meeting rooms and ballroom located on
the second level. Ranging from 57m–131m2 in size, the meeting rooms can host a multitude of business clients for conducting commerce, training and team building exercises. To cater for every event, PT Ideal Systems has carefully integrated standalone conferencing, sound reinforcement and video projection technology. Standard setups include Epson EB-685 3,500-ANSI lumens LCD projectors,
LG 22-inch digital signage displays, Yamaha MG10 rack-mounted consoles and AKG wired D5 and wireless Perception microphones. All nine rooms have been installed with Apart CMT4 4-inch ceiling speakers powered by Extron XPA 1002 2x60W amplifiers.
Nusantara Ballroom
Designed to cater for conferences, gala dinners and weddings, the hotel’s 669m2 ballroom is an impressive centrepiece on the level above. With a capacity to cater for up 1,000 guests, providing intelligible speech and BGM, the 4.5m-high room has been equipped with 20 QSC AC-C8T 8-inch ceiling speakers powered by two Extron XPA 4002 amplifiers. “Should a wedding function require a live band to perform, they can either hire their own PA or utilise the hotel’s Yamaha DBR10 and DSR118 portable active PA system by patching into one of the several facility panels we have installed,” explains Amri.
A Yamaha MGP24X console offers simplified analogue mixing when required. In terms of microphones, the podium is equipped with dual Clockaudio C801ES-RF 18-inch goosenecks, while speakers and performers can either select AKG WMS420 clip-on or handheld wireless models. Visual entertainment is output from Epson EB-G7000 6,500- ANSI lumens projectors onto dual Grandview LS-Z200 16:9 200-inch fast fold screens. Extron DTP HDMI transmitters and receivers ensure image clarity from visual sources to the main screen. Seven Apart CM6T 6.5-inch ceiling speakers, together with two 32-inch LG digital signage displays, provide information and BGM for arriving guests in the pre-function area.
With 12 new properties due to open by 2022 in Indonesia, Swiss-Belhotel International is clearly expecting significant growth among business travellers and tourists over the forthcoming decade. Like all other hotel chains, financial constraints exist, but not at the risk of deterring guests on account of offering second-rate facilities. Staying ahead of the pack by integrating Indonesia’s first Dante-enabled BGM, PT Delta Merlin Dunia Properti’s relationship with PT Ideal Systems looks set to continue for some time.