Midwich Tech Xpo 2024: Our Technology Highlights #TechXpo24

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Anton Vidal, General Sales Manager – External Sales at Midwich, and enjoyed a coffee while catching up. Anton walked us through the day’s agenda, setting the stage for an immersive experience with innovations shaping modern meeting spaces, where AV solutions and security technologies seamlessly converged.

The dedicated area for audio demonstrations was particularly impressive, which allowed the technologies to be showcased to their full potential—more on that to come. Sustainability also emerged as a central theme, with many vendors highlighting eco-conscious practices. It was encouraging to see a strong focus on reducing carbon footprints, supported by tangible data and credentials. This commitment resonated well with Cinos’ environmental objectives and Midwich’s commitment to achieving zero emissions.

The event was vibrant and well-attended, with the busiest atmosphere we’ve seen in years. There was a lively buzz on the concourse as we reconnected with familiar faces and met new ones. Making our way around nearly every vendor, we engaged in a mix of quick chats and deeper discussions on the latest technologies and trends.

Here are some standout highlights from our time at Tech Xpo.

Our tour of the Biamp stand, led by Brian Davis, was an insightful experience, showcasing an impressive range of speakers, microphones, and two mock-up meeting rooms that offered valuable context on how their solutions work in practical settings. One highlight was the integration of Evoko’s meeting management technology, now part of Biamp, which streamlines room booking and scheduling whilst integrating with Microsoft Teams Rooms systems.

We also saw the EasyConnect MPX 200 table port, a flexible BYOD solution with powered USB-C connections that allows users to easily connect their devices, share content, and utilise room peripherals like speakers and microphones. This setup provides a smooth, efficient meeting experience, making collaboration straightforward and hassle-free.

A key part of our discussion was Biamp’s automated room space check feature. This innovative technology dynamically analyses a room’s acoustics to optimise audio settings, ensuring clear and effective communication. Brian’s detailed walkthrough helped illustrate how these features come together to elevate the quality of modern meeting spaces, making them adaptable for a variety of collaborative environments.

In addition, Brian introduced us to the PARLÉ™ CBC 2500 CM, a ceiling-mounted conferencing audio bar with integrated beamtracking microphone technology for clear audio capture throughout the room. The audio bar’s ability to dynamically adjust to speakers’ positions ensures optimal sound quality, while its discreet ceiling installation helps maintain a clean and organised meeting space.

On the Neat Stand, Matt Nixon delivered an engaging demonstration of the Neat Board Pro, a 65-inch 4K touchscreen designed to elevate collaboration and deliver immersive meeting experiences. This all-in-one device is equipped with a dual 50MP camera system and hybrid zoom to ensure every participant is framed with remarkable clarity. An impressive addition is its integration with Miro via the Neat App Hub, enabling agile practices, real-time sketching, and collaborative workshops, making it a versatile tool for modern workspaces.

Alongside the Board, the Neat Center impressed with its commitment to bring true inclusivity for remote participants. Offering flexible placement options—whether positioned centrally on the table or suspended overhead—the Neat Center’s 360-degree audiovisual technology continuously adapts to the environment, detecting individuals in the room to provide an optimal sound and viewing experience for remote participants. Matt’s hands-on demonstration and insights were invaluable, highlighting the Neat Center’s AI-driven auto-framing and noise suppression features, which make it a highly practical choice for hybrid meetings.

The TeamConnect Bar solutions were prominently displayed on the Sennheiser stand, so we made our way over for a closer look. Designed for small and mid-sized spaces, the TeamConnect Bar S and TeamConnect Bar M are all-in-one devices featuring beamforming microphones for crystal-clear audio, full-range stereo speakers, and a 4K Ultra HD camera enhanced with AI for auto-framing and person tilting, ensuring that all participants are visible during hybrid meetings.

The demo highlighted the effortless transitions between presenters with the built in DSP automatically optimising room acoustics. The TC Bars offer flexible setups with Dante in/out capabilities for expanded microphone coverage and multiple mounting options, making integration into existing systems straightforward. This solution brings a new level of inclusivity to meetings by dynamically framing individuals and maintaining clear audio, reinforcing Sennheiser’s commitment to high-quality, equitable collaboration experiences.

The enthusiastic Peerless team, led by Charlotte Farrell and Jarrod Ashleigh Etherington, were keen to demonstrate the new STS650 SmartMount Universal Scissor Wall Mount which took centre stage on stand. Designed to accommodate displays ranging from 39 to 85 inches, the STS650 offers a thoughtful approach to installation and maintenance.

During the demonstration, Charlotte and Jarrod highlighted the mount’s extendable adaptors, which allow the display to be pulled up to 12 inches away from the wall, making it easy to access connections and components stored behind the screen—ideal for corporate environments where flexibility is key.

We saw how the ‘Hook-and-Hang’ feature simplified the installation process, while post-installation levelling and side-to-side adjustment ensured perfect display positioning. Furthermore, the open-access design allows for flexible placement of outlets and in-wall boxes, making it a versatile option in a range of settings, from the boardroom and for digital signage applications to use within the hospitality industry.

Few things are as eye-catching as a walking CGI elephant on an image that appears almost paper-like, so we made our way to the Sony stand to learn more. Mark Stanborough demonstrated how Sony’s matte-coated BRAVIA displays significantly reduce glare, creating a screen that indeed resembles paper without compromising on colour or brightness. He explained how the displays actively adjust to external lighting conditions, helping to reduce power consumption while maintaining optimal image quality. This innovative approach not only enhances viewing experiences but also supports energy-efficient practices.

Sony’s demonstration of the SRG-A40 4K PTZ camera showcased its impressive AI-powered auto-framing technology, accurately tracking presenters in real time using AI algorithms for body and head detection. The camera smoothly adjusts pan, tilt, and zoom without manual input, even in dynamic settings. With 40x HD and 30x 4K zoom, Sony’s Clear Image Zoom maintains sharpness while magnifying. The camera’s ability to track multiple participants and features like high-speed movement and an integrated tally lamp make it ideal for corporate presentations and events.

It was great to catch up with Pete M. Bailey, a familiar face who took the time to walk us through the Absen KLCOB V2 video wall. The display impressed with its vibrant visuals and flexible design, making it suitable for various applications like control rooms and conference settings. Pete’s in-depth knowledge helped highlight the solution’s versatility and durability, as the modular setup allows for easy configuration while the robust construction ensures reliability in different environments.

In the audio zone, led by the Sound Technologies team, Andy Shortland was keen for us to experience the Holoplot demo. So, on the hour we returned for a captivating demonstration of the Holoplot X2 Matrix Array, led by Hanns Walz. The X2’s use of 3D Audio-Beamforming and Wave Field Synthesis allows for precise manipulation of sound, creating multiple distinct audio zones within the same room. The demo highlighted this capability by playing F1 commentary alongside an NFL game, with separate train station-style announcements targeted at different halves of the room, as well as two distinct music tracks. We were encouraged to switch sides to experience the seamless audio transition; while there was a slight blur in the centre, the precision of the audio targeting was impressive.

The spot targeting was especially impressive, as within less than half a metre, you could move from hearing sound to complete silence. Experiencing this effect felt almost choreographed, as if we were in a school of fish, moving fluidly around the room and experiencing the soundscape from different perspectives. The Holoplot X2’s ability to deliver such an immersive and precisely controlled audio experience truly sets it apart, making it clear that this technology is really something special.

All in all, Midwich’s Tech Xpo was once again a fantastic event immersed in cutting-edge technology, innovation, and a clear industry commitment to delivering high-quality, eco-friendly, and future-ready products. The event not only showcased the latest advancements but also highlighted a shared determination to push boundaries and meet the evolving needs of customers.

We would like to extend a big thank you to Midwich and all the vendors for showcasing their latest innovations. A special thanks goes to Anton Vidal, for the invitation and warm hospitality and to Rachel Curson and the events team for delivering yet another fantastic event.

See a product you would like to learn more about for your organisation? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, our team would be delighted to discuss your requirements.