Secure enclosures protect Apple TV, Roku, Google TV devices in classroom, conference IT environments

Wireless and telecommunications enclosures provider Oberon has unveiled a line of secure mounts to assist the education and conference industries in securing new types of multimedia gateways. The company's new Multimedia Gateway Enclosures line of mounts allows increasingly popular Apple TV, Roku, and Google TV platform devices to be mounted in a suspended ceiling areas as needed, providing both security and good line-of-sight between the multimedia gateway and the devices connecting to it.

The ability to share content wirelessly in a classroom or conference setting is having a tremendous impact on not only educational opportunities but on the technological needs of these settings, notes Oberon. Apple TV, Roku, and the Google TV platform devices are prompting IT planners to equip classrooms and large halls with these popular high definition multimedia projectors and gateways.

The old-fashioned podium with a VGA plug for the instructor is quickly going away, contends Oberon, replaced by these more convenient and responsive systems for sharing information. However, the popularity of such new products as the Apple TV makes them more likely targets for theft or damage. These new technologies require a more open placement to work properly, and as a result, are more difficult to secure.

By its very nature, a multimedia gateway cannot be locked in the podium, notes Oberon. The gateway must be “visible” to all participants for the IR controller and wireless connectivity to function. The gateway should also be close to the projector or monitor to minimize the length of the HDMI cable (HDMI cables greater than 5 meters in length are expensive, and may require a powered HDMI extender). The multimedia gateway must be powered, network-connected, and secured.

The new mounts are UL-listed for use in the plenum space. Model 1075 is a ceiling tile insert; Model 1077 is a ceiling tile replacement. Both come with a choice of clear polycarbonate cover for multimedia gateways or white ABS plastic cover for wireless access points. The Model 1074 holds up to 2U rack-mounted network equipment with attachment points for the user's choice of universal projector mounts.

By keeping vital technology secure and placed where it will work best in a classroom or conference setting, Oberon says the new line of enclosures will help to ensure that educators are able to make reliable use of presentation and interaction technologies.

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