SEDIBENG BREWERY RAISES THE BAR

Heineken, Amstel and Windhoek are known and marketed as premium beers, and Sedibeng Brewery where these beverages are produced regards itself as a premium facility. This not only covers the high-tech brewery plant, but also state of the art audio-visual and digital media equipment. In 2010 Promag reported on the Sedibeng Brewery's desire to install "a stable, yet easy-to-use audio visual control system for their new administration building which would allow for high definition video and data to be distributed to designated zones and which would also simplify boardroom operations". This desire was satisfied by Kobus Bosch of HFX Systems who installed the very first Crestron Digital Media system in South Africa.

Since 2010 and the completion of Phase 1 neither Sedibeng nor HFX have been idle. The end of 2012 saw the successful completion of Phase 2. Known as The Heineken Experience it is a visitor's information system that gives historical, brew process, safety, fermentation, bottling and packaging information in attractive Audio-Visual format at various points throughout the plant.

The brewery is a huge site and the challenge was to get a perfect HD signal from the Crestron System where the video clips are situated on an Alcorn McBride bin loop player, to the various points of display – some of which are over 2km away. "Copper was not even considered as an option due to the distances and other restrictions," said Kobus "so we opted to utilise spare Single Mode optic fibre ports. In effect we piggybacked on the existing Brewery single mode data network."

Rupert Denoon of Electrosonic, who assisted with the design, added "This is the first single mode Digital media system install in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has the capability to send full HD signals, RS232 control, IR control and LAN up to 10 km".

Kobus incorporated a bit of dazzle at the Fermentation area where a Martin Moving Head display with gobos of the beer logos lights up when the AV is activated by visitors.

It is worth noting that a job of this nature is not a simple undertaking: a huge number of man hours and a large amount of skilled Human Resources are required. Many hours were spent on planning, design, discussion and on-site visits. Documentation and compliance took up more time, before the nuts and bolts of installation and programming could proceed (see table for exact breakdown). It must also be noted that the installation proceeded while the brewery was operational, as the Brewery runs 7 days a week. Working in a brewery might sound like a lot of fun to most drinking men (and women), but it is less fun than it might seem, because a modern brewery is noisy environment with extreme temperature and humidity variations.

 

Job	Hours
Design, project planning and on site meetings	65
Preparation of documentation, safety and environmental compliancy	14
Installation	245
Programming	84
TOTAL	408

 

The Sedibeng project is so exceptional that HFX Systems received a "Highly Commended" award in the Best DigitalMedia™ Install" category at the Crestron Integration Awards in Amsterdam in January 2013. Congratulations to all concerned!

This is not the end of the story; Sedibeng Breweries are planning further improvements to their AV systems. Phase three requires Kobus and HFX Systems to utilize the current infrastructure to extract and display production data in designated areas; and, supply, install and program HD display panels in dust and moisture protected cabinets.

"The nice thing about Crestron is that it is future upgradable," said Kobus: "four years down the line we are still adding value because Crestron allows you the expandability to push the boundaries and the scope for expansion has now increased beyond the original specification".

Kobus's award-winning team is sure to rise to the challenge and Promag will keep you posted.

A very proud team indeed: (Above, left to right) Rupert Denoon (Product Manager – Crestron SA), Kobus Bosch (HFX Systems) and Eugene Coetzee (AV Systems Manager – Electrosonic SA).

Kobus Bosch from HFX Systems receiving the "Highly Commended for the Best DigitalMedia™ Install" from Crestron International's VP of Sales & Marketing, Robin van Meeuwen.

 

MAIN EQUIPMENT LIST:

Control Processors

• 1 x Crestron AV 2 Control processor
• 4 x Crestron MP2E Control processors

Digital Media Matrix's with input/output cards

• 1x Crestron DM 8x8 Digital Media Matrix
• 3 x Crestron DMC-HD Hi Definition input cards
• 2 x Crestron DMC-CAT input cards
• 3 x Crestron DMC-DVI input cards
• 2 x Crestron DMCO-11 MM Fiber output cards
• 1x Crestron DM 16x16 Digital Media Matrix
• 5 x Crestron DMC-SDI input cards
• 2 x Crestron DMC-DVI input cards
• 1 x Crestron DMCO-6666 SM Fiber output card

Video processors

• 1 x Crestron DVHD Video processor

Keypads and Touch panels

• 4 x Crestron CNX-B8B Keypads
• 1 x Crestron TPS-4L Wall-mount Touch panel
• 2 x Crestron TPS-6L Wall-mount Touch panels
• 4 x Crestron TPMC 4 SM Wall-mount Touch panels

Receiver units

• 6 x Crestron DM-RMC100F Room control modules
• 2 x Crestron DM-TX 201 modules
• 7 x Crestron DMC-S2 Fiber receiver cards
• 7 x Crestron DMCI Card interface units

Lighting control

• 2 x Crestron Din – 4DimU4

Control interfaces

• 6 x Crestron STCom
• 1 x Crestron DMX 512BI DMX control interface

 

Crestron's Integrated by Design stand at ISE 2013