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Spyders Deployed for Command-and-Control to US Joint Operations Center in Afghanistan
PHOENIX (November 19, 2005) - Vista Systems provided six Spyder 353 systems to defense contractor SpecOps for the command and control center for the US Army's 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan. SpecOps, which builds tactical control centers, configured the Spyders to feed a 16x5-foot screen which acts as a mega-wall displaying satellite feeds, maps and other key visuals to the division's Joint Operations Center hub.
"The military is interested in lightweight, rugged, highly-deployable systems that hold up under duress and are usable year after year," says Gil Sylvia, Applications Engineer with SpecOps. "They don't want to have to install something that affects the infrastructure of their location; they do not want to put up permanent screens. Our systems are self-enclosed and can be packed and boxed for redeployment.
"Instead of creating the usual cubed videowall where information is lost between the cubes, Spyder enabled us to create a seamless large screen with multiple windowing which can be used with different sources simultaneously and instantaneously," he continues. "Spyder also allows us to do two or three projector edgeblends."
Spyder meets the demands for a compact, rugged command and control system that's also full featured and user friendly. "Spyder gives us total control of switching, seamless displays and easy windowing," says Sylvia. "We can display 60 fps in every window; in processing that's a big deal -- a lot of times that can't be done. But Spyder does it across the board. Although there are really a lot of systems built into it, the key is its simplicity. Spyder makes it easy for the end user."
Sylvia points out that the military, unlike the staging industry, "doesn't get to see" this kind of display technology. "The 'wow' factor is incredible," he reports. "The installation works because of our frame sets and Spyder. Nothing else does what Spyder does."
For more information on SpecOps, vist www.specopsinc.com.
About Vista Systems
Vista Systems' switchers have become the industry standard for live multiple-destination video
and data mixed signal switching. For more information on Vista Systems, visit their Web site at
www.vistasystems.net.