BRIDGEVILLE, PA—More than ever during these trying economic times, entities from corporations to government bureaus to educational institutions are turning to various modes of videoconferencing to replace the need for physical travel. Besides obvious time and cost benefits, this trend can reduce an organization’s carbon footprint and related environmental impacts, enhance employee productivity, and broaden access to distant resources. Brightline’s role in this transformative technology has been to provide high-performance, broadcast-quality lighting products in response to the growing market realization that, without correct lighting, even the most sophisticated conferencing systems will fail to produce a suitable image.

Initially developed for the distance-learning and telepresence sectors, Brightline’s latest offering is an innovative videoconference fixture line that will serve as the perfect complement to the company’s classic in-ceiling, directional T-Series fixtures. Like the T-Series, the new energy-efficient Stealth-T is designed for easy installation in any ceiling with standard 2- x 2-ft (600- x 600-mm) T-bar panels. The name “Stealth” was chosen for the product line to emphasize several of its more compelling features, among them:

• An unobtrusive profile that requires only 5 inches of clearance above a room’s T-bar structure and descends a mere ¼ inch below the ceiling plane. Whereas the T-Series achieves directional illumination via patented articulating carriages that break the ceiling plane, Stealth-T fixtures incorporate a system of specially engineered aluminum louvers to direct the light at angles of 45°, bi-directional 45°, or 90° (vertical). Louver options are interchangeable and ensure accurate coverage of all potential on-camera positions in addition to fulfilling the requirements of general room task lighting.
• Broadcast-quality illumination that can be entirely glare-free. A range of frosted diffusion filters modulate the light and can be selected to totally eliminate glare for unprecedented visual comfort in the classroom or conference room.
• An extremely competitive price point that will fly under the radar of previous VC lighting budgets. Positioned as Brightline’s least expensive fixture, Stealth-T represents the ideal choice for those seeking a technologically advanced yet cost-effective conferencing environment.

In other words, architects and designers won’t see the fixtures in the room, users won’t feel the light in their eyes, and purchasers won’t be faced with as big a number on their lighting invoice. Brightline has also aimed to make setup as easy as possible by offering an optional installation kit (also available for T-Series) comprising a system of plug-in power/dimming connectors that makes it simple for AV integrators or electrical contractors to finalize any Special-T installation. Maintenance is similarly straightforward, with all fixture components—including ballasts—accessible from below through a spring-loaded louver frame. As do other Brightline products, the Stealth-T turns out very little heat; consumes up to 90% less electricity than comparable incandescent fixtures; employs recyclable, custom-phosphor 55-W lamps with lamp life in excess of 8,000 hours; and produces a spectral emission calibrated to harmonize with the widest range of digital cameras, including the latest HD models.

Although Stealth-T units are intended for a variety of videoconferencing applications, the fixtures’ unique combination of features makes them particularly well-suited for certain domains of today’s burgeoning VC market. For educational institutions facing budgetary constraints and concerns for student visual comfort, the Stealth-T’s price, versatility, and glare-free operation will be especially attractive as more schools and universities turn to on-campus conferencing and distance learning. The product’s minimal profile and lack of glare are also major advantages in the relatively close confines of telepresence suites, where participants must be carefully lit to ensure optimal appearance of extensive and sometimes irregularly shaped displays.   

Created for today’s needs, the Stealth-T is the latest incarnation of Brightline’s design ingenuity, engineering expertise, and unparalleled experience in the field. Additional information about this dynamic new addition to the company’s videoconference fixture portfolio can be found at http://www.brightlines.com/StealthT/index.htm.