In a typical hotel with four meeting rooms, the sound is controlled in a single room and requires more than two miles of cable. And if a speaker is too close to the microphone, a member of the hotel staff has to run into that room to turn off the speaker and stop the annoying screech that results from audio feedback.
In July, however, Pivitec plans to release technology reducing the amount of cables needed to make sound systems work (less than a half-mile in our aforementioned hotel). The Lehigh Valley startup’s innovations would also make audio setups less expensive and easier to maintain. If a speaker needs to be turned off, for instance, Pivitec co-founder Dan Garrett says that will be possible using a smart phone rather than going to the central control room.
“It’s a much simpler, cleaner solution,” Garrett says.
From its base in Coplay, Pivitec is entering a promising industry, expected to be worth $91 billion worldwide by next year. Investors are taking notice, including $70,000 in funding from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Garrett says Pivitec plans to first introduce its new products to contemporary Christian churches, a market he and co-founder Tom Knesel are familiar with through their last employer, audio technology firm Aviom. Many contemporary Christian congregations rely on elaborate stage setups for their worship services, especially around Christmas and Easter.
From this market Pivitec expects to branch into others, like Broadway shows and hotel meeting rooms.
Source: Dan Garrett, Pivitec
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen