Our 1 Beyond Cameras and Crestron Flex Pods are now Zoom certified, and our TST-1080 touch screen now brings wireless, feature-packed control to any Zoom Rooms deployment

Aug. 5, 2024 - Crestron and Zoom have been working together for years, sharing a common goal: simplifying the technology that makes hybrid work possible. Even before the pandemic, both firms understood the need for solutions that could assist a blend of collaborators, some in-office, some remote.

That working partnership continues, now with Zoom Rooms® software functionality in a Crestron wireless touch screen and Zoom certification for Crestron 1 Beyond Cameras and Crestron Flex Pods.

The TST-1080 ...

Control is at the heart of Crestron's innovations — in fact, Crestron control solutions put the company on the map some 50 years ago. One of the most recent additions to that line is the TST-1080, a wireless touch screen that’s packed with features. As we noted on the Crestron blog at its release:

Because this control device is built to work in any Crestron ecosystem in sensitive deployments, it boasts enterprise-grade security and authentication.

The screen includes a universal status bar that’s already loaded with virtual buttons for the most common commands, such as power, lights up or down, home, and so on. … It has a thin, tablet-style form factor and a 10.1-inch backlit, high-contrast, color LCD display. Its design allows it to move seamlessly from handheld to stationary use. Right out of the box, you’ll find support for the Crestron XiO Cloud® provisioning and management service. The smaller details are accounted for as well, such as an easily accessible on-screen keyboard.

The features you’d expect in a wireless touch screen such as this are all top-notch, including a high-quality, built-in speaker and microphone system, Wi-Fi® wireless technology 5 and 6 network support at the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands, and an included table dock that recharges the large-capacity lithium-ion battery pack.

A recent firmware update has added another feature to the mix: Control for the Zoom Rooms® video conferencing platform.

... Now a Zoom Rooms Wireless Controller

As you’re likely aware, Zoom Rooms Controllers (ZRC) are devices paired with a Zoom Rooms system and provide users with an interface to start or join a meeting, adjust camera and audio settings, and access other controls. A decades-long industry leader with our line of Crestron Control solutions, the company now boasts the most complete suite of certified Zoom Rooms Controllers on the market, including the TS/TSW 770 and TS/TSW 1070 touch panels, and the Mercury® Mini/Mercury tabletop devices. Simply put, there’s an option for wall-mounted or tabletop control that’s flexible enough for — almost — any deployment.

What was needed was a control solution for flexible rooms with multiple furniture layouts, classrooms, or other spaces with a roving presenter, and installations where running cable to a table or lectern might prove challenging. Enter the TST-1080, which provides a wireless Zoom Rooms Controller for anyone who needs mobility beyond a stationary tabletop or wall-mounted touch panel.

Couple that with Crestron’s reputation for creating reliable, durable, secure products, and you’ve got a perfect wireless control solution for any enterprise, government, or educational application in which Zoom is the preferred platform.

Certifications for 1 Beyond Cameras and Crestron Flex Pods

Speaking of reliability, durability, and security, Crestron is proud to announce that 1 Beyond cameras and Crestron Flex Pods are now Zoom certified.

What’s that mean? As we mentioned earlier on the Crestron blog:

The Zoom Certified badge lets customers know they can expect a high-quality, reliable communication experience when they’re connected via Zoom collaboration software. It’s a specific — and stringent — standard for a variety of hardware solutions, including cameras, mics, speakers, and so on. Zoom is looking for systems that deliver the highest-quality audio and video to reinforce the experience delivered by every Zoom videoconferencing event.

That certification isn’t easy to come by. Zoom has an established certification and testing program that covers specific use cases with unique testing parameters for each area. Each product undergoes a process to ensure it conforms to exact specifications and is tested through independent third-party labs. Any solution that’s submitted to Zoom must meet those rigid standards to receive the Zoom Certified Hardware badge.

The products that Zoom has now certified include:

1 Beyond Cameras

Earlier this year, Crestron introduced a line of new 1 Beyond cameras, perfect for hybrid meeting applications in an organization's larger, high-impact spaces. Our now-Zoom-certified cameras are designed to perfectly capture every participant in the room — even those up to 60 feet away from the lens.

Crestron Flex Pods

Crestron Flex Pods are a mic-and-speaker combination in a single unit, driven by a hub-and-spoke configuration that allows for maximum flexibility — and scalability. The device — about the size of a coffee mug — brings stellar two-way audio to environments where room layouts change or extensive cable installs aren’t an option. Each unit boasts 360° microphone coverage over a radius of seven feet, with high-quality echo cancellation, automatic gain compensation and noise reduction, and a crystal-clear speaker that delivers consistent audio levels in nearly every situation. Simple, intuitive controls for each pod are at your fingertips, allowing any nearby user to instantly mute the device or control its volume. LED indicators give you all the info you’ll need regarding volume and transmitting status. We’re very proud of this problem-solver — and even prouder now that Zoom has given us their badge of certification. Find all the info here.

For those who’ve chosen Zoom Rooms® software as their communications platform of choice, Crestron has added more best-in-class solutions to make seamless hybrid work a reality — and with the badge of certification, you can rest assured they’ll work brilliantly, intuitively, and reliably, every time.