Blending physical and cyber infrastructures to enable seamless telematic and in-person presentations

Connecting laptops to projectors and PAs during conferences often frustrates presenters and organizers, especially for hybrid events. Issues such as incorrect input sources, loose connections, resolution mismatches, incompatible adapters, damaged cables, outdated drivers, projector settings, HDCP incompatibility, projectors hijacking audio, and operating system discrepancies can arise. These problems are worsened by tight schedules, with back-to-back presentations involving different personal computers with unique issues. Some conferences use an on-site computer to mitigate these issues, but this approach has its own challenges. These include inconsistent presentation slide behavior (fonts, images, transitions), the absence of necessary software or plugins for interactive demonstrations, and the need to upload slides well in advance. This paper presents a system that uses standard remote conferencing software (e.g., Zoom), a simple mixer, a PA, and an Internet connection—all typically available in presentation settings—to facilitate seamless presentations without physical connections between computers and projectors. First implemented at the 2022 IRCAM Forum at NYU, this system has since been successfully deployed at the 2023 WFAE and 2024 Web Audio Conferences, proving its effectiveness in ensuring smooth and uninterrupted presentations.