Pods allow you to divide a Space CE room into semi-independent zones, each with its own AV source selection, audio control, and display routing. A lecture theatre with breakout groups, a multi-pod training room, or a divisible collaboration space are all common use cases. Pod support was introduced in Space CE v2.15.0, with further enrichment in v2.16.0.
Key Concepts
A pod is a logical subdivision of a Space CE room. Each pod has its own set of displays, audio routing, and local AV sources. An instructor (the main room) can broadcast content to all pods simultaneously, or pods can operate independently with their own source selections.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Pod | A logical zone within the room, typically representing a group of displays and a local input. |
| Pod Source | An AV source local to the pod. Users at the pod can select this source independently. |
| Pod Display | A destination (display or projector) assigned to the pod. |
| Instructor Source | The room-level source shared to all pods when the instructor is presenting. |
| Pod Audio Source | An audio channel associated with the pod for independent volume control. |
How Pods Work
When an instructor shares content to the room, all pods receive that content on their pod displays. Pod source buttons are disabled while the instructor is presenting to all pods. When the instructor stops sharing (or shares to the room only), individual pods regain control and can select their own local sources.
Each pod can be powered on and off independently. When a pod is shut down, its displays turn off and its sources are deselected. The specific shutdown and source deselection behaviours are configurable via the Pod Displays section of the template.
Pod audio is automatically muted when the instructor is presenting, preventing feedback or conflicting audio sources.
Configuration
Pod configuration is defined at the template level in Innomesh Room Manager. The following configuration sections are relevant to pod setup:
Pod Settings
Navigate to the Space CE template and open the Pods section. Define each pod with a name and identifier.
Pod Displays
Within the AV Destinations section, assign displays to each pod using the Pod Displays subsection. Configure shutdown behaviour and source deselection preferences for each pod’s displays.
Local Sources
Each pod can have one or more local AV sources. Navigate to Pods > [Pod Name] > Local Sources to define the sources available at each pod.
Pod Audio
Configure pod-level audio routing in the Audio Sources section using the Pod Audio subsection. Each pod can have an Audio Source ID that links it to a specific audio channel on the DSP for independent volume control.
Pod Source ID
Introduced in Space CE v2.16.0, the Pod Source ID field simplifies configuration by linking a pod directly to an AV source definition. Rather than duplicating source configuration, the Pod Source ID references an existing AV source entry, keeping the configuration DRY.
Touch Panel Behaviour
On the Crestron touch panel, each pod appears as a selectable zone. Users at a pod can:
- Select a local source for their pod displays
- Adjust pod audio volume
- Power their pod on or off (if permitted by the room mode)
When the instructor is sharing to all pods, the pod UI shows the instructor’s content with source selection disabled. A visual indicator confirms that the instructor is broadcasting.