If you think the ultimate onboard entertainment experience is just about having a massive screen and great sound, think again. Feadship’s 83.5-metre superyacht Savannah has just won Best Entertainment Everywhere Solution at the Superyacht Technology Show in Barcelona, proving that a cutting-edge AV/IT system can completely transform life at sea.
Sometimes, the biggest projects start with the simplest moments. For Savannah’s entertainment overhaul, that moment happened when her electrical technical officer (ETO) posted on Facebook seeking an AV/IT specialist for the yacht's major refit project, currently taking place at the Amico & Co shipyard in Genoa, Italy. The marketing and sales manager at leading AV/IT specialist ONEXP reached out and the team was soon on board Savannah, ready to assess the yacht’s aging audio-visual system. Initially, the idea was to provide a solution with the same design philosophy but with the latest generation equipment. But when the ONEXP team saw the design and potential improvements that could be made, they thought: “We could do this differently.”
Savannah’s original system was a full Savant setup with a Purelink HDMI Matrix, AVRs in the hallways and HDMI extenders leading to the TVs. At 10 years old, it was well maintained, but the use of legacy equipment resulted in slow HDMI switching, unreliable performance and dropping images on the TVs, leaving the owner and crew frustrated and lacking confidence in the setup. Instead of just replacing Savannah’s outdated HDMI extenders, ONEXP redesigned the entire system using Crestron NVX, a technology they have successfully implemented in high-end projects for the past eight years.
“In the old days, there would be a big black box in the centre of the boat to which all the audio/video sources were connected, with straight wires running to each cabin,” says Bas Nuijten, COO of ONEXP. “Crestron NVX allows the same cable infrastructure to be used, but operates over the network. This gave us the ability to deliver a new-build level solution without needing to install new cables, which can be one of the most expensive aspects of a refit.”
The team integrated NVX receivers at the audio processing points and TVs, with all sources centrally set up with NVX transmitters. This resulted in a fast and reliable system without unexpected glitches, a user-friendly interface and 4K image resolution.
One of the biggest leaps forward was the implementation of OMNIYON, a media and control platform that improves how guests interact with the onboard entertainment system. “Now, with OMNIYON, you simply pick the TV channel you want, and the system figures out the rest," explains Nuijten. The same goes for films - search for Star Wars, for example, and the system instantly presents the film, pulling it from available streaming services, eliminating the need to switch between apps or know where to watch it.
Other key updates included the installation of new custom slide-out racks in the tank deck for easy servicing, and upgrades to all the TVs in the guest cabins, saloons, sundeck and the Nemo room – the yacht’s underwater observation lounge that doubles up as a cinema room with fold-down TVs. The outdoor speakers were also fully integrated into the system, including Savannah’s legendary “party deck”, where the DJ station now syncs with the entire yacht’s sound system.
Perhaps the most impressive upgrade was the complete overhaul of Savannah’s iconic two-story video wall. Originally designed with standard TV brackets, the system was outdated, and spare parts were no longer available. ONEXP took on the challenge, installing new electronic brackets that not only improved alignment, but also made servicing far easier. This upgrade required integrating additional devices into the yacht’s network – something that would have been impossible with the old system, but was made possible with Crestron NVX.
ONEXP and Savannah’s team also worked together to make the system more energy-efficient. A custom Eco Mode that automatically shuts down power to all luxury areas when there are no guests on board reduces unnecessary energy consumption.
“Savannah is an exciting project where the crew was deeply involved at every stage,” Nuijten notes. “It was a highly valued collaboration between us, the crew, the refit yard and the original builder.”
Savannah’s ETO, Dai Baldwin, shares: “[ONEXP’s] work was not only executed to the highest standard but also with a level of care, tidiness and respect for the yacht that is truly exceptional. Every member of the team takes genuine pride in their craft, and it’s evident in the results. Their ability to work independently and drive progress with minimal oversight has been incredibly impressive, relieving a significant burden while I manage multiple other projects.”
For more information on ONEXP’s yacht AV/IT services, get in touch with the team today.
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