MAX Connect Auditorium Mode
Overview
Auditorium Mode is a presentation mode for MAX Connect that allows one presenter to share content from a laptop and distribute it to a larger audience.
In this mode, MAX Connect receives the presenter’s content through a wired connection and then makes it available to multiple endpoints at the same time.
This makes Auditorium Mode suitable for lecture rooms, training spaces, classrooms, and other presentation environments where both in-room displays and audience devices need to receive the same content.
How to enable Auditorium Mode
Adding a license
Auditorium Mode requires a one-time license for each MAX Connect device. There are no recurring fees to keep the license active.
To purchase a license, contact your Biamp sales representative and provide the 8-digit serial number of the MAX Connect unit.
Each license is generated specifically for a single device and is permanently associated with that unit’s serial number. Because of this, a license cannot be transferred to another MAX Connect device after it has been generated, even if not applied yet.
Once activated, the license is stored in the device’s non-volatile memory and remains available even after a factory reset.
Open the Device page in the MAX Connect admin web interface to locate the unit serial number.
After purchasing a license, you will receive a license key as a text string. Copy and paste the key into the License Key field on the same page.
After pressing Activate, the unit will indicate that the license has been successfully applied to the device.
Activating Auditorium Mode
Open the Room page in the MAX Connect admin web interface, and select the Operation Mode tab at the top of the page.
Enabling the toggle activates Auditorium Mode, while disabling it returns the device to normal operation mode. Auditorium Mode can be re-enabled at any time without reapplying the license.
Biamp recommends disabling the internal Wi-Fi connection when using Auditorium Mode to help avoid potential network conflicts or performance issues (see Network requirements below).
How Auditorium Mode works
In a typical Auditorium Mode deployment, a single presenter connects a laptop to MAX Connect using a wired connection.
MAX Connect accepts a direct HDMI input only. To connect a laptop with a USB-C video output, a USB-C to HDMI adapter is required, such as the EasyConnect USB-C Adapter.
MAX Connect receives the presentation content and can distribute it simultaneously to:
- Up to 2 local HDMI displays connected directly to MAX Connect
- Up to 6 wireless displays using supported Android-based displays or Android TV devices
- Up to 200 participant devices connected to the corporate Wi-Fi network
Note that content can be distributed to wireless displays, participant devices, or both simultaneously, depending on the deployment requirements.
Connection scheme
Network requirements
A successful deployment of MAX Connect in Auditorium Mode reacquires stable network connectivity, especially over WiFi. Please follow the requirements and recommendations below.
Key infrastructure requirements
• Gigabit (1 Gbps) Ethernet connection to MAX Connect
• Minimum 20 Mbps available bandwidth per connected Wi-Fi client
Best practices and recommendations
General recommendations
• Do not use the MAX Connect built-in access point
• Avoid placing clients behind a captive portal or a firewall with deep packet inspection that introduces latency
• A dedicated VLAN for MAX Connect traffic is recommended
Minimum Wi-Fi standards
• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) - Minimum standard, acceptable only in small deployments under 50 clients
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or better - Strongly recommended for high-density environments, as it delivers better performance in congested environments and improved handling of multiple simultaneous clients
Frequency band requirements
• 5 GHz band is recommended and preferred
• Use 2.4 GHz only when necessary to ensure adequate coverage for distant clients. When both bands are deployed, enable band steering to automatically direct capable clients to 5 GHz
Channel planning
• Conduct an RF site survey prior to installation in large venues
• 5 GHz Band: configure 40 MHz channels
• 2.4 GHz Band: configure 20 MHz channels
• Adjacent APs must use different, non-overlapping channels
Access point density and client distribution
• Use only enterprise-grade Access Points (APs)
• Limit the number of clients per access point based on the Wi-Fi standard deployed and the RF environment quality
• Enable client load balancing across APs
• Use RSSI-based steering to distribute load, with a minimum threshold (e.g., −70 dBm) to prevent clients from associating with a distant AP at low data rates
Airtime fairness and minimum data rates
• Enable airtime fairness to prevent slower clients from monopolizing the wireless medium and degrading performance for all users
• Set the minimum supported client standard to 802.11n to prevent legacy devices from connecting
Roaming & load balancing
• Enable 802.11k (neighbor reports) - helps clients find nearby APs
• Enable 802.11r (fast roaming) - reduces roaming latency
• Enable 802.11v (BSS transition management) - guides clients to better APs
MAX Display app in Kiosk Mode
The Android receiver app can be configured to operate in Kiosk Mode. This allows the receiver device to automatically launch the app after startup, reducing or removing the need for user interaction at the display.
Kiosk Mode is recommended for Auditorium Mode installations where an Android-based receiver device is permanently connected to a display and is expected to be ready for wireless display operation whenever the system is powered on.
When Kiosk Mode is enabled:
• The Home button on the remote is disabled
• Back navigation is restricted
• User is locked inside the app
When Kiosk Mode is disabled:
• Home button works normally
• the user can return to Google TV launcher
Compatibility
Not all Android-based devices support Kiosk Mode operation at a low level.
Amazon Fire TV Stick devices do not support Kiosk Mode.
Setup procedure
The procedure may vary slightly due to different implementations of Android TV by vendor and version.
We recommend starting with a freshly reset device, especially if the Android TV device has been used previously. Restore the device to its factory default settings before performing the steps below.
- Download the app
Download the MAX Display app (APK format) from Biamp downloads
- Install ADB
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is required to provision the device as Device Owner.
macOS:
Install Homebrew if not already installed, then run:
brew install android-platform-tools
Windows:
Download Android Platform Tools from Google:
https://developer.android.com/tools/releases/platform-tools
Extract the ZIP file and open Command Prompt or PowerShell in the extracted folder.
- Disconnect Ethernet
If present, disconnect the wired Ethernet connection to the Android TV device.
- Configure the Android TV Device
A Google account is temporarily required.
Power on the device and complete the Android setup process, including connecting to a Wi-Fi network.
Enable Developer Mode
Navigate to: Settings -> System -> About
Click 7 times on Android TV OS Build
The system will confirm that you are now a developer.
Enable Debugging
Navigate to: Settings -> System -> Developer Options
Enable Wireless Debugging
Enable USB Debugging
- Remove the Google Account
Before provisioning Device Owner, all Google accounts must be removed.
Navigate to: Settings -> Accounts & Sign-in
Remove the Google account used during setup.
Important: Do NOT factory reset the device, choose Remove and go offline instead, and confirm
When prompted to configure Google TV, choose Cancel
From the list of available networks, note the IP address assigned to the unit.
- Connect via ADB
Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS) and input the following commands:
adb connect <IP_ADDRESS>
Example:adb connect 10.32.12.50
Use the Android TV Device remote to authorize access on the screen.
You may see a connection error in the prompt. This is because of the missing authorization on the device, however, the system is connected.
- Install the Display App
adb install <FILE_PATH><FILE_NAME>
Example:adb install ~/Downloads/MAX-Display.apk
- Configure and verify the Device Owner
This enables true kiosk mode using Android Lock Task.
adb shell dpm set-device-owner com.biamp.max.android.display/.AdminReceiver
adb shell dpm list-owners
Expected output: User 0: admin=com.biamp.max.android.display/.AdminReceiver,DeviceOwner
- Launch the App
adb shell monkey -p com.biamp.max.android.display -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER 1
- Enable Kiosk Mode
In the MAX Display App, click 3 times with the central button on the remote to enter Settings. The password is the same as the MAX Connect admin.
Make sure that Kiosk Mode is ON.