California-based MRO ACI Jet has completed the first installation of HD video conversion hardware on a Challenger 604 aircraft from its Bombardier authorised service facility (ASF). The hardware, called the AVDS Node Box and developed by Washington-based Innovative Advantage, serves as a bridge to bring in HD sources, stream audio and video to mobile devices and, in this instance, was connected to brand new HD Rosen displays throughout the cabin.

The company completed the installation of IA's AVDS Node Box on a 2005 Challenger 604 during a visit which included other cabin upgrades and modifications. For inflight connectivity, the existing Gogo Biz classic ATG system was upgraded to Gogo's Advance L5 4G internet, enabling Gogo Vision on the newly installed Innovative Advantage system. Within the cabin, two brand new HD displays were added, replacing the existing Baker standard definition LCD monitors.

“This Innovative Advantage IFE backbone unlocks something totally unique in that it offers an incremental approach to upgrading your cabin experience,” states Brian Ford, avionics manager for ACI Jet. “The system is capable of anything as small as a single device upgrade for high-definition video up through a multi-device, multi-hub cabin management system and anything and everything in between.”

Following successful completion of the installation, ACI Jet has launched a new campaign geared at addressing the more than 300 Challenger 604 aircraft that in 2020 are still flying with standard definition video devices and displays. Dubbed ‘Large cabin. Tiny, low-resolution displays?’, the campaign aims to educate Challenger owners and operators regarding their options when it comes to inflight entertainment by highlighting all that is great about the airframe, and why it doesn't make sense to diminish the experience by ignoring what is now a very affordable cabin upgrade.

“The aircraft owners we represent almost universally demand that the finer touches be accounted for when servicing their aircraft,” explains Dave Jensen, ACI Jet's SVP of aircraft maintenance. “Whether coming out of paint or meeting with interior designers to ensure that every pattern, every material and the sources that we are using meet their exact specifications, they have an eye for detail. Astonishingly, standard definition video on ageing, small displays is often the first impression when boarding, and our clients are recognising this. They now have a turnkey option to make their inflight entertainment experience match their exacting standards, and it happens to be quite affordable.”