Client stereotypes
By Joel Rollins
I was recently in a discussion with one of my staging techs, who was describing to me a client who was giving them fits. They were revising a show plan over and over for months, making minute changes and then changing it back to the way it was – repeatedly. They were also frantic to discuss these changes right away, even though their show was still a month out. When I described some ways of dealing with it, the tech asked if I’d worked with this client before. I just smiled. You see, while all clients are different, there are a few who will crop up repeatedly in your career:
The Authority
This is the client who has been everywhere and done it all. They have to critique every plan, and tell you about all the times what you’re proposing has failed. The real ones are actually a blessing, the fake ones a curse. One of these once asked me: “I understand why we have two screens. But do we really need two projectors?”
The Hobbyist
This is the client who has a “really cool” home theater, makes her own DVDs, or is an audio volunteer at his church. This manifests itself in one of two ways: they want to redesign the show based on things they’ve read in magazines or seen somewhere, or they actually want to call the show. Either way, you run the risk of them succeeding, and turning the show into a quality amateur production.
The Spinster
This is the client who remains in the room during the entire setup, usually standing in the middle of the room and revolving as work goes on around them. Keep an eye on them for their own good. During a busy load-in, they may make themselves dizzy.
The Surgeon
Ah. This is the one that continually makes small cuts in the show, often until the very last minute. The show plans have been reviewed a million times, but during load-in they’re still asking “Do we really need that second Betacam?”. Remember: They’ll claim their operations were successful even if the patient dies.
Doubting Thomas
This charmer feels he or she must check everything you say with their brother-in-law (see “the Hobbyist”, above).
While some of these have a grain of truth, take care. Most of my best clients started out with some of these characteristics. I try, as a Stager, to remember what makes people adopt some of these “endearing eccentricities”. We do this every day, for a living. It doesn’t make us nervous. To many clients, they do this only once (or very few times) a year. Their career may be on the line. And they’re being forced to deal with technology and people they’re not truly comfortable with. A little empathy for the client’s position goes a long way here. In fact, I think it’s so important that I require that my lead technicians also be presenters. I want them to teach internal training classes (in front of their harshest critics – the rest of the staff) and to join industry groups and community organizations where they’ll need to prepare and deliver their own presentations. Where, I am sure, they’ll (at least somewhat) take on one of the stereotypes themselves.
— JRR rAVe Rental [and Staging] contributor Joel R. Rollins, CTS-R, is General Manager of Everett Hall Associates, Inc. and is well known throughout the professional AV industry for his contributions to industry training and his extensive background in AV rental, staging and installation. Joel can be reached at joelrollins@mac.comBack to the top
Please click above for more information Extron Premieres New 1500' Twisted Pair Receivers for Extended Distances
Among the rumored 100 products Extron introduced at InfoComm was the MTP 1500RL Series of extended distance twisted pair receivers. Available in four models, the new extended distance receivers work with MTP Series transmitters to send high resolution video along with RS-232 or audio signals 1,500 feet or more over a single CAT 5-type cable.
The extended distance receivers are compatible with resolutions up to 1600×1200 UXGA, and feature separate continuously variable level and peaking adjustments that precisely optimize image quality for various cable lengths. The receivers are housed in low profile, rack-mountable metal enclosures that can be discreetly mounted in racks or behind wall-mounted displays.
The long-distance receivers are designed for anywhere a high-res video signal needs to be sent a long distance, such as large buildings, airports, campuses, etc.
The four new receivers are compatible with the Extron MTP Series of transmitters, switchers, distribution amplifiers, and matrix switchers. Each receiver offers an additional female RJ-45 buffered output, enabling up to eight receivers to be connected in series, reducing the number of parallel cable runs required. Two of the models also feature skew equalization with independent skew delay compensation adjustments for each color.
For more information, go to http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=mtp1500rlseries_pr
OK, OK – while I’ve not been the biggest fan of Cat5 use for video in staging (I hate adding powered products where I don’t need to), this is starting to be useful. Building interconnects, overflow room signals – I can think of lots of places these will come in handy.
–JRR
Christie Brings New M Series 3-Chip DLP Projectors to InfoComm
Christie has a new series of 3-chip DLP projectors, the M Series, built on a dual-lamp and consisting of six new models. They were shown for the first time at InfoComm.
The projectors range from 5,000 to 9,500 ANSI lumens and come in two resolutions: SX+ (1400 x 1050) and HD (1920 x 1080). Also of note is they weigh just 55 pounds, pretty light for this much power.
This Series also provides an expanded suite of lenses that includes two new options – a short zoom (1.25-1.6:1 SX+ / 1.16-1.49:1 HD) and a long zoom (7.5-11.2:1 SX+ / 6.9-10.4:1 HD). These lenses all incorporate true Intelligent Lens System (ILS) capabilities, which Christie says automatically recognizes and calibrates a lens when it is installed. There is an encoder-based system that ensures repeatable recall of all lens offset, zoom and focus positions.
The M Series includes the Christie DS+6K-M at 5,000 ANSI lumens; the Christie HD6K-M at 5,100 ANSI; the Christie DS+10K-M at 9,300 ANSI; the Christie HD10K-M at 9,500 ANSI; and two Christie Roadster models with stacking and rigging.
For more on the M series, go to http://www.christiedigital.com/AMEN/Resources/Brochures/MSeriesFAQ.htm
I got a brief look at the M series and was impressed with the power/size/weight ratios, especially of the new Roadster.
–JRR DPI’s New WUXGA Single-Chip DLPs Offer 16:10 Aspect Ratios
Digital Projection International showed at InfoComm new WUXGA (16:10 aspect ratio) compatible projectors that include full 1080p video with no scaling required, says DPI. The new projectors are additions to the iVision 30 and dVision 30 series from DPI.
The new iVision 30-WUXGA uses TI’s DarkChip. It supports a native resolution of 1920 x 1200, weighs just 6.5 lbs, and is specified at up to 3100 ANSI lumens and 4000:1 contrast ratio.
The new dual-lamp dVision 30 WUXGA is specified at 4300 ANSI lumens and up to 7500:1 contrast ratio. DPI says they made installation on this one highly flexible with a selection of six lenses covering a throw distance range from .75:1 up to 6.5:1. Also, the lens shift capabilities of the dVision 30-WUXGA projectors offers up to 55% vertical shift and 45% horizontal.
Incidentally, the additions bring DPI’s offerings to almost 50 installation-grade single-chip projectors along with their 17 3-chip DLP projectors.
For more information, go to http://www.digitalprojection.com/content/view/34/61/ and http://www.digitalprojection.com/content/view/303/136/ DPI has a model for just about every purpose, and the new DarkChip units are very impressive. Combined with a truly excellent line of optics, they keep DPI a force to be reckoned with. –JRR
Panasonic Brings 103-Inch Plasma to InfoComm – Allows 5×5 or Put Three Side-by-Side for a 93-Sq.-Ft. Image
Although not brand new (it launched in February), Panasonic brought its impressive 103-inch plasma display to InfoComm and we took notice! This is a full 1080p resolution display and Panasonic says it ships with a 100,000-hour service life and backed by a three-year warranty.
Called the 10 Series TH-103PF10UK, new features include configurability for video walls, new video processing technology, enhanced wireless capabilities, plug-in card functionality and dual HDMI.
For commercial video wall environments, the TH-103PF10UK provides native support for up to a 5 x 5 display configuration, the largest of any plasma display in the industry. Also, the new Portrait Zoom feature helps display of a single horizontal image across three vertically-mounted 103-inch plasmas for an impactful display 93 square-feet.
The 103-inch plasma ships standard with two plug-in boards: a Dual 1080p HDMI Board (model TY-FB10HMD) and a Component Video Board (model TY-42TM6A). It also comes with a built-in PC Input (15pinHD), Audio Input (for PC), and Serial Control (RS-232C) Input.
For more information, go to http://www2.panasonic.com
I love the look of the 103 inch plasma, but am not about to sentence my rental techs to moving it about. Great product, but I don’t see it making major headway in rental fleets. –JRR Back to the top 65-Inch LCD Named Best Plasma/LCD Display at InfoComm 08
InfoComm and Rental & Staging Systems named NEC’s 65-inch MultiSync LCD6520 the best plasma/LCD display introduced during 2007. The awards recognize products that are specifically designed for rental and staging. Winners were determined by a reader poll conducted by the magazine.
NEC says the panel includes more than 30 features and functions specifically designed for signage, eliminating as many third-party components as possible and including an expansion slot for adaption to emerging technologies.
For more information, go to http://www.necdisplay.com/cms/documents/PressReleases/LCD6520ReleaseFINALFINAL.pdf
Nice that somebody is thinking about features for the stager. The RSS awards are one of the few awards programs aimed specifically at us, and are voted on by readers. Folks, if we want more products targeted at our uses, we need to speak up to the manufacturers at every opportunity, and this is one of the good ones. Congrats, NEC. –JRR Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe! Thank you for spending time with me as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting my newsletter, or to sign up a friend, click the link below. To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial, to Editor-in-Chief Denise Harrison at mailto:denise@ravepubs.com
A little about me: Gary Kayye, CTS, founder of Kayye Consulting. Gary Kayye, an audiovisual veteran and columnist, began the widely-read KNews, a premier industry newsletter, in the late 1990s, and created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which later became InfoComm IQ. Kayye Consulting is a company that is committed to furthering the interests and success of dealers, manufacturers, and other companies within the professional audiovisual industry.
rAVe ProAV Edition was launched in February 2003. rAVe HomeAV Edition co-sponsored by CEDIA launched in February 2004. rAVe Rental [and Staging] launched in November 2007. rAVe Ed [Education] launched in May 2008.
To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com rAVe Rental [and Staging] contains the opinions of the authors only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. Copyright 2008 – rAVe Publications – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact Kayye Consulting, 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 376 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: denise@ravepubs.com Back to Top |