Volume 3, Issue 7 — July 31, 2014
|
House of Worship Trends The Future of HOW
|
|
|
The Race to the Bottom for Technology in Churches
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
At a time in an industry where commoditization is leading to thinner margins and online price wars, the discussion of Good, Fast or Cheap is sorely needed — before your organization wins the race to the bottom.
Most of us know the Venn diagram below, depicting the reality of choosing any two, but never all three, options. If Cheap is the highest priority, then the lowest priority will usually be Good – and Good will almost always suffer. The focus on Cheap is often blamed on chintzy clients, but we should be admonishing our own industry when manufacturers and vendors make price the biggest discussion point.
Why Features Never Really Win
When an innovation hits the audio, video, and lighting industry, it’s only a matter of time – usually counted in weeks or a few months – before a competitor either makes a “me-too” option or ups the ante with an even greater innovation. Great features do matter; they’re simply not the key value differentiator. This slippery slope inevitably leads to price-per-feature comparisons, which are equally ineffective.
When a company chooses to diminish the value proposition to “buy me, I’m cheap,” the race to the bottom is well underway – and this a race you don’t want to win.
Seth Godin sums this eventual reality up nicely:
“There’s always the opportunity to cut a corner, sacrifice lifestyle quality and suck it up as we race to grab a little more market share. But the problem with the race to the bottom is that you might win. You might make a few more bucks for now, but not for long and not with pride. Someone will always find a way to be cheaper or more brutal than you…the race to the top is focused on design and respect and dignity and guts and innovation and sustainability and, yes, generosity when it might be easier to be selfish.” – Seth Godin
At our industry trade shows we see this bottom-focused marketing propaganda emblazoned on booths – and it’s almost always a bullet point list of new or enhanced features. This is the lowest rung on the marketing chain, because it’s the easiest to succinctly showcase on a convention floor or expo hall. The problem with this technique is that the value proposition lead is buried. Felt-needs are almost always (always?) a better solution for firms wanting to provide more than a widget as a pure commodity sale.
Equally effective in the trade-show environment and on your website, felt needs identify your products/offerings with the shared values or felt pain of the audience.
Here’s a fictional example comparing features and benefits against felt-needs value proposition statements:
Features/Benefits |
Felt-needs Value Proposition |
---|
2x Faster performance |
Get more done in half the time |
New quiet motor assembly |
Eliminates noise distraction for quiet venues |
Redundant power supplies |
Peace of mind redundancy |
Inexpensive (consumable) replacement |
Low cost of (X years) lifetime ownership |
Starting at only $$$ |
Maximize your budget with affordable technology |
Avoiding the Race to the Bottom
It important to be clear here and make a distinction between value and price. The value of something can be stated as either objective or subjective. As such, a $1 bill will always be worth $1 because the U.S. government backs it at the face value – the objective value. Subjective value is at the intersection of demand and supply; how badly a person wants/needs something against the availability for that item.
When price is the key selling point, you’re running a losing race to the bottom of the sales pipeline, where you lose when you ‘win’.
The price vendors choose for technology is often rather arbitrarily set in comparison to other similar technologies. In this model, price has nothing to do with the value of the solution. What if your technology solves a problem in a unique way for a certain segment of a market? That market segment will see greater value in your solution than another person who doesn’t have the same requirements in a different market segment.
“Price is what you sell when you can’t sell value.” – S. Anthony Iannarino
Here are a few ways to avoid the trap of running the race to the bottom:
- Understand your brand’s value and identify your product’s value differentiation – and then stick with it, refusing to fall into the trap of features/benefits comparisons.
- Know thy audience and describe/define each vertical market’s value quotient: the combination of product desirability and the premium price at which they will buy. Even within a vertical, such as the House of Worship market, differentiate the value quotient for churches based on their size and technical staffing levels.
- Revisit and rethink your pricing model based on the value quotient, with 100 percent authenticity and transparency. No gimmicks, just value and truth.
The Only Time Low Prices Really Win
Amazon co-founder Jeff Bezos has a now-famous quote in a Business Week article:
“‘What we are doing is offering premium products at non-premium prices,’ Bezos says. Other tablet contenders ‘have not been competitive on price’ and ‘have just sold a piece of hardware. We don’t think of the Kindle Fire as a tablet; we think of it as a service.’”
If you have a large enough solutions ecosystem to make your profits from services instead of products, then you don’t have to worry about low-priced technology because it is just the break-even or loss-leader for your recurring revenue service offerings. This is how Amazon uses their Kindle Fire (and, as of this writing, the Kindle Fire HD) to go head-to-head against the much more expensive (and feature rich) Apple iPad; Amazon’s plan is to make enough revenue at higher margins on selling content and subscriptions. This justifies the significant price difference between the iPad and the Kindle Fire line. And, hey, if that’s your market opportunity then your value proposition isn’t the device itself, but the simplicity of making the device cost effective so that the client understands the real value: nearly unlimited content.
I’m fairly confident that even some of the biggest names in our industry are not in this position. And, with that understood reality, we’re back to defining the value differentiation, value quotient, and value proposition to change the industry from a myriad of “me-too” comparisons to one-of-a-kind value offers that identify the felt needs of your market segments.
Where can the A/V/L industry most readily redefine value-based marketing and selling? Comment below. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
|
The Future of Selling to Churches
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
As an entrepreneur, I’ve discovered, lived and taught that change is a constant. When I started consulting with churches, the focus was on audio, video, and lighting system design. This tech-centric focus increased with the addition of teaching and speaking opportunities where I was able to rattle off the latest model numbers and point people to the coolest technology. And, by rubbing shoulders with manufacturers and reviewing their products, my consulting practice morphed to include training vendor’s staff on what kinds of products churches needed; which led to product development, product training, sales training and market research about the house of worship market buying habits.
Something I’ve learned along the way is that when you make people’s desired outcomes the focus of your sales efforts, the resulting processes, priorities and passions of that particular organization becomes clear. Obviously, this extends beyond the House of Worship market.
If you want to help each church become more effective, start by helping the church’s tech leaders themselves become more effective through education, training, and consultative selling.
Trust me, I’ve tried it the other way around. I’ve helped churches get the right technology. I’ve shown them how to make the necessary process changes. I’ve spent countless hours designing new systems to make things more efficient. However, do you realize an important important truth about a local church? None of that matters — and your technology solutions may even fail for certain churches — if “what they’re doing” isn’t preceded by understanding “why they’re doing it.”
Don’t Sell What – Sell Why
Here’s how manufacturers and systems integrators often present their technology solutions to churches:
- The What?We have great technology. And yet, great technology does not overcome the lack of a consistent operation, thorough training, and tremendous product support.
- The What?We market specifically to churches. A solid marketing campaign won’t matter if the church doesn’t connect their local predicament with your technology application.
Instead, when you focus on the people using the systems, it helps your firm understand what makes each church organization unique. As you begin to listen and understand their uniqueness — their DNA — and understand their unique vision, you’ll help the people behind the scenes at these churches. This has the best chance of presenting them with the right application options within their context. This kind of consultative sales approach is based around making sure the right technology is in place in the right systems configuration with the right training to make the most impact.
It is possible to provide a church with the right tools, training, and resources, but still not help them with the understanding of “why” and “how” to implement technology strategically. Done this way, they could easily spend a ton of money and not get the results they really needed.
Short answer: more technology isn’t necessarily better. More is just more. Better means a decidedly improved process with greater results (and might just include more equipment). However, by making zero assumptions and reviewing their unique context and culture, you’ll find that the right technology solutions are easier to define, implement and apply.
Because every design/build firm sells equipment to churches, there’s a natural tendency to sell what they either have in stock or buy direct for maximum margins. Sometimes this results in a situation where a church doesn’t get exactly the technology they should have had, but instead technology that was similar or almost good enough. Yes, there are some design/build companies who I know personally that are very ethical and put the church’s needs before their own convenience or maximum profits. There are also firms where, if you get the right salesperson and project manager combination, you stand a good chance of having the church’s best interest taken to heart.
Consultative Selling vs. Sales Consultants
Another issue that has cropped up in the design/build world has been the term “Sales Consultant.” If you’re in product sales, calling yourself a Sales Consultant has about as much credibility as saying a Best Buy hourly employee is a “Sales Engineer.” By its very definition, a consultant is one who only sells their time and expertise. The moment a product or installation labor is sold, it’s no longer consulting; it’s sales. I was a sales guy at three design/build firms. I was even in sales management and I didn’t let my sales team call themselves sales consultants.
In the church market in particular, integrity matters. There’s no shame in sales, so intentionally misleading terms like “Sales Consultant” is just an attempt to muddy the waters. Churches deserve clarity, not marketing shenanigans.
Though I am a consultant, I’m still a fan of design/build firms, as it can sometimes result in a great project for the church. And, most importantly, these firms can enjoy a long-term relationship not only for future sales but for the all-important service that is always necessary when adding technology.
There’s no singular way to do this, but since integrity really, really matters in this market, do yourself and the client a favor with above-board, accurate descriptions for your sales staff.
Get to Know the Engineers
In my business, I’ve had the chance to get to know a great number of people at thousands of churches and hundreds of manufacturers and systems integrators. One particular group of people I’ve met and grown to know are the engineers and designers of the products and services that churches utilize. I’ve earned the respect of these men and women by being fair in my input on their products and engaging in a conversation that helps me stay on top of the new tools, as well as helping them understand the huge and multi-faceted church market and the various nuances of it.
Just this morning, I was reminded the inordinate amount of favor I’ve had with many of these technology companies over the years. They let me get the inside scoop on new technologies well before they go public. The favor I have with many companies benefits my church friends because I am in a tremendous position to help them to make better long-term decisions and, usually, act as better stewards of their resources. So, it dawned on me: If you’ve earned favor, you then also have the responsibility of stewarding that favor.
Even in the Internet of Things that’s quickly materializing around us, the discernment of appropriate technology solutions is directly proportional to your insight into how these engineers are planning on their technology being utilized.
Together, redefining the what to the why, employing consultative selling, and building strong relationships with manufacturers in order to more appropriate serve the house of worship market will be the future of selling to churches. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
JBL’s CBT 70J-1 Column Loudspeaker, CBT 70JE-1 Extension Box Earn THX ApprovalHARMAN’s JBL Professional announced this week that its CBT 70J-1 column loudspeaker and CBT 70JE-1 extension box are now THX approved, allowing the inclusion of the CBT 70J-1 loudspeakers in THX-certified theaters.
The CBT 70J-1 is a high-power, two-way line array system consisting of 16 high-frequency drivers and four high-power low-frequency drivers, all in a fully co-axial column loudspeaker, featuring JBL’s patented CBT Constant Beamwidth beam control circuitry. The vertical coverage of the loudspeaker is asymmetrical, sending more sound toward the far seats of the auditorium than the near seats. JBL says that when used as surround speakers, this provides a much wider “sweet spot” where the audience hears a similar amount of both left and right surround speakers. The CBT 70J-1 covers a wide horizontal angle of 150 degrees. The bracket allows for both vertical tile and horizontal swivel aiming.
The CBT 70JE-1 extension box can be added to the CBT 70J-1, doubling the low-frequency output capability and extending the pattern control of the system down to a lower frequency.
More information is available here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
Sound Devices Intros 970 Audio-Only Rackmount Solution Sound Devices’ new 970 is its first-ever dedicated audio-only rack-mounted solution, which has 64 channels of Dante and MADI. The half-rack, 2U device is aimed at live events such as concerts and sports recording, corporate events, houses of worship (HOW), studio and mobile production, as well as theater and museum presentations.
Sound Devices 970 records 64 channels of monophonic or polyphonic 24-bit WAV files from any of its 144 available inputs. Inputs available include 64 channels of Ethernet-based Dante, 64 channels of optical or coaxial MADI, eight channels of line-level analog and eight channels of AES digital. The 970 is a powerful tool for professionals who require a significant number of audio channels. Any input can be assigned to any track. In addition, 32-track recording at 96 kHz is supported.
The 970 records to any of four attached drives, which include two front-panel drive bays and two rear-panel e-SATA connected drives. Material can be recorded to multiple drives simultaneously or sequentially. This eliminates time-consuming post-record copying and allows for continuous long-form, high-track count recordings.
The Sound Devices 970 features an embedded Web-based control panel for machine transport and setup control over Ethernet-based networks as well as file transfer over the data network with SMB. In mission-critical audio-over-IP AV installations, where hundreds of audio channels are distributed between zones, setting up a redundant network to protect against loss of audio due to network failure provides peace of mind. The ability to have one drive transferring files over Ethernet, while another continues recording, offers significant production time savings. Corporate, HOW, theater and museum presentation videos that are created, edited and rendered remotely can be transferred directly to the venue.
File metadata editing of scene name, take name, notes, track names and reel folders can be done during, before and after recording across all drives. In addition to RS-422 and GPIO control, the unit also allows for format conversion between analog, AES digital, MADI and Dante, acting as a bridge and routing matrix between these types of audio I/O.
Sound Devices 970 is designed with a large five-inch screen for metering of up to 64 tracks and for fast and intuitive menu control. It also features the Sound Devices proprietary PowerSafe technology. PowerSafe circuitry has a built-in 10-second power reserve. In the event of power loss, the unit continues to operate for up to 10 seconds, then stops any file operation and shuts down. This ensures that a complete power loss has no effect on the recording. In addition, the 970 features FileSafe, which automatically detects and repairs corrupted file headers when drives are mounted. This occurs when a drive is inadvertently removed during recording, with the 970, simply reinsert the drive and it automatically repairs its files.
With its built-in, rock-steady Ambient Recording Lockit time-code technology, the 970 is well-suited to operate as a master clock. It can also slave or be jammed to any other time-code source. All common production time-code rates and modes are supported. The 970 also supports external synchronization from word clock, MADI or AES. To simplify the connection of multiple digital inputs, SRCs are available for all MADI, Dante or AES inputs.
All the details are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
HARMAN’s BSS Audio Introduces Soundweb Contrio Control And Media ServerAimed at large-scale professional audio networking in stadiums, arenas and large fixed installations, HARMAN’s BSS Audio today debuted its Soundweb Contrio system control server at InfoComm 2014. Now, integration professionals have the ability to design network architectures that place advanced system control, system management and media server functionality at a central point of the network and, in doing so, build systems that are more efficient, more practical and better performing. At just 1U rack space, the Soundweb Contrio server is a headless system controller device fully configurable with HiQnet Audio Architect software as part of the HARMAN Architectural Media Systems solution. Backwards-compatible with BSS Audio’s Soundweb London family, the Soundweb Contrio server is the first product within the new Soundweb Contrio family that will ultimately provide enhanced processing capability and greater flexibility for a variety of applications.
The Soundweb Contrio server enables system control logic configuration, both with a similar ‘wiring’ design environment as exposed in Audio Architect for existing Soundweb London devices, and a new open scripted Lua environment. System-wide presets can be configured at the parameter level, enabling a very precise level of detail in the creation of system reset functionality.
And, an event scheduler enables comprehensive preset recall – whether at a system level, a device level or at a parameter level.
The Soundweb Contrio server also provides a single network clock to provide an accurate synchronization of all HiQnet devices on the network.
The server includes something BSS calls a system self-healing functionality. By monitoring the Ethernet switch and ports to which all devices are connected, a day-to-day operator need only replace a device on the same switch port and the server will automatically remotely configure all the addressing and configuration of the new device to match the old. In this way, it is not necessary to launch a software application to add replacement devices to the system.
The Soundweb Contrio server monitors all HiQnet devices and logs all warning or error conditions. The event logs of individual devices are also aggregated to provide a centralized monitoring location for the full system.
The Soundweb Contrio server supports both HARMAN BLU link and Audinate Dante audio transports in order that it can fit appropriately with a variety of system configurations. In addition to its ability to recall system-wide presets, the event scheduler enables message playback over the audio network.
As with the Soundweb London series of products, the Soundweb Contrio server is configured within HiQnet Audio Architect — HARMAN’s common control software application for all devices in a sound system, from microphone to speaker. To facilitate system setup, HiQnet Audio Architect is unique in its graphical representation of the installed sound venue as the system design environment.
The Soundweb Contrio server runs an embedded version of HiQnet Audio Architect and is therefore immediately capable of providing integrators and end-users comprehensive management of all system presets, backup, storage of specific venue setup modes, event aggregation and scheduling.
The Soundweb Contrio server is the first of the next generation of backward-compatible BSS Audio products and is designed to work in conjunction with BSS Audio’s new series of Soundweb Contrio wall controllers. The controllers are available in white or black and provide visual feedback for end-users to easily manage and adjust audio operation in a specific environment.
The headless appliance is just 1U rack space high and features a 500 GB solid-state drive.
The Soundweb Contrio server will be available in September 2014. More information is here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
DVDO Launches Tiny 4K Scaler DVDO’s new iScan Mini is a compact SD (480p) and Full HD (1080p) to 4K scaler. Integrated with Silicon Image’s VRS ClearView technology, the iScan Mini includes noise reduction, edge and detail enhancement (sharpness control) and a useless side-by-side comparison mode of “before and after” video to showcase the power of iScan Mini.
Packaged in a small form-factor, the iScan Mini can be placed behind an existing AVR or even wall-mounted TV and it lists for only $299. Inputs and outputs include HDMI (video) and S/PDIF (audio), it’s included with EDID editing, IR control and 4:2:0 adaptive scaling.
All the detailed specs are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
Martin Audio Intros DD12 Speaker System Martin Audio calls its new DD12 a multi-purpose two-way loudspeaker system. It combines onboard networking, DSP and Class D amplification with transducers and Differential Dispersion horn technology. (Differential Dispersion technology, the company claims, delivers more consistent audience coverage than systems with X° x Y° horns, providing more throw to the rear to distribute sound evenly front-to-back, with close-up horizontal coverage for the front rows).
The DD12 system is designed to meet a multitude of stand-alone and distributed sound reinforcement requirements, from touring, theater and portable live sound applications to concert hall and house of worship installations, AV events and stage monitor use. Ideal as the main PA in small-to-medium size rooms, it can also be used as an infill loudspeaker in large-scale systems.
Whether configured as part of a stand-alone DD12 system or part of a larger MLA/MLA Compact system, individual DD12s can be controlled and monitored from a laptop or wireless tablet PC via intuitive VU-NET proprietary software. PC connection can be made directly via USB or via Martin Audio’s proprietary U-NET network and Merlin loudspeaker and network management system.
An important feature of the DD12 is its internal memory, which allows factory so-called ‘plug-and-play’ or user-generated DSP preset ‘snapshots’ to be recalled by means of a preset selector button on the rear panel, instead of using computer control.
In addition, comprehensive accessories support a wide variety of mounting options, including surface, ceiling and pole mount. The DD12’s universal bracket facilitates a wide range of down-tilt and up-tilt angles in both portrait and landscape orientation, and can be mounted directly onto the pole of a speaker stand or attached to a scaffold clamp.
Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Extron Ships New Five Input Audio Expansion Processor with AEC and Dante Extron is now shipping its née AXP 50 C AT, a five input audio expansion processor with Extron ProDSP for integrating remote microphones and other sources into a Dante-enabled Extron DMP 128 audio system. A single Ethernet cable from one AXP 50 C AT, or several linked units, to a central equipment rack significantly reduces the effort and expense of pulling one cable for each mic. The AXP 50 C AT provides 48 volt phantom power and a digital control port to all mic/line inputs. Dedicated signal processing is available for each input, including gain, filtering, dynamics, and AEC – acoustic echo cancellation. FlexInputs offer the additional capability to process a Dante channel in place of a local input. The intuitive DSP Configurator Software makes it quick and easy to set up DSP parameters and AEC on the AXP 50 C AT.
In an installation with a large number of mics, the AXP 50 C AT audio expansion processor places audio signals onto the Dante audio network using standard IP networking. Signals are received as expansion inputs at one or more DMP 128 AT processors. A sound system designer can incorporate several AXP 50 C AT input expanders to create large mixing matrices of remote inputs for DMP 128 AT processors using the built-in four-port Gigabit switch. This simplifies scalability and the audio cabling infrastructure by avoiding long analog mic cable runs. The 1U, half rack width enclosure enables installation underneath a conference table, inside a credenza, or anywhere microphones or other sources may be situated.
All the specs on the AXP 50 C AT are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Mackie Ships 1000-Watt Loudspeaker Systems Mackie is shipping the re-designed SRM450 and SRM350 High-Definition Portable Powered Loudspeakers. Both are 1000-watt amp platform designs and feature some custom audio tools that Mackie says simplify setup and produce results not found in any other speakers at this price. Choose between four application-specific speaker modes, each re-voicing the SRM to sound its best for the application at hand. Also built-in is an intelligent feedback destroyer that makes soundcheck easier than ever.
At the push of a button, SRM instantly identifies and eliminates feedback using up to four narrow 1/16th octave filters. Both models now benefit from Mackie’s HD Audio Processing, which combines powerful patented acoustic correction DSP with optimization features like a precision crossover, driver time alignment and phase correction. The result is premium, professional sound quality that is noticeably more open and natural than competitive designs. Application flexible, the SRM450 and SRM350 feature an integrated two-channel mixer with input-friendly Wide-Z inputs.
The new Mackie SRM450 and SRM350 are $629.99 and $519.99, respectively. More information is here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Chief Expands Mobile XL Cart Solutions Chief’s Extra-Large Fusion Mobile Cart was designed for extra-large and touch panel displays — including the SMART 8000 series — from 55″ to more than 100″ and up to 300 pounds (136 kg). It has space for internal storage, including hardware to vertically mount 2 RUs worth of AV gear.
The Extra-Large Fusion Video Conferencing Cart comes fully assembled with a camera shelf and 11 RUs of rack rail for rack mountable and non-rack mountable components. The XVAU cart was designed for 37-70″ displays up to 250 pounds (113 kg).
Both carts can be customized for dual monitor video-conferencing use with the dual monitor accessory (FCA623B).
Features include:
- A turn knob to allow a single user to easily adjust the screen height
- Rounded edges and sleek aesthetics
- Removable panels for easy component access and cable management
- Room for internal storage of AV components
- Lockable front casters
The XPAU and XVAU are now available and details are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Extron Introduces Compact HDMI to HDMI ScalerExtron introduced this week the DSC HD-HD, a compact high performance, HDCP-compliant scaler that converts between HDMI resolutions and frame rates. It accepts video from 480i up to 1920×1200, 1080p and 2K, and offers high performance upscaling and downscaling with multiple output rates up to 1920×1200, including HDTV 1080p/60 and 2K. The DSC HD-HD features advanced Extron video signal processing with 1080i deinterlacing and Deep Color processing for optimal image quality. It includes features such as on-screen display, test patterns and EDID Minder. The compact form factor allows simple integration at a source, destination or in a distribution system.
The DSC HD-HD offers remote configuration and control via USB, as well as easily accessible on-screen menus that offer control over the unit’s functions and settings such as input and output video formats and resolutions.
More information is available here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Mackie Launches “Affordable” Creative Reference Speaker LineMackie just launched its Creative Reference Multimedia Monitor Series, which the company says is an “affordable” version of a studio-quality speaker.
The series includes two models — the CR3 and CR4 — with 3-inch or 4-inch woofers and 3/4-inch silk-dome tweeters. CR monitors are housed in all-wood cabinets and include custom-tuned rear ports. Unique to the line, a left/right speaker placement switch allows users to locate the volume control on the left or right of their workstation. The front panel includes a on/off/volume knob with a lit power indication ring that will also control the volume of headphones, which can be plugged directly into the front of the monitors. Great for comparing mixes, auditioning files or just enjoying a bit of music or video, there’s also a front-panel aux input for simple connection of a media device.
Creative Reference monitors come with all the connecting cables needed for the user to get started immediately. As a bonus, there’s even a pair of acoustic isolation pads included. Used in professional applications, acoustic isolation pads minimize unwanted bass buildup that can muddy a mix. Plus, the pads’ angled design allow the user to tilt the monitors slightly up or down for more focused listening depending on their setup.
The new Mackie CR3 and CR4 Creative Reference Multimedia Monitors will as pairs ship in August, and the CR3 will list for $129.99 while the CR4 monitors will list for $199.99.
All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Extron Intros New USB Extender That Supports Everything Extron’s new USB Extender Plus extends signals from USB peripheral devices located up to 330 feet (100 meters) away from the host computer using a single CATx cable. The extender supports USB 3.0, 2.0, 1.1, and 1.0 devices with data rates up to 480 Mbps. Direct connection of USB peripherals to a remote host eliminates the need for additional IP network drops, equipment, software or drivers. For streamlined integration, the transmitter includes USB peripheral emulation that supports trouble-free booting of the host. Also, the receiver features an integrated four port hub with 5 Volts, 500 mA available on each port to power attached devices.
The USB Extender Plus streamlines integration by avoiding IT-specific design criteria that may be in conflict with the need to extend KVM in professional AV installations. Extron says that for increased system reliability, peripheral emulation mimics continuous connection of device to host. Real-time status LED indicators provide visual confirmation of port activity between an active host and each connected peripheral device. The 1” (2.5 cm) high, quarter rack width enclosure of both the USB Extender Plus transmitter and receiver allow rack mounting or discreet installation beneath a table or inside a lectern.
For more information, click here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HOW out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100 percent opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the ProAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
Don’t like us, then go away — unsubscribe! Just use the link below.
To send me feedback, don’t reply to this newsletter. Instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas, Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue, which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
Everything we publish is Opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship ePublication with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA and launched in February 2004, is, by far, the largest ePub in the HomeAV market. We added rAVe Rental [and Staging] in November 2007, rAVe ED [Education] in May 2008 and then rAVe DS [Digital Signage] in January 2009. We added rAVe GHGav [Green, Healthcare & Government AV] in August 2010 and rAVe HOW [House of Worship] in July 2012. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
To read more about my background, our team and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top |
Copyright 2014 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – (919) 969-7501. Email: Sara@rAVePubs.com
rAVe contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |
|
|
|