Volume 4, Issue 9 — September 30, 2013
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BYOD, Telehealth and a Value Proposition
By Corey Moss rAVe Blogger
On August 1st, I was an attendee at a high level Health Information Technology (HIT) meeting in Washington DC, as an invited guest of the National eHealth Collaborative. The National eHealth Collaborative (NeHC) is a public-private partnership that accelerates effective use of health IT to create a more patient and family centered healthcare system with better outcomes and greater value. The NeHC works closely with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is led by some of the nation’s most respected thought leaders in healthcare and health IT. The NeHC partnered with InfoComm last November to put together a conference in Washington, DC focused on AV and IT in the healthcare realm, attended by the CEO of the NeHC as well as executives from InfoComm and AV and IT industry leading solutions providers. My attendance at that AV/IT event led to my company becoming a member of the NeHC.
This Health IT meeting was attended by health professionals from across the country. David Muntz, CHCIO, principal deputy of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, was one of three speakers at the meeting. Along with health IT, two portions of Muntz’s discussion piqued my interest — one point focused on comparative technology costs vs. overall advantages (he compared landline to cellular service) and the other, on parallel with that discussion, included an approach to Return on Investment (ROI) as a value proposition or VOI. I asked a question of Muntz during the Q&A session focused on BYOD and telepresence. His answer as well as his panel discussion were enlightening, so much so I decided to introduce myself to him at the end of the conference. We discussed BYOD, telepresence and telemedicine as well as one of the focus subjects of the meeting, which was the quality of healthcare in rural areas. I asked him if he would allow me to interview him for an industry blog article, he agreed and here it is.
Corey Moss: Mr. Muntz, I’d like to thank you very much for your participation in helping to put together this article. To begin, in your discussion you mentioned a focus on a Return on Investment by the organization’s CIO, which you posed as more of what should be viewed as a value proposition or Value of Investment. Could you please elaborate on that as applies to mobility within a healthcare (or any) organization?
David Muntz: Sure, too many people follow the traditional and very limiting idea of Return on Investment which relies on a variety of arithmetic based formulae. I agree that ROI as a measure is still good and very important, but not broad enough to consider the other implications of an investment. I use the term VOI to focus on the Value of Investment. VOI takes into account ROI and other factors associated with the investment — for example, flexibility, and a bunch of capabilities that you really have a tough time quantifying for what some call intangibles. It’s easier to use an example rather than discuss a model in detail. The easiest illustration is a smart phone versus the traditional land line for voice. If you did a traditional ROI, you’d stick with the relatively less costly land line, but when you think about the smart phone, you get all kinds of other advantages: safety, which is why I bought not only my smart phone, but three others for my wife and daughters, plus instant access to a world of knowledge (just last night I looked up several words and checked my calendar at dinner with my wife), location assistance and commerce. There certainly isn’t an app store for my landline. I’m sure you can think of many others.
CM: When you talk about investing in HIT, you also have to consider all of the values of your investment, not just a revenue and expense based return. When you apply this to BYOD, you have to think about the value in much broader terms. First, and my list will not be complete, there is the soft side of employee recruitment and retention, customer satisfaction — which in healthcare means the ability of healthcare professionals from outside using equipment they already know, and convenience. What hard value can you place on convenience? The training curve for BYOD is virtually flat. Since we’re already headed toward a wireless world, and I’m assuming that most BYOD devices are wireless, there isn’t additional cost of wiring except for expanding access and bandwidth, physically securing, tracking or upgrading these hard assets. BYOD isn’t without challenges, however, such as enforcing security policies to protect data and intellectual property, what to do when a device is compromised, either lost or stolen, how to manage printing and help desk support. BYOD is here; we’ll have to embrace it rather fight against it. There are products, policies, and processes than can help us manage them.
Please tell me about your experience in terms of implementation of BYOD in the realm of healthcare.
DM: BYOD is already a topic we’re addressing in our Agency. Again, you have to not only accept it, but also create policies and processes to protect and promote the interests of the Agency. We look at the same products, policies and approaches used in all sectors, such as mobile device management which you know as MDM, training and education with competency testing to enforce those policies, and consistent reminders about our responsibilities to protect sensitive information. CM: I heard a statistic in another panelist’s discussion that one in six people live in rural areas of the United States. Can you apply that statistic to rural healthcare and the inherent deficiencies?
DM: Rural is a critical focus area for HHS and ONC. We have a program dedicated to the promotion of HIT in rural areas and we’re working with other agencies and departments such as the USDA and FCC to address the disparity. To answer your question, one of our staff members reports that the rural population is in the range of 46 to 59 million, depending on which definition of rural you use. About 10 percent of physicians practice in rural areas, but that’s heavily weighted towards primary care. An even smaller proportion of specialists practice in rural areas. Without wanting to comment on the quality of care, it is clear that access to care in rural areas is tougher than in urban areas.
Another factor that complicates access to care resources, from an HIT perspective, is the lack of adequate bandwidth for communications to facilitate information sharing and access to telemedicine. Too often, patients are forced to abandon their work in rural areas and travel with family and friends to urban centers to get care. It is impossible to ignore time as a factor, which does directly impact the patient and all with whom they interact. Even if the health problem is minimal, the time for worrying is exacerbated by the distance one must travel to understand the situation. The challenges, therefore, are not just to health status and morale, but to economic status. When members of the rural community have to come to urban areas, their work is often delayed or abandoned. One way to expand that access to health resources is via telemedicine, which would allow patients to access a broader array of experts, which has benefits for everyone. And let’s not make the assumption that all the healthcare expertise is in the cities. There are many wonderful experts who want the quality of life found in the rural community and access to them could benefit the urbanites. We can and we must overcome the barriers presented by distance.
CM: In your opinion, how can mobility/BYOD and telepresence affect remote medical assistance to these areas?
DM: I’m not sure that BYOD is different regardless of geography. I have already addressed my interest in telemedicine, though I like your term telepresence better. It seems more comprehensive. Maybe telehealth would be better for our purposes.
CM: In closing, where do you see this approach to technology in telemedicine within the next five years?
DM: I’m hopeful that the joint efforts I mentioned earlier will improve the infrastructure that must be in place to facilitate telehealth; that access to the best resources whether physical or intellectual will be the same regardless of geography. I’m confident that video visits will be commonplace, that we’ll use a variety of what used to be called physician extenders, but I’ll call medical professional extenders to provide on-site, hands-on assistance when required. I’m hopeful that our new payment models will encourage telehealth. I’m hopeful that patients will be better able to participate in their own care by generating data for monitoring, reacting to data that is reported by those monitors, and that a closer partnership between patients and caregivers will exist. In summary I am hopeful that geography will be interesting but irrelevant for care.
I would like to thank David Muntz very much for his time and participation in helping to put together this very important industry article. I hope those in the AV industry are able to come away with some thoughts about BYOD, telepresence and telehealth, along with the notion of a value of investment as a revised concept to replace ROI. It’s an education that just continues for me. Leave a Comment
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What is Government A/V, and Why Should I Care?
By Joel Bilheimer Pershing Technologies
My favorite wrestler — and yes, that means I like more than one — is John Cena. The man is a fabulous athlete and ferociously intelligent, but I mostly like him simply for his signature move — the You Can’t See Me. It’s hilarious — he pretends to hide behind his hand, which is waving in front of his face, despite the fact that hand and face are attached to 6’4″ and 300 pounds of granite linebacker.
You see, I can relate to that. I’m one of the (formerly) anonymous members of a small but proud fraternity within the A/V industry, which the rest of the industry barely knows or cares exists. I’ve been in A/V for a couple winters shy of 20 years now, and for roughly the last decade of that, I’ve been supporting the government A/V sector and its kissing cousin, secure A/V.
Every time I meet up with A/V friends, they all ask me: “What is government A/V?” And here’s the thing… that’s a really, really hard question to answer. I have to give a different answer each time, because it’s so difficult to condense into an elevator speech. So when Gary Kayye graciously offered me the opportunity to try to explain this strange and regimented world in which we few, we happy few, we band of brothers operate, I jumped at the chance.
At its very simplest level, of course, government A/V is simply about selling audiovisual goods and services to the federal, state and local government markets. But if that were all there was, odds are, a lot more of you would be doing it, and I probably wouldn’t be writing this column.
While the approach of Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart is undoubtedly the most common method to encapsulate all that is, and isn’t, government A/V, I think the more effective way is to contrast government A/V with commercial A/V. With that in mind, I will endeavor over the next few months to help clarify where commercial A/V and government A/V converge and diverge, and where you, the A/V service provider, can best apply your talents in our field.
When I evangelize government A/V to A/V people who live almost entirely outside the government sphere, I invariably get two questions, almost back-to-back: “Where the heck do you start?” and “Why should I care?” We’ll come back to the first question in a future column or three, but for the second question, I have one very basic answer: Revenue. Money. Benjamins. Mad Cheddar.
In 2011, Systems Contractor News had a new company in its Top 50 (I know, I know, you never read The List, except you totally do) that most of you had probably never heard of.* Proving it was no fluke, MicroTech was back at number 2 in 2012, with a reported $315 million in A/V revenue (full disclosure, I used to be employed by MT). In the parlance of the government contracting world, MicroTech is a small-to-medium sized business. But in the A/V world, it’s HUGE. And it came seemingly out of nowhere, simply by making a few strategic acquisitions and winning some key contracts, all within a very short timeframe.
Let’s look at more data. According to the General Services Administration (GSA), the top 10 government contractors in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 accounted for roughly $136 billion (that’s a Thousand Million for our friends across the pond) in revenue. Although not all of them are A/V companies (Huntington Ingalls builds ships, for instance), most of them do sell A/V services and hardware. If even 0.5 percent of their business goes to A/V in some way (not an unreasonable assumption, by the way), you’re looking at over $500M in government A/V contracts last year to those 10 companies alone. And the dirty little secret is, the vast majority of that work is subcontracted out. Guess where you come in?
That’s one of the primary differences between government A/V and commercial A/V: SCALE. Government A/V is simply bigger. The players are bigger, the contracts are bigger, the process is longer (and vastly more complicated), the projects are larger… you get the point. Sure, there are some vendors out there who will swear they sell to government, and that it’s only a few thousand bucks worth every year. Not saying that isn’t the case. What I am saying is: That’s a rounding error in the grand scheme of things.
If you really want to get a sense of the government A/V market, think about this… the United States government spends roughly $4 trillion every year. THAT IS ONE CUSTOMER. If you captured only .0000000025 percent of that business per year, you’d be a $100m company. And that’s just the U.S. federal government. There are 206 federal governments worldwide. And literally thousands of state and local government entities in this country alone.
Some of you are probably murmuring, “Well, that’s great if we’re talking about the previous decade, but this is the ‘Tweens (copyright JB 2013), and federal spending is – thankfully – falling dramatically as we get our fiscal house in order.” Well, yes, it’s true that federal contracting spending fell last year by the largest annual drop in 16 years. For those of you who didn’t click through, that massive, jaw-dropping slash in federal spending? Yeah, that was 3.1 percent.
All kidding aside, federal revenue is probably going to plateau for at least a couple years. I’m not trying to tell you that federal government spending is the Rocket to Mars that it used to be. We could argue about state/local money, or international government revenue, or the fact that the federal government is a much more reliable payer than any other organization, but that’s forum fodder. So instead, I’ll give you another Dirty Little Secret for getting into government A/V: If you’re good at it, you’re almost by default good at pretty much every other aspect of A/V. And you’ll probably dominate your competition.
For one thing, you have to be extremely well organized. You have to have a rock-solid administrative practice and exceptional contracting talent. Your business development learning curve is going to be extremely steep. Once you emerge on the other side, however, your organization will be much stronger, and you will have lots of nice, steady, predictable, creditable revenue from your federal customer with which you can go out and build some new practices.
Secondly, the government is extremely focused on security, way more than any other customer. (Note that this is not just the U.S. Department of Defense, although they’re obviously the Big Kahuna when it comes to secure A/V.)
That said, any cursory glance at recent history suggests that security is going to be a singularly key focus of IT systems generally, and A/V systems specifically, throughout the commercial world over the next decade. If you learn how to build government-style security into your systems, I guarantee you that your commercial business will grow as a result.
But more on that later. ☺
*The SCN Top 50 is the Princeton Review of our industry. Every year, exactly 50 of our colleagues read it religiously and tout its unparalleled scope and objectivity, and roughly 99,950 of our colleagues read it religiously and scream about its methodology and focus on revenues. It’s the closest thing we have to a barometer in our industry. Send me all the letters you want, but until there’s another metric, it’s what we have to work with. Leave a Comment
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The Smart Grid is Coming: Are You Ready?
By Raymond Kent Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group
The United States Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) defines a Smart Grid as a class of computer based technologies that provides remote control, automation and two-way communication to improve production, delivery and efficiency of the electrical utility system. For over a century, the utility companies had to send workers out to gather the needed data to maintain and deliver the system by reading meters, measuring voltage, and looking for and repairing broken equipment. These utilities are moving into the 21st century by upgrading electricity networks from the power plants, wind farms, solar farms and wave generators to the consumer level at homes and businesses.
Most of the existing technologies have yet to be automated and computerized however this is rapidly changing. As we acknowledge the 10th anniversary of the great Northeast blackout, which started in my hometown region of Northeast Ohio from a couple of downed tree limbs and knocked out all of New England, the topic is gaining momentum as manufacturers, entrepreneurs and public utilities are all looking for a better way to keep the power moving and the lights on while providing a more reliable and efficient system. This includes rethinking the current delivery system of a centralized power plant, to transmission lines, to substations, transformers, switches, and finally the consumer to a more local and distributed system interlinked with surrounding systems. By adding intelligence to the electric power system, much in the way “smart phones” have transformed personal communications, smart grid technology lets the utility adjust and control each individual device or millions of devices from a remote location.
To help this along, the United State Congress passed in 2007 the Energy Independence and Security Act providing funding and legislative support for these initiatives. Key initiatives include establishing a Smart Grid Advisory Committee and Federal Smart Grid Task Force, developing a Smart Grid Regional Demonstration Initiative, createing a Smart Grid Interoperability Framework and providing funding for Smart Grid investment costs. The policy framework of this group led by the Federal Smart Grid Task Force focuses on four key goals outlined by the current administration:
- A better alignment of economic incentives to boost development and deployment of Smart Grid Technologies
- A focus on the creation of and strengthening of standards and interoperability
- Empowerment of the consumer to minimize energy use through better information while ensuring privacy
- Improve the power grid security and resilience
To handle these goals, the OE relies on digital technology and key activities to improve the system. First and foremost, research and development advance the understanding of the challenges and provide innovative solutions to the challenges ahead. From here deployment of demonstrative concepts give the public a view of where things might be heading while offering real world data to continue to improve efficiencies. This allows the OE to work out the kinks of interoperability and create standards by which future manufacturing, implementation, and operations can rely upon. This is important as the future of power generation will most certainly come from a range of technologies outside of what is traditionally used today (coal, nuclear, hydroelectric, etc.) Critical to this is the development of the workforce to support the technologies developed and utilized within these new structures. This will require a higher degree of understanding of digital technologies and networks than has been previously seen including understanding and monitoring of the mountain of data which will be available.
Now how is this going to impact the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector? Well for starters, all of this data that will be generated to better manage the power demand needs to travel over a network – the network designed and integrated into the built environment for our clients. Second, devices are getting smarter every day capable of providing real-time feedback of power consumption and power state, among many others.
In June of this year, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) hosted a technology demonstration in Albany, NY to educate stakeholders on the most recent developments on product sustainability and policies. Recognizing the growing impact that demand side electronics has on the overall power use of a built environment, CEA is a leading force in green design and manufacturing. This is rapidly bleeding into the professional electronics sector and will only continue to rise as end users become accustom to the technology and energy saving features within the consumer environment and have expectations for it in their working life. The Bring Your Own Device corporate worlds, and the majority of professional buildings, are seeing a 25-30 percent increase in plug load demand from technology above what would be considered for normal building operations. This includes the rise of digital signage, sophisticated audiovisual and security systems, and dramatic increase in computer networks. In addition to the end user creating demand, the International Green Construction Code mandates power management features be activated and monitored.
Currently, there are several technologies available from companies such as Panamax/Furman, Middle Atlantic, Tripp Lite and SurgeX (among others) that help to switch and monitor power demand of low voltage devices coupled with control and monitoring solutions from AMX, Crestron and Extron, for example, that help provide this oversight and management. In addition there are new standards being developed within the ICT industry such as the InfoComm International Audiovisual Systems Energy Management Standard to help guide the systems designers in maximizing the energy efficiencies within their designs. Rating systems, including the Sustainable Technology Environments Program (STEP), require more attention to electrical demand including plug load control and technology monitoring. Because we are already starting to generate this data within the technology scope of projects, it is within reach for the utilities to want to have access to this data. We are already tying the technology to the building management systems through shared data networks so the data for the ICT systems can be streamlined into the power demand response system especially during peak times. It is feasible that companies could see rebates from their utilities by reducing their power consumption through smarter power management of their technology like they do with reducing their HVAC or their lighting demand.
ICT systems designers and integrators need to learn and understand the challenges and opportunities along with current standards to be able to have the right conversations with their clients. It will up to these members of the design and integration team to become value added players and be able to educate in some circumstances not only the building owners and occupants, but the rest of the design team as well as to what is possible. Have you had opportunity to be part of a total smart building solution that was implemented into a new smart grid? We would love to hear your input! Leave a Comment
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Crestron Adds New 3 Series Controllers
The new DIN-AP3 and DIN-AP3MEX 3-Series control processors from Crestron are designed for DIN rail mounting. Both work with Crestron DALI ballasts and LED drivers for commercial lighting projects and have native support for BACnet/IP. BACnet/IP is a direct interface to third-party building management systems over Ethernet that simplifies integration with lighting and other building systems, including HVAC and security. The DIN-AP3 provides bidirectional RS232 COM ports and four IR/serial ports that allow for the integration of everything from a remote-controlled fireplace to advanced security systems.
The DIN-AP3MEX comes equipped with an integrated infiNET EX wireless gateway. For retrofit projects and applications where wiring can’t be installed, infiNET EX offers an effective and economical wireless solution. Crestron infiNET EX is a wireless mesh network technology in which each device on the network is a transmitter and receiver, making communication faster. infiNET EX devices include Crestron thermostats, shade motors, and Cameo wireless keypads, dimmers and switches. The DIN-AP3MEX also integrates with the new INET-IRCOM and INET-RYIO infiNET EX control modules to communicate with RS232, IR and relay controlled devices on the same wireless mesh network.
The DIN-AP3 and DIN-AP3MEX can be found here and here, respectively. Leave a Comment
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Samsung to Debut 98″ 4K Monitor Next Week
We don’t have official complete specs yet, but rAVe has learned that next week Samsung will show a 98″, 4K resolution (3840×2160) commercial-grade LCD monitor aimed at both digital signage and ProAV installs. In addition to being an ultra-high definition (UHD) display, the new 98″ will include both DisplayPort and HDMI (CEC enabled) inputs and will be integrated with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and RS232 control. It will have local dimming (LEDs) and it will weigh 170 pounds.
There are no specs on it yet, but when there are, they will be here. Leave a Comment
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Richard Gray Power to Debut IP-Addressable Power Strips
Richard Gray’s Power Company (RGPC) will launch a new version of its IPAC-8 Remote IP Power Management System at CEDIA. The IPAC-8 provides IP-addressability and remote monitoring capabilities to power management systems. Designed for virtually any residential or commercial environment or application, IPAC-8 features on/off remote (IP) control of eight individual AC power outlets and local monitoring with an easy-to-read RMS current meter display that provides a quick visual indication of the load, reducing the risk of overloads and tripped breakers. On/off sequences can be defined and power can be remotely monitored via meter, web or RGPC’s free bundled software, and Http, Https, SNMP, DHCP and UDP protocol is supported. The system includes user-defined alarm thresholds for warning and overload, and event alerts can be delivered via email, trap or audible alarm.
IPAC-8 requires no additional mounting hardware, is ihiji invision compatible and there are no port forwarding or extensive network configuration requirements. It can be put in a rack (1RU) or wall mounted. This list price is $1,000 USD.
Want all the specs? Go here. Leave a Comment
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BenQ Ships SX914 6000 Lumen Install Projector
BenQ America is shipping a new large-venue install projector dubbed the SX914 — an XGA (1024×768) resolution DLP projector specified to output 6,000 ANSI lumens with a contrast ratio of 6500:1.The projector offers 1.6x zoom capabilities, an embedded test pattern, dual HDMI inputs, a VGA port and an Ethernet port for control and content.
With LAN Control, the SX914 enables both audio and video to be delivered over a single LAN cable, allowing IT managers to remotely manage and maintain their devices directly from their workstations. The projector supports Crestron, SNMP, PJLink, and AMX systems, and offers wireless transfer of photos and documents from any iPad, iPhone or mobile device directly to the projector.
To reduce energy costs, the SX914 features a standby mode to lower power consumption to less than 0.5 watts while the device is inactive. Lamp replacement has been made extra easy with access from the side or top of the projector, while a filter-free optical system further reduces the TCO of the device.
Available now, the SX914 lists for $3,599 and all the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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PreSonus Announces StudioLive AI-Series Digital Mixers with Active Integration
PreSonus has announced its new series of StudioLive AI (Active Integration) hardware/software digital mixing and recording systems. The series consists of three models: the 32-channel StudioLive 32.4.2AI, with 24 dedicated mix buses; 24-channel StudioLive 24.4.2AI, with 20 dedicated mix buses; and 16-channel StudioLive 16.4.2AI, with 16 dedicated mix buses.
Using Burr-Brown A/D/A converters and new DSP architecture based on the 64-bit Studio One audio engine, the StudioLine AI series include direct Wi-Fi and LAN communication, a faster workflow, an onboard FireWire s800 interface and integrated software suite for Mac, Windows and iOS for for both live and studio use.
Redesigned from the ground up, these state-of-the-art mixers provide analog workflow with extensive dual signal processing on every channel and bus and actively integrated software that solves real-world problems and lets you record and distribute what you mix. All signal processing-Fat Channel processing, reverb and delay effects, graphic EQs, the works — is available on all channels and buses at all times. Configurable networking and communications option cards ensure your investment won’t be outdated as new technologies emerge.
StudioLive AI digital mixers are expected to be available at PreSonus dealers in the third and fourth quarters of 2013, with the StudioLive 32.4.2AI coming first, followed by the other two models. Street price is expected to be $3,999.95 for the StudioLive 32.4.2AI, $2,999.95 for the 24.4.2AI and $1,999.95 for the 16.4.2AI. Complete specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Christie Launches Android App for Controlling M and J Series
Christie’s Virtual Remote projector app, providing an alternative to the standard IR remote control, is now available for Android devices. The Virtual Remote provides wireless control of all Christie 3-chip DLP projectors in the Christie M Series and Christie J Series projector families.
Christie Virtual Remote supports all capabilities of a standard IR remote including:
- Single or multiple projector control
- Projector discovery
- Full access to complete projector
- On-Screen Display menu
- Projector on/off
- Shutter on/off
- Test pattern selection
- Input selection
- Zoom and focus
- Lens control
- Color matching
Go here to get it from the Google Play Store, or click here to learn more. Leave a Comment
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Keynote Speakers Announced for Smart Building Conference
The Smart Building Conference 2013, to be held at Dexter House, London, on Tues. Oct., 15, will be keynoted by two of British industry’s most renowned authorities on energy efficiency and building systems, the organizers announced today.
The first keynote will be delivered by Dr. Steven Fawkes, chairman of Day One Energy Solutions and author of the ‘Only Elevent Percent’ blog, which highlights the social and economic benefits of increasing energy efficiency. A former government adviser who remains active in UK energy efficiency policy development, Dr. Fawkes is an experienced public speaker and was awarded the Energy Institute’s Individual Achievement Award in November 2012.
Following Dr. Fawkes onto the Dexter House stage will be Jeremy Towler, senior manager, energy & smart technologies at the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA). Towler brings some 34 years’ experience in intelligent building controls, fire and security systems to the event, with a background in both engineering and market research.
Both keynotes will take place in the early morning session of the Smart Building Conference, after which the event will divide into two parallel tracks – one dedicated to Commercial buildings, the other to Residential. The former will be hosted by Allen Weidman, chief sustainability officer, InfoComm International, while the latter will be in the hands of Matt Dodd, education director, CEDIA Region 1.
In the late-morning session, the Commercial track will look at Future Trends in Smart Building Design and Technology, while the Residential track focuses on Energy Management. After lunch these roles will be reversed, but there will be no duplication of speakers or sessions.
Registration for the Conference is now live, with a delegate pass for the day costing €180 + VAT for members of CEDIA or InfoComm, €250 + VAT for non-members. Early-bird pricing, which applies before Monday, 30 September, reduces these rates to €125 and €200 respectively. Companies that register more than two delegates receive a 10 percent discount off each additional registration.
Additionally, CEDIA is offering a 20 percent discount off relevant courseware for all delegates if they book their education courses within 12 months of the Conference.
Further program and speaker information is available here. Leave a Comment
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HARMAN Pro Releases HiQnet Audio Architect Version 1.1
HARMAN Professional has announced the introduction of its HiQnet Audio Architect version 1.1 professional audio configuration and control platform, an upgrade that brings new functionality and features, including control of Audinate Dante-enabled devices, enhanced functionality for BSS Audio and Crown products, better on-screen control interfaces and others.
Audio Architect is the software element of HARMAN’s Architectural Media Systems, and is a single control platform for all devices in a HiQnet sound system, from microphone to speaker. HARMAN Architectural Media Systems combines the processing power of BSS Audio and Crown Audio’s category leading amplifier technology with the configuration and control capabilities of HiQnet Audio Architect. This solution provides audio professionals with the most complete, versatile platform available for small to large-scale AV system design, with the single point accountability of one-stop comprehensive support and logistics. Architectural Media Systems provides networked audio connectivity via the designer’s choice of AVB, HARMAN’s proprietary BLU Link bus, Cirrus CobraNet or Audinate Dante.
To facilitate system setup, Audio Architect 1.1 utilizes graphical, diagrammatic representations of the installed or live sound venue, and the components and loudspeakers in the system. Devices “understand” both their physical and logical placement – in racks, arrays and rooms – and the software “learns” how they are to be used in the real world, while offering extensive setup and configuration capabilities, now further enhanced with version 1.1.
Audio Architect 1.1 now supports the Audinate Dante-enabled BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-806 signal processor and BLU-326 I/O expander devices. Version 1.1 also enables signal naming and signal following in the software’s BSS Soundweb London Route Audio Mode, giving users the ability to trace signals quickly and easily through the open architecture of a BSS Soundweb London device and between Soundweb London devices over the network.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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JVC Debuts DLA-VS2200ZG Simulation Projector
JVC Professional Products today announced the DLA-VS2200ZG D-ILA projector, which the company claims is specifically engineered for simulation environments, planetariums and other visualization applications. Using a new 1920×1080 resolution D-ILA optical projection engine, JVC says it offers a delivers a minimum 18,000:1 native contrast ratio.
Using three D-ILA imaging devices (RGB), the DLA-VS2200ZG offers a seven-axis adjustable color management system (CMS), 12-bit gamma correction with six user adjustable gamma presets, 16 step lens aperture control, and 10-bit color depth via its two HDMI 1.4a inputs. Its anti-smear reduction modes reduce image smearing during fast-motion scenes through black frame insertion.
JVC also says a new 1/16 sub-pixel convergence correction delivers more precise picture alignment than past D-ILA models and it uses a 230-watt NSH illumination system that’s spec’d to deliver 850 lumens for daytime and nighttime flight training, and 4,000 hours in normal lamp mode, which contribute to a lower cost of ownership.
Housed in a rugged chassis for motion-based applications, the DLA-VS2200ZG features wire grid polarizers and inorganic optical components for long life performance. Its 1.4-2.8:1 zoom lens offers remote zoom and focus, +/- 80 percent vertical offset, and +/- 34 percent horizontal offset. The projector also includes RS232c and LAN connections as well as a wired/IR remote for control.
Finally, this same model is available without a lens, dubbed the DLA-VS2200G. Both projectors maintain the same form factor as previous models, and use the same mounting hardware and lenses, so projector replacement in existing installations is simplified. The DLA-VS2200ZG and DLA-VS2200G are now shipping.
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AVI-SPL Introduces New Operating Room Solution Called ESSENCE
AVI-SPL’s ESSENCE (Enterprise Surgical System with Enhanced Network Control over Ethernet) is an AVI-SPL family of surgical video products designed around clinical workflows that enables the OR staff to efficiently manage all surgical video, audio and data while allowing medical practitioners outside the OR to observe and collaborate with the surgeon and staff.
A combination of both hardware and software solutions, ESSENCE not only provides remote source selection of the OR’s medical video, but also offers a unified approach to image capture, video recording, archiving, professional editing, video on demand as well as posting images to both system EHR and PACS. More than just video streaming, ESSENCE offers two-way connectivity that can link an OR with other clinical specialties for collaborative examination of tissue specimens, provide interactive instruction during live surgical or broadcast new techniques and innovative procedures across the country or the globe.
The Essence line includes three integrated operating rooms systems to choose from; the DVI-D video platform ESSENCE-Digital, the ESSENCE-HD which scales all sources in the OR to a high definition 1080p format and the ESSENCE-IP where images up to 4K are encoded into an internet protocol format at the source and distributed at their native resolution without compression for artifact-free video.
The ESSENCE video transport platform is an FDA rated, Class 1 Medical Device that is not only agnostic to medical device manufacturers but also able to support legacy, current and future surgical technology because of its easily scalable design. It combines best practices with an open architecture allowing a variety of devices from different manufactures, modalities and technologies to work together in one cohesive system. As with all ESSENCE video platforms the system is also designed to dramatically reduce the footprint normally associated with traditional AV equipment in the limited space of most ORs.
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Tripp-Lite Adds Surge Suppressor with Two USB Ports and Clamps
Tripp-Lite has expanded its line of surge protection products with the introduction of the new TLP606DMUSB Protect It! Surge Suppressor — a new economical surge suppressor that features built-in clamps that attach to the sides of desks, workbenches and tables for better accessibility to outlets. It also has two USB ports for charging and powering portable devices.
Key Features and Benefits:
• Six outlets, including two widely spaced to accommodate bulky transformers
• Two USB charging ports capable of delivering 2.1 amps of power to charge smartphones, tablets and MP3 players
• Heavy-duty protection with a 2100-joule surge suppression rating
• Two built-in clamps secure the unit to workbenches, desks and tables tightly enough to prevent the weight of connected cords from detaching the unit from the surface
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New, Energy-Saving Features Added to Lutron HomeWorks QS System
Lutron Electronics today announced three new features for its HomeWorks QS total home control system.
RF SoftSwitch Module
- Switches large loads, like landscape lighting, pumps, and gates, without any wear on the relay, and without the need for multiple devices
- Can switch an entire branch circuit of lighting, up to 16A, from Pico wireless remotes, system keypads, and smartphones
- $149 suggested list price
- Begins shipping Oct. 15, 2013
120V DIN Rail Power Module with EcoSystem
- A DIN rail mounted controller that ensures compatibility with the Lutron EcoSystem LED drivers and ballasts
- Provides system flexibility by controlling up to several fixtures
- $950 suggested list price
- Begins shipping November 1, 2013
Daylight Control Package
- Allows a HomeWorks QS system to respond to ambient light levels based on the controller (sensor) settings, allowing homeowners to enjoy the energy-saving benefits of daylight
- $900 suggested list price includes a power pack, daylight sensor and LC8 controller
- Available now
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FSR’s DR-SOCK Provides Help for Pulling Cables
FSR’s new DR-SOCK is a creative cable-pulling tool designed to simplify and accelerate every installation requiring cables and connectors.
The DR-SOCK is pre-assembled, easily accessible in frustration-proof packaging and re-useable. It protects cables and connectors from being damaged by taking the stress off the connection points while pulling through a conduit. The design opens up to 1.25 inches, and features brightly colored sleeve tips to enable easy identification and a steel ring to allow quick and positive attachment of a pull snake. DR-SOCK can be used to safely pull FSR’s new Digital Ribbon Cables as well as others with connector shells.
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Nest Adds API-Based Developer Program – Hints at Getting into Control System Market for the Home
Today at CEDIA, Nest Labs, the Apple-like HVAC Wi-Fi-based HVAC controller, announced plans to begin working with developers on creative ways to connect with the Nest Learning Thermostat through integrations such as home appliances, lighting and home automation. By introducing a Web API, Nest is taking the first step toward working with partners to build a simple, secure and connected experience for the home. The Nest developer program will officially kick off in early 2014.
Nest is interested in working with developers – from individuals creating their own apps to established companies (although only Control4 was named) – who create products, apps or services that work with the Nest thermostat. If you want to participate or get more information about the Nest Developer Program, click here. “Since we launched in 2011, there’s been steady demand from the developer community for Nest to create an API,” said Matt Rogers, Nest founder and vice president of engineering. “While we’ve always wanted to create a Nest Developer Program, our first priority was to build a great product, customer experience and team. We’ve defined what the Nest experience should be. And now we’re getting ready to open our doors.”
If you’re interested in being a Nest developer, sign up here. Nest can be found here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Scaling Receiver for XTP Systems Ships
Extron has announced the immediate availability of the XTP SR HDMI, an HDCP-compliant scaling receiver that accepts HDMI, DVI, RGB, HD component video and standard definition video signals from XTP devices. The receiver provides selectable output rates up to 1920×1200, including HDTV 1080p/60 and 2K, to scale the video to the optimal output resolution for the display. In addition to high performance video, it accepts audio, bidirectional RS232 and IR, and Ethernet for transmission up to 330 feet (100 meters) over a single CATx cable. It also offers integrator-friendly features such as Key Minder, EDID Minder, picture controls, on-screen menus, audio controls and internal test patterns.
The XTP SR HDMI provides signal distribution for HDMI embedded audio or audio de-embedding with multi-channel S/PDIF or two-channel balanced/unbalanced analog stereo and PCM audio. It also allows Ethernet extension and insertion of bidirectional RS232 and IR for LAN access and AV device control at remote locations. EDID Minder ensures continuous EDID communication between devices. For transmission of HDMI signals with protected content, Key Minder authenticates and maintains HDCP encryption to provide quick and reliable transmission across the XTP System infrastructure.
For more information on the XTP SR HDMI, click here. Leave a Comment
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JVC, RGB Spectrum Partner for 4K Real-time Multiviewer System
JVC Professional Products is partnering with RGB Spectrum to jointly develop what they are calling an affordable, “Ultra HD” real-time multiviewer system for a variety of high-end monitoring applications. The system combines JVC’s PS-840UD Professional Series ProVérité or RS‑840UD Reference Series 4K 84-inch LCD monitors with RGB Spectrum’s SuperView 4K Multiviewer.
The SuperView 4K is a real-time multiviewer designed for monitors with a native resolution of 3840×2160 (4K, or Ultra HD). It can display and manipulate native 4K images, a combination of 4K and HD (1920×1080) windows, or up to eight HD graphic or video windows (scaled or unscaled) on a single 4K monitor.
Developed for commercial use, both JVC monitors feature an IPS LCD panel with 120Hz refresh rate and 10 bit color depth. Housed in a slim bezel with a 178‑degree viewing angle, the ELED Illuminated monitors offer HDMI 1.4a (single cable 4K up to 30p) and HDMI (four cable 4K up to 60p). The PS-840UD includes compatibility with the Intel open pluggable specification (OPS) as well. The RS-840UD has been licensed with the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) and includes a C3 mode for professional calibration.
Learn more about JVC Professional and RGB Spectrum here and here.
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Christie Ships Updated MicroTiles with Thinner Bezel
Four years after launching MicroTiles, Christie has introduced a thinner-bezel version in the form of the Christie MicroTiles S310 screen.
Featuring the same optical performance and construction as the S300, the Christie MicroTiles S310 screen is slightly larger and features 0.7-millimeter seams (compared to 1.3-millimeter seams for the S300). The S310 operating temperature range is 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).
Christie Interactivity Kit provides the creative flexibility to incorporate multipoint touch interactivity into large-format digital displays and allows multiple users to interact simultaneously with content on Christie MicroTiles or any large-format video wall.
With a much wider color palette than conventional LCD and plasma displays, Christie MicroTiles display pure, saturated, accurate colors, making them ideal for public spaces. The modular display technology can be configured into nearly any shape and size to create an eye-catching digital canvas.
The Christie MicroTiles S310 screen is now shipping and full specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Pexip Announces Scalable Software Platform for VTC: Pexip Infinity
Pexip today announced the general availability of Pexip Infinity, a scalable software platform that provides personal meeting rooms for any number of users on video, voice and mobile. Pexip Infinity is a purely software-based, virtualized solution that can be deployed and scaled as required. The complementary Pexip mobile application for iOS provides conference participants with a consistent interface where they can control conferences and view presentations, all from their own personal devices.
Pexip promotes the advantages of its solution as:
- Software-only – Pexip Infinity can be deployed remotely on two or more virtual machines and features H.265, SVC and WebRTC support will be made available to a company’s global data centers through on-going software upgrades. Thus, cloud-based.
- Simple to use – The Pexip mobile application for iOS (Pexip App) allows users to view the presentation and current participants on the call-in addition to zoom and other features available on a mobile device.
- Hardware agnostic – Pexip Infinity’s platform is designed to use industry-standard servers from any vendor to provide high-quality, scalable and efficient conferencing.
Here’s a video interview that Gary did with the Pexip founder at InfoComm.
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Aurora Intros Second Generation DXM Matrix Switchers with HDBaseT
Aurora’s second generation Digital Xtreme Matrix (DXM) switchers with HDBaseT CAT I/O cards offering 1080p 60Hz transmission over single CAT cable up to 600 feet. Three card cage sizes for up to 32 discrete channels of Input and output. Aurora claims it has auto EDID learning and management.
The DXM-G2 also offers flexible RS232 signal routing via HDBaseT I/O Cards to individual outputs or to all outputs simultaneously for unprecedented display control. With a full assortment of Input cards no format is left behind with crystal clear digital conversion to 1920×1080 60Hz.
Features:
- Units configurable 4-channels per card
- HDBaseT CAT Input / Output Cards (up to 600ft over Single CAT Cable)
- VGA Input / Output Cards
- 3G/HD/SD SDI Input / Output Cards
- HDMI Input / Output Cards (Output Cards w/Audio De-embedding & Auto DVI Detect)
- HDBaseT Powers remote Tx/Rx units over CAT Cable w/Flexible RS232 Control routing
- DVI Fiber Input / Output Cards (up to 2km Single Mode)
- YPbPr Input Cards
- RS232 Control and Optional LAN Control
- Field Serviceable with Hot-Swappable I/O cards and Optional Redundant Power Supplies
- Available in 8×8 (DXM-88-G2), 16×16 (DXM-1616-G2), and 32×32 (DXM-3232-G2) configurations (I/O cards sold separately)
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Atlas Sound Ships Half-Rack Width Racks
Atlas Sound’s new WMA-HR series are American-made equipment racks and cabinets that are all half-rack width. Available in both 12RU and 16RU configurations, these models are designed to be used in installations where space is a premium. The unique fold forward design allows the equipment to be accessed even if the rack is installed directly against a wall or other obstruction. The unit is shipped in two parts, the rack itself and the wall mount back box. This allows the integrator to send the back box directly to the job site for installation allowing them to load the rack offsite until it is ready for installation, protecting the installed equipment. Additionally, the compact size and reusable packing materials allow the unit to be contractor shipped to the install site via FedEx or UPS.
Atlas Sound also offers an array of rack accessories including fan panels, blank panels, shelves and doors that work with either model in the Series as well as equipment mounting options for Time Saving Devices, wall plates and AA Series amplifiers. A vertical rack mount kit is also available that allows for vertical installation of full width rack product in half width rack.
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Barco Adds Android App and Microsoft Office Support for ClickShare
Barco has extended BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) support for its ClickShare product with the release of a new Android app. The app extends ClickShare support for mobile devices beyond Apple’s iOS – the iOS app debuted in the Spring.
With ClickShare, Barco’s wireless meeting room collaboration system, users can present their content on the main meeting room screen with just the click of a button. Now users of Android phones and tablets can also enjoy the ClickShare experience with the new ClickShare mobile app for Android. The app provides a virtual button allowing users to show documents, pictures and screen shots in the ClickShare composition. As Android is now one of the most widely used platforms for smart devices in the world, this hugely expands the applicability of ClickShare.
The ClickShare iOS app has also been updated and is now compatible with Microsoft Office documents, as well as JPEG images and PDF documents. The ClickShare Android App is available to download free from the Google Play store now.
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Christie’s 84-Inch 4K DIsplay Will Debut in Dubai
Christie’s presence at InfoComm EMEA will see the “official” launch of its QuadHD84 flat panel display, a 4K resolution (3840×2160) @ 60Hz flat panel LCD with both computer and video sources. The display has twice the actual update rate over consumer ultra-high definition (UHD) TVs available on the market today.
The native resolution of the panel is driven by four frame-locked HDMI or DVI sources at 60Hz. Users can quickly connect to high-performance workstations or image processors for greater flexibility. The panel has three additional single channel HDMI 1.4a inputs capable of 4K resolution at 30Hz and each of those inputs are HD compatible enabling beautiful graphics scaled to fill the screen at up to 60Hz.
The 84-inch Christie QuadHD84 can handle 2D and 3D sources and has a 50,000 hours illumination life too and the complete specs are here. Leave a Comment
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InFocus Adds Two Ultra Short Throw Projectors
InFocus has released two new ultra short throw projectors in the form of the IN134UST and IN136UST, which are both 3D capable. The IN136UST WXGA (1280×768) projector can project a 100-inch image at up to 3,300 ANSI lumens from a distance of only 16.6 inches and the IN134UST is capable of projecting XGA (1024×768) video at up to 2,800 lumens onto an 85-inch surface from a distance of just 16.4 inches.
Both projectors have VGA and HDMI inputs (HDCP), are DLP-based and claim to have a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. While running in Eco Mode, the ultra short throw projectors reduce power consumption and extend lamp life to up to 8,000 hours.
Full specs of the IN134UST are here and the IN136UST can be found here. Leave a Comment
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RTW Debuts SurroundControl Series Upgrade
RTW’s firmware update for its flagship SurroundControl 31900 and 31960 series adds support for current EBU/ITU loudness regulations, including ITU 1770-3. The company says the new firmware simplifies the control of the studio monitoring environment when switching over between various audio formats like stereo, 3.1, 5.1 or 7.1.
By enabling the user to select independent trim and delay values for both analog and digital monitoring outputs, this information can then be stored in up to five level/delay trim sets in the audio system menu. When defining the individual input routing for the sub presets, these new level/delay trim sets can be allocated and tapped into as needed.
RTW’s SurroundControl 31900 and 31960 series combines control, analysis and monitoring of eight-channel 5.1 to 7.1 surround sound into one single system. The proprietary Surround Sound Analyzer (House display) is a powerful tool for visualizing the interaction of all important parameters of surround signals.The dynamic behavior of all display elements corresponds to the subjective listening impression, enabling you to see the balance of a surround program intuitively and at a glance. RTW’s unparalleled Surround Sound Analyzer is capable of displaying any surround program up to 7.1 DD+ and Cinema for fast, in-depth evaluation.
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Extron Announces New Compact Six Input Media Presentation Switcher Extron’s new MPS 601 is a compact (half-rack width) six-input, one-output media presentation switcher for digital and analog sources. It offers four HDCP-compliant HDMI inputs and two RGB video inputs with analog stereo audio. RGB video and analog audio are digitized and switched through the HDMI output. The MPS 601 also features Extron EDID Minder, which maintains continuous EDID communication between connected devices and Key Minder, which continuously authenticates and maintains HDCP encryption between input and output devices to ensure quick switching.
The MPS 601 offers integrator-friendly features, including cable equalization on each HDMI input, automatic color bit depth management, indicators for monitoring and troubleshooting, as well as peripheral device powering. Multiple control options including front panel, RS232, contact closure and auto-input switching also help streamline integration into various environments. Housed in a 1U half-rack width metal enclosure, the compact MPS 601 can be rack-mounted, installed in a lectern, or mounted under a table.
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TouchSystems Introduces a New 40-Inch Multi-Touch Screen
TouchSystems latest introduction is the X 40, 40″ LED-lit LCD (1080p) that’s 1.7″ deep, features a slim bezel and offers six touch points. It features commercial-grade components, using the NEC 401S monitor. The X 40 is part of TouchSystems’ executive line of displays, meaning that it features multiple connectivity options designed to ease installation and maintenance of content, an LED-backlit screen for month-after-month reduced energy consumption and subsequent cost savings and built-in speakers. The touch screen is equipped with a carbon footprint meter, a scheduler and internal temperature sensors with self-diagnosis tools and fans all of which are purposed to improve performance and decrease costs. Brightness is specified at 500cd/m2 and contrast ratio is 3500:1.
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe ProAV Edition 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).
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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
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