Volume 5, Issue 9 – September 30, 2016
AV Insider
AV Power Up!
Coffee With Millenial-Z
Good AV
The Floating Point
Rants and rAVes
Selling AV
|
|
|
September 20, 2016
Episode 88: DEVIALET
Adrien Da Maia, GM of the US devision of DEVIALET, speaks with me about their ultra hi end wireless speakers, The Phantom. We cover their amplifiers, and talk about how these amps were incorporated into the phantom as well.
|
September 20, 2016
Episode 87: Eero
Chris Boross, product management at Eero, speaks with me about wireless issues, and how Eero solves them.
|
September 20, 2016
Episode 86: Artison
Matthew LaBruzzo, Director of Engineering, Artison USA, speaks with me about custom soundbars, and the last new backpack. Think AVR minus the tuner and the phono, in a slim 1″ chassis.
|
September 20, 2016
Episode 84: Audioquest
Stephen Mejias, VP of communications at Audioquest, speaks with me about higher cables, DACS, headphones, Low-z AC line conditioners, and everything In between for the HiFi personal audio, and CE side of audio.
|
September 20, 2016
Episode 83: Sevenhugs
Simon Tchedikian, CEO & co-founder of Sevenhugs, speaks with me about his two smart products, the huge one sleep monitoring and health device, and the newly to be launched smart remote, which controls all your smart connected devices so you don’t have to use all their apps.
|
September 20, 2016
Episode 82: QMotion
Cassie Metzger, Director of marketing communications of QMotion (a Legrand company), speaks with me about integration of their shades will all types of control systems.
|
September 20, 2016
Episode 81: Josh.ai
Alex Capecelatro, CEO of Josh.ai speaks with me about the all voice control/AI automation company. (first time attendee at CEDIA).
|
September 13, 2016
Episode 78: Legrand’s LUXUL Keeps You Simply Connected
Jeff Curtis, CEO of Legrand’s LUXUL, speaks with me about the newly acquired company, his startup life background/experience, how this translates to where we can expect LUXUL to advance to, and so much more. Luxul has everything you need to stay connected in today’s world, and we got it all on this episode of AV insider.
|
September 1, 2016
Episode 77: A CEDIA 2016 Primer With Vin Bruno
Vin Bruno, CEO of CEDIA, now almost one year in to his role with the custom electronic design installation association, and a similar time frame since he and I last chatted on AV Insider (Episode 56), takes some time out of his extremely busy day/night to speak with me about all the major accomplishments he set out to achieve since last September. We talk about IOT, smarter homes and gardens, voice control, what to expect at CEDIA in Dallas, and a few other AV Insider tidbits, that you can only find out by listening to this episode of AV Insider.
|
Back to Top
|
September 30, 2016
Episode 74: Just Hanging With the Crew
Join Crew members from AV Power Up past and present:
Corey Moss (@Cbmoss): Crew I (2015) co-host/producer, Crew II (2016)
Host/producer Christa Bender (@AVChrista): Crew I (2015) Host
Katye McGregor Bennett (@katyemcgregor): Crew II (2016) co-host
Justin Watts (@PaladinMachina): Crew II (2016) co-host
Deron Pinchback (@DPinchback23): Crew II (2016) co-host
Joey D’Angelo (@joeyaudeeo): Crew II (2016) co-host
On this one the Crew members talk about the show from the very beginning in March 2015 (as well as a show that brought AV Power Up to the AV Radio waves) discussing their own experiences, other Crew members who have done the show, some of those “moments,” and much more. Of course as with any show you get Justin Watts’ award winning Power Up (he just keeps collecting the awards).
Toward the end the Crew has some #NationalCoffeeDay talk and along with saying what or where they’d be drinking, they also tried to convince Joey why he should be a coffee drinker. Let’s just say caffeine intake wasn’t one of them though. And where Katye is concerned, after finding out what she drinks we’re still not sure how she ever sleeps (but at least we now know why she hardly ever takes breaths when she talks). And Christa the tea lover gets a pass (because she’s AV Christa y’know).
An excellent episode dedicated to all of the great Crew members who have done the show since its inception – thank you all for your great contributions and… Power Up!
|
September 23, 2016
Episode 73 — The CEDIA 2016 Post-Show — In a Word: Big
Join the Crew: Katye McGregor Bennett, Corey Moss and Justin Watts as they welcome their guests:
Vin Bruno – CEO at CEDIA
Tim Sinnaeve – Director, Barco Residential
Barry Sheldrick – Director of Sales at Meridian Audio
Alison Maxson – Press and PR Specialist, Americas at Barco
Yes, big news – Katye McGregor Bennett is back! Even bigger – she brought Vin Bruno back to AV Power Up with her!
On a special post-CEDIA 2016 show, Katye returns to host again (and quite a masterful job it is) and Corey opens this one with an ode to CEDIA and the great event that it was – yes it was big. Vin Bruno, who joined the Crew on Episode 70 with Joey Kolchinsky, returns with more terrific guests to highlight some of the things that took place at CEDIA in Dallas.
Vin starts this one up by telling us about the opening keynote session with Shelly Palmer which did have an impact on the attendees as promised, and the Crew discussed some of the trends that were identified at the show with Vin and the others as well. You can truly hear the coolness of the show come through in Vin’s discussion. Tim Sinnaeve and Barry Sheldrick talked about the experiences that Barco and Meridian Audio brought respectively (Tim said Star Wars at the show, Gary got happy), and Alison – right – talked Snapchat and other such things social media at the show. Vin talked about how important social media was to the show as well. What particular tweet did Alison send to Vin during the podcast identifying a difference between men and women? Tune in to find out sometime during the show.
After another award-winning Power Up (the award was presented by Vin in a ceremony after the show), the second half began with Vin talking about the important Friday keynote with Amazon Director of Alexa Smart Home Charlie Kindel and his discussion of the Voice User Interface (VUI) concept. All on the podcast also talk about Women in Consumer Technology (which includes our great Crew member Katye MacGregor Bennett!), along with an excellent Women in CE Lunch presentation from Kendra Thomas, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Pearson Education. Tim tells us all about one of the Crew members’ favorite superheros that apppeared at Barco’s booth (hint: 4K, laser, swings a hammer), and gives us expert lowdown on 4K (what’s real 4k and what’s not – hallaleujah?). Barry adds-in very well, and a hashtag he brought to light in discussion here will for sure be used a lot (it already was during the show). Everyone on the show also agreed that everything Meridian Audio brought to CEDIA they want to have in their own home theaters. And that superhero at the Barco booth as well.
A great show with CEO Vin Bruno and the Crew’s other great guests that you must listen to all the way through. So sit back, plug in, make sure you make those reservations for CEDIA 2017 in San Diego and… Power Up!
|
September 16, 2016
Episode 72, Part 2: When Good Enough Isnt: Quality and the Exceptional Experience
The Crew returns for this Part 2 with their guests:
Paul Zielie – Manager, Enterprise Solutions at Harman
Jeremy Elsesser – COO/CIO Level 3 Audio Visual
Vic Bhagat – Head of Technical Marketing at Logitech
After listening to Part 1, you’ll find out in this Part 2 that the discussion of “good enough” as applies to quality and the customer experience, which should in turn always be exceptional, is just not acceptable. Justin leads this discussion on this podcast talking about the quality factor and just what this means to the client, of which he is one when it comes to the integrators. He discusses the Association for Quality in Audio Visual Technology, Inc. (whose Executive Director Mario Maltese joined us on Episode 68), AV9000 and just what this means in terms of the integration quality discussion.
Excellent input on this one from Jeremy whose company is a training partner of AQAV, as well as Paul who both won’t accept just good enough in terms of quality of work. Each of the Crew members give their insights here as well.
An outstanding two-part podcast that you must listen to from beginning to end. So sit back, plug back in and… Power Up!
|
September 16, 2016
Episode 72, Part 1: Connecting Video, Collaboration and the Good Proposition
Paul Zielie – Manager, Enterprise Solutions at Harman
Jeremy Elsesser – COO/CIO Level 3 Audio Visual
Vic Bhagat – Head of Technical Marketing at Logitech
In this Part 1 we focus mainly on the discussion of video conferencing and collaboration as this discussion continues to expand in business, education and other markets. We begin with the “Product Spot” with Logitech Video Collaboration and the ConferenceCam Connect as Corey and Vic lead the discussion here talking about the company, the product optimized for desktop and small group videoconferences, as well as their well-constructed solutions-provider partner environment of cloud and other technologies.
Jeremy who is the COO/CIO of Level 3 Audio Visual, a Logitech integration partner, participates in the conversation from that side to discuss the solutions, cloud videoconferencing as well as the “good enough” proposition which Corey also begins here with Vic. This is one thing you will hear in a constant flow in this Part 1 (and the following Part 2) wherein we look at certain perspectives like can good enough ever be enough? Can it actually be hiked up to a next level? Can we see this proposition as something that could possibly be agreed upon between customer and integrator as mutually acceptable? Jeremy brings his thoughts to this as well as Paul Zielie, who puts a little different focus on this discussion. Of course we also catch up with Paul about all things, well, Paul Zielie (and his world travels which took him to Australia) – an excellent discussion which you should definitely hear.
We end this Part 1 with the Tier PM Hot Jobs as well as another winning Power Up from Justin, leading us right into Part 2.
So sit back, plug in and… Power Up!
|
September 9, 2016
Episode 71: Welcome to the Soundbar
Join the Crew: Corey Moss, Justin Watts and Deron Pinchback as they welcome their guests:
Eric Larsen – Director of Marketing at TEAC/TASCAM
Keith Charley – Sr. Software Manager at Sony Interactive Entertainment
The Crew opens The Sound Bar (after business hours) to talk with their guests, first to find out all about Keith Charley, from the very beginning when he first picked up a guitar to the present day doing very important audio work with Sony Interactive Entertainment. You’ll also hear about the first video game he ever worked on that many of the gamers listening should know very well. Eric Larsen talks about his wonderful world at TEAC/TASCAM and as it turns out we all want to live in his world – actually both of their worlds. Trust us you’ll find out why.
After taking a break for the Hot Jobs and Justin’s Power Up, the Crew returns to The Sound Bar in the second half to talk with Keith and Eric about developments with their companies – Keith talks a bit about the new Playstation 4 Pro, and Eric talks about two brand new Tascam products, one that experienced as well as up and coming podcasters will love. They also can’t resist getting into that hot-button discussion surrounding the new iPhone 7.
Stick around for a great 15-minute bonus at the end where all who are on the show talk about some of their favorite classic rock bands and albums from the 70’s – Deron’s may surprise you and Eric’s really may surprise you – and you’ll also find out about CEDIA CEO Vin Bruno’s favorite band as we reveal that one too.
So sit back, plug in, grab a cold one and be prepared to… Power Up!
|
September 2, 2016
Episode 70 — What’s to Talk About This Week? That’s Right — #CEDIA16
Join the Crew: Host Katye McGregor Bennett (yes, you read that right!), Corey Moss and Justin Watts as they welcome their guests:
Vincent Bruno – CEO at CEDIA
Joey Kolchinsky – Founder, Managing Director at OneVision Resources
Yes, for the first time in 2016, the host mic has been turned over to our CEDIA Crew member Katye McGregor Bennett to host this show (giving Corey, and the listeners that much needed break) as the home technology industry approaches CEDIA 2016 this month in Dallas, TX. This one begins the discussion which will continue on other episodes this month.
We begin talking with Vin and Joey about the home technology industry and the mass potential that exists there now. Joey touches on technologies beyond home tech as well, including discussing IT, which can potentially enable the integrator to become more of a technology manager. Vin also speaks about convergence, however it’s more of a focus shift perspective rather than a merging of technologies (with the /). Joey also talks about the “Internet of Broken Things” – a discussion well worth hearing. Vin talks about Shelly Palmer’s keynote, where Palmer will explore how the most effective home technology professionals are managing change and how all CEDIA 2016 attendees can position their businesses to successfully compete in a connected world. There’s also discussion here of not leaving money on the table. Anyone out there still trying to find ways to explore the massive potential opportunities that present themselves? Joey adds in well to this one.
Justin gives us the Power Up on that particular discussion of market opportunities, which extends to great discussion with Vin and the others, and then in the second half we talk about a panel discussion taking place at the show “A Blueprint for Success: Former System Integrators Collaborate to Simplify Your World” (Thursday 9/15 at 8 AM) where those in attendance will join a group of former Home Technology Professionals (including Joey) for breakfast to ask questions, share thoughts, and learn about their plans to create a seamless and effective blueprint for success. An excellent conversation that all in the industry, in residential and commercial should listen to.
Find more information on CEDIA 2016, Sept. 13-17 in Dallas, TX here.
What else is there to talk about? Trust us, talking CEDIA 2016 fills this hour-long conversation. So sit back, plug in and… Power Up!
|
September 9, 2016
Episode 1: Mentorship in the AV Industry
Victoria Barela, 23 and Jeremy Jones, 26 both young entrepreneurs in the AV industry plan to educate their peers within this rapid expanding field and those who are eager to learn about this growing industry. Throughout this podcast both individuals plan to combine like minds of newcomers and professionals within the AV world to help create overall camaraderie. Together, Victoria and Jeremy hope to enlighten those who are interested in becoming successful in search for direction while gaining lasting colleagues.
|
Back to Top
September 8, 2016
Episode 8: Making AV Good for the Brain
Have you ever struggled to convince a client that “Yes, acoustics in this meeting room actually DO impact outcomes of meetings?” Well, this month our guest, consultant and expert, Andrea Sullivan of BrainStrength Systems, lends us some scientific brain data to support that argument! From optimizing AV for best learning environments to understanding that designing for multiple generations isn’t just a want-to-have, but a physiological need, Andrea shares her useful and fascinating knowledge.
|
Back to Top
September 22, 2016
Episode 6: Supersize My Code
It’s episode six of the Floating Point! Co-host Chris Tatton (@Chris_Tatton) returns from his undisclosed location to join host Hope Roth (@beerandpie) and this month’s guest, Jay Basen, (@[error-twitter-account-not-found]) to discuss templates, scaleability, and awkward interactions.
Jay is wrapping up a long, and illustrious career (seriously, we’re all in awe of his accomplishments), and has gifted automation programmers with both his thought processes and a host of original source code.
We talk about how to create a system that will scale to a 40,000 square foot house (most of us call those “hotels”), how to plan a system out, and why it’s important to spend some time maintaining a template.
We close with some crazy stories about what can happen when you’re working in someone else’s home. How crazy? You’ll just have to take a listen for yourself.
Jay’s Home Automation Blog: http://topicsinhomeautomation.blogspot.com/
Source Code on GitHub: https://github.com/jbasen/Crestron-Template/tree/master
|
Back to Top |
September 15, 2016
Episode 547: Three Reasons You Should Attend CEDIA from CEO Vin Bruno
I grabbed CEDIA CEO, Vin Bruno today for a quick pre-show podcast before the show opens on Thursday – live from Dallas, TX. I asked him to cite 3-reasons why you need to make the last-minute decision to attend CEDIA. And, his answer is all about education – so if you’re already attending, listen as he cites the 3 educational events you shouldn’t miss while at the annual HomeAV powerhouse show.
|
September 6, 2016
Episode 546: LG Stole the Show Today at Integrate 2016
The Rosewater Energy Hub is the brainchild of it’s founder and CEO, Joe Piccirilli, and it’s made a lot of integrators a lot of money since it started shipping in April – and it’s given the homeowner peace of mind. The RoseWater Energy Hub is the first all-in-one residential and light commercial power solution integrating three capabilities into one platform to serve the complete electrical needs of an entire premise, in essence transforming the electrical system in place into a self-sustaining microgram. And, it’s designed so that CEDIA integrators are the front-line for selling it. But, best of all RoseWater Energy will partner with you so that they do all the work.
Listen to Gary talk to Joe about their Hub, the partnerships and consider visiting them at CEDIA in booth 6610 or attending one of his CEDIA sessions.
RoseWater Energy is here.
|
September 1, 2016
Episode 545: Barco’s CEDIA 2016 Theater Will Be a Must-See
Gary was joined on today’s podcast, via video, with Barco Residential’s Director, Tim Sinnaeve. Barco had what was rated as one of the best all-time theaters at CEDIA 2015 and Tim promises, with his partners Steinway Lyngdorf and Stewart Filmscreen, he will blow people away this year. Using their flagship 6P laser projection system, Barco Residential will enter the 2016 show as a three-time exhibitor.
You can register for an appointment to enter the theater here.
|
Back to Top |
|
September 20, 2016
Episode 37: Restate, Reframe, Refrain
Sometimes in AV we think we know what the client wants until we submit a proposal and they tell us otherwise. Don’t get frustrated! Follow these three steps to optimize the chances of partnering with the client to get the proposal right.
|
September 9, 2016
Episode 36: What You Want Doesn’t Matter
Sometimes as AV salespeople and AV businesses we get hung up on what we want to sell our clients. Many times however, that may not align with what the client wants to buy. Listen to this week’s selling AV to hear the difference.
|
Back to Top
|
|
For all you REGULAR listeners of rAVe Radio 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 and HomeAV industries, 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 or say anything good (or bad).
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 June 2004, is, by far, the largest ePub in the HomeAV market. We added rAVe Rental [and Staging] in December 2007, rAVe ED [Education] in May 2008 and then rAVe DS [Digital Signage] in June 2009. We added rAVe GHGav [Green, Healthcare & Government AV] in August 2010 and rAVe HOW [House of Worship] in August 2012. rAVe Radio, our podcasts, were launched in 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 2016 – 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.
|
|
|
|
|