Volume 6, Issue 6 – June 30, 2017
AV Insider
The Trade Show Minute
Rants and rAVes
Selling AV
|
|
|
June 29, 2017
Episode 107: Milestone AV Technologies: Making Technology Work
Mark Coxon, regional sales manager of Vaddio, speaks with me about all Milestone’s brands, two new products from each of them, a general background about the Milestone family and culture, my speculation on the future of Milestone (Spoiler: I’m wrong) and a few other tidbits that you can only find here on this episode of AV Insider.
|
June 9, 2017
Episode 105: Absen LED: Signage Solutions from the Future
Alison Maxson, PR & marketing communications manager, & Paul Johnston, SR. director of customer service, at Absen America, both speak with me about some big new changes currently taking place at Absen, and their involvements, changes to infrastructure, Service programs/service locations, some trainings to attend, new products, and obviously an invitation to view them both at InfoComm 2017 (booth 931), and at the factory for a tour. All this, and so much more (new product announcements) on this episode of AV Insider.
|
Back to Top
|
June 30, 2017
Episode 632: Special InfoComm Podcast: Wolfvision Demos the Cynap 365 Live on rAVe RADIO
Wolfvision’s Cynap is an all-in-one collaboration and presentation system aimed at classrooms. Integrated with Apple AirPlay, Chromecast and Miracast, Cynap 365 supports up to four inputs simultaneously and you can display any number of them at one time (up to all four) on a 4K output. It’s BYOD so it’s wireless but it also has two HDMI inputs for legacy sources, too. Wolfvision’s Director of Strategic Development, Max Kopsho took the time today to not only demo the Cynap 365 but to also show us their integration with Windows 365, launched at InfoComm last month and was picked for our InfoComm 2017 Top 10 Tour. This $5800 Cynap is available now and here are more details.
|
June 30, 2017
Episode 631: Vivitek Reviews Their InfoComm Launches on Today’s Podcast
Gary was joined by Vivitek’s Director Global Product Marketing, James Hsu, who took the time to review their InfoComm presence. Vivitek is only nine years old and already has one of the largest lines of displays in the market. Their InfoComm launches included an interactive NovoTouch monitor line, 18,000 lumen projectors, a new 4K resolution line or projectors for the both HomeAV and ProAV markets and a lot more. Listen as James reviews it on on today’s podcast and, if you want to be a dealer for Vivitek, go to: https://www.vivitekusa.com for North America or to http://www.vivitek.eu if you are in the EMEA.
|
June 14, 2017
Episode 627: InfoComm Special Podcast: Epson Includes Two Interactive Short-Throw 3LCD Laser Projectors
Get ready for the industry’s one and only ultra short-throw laser projector in the form of two new versions of the Epson BrightLink line. BrightLink is their Interactive line of short-throw projectors and Epson, this morning, rolled out one aimed at education and one aimed at corporate applications in the form of the BrightLink 710Ui and BrightLink Pro 1470Ui, respectively.
The BrightLink 1470Ui is a WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution, 4000 Lumen projector with white boarding, Miracast and enterprise-level encryption. The BrightLink 710Ui is 4000 lumens, also WUXGA and has a 20K hour lamp life.
Both of these were discussed – as well as some 4K surprises at InfoComm – including a new 15,000 lumen 4K projector that runs on 120 volt power! Listen to Gary’s interview with Epson’s Jason Meyer who talks about their InfoComm booth #1642.
Epson’s new BrightLink line is here.
The new 4K 15K lumen projector is here.
|
June 12, 2017
Episode 626: AVaas Is the Future of AV and the Econocom Buyout of BIS Group
Last week, in an acquisition that was barely mentioned by the AV trades, Econocom Group purchased 100 percent of BIS Group, an AV and Smart Buildings integrator mostly focused in the Netherlands and Belgium. And, Econocomm also purchased a 40 percent stake in JTRS, an Apple and Google partner focused in the education market in the UK, as well as 100 percent of LP Digital in France, a digital strategy consulting firm.
I had a podcast today with both BIS CEO Overbeek, as well as BIS Marketing Director Erwin Hout today to discuss — as, like I said, this acquisition signals the future is now.
|
June 12, 2017
Episode 625: InfoComm Special Podcast: InFocus Talks ConX Cloud – New Cloud-based VC Services – and Mondopad Flex
InFocus will be at InfoComm re-launching their new cloud-based VC service called ConX Cloud. InFocus’ Director of Product Marketing, Glynn Jystad was on this podcast and explained that ConX Cloud is free for a 3-seat license and a 10-seat option is only $8 per month and a 50-seat license is less than $10 per month. They’ll be demonstrating ConX Cloud at InfoComm in booth 1343. Because it’s SIP-based and Cloud-based, each user gets their private, dedicated room number and it will connect any device that’s SIP-capable.
InFocus’ most popular product, the Mondopad, sort-of invented the Collaboration Board market with its debut, nearly a half-dozen years ago, at InfoComm and they’ll be on display – both in 1080p and 4K form-factors – at their booth #1343 this week. A new Mondopad called Flex will debut at InfoComm and it has dual-40” screens and can be mounted in various flexible (hence the name, Flex) configurations. You’ll want to go by the InFocus booth and see this! Of course, InFocus is here.
|
June 9, 2017
Episode 624: InfoComm Special Podcast: BrightSign Will Be All Over InfoComm
Gary caught up with BrightSign founder, Jeff Hastings today, as he literally heading out the door to fly to Orlando for InfoComm. BrightSign is in booth 443 at InfoComm and they’ll be highlighting their embedded signage options, their OPS signage capabilities and the most complete lineup of digital signage players in the universe. I asked Jeff what the difference is between what they do and how the industry is moving to AV-over-IP and his answer is interesting and telling – maybe even foreshadowing their future. I hope you’ll listen!
BrightSign is here: http://www.brightsign.biz
|
June 6, 2017
Episode 617: InfoComm Special Podcast: Sony Talk Vision Exchange Aimed at Higher Education
Gary was joined by Sony’s Rick Perkins this morning on his Rants and rAVe’s podcast to rAVe about the new Sony Vision Exchange. Vision Exchange is one of those products you have to see it demo’d to really see all the features. It basically turns any lecture hall or classroom in a college into a wireless multi-collaboration system. It’s wired and wireless (there’s a two input or four input version) and up to 60 total sources can be connected with as many as six displayed simultaneously on one or two displays in the room (projectors or monitors). In addition, Vision Exchange includes white boarding, annotation, control and even multi-site collaboration (between rooms or from remote locations). Vision Exchange will be at InfoComm in Sony’s booth (#2200) and i you do higher education, you’ll want to sit through a demo at the show. Here’s a link to a PDF brochure on Vision Exchange.
|
June 6, 2017
Episode 615: InfoComm Special Videocast: Altia Systems Debuts PanaCast Whiteboard on Today’s Videocast
Altia Systems, creators of PanaCast 2 Panoramic-4K USB video camera system, has worked with Intel to launch PanaCast Whiteboard, a computer vision software that detects content on an existing whiteboard and displays (in any room) and adds it in (automatically) into a vide meeting. This may not seem like a big deal but, watch this videocast with their CEO and founder, Aurangzeb Khan and you’ll see why it is. No matter where the whiteboard is in a room the software automatically improves image quality and corrects distortion to produce a clear whiteboard image, enhancing the video collaboration experience for remote participants in various business and education settings.
This is very cool to watch – and a demo like this is really the only way to understand it. PanaCast Whiteboard is compatible with a wide variety of video conferencing platforms such as Google Hangouts, Cisco WebEx, Microsoft Skype and Zoom, an annual license fee of $199 per PanaCast 2 camera.
I think you’ll enjoy watching this demo! Altia Systems will be in booth 3770 at InfoComm. And, when you decide to get one, go here to see all the specs: getpanacast.com/whiteboard
|
June 5, 2017
Episode 614: InfoComm Special Videocast: Logitech’s MeetUp ConferenceCam Debuts on rAVe RADIO
Today’s edition of my Rants and rAVe’s podcast includes the first public showing of Logitech’s new MeetUp ConferenceCam I was honored to be joined by Logitech’s Head of Marketing for the Collaboration Business Unit, Joan Vandermate, who explains the features behind the 4K USB camera and what makes it perfect for small rooms and huddle spaces. This is one of our picks for the InfoComm 2017 Top-10 Must See Products Tour at InfoComm 2017.
MeetUp is Logitech’s premier ConferenceCam solution for installation in huddle rooms and small conference rooms—anywhere space is at a premium. With a super-wide, low-distortion 120° field of view, even those closest to the camera can be seen while the integrated audio provides an exceptional sound experience for all meeting participants.
|
June 5, 2017
Episode 611: InfoComm Special Podcast: Sharp’s InfoComm Plans
Sharp is in booth 3401 and is heading to InfoComm with a plethora of new products the year. But, specifically, their focus on digital signage will obvious this year. They are one of the first companies to integrate the Mini OPS standard but also have a system on a chip (SoC) option, too. Gary Bailer, Sharp’s Director of Product Planning and Marketing joined Gary on his Rants and rAVe podcast to talk about all the new gear that will debut at InfoComm — including the world’s largest video wall monitor.
|
June 2, 2017
Episode 610: InfoComm Special Videocast: NEC Talks InfoComm, ThinkHub, LEDs – Plus a Giant Surprise
Gary was joined by NEC Display’s Rich Ventura today on a video version of his Rants and rAVe podcast – and this one was definitely a rAVe! The NEC ThinkHub is coming off a four-city roadshow, where 500+ people got to play with it first-hand. The response is that NEC Display’s collaboration with T1V for the ThunkHub collaboration board in 55” to 84” sizes is a hit. But that’s not all the company will debut at InfoComm in booth 1600 next week. NEC Display will have a big surprise for all infoComm attendees and it will create buzz on the show floor.
Watch this video for a roundup of all that NEC has planned.
|
June 2, 2017
Episode 608: InfoComm Special Videocast: Absen Uses rAVe to Debut the New Indoor M Series LEDs
The world’s first look at the new indoor LED M Series (m for mobile) from Absen happens right here – on Gary’s latest Rants and rAVe podcast. The M series is completely modular – even the video board is modular. On this special InfoComm videocast Gary is joined by Absen’s Marketing Communications Manager, Alison Maxson. And, Absen’s Key Account Manager, Evan Stevens, demonstrates how it works here on this videocast. Absen is a well-know rental/staging LED video wall company. But, they will be making a hard-push into the install market in 2017 and at InfoComm (in booth 931) they will be singing up integrators in North America. Here’s a look the new M Series LEDs from Absen. Absen is here. Watch the videocast below!
|
June 1, 2017
Episode 606: Absen to Go Big at InfoComm
Absen is known in the Rental and Staging market but not yet in installs. But, as Gary Fuller their senior advisor, tells Gary on today’s Rants and rAVe’s podcast, they intend to change that at InfoComm later this month. Absen has beefed up their US support staff – more than doubling in size, hired a few well-known Barco and Christie alumnus and has launched a new M Series in preparation of an all-new Absen roll-out at InfoComm. Listen o today’s podcast and make plans to stop by their booth, 931, at InfoComm.
|
June 1, 2017
Episode 605: Media Solutions Has the Perfect Test Tool Every AV Integrator Needs
Media Solutions, founded by two Valens alumni, has the best HDBaseT test tool ever – it’s called the MS-TestPro and it is specifically designed for AV integrators to help them identify and solve HDBaseT connectivity and compatibility issues. The company, started by Eliran Toren & Ariel Marcus is all about HDBaseT. And, the tester is a godsend for AV integrators – every single integrator needs one of these in their install kits. On today’s Rants and rAVe’s podcast, Gary is raving about their product as they give a real-time demo of how the $1395 US product works. They will be at InfoComm in booth 3761. Watch the videocast interview below!
|
June 1, 2017
Episode 603: iMAG Talks JPEG 2000 vs. AptoVision AV-Over-IP
Very few AV-over-IP system manufacturers have products that send video and audio over a network using both the the major compression technologies – JPEG 2000 and AptoVision BlueRiver NT. But, iMAGsystems is one of them. iMAGsystems, exhibiting in booth 3987 at InfoComm this year, doesn’t just sell you AV-over-IP systems but educated you on what the different wats there are to do it and let’s you choose the right compression for your application. I was joined on my special InfoComm 2017 lead-up podcast today by iMAGsystems founder, Gerry Raffaut who explains why they aren’t set on only one way to deliver video across a network. iMAGsystems is a good place to stop on your AV-over-IP InfoComm tour this year as, since they sell both JPEG 2000 compression-based systems as well as AptoVision 10Gbps over IP systems, you’ll get an honest evaluation of both compression technologies and your can see the compression for yourself as they always do side-by-side demos.
|
June 1, 2017
Episode 602: Leyard Planar Explains How It’s Doing LED Multi-Touch Without a Glass Overlay
All touch screen display have glass overlays — except a display using PLTS (Pliable LED Touch Surface). PLTS is the surface that Leyard Planar actually invented to make LED multi-touch (using 32-point touch) work. Jennifer Davis, Leyard Planar’s CMO, joined Gary on his podcast today to explain exactly how PLTS works, as well as talk about what the company will be showing in booth 3200 at InfoComm in Orlando in June. That includes a totally new control room display and a showcase of Planar Leyard’s extreme narrow bezel displays. Jennifer also hinted of an InfoComm launch of a creative architectural display — listen and see if you can figure it out!
|
Back to Top |
|
|
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 2017 – 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.
|
|
|