Volume 7, Issue 12 — December 17, 2013
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2014: Will We Get Any Smarter?
By Joel Rollins rAVe Columnist
Well, another year draws to a close in the rental and staging industry. As I sit here, filling out a box of Christmas cards with comical pictures of Santa holding a MacBook Pro, I am reflecting on what has happened in our industry this year. It has been an interesting year, both in the audiovisual industry and in the world at large, and I thought this would be a good time to reflect on it a little, and to carry out an important rAVe tradition: that of predicting the next year.
This tradition is an old and proud one, created and prolonged by our leader, Gary Kayye, with his widely publicized “Krystal Ball.” Personally, I’ve always wondered how a leader in a technical field can get away with using something as low-tech as a mere crystal ball. I use Magic 8-Ball on my vintage Apple Newton, which is plenty archaic enough for me.
The other thing that I always find about end-of-year predictions is that they are just too easy. As a kid I well remember Jeane Dixon, the famous psychic, and her annual predictions. It always seemed that all you really had to do was to predict the death of several famous people who were particularly old, infirm or reckless, or the divorce of a famous Hollywood playboy or playgirl, and you were psychic. However, in these cases the odds were with you, so it wasn’t much of a feat. Gary steps out quite a bit more in this, as he predicts the success or failure of technology or technological efforts, both of which contain a lot of wildcards.
But, while I applaud those who do such technical predictions, I’m going to do something a little more important to the rental industry, by predicting changes in two critical areas: our clients, and ourselves.
So here are predictions:
Users won’t get any smarter.
There is an age-old debate in our industry as to whether the new, educated client will be good for us or bad for us. To me, this is a lot like asking whether unicorns wish us well or ill. The entire debate is over a mythical creature. 2014 will mark 30 years in the industry for me (I started very young). In all that time, and for all that time, we have been discussing the “new, educated client” as if they were going to arrive in our lobby at any moment. With every new technology, especially those inspired by home technologies, we foresee that our clients will at last become capable of implementing these technologies themselves, and that they won’t need us anymore.
To use a seasonal phrase: “Bah, humbug.”
When I first got into the industry, it was during the critical period when film was being replaced by video, and later by computers. Each of these technologies produced predictions about the end of the audiovisual and staging industry as we know it. VHS and camcorders were going to enable clients to make their own video productions and put expensive video production companies and ad agencies out of business. Then, easy to use LCD projectors were going to replace video projection rentals and have a pronounced dampening effect on the staging industry.
We know now how crazy that was. Camcorders produced tapes with black video from the failure to remove the lens cap, with audio tracks where you kept hearing the phrase: “Is this thing on?” Then, computers produced PowerPoint presentations with a gradient blue background and white and yellow text because everybody used the default template. Both of these technologies that some of us found threatening did nothing but increase the size of our industry, as they produced more interest in AV among the potential clientele. And, truth to tell, you can always charge more for rescuing their projects than you can for creating them to start with.
So, while I have written a number of columns describing the changing style of our clientele, including their increased use of network media, in the long run its effect on the AV industry as a whole and on the rental and staging industry in particular is nothing but positive.
That’s the good part. Now here is my unfortunate second prediction:
We won’t get any smarter, either.
Unfortunately, looking back over the year, we don’t seem to be making any progress in our traditional ways to shoot ourselves in the foot. We still rent equipment as our mainstay revenue even though our people cost us more than the equipment does. We still fail to recognize what our real costs are for a show, or to help our customers understand them. Most of all, most of us seem to be hesitating to bring the appropriate new skills into a rental business, or to raise them internally if we can’t find them. We still position ourselves with our clients in the same old way, hoping that the new, educated (and mythical) client will understand our true value without us having to learn to express it properly. There is a unique, under-appreciated skill set required in a good stager, and we have to do more to nurture it — all of it, not just the lumens and decibels part. For a little more on this see my next month’s column, “The Skill Set.”
In the meantime, have a great holiday season. We’ll see you in the new year. Leave a Comment
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BEHRINGER Ships X32 PRODUCER BEHRINGER is now shipping the new X32 PRODUCER, a rack-mountable console with 16 MIDAS-designed mic preamps, eight stereo FX engines and a 32×32 USB 2.0 audio interface. It can be controlled via computer, iPad or iPhone, or with the built-in LCD interface.
The most compact of the X32 family of consoles, the X32 PRODUCER features motorized faders, on-board stereo FX racks with “studio-grade” reverbs, compressors, delays, EQs and more. Inputs and outputs can be expanded via AES50 ports on the console that permit the easy addition of up to six optional S16 digital stage boxes for an additional 16 remote mic preamps and eight XLR outputs per device.
The BEHRINGER X32 PRODUCER lists for $1,999 and all the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Haivision Updates InStream Mobile for iOS and Android Live Video StreamingHavision has released the latest version of InStream Mobile, which brings iPad, iPhone and Android users live, high definition video streaming on their mobile devices. Supporting end-to-end latency of less than 500 milliseconds for 1080p60 video (when coupled with Haivision’s Makito X HD H.264 encoder), InStream Mobile is designed for live collaboration in mission critical applications.
Based on industry standards, supporting both Transport Stream multicast and HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), InStream Mobile gives users access to local performance streams as well as those available on the Internet. Local multicast transport streams do not need to be transcoded, resized or converted to HLS, allowing InStream Mobile to be instantly deployed within current enterprise workflows. InStream Mobile also supports a central channel guide file so the channel list for all users can quickly be established and changed, further easing deployment and media control.
Additional InStream Mobile features include:
- Forward Error Correction (with Makito): Accommodates wireless network packet loss to minimize stream interruption.
- TalkBack (with Makito): Allows single viewers to engage in direct conversations with personnel at remote endpoints.
- HLS and TS stream support: Users can select from local performance streams and those from the Internet.
- Central Channel Guide: Without the need for a streaming server or IPTV system, administrators can easily a establish channel selection file for broad user bases so viewers do not need to enter complex web or IP addresses.
- Fast Channel Changes: Simply swipe to instantly tune to adjacent video channels with no buffering delay.
- Multitrack Audio: Delivers multilingual content with video streams.
- Stream Statistics: The ability to view the characteristics of video streams so that an administrator can tune the system for optimal performance.
InStream Mobile for iOS devices is available free of charge in the Apple iTunes stores globally and in Haivision’s download Center for Android devices here:
Haivision is here.
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AVStumpfl Intros Desert Screen for Extreme Temperature EnvironmentsBasically a mobile projection screen married with a three-piece projector mount, the AVstumpfl Desert Screen is meant to be used in harsh environments. Using the Monoblox64 profile frame and projector arms for the installation of short throw projectors directly to the screen, it’s designed for edge-blending three projectors together on one screen.
The Desert Screen consists of a foldable AVStumpfl Monoblox64 frame with engaging snap joints, anti-sway braces extend from the frame bottom and center supports and projector arms that are designed snap in place quickly to the back of the frame. The projectors can be shifted forwards and backwards, depending on throw ratio. The entire thing can be assembled in less than 20 minutes. Capable of being used in environments that are either below freezing or with temperatures as high as 130 degrees, the Desert Screen comes in four sizes and can handle projectors weighing up to 6.6 pounds.
Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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Meyer Sound Introduces Its Lightest Self-Powered Stage Monitor: the MJF-210Meyer Sound has expanded its on-stage solutions with the new self-powered MJF-210 — a so-called low-profile high-power stage monitor. The MJF-210 measures less than 14 inches high and weighs 67 pounds and provides the sonic and practical advantages of a self-powered system, including reliability, low distortion and ease of setup and configuration. With the amplifier built into the cabinet, the MJF-210 eliminates amplifier racks and saves valuable backstage and truck space.
The front of the MJF-210 slopes at 40 degrees from the stage (50° H x 70° V), giving the performer more freedom to move on stage while staying within the wide vertical coverage. The drivers are powered by a three-channel class D amplifier.
Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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Kramer Intros VP-460 Presentation Scaler/SwitcherKramer’s new VP-460 is a three-input and two-output switcher/scaler that outputs up to 2K resolution. The VP-460 supports HDMI and HDCP, as well as HDMI Deep Color. It also includes EDID management and an option for selectable power saving modes. Other features include picture-in-picture functions, luma-keying, picture zooming, RS232 and IR control.
The VP-460 lists for $2,190 and all the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Atomos Ships Spyder Color Calibration Atomos is now shipping the Spyder calibration tool. Developed in partnership with New Jersey-based Datacolor, the Atomos Spyder gives Samurai Blade one button color calibration normally only found on high end monitors. With Spyder, the Samurai Blade gains the ability to accurately calibrate to the SMPTE Rec 709 color space with a D65 white point with 100 percent gamut and is fully customizable after calibration.
Atomos Spyder features:
- Extreme precision 7 sensor calibration
- USB to LANC serial control unit included for automatic calibration.
- Calibrate to 6500K ITU-Rec709 white point with delta-E better than 2 down to 20 percent grey
- User adjustments of lift, gain and gamma per channel after initial calibration
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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BEHRINGER Intros New PMP Powered Mixer SeriesThe new PMP Series from BEHRINGER is a family of compact powered mixers with three features that the company claim aren’t on its competitors’ models: 2.4 GHz “wireless-ready” operation, high-end KLARK TEKNIK digital Multi-FX Processors and a FBQ Feedback Detection System.
The four models provide input configurations ranging from 5 to 12 channels and come in at half the depth and weight of most conventional designs (including BEHRINGER’s own). Features include a 500-watt, Class-D power, “Invisible” IMP mic preamps with switchable +48 V phantom power for condenser microphones; 25 presets including reverb, chorus, flanger, delay, pitch shifter and various multi-effects; “wireless-ready” for an optional BEHRINGER digital wireless system; and dual 7-band graphic EQ. The series is aimed at musicians, houses of worship and small to medium-size performance venues seeking a lightweight, wireless-ready PA solution.
The models are:
- PMP500: a 12-channel powered mixer that lists for $349.99.
- PMP580S: a 10-channel powered mixer that lists for $349.99. We aren’t sure why anyone would buy this one as it’s priced the same as the PMP500 and has two less inputs?!
- PMP560M: a 6-channel powered mixer that lists for $299.99.
- PMP550M: a 5-channel powered mixer that lists for $199.99.
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Kramer Electronics and Calibre UK PartnerKramer Electronics and Calibre UK have announced a global joint sales, supply, development and business co-operation agreement. Basically, Calibre’s proAV and broadcast products will be marketed and sold by Kramer sometime by the end of this year. That includes Calibre’s scalers, video processing products, warping, geometry correction and edge-blending with models for fixed installation and rental and staging, as well as products targeted at processing signals for LED video walls and television broadcast studios.
The agreement also appears to include a joint R&D plan where the two engineering departments will collaborate on new product development and, although specifics were not given, it does include new routing and control products.
This agreement covers world-wide sales for Kramer — and will, no doubt, help Calibre who is virtually unknown outside of Europe.
Kramer Electronics is here and Calibre is here. Leave a Comment
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Denon Ships DN-700R Network SD/USB Audio RecorderDenon is now shipping its new DN-700R network SD/USB audio recorder that records WAV and MP3 audio files to solid state media storage drives including SD/SDHC and USB. A network-based device, the DN-700R allows users to easily program the unit for scheduled events, record and play back material automatically, and designate locations for audio transfer over or outside networks — eliminating the need for on-location media retrieval and manual transfers to standalone computers.
With its USB port and two SD/SDHC slots, the 1-RU DN-700R enables audio recording in MP3 using full bit rate, stereo, or mono formats and WAV recordings in uncompressed PCM files up to 24-bit 96kHz — and users can schedule up to 30 record and 30 playback events via the network.
Aimed at installation-based settings such as courtrooms, higher education institutions, houses of worship, conferencing facilities, boardrooms and broadcast monitoring environments, the DN-700R’s balanced microphone/line inputs allow the unit to satisfy the requirements of portable and rental recorder scenarios.
The DN-700R’s new dual record feature enables recording to two separate media devices simultaneously for backup and redundancy. For true nonstop recording, the DN-700R uses its relay record mode so when storage expires on a primary media unit, the device automatically switches to the secondary media source, enabling unsupervised, around-the-clock recording when used in conjunction with the device’s auto-archive and auto-delete functions. The new unit also provides unbalanced and balanced inputs/outputs for both analog and digital formats, enabling new microphone level balanced inputs with +48V of phantom power.
Now featuring three-level security, the DN-700R allows users to set up and control the unit easily from any browser-enabled handheld device including smartphones and tablets. For further control, the device provides TelNet over IP, RS232C, GPIO and USB keyboard compatibility.
The DN-700R lists for $1,099 and full specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Digital Audio Labs Acquires Rights to Stompblox PedalboardsDigital Audio Labs has acquired the rights to manufacture and distribute Stompblox modular pedalboards worldwide. Stompblox pedalboards are designed to connect to each other, allowing guitar and bass players to expand their pedalboards as needed. They can also connect them in unique configurations that accompany their playing style.
Digital Audio Labs has also designed a power supply with built-in routing capabilities that mounts to the Stompblox system. This allows users to power up to eight effects and also includes a USB power outlet to address the growing use of phones and tablets in live environments. The power supply also includes routing th at can be set to one of four different configurations allowing input/output switching, loop switching or a hybrid of both.
More information is here. Leave a Comment
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe Rental [and Staging] 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).
Don’t like us, then go away — unsubscribe! Just use the link below.
To send me feedback, don’t reply to this newsletter. Instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas, Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue, which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
Everything we publish is Opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship ePublication with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA and launched in February 2004, is, by far, the largest ePub in the HomeAV market. We added rAVe Rental [and Staging] in November 2007, rAVe ED [Education] in May 2008 and then rAVe DS [Digital Signage] in January 2009. We added rAVe GHGav [Green, Healthcare & Government AV] in August 2010 and rAVe HOW [House of Worship] in July 2012. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
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rAVe Rental [and Staging] contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |
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