Latest headlines: Gary Kayye on how the industry will look post-COVID-19, Graham Cooke on the future of the LCD video wall market, plus news from Genelec, Brompton Technology, Dataton and more
April 13, 2020 | Volume: 14 | Issue: 7
Hello, #AVtweeps — I’m back again with your dose of reading material to get you through the week and beyond. Every time I write a new rental intro, it feels like the industry has changed yet again. It’s scary, I know. I also know the rental/staging corner of our industry is not exactly poppin’ right now. Hang in there, though! I have a feeling once this crazy time in the world is out of the way, and the virus has stopped spreading, events this summer are going to pick back up at the speed of light.
I have three columns for you in this issue: The first is a long-form column by the man with a plan, Gary Kayye. He gives us some advice on how to get through the COVID-19 pandemic, and how to prepare for getting back on our feet once the smoke clears. Second, a Q&A about the direction of the moving head lighting market — if you’re wondering where that’s headed. Finally, Graham Cooke of Futuresource Consulting sheds some light on the LCD video wall market — Samsung has stopped production of them, how will that affect the rest of the market?
In other news, Genelec has a new smart monitor for large studios, Dataton has an update to its WATCHOUT production software, and we’ve also included a case study on L-ISA’s contribution to Bon Iver’s recent tour.
Also! LAVNCH WEEK registration is finally open! And, we’ve published a complete agenda for the entire week — each day is filled with AVIXA CTS-certified education with amazing speakers, a good balance of tech content, over 15 new product “lavnches” that would have debuted at Enterprise Connect, the Digital Signage Expo or at InfoComm — and it’s all totally free for anyone in AV or UCC industries! But, we only have 1,000 spots per day and then we’re full! So, go check out the agenda and register today: https://theraveagency.com/lavnch-week
No, we won’t go back to normal. There will be, what most are labeling, a “new normal.” But, that new normal isn’t bad. It’s just different. This is NOT a time for panic. This is a time for logic, empathy and supportive, helpful hope.
The moving head professional lighting and lighting consoles (MHPL/C) market has certainly come a long way in recent years, with the arrival of LED and now even laser light sources. The current dynamic landscape of vendors, backed by ODMs, has provided more choice and opened further opportunities to innovate, as technologies mature. Jeremy Wills of Futuresource talks us through the MHPL/C market, focusing on key trends, products and sectors that may experience future growth opportunities.
Last week, Samsung Displays (DID) announced that it is to end production of LCD video wall displays on July 31, 2020. As one of the largest panel providers in the industry, Samsung DID’s decision to exit LCD video wall panel production has generated shockwaves, but it also presents significant opportunities for its former competitors.