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Volume 2, Issue 3 — March 10, 2009 | Get It Under ControlMost of us have a love/hate relationship with AV controls. We love the power (think Tim the Toolman, grunting sound) of having room and AV automation at our beck and call. But, we hate the frustration with not-so-easy planning and programming to make “easy to use” interfaces. For the most part, though, the end justifies the means. This is a ProAV professional’s reality. The real end user’s relationship with AV controls is considerably different, with potential to shift to the hate side of the equation. The best of implementations, may invoke a “hey, I like this…” or “…that’s pretty neat!” But, don’t hold your breath for these more affectionate sentiments — just settle for an absence of complaints. Really? Yes, really. You’ll know exactly what I’m talking about if you’ve ever experienced the wrath of a real end user who has had bad experiences with AV controls. The underlying sentiment in these “discussions” is how can something so easy be so complicated? Well, unfortunately, once you get past Power On/Off, Input and Volume, it actually becomes pretty complicated. Mix almost equal parts of dealing with legacy (outdated) hardware, new not-fully-bug-free hardware, DSP functions increasing at the rate of Moore’s Law, multiple abstract programming languages, feature rich media, human factors (including mind reading), etc., and… well, you get the idea. But, paramount to all these complexities is the building an interface that promotes a common look and feel. All that was “wrong” with AV controls was etched into my techie psyche years back, when after much hard work on developing a touch panel for a department of computer science project (again, need I say more?), success was not at hand. While we were thinking we had “nailed” the touch panel, a faculty member pretty much sliced and diced the result, ultimately citing the real end user’s AV Controls mantra: how can something so easy be so complicated? I, as project coordinator, concluded – privately — that yes, it was pretty complicated – but maybe, just maybe, others in the industry would agree to band together to give us all a fighting chance. Around the same time, I came across this decommissioned touch panel. It ended up becoming my poster child for the problem at hand; a touch panel that has a worn out sign taped to it advising: “Do NOT Touch … unless you have been trained”. This seems to only perpetuate the real end user’s mantra. The rest, as they say, is history. If you’ve been in this industry for at least 6 years you, of course, know about the Dashboard for Controls (www.infocomm.org/dashboard). Yes, we the ProAV experts know about the power and pitfalls of AV controls. But that’s not really why I wrote this column. It’s because I’ve recently faced a sad truth about the relative long time (~ 5 years) since the Dashboard was released. While even I, torch carrier for the Dashboard, became sick and tired of hearing about it, one of the highest priorities remains seemingly underachieved. That is: to promote a common look and feel to ProAV controls. Snooping around the web and looking at trade show exhibits suggests a plateau of adoption of the “control panel” touch panel style layout template. And, to my surprise, I’ve seen only one button panel model manufactured (produced by a lesser known company) that showed obvious Dashboard influence. At a critical juncture during the Dashboard development, I presented to Infocomm International’s leadership committee. Responding to a number of questions/comments resistant to the concept, I expressed my unvarnished opinion: either we get this under control ourselves, or another industry will do it for us. Meanwhile the real end user gravitates to the familiar, whether or not the full power of ProAV communications can be harnessed. To discuss this article in our forums, go here: https://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=27&func=showcat&catid=14 Greg Bronson, CTS-D, applies AV technologies in the development of innovative learning spaces for higher education. Greg spent the first 10 years of his career as AV technician and service manager, with the past 12 years as an AV system designer and project manager. Bronson currently works for Cornell University and has also worked for two SUNY (State University of New York) campuses as well as a regional secondary education service depot. Bronson is the originator of concept for Infocomm’s Dashboard for Controls and has had completed projects featured in industry publications. You can reach Greg at gregthetechie@netscape.net Back to Top |
Click above for more information EPSON Launches G5000 – A Projector Aimed at K-12 Last week, Epson launched the new PowerLite G5000, the latest in Epson’s line of installation projectors designed to provide flexibility and performance for educational institutions. Offering XGA resolution and 4,000 lumens white light output (not ANSI) and 4,000 lumens color light output, the network-ready PowerLite G5000 utilizes 3LCD technology while offering vertical/horizontal lens shift, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and immediate On/Off (no power up or down time required). And, priced at $2499, it’s perfect for higher-end ED applications. And, YAY, a center-mounted lens!See it at: http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63081403 If you’ve been reading my columns, you know I’m advocating for going native widescreen. But, going XGA (vs. SVGA or other lower resolutions) when budgets are tight and/or other higher priorities pull one away from native widescreen, is understandable.
–GB Back to Top SANYO Launches the Ultimate Bright & Wireless Projector for Schools If you need a bright projector, SANYO’s got the perfect one – a balance of brightness and cost. The all-new PDG-DHT11JL is a 6500 ANSI lumen, native 1920 x 1080 HD DLP-based projector that’s powered by two 330-watt UHP lamps. If you’re renovating an auditorium, large classroom, theater or other large venue on campus, this is the projector for you as it also includes a wireless HD transmission system! Dubbed the Uncompressed HD DATA WIRELESS Transmission System, it allows for pure uncompressed wireless (up to 30 meters) data transmission without video or audio delay of HD content up to 720p or 1080i. Other features include a 30,000 hour-use filter (with an automatic filter reel), capability to project two different sources simultaneously (PiP or Picture by Picture) and a specified 7500:1 contrast ratio. It’s scheduled to start shipping this month and you can read all the specs here: http://www.sanyo.com/news/2009/01/img/090108DHT100JL.pdf OK, so the spec’s cited have got my attention! But, what really jumps out at me is the wireless HD; a number of questions come to mind to investigate on how it works, like: is this proprietary, what frequency does it operate at, etc.?
–GB Back to Top Futuresource Says SMART Technologies is Making a Killing Close to 600,000 Interactive Whiteboards were sold worldwide last year, generating nearly $1 billion of revenue, according to a new market report from Futuresource Consulting.In the 66 countries covered within the report, Messenger calculates there are over 31 million classrooms: a huge market potential for companies operating within this sector. A whistle-stop tour of activity in 2008 shows that the USA had a hugely successful year, with sales volumes surpassing 250,000 units, up 65 percent on volume and over 100 percent in value. In the UK, demand is still strong and will continue to be sustained, with a swell of activity awaiting EMEA. Looking to Australia, Q4 2008 proved to be its largest success to date. And, who’s the market leader? SMART Technologies, who estimates their own market share to be in the range of 65 to 68 percent in 2008. So, if both sources are accurate, this means that SMART Technologies sold over $600 million worth of interactive whiteboards last year. Not bad, huh? Very interesting. The first interactive whiteboard I remember spec’ing was… hmm, around 1996? But only an average of less than one per year since then. Are the real end users now ready to embrace their use?
–GB Back to Top Bretford Announced Mini-Laptop Cart for AV Integrators Aimed at K-12, Bretford Manufacturing last week launched its first cart for mini laptops. The NETBOOK32 Microcomputer Laptop Cart, which previewed at education trade shows earlier this year, gives teachers and facilities managers in school environments the ability to store, secure, charge and transport up to 32 microcomputers and peripherals. To see it or read all about it, go to: http://www.bretford.com/products/overview.asp?id=343§ion=42 Thanks for the tip, rAVe Ed (and for timely product, Bretford)! Now, how about something to put on those little netbooks to keep them from going under a coat and out the door?
–GB Back to Top Vivitek Launches First Ever Projector Aimed at Schools Little known Vivitek has entered the school projector market with a product they are actually calling a crossover projector that can be used at school during the day and then taken home at night!Vivitek, calling themselves the “environmentally responsible manufacture of today’s most innovative visual display and presentation products,” launched its new D735VX projector built for (their words) “home fun” and classroom settings. True to Vivitek’s commitment to DLP, the new D735VX uses the latest DLP technology from Texas Instruments and claims to “blast” at 3200 ANSI lumens with BrilliantColor technology and a 5-segment color wheel. One unique feature is the projector’s snap-off keypad that can be removed and secured in a safe location to discourage theft or unauthorized removal of the projector. This is a classroom feature as the thief in the home would just rip it out of the ceiling. OK, we don’t think we need to add editorial comment on this next section as you can guess what sort of comments we would have written here (we will paste EXACTLY what was in the Vivitek press release here): “With a full 3W onboard speaker and zoom lens, the D735VX is designed for the larger boardroom, classroom, auditorium or home movies and games. The unique, detachable keypad also allows for natural, walk-around presentations. With an MSRP of only $1,299, the projector has a 2400:1 contrast ratio with native XGA (1024 x 768 pixels) resolution enabling high-end performance with Vivitek’s low-cost value pricing.” Well, it does almost do 720p natively. See it all at: http://www.vivitekcorp.com I’m interested in what “environmentally responsible” is defined as. The snap off keypad sounds kind of like detachable faceplates for car stereos?
–GB Back to Top Premier Mounts’ GearBox Provides Security for Flat-Panel Mounts in Schools In response to the increasing, yet seemingly incompatible, demands for protecting A/V investments and expanding placement options, Premier Mounts has introduced the GearBox line of enclosures for A/V equipment and flat-panel displays.The new product line provides the flexibility and protection required by a wide spectrum of customers — from educational institutions to high traffic locations and homeowners – anywhere theft is possible. Products in the GearBox line include: Universal Enclosure, Pipe-Mounted A/V Box (large), Pipe-Mounted A/V Box (small) and the Plenum-Rated A/V Box. To see the entire GearBox line, go to: http://www.premiermounts.com/adapter.asp?partID=1683 Deterring theft can be tricky. The method needs to scale to address things like service access, actual equipment value, code, etc.
–GB Back to Top EPSON and PolyVision Team Up to Donate to Florida’s DEP Epson and PolyVision last month donated 10 new Epson PowerLite W6 multimedia projectors and 10 PolyVision ēno interactive whiteboards to the Florida Digital Educator Program’s Master Digital Educators.The Master Digital Educators will use the Epson PowerLite W6 multimedia projectors and PolyVision ēno interactive whiteboards to “showcase the importance of integrating interactive learning technologies to enhance students’ classroom experiences.” This innovative mentoring program is an extension of the Florida Digital Educator (FDE) Program, allowing educators with extensive technology experience to train their peers on how to best provide the technology skills necessary to launch Florida’s students into the digital age. The FDE supports the use of technology across the state’s K-12 curricula through collaborative experiences with new technologies and digital tools. To learn more about the Florida DE program, go to: http://etc.usf.edu/fde/ Having recently come across the Florida MDE program, it looks like a nifty idea/program. Now they can do even more of a good thing; thanks to Epson and PolyVision.
–GB Back to Top |
Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe! Thank you for spending time with us as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting my newsletter, or to sign up a friend, click the link below. To send feedback, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write to Contributing Editor Greg Bronson at gregthetechie@netscape.net, Publisher Gary Kayye at gary@ravepubs.com or Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
A little about Gary Kayye, CTS, founder of rAVe and Kayye Consulting. Gary Kayye, an audiovisual veteran and columnist, began the widely-read KNews, a premier industry newsletter, in the late 1990s, and created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which later became InfoComm IQ. Kayye Consulting is a company that is committed to furthering the interests and success of dealers, manufacturers, and other companies within the professional audiovisual industry.rAVe Pro Edition launched in February 2003. rAVe Home Edition, co-sponsored by CEDIA, launched in February 2004. rAVe Rental [and Staging] launched in November 2007. rAVe Ed [Education] began publication in May 2008. Subscribe to our newsletters!
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To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Copyright 2009 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 376 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – (919) 969-7501. Email: sara@ravepubs.com rAVe Ed [Education] contains the opinions of the authors only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. Back to Top |
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