Volume 2, Issue 7 — July 27, 2016
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Editorials Editorials Editorials
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Why Pokémon GO Matters to the ProAV Market
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
In case you’ve been living under a rock, been attending too many boring AV-oriented sales presentations disguised as educational webinars OR are not connected to anyone on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat or Instagram, there’s this new mobile app game called Pokémon GO that’s taken the world (and not just the tech world) by storm.
Pokémon GO is an incredible example of the gamification of augmented reality for the masses. Simply put, you discover and capture the Pokémon all around you — in the real world — using the game app and your phone’s camera (plus a cool integration of Google Maps). The more you find and capture, the more points you get.
The designers of the game — John Henke, CEO of Niantic Labs, along with Nintendo — even admitted that an impetus for making it was the exercise potential of kids. You see, you have to get up off the couch and find the Pokémon by actually walking around your house, neighborhood, town, etc. And, to earn eggs, you actually have to run (or at least walk) a mile, a 3K or even a 5K. It’s genius — and it’s working. Just go to your local mall, outdoor recreational area, park or town’s gathering area and you’ll actually see kids AND adults holding their phones up NOT to text, but to play this augmented reality game.
So, why should ProAV care?
This game is HUGE — you should NOT underestimate the eventual trickle-down effects.
Six years ago, I wrote a series on how the projector is starting down its death path and described how we would all, eventually, be carrying around Personal Information Displays (PIDs). So now it’s 2016 and we’re all carrying phones. Most of us attend meetings with tablets or laptops, too, but we all still have our phones.
So, the age of the PID is here. And, if you stop to think, you’d already realized this was upon us — it just wasn’t affecting you much yet. But it had already affected your kids. In fact, I will bet you that nearly every person reading this who has kids will agree that their kids watch WAY, WAY more TV on their PIDs (e.g., phone, laptop or tablet) than they do on the “enchanted box” known as the TV. It’s both time-shifting TV and place-shifting as now, even though you wouldn’t buy them a TV for their room, they are watching it — just not on a traditional TV. So the PID shift has already happened to virtually every one under the age of 25.
When will the rest of us? Well, that was the piece I hadn’t figured out. It’s been years since kids have shifted to the PID, but us old people still rely on the fixed-screen format of the TV. And, most older people playing video games play them on Xbox, Playstation, etc. — even though our kids are playing well over 85 percent of their games on an iPhone or Android device.
Then on July 6th, 2016, Nintendo’s gaming group released Pokémon GO and all of a sudden you have parents (regular adults) who are using their own PIDs to play a game. This is a first.
Sure, we’ve all had a quick FaceTime call via the PID and maybe a Skype call via the PID, but we haven’t replaced the desktop imaging device we use with a cell phone — even though the iPhone 6 Plus has more computing power than a desktop from three years ago.
We all also walk in to meetings with a PID — all the time. Yet we all still stare at the ProAV’s version of the enchanted box (aka projector or LED screen).
So now that we’ve seen the way (the way our kids already saw it three, four or five years ago) — and that it’s OK to use a PID for more than taking calls — how much more time before the giant wall-mounted screen gets displaced by the PID that’s already right at your fingertips all the time?
Sure, you think it doesn’t help any of us in ProAV to tell a client that he shouldn’t buy a projector or monitor and should just use his mobile phone instead. But you are wrong!
We are in the business of simplification of pushing content — not the just the business of displaying content.
Don’t get caught off-guard; this isn’t just a fad — Pokémon GO is the very beginning of something big. The very beginning — remember, it’s only been out nine days. Leave a Comment
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THE Best of InfoComm 2016 Awards are Announced
Welcome to rAVe’s annual Best of InfoComm 2016 Awards! It’s tough to pick out the best and the brightest from the thousands of products and hundreds of exhibitors introduced on the show floor. After much consideration, our entire team picked what we thought were the best things on the show floor. Congratulations to all the winning companies!
To see videos of all the products from the show floor, check out our complete InfoComm 2016 coverage.
Click each link below to see the winner and watch a video or read a story about the product.
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The Importance of Being Honest
By Hope Roth It was a lie so obvious and about something so utterly unimportant, I almost couldn’t believe what I was hearing. In the process of tracking down a fairly minor issue, I asked if a contractor had done work on a particular floor over the weekend. “We didn’t touch this floor,” they said. So how did all of that new equipment get installed? And why was one of their coworkers now telling me about all of the wiring changes that they had made? They were so clearly lying to me, and it tainted everything they said for the reminder of my time on-site.
When confronted with an uncomfortable question, many people are tempted to make something up on the spot. Sometimes, because they don’t want to appear ignorant (It can be surprisingly hard to say, “You know what, I don’t know.). Sometimes, because they know you’re not going to like the real answer. Either way, a small white lie often seems like the easiest way to make the uncomfortable conversation go away. Unfortunately, those “little” lies often mean that you’re just kicking the can down the road. And then, when it all comes back to you, the problem is usually orders of magnitude worse.
Getting caught in a lie, even a minor one (sometimes especially because it’s a minor one), can poison a working relationship. When a contractor lies about something stupid, something that can very easily be disproved, it makes you wonder what else they’re lying to you about. It means you’re not likely to give them the benefit of the doubt in future interactions. And it often creates more work for them. Someone who is inclined towards lying to you is not generally someone that you will trust to own up to their own mistakes. Which means that they tend not to get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to figuring out where a problem might be originating.
I feel like this should go without saying, but unfortunately it doesn’t. Do not lie to your customers. Do not lie to your coworkers. Do not lie to the other trades. Practice saying, “I don’t know the answer to that one, but I’ll look into it and get back to you.” Own your mistakes.
Teddy Roosevelt once said, “The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.” You know I’m a very productive person because I make mistakes. All the time! But I’m also pretty confident in the general quality of my work. If you ask me to look into why something isn’t working, and I realize it was something I did, I’m going to tell you that I goofed. And then I’m going to tell you how I’m going to fix it. I’ve had far more clients thank me for my candor than have complained that I am not 100 percent perfect.
And if you don’t want people to lie to you? Practice saying, “Thanks for letting me know.” Toxic environments breed toxic reactions. I’ve worked jobs where the client flipped out over every single minor problem. Nobody wanted to own their mistakes, because they knew that the reaction would be disproportionately negative. They also knew that none of the other trades was going to own up to their part of any problems. It’s amazing we got any work done at all. Mutual honesty means mutual cooperation. Troubleshooting in the figurative dark is about as effective as troubleshooting in the literal dark. Sometimes it’s even less effective.
Ultimately, being honest about our mistakes is the first step in making sure that we don’t repeat them. Even if the client never notices, we need to be honest with ourselves. It can be painful to think about the things that we could have done better. But it’s a pretty good feeling to know that we haven’t made the same mistake twice. Leave a Comment
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Audio-Technica Intros ATUC-50 Digital Wired Discussion System Audio-Technica has introduced the ATUC-50 Digital Wired Discussion System – including the ATUC-50CU control unit, ATUC-50DU discussion units and the ATUC-M43H and ATUC-M58H gooseneck microphones. The ATUC-50 system provides 24-bit/48 kHz uncompressed digital audio, multi-mode operation, a 12-band feedback suppressor, ability to record a meeting directly to a mass storage device on the front of the control unit and interpretation channels. And a choice of two gooseneck lengths is available: the ATUC-M43H at 17″ (430 mm) and ATUC-M58H at 23″ (580 mm).
Using standard Cat5, 6 or 7 cables, a complete system can support up to three ATUC-50CU control units and 150 ATUC-50DU discussion units can be connected in either daisy chain or ring topology (for added redundancy) and controlled from any web browser with no need for additional software installation. Audio-Technica says that configuration via Web Remote Control is simple and quick, with settings able to be stored as presets for easy recall.
The Audio-Technica ATUC-50 Wired Digital Discussion System ii shipping and all the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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WolfVision Adds Support for Chromecast Screen Mirroring to Cynap WolfVision today announced the immediate worldwide release of new firmware version v1.06 for its vSolution Cynap collaboration system. In addition to the existing screen mirroring support for AirPlay, and Miracast, the new update now adds support for Chromecast screen mirroring, enabling wireless screen mirroring for up to four Android/Chrome OS devices at the same time. Cynap is currently the only collaboration system that offers the possibility for comprehensive wireless, app-free, dongle-free screen mirroring for all iOS, Android, Windows and Mac devices.
In addition to the introduction of Chromecast mirroring, the new firmware version also adds WebRTC webconferencing capability, and a dual screen mode to Cynap. In network environments where the Bonjour service (device discovery protocol) is disabled, it is now possible for iOS devices to search for Cynap manually, before connecting in the usual way via AirPlay.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Fulcrum Acoustic Unveils New CS118 Subcardioid SubwooferFulcrum Acoustic has introduced the CS118 Subcardioid Subwoofer module. Featuring a single, high-power 18-inch direct radiating woofer in a rugged, compact enclosure, the CS118 is specifically designed for permanent installation in a wide range of applications and venues, including performing arts centers, houses of worship, sporting facilities, and nightclubs.
Incorporating Fulcrum’s patent-pending Passive Cardioid Technology, the CS118 claims to dramatically reduce excessive rear low frequency radiation by up to 10dB without the need for additional drivers, amplifiers, or signal processing. Its subcardioid pattern is created via a highly refined acoustical circuit balancing the LF driver’s position with the enclosure’s depth and volume, as well as meticulously designed rear ports incorporating a precisely calibrated resistive element.
The CS118 combines Fulcrum’s proprietary TQ processing with the most innovative designs in acoustical circuitry to deliver exacting pattern control, unequalled performance and precision transient response, even at the highest SPLs.
All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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beyerdynamic Adds New Quinta TB Wireless Boundary MicrophoneThe beyerdynamic Quinta TB wireless boundary microphones act as a multi-channel receiver, in which case a maximum of four Quinta TBs (depending on the size of the room and the number of participants) can be operated simultaneously. In this mode, the software can be used to connect up to 9 central control units. In conference mode the Quinta TB acts as a delegate microphone unit and can be used for any traditional conference application.
beyerdynamic claims that the Quinta Triple Band technology ensures uninterrupted transmission. The system operates at 128 bit encryption and a 24-bit PIN code guarantee protection against eavesdropping. The system has a quick recharging time and a long operating time of at least 14 hours. Three-colored backlit buttons, with tactile feedback and Braille, makes the device ADA compliant and accessible and it shows all participants the status of the microphone and enables use of the global mute, push-to-talk and push-to-mute modes. The Quinta TB wireless boundary microphone is designed for use in meeting rooms and video conferences.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Epson Ships Pro L1000-Series Laser-Phosphor Large Venue Projector LineEpson today announced the new Pro L1000-Series of laser large venue projectors are now shipping. The Pro L1000-Series projectors are the first to integrate a laser-light source with an inorganic phosphor wheel and inorganic LCD panels for outstanding image quality, durability and reliability.
The new 3LCD laser projectors come in six models ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 lumens, and offer nine optional lenses, including the world’s first zero-offset ultra short-throw lens. All six projector models come with a standard lens in box. The projectors may be purchased without the standard lens for different throw ratios.
The 3LCD Pro L1000-Series laser-phosphor projectors feature:
- Epson’s proprietary 4K Enhancement technology that accepts the 4K signal and upscales the incoming signal to double the number of pixels on screen.
- Epson combines an inorganic phosphor wheel with inorganic LCD panels for up to 20,000 hours of virtually maintenance free operation, including 24/7 usage.
- Epson’s 4K lineup of 3LCD laser projectors is designed to support 360-degrees installation, edge-blending, stacking, portrait-mode projection, mapping, and a large variety of lens options.
The Pro L1100, Pro L1200, Pro L1300 and Pro L1405 models are currently available. The Pro L1500 and Pro L1505 models will be available in September. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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New HIGHlite Laser II Projector From DPI AnnouncedDigital Projection International (DPI) recently unveiled the HIGHlite Laser II. New brightness thresholds, 110-volt capabilities and a newly-engineered electronics platform are all part of the Laser II.
The HIGHlite Laser II brings a range of impressive improvements to the already popular HIGHlite Laser model. While maintaining its compelling 20,000 hours of illumination, the second-generation product now claims 13,000 ANSI lumens of brightness. Other key features include the introduction of all-new electronics that offer improved video processing and a full 120Hz processing path from DisplayPort sequential 120Hz or 60Hz per input dual-pipe HDMI. Image Edge Blending is included as standard, along with advanced geometric correction. HDBaseT, DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI ensure that the connectivity is comprehensively future-proofed.
The HIGHlite Laser II ships Q3 and here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Digital Projection Adds Two New High-Brightness Budget Laser Projectors to E-Vision Series Digital Projection International (DPI) recently launched two new high-lumen, budget-oriented E-Vision laser projectors. Building on the success of the E-Vision Laser 8500, DPI debuted an E-Vision Laser 6500 and 7500. These displays bring a variety of price points, capabilities and installation flexibility to the already recognized E-Vision series.
The E-Vision Laser 6500 is specified at 6,500 lumens, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio and includes a DICOM simulation mode. A key differentiator for the E-Vision Laser 6500 rests in its quiet operation. Inputs include DVI, HDMI and an HDBaseT interface with built-in support for transmission of uncompressed high definition video over standard CAT5e/6 LAN cable. This also allows the projector to be placed up to 100m from the source with a low-cable cost. For ease of use, the E-Vision Laser 6500 also contains built-in compatibility with Crestron RoomView Connected, PJLink – AMX SSDP and LAN.
Built on the same electronics and functionality as the E-Vision Laser 8500, the E-Vision Laser 7500 delivers a wealth of features: incredible brightness at 7,500 lumens, geometry correction and edge blending, Lens Memory presets, and advanced capabilities such as DICOM simulation mode. With features galore and brightness to spare, the E-Vision Laser 7500 thrives in most any commercial application needing a bright, consistent and reliable imaging solution. For applications needing an ultra short throw solution, the E-Vision Laser 7500 can be paired with DPI’s newly launched 0.38:1 Ultra Short Throw (UST) lens. This projector/lens combo is capable of creating an image width between 6.9’ to approximately 24’ and offers ultimate flexibility of projector positioning. Inputs include Displayport, DVI, HDMI and an HDBaseT interface with built-in support for transmission of uncompressed high definition video over standard CAT5e/6 LAN cable. For ease of use, the E-Vision Laser 7500 also contains built-in compatibility with Crestron RoomView Connected, PJLink – AMX SSDP and LAN.
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New BenQ Entry-Level Projectors Aimed at Home and Small BusinessBenQ America today introduced new additions to its M5 Series – the MS527E, MX528E and MW529E projectors. All three are spec’d at 3,300 lumens, have two HDMI ports, and are also integrated with BenQ’s Colorific image technology and SmartEco technology. The MS527E is SVGA (800×600) resolution, the MX528E is XGA (1024×768) resolution and the MW529E is WXGA (1280×800) resolution.
The projectors feature BenQ’s SmartEco technology, which automatically adjusts lamp power to deliver bright, vibrant images with up to 10,000 hours of lamp life as well as energy savings of up to 70 percent without any compromise in picture quality. To further reduce power consumption, an “Eco Blank” mode allows users to blank out the screen whenever projection isn’t needed, while a “No Source Detected” mode automatically reduces power consumption to 30 percent when no source has been detected for more than three minutes. With the “Auto Power Off” function, the projectors automatically shut down when not in use for 30 minutes. When inactive, they keep power consumption to a minimum, <0.5-W standby power, for even more energy savings.
The BenQ M5 Series MS527E, MX528E and MW529E are available now at a retail price of $489, $529 and $749, respectively, and here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Eiki Adds Three New DLP Projectors to Conference Series — the EK-610U, EK-611W, and EK-612XEiki introduces the EK-610U, EK-611W, and EK-612X are part of Eiki’s Conference Series Projectors – all single-chip DLP’s. The EK-610U is spec’d at 6,500 ANSI lumens and WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution, the EK-611W is a 6,500 ANSI lumens at WXGA (1280×800) resolution and the EK-612X offers 7,000 ANSI lumens with XGA (1024×768) resolution. All three models can be outfitted with five available interchangeable lenses and display both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios and all three are aimed at conference rooms, lecture halls, worship facilities and large auditoriums.
Eiki says all three projectors deliver 90 percent uniformity and a 4400:1 contrast ratio with 24-bit color reproduction for 16.7 million colors. Inputs include HDBaseT, HDMI and DVI-D.
The new EK-610U, EK-611W, and EK-612X Conference Series Projectors also include a mechanical shutter, auto input selection, and support both analog and digital video input in all color standards up-to 1080p. To ensure seamless integration into a wide range of environments that utilize control automation, all three projectors include support for Crestron RoomView and AMX Device Discovery Technology. The Eiki EK-610U, EK-611W and EK-612X are priced at $5995, $4295 and $4295, respectively.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Comprehensive Intros CHE-HDBT300U HDBaseT 2.0 4K Extender with USB Comprehensive Connectivity just debuted a 4K-capabale HDBaseT 2.0 Extender with USB convergence and Transmitter and Receiver (CHE-HDBT300U) capable of sending HDMI up to 330 feet using Cat5e/6/7 cable.
The CHE-HDBT300U allows the transmission of HDBaseT (5Play) features that include 4K2K@60Hz (YCbCr 4:2:0) video, audio, control (IR or RS232), Power over Ethernet (PoE) and an Ethernet connection. The Transmitter or Receiver can be powered by the PoE function using one power cable and the Extender set can support the connection of USB host and two USB devices that can control the source from the Sink side. The set is HDCP 2.2 compliant for protected content streaming.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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InfoComm Releases New Standard for Display Image SizeInfoComm International has announced the release of a new standard for sizing displayed images for audiovisual systems: ANSI/INFOCOMM V202.01:2016, Display Image Size for 2D Content in Audiovisual Systems.
Displays are essential to the working process in many environments, and viewers depend on the displayed image to convey information efficiently. Currently, the methods audiovisual professionals use to calculate appropriate image size aren’t attributed to a particular source. Therefore, a task group of subject matter experts developed the standard in order to establish universal methods and metrics for determining image size.
Display Image Size for 2D Content in Audiovisual Systems determines required display image size and relative viewing positions according to two defined viewing needs: basic decision making and analytical decision making. These two viewing categories are derived from ANSI/INFOCOMM 3M-2011 Projected Image System Contrast Ratio (PISCR). Image height, image resolution, and the size of image content are all prescriptive elements when determining required image size. The standard also addresses closest and farthest viewing distances, as well as relative horizontal and vertical viewer locations. It provides formulas to design and display content when encountering limitations in an environment. In addition to the standard, InfoComm will be providing a calculation/assessment tool on its website for determining proper display image size based on viewer needs.
“Until now, the AV industry has used guidelines that served their purpose in a different era, but whose provenance and basis could not be verified. The task group went back to basics and also referenced leading research and military standards,” said Greg Jeffreys, director of Visual Displays Ltd. and moderator for the standard task group. “As a designer and maker of large-screen displays, this standard will have a significant impact on my professional work. It will enable me to help clients to define what a good user experience comprises, and it gives me the tools and metrics to deliver just that.”
“Content has historically been a part of the design consideration for image size. Content description, however, has been vague and its interpretation has been up to the designer,” said Dick Tollberg, CTS-D, senior design engineer for AVI-SPL and member of InfoComm’s Standards Steering Committee. “Before the standard, there was no way to quantify content in such a way that the designer could ensure that the image size was correct. The standard gives direction to the creators and presenters of the content, while allowing the designer to use familiar methods to determine the correct image size for a given room. If the designer and the content adhere to the standard, the designer can guarantee that the image size will be satisfactory for all room participants.”
“InfoComm’s Standards Steering Committee saw the need to develop an accredited standard that would provide guidance for sizing displayed images, regardless of the technology being used,” said Ann Brigida, CTS, director of standards, InfoComm International. “Current best practices held up for many years, but the advent of increasing resolutions and technologies presented challenges to designers and integrators when they tried to apply old science to new scenarios. The task group worked tirelessly to make sure the standard is scalable and adaptable. We anticipate great interest in this topic from many markets, not just our industry.”
To access the standard, go here. Leave a Comment
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Chief Adds Dynamic Height Adjust to FusionChief is now shipping the new Fusion Dynamic Height Adjust Mounts to provide instant, tool-free height adjustment and greater accessibility to interactive displays. DHA Mounts are faster to position than electric display mounts and can be combined with a range of fusion accessories.
Features include:
- Mobile, wall and floor-supported solutions available
- Height adjustable box allows up to 15.75” (400 mm) of vertical adjustment instantly
- Starting height can be set at 3” (76 mm) intervals over a span of 12” (305 mm) for the cart and floor support solutions
- Storage space in the floor-support and cart solutions
- ControlZone for post-installation fine-tuning of height and leveling
- ClickConnect offers an audible click when the screen safely engages with the mount
- A full line of accessories can be installed with the mount and the entire unit can be adjusted together — including shelves, CPU holders and speaker adapters
- Integrated security flag
- Easy grip handles and integrated display stabilizers for easy transportation (cart only)
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe AVBuyers.Club 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.
rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship newsletter 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. rAVe Radio, our podcast network, was launched in 2012. AVBuyers.Club, our first publications targeted at end users, launched in May 2015. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
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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. |
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