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Welcome to another edition of rAVe! So, how did you like that news about InfoComm and NSCA combining trade show schedules? If you’re like most, you loved it. This is going to bring huge benefits to the schedules (and pockets) of dealers and manufacturers. We’re reprinting the news below, in case you somehow missed it. We’re off to CEDIA in a few days. I hope you are, too. While it’s definitely a HomeAV show, the technologies we see there are bound to make their way into the ProAV market in no time. And if you can’t make it, subscribe to our rAVe Home at http://www.ravehome.com and we’ll keep you up to date anyway. My, how time flies. It’s already time for my mid-year review of my annual predictions. You can read them below. And thanks to NSCA’s Chuck Wilson for another great installment in the What Keeps us up at Night series. This time, he discusses the ROI of training. He makes a great point: why search for more experienced talent in certain skills when you can train your current staff to fill the gaps? Great job, Chuck! –Gary Kayye, CTS
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A Mid-Year Review of My 2007 Predictions By Gary Kayye, CTS If you’re a regular reader of my columns in Sound & Communications magazine, you know that each December, I write a column where I predict what products, technologies, people and companies will most impact the audiovisual markets for the year. And, half way through the year, I take a look at how my predictions are doing.
Below, you’ll find (in italics) a summary of each prediction I made in December 2006 and followed by where we are so far (and how well I have done predicting the future). Every projector manufacturer will standardize on 16:9 and HD-resolution based displays: Well, so far so good.
Simpler Control Systems would debut from not only AMX and Crestron, but from other players in the market who aren’t known for professional AV control: Logitech’s Harmony 1000 remote is a great example of this trend hitting professional AV in 2007.
I was in San Francisco in May and saw two installations where the primary control system for over 20 rooms was the Harmony touch-panel found in the 1000 remote. But, the real impact has been felt with Crestron and AMX both debuting cheaper touch-panels and keypads aimed at the entry-level market. This trend will continue in the latter-half of 2007 as a few new companies join the market with Linux based systems (the same OS found in the TiVo.
I emphatically predicted that Blu-ray Disc would easily beat HD-DVD: Heck, the only thing HD-DVD has on its side is its name being easy to remember. Actually, there is ONE country in the world (only one) where HD-DVD is beating Blu-ray in sales – Japan. That’s because of the videogame market (Xbox uses HD-DVD) and the limited availability of Blu-ray games in Japan – because they’re all being shipped to the US. In the US, the latest statistics are that for every one HD-DVD player shipped, there are nine Blu-ray players shipped. Ironically, when VHS first debuted in the US, Betamax was outselling VHS in Japan, too. Hum, still doubt the winner here?
Built-In Projectors will debut in 2007: Well, this one’s a stretch. It may not occur in 2007, but there is one segment of the projector market that’s new for 2007 – Gaming projectors. Many of the projector manufacturers have debut projectors aimed squarely at video gamers. These hand-held (and in some cases, battery operated) projectors are designed to capture a piece of the largest segment of the consumer electronics market behind the cell phone: video game players. We’ll have to wait and see if we see projectors appear as built-in options to “other” devices
as we head into the latter half of the year. 802.Whatever: Apple’s debut of the Airport Extreme and their follow-up wireless consumer streaming audio, video and HD content server known as AppleTV both use the new 802.11n standard to STREAM TV shows and even HD movies from the Internet to your HD-capable TV. According to insiders at Apple, it beat its first quarter sales forecast in the first month of shipments. 802.11
It will be an exciting second half of the year. Thanks for reading! Reprinted with permission from Sound & Communications. Founded in 1955, Sound & Communications is the premiere magazine for AV systems integrators, contractors and consultants. To subscribe or read sample articles, go to http://www.soundandcommunications.com.
What Keeps us up at Night?
Technicians are at the core of any systems integration business. Regardless of how many systems your company sells, you need manpower to install and configure them properly. But, anyone who has recently opened a technical manual knows that the landscape has changed. To remain competitive, contracting firms must offer designers and installers who are well versed in computers, networking and programming software. ”Convergence” may be an overused term, but the marriage of A/V and IT is a real phenomenon and its influence cannot be underlined enough. Coupled with convergence is the increasing speed at which networking and IT advance; once you’ve mastered one technology, chances are you need to learn another. The educational process isn’t a one-time occurrence, though. It must be perpetual or businesses will find themselves faced with the impossible task of playing catch-up. Take, for example, the personal computer you buy — it’s obsolete the minute you leave the store. The same applies to the systems we implement. Challenges arise from a project that was specified six months ago, when new and improved — networking, control, wireless technology, etc. — wasn’t available. If new technology grows old so quickly, how long is it before an entire systems integration organization becomes obsolete? Chuck Walthall, founder and president of Walthall and Associates in Pensacola, Florida, acknowledges that systems contractors are aware of the need to invest in training. However, with the amount of work available and the different directions in which organizations are being pulled, who has time to remove a technician from the field to sit in a classroom for a week? Walthall is sympathetic, but firm: companies must make time or risk their lives. What’s more, they must realize that their technicians are humans, and most humans are unable to grasp complex technical principles in one week’s time, let alone over a few days. “If my grass is dry, I don’t ask for an hour’s worth of hard, solid rain,” Walthall said. “I’d much rather have a light rain for two or three days so that it soaks in.” Education, therefore, must be continual and built into a company’s schedule in the same manner as client meetings, project planning sessions and installation timelines. While the systems integration industry is still too young for formal college training, there are numerous educational opportunities designed to train technicians. Trade associations, NSCA included, offer regular courses, and many manufacturers provide product-specific training for their technologies. Ill-equipped technicians who don’t take advantage of these opportunities waste more time and money tinkering with faulty systems than they would have spent in the classroom. Businesses must invest in employee training and offer their staff incentives to build upon their skills. “They should show the technician a ladder, a systematic way of taking the next step in the company,” Walthall advised. As a technician advances his or her skill set, the technician’s rank within the organization — and the accompanying pay — must coincide with his or her effort. In this way, employees can easily see the advancement opportunities available to them. Walthall divides technicians into two categories: career technicians are passionate and focused on completing their jobs correctly for the client; cash technicians, however, are focused on their paycheck, comparing how much time they spend versus how much they are paid. Walthall emphasizes that companies must invest in career technicians, and convert their cash techs into career techs. “A man does best what he enjoys most,” Walthall said. By paying attention to what cash techs are interested in — what they enjoy doing — a firm can direct their energies accordingly … with the appropriate training, of course. They say it takes money to make money. One could also observe that it takes time to save time — especially when you are at your busiest. Contractors must remain focused on training … to save time and money, their reputations and their business.
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AV, Film Industries Mourn Passing of Everett Hall
I will miss Everett’s presence, advice and professionalism. But, mostly, I will miss seeing ‘Bev and Ev’ together at every InfoComm. — Gary Kayye Members of the audio visual and film industries today mourn the passing of Everett Hall. Mr. Hall passed away Sunday, August 19, 2007 at his home in West Redding, CT. He was 79. Everett, as the genial Mr. Hall was known throughout the industry, enjoyed a long and influential career. Beginning as a cinematographer in the 1950s with the Frederick F. Watson Co., Everett traveled the world shooting promotional films for Pan American Airways. In 1961, partnering with longtime friend Alan Armour, Everett bought the company and founded Cine Magnetics. Based in New York City, the company pioneered many of the core technologies of the audio visual industry. Among the technologies pioneered by Cine Magnetics were the first application of magnetic sound to 8mm film in the U.S., much of the technical development of the cartridge film loop, and the development and installation of the first movie projection system on a commercial aircraft. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers presented Everett with their highest honor, making him a SMPTE Fellow, for his developments in motion picture sound. When Cine Magnetics was sold to Fairchild, Everett left to found Everett Hall Associates, Inc., which continues to this day as one of Connecticut’s most innovative audio visual integrators. Contact: Joel Rollins
Special Announcement — Reminder Memorial Service for Alan Dresner
Alan Dresner, General Manager of Electrosonic's US Work Environments Business, passed away on July 8, in Minneapolis. He was 52. Dresner brought Electrosonic a wealth of knowledge based on over 25 years in the industry. “Alan was an assertive sales manager and a well-disciplined, process-oriented leader, possessing a solid understanding of the technology and strategies employed in the industry”, said Kyle Carpenter, CEO of the Electrosonic Group. Prior to heading up the Electrosonic division, Dresner was director of Christie's control room and immersive visualization business. From October 2002 to April 2005 Dresner was Christie’s senior director, Advanced Media Display Group for the US and South/Latin America. He began a 15-year career with Electrohome in late 1985 starting as a consultant to Electrohome USA, Inc.’s Projection Systems Group in Washington. He was promoted to market development manager for control rooms and other emerging display markets, While at Electrohome he served as product manager, director of market development, and subsequently relocated to the UK as general manager and then vice president of Electroshome’s European and Asian subsidiaries in England and Singapore. Dresner is survived by his wife, Deya’, and his son Alexander. A memorial service will be held for Alan Sunday September 23rd at Sidwell Friends School, 3825 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC, 20016. The service will be from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Arts Center Meeting Room. For more information, contact Tom Geary InfoComm, NSCA Trade Shows Merge!
Not only does this simplify everyone’s trade show calendar, but it also means that some of the best minds and most creative talent in our industry – NSCA and InfoComm – will be working together! I cannot tell you how happy I am to see these two drivers of industry trends, education, technology and distribution converging… Congratulations to Randy Lemke and Chuck Wilson for pulling this together!
Sources tipped off rAVe that InfoComm and NSCA have struck a deal that, in effect, allows InfoComm show and NSCA Expo to combine the trade shows. With an eye toward consolidating the hectic ProAV calendar, InfoComm bought the assets of NSCA’s Expo, and NSCA’s exhibition will now become a part of the InfoComm conference. AND NSCA and InfoComm will create a new technical conference as well. The jointly-presented NSCA Technical Conference will run in the autumn, and will include courses, certifications and tabletop exhibits. The NSCA Business Conference becomes a consolidated event, with InfoComm as a sponsor, rather than running a separate InfoComm Business Conference. The associations remain separate entities – the trade show and conferences are merging and/or changing. Education and certification as well as memberships remain separate entities but now, you can do it all in one place! Stay tuned — we’ll have more information as it becomes available. We also understand a press release is coming out soon. For more information and the whole press release, go to http://www.infocomm.org/cps/rde/xchg/infocomm/hs.xsl/avindustry_5025.htm
Kramer’s New Twisted Pair Transmitter/Receiver Set
The TP-219HD is a high performance twisted pair transmitter for computer graphics video signals with resolutions ranging from VGA through UXGA and higher, as well as HDTV signals up to1080p. It takes one of two inputs as selected by the user and converts it to a twisted pair signal. The TP-219HD includes an input select button and user adjustable sync polarity settings with H & V switches for improved HDTV compatibility. The TP-219HD can be used as a standalone switcher or as a companion component to one of Kramer’s twisted pair receivers, such as the TP-120, PT-120 or the new TP-220HD. The TP-220HD is a high performance twisted pair receiver for computer graphics video signals with resolutions ranging from VGA through UXGA and higher, as well as HDTV signals up to1080p. It converts a twisted pair signal back into two identical signals in the original format. The TP-220HD includes level (gain) and EQ (peaking) controls, which allows the user to adjust the signal depending on the cable length. The TP-220HD can be used as a standalone distribution amplifier or can be used with other Kramer twisted pair products, such as the TP-110 transmitter. Both these twisted pair products feature Kramer’s Power Connect System, in which only one unit in the system, either the transmitter or receiver, needs to be connected to an external power source. The TP-219HD carries a list price of $195 and the TP-220HD carries a list price of $345. Both are shipping. For more information, go to http://www.kramerelectronics.com/indexes/item.asp?name=TP-219HD Premier Shipping Low-Profile Projector Mount, New Flat Mount for Cart/Stands
Premier says the universal design allows this mount to adapt to many of the company's existing adapters and accessories. This also includes Lock-It Security Hardware. For more information, go to http://www.premiermounts.com/product.asp?PartID=1477 Also, Premier is shipping the UFA Universal Flat Mount, which fits Premier Mount dual-pole carts and stands for mobility. This fits 37-61-inch displays, adjusts up and down along tubes, uses the Griplate system and works with any dual-pole cart or stand. MSRP is $149. For more information, go to http://www.premiermounts.com/product.asp?ProductID=&PartID=1485&curimage=1
Polycom Brings Wireless Server to North American Market
The new server can support up to 35 users, with options for expansion. With an integrated server/base-station design that uses the wired IP network for IP-PBX connectivity, the KIRK Wireless Server 600v3 communicates over a 1.9 GHz wireless signal. KIRK Repeaters can also be used to expand the coverage area and further improve performance. Polycom also says it has an open platform, and is the first DECT system to achieve certification for support of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) via the Digium|Asterisk IP telephony solution. The KIRK Wireless Server 600v3 is shipping now with MSRP of $2,195. For more information, go to http://www.polycom.com/usa/en/company/news/2007/20070821_1.html
TV One Introduces $595 PC and HD Scaler
The inputs of the 1T-PCDVI-PCDVI are DVI plus Analog PC or HDTV in the formats of RGBHV, YPbPr, YCbCr and the outputs are digital DVI plus PC/HD. Outputs are 480i through 1080p or VGA to WUXGA. Dual scaling engines are used with 8-bit triple-ADC Phase Locked Loops. An integrated DVI/HDCP compliant receiver is central to the processor along with 3-D motion adaptive de-interlacers. There are also 3:2 pull-down, 2:2 pull-down detection/recovery and 3-D noise reduction. For more information, go to http://www.tvone.com/1t-pcdvi-pcdvi-main.shtml TI to Show 3D HDTV Display at CEDIA
While it’s a TV, you just know there are tons of ProAV applications. TI will also show the latest version of its DarkChip technology, which they say has deeper blacks. For more information, go to http://www.dlp.com/hdtv/3-d_dlp_hdtv.aspx
CyberTouch Integrates LCD Touchscreen Displays With Pioneer DVD Player
CyberTouch is targeting training videos, point-of-sale displays, museums, entertainment, digital signage, and hospitality applications with the new display, which comes in 19, 24, 32 and 42 inches in widescreen format, and a 20 inch in 4:5. The displays use 8-wire resistive technology and have surfaces protected by chemical and abrasion resistant polycarbonate overlay. It responds to the touch of a finger, stylus, or a gloved hand. The TouchScreen communicates via RS232 through a 9-pin serial connector at 9600 baud. For more information, go to http://www.cybertouch.com/orionav.html
Vogel’s Professional Introduces Custom Designed TVskin
Applications include retail stores that want to customize digital signage, and hotels and conference centers for blending display with décor as two examples. There are also designs that provide especially rugged protection for the panels. For more information, go to http://www.vogels.com/TVskin/ NSCA Announces New Education Foundation Officers, Plans September 15 Release for Compensations Report
In addition to Tom’s election as president, the Foundation has elected a new slate of officers including Vice-President Mitch Nollman (Bose Corporation) and Secretary/Treasurer Maureen Pajerski (Rauland-Borg Corporation). Tony Price, Bosch Communications Systems will continue to serve as Immediate Past President. The nine-member Education Foundation Board also includes: Ron Pusey (Communications Specialists of VA, Inc.), George Serban (Serban Sound Systems), Scott Dhaenens (AMX), and Honorary Ex-Officio members Claire Ford (Ford Audio-Video Systems, Inc.) and Loyd Ivey (Mitek Corporate/Atlas Sound). NSCA also plans to release the Compensations and Benefits report on September 15. Every two years, NSCA polls industry professionals regarding company background, staffing, certification, employment benefits and compensation. Confidential surveys are mailed to industry contractors/integrators in North America. Small, medium and large companies in 36 states responded. In certain areas, they reported large gaps. For example, company size (as measured by gross sales) was $637,500 or less for one in 10 respondents. However, one in 10 others reported grosses of $18 million or more. For more details, go to http://www.nsca.org/Home/IndustryResources/NSCANews/tabid/247/Default.aspx  Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe! Thank you for spending time with me as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting my newsletter, or to sign up a friend, click the link below. To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write to me at gkayye@kayye.com or for editorial: Denise Harrison at dharrison@kayye.com A little about me: Gary Kayye, CTS, founder of 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. Gary Kayye's rAVe was launched in February 2003. rAVe Home Edition co-sponsored by CEDIA launched in February, 2004. To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to http://www.kayye.com
Copyright 2007 – Kayye Consulting – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact Kayye Consulting, 400 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 425 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: dharrison@kayye.com Gary Kayye's 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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