Volume 5, Issue 18 – September 24, 2007

Introduction

Welcome to rAVe Pro Edition – Volume 5, Issue 18

Editorial

The AV Role in Security
By Gary Kayye, CTS

Special Announcement

rAVe eNewsletters Announces rAVe Rental [and Staging]

Special Announcement

CEDIA, Electrograph Partner on Upcoming DTEs, Kayye to Keynote

Cartoon Series!

Association News
	InfoComm Certification Changes — Last Chance to Take the Current CTS Exam New From NSCA: Job Board and Project Management Training

Welcome to another edition of rAVe!

When we in ProAV think of security, we usually think of the usual CCTV setups. But in today’s world, there is a lot more that can be done to keep organizations safe. Check out my article below and you’ll agree. If you aren’t selling signage for security purposes, your competition will, I promise.

In the news, check out Toshiba’s sub-3-pound projector!

–Gary Kayye, CTS

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Editorial

The AV Role in Security
By Gary Kayye, CTS 

As we know, short of putting a fence around every campus, it’s going to be impossible to prevent every disaster.

Mitigating what happened at Virginia Tech, however, is something that AV technology CAN help with.

How?

Digital signage.

Five years ago, you couldn’t sell it. You also couldn’t describe it, unless you demonstrated it, which, by the way, you couldn’t because it was hardly installed anywhere. It was expensive. It was proprietary. And the term itself, “digital signage,” was meaningless to customers. Then came AV over IP. Flat-panels became THE HOTTEST (and most affordable) of trends. Digital signage was suddenly everywhere – supermarkets, retail stores, banks – anywhere businesses wanted to sell stuff. Your customers started to get it.

Digital signage went past just selling stuff and became a communications tool in one room or another, such as welcoming visitors in the lobby, displaying lunch menus in the cafeteria, and displaying meeting schedules by conference rooms.

Then came the enterprise-wide signage networks, which allowed fun things — the CEO’s monthly “state of the company” address or broadcasting birthday and anniversary messages, upcoming company events, and corporate policy changes.

But now, we’re catching on to narrowcasting. Employees in the Oshkosh office learn that Ben & Jerry’s has free ice cream at lunch while telling the employees in Santa Barbara about the free blood pressure screening at 5 p.m. More utilitarian is that at the end of the day (or end of shifts), monitors change to display local weather and traffic, to help employees plan their drives home.

You can send messages to everyone, or to only selected people or regions. That means you also have all that’s needed for a crisis communications system. Let’s look at a manufacturing plant, for example.

When a crisis occurs at one site, the rumors fly quickly, and often, inaccurately, through all other plants. People panic, phone lines jam, and site managers try to calm everyone whether or not he or she has information. 

With enterprise digital signage, the system could blast info solely to managers so they are equipped to handle the situation. Or the system can inform all employees at once and tell them, based on location, what specific actions to take, such as evacuation routes through the building. At plants not in danger, the displays relate what occurred, how severe, and when it’s resolved.

These capabilities lend themselves well to any scenario where large groups of people in the same or different locations need information, and need it quickly.

That brings us back to campuses, where signage can announce concerts, registration deadlines, parking lot closures, cafeteria menus, and class cancellations. Add emergency communications and you can alert particular dorms of fires or other dangers and what steps residents should take. Specific campus regions can be warned, such as all buildings in the north quadrant, or you can blast the same warning to everyone everywhere at once.

And now, thanks to companies in ProAV, you can simultaneously blast emergency messages to displays, cell phones, desktops and even to networked projectors (and just about any other network appliance).

But here’s the deal. We (the ProAV market), are not typically the drivers security products. The traditional security market is. But the desire is there – what company or college president WOULDN’T want these capabilities – and the technology is there.

So, every time your company makes a sales pitch about signage, talk about the security benefits. Alternatively, go in selling emergency broadcast systems and show them the other cool communications they can do with it – welcome messages on the first day of class, monthly president’s messages, etc.

The tools are here.. The market is there. Go sell.

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.

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Click above for more information

Special Announcement

rAVe eNewsletters Announces rAVe Rental [and Staging]
30-Year Staging guru, Joel Rollins, to be Contributing Editor and Columnist

"We are extremely proud of the successes of rAVe Pro over the last five years and rAVe Home over the last four," said Gary Kayye, CTS, in making the announcement. "We now see an opportunity to bring our style of news reporting, commentary and market analysis, to specific segments of the channel, starting with rental and staging."

rAVe is known for not just reporting the news but, when applicable, reporting it in a way that provides context to the readers. The editorials take daring stances on issues facing integrators and manufacturers. The readership of both newsletters is composed of dealers, manufacturers and end-users.

Leading the rAVe Rental [and Staging] editorial team with his wit, passion and knowledge of the market will be industry veteran, Joel Rollins, who will serve as a contributing editor and opinionated columnist. rAVe Editor-in-Chief Denise Harrison will oversee the new publication. Producer Sara Abrons will work with production and sponsors. Gary Kayye will be the publisher, as with the other rAVe publications.

Joel R. Rollins, CTS-R, is General Manager of Everett Hall Associates, Inc. and is well known throughout the professional AV industry for his contributions to industry training and his extensive background in AV rental, staging and installation. Before joining EHA, Joel was General Manager of Riverview Systems Group, Inc. Riverview, based in San Jose, California, is an AV staging and installation company specializing in major national events and design/installation projects for Silicon Valley firms.

"rAVe has become the 'must read' publication in ProAV," said Rollins. "It's hard to find anyone who doesn't read it to keep up on news, and to understand how that news pertains to their professional planning. The opportunity to write hard-edged, opinionated pieces that represent what I think is right and wrong within the rental and staging industry is a perfect outlet for me and I greatly look forward to the new venture."

Readers can sign up at:

https://builder.campaigner.com/app/campaigner/services/optinlist/processoptinrequest.jsp?oilb=88687709&builderType=paid

Sponsorships will be much more limited than in the other rAVe eNewsletters, so interested sponsors are encouraged to apply right away by contacting Gary Kayye at gkayye@kayye.com or (919) 969-7501.

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Special Announcement

CEDIA, Electrograph Partner on Upcoming DTEs, Kayye to Keynote

–Gary Kayye, CTS

Electrograph Systems, Inc., one of the nation’s largest display technology distributors, today announced it has teamed up with CEDIA, the premier trade association for the residential design & installation of electronics systems, for its all-new Display Technology Experience (DTE) reseller events. Coming to New York and Ft. Lauderdale this fall, Electrograph’s DTE training and networking programs have been enhanced with home automation content to accommodate professional resellers serving the residential market.

According to Sam Taylor, president of Electrograph Systems, Inc., “The reality is that almost half of our reseller partners are selling into both the residential and the commercial markets. And Electrograph is committed to helping resellers grow their businesses with the best products, training and services for these industries.” He continued, “We are so pleased to have the leading residential electronics systems organization on board to augment our DTE programs. The wealth of knowledge offered through CEDIA will be invaluable to our reseller community.”

“We are very supportive of Electrograph’s dedication to the high-end residential market,” said Don Gilpin, executive director of CEDIA. “The DTEs provide an excellent forum to properly educate the current and upcoming workforce about the latest trends and products for home automation. Consumers are asking for these products because they are lifestyle-changing. Resellers must stay ahead of market and installation advancements in order to keep up with these demands.”

The new DTEs, which will debut in New York, NY on October 10 and Ft. Lauderdale, FL on November 7, include a full day of reseller training and education, as well as an exhibit hall full of the newest commercial and residential A/V products and technologies. Resellers will now be able to earn CEDIA continuing education credits and NSCA University Learning credits, get a first-hand look at the freshest new product and accessory solutions and delve into the latest trends in both industries — all at the same event and all free of charge.

The fall DTE programs have been built upon the success of Electrograph’s DTEs held earlier this year in Dallas, Chicago and Seattle. They incorporate all-new training topics led by some of the biggest names in the business so that resellers can walk away with insider knowledge that can immediately be put to use. Sessions include:

–Networking Skills: More than Just a Stop on the Information Highway

    –Gary Kayye, rAVe ProAV and rAVe HomeAV e-newsletters

–Multiple Dwelling Units: Trends, Technologies and Tips to Work Successfully in this Emerging Market

    –Victor J. Cypher Jr., EVtek, LLC

–Do You Run a Business or Shop? Relating Company Culture to Success

    –Brad Nelson, Sound Solutions Northeast

–Retrofit Installation

    –Jeff Gardner, CEDIA

–ISF Display Calibration: The Ultimate Differentiation

    –Alan Brawn, Brawn Consulting

Technologies highlighted at the fall DTEs will include the latest in plasma and LCD flat panel displays, home cinema projectors, touch panels, consumer DVDs, mounts and stands, video processors, amplifiers and receivers, wire and cable, video interfaces and more. Major display providers such as Pioneer, Panasonic, NEC, Sharp, Hitachi and Mitsubishi will hold exhibit space at these events.

Complete information about Electrograph’s new DTE New York and Ft. Lauderdale programs, as well as online registration, detailed agendas and hotel accommodations can found at http://www.electrographdte.com

NEC Intros Widescreen Single-Chip DLP Projector

The vertical lens shift allows placement 2.8 feet to 283 feet from the screen, says NEC, and the NP4001 has user-changeable color wheels with four segments for full brightness or optional six segments for improved color.

The NP4001 has integrated RJ45 for quick hook-up to the LAN for control and diagnostics. It has Eco-Mode for longer lamp life and Quick Power-Off.

The NP4001 ships in October 2007 at a price of $5,999.

For more information, go to http://www.necdisplay.com/Products/Product/?product=420d7c51-3922-48f7-8649-4493d818fa0c

Two Widescreen Models From SANYO, and a New 1080p

The PLC-WXU10 is specified at 2000 lumens, 400:1 contrast ratio and weighs in at 7.3 pounds. The PLC-WXU30 is specified at 3700 lumens, 500:1 contrast ratio and weighs 8 pounds. One key difference is that the PLC-WXU30 is equipped with SANYO's PJ Network Interface for wired and wireless networking.

The PLC-WXU10 will be available in October '07 with MSRP of $1,495. The PLC-WXU30 is expected to ship in October '07 for $2,995, MSRP.

SANYO also introduced a 1080p LCD projector, the PLV-Z2000. This is specified at 1200 lumens and a high 15,000:1 contrast ratio. SANYO says a new “3D” color management system, Topaz Real HD technology, allows , a total of approximately 216 billion possible color combinations. This new technology was specifically designed to take advantage of HDMI 1.3.

SANYO says that the lens shift, coupled with the projector's short throw capability and 2x zoom, allows very flexible placement — shifting up or down to three screen sizes and left to right to two screen sizes.

This projector is also marketed for the home but is suitable for ProAV. Inputs include HDMI 1.3 x 2, Component x 2, D-sub 15pin, Composite (RCA), and S-Video, and it has RS232. It weighs 16 pounds.

The PLV-Z2000 will be available in October '07 with MSRP of $2,995.99.

They aren’t yet up on the website, but for all SANYO projectors, go to http://us.sanyo.com/business/projectors/

XGA DLP Projector From Toshiba Weighs Less Than Three Pounds

The TDP-PX10U has a USB port for PC-free presenting. It even has a 2-watt speaker.

It is shipping now with MSRP of $999.

For more information, go to http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/pdet.to?poid=391453&coid=-26394&seg=HHO

New Dukane Visualizer Offers Easy Source Selection

For more information, go to http://www.dukcorp.com/audiovisual/products/Item_VisualizersCameras.asp?Model=335

QVS Introduces Swivel Cables, Adapters

The swivel patch cables are male to male and available in lengths of 3ft, 6ft, 10ft, 15ft.  The swivel adapter/port saver is male to female around 4 inches.

For more information, go to http://www.qvs.com/video-vga_swivel.asp

New 2-Input 2-Output Multi-Format HDMI Distribution Amp From Intelix

Multiple HDMI-2X2s may be linked for more than two outputs, and the HDMI-2X2 supports resolutions up to 1080p and is HDCP compliant.

MSRP is $199.95.

For more information, go to http://www.intelix.com/press/070827_HDMI_2X2_Release.htm

TechPod Features All-in-One Lectern Functionality

The TechPod integrates all the equipment in a rather compact unit. It comes with its own computer, DVD player, doc cam, VCR, public address system, annotatable interactive screen and lighting and projection screen controls.

TechPod also comes in a mobile version, the TechPod Xpress. The TechPod Xpress has all of the same features as the standard TechPod, but it includes its own LCD projector, as well as rolling cables for easy connection.

For more information, go to http://www.techpod.com/

Polycom Shipping RMX 2000 V 2.0

Polycom says RMX 2000 Version 2.0 software introduces true high definition continuous presence conferencing with full transcoding on the existing RMX 2000 media processing module hardware. So, customers can combine video conferencing endpoints with different resolutions (HD, standard definition or SD, and common intermediate format resolution or CIF) within the same call. They can show multiple sites simultaneously (continuous presence), and the system provides optimal resolution and call quality based on the capabilities of each video system. Capacity of the RMX 2000 scales based on the resolution demands of each endpoint in a call (HD and non-HD endpoints).

For more information, go to http://www.polycom.com/usa/en/company/news/2007/20070910_3.html

ClearOne Shipping New Audio Conferencing Platform

conference centers, distant learning, auditoriums, courtrooms, houses of worship, and large meeting venues with the new system.

This uses ClearOne's next-generation signal processing algorithms, and the company says it is designed or flexible configurations as well as expandability. It also uses ClearOne's proprietary fourth-generation Acoustic Echo Cancellation.

For more information, go to http://www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?BzID=509&ResLibraryID=21463&Category=17

InfoComm Certification Changes — Last Chance to Take the Current CTS Exam

If you have been meaning to get your CTS or are trying to encourage others on your team to do so, now is the time to act. The next class will be held October 23–25, 2007 in the Blakely Room at Avidex Industries in Bellevue, Washington. This three-day classroom course prepares you for the general Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) exam. If you prefer to learn in a classroom environment, this is an opportunity to work with an instructor and participate in exercises that clarify key concepts provided in InfoComm’s Essentials of the AV Industry online course. At the end of the three-day program, you may choose to take the written CTS exam. 

If you prefer to study on your own, purchase the Essentials of the AV Industry book, which is a great resource for preparing for the CTS exam.

If you are interested in trying out the new exam, you can sign up by contacting Nick Soto as early as possible at nsoto@infocomm.org or at 703.279.2163. Participation is limited.

For more information, go to http://www.infocomm.org/cps/rde/xchg/infocomm/hs.xsl/certification.htm

New From NSCA: Job Board and Project Management Training

NSCA announced a new job board for use by both companies looking to hire and employees looking for jobs. Job seekers can submit their résumés to all registered employers, allow employers to search their résumés, and receive daily job match emails. Employers can search online for résumés, collect résumés via email and receive alerts when job postings are due to expire.

NSCA is also offering a course in Advanced Project Management.  The new two-day class provides an enhanced opportunity for business professionals to increase their knowledge base.

Advanced Project Management, intended for those with prior management experience, includes: how to plan your financial goals, identify and reduce project risks, limit your legal liability, effectively manage employees, and improve your communication skills. Advanced Project Management will include an exam as part of the tuition cost.

Courses begin in October and run through March. Check the website for details. 

For more information, go to http://www.nsca.org/

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