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Volume 5, Issue 3 — March 14, 2012
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Get Small or Go Large?
By Greg Bronson
rAVe Columnist Rightfully so, there has been much postulated about AV and IT. You know: all about how they've "converged," how one might not fully understand the other and which is the tail and which is the dog. And while we here in the AV Club are unabashedly biased to the "A" game we also embrace all that cousin IT has to offer! But while the multiple facets of AV/IT will continue sort themselves out, it's not really what this month's column is about.
So why bring it up? Well because all jest aside, a general observation is that the big AV/IT "bang" is mostly behind us. We now have products that can truly be combined into a converged networked AV/IT system. Also, most organizations have reorganized the reorganization such that those that are still around are now fully with the new (say version 2.01.1 ?) program; there is no "them" or "us"… only a "we." And lastly, any lingering negativity surrounding a power struggle attributable to the two cultures is mostly dismissed as wasted energy.
So if we're accepting that this is the new normal, what is that unsettled feeling gnawing at our sides? After all, the demand for AV Pros seems as strong as ever. In fact, dare we say there is an unprecedented amount of new opportunities that have a significant AV factor? Perhaps, yes. Perhaps the pie hasn't been redivided, but has become the proverbial expanding pie. Perhaps we need to further consider how to cut the pie to provide rational clarity of purpose as individuals, work groups and/or organizations.
This brings us to the "Get Small or Go Large" part. In the bigger picture of use cases for AV, two different ones are spawning another potential game changer for AV in education. In this one, there is the "get small" use case with the poster child being mobile device AV delivery. Then, there is the "go large" case, such as an AV lecture theater. Despite being a bit slow on the uptake of the AV relevance of the "get small" side of the equation, it's clearly having a major impact. And with an enormous amount of mature infrastructure behind the "go large" side, it's still hard to imagine a time when such is not around in a substantial way, if not still as the primary mode of delivery. Of course, as a full service industry, with small and large offerings, a medium-sized option also needs be available. Quite simply this is the use case where the same content is dually offered with mobile and a dedicated system.
So what will you serve? Small, medium or large? Pulling in what's been learned through AV/IT convergence, I offer here that at least in the near term, there is plenty of opportunity within in each case. However, with the legacy technologies, and real end user expectations and environmental context being substantially different for each, it does seem there is room for specialists in each extreme, and then for generalists through the continuum in between.
A few more words about the "get small" use case. At its core, it really is about "social networking" as the rapidly evolving modes of delivery settle into broad real end user adoption. This is so much so that we may be nearing a tipping point (which I for one had previously not expected in this decade) for the user’s, if not also the organization’s, desired method. It now does seem plausible that "get small" could be a big bang for AV as we know it since people prefer to congregate — or more specifically in our case, learn — through virtual mobile interactions. What remains to be seen is will the new normal be the "medium" (blended) environment, which is similar to our merged AV/IT? Or is this only a contributing factor in an even more substantial environmental impact theory of a potential forthcoming higher ed bubble? Whether or not it's something of such significance, that gnawing feeling you may have is understandably worth paying attention to.
The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the authors’ employer(s), past or present.
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 Leave a Comment
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Dukane Announces Fast Virtual Responders for iOS and Android Convey Student Response by Dukane now supports both traditional, hand-held response pads and virtual responders on most all browser equipped devices. The Convey Virtual Responder (VR) works seamlessly across multiple browsers as well as iOS and Android platforms, allowing those devices to be used in conjunction with the Convey Student Response application as student input devices.
With iPads, laptops, netbooks and BYOT devices streaming into schools across the nation, educators need a practical way to use those devices to drive student engagement, increase classroom communication, enhance the learning environment and save teachers time. Convey Student Response allows students to use whatever device they have available whether that's an iPod touch, an iPad or Android tablet, a netbook or laptop or use one the yellow Convey dedicated response pads. They all work seamlessly together in a single polling session, allowing the various responder types to be mixed and matched as necessary or as availability dictates. A teacher only needs to use the single Convey Student Response application on a PC in the classroom to be able to communicate with all the various remote types thus reducing complexity commonly encountered with using VR's on other systems that require a separate flavor of software to communicate with a VR.
Convey Student Response and the VRs are powered by the cloud-based Convey Enterprise Services (CES). Convey Enterprise Services is the powerful backend management system that separates Convey from the crowd of response offerings available. Accessed via a web dashboard, CES allows student and class rosters to be managed at the district level, thus saving teachers time without having to wrangle rosters at the local, client level.
Convey is sold on a per student basis. Each student who participates in a polling session needs a license.
Learn more at http://www.conveyclassrooms.com Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Extron Ships "Show Me" VGA Control Cable The Extron VGA SM/6 “Show Me” Control Cable is an optional cable that provides remote input connection and selection for Extron VSW 2VGA A and SW VGA Ars switchers. The cable features a female 15-pin HD connector and a 3.5 mm stereo audio jack for VGA and stereo audio. Operation is simple and convenient — connect the VGA “Show Me” cable to your laptop's VGA output, and press the “Share” button to share the content of your desktop on the main presentation display. The VGA SM/6 “Show Me” Control Cable is designed for use in collaborative learning and similar applications where computer content is shared within a group setting.
Designed inside a molded VGA connector, the adapter includes a SHARE button on top, along with an Audio jack. It is 6-feet long.
Complete specs are here: http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=vgasm6&s=5 Leave a Comment
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Canon Debuts PTZ for ProAV As the worldwide transition to HD imaging continues, places like houses of worship, corporations, education and government facilities are seeking cost-effective, remotely controllable pan-tilt-zoom HD camera systems and that's the target for the new Canon XU-80. The network-based, remote controllable, Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) HD camera is for either outdoor or indoor use and uses a CMOS HD 2.1 Megapixel imaging sensor, has 20x HD zoom lens (with additional 12x digital zoom) and also features genlock input and HD-SDI output.
The XU-80 HD PTZ camera is capable of tracking fast movements while simultaneously panning and tilting at a maximum rate of 60?/sec. The camera features a pan range of ±180? and a tilt range of +220?/-40?with a maximum noise level of NC30. It's well-suited for use in quiet environments where noise distractions are not permitted, including video, radio and performance studios, hospital operating theaters, conference rooms and lecture halls.
The housing of the XU-80 meets the IP-55 enclosure rating for waterproof and dust-proof applications. Complete specs are here: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/professional_cameras/ptz_cameras Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Premier Announces Mounting System for Christie MicroTiles Premier Mounts today debuted a mounting system for Christie's MicroTile system called the MTM. It uses a modular design that still allows for variable configuration mounting (not just squares or rectangles) and can be installed using various sized wall brackets to configure the layout. The system is able to install on multiple surfaces and can tilt to various angles with custom angled wall brackets.
Premier says that the patent-pending "floating wall adjustment brackets" are the foundation to this mounting system as they create a flat and plumb surface to begin the installation process. For weight and cost consideration, the multi-tile mounts allow three MicroTiles to be pre-installed directly to the mounting base then raised onto the wall brackets. Hooks on the back of the mounts grasp precisely onto the wall brackets and require no fine tune adjustments. Three additional MicroTiles can then be installed atop the mounted row by bolting them into place.
Here are all the product specs: http://www.mounts.com/product?product=MTM Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top AMX Ships New DS Software Suite AMX has started shipping the enterprise-scale digital-signage software Inspired Composer 5.4. According to AMX, the newest Inspired Composer simplifies two key tasks for digital signage users — monitoring and managing the digital signage network and creating and managing content.
The content tracking and reporting feature can retrieve message play data from one or more players allowing users to audit message playback. The data, which is returned in XML or CSV formats, can be filtered by player, message and date. Playback log reports include summary data as well as information about each time a message was played.
Inspired Composer allows staffers across an organization to become contributors, intuitively guiding them through a simple workflow management and approval process. In Composer 5.4, all changes are highlighted so that a content manager can review and approve the content before it is published to players.
Inspired Composer 5.4, available in a Desktop and Server version, was developed for use with the Inspired XPert digital signage player (IS-XPT-2000) from AMX. Teaming Inspired Composer 5.4 with the 1080p Inspired XPert player delivers engaging, HD multimedia content – across a building, a campus or around the world.
Learn more here: http://www.amx.com/products/categoryDigitalSignage.asp Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Sony Intros New HD Projector for Large Venue Applications Sony's new VPL-FH35 replaces the FH30 model, adding a 5,200-ANSI lumen spec as well as a standard 1.6x zoom lens (1.39:1 to 2.23:1 throw ratio). The 3LCD VPL-FH35 is designed for large venue applications such as auditoriums, houses of worship and lecture halls and includes native 1920×1080 resolution LCDs with a 2000:1 contrast ratio. It uses Sony's BrightEra technology that they say improves and helps to maintain color purity throughout the life of the system by protecting the LCD panels against harmful ultra violet light. It also features a 12-bit 3D Digital Gamma correction synchronized lamp and filter maintenance timing Eco Mode for energy savings.
Inputs include HDMI, VGA, DVI-D, with control offered through IR, Ethernet or RS232. The VPL-FH35 lists for $5,850 and specs can be found here: http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-projectors/cat-projadvinst/product-VPLFH35/ Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships SME 100 H.264 Encoder/Streamer for ProAV Applications Extron has started shipping the SME 100, a live H.264 encoder for streaming audio, video, and computer-video signals over IP networks. The SME 100 employs standards-based H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC compression and outputs an IP stream that can easily be decoded and viewed on desktop or laptop PCs. It is designed specifically to address the input requirements common to ProAV applications, supporting RGB or DVI input signals up to 1920×1200 as well as standard definition and high definition video up to 1080p/60. The SME 100 also features an integrated three-input switcher with audio and buffered loop-through.
The SME 100 is available in two models, with the SME 100 SD streaming at resolutions from 166×120 up to 720×576 and the SME 100 HD streaming at resolutions from 166×120 up to HDTV 1080p/30.
Complete specs are here: http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=sme100ad Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Sony Debuts New Ultra-Short Throw Projector The new ultra short throw Sony VPL-SX535 is a 3,000 ANSI lumen 3LCD projector with 2500:1 contrast ratio spec that uses an XGA (1024×768) resolution LCD. It claims to project an 80-inch image from less than two feet away. Integrated with Ethernet control and Sony's BrightEra technology that claims to deliver improved panel light resistance, higher resolution, high brightness and increased panel reliability, the VPL-SX535 includes an EcoMode, lamp dimming in different ambient conditions and less than 1 watt of power in stand-by, making it a GreenAV product.
The new VPL-SX535 inputs include VGA and S-Video, but no HDMI?!? What the heck? It is network controllable, plus has IR and RS232.
It lists for $2,030 and full specs are here: http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-VPLSX535/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Dukane Debuts New Install Line Dukane has introduced a new line of what it is calling installation projectors aimed at corporate and education integration projects. The 8970 Series includes seven models that range in brightness from 4,000 to 6,000 ANSI lumen, come in both 4:3 and 16:10 aspect ratios and include both HDMI and VGA inputs. Using zoom lenses capable of throw ratios from 1.5-2.3 and 1.5 to 3.0, the new 3LCD projectors from Dukane offer 15,000-hour hybrid filters, 10-bit video processing, network-connectivity and LAN content sending capabilities, plus they are stackable for high-brightness applications.
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Share Article Back to Top Extron Releases MediaLink App for iPad Extron has announced the immediate availability of MediaLink for iPad. MediaLink for iPad is an AV control system App designed for the Apple iPad. It provides users with an additional point of control for up to twelve rooms with an installed Ethernet-enabled MediaLink controller, such as the MLC 104 IP Plus or the MLC 226 IP. Within the App, each button press is tracked between the App and the controller, allowing both to stay in sync. Presenters can wirelessly control the AV system using a Wi-Fi network, giving them the freedom to move throughout the room.
The App costs $0.99 in the Apple App Store and you can download it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/medialink-for-ipad/id501518821?mt=8%22%20%3Chttp://itunes.apple.com/us/app/medialink-for-ipad/id501518821?mt=8%3E Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Philips to Debut New Entry-Priced DS Monitors MMD, the Philips-branding company, announced the launch of four new multi-functional displays aimed at the "upper entry-level" signage market. Available in 32”, 42”, 46” and 55” models, each of the new displays offers full HD resolution with an array of new features and functionality. Philips says the new range of products for the E Series feature its next generation technology across the board, with upgraded panels and connectivity options.
The 42” BDL4245E, 46” BDL4645E and 55” BDL5545E come equipped with Intel’s Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) slot, an industry standard interface that allows users to insert an internal PC to simplify digital signage implementations across platforms. All four are 1090p native LCDs, are networkable, have a brightness specs of at least 400cd/m2 and as high as 500cd/m2, use the Philips Eco-Smart settings for stand-by (less than 1 watt of power and ambient light detection) and have both HDMI and DVI-D connectivity.
These will debut next week at the Digital Signage Expo, so they're not on the Philips website yet. Leave a Comment
Share Article 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 atgary@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.
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To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top Copyright 2012 – 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 Ed [Education] contains the opinions of the authors only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |
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