Are you like me, sitting at work wishing you were at InfoComm?

I decided this year that I was going to dedicate half of every work day to InfoComm even though i am not present at the show. Lucky for us, rAVe makes this very easy to do. Frankly, except for the missing out on the networking, in many ways I like this better. I get to see all the cool new stuff, without waiting in line to get a rep, or having to wait 30 minutes in a lunch line. Although, I do miss the Eggs Benedict from the B-Line Diner.

If you are a technology manager, here are some things that I have found that are very interesting for us. Explore the rAVe Pubs site on your own, but certainly check out these links:

Crestron AirMedia

Crestron introduces AirMedia. It seems to be a fantastic product that allows four people to display wirelessly at a time (quad screen), and up to 32 people to display individually. All this at a price tag under $2,000. My only initial hesitation is they do gloss over the fact that software is required to be installed. While this is a slight drawback, if it easy to do, it also provides nice control of who is able to display.

https://www.ravepubs.com/rave-video/infocomm-2013-crestron-explains-airmedia/

Maclocks

Maclocks presented two devices that struck my interest. Both are iPad mounting devices. The first is a table top mount that looks suprisingly like an iMac. It hold the iPad securely in place and allows you to secure it with a cable lock. I am confident some of our industrious colleagues could find a way to secure it directly to a table. My first thought at seeing this product is that it would allow us to use a $600 iPad as a touchpanel. A very cost-effective solution.

The second product is the BrandMe tablet stand. Again, with using an iPad as a touch panel, and display device, you can get your presenter out from behind a podium, while able to control the room, control the presentation, and have a confidence monitor! Check these out!

https://www.ravepubs.com/rave-video/infocomm-2013-maclocks-illuminates-ipad-all-in-one-enclosure/

https://www.ravepubs.com/rave-video/infocomm-2013-maclocks-talks-about-brandme-tablet-stand/

ClearOne ViewPro

I did not realize that ClearOne was in the video business. But I guess that is what these shows are all about. ClearOne presented a new multimedia streaming encoder and decoder. There was no mention of cost, so I am not sure how hot I am on this product yet. But, I am pointing it out because I believe streaming is the future for all of us. The fact that so many companies are getting into it shows we need to start paying attention.

https://www.ravepubs.com/rave-video/infocomm-2013-clearone-mentions-viewpro-multimedia-streaming-encoderdecoder/

Da-Lite, Vaddio and Conferencing

I think we are finally seeing the industry start to adapt to the change we have seen in higher ed over the past several years — away from hardware based conferencing and towards Web-based, software-based, free conferencing. One very cool product, the Da-Lite View Share struck me. It is brilliant in its simplicity! A camera is embedded in the base of a motorized screen. BAM! Instant conferencing! A more utility application, the Quick Connect USB from Vaddio, allows you to take their standard HD cameras and convert it to a USB video output. Again, not show stopping, but a clear indication of where the industry is moving.

https://www.ravepubs.com/rave-video/infocomm-2013-gary-kayye-talks-to-da-lites-melissa-rone-about-viewshare/

https://www.ravepubs.com/vaddio-controller-ptz/

Extron Interview

While at UBTech, Gary had the opportunity to interview Extron Director of Education Programs Tim Schnabel. They covered several education issues, and discussed Extron’s plans for expanding and growing their regional training. My interest though is in the TeamWork product. Extron has again taken a basic need and served it well. That need is for the collaborative “huddle room.” While wireless would be super fancy, it also takes software, and that leads to various issues. Here, Extron goes with good old wired connections, that simply work at the press of a button.

https://www.ravepubs.com/rants-and-raves-episode-135/