Gary Kayye

Gary Kayye

Gary Kayye, founder of rAVe Publications, is one of the most prominent personalities in the audiovisual industry. He has been a contributor to WIRED magazine and a technical advisor and columnist for Sound & Communications magazine as well as an opinionated columnist for rAVe [Publications] since 2003. In addition to his writing and market analysis, Gary has been a product, marketing and business operations consultant to dozens of AV companies in the U.S. and overseas. Clients have included companies such as Sony, Sharp, Epson, Lutron, InFocus, Sanyo, Mitsubishi, NEC and Philips.   Gary, who has been involved with the audiovisual market for over 20 years, was the recipient of the InfoComm 2003 Educator of the Year Award and the 2007 NSCA Instructor of the Year Award. Over the years, he has donated much of his time as an active volunteer in the AV industry’s trade association and served as chairman of InfoComm’s Professional Education & Training Committee (PETC), chairman of the ICIA Design School Committee and chairman of InfoComm’s Installation School Committee. In addition, he has served on the InfoComm board of governors. He also helped grow the InfoComm Projection Shoot-Out as the premiere AV industry trade show special event serving on the committee from 1991 through 1997, and was instrumental in launching the Shoot-Out in the European market at the Photokina Expo in 1994 and 1996 as well as the Asian market at the 1995 and 1997 INFOCOMM Asia shows.   Prior to founding his own company, Gary was vice president of sales and marketing for AMX Corporation (www.amx.com), a manufacturer specializing in professional AV and residential AV control systems. Prior to AMX, Gary spent nine years at Extron Electronics (www.extron.com), rising to the position of vice president of sales and marketing. Gary earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1987 from the University of North Carolina and is currently Adjunct Faculty at UNC in the School of Journalism teaching a class on how future technologies will affect the future of advertising, PR and marketing.   He is also the founder of Swim for Smiles, a non-profit that raises money for the N.C. Children’s Hospital through swimming and other fitness-related events for kids. You can contact him at gary@ravepubs.com..

Optoma Just Hired a Winner in Sam Malik!

Optoma has brought on industry veteran Sam Malik as senior director of Pro AV sales. Malik draws from over 20 years of experience in the display industry, having previously worked with Proxima Displays, Premier Mounts, Sanyo, Toshiba and Vivitek. Malik’s deep industry experience in sales, marketing and product development across all facets of the display […]

Optoma Just Hired a Winner in Sam Malik!

Symetrix Radius NX Series Claims Leap Forward for Audio DSPs

Symetrix announces its Radius NX 4×4 and Radius NX 12×8 1U rack-mount audio signal processors. Each model supports 128 (64×64) channels of redundant Dante network audio and delivers Symetrix’ famed audio quality, including ultra-low-noise pre-amps with digitally controlled 3 dB gain steps. The two new Radius NX processors are programmed using Symetrix’s Composer software for […]

Symetrix Radius NX Series Claims Leap Forward for Audio DSPs

We Just Shot 1,550+ Videos (and Posted 200+ New Product Articles and Recorded 75+ Podcasts) at InfoComm 2018

The 2018 version of InfoComm came to a close last week, but our coverage will live forever — on our dedicated InfoComm 2018 Microsite! We shot 1,550+ new product videos, took 2,000+ photos on the show floor, recorded more than 75 podcasts and wrote up 200 or so news stories covering the show. Check it […]

We Just Shot 1,550+ Videos (and Posted 200+ New Product Articles and Recorded 75+ Podcasts) at InfoComm 2018

The BEST of InfoComm 2018 Awards

Unlike EVERY other InfoComm awards program, we don’t let companies enter themselves AND we don’t take money to apply for awards. EVERY other InfoComm awards program is pay-for-play and are NOT to be believed. They aren’t real. They are, in fact, #FakeAwards Now, I am not saying rAVe’s Best of InfoComm 2018 Awards are perfect, […]

The BEST of InfoComm 2018 Awards

Almo Will Dominate Digital Signage Content Creation with Acquisition of Insteo, Inc.

Almo Professional AV announced it has acquired certain assets of Insteo, Inc., a specialized digital signage content and creative company that programs and designs content for digital signage, then provides tools to manage the day-to-day changes in the cloud. As part of the acquisition, the Almo content creation team is being led by Jim Nista,  […]

Almo Will Dominate Digital Signage Content Creation with Acquisition of Insteo, Inc.

AV Industry Mourns Death of One of Its Founding Members

CEAVCO Audio Visual just shared the news that CEAVCO’s founder, Jack Emerson, passed away on July 11 after a courageous five-month battle with cancer. He was 90 years old. CEAVCO put out a statement via LinkedIn that said, “Jack was a man of integrity and exacting standards who believed in service, accountability, and a job […]

AV Industry Mourns Death of One of Its Founding Members

DCC Tech Acquires Stampede – Mark Wilkins Retires a Rich Man

Stampede today announced that it has been acquired by the technology division of DCC plc, a £14.3 billion revenue, London Stock Exchange listed (LSE) international sales, marketing and support services group that employs 11,000 people in four divisions operating in 17 countries. Who the heck is DCC? DCC is a leading international sales, marketing and support services group that operates through four divisions: […]

DCC Tech Acquires Stampede – Mark Wilkins Retires a Rich Man

ISE Is Moving From Amsterdam to Barcelona

It’s the worst-kept secret in the AV industry with hundreds of people openly talking about it at InfoComm. But, as we are under an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) with ISE (Integrated Systems Europe), we couldn’t disclose what we knew. To our readers, we apologize. rAVe will never sign another press-based NDA again. Interestingly enough, a Spanish newspaper broke the […]

ISE Is Moving From Amsterdam to Barcelona

Leyard CarbonLight Was Genius Move for Leyard

THIS IS A PROMOTED POST FROM LEYARD PLANAR I’ve been telling mount manufacturers for years that they needed to make monitor and projector mounts out of carbon fiber. I’ve talked to either the president or VP of marketing for Premier, Peerless-AV and Chief Manufacturing about the advantage of carbon fiber and how, one day, a […]

Leyard CarbonLight Was Genius Move for Leyard

The Logitech MeetUp — Way, Way More Than Right Place, Right Time

THIS IS A PROMOTED POST FROM LOGITECH In 2017, there was a perfect storm of convergence for Logitech and the timing of its worldwide debut of the MeetUp, a 120-degree All-in-one Conference Camera. At the beginning of 2017, the collaboration board debuted at ISE 2017, in Amsterdam, from more than a dozen companies — adding […]

The Logitech MeetUp — Way, Way More Than Right Place, Right Time

Rants and rAVes — Episode 758: InFocus Talks SimpleShare, Mondopad and InfoComm 2018 Launches

InFocus used InfoComm to launch a totally new wireless point-to-point HDMI device called SimpleShare as well as new Mondopads — including one aimed at higher-ed. Gary was joined by InFocus’ VP of Marketing, Loren Shaw, today to talk about their InfoComm launches and how popular the SimpleShare really was. Listen! Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Rants and rAVes — Episode 758: InFocus Talks SimpleShare, Mondopad and InfoComm 2018 Launches

Seymour-Screen Introduces Color Temperature-Tunable Back-Lighting Kit for Film Screens

Seymour-Screen Excellence has brought to market the CEDIA channel’s first-ever tunable white bias lighting kit. The offering is unique in that it can be adjusted from 3,000K to 20,000K to achieve a true 6,500K Kelvin color temperature Properly-calibrated back-lighting (also known as hue) behind and around the film screen serves to improve contrast and reduce […]

Seymour-Screen Introduces Color Temperature-Tunable Back-Lighting Kit for Film Screens

Comprehensive Adds Screens to Product Line – Takes Aim at Draper and Da-Lite

Comprehensive Connectivity Company has added the Alltec Projector Screen line to its portfolio. The company says its line is a combination of affordability and performance. It’s aiming at 90 percent of the market rather than the high-end 10 percent that Stewart serves and the customization that Da-Lite and Draper accommodate. The company is also rolling […]

Comprehensive Adds Screens to Product Line – Takes Aim at Draper and Da-Lite

Rants and rAVes — Episode 757: IDK’s InfoComm Review

Gary was joined by IDK’s CEO, Ryohei Iwasaki, and CIO, Chris Miller, on today’s podcast to talk about their InfoComm presence. IDK was one off two dozen or so companies showing new AV-over-IP solutions. In addition, IDK had their entire commercial AV product line. You can see it all here: http://idkav.com/ Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 757: IDK’s InfoComm Review

Rants and rAVes — Episode 756: An InfoComm Review From Leyard & Planar

In addition to one of the coolest tech-demos on the show floor with ERO (Extended Ruggedness and Optics), Leyard and Planar launched the new DirectLight X LED, the 4K Clarity Matrix G3 and a new Versalight Series of LED Walls. We shot videos on all these, here. ERO is a new micro-LED coming from Leyard and you’ll have to wait to see […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 756: An InfoComm Review From Leyard & Planar

Videxio Announces Interoperability for Hangouts Meet by G Suite

Videxio has announced that it has signed an agreement with Google Cloud in partnership with Pexip and will be one of the first to offer video conferencing interoperability for Hangouts Meet. The new Hangouts Meet interoperability service means that users will be able to join Hangouts Meet using their existing video communication solution, whether that […]

Videxio Announces Interoperability for Hangouts Meet by G Suite

NSCA Updates Labor Installation Standard Data for 2018

NSCA has released updated Labor Installation Standard guidelines for 2018, providing information that systems integrators can use to accurately estimate labor units. As the result of a thorough, months-long peer review by a team of experts from around the country, the new guidelines detail the amount of time it takes to complete project-related tasks, factoring […]

NSCA Updates Labor Installation Standard Data for 2018

Vivitek Expands NovoConnect Family

Vivitek’s NovoConnect family of wireless presentation and collaborations systems has grown with three new products: the LauncherOne, the LauncherPlus USB-C Edition and the LauncherPlus Base holder. LauncherOne is a wireless mirroring device. The first product of its type to launch and ship, it has been designed specifically for industries that demand the most stringent security […]

Vivitek Expands NovoConnect Family

RTI Announces Integration With 2N IP Video Intercom Door Stations

RTI today announced integration with the modular 2N IP Verso and compact 2N IP Solo IP intercoms, allowing them to be used with any RTI control device featuring video intercom capabilities. 2N’s IP intercoms combine door control with hidden cameras that work at night. Additional external IP cameras can be connected to the intercoms to cover all blind spots. To meet the […]

RTI Announces Integration With 2N IP Video Intercom Door Stations

Savant Adds to AV-over-IP Line and Debuts New Network Switches

Savant has announced the addition of new features and hardware to its IP video and audio distribution systems. The Savant IP Video platform now comes complete with onboard audio processing, available with either four or eight ports or inputs. Two-channel audio is automatically extracted and down mixed off of most popular surround modes and distributed […]

Savant Adds to AV-over-IP Line and Debuts New Network Switches

AVI-SPL CEO John Zettel Recognized as a Glassdoor Top CEO in 2018

John Zettel, CEO of AVI-SPL, has won a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award honoring the Top CEOs in 2018. Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest job and recruiting sites, released its annual report recognizing the Top CEOs, which highlights top leaders employees love working for in countries throughout North America and parts of Europe. Among chief […]

AVI-SPL CEO John Zettel Recognized as a Glassdoor Top CEO in 2018

Casio Chairman and CEO Kazuo Kashio Dies

Casio is mourning the loss of Kazuo Kashio, 89, chairman and CEO of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., who passed away at 11:35 pm on June 18, 2018. The cause of death was aspiration pneumonia. This is the Wall Street Journal story on his life and death. A private wake will be held for family and […]

Casio Chairman and CEO Kazuo Kashio Dies

Rants and rAVes — Episode 753: At InfoComm, Epson Was 100% Laser, Laser and More Laser

Interestingly enough, one of the most popular products at InfoComm this year was in the back left corner of Epson’s booth — it’s called the LightScene and it’s basically a 3LCD laser projector built into an Accent Track Lighting system. But, certainly the most significant launch for them had to be the native 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution Pro […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 753: At InfoComm, Epson Was 100% Laser, Laser and More Laser

Lithe Audio Launches Wi-Fi Ceiling Speakers

Lithe Audio just launched a line of Wi-Fi ceiling speakers that are designed as an all-in-one solution for multi-room music streaming. With the 60-watt RMS amplifier and Wi-Fi built-in, these speakers claim to be the only AirPlay-certified ceiling speakers available on the market today. They come with a dedicated App that has Spotify Connect, Deezer, […]

Lithe Audio Launches Wi-Fi Ceiling Speakers

Extron’s Cost-Effective Collaboration System with Wallplate Ships

Extron has started shipping the HC 403, marketed as an affordable collaboration system for meeting rooms and huddle spaces. The system features built-in control capabilities and connects with occupancy sensors to automate display power and source switching for an intuitive, effortless user experience. Created for professional integration, the HC 403 wallplate transmitter blends with surrounding […]

Extron’s Cost-Effective Collaboration System with Wallplate Ships

Key Digital’s VGA/HDMI Wall Plate Switcher and Extender Kit Is Aimed at Classroom Applications

Key Digital launched the KD-SX440WP wall plate HDBaseT/HDMI extender kit aimed at classroom applications. The KD-SX440WP is an all-in-one presentation switcher, scaler and extender that starts with a wall plate with HDMI and VGA plus audio inputs ideal for mounting on walls or in table pockets. The KD-SX440WP is HDCP 2.2 compliant and consists of […]

Key Digital’s VGA/HDMI Wall Plate Switcher and Extender Kit Is Aimed at Classroom Applications

Rants and rAVes — Episode 751: Kramer Talks InfoComm Success, 622DT Switcher, VIA Connect PLUS and Kramer Network

Gary was joined by Kramer CEO, Clint Hoffman, today to talk all about InfoComm. Gary and Clint talked about their booth traffic which was focused on three specific areas — Kramer Network, their wireless collaboration system VIA and a new 6×2 4K60 switcher that’s a hybrid digital and HDBaseT. Gary also asked Clint about when he thought AV-over-IP would be more than their traditional routing […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 751: Kramer Talks InfoComm Success, 622DT Switcher, VIA Connect PLUS and Kramer Network

Rants and rAVes — Episode 750: NETGEAR Says In 24-Months More Than 50% of AV Systems Will be AV-over-IP

Over the past year, I’ve enjoyed developing a relationship with Laurent Masia, NETGEAR‘s Global Senior Product Line Manager for Switches. Why? Well, there’s no doubt that the future of our market is via the network. We’re already running a lot AV control, most of our audio and all of VTC’ing over the network. Next comes Video — […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 750: NETGEAR Says In 24-Months More Than 50% of AV Systems Will be AV-over-IP

Rants and rAVes — Episode 749: Sharp Debuted 8K Displays, More 4K Collaboration Boards and Announced a Microsoft Partnership at InfoComm 2018

Gary was joined on his podcast today with Sharp’s Product Marketing Manager, Gary Bailer, to talk all about InfoCom and what they debuted. Their Microsoft partnership on a new line of collaboration displays was one of two hot-topics in and around the Sharp booth – the other was 8K. Listen to this podcast with Gary and Gary […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 749: Sharp Debuted 8K Displays, More 4K Collaboration Boards and Announced a Microsoft Partnership at InfoComm 2018

InfoComm 2018 Sets New Records for Size, Attendance in Las Vegas

The Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association lowered the curtain on its first InfoComm show in North America as AVIXA. The event kicked off with a record-setting TIDE conference and concluded with a trade show exhibition that attracted nearly 43,000 registered attendees, 10 percent more than the last time InfoComm was held in Las Vegas, in […]

InfoComm 2018 Sets New Records for Size, Attendance in Las Vegas

Drunk Unkles Event Breaks Industry Fundraising Record at InfoComm 2018

The NSCA Education Foundation announced that the Drunk Unkles’ first 2018 fundraiser, held on June 6 at Vinyl in the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas, generated $102,800 in industry support through a mix of personal donations, sponsorships and a live auction – the highest dollar amount in Drunk Unkles history! Close to 1,200 fans gathered […]

Drunk Unkles Event Breaks Industry Fundraising Record at InfoComm 2018

Fulcrum Acoustic Unveils the World’s First Cardioid Coaxial Stage Monitor

Fulcrum Acoustic has launched the FW15 15 inch Coaxial Cardioid Stage Monitor. The FW15 is the world’s first cardioid stage monitor incorporating Fulcrum Acoustic’s patented Passive Cardioid Technology. This proprietary technology enables tour-grade, low-profile FW15 stage monitors to attenuate rear low frequency radiation which interferes with the audience, stage microphones and front fills. Fulcrum’s FW15 […]

Fulcrum Acoustic Unveils the World’s First Cardioid Coaxial Stage Monitor