Immersive Audio sounds like something you might hear about in an AMC pre-movie commercial where Nicole Kidman wistfully waxes poetic about the beauty of cinema for about a minute. And while we are headed the right way with our thought process, the concept of immersive audio is actually a lot more accessible than … whatever […]

It’s coming. Soon. Meta will bring out its XR calling service with Pixel Codec Avatars (PiCA): a deep generative model of 3D human faces. Unlike Apple’s Personas (which use front display and depth sensors), the Codec Avatars appear in 3D as full 360-degree photorealistic faces. Let’s call it a “digital twin” for your face. As […]

BY: RANDALL LEE As the world continues to embrace digital transformation, the evolution of IP-based paging and intercom systems is enhancing communication, safety and efficiency within facilities. Modern advancements are revolutionizing traditional public address systems, making them more versatile and responsive to dynamic and emergent situations. The shift to IP-based technology is an advancement from […]

It’s hard to believe that it’s already August. July just sort of sped past. As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun. Part of the reason why July flew by so fast was that it was Stampede season: the Calgary Stampede. This time of year most of my clients who have branches in […]

The landscape of classroom audio systems in both K-12 and higher education settings has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Advances in technology and evolving educational needs have driven this change, making audio systems critical for enhancing teaching efficacy and student engagement. This article explores current trends and challenges in classroom audio technology, focusing […]

Last week, we hosted our annual ProAV Symposium, where industry experts came together to dive into the latest trends, innovations and hot topics in ProAV. In this article, we’re giving you a sneak peek at the exciting panel discussions we had. But to get the full, in-depth experience and hear directly from the experts, don’t […]

Within a few weeks, or perhaps a few days, our campuses will once again be flooded with students. For me, it is a welcome sight. Our campus, our town really, does not feel the same when the students are not around. Sure I like the breaks, but there is nothing that can match the energy […]

I talk a lot about our industry and the shifting center of the technology design process toward human-centered design and the holistic user experience. When talking about large, complex systems, most of the AV people I speak to agree that experience is key. Still, when bringing this idea down into the design of something like […]

On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, a ransomware attack launched by a hacking group called BlackSuit took down the operations of approximately 15,000 North American auto retailers. The hackers did not actually attack the individual car dealerships, but rather, they attacked a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider named CDK. The CDK Dealer Management System software handled everything from […]

In a historic move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially embraced the “digital revolution” by creating the Olympic Esports Games. This decision, made during the 142 IOC Session on June 23, 2024, marks a significant milestone for the esports community and the broader sports world. The first edition of the Olympic Esports Games will […]

There was a fascinating, science-based television program on television in the late 1970s. British scientist, historian, and journalist James Burke created a program called “Connections” that explored how one era’s technology led to the next and then the next, and eventually to the modern technologies that we lived with during the ‘70s. For example, his summary episode explained that […]

Suffice it to say, it would be nearly impossible to find a place to hide or isolate yourself from the miracle (or debacle, depending on your point of view) called artificial intelligence (AI). I challenge you to find anything currently written or broadcast that does not refer or infer to AI, or derivations thereof. I […]

Not long ago I wrote about what happens when your customer gets bought, which is something I have a lot of experience dealing with over the years. Acquisitions and buyouts happen, and I’ve done this long enough that I have a sense for when they’re imminent. There have been quite a few recently in my […]

Mark Coxon recently wrote a blog with his reflection of InfoComm 2024. In it, he questions where the innovation in AV has gone. To him, InfoComm looked like a bunch of companies all trying to one up each other by adding minor features to products everyone is selling. Take a moment and read the blog […]

Hello everyone and welcome to the June edition of the Microsoft Copilot Roundup where I highlight a few updates to Copilot, Microsoft’s artificial intelligence assistant, that I consider to be most helpful to those in the AV industry. I will also include the full list of updates at the bottom of this article for your […]

Navigating the Pro Audio industry can be challenging, with rapid advancements every day and numerous technical details. To help you focus on what truly matters, we’ve consulted with industry experts to identify the top six key insights in the Pro Audio sector. We hope their perspectives offer valuable guidance for both newcomers and seasoned professionals. […]

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the sales funnel. It’s handy as a metaphor (or maybe an analogy, I often get those confused) that paints a mental picture of your sales process, and where your clients and prospective clients are at in their transaction cycles. I like using it because it recognizes that the […]

Welcome, readers, to this June 2024 Microsoft Teams Tracker article, where each month, I round up some of the latest and greatest updates to the application. Whether you’re an MS Teams user or you integrate tech that works with Teams, this will be a perfect monthly article for you to find all the information you […]

By Tom Kehr CTS-D, CTS-I, LEED Green AssociateExertis Almo Recently, I saw where a manufacturer provided the following installation requirements for web and PTZ cameras: “Mount cameras at a height between 15 inches and 48 inches from the floor to comply with ADA standards for operable parts” and that cameras and their mounts should not […]

Artificial intelligence is transforming our world of audiovisual, but if we raise our eyes to the horizon instead of the workbench, we’ll see AI will transform the world around us as well. And those changes may be more significant. Let’s call this next stage in AI adoption the AI Rainbow. From content creation to editing […]

June was Pride Month, and many of our audiovisual companies and organizations showed support for the LGBTQ+ community during this month. Yet, since we are in such a polarized world, there is often a blowback to doing something as simple as flying a flag to show support for fellow human beings. I flew the rainbow […]

Welcome to my roundup of the latest updates to Microsoft Copilot, the company’s virtual AI assistant, as of May 2024. In this article, I will highlight a few updates to Copilot that I consider to be most helpful to those in the AV industry. I will also include the full list of updates at the […]

I had a meeting with the new general manager of one of my dealers. Rather, I should say he’s new to that company, but I’ve known him for years: an industry veteran with lots of skill and experience. In his new role, he’s been tasked by the owner to grow the business. That means earning […]

Following hot on the heels of my recent article (published to rAVe [PUBS]) on the implication of artificial intelligence in AV and digital signage Gary Kayye and Steph Beckett invited me to participate in a live broadcast discussion about the genesis of the article, and additional thoughts about the implications of AI on the industry. […]

As we celebrate Independence Day, there’s no better time to honor the innovation and craftsmanship of American-made AV products. In the spirit Independence Day, we wanted to spotlight the audiovisual solutions developed right here in the USA! These products are a testament to the creativity, dedication and technical expertise that American manufacturers bring to the […]

Attending InfoComm 2024 in Las Vegas as the esports expert for rAVe [PUBS] was an exhilarating experience. The sheer size and scope of the event were beyond my expectations, with thousands of attendees and hundreds of booths showcasing the latest advancements in AV technology. The energy and enthusiasm of the crowd, combined with the impressive […]

Technical Debt has been the topic of several of my blogs recently, and I was able to speak about it during LAVNCH WEEK 9, a weeklong virtual event put on by rAVe. A critical aspect of being able to manage technical debt, and keep your systems running well, is being able to tell a solid […]

By Tom Kehr, CTS-D, CTS-I, LEED Green Associate Exertis Almo “The new pastor would like to have hardwired microphones instead of wireless for the following locations …” What a refreshing request: hardwired microphones. Yes, I’m aware that wireless cleans up the stage and wireless certainly looks better on camera, especially since so many churches are […]

By: Trevor Cooke, EarthWeb As technological advancements continue to reshape industries, so do the tactics of cybercriminals, underscoring the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures. Recent data highlights the industries most targeted by cyberattacks and the substantial financial toll they exact, emphasizing the urgency for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity. Most Targeted Industries by CyberCriminals Rank […]

The dust has settled, we’ve all returned home, and hopefully most of us came home healthy or have recovered from any bug we may have caught in last week’s gathering of 30,000+ people. Vegas Vegas’d, our social tanks were filled, steak dinners and late night cocktails fueled early morning rehydration efforts, and the overwhelming sentiment, […]

Welcome, readers, to this May 2024 Microsoft Teams Tracker article, where each month, I round up some of the latest and greatest updates to the application. Whether you’re an MS Teams user or you integrate tech that works with Teams, this will be a perfect monthly article for you to find all the information you […]

By: Alan C. Brawn CTS, DSCE, DSDE, DSNE, DCME, DSSP, ISF-C We have all heard about the 800-pound gorilla in the room and that it should not be ignored. Nobody will claim that AI is being ignored, but a significant aspect of the rapidly evolving technology is not as exposed to scrutiny as it should […]