Happy New Year

Grant's Perspective on ... the New Year

As we are into the last week of the year, I pause to thank my clients, co-workers and all the other people that drop by to read my blog.

I will be back next week with all things wonderful in the world of AV.

Best wishes for 2010.

Grant

Preparing For a Job Interview Via Videoconference

Grant's Perspective on ... what an HR videoconference is like.

I often see nervous-looking people in the reception lobby at Inland AV who are here to use our videoconference suite for a job interview.  They are nervous about the job interview as well as nervous about using a videoconference suite for the first time.

This short, light-hearted look at a job interview using videoconferencing posted on YouTube by the eye network offers some practical tips as well as demonstrates how a videoconference works. Being aware of where the microphone is so that you avoid making extraneous noise or that you delay phoning your Mom until the call is actually over are humourous points but they can happen.



Grant

Epson Announces Two New Ultra-Short Throw Projectors

Grant's Perspective on ... the Epson PowerLite 450, 460 Ultra-Short Throw Projectors

Epson has announced 2 new PowerLite series of 3LCD projectors for release early in 2010. This projector is an ideal fit for many classroom and training rooms where space is an issue. The projector is designed to be mounted very close to a wall and can project a 60" image with only 18 inches of distance. The 460 model delivers 3,000 lumens of white light output and 3,000 Colour Light Output.

With features such as USB computer connections and a microphone input, I can't wait for their release next month!

Grant

Cost of Commuting & Videoconferencing

Grant's Perspective on ... the cost of commuting to and from home and work and building a case for videoconferencing.

The Inland AV website just posted a cool application that provides an approximate cost of commuting to and from work. It is really easy and fast. Just enter in the currency that you want to use (US Dollar, British Pound or the Euro, sorry the Canadian version is not yet available), enter in your cost for fuel, the fuel efficiency of your vehicle and the distance traveled.

The results show the financial and environmental cost of commuting.

Registration is not required, give it a try!

Grant

Ballroom System Update

Grant's Perspective on ... better pictures of the Viscount Gort ballroom hidden AV system

I posted yesterday on the new hidden  AV installation at the Viscount Gort Hotel. Here are some better photos of the finished project.  A shot of the projector lift lowered, the recessed projection screen and the happy hotel staff with the rack.

Grant

Viscount Gort Hidden AV

Grant's Perspective on ... projector lifts in the Viscount Gort ballroom

My last post asked people if they think that hiding the AV equipment is important. This week I'm at the Viscount Gort Hotel going over the final details of the audiovisual installation portion of their recent major expansion and renovation. They have included three infrared projector lifts as a part of the banquet room design to hide projectors when not in use. In this case it is for more than aesthetics, theirs is a multi-purpose ballroom and the lift helps protect the projector when it is not in use.

Here is a grainy picture (sorry just had my cell with me) that I snapped of one of the Inland AV service technicians installing the lift.

This is a great example of how hidden AV is becoming standard practice. Remember to vote on our importance of hidden AV poll, over on the right hand side of this page.

Grant