Boardroom Light Fixture & Projector Mount

Grant's Perspective on ... architects placing a light fixture where a projector will be hung.


It is time for me to get on my soap box and ask why do architects want to include a light fixture in the exact spot that a projector is to be installed?  Or above a screen washing out the projected image? Including a bulkhead over the presentation area of the room for the sake of décor causes the screen to be located lower on the wall (the screen needs to be high up so it can be seen when the room is full of people!).

I’ve seen situations where a screen is included in the blueprints, and often it’s known that a projector is to be installed on the ceiling, but the positioning of the projector is not considered.  In the past I’ve seen light fixtures hanging very low and right in the path of the projection, causing the lights to cast a shadow on the screen.  How many ways can you say “Argg!”?   The issue with light fixtures near the screen is more pronounced lately now that ultra-short throw projectors are available.  Bottom line; the room would look much better if the projector location was taken into account before the room was built or renovated.

The picture below is an Epson BrightLink 450Wi ultra-short throw, interactive projector installed into a corporate boardroom.  Note the pot light and bulkhead above it.   I wonder if the client feels that their clients will think they’re sloppy?

 

But, more and more I’ve noticed Architects and AV integrators waking up to these concerns and communicating so we can all provide a much better product in the end for the client.


Grant

Sharp 60" Touchscreen at New Wave of AV Show

Grant's Perspective on ... Sharp PN-L601B Touchscreen coming to Winnipeg January 28, 2011.

I was privileged to have been invited to a sneak preview of the Sharp 60" touchscreen monitor, A.K.A. an LCD Whiteboard, at the 2010 InfoComm last June and again more recently at the Canadian introductory event.  Now this impressive unit will be featured at the Inland AV New Wave of AV event.  It will include a seminar for the PN-L601B touchscreen conducted by everyone’s pal Joe Ng from Sharp.

The touchscreen will be on demonstration all day and our clients will love the opportunity to get their hands on this interactive  monitor - literally get your hands on the pen and take it for a test drive! (no digital obscenities please - LOL)

I think the unit will be a huge hit for boardrooms.  The monitor when wall mounted will look quite elegant and with the excellent video image will be worthy of any high-end décor.

They can also get their hands on the Epson BrightLink interactive projector that will be on display as well.

Grant

The Snow Must Go On!

Grant's Perspective on ... Edmonton rental technicians deliver in blizzard conditions.

I received some photos from the Edmonton Inland AV manager that were taken hours before the sun came up.

"We had to walk 500 meters to get to the shop as the access road was impassable. We then towed the vans to 178 Street and then another tow into the hotel parking lot. At the end,  we had to tow the vans back 500M into the shop... It's a miracle that the show went off on time."

There is enough work to staging a show without battling through blizzard like conditions. Hats off to Edmonton Rentals staff  for believing that the show must go on!

Grant

Music Priority and Ambient Noise Detector

Grant's Perspective on ... audio technology used in marketing.

One of the interesting areas of designing AV systems is adding features that can generate revenue or additional marketing opportunities that previously did not exist.  Two recent examples come to mind:

A - Music Priority 

I recently updated an audio system for a restaurant/sports bar venue that included a music priority system.  The facility provides background music, which is always constantly playing, and also a juke box for their patrons.  Both music sources are broadcast over the house sound system for all to hear.  When coins are inserted into the juke box and the songs are selected, the audio system will turn off the background music and play the selected songs from the juke box.  This added feature will allow the juke box to play at a higher volume.  Then, and typically, when the juke box is done and the background music returns at the original volume level, more coins will get inserted into the juke box to get the place hopping again with music. Ka-ching!

I explained this to someone who didn’t realize this was the idea and their eyes opened wide with realization. The client, who was watching this conversation, smiled and vehemently offered confirmation of the additional source of revenue.

B - Ambient Noise Detector

Another example of including features, this time for the benefit of marketing, is the use of ambient noise detectors in sound systems.  Many times a sound system will broadcast pre-recorded messages for the purpose of marketing/advertisements.  The problem is messages are too loud when there isn’t much going on, like the non-busy hours in a store, but then can’t be heard when the area is busy.  The ambient noise detector will automatically adjust the volume of the advertisement in accordance of the area’s noise level.  The message gets heard and product & service awareness is increased.

There are so many ideas that AV systems designers can contribute when we understand the clients world and the client is open to new ideas.

Grant