Webcasting Return On Investment Calculator

Grant's Perspective on ... adding webcasting to live events.

The Inland AV Rentals division clients have been adding webcasting to extend the reach of their events.

This is a great way to get more out of a live event. Many people do not attend an event because it is too far away or they are already booked at that specific time. People that can't travel to the live event can still participate online, watch the presentation, see the PowerPoint slides and even ask some questions. Those that are not available for the live event can still watch the archived presentation.

Our website guy recently added a Webcasting Return On Investment Calculator that shows a comparison of the cost per person to put on a live event and a webcast. Here is a screen shot of the page.



Webcasting is another example of improved communication from technology integration!

Grant

Crestron MPC-M5

Grant's Perspective on ... Crestron introduces an SSL encryption control device

My October 16 post AV System Integration Over IP touched on IT security issues. Crestron must have been taking note of my post as they just released the MPC-M5 Media Presentation Controller.



The MPC-M5 is a cost effective, functional and easy to operate AV system control device. But more to the point of the post, it provides for IP-based remote control that is SSL encrypted.

Grant

Dr AV Recommends More Fibre

Grant's Perspective on ...fiber optic cables for AV systems

Would most people be surprised to see that their systems design calls for the transmission of video over fiber?

This technology is being used more and more to transmit digital video from source to display.

In fact many in our industry believe that eventually fiber will replace copper twisted pair (CAT5) and coaxial cables.

Where do I use it most often? Well, two major areas:

1) Video conferencing. Clients want that image to be sharp! They want to see details and with many systems now utilizing Tandberg HD video the images look fantastic. After all, we're creating an environment that is the next best thing to being there.

2) Digital signage. A corporations marketing must look top notch. Yes, an obvious point. Just like an airline wouldn’t want coffee stains on their seatback trays as it might give the impression they don't take pride in the rest of the systems that keep the plane in the air, the images in a digital signage system should not have smears and ghosting and fuzzy and/or jagged edges etc.

Bottom line: avoid degradation of the high-resolution video during transport because IT’S GOTTA LOOK GOOD!

The SHARP commercial grade LCD monitors we use in our projects do an absolutely fantastic job of recreating video. However, if the transmission of that video signal to the monitor is poor, the monitor can’t help that. Therefore send digital video in a digital realm.

Why is fiber so healthy for your system? Basically the digital information comes out the same at the other end (that almost sounds too graphic).

Fiber provides low loss of the video signal over long distances and high bandwidth properties. But it's not only a requirement for long cable distances. Transmitting over fiber provides greater resistance to electromagnetic noise from motors, radios, other cables, AC power power cables.... in other words, noise immunity. You are probably familiar with hum bars slowly moving up your image and sparkle in the picture. No more with fiber. Fiber is also non-conductive, which has its advantages, and is good for our friends in the high security areas as it is very difficult to tap into.



In comparison, twisted pair cables will suffice for short runs and low bandwidth signals. Hi-res coax cable has remained popular for most reasonable distances (within the confines of a typical boardroom, training room, or presentation theatre) and high bandwidth signals. Copper is costing more (so they tell me) so the additional cost of going with fibre is becoming less and less. With HD video having become mainstream you WILL see more of this.

Would most people be surprised to see that their system design calls for the transmission of video over fiber? Yes, but they'll know their Inland AV guy is looking out for their best interests.


Grant

AV System Integration Over IP

Grant's Perspective on ... audiovisual on the LAN

It is typically expected by most people today that they can get internet almost everywhere. I'm not necessarily referring to only wireless but as well as the ol' fashioned connect a cable to your laptop thing. Also common is seeing a LAN port on many AV devices. See the photo below of a Crestron PRO2, Professional Dual Bus Control System that features 2 LAN connections.



In my world I’ve come to expect IP connectivity to AV devices. For example there are many times a client wants their control system changed to accommodate new projectors and other AV devices. As I deal with job sites all over Western Canada I connect from my office and make those changes. I’ve also integrated complete systems located in other cities over IP. Both examples above had the equipment connected through the clients network resulting in time and cost savings to the client.

However, a hurdle I have come across is that some companies have a security policy that restricts these devices from being added to their networks. “These devices” referring to items not directly related to IT, particularly for me, AV devices. Now in no way am I being disrespectful to security rules but I can’t help but feel this is going too far.

I've consulted with the Inland AV IT guy, Mark, who has years of experience with IP networks, and he tells me:

"It's natural for IT staff to resist adding devices to the network if they don't have to be. However, as companies begin to see the value of doing this, IT should realize that basically all IP devices in the AV world can be password protected. Also, they will tend to use either a web interface or a proprietary operating system. For example, if someone were able to log into a Tandberg V/C endpoint, they cannot access any other internal PCs via telnet or otherwise. A "compromised" projector or endpoint is no real threat to a company's network, as they cannot go any further than that."

I believe that eventually it will be realized that connecting AV to the network isn’t a problem and will become common place. But in the meantime we push a little to bring this to fruition.

Grant

AV System Reduces Office Energy Costs

Grant's Perspective on ... Your AV control system reduces office energy consumption

I have long been a believer that a sophisticated audiovisual system increases an organizations productivity. AV control systems by people like AMX and Crestron have long been utilized by Media, AV and IT personnel and now Facility Managers will love them.

Examples of typical AV control system functions: operate projectors, videoconferencing systems, DVD players, audio systems, lighting, window coverings and HVAC.

Controlling lighting is very important to many presentations. Aside from that if the control system was programmed to check that all unnecessary lights were turned off when the security system was turned on, that would save money. Light sensors can also be added to rooms with windows that will automatically turn off lights when there is sufficient room lighting with natural light.

The control of window coverings was meant to reduce natural lighting in a presentation room but can also be used to control the temperature of the room by letting light into the room to warm it up or covering the windows to block the sun's heat.

Bottom line, studies have shown that a facility-wide lighting control system can save up to 29% of lighting energy costs. Now that is a reason to go green!

Grant, Inland AV Sytems Designer

WCMA Awards Show Animation

Grant's Perspective on ... all the work it takes to put on an award show.

The Inland AV, Rentals Division was recently a part of the Western Canadian Music Awards held at the Manitoba Centennial Auditorium in Brandon MB.

Our client made a really cool animation of the show set-up, the show and the dismantle. The animation illustrates the amount of planning, equipment and plain hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

See hours and hours of work edited down to 3.5 minutes!



BTW - Inland AV was responsible for the video screens.

Grant

Epson Classroom Audio System

Grant's Perspective on ... Epson AP-60 Classroom Audio System

My July 8th post InfoComm Delivers AV Wow mentioned the announcement of the new Epson AP-60 infrared classroom audio system. It has now been released and is available for purchase.

The Inland AV website has just posted a "product spotlight" outlining the features and benefits of this classroom audio system including a PDF of the systems specifications.

What is cool is that the speaker/amplifier can be mounted on the same pipe that a classroom projector is flown from. See the picture below.



Grant

University Audio Conferencing System

Grant's Perspective on ... Audio Zones

I spent most of yesterday slaving over a hot laptop to finish up some Crestron programming for the AV system in a brand new university boardroom. I also kept the laptop hot when I configured the new audio system. It sounds great thanks to the ClearOne components. The entire AV system was admirably designed by the University's own staff. Their proper speaker & mic selection and placement, made my job much easier.

The audio portion of the system includes 20 table microphones, 2 wireless lapel microphones, as well as recording, auxiliary inputs and audio teleconference ability. All the audio is completely automated with auto-gain and echo cancelling. The user only needs to control the volume level of the media sources (DVD, laptop etc).

Utilizing the ClearOne Converge Pro 880TA (and a few other models from the same line to increase the quantity of required inputs), the audio speaker system is organized into 4 zones and this unit managing the audio. The unit’s interface was very effective in maximizing speech intelligibility. With the built-in phone line port and the acoustic echo cancellation the room sounds great to the caller and the caller sounds great to the room. Delegates should not worry about fatigue from straining to listen.

Speaking of which, just a few clicks of the mouse enables the room's voice reinforcement. A delegate speaking at one end of the table will not be heard through the speakers in the zone nearest to him/her but the delegate's voice will be amplified in the other zones (and of course to the audio conference caller). Overall it sounds natural – so natural in fact, no one realizes there is reinforcement until the system is shut off (or someone drops something on the microphone).

The auto-gain and echo cancelling features are an example of AV technology being integrated properly, the technology becomes transparent and the professors and students can concentrate on the content of their meeting.

Another example of Improved Communication from System Integration. With the opening of hockey camps, I liken AV technology to a good hockey referee - invisible when the job is done right.

Grant

VideoChampion.com

Grant's Perspective on ...Getting Your Organization Into Videoconferencing


Many organizations discuss the idea of implementing videoconferencing. Often someone is appointed to research the technology and report back to the group. This person typically will start their research on the internet to find the pertinent information relating to videoconferencing and the associated costs. They then do a Return on Investment Calculation to see if the investment makes sense.

The report is presented and the group thinks the project should go ahead. Then either the researcher, or perhaps an IT person, is assigned with implementing a videoconference system because either they have the best understanding of it or it is believed this area falls under their profession.

This person is now the company's video champion.

TANDBERG has a website dedicated to supporting the video champion. With sections dedicated to securing executive sponsorship, getting set up, promotion, training, measuring success and more.



This leads me to two points:
1) Hats off to TANDBERG for doing this – once again they’ve demonstrated the leadership that clients I work with love.
2) All who work with video conferencing should register and use the video champion website.


Grant

Sales Staff Tribute

Grant's Perspective on ...Sales personnel in the Inland AV world

I have some observations about the sales staff I work with that I want to share. No this isn't a complaint, more of me wanting to show my respect to good sales people. Here at the big AV company I've observed the sales staff designing their own systems, and they absolutely love doing it.

I think this is really cool as, and I'm being frank here, they're not just people who are out to sell something in a box and put another notch on their pencil. If I were the customer, I'd notice that and appreciate this dynamic. The biggest trait I brag about when I talk about the big AV company is their passion. Perhaps they don’t want anyone knowing this about them but they get totally pumped about deriving an innovative system that will work for their clients.

See the picture below of Brian and Glenn discussing ideas with a client at our open house.



Yes they're a different breed than us mellow designer types, but hey, the only thing worse than an over eager sales person, is one who isn't passionate about what they do. Everyone benefits. So hat's off to the passionate Inland AV sales people.

Grant