Super Bowl LED Tuques

Grant's Perspective on ... the Super Bowl half time show.

Like many other people around the world, I think the Super Bowl half time show is as important as the game itself. I settled in to watch Bruno Mars and immediately noticed the lights in the crowd. My first thought was that people had their cell phone light on. That did not make sense as the people were too far away for the light to work and would quickly empty their cell phone battery. Then the lights started to change colour and it became apparent that the crowd lights were a part of the show!

The Montreal company  PixMob was responsible for creating the LED show which included handing out 80,000 LED tuques to the fans. The LED lighting was controlled by infrared transmitters so the LED's could turn on or off and change colour. Each person wearing a tuque was like a single pixel on a video monitor.

The London Olympic Opening Ceremony had LED panels fixed to every seat in the stadium and now each person's head can be a part of the show.

Grant

Dalite IDEA Screen - Projection Screen Whiteboard

Grant's Perspective on ... the projection screen that doubles as a whiteboard.

Usually you find whiteboards that double as a projection screen. The Dalite IDEA Screen turns this "idea" around by developing a projection screen that also doubles as a whiteboard.

The IDEA Screen is a proper projection surface featuring a 2.5 gain and 25° viewing half angle, which seems like more. The projection coating also diffuses the light so there is no glare or hot spotting and the brightness is uniform across the entire screen surface. It is also an amazingly simple to erase dry erase marker board, but a proper projection surface first.

There are many iterations of it, standard, thin bezel, panoramic and magnetic. Any size is available, limited only to 4’ tall (46” viewable due to frame). I really like the panoramic model that is available in 12', 14' and 16' widths. The center of the screen is a 16:9 or 16:10 projection area and the side areas are available as a whiteboard space so a projector can be used simultaneously with collaborative brain storming.

This is a screen to consider when projection is the top priority and  a whiteboard is a secondary use.

Grant

 

New Shure Wireless Microphone BLX & GLX-D Series

Grant's Perspective on ... the new Shure wireless BLX and GLX-D microphone series is great for schools.

Shure has recently introduced two new  microphone series that I can see as being attractive to the education market. Both systems are available with a choice of hand held mic, lavalier mic, head set or instrument input models.

The BLX  series has up to 16 different channels so multiple microphones can used simultaneously in different classrooms. The BLX microphones also have a great price point (contact us for a quote).

The GLX-D series microphones are available with 8 different channels and come with a rechargeable battery. The body pack system also includes a guitar receiver that mounts on guitar pedal boards and includes a guitar tuner.

See the GLX-D video below.



Grant

SMART Software Now Available With BrighLinks

Grant's Perspective on ... the SMART software now available with Epson BrightLink interactive projectors.

Here is some news many clients will find exciting.

But first, go back a few steps...

Years ago Epson came out with a line of projectors called Brightlink.  They are bright!  They are widescreen!  They are interactive!

Whether used in education or assisting to increase productivity in business, this ultimate solution has been very VERY popular.  Thinking more about this I realized I have never heard a negative remark about these state-of-the art workhorse interactive projectors.  We have these units installed in schools everywhere, training rooms, emergency operations, offices, corporate boardrooms.... such a variety of ways these are utilized!

No wonder Epson is the #1 selling projector brand worldwide and the Brighlink line is the #1 line of interactive projectors worldwide.

Now the news:

Just recently SMART announced their agreement with Epson to license SMART Notebook software for use with Epson BrightLink interactive projectors. 

Major advantage for all who just love their Epson Brightlink!

This means that teachers who have developed curriculum content with the SMART Notebook software can use the Epson BrightLink projectors instead of the SMART electronic whiteboards.

And, no waiting.  This has already started as of a few days ago on October 1^st

For more information please view the Inland AV news article.

Grant

Using Software On Interactive Aquos Display

Grant's Perspective on ... YouTube videos on using third party software with the Sharp interactive Aquos monitor.

Our Sharp representative sent me some links to YouTube tutorial videos outlining how to use PowerPoint, GoToMeeting and Splashtop when displaying and interacting with a Sharp Aquos board. The interactive Aquos monitors have been very popular in boardrooms, training facilities and classrooms so more and more people will be interested in getting the most from their display.

Getting More From Microsoft PowerPoint




GoToMeeting

 

Splashtop

Was David Roentgen a Crestron Programmer?

Grant's Perspective on ... David Roentgen's secret drawers and moving cabinets included easels.

My brother sent me a link to The Metropolitan Museum of Art website and the Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet YouTube video (posted below). While David Roentgen (1743-1807) obviously was not a Crestron programmer, I certainly was intrigued by his cabinet. You push or pull a knob and a series of hidden compartments would be revealed. When I saw an easel appear, I laughed and thought that this guy was into multimedia!

Enjoy the YouTube video below as we close out August and start September with a long weekend to say goodbye to the summer of 2013.




Grant

Sharp Aquos Interactive Touchscreen Training Video

Grant's Perspective on ... the new Sharp Aquos monitor training video.

Sharp has posted a good training video that will be of value to anyone who uses this technology. We have been installing these monitors in boardrooms, training facilities and classrooms and the clients love them.

Youtube Training video below


Grant

Music Reduces Pain & Distress in Pediatric ER

Grant's Perspective on ... music found to reduce pain and distress in the emergency room.

William Congreve famously wrote "Music has charms to soothe a savage breast" back in 1697. University of Alberta researchers have published their results in JAMA Pediatrics Music to Reduce Pain and Distress in Pediatric Emergency Department that back this up.

The research shows that children report less pain from the insertion of an IV when they are distracted by music.

I think it would be great to install sound systems in hospital ER's to help reduce the suffering of patients.

Grant

PowerCool - AC and Cooling in One Rack Space

Grant's Perspective on ... the new Middle Atlantic AC power distribution and cooling solution that takes one rack space.

There is only so much space in a rack so it is great to see a single rack space unit that can take care of power distribution and rack cooling functions when the rack gets crowded (and hot) with other components.

Enjoy the Canada Day long weekend and keep cool.

Grant

Sharp Aquos Board Wins Best Interactive/ Video Whiteboard Award

Grant's Perspective on ... the Sharp Aquos Board winning the best interactive/video whiteboard award from Commercial Integrator.

We have been installing a ton of the Sharp Aquos Boards and are not surprised to see that Commercial Integrator magazine announced that the Aquos Board won the best interactive/video whiteboard at InfoComm last week.

Here is a photo of a recent classroom installation of 3 interactive Aquos Boards.

Grant