Hide Or Not To Hide AV Equipment Poll

Grant's Perspective on ... hiding the AV equipment in your executive boardroom. What is your preference?

When I speak of hidden AV, what I refer to is basically an AV system that is completely out of site when not in use. Projectors (See projector lift picture below) & projection screens are stowed into the ceiling and behind closed doors, monitors lift up into the ceiling or down into the millwork or furniture, audio speakers are the kind that are built into the wall or ceiling panel - virtually invisible, microphones are raised into the ceiling, AV connectivity is hidden in custom millwork enclosures, wireless control panel is docked into a cabinet, and the equipment rack is behind custom millwork or in an adjoining room. Out of site and out of mind but ready for action when required.

So let’s say your executive boardroom is being renovated. What is your level or requirement to have hidden AV? Please see the poll on the right and select the one that best describes your preference.


Grant

How Long To Change a Projector Lamp

Grant's Perspective on ... How many AV technicians does it take to change a light bulb?????

Only one, but first (tongue planted firmly in cheek)...

The tech takes twice as long to get there because the boardroom with the projector that needs the lamp changed is located in downtown Anycity, it's rush hour, and that is the only time the client had the room available for service. An extra 20 minutes.

The Tech can't find parking....streets are closed due to construction, parking lots are full ...... another 10 minutes.

Upon arrival the room in unavailable. Despite being booked at this time for this service call, someone saw the previous meeting ending and took over the room. The tech eventually hears, "They'll only be about 15 minutes. You can wait right?" Another 30 minutes.

Upon entry into the room the tech learns the projector can't be removed from its' mount as someone has decided to install security screws to keep other employees from removing the projector to take home to watch "the game". Another 15 minutes for the receptionist to call the person who knows who the person is, who has the tool required to remove the security screws. However that person learns the tool isn't stored where they thought it was - another 6 minutes.

Time to replace the projector lamp. But look in the lamp box, there is a notice from the manufacturer advising the firmware of the projector must be upgraded to accommodate the new energy efficient lamp they are now using. OK that's a good thing to be Green. So now, back to the truck to get the laptop so the tech can go to the manufacturers website and download the firmware - 10 minutes up & down the elevator, to & from the truck.

Time to download the new firmware but the Tech can't use the LAN in the boardroom due to security reasons and the wireless connection required a security key - the IT guy wasn't found anywhere - 15 minutes.

Finally the Tech saves some time due to being well prepared by having the special cable required to connect the laptop to the projector. Pass GO and collect $200.00! But then the tech checks both the work and home e-mail accounts and then Facebook to see what's new before shutting off the laptop. (The Tech feels justified as it's another day without lunch) Another 4 minutes.

The projector lamp is now in and the projector installed in the mount. The CEO pops in and thanks the tech for coming down on short notice and requests a system test to ensure the entire system is functioning for a meeting occurring first thing the next day. Understood - piece of mind is a good thing. The CEO goes to get the person who will be having that meeting, and their laptop. Another 10 minutes.

They realize they do not have an interconnect cable to connect their laptop to the input on the table. There isn't a cable in the room as it must have "walked off". The tech offers his own cable but he donated it to someone at another company who didn't have a cable and was about to start a meeting. Another 10 minutes to find someone who should have a cable. The only other employee now remaining in the office is the Marketing Guy (very strange indeed) - he uses an iMac desktop and therefore doesn't have a cable. One is eventually found in a closet. Another 5 minutes.

The thorough Tech checks the audio as well. No Audio. The laptop works and the control system reads 80% on the volume control. Back in the equipment rack the Tech discovers someone has re-routed some cables. The Tech wonders if the person who did this has ever gone under the hood of their car and re-routed various hoses and wires. What seemed like only 1 minute was actually another 10 minutes.

The system now works and therefore time to go. But first the Tech must listen to the story about how the guest speaker at the last AGM wore their lapel mic into the washroom and everyone heard "everything". Another 10 minutes

Back at the ranch your manager wants to know why it took so much more time than what the service charge is for replacing a projector lamp. Another 10 minutes....

Total time to replace a lamp - 166 minutes!

Coming soon, why did the Tech cross the road?

Epson PowerLite Pro Z8000WUNL Earns Hot Product Award

Grant's Perspective on ...ProjectorReviews.com likes the new Epson Z8000.

Inland AV has a Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta exclusive on the new Epson PowerLite Pro Z8000WUNL LCD projector. When you have an exclusive on a product it is great when people like ProjectorReviews.com bestow their Hot Product award to the latest Epson projector.



Epson PowerLite Pro Z8000WUNL

- Only WUGA (1920 x 1200), 3LCD projector available.
- 6000 lumens color light output, 6000 lumens white light output,
- C2Fine technology, up to 5000:1 contrast ratio, auto iris, cinema filter
- motorized zoom, focus, and lens shift controllable through the remote, RS-232 or IP
- 10,000-hour filter cleaning schedule and easy, side-access filter, easy access to dual lamp housing

This projector will be right at home in large venues!

Grant

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