Walk-in Telemedicine

Grant's Perspective on ... telemedicine now available for Ottawa walk-in patients.

As a supplier of Cisco and Polycom videoconference solutions, I am always interested in new, innovative uses of technology. Telemedicine is not new but  I did notice a CBC report on an Ottawa walk-in clinic that offers patients the option of videoconferencing with doctors in Toronto. Obviously not an option in all cases but there are many times it is viable.

Grant

Get Your Own Microphone - Audio Technica Humour

Grant's Perspective on ... Audio Technica's "Get your own mic" campaign.

I came across this new "Get Your Own Mic" campaign from Audio Technica. These two YouTube videos will hit home to anyone who has ever performed at an open mic night or used a club PA system.





I feel like I need to shower and brush my teeth (twice) after watching those videos.

Grant

Tupac Hologram and Telepresence

Grant's Perspective on ... Tupac hologram creator Musion Systems also creates telepresence holograms.

The Musion Systems and Digital Domain creative Tupac holograms at the Coachella 2012 Music and Arts Festival are driving tons of traffic to YouTube.

I also noticed that Musion Systems has been working with Polycom to produce holograms that are a part of a telepresence conference.

It is great to see them involved in both the entertainment world and business communications. 3D imaging is usually seen as an entertainment tool (that catches all the headlines) but I see the day-to-day use of 3D growing which will change the way we work.

Grant

Google Glasses

Grant's Perspective on ... Communications of the future through Google Glasses.

We have had a recent burst of videos painting a glorious future through the use of technology. We had Corning show us their vision of glass in the future with their two videos "A Day Made of Glass" and "A Day Made of Glass 2". Now we have Google researchers telling us we will all soon be "wired" (or is it un-wired?) while we walk around our everyday life, talking to our glasses, tracking friends, checking in, snapping photos and setting reminders. See the Project Glass YouTube video below.

 Beam me up Scotty!

Grant

BrightLink Information and Resources

Grant's Perspective on ... the updated BrightLink website.

Epson has updated the information on their BrightLink website which outlines the six new BrightLink projectors (3 ultra-short throw & 3 short throw projectors).  It offers support information such as case studies, downloadable drivers, videos and webinar seminars. I also like the inclusion of "Cool Free Tools" links that allow you to explore websites that provide interactive content which can be added to a lesson.

 

Grant

New Epson BrightLink Interactive Projectors Coming Soon

Grant's Perspective on ... the new Epson BrightLink interactive projector line-up.

Epson takes their award winning BrightLink interactive projector, and ups the ante with six new versions of interactive projectors.  Epson has taken interactivity to the next level with their ultra short throw BrightLinks, featuring simultaneous dual pen annotation capabilities, higher brightness, improved installation capabilities, ability to project wirelessly from an iPad or iPhone, and projection over your computer network. 

Epson has announced 6 new BrightLink projectors that will be available this spring. There are 3 ultra-short-throw models (475Wi, 480i, and 495Wi) as well as the introduction of 3 short-throw projectors (425Wi, 430i, and 435Wi).

All of these new projectors include HDMI connections. Other options include the ability to have 2 people use the system simultaneously.  

Feel free to contact us for more information.

BTW - Brighter Futures advantages and pricing are available for qualified educational institutions at Inland AV.

Grant

Evoko Continued

Grant's Perspective on ... the Evoko meeting room booking system.

Last week, I posted on the Evoko and focused on the fact that no training is required for people that currently use Microsoft Outlook. Here are four additional features to look at:

1. It's a POE (Power Over Ethernet) device. On a POE enabled LAN, no AC power would be required at the Room Manager panels,

2. No software needs to be installed,

3. Service alerts for any malfunctioning AV equipment in the room can be sent right from the Evoko Room Manager's touch panel,

4. Instant meetings can be booked right on the panel, and meetings can be extended or  ended right from the panel.

Evoko panel displayed at Inland AV Driving Technology show

Grant

      

Evoko Meeting Room Booking Device

Grant's Perspective on ... the new Evoko meeting room booking device that becomes a user on a Microsoft Exchange server.

One of the  manufacturer's at the Inland AV Driving Technology show had the new Evoko on display. The Evoko makes booking meeting rooms easy. While there are a number of great features I really liked the idea that it is set up as a user on a Microsoft Exchange server. Most people who use Outlook know how to invite people to a meeting. Now you just invite the "room" to the meeting just like you currently invite the meeting attendees.

The photo below shows the touch-screen that is installed outside the meeting room. You can use the touch-screen to check the rooms availability and the green illumination lets you know if the room is in use or not.

The Evoko is a simple solution that should be easy for everyone in an organization to use.

There are many good features that I can cover in a future post.

Grant

Heinrich Hertz An AV Pioneer

Grant's Perspective on ... Heinrich Hertz turns 155.

I noticed that it is Heinrich Hertz's 155 birthday today. His Wikipedia page says that " He was the first to conclusively prove the existence of electromagnetic waves by engineering instruments to transmit and receive radio pulses using experimental procedures that ruled out all other known wireless phenomena."

Our industry has honoured Hertz by naming the cycles per second of an electrical signal a Hertz.

The background image of the Inland AV website is our stylized "wave".

Happy Birthday Mr Hertz!

Grant

Chief To Introduce Interactive Monitor Kit

Grant's Perspective on ... Chief introducing an interactive monitor kit very soon.

We attended the 2012 Chief road-show in Winnipeg yesterday. Chief has expanded their line of AV mounts recently to include interactive kits. Back in September I commented on the projector mount that included an interactive module that would turn any regular projector into an interactive projector.

Below is a close up photo of the interactive module on the projector mount.

close up of Chief interactive projector mount

This same technology will soon be available as a part of a a display monitor mount kit! You will now be able to turn any commercial monitor (that you can touch the display surface without marking it) into an interactive monitor.

Allison (our friendly, helpful Chief representative) did not have a sample of the yet to be released display mount but she did have an illustration that we can share with you. The module is similar to the projection mount module but it looks to be much smaller. See illustration below.The monitor is mounted to the bracket and the "interactive accessory" (left side of the photo below) is in place just above the monitor glass. The monitor and bracket are then mounted on a wall or stand and it is ready to go!

I remember an Inland AV salesperson commenting when the BrightLink Solo first came out saying "I wonder when we will have an interactive kit for monitors?" He can wonder no more because it will be released in the next month!

Grant