3D Telepresence

To date, teleconferencing between colleagues and offices is a convenient way of communicating despite being separated by thousands of miles. Unfortunately, the level of quality isn’t exactly up to par as you won’t get what you see on high definition TV today, let alone standard definition. Telepresence technology aims to change all that, offering an alternative to traditional video teleconferencing. Imagine expanding your traditional fabric business to international clientèle by using Telepresence technology to beam images of the current fabric you’re designing, much to your client’s pleasure at seeing a masterpiece being unveiled as if he/she is located in the very same room.

To get a better idea on just how clear the images are, imagine viewing a face that was ruddy, spotting moles on a lady’s arms, while seeing sweat patches in the underarm area of your superior appearing on high definition TV. The size of these images are just stupendous – what you get over Telepresence is near life-size proportions in vivid color, letting people in either room to make eye contact with one another while holding a decent conversation with over 6,000 miles standing in between them. Sounds like executives who are frequent globe trotters no longer need to rack up their frequent flier miles with Telepresence technology since they can spend time in the “presence” of their families (and vice versa).

This new technology has not yet proliferated across offices just yet, with just a small percentage of the video teleconferencing market using Telepresence. One of the main reasons would be its prohibitive cost – setup at a few sites as well as a year’s worth of expenses could rack up a bill worth a whopping $500,000. Not only that, you still have niggling problems such as different standards being established, running the risk of incompatibility between systems. Ghosting problems are still prevalent, while slow bandwidth will result in slow loading times.

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Specialized Projector Mount

Premier Mounts came out with a short throw projector mount for interactive whiteboards.
It extends from 7"-27" from the wall, supports projectors up to 50 lbs and includes two, 25-watt two-way speakers with 5" woofer and directional tweeters with an integrated 50-watt power amp, The wall mount can also house a PC, MAC Mini or control modules and has integrated cable management.

This is very helpful when you have no storage for equipment. Definitely a bonus for the K-12 market.

A common problem at the boardroom table is microphone pick-up. Most people don't know how to speak into microphones. This creates issue when tele or videoconferencing. Beyerdynamic has come out with the Reoluto to combat this problem. It provides a so-called corridor characteristic which ensures a wide range of good voice quality. Within this range the speaker can move freely, i.e. he/she can stand up or sit down, move his/her head and move towards or away from the microphone.

I have had quite a few demos and it works as described.

Digital Signage

Digital Signage is used for many applications. These applications include advertising, public information and any other type of messaging. LCD display is typically used in multiple or single display applications. Many programs are available to manage the content.

Corporations and public institutions don't realize that digital signage infrastructure is only some of the cost. The system requires maintenance management and some type of content provider. Messages can change in real-time. If a store would like to sell-off overstocked items at a particular location, their digital signage system can instantly display the sale price on any given item. This type of automation is currently available.

Delegate Microphone Systems

Delegate microphone systems are commonly used in a council chamber or round table discussion groups. Most have integrated speakers, on/off, voting and request to speak buttons. They run in a daisy chain configuration and usually have ring lights to indicate whether they are on and off. Delegate mics can integrate into existing sound systems, tele-conferencing or video conferencing systems. There can be some issues with sound quality and integration because each mic cannot be controlled individually. This can affect sound quality and dsp.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP)

A common way to process audio is through a DSP. DSP's can combine room audio systems, equalize and connect with keypads to control volume. Common uses are in hotel convention rooms and boardrooms or council chambers. AEC Audio Echo Cancelling is used for teleconferencing. DSP's require trained personnel to program them. A programmer can make or brake your system.

Ensure that your system comes with a custom schematic. This is the first sign that the AV company is professional and established.

Crestron on iPad

Crestron has released a new software ap that can be used on your iPad. I have already tried this on my iTouch and it works great. A common problem today is that we have too many remotes for our electronics.

The iPad can be used as a touch screen to control all your devices. It is much like any other ap, touch a button, the device sends a command to the controller and the controller tell the equipment what to do. The device can also do macros and program events, such as light on/off at a certain time of the day.

Ask your programmer how to apply this program to your own system.

Lifts

There are many types of projector and flatscreen lifts. They are used to hide projectors or displays. The most common types of lifts are;

Scissor Lifts - used to drop down projectors considerable distances

Bombay Lifts - this release a bombay door and the projector drops down about 12"

Mirror Hinge Lift - uses a mirror on a hinge which drops down and reflect the image onto a screen. The projector doesn't move, only the hinged door.

Orbitor - this rotates the projector 180 degrees

Flatscreen Lift - lifts a flatscreen out of a cabinet or portable flight case.

Draper manufactures many types of these lifts.

Network Convergence

Over the last couple of years a network convergence has been appearing in the AV industry. Audio Visual devices can network. You're probably asking why this matters. Like AV, networks work behind the scenes.

At most universities projectors and rooms are networked. 10's - 100's of rooms are monitored on campuses. If a projector lamp goes down or if someone needs assistance, notification is now immediate. This can mean that an email is automatically sent to a technician, or an IT control centre is monitoring vital information.

In our digital world, many electronic devices must be up and running 24/7. Network convergence allows this to happen.

Interactive Whiteboards

There are many types of interactive whiteboards out there. They typically consist of a projector, touch sensitive whiteboard and laptop/PC.

The most popular brand in Canada is the Smartboard. This brand caters mostly to K-12. Teachers have adopted to this technology well and share lessons online.

Smart Notebook software consists of many tools that can be utilized much like the old whiteboards, but also go well beyond. lessons can be built much like PowerPoint and then saved. Lessons can link to websites, videos and animations.

All lessons can be saved and replayed which makes it great for students who want a review.

Some countries like the U.K. have mandated Smartboards in every classroom. There are many accessories that work with Smartboards including specialized software for math, document cameras, audio and interactive response systems.

Edge Blending

Have your ever seen a really wide screen image at a trade show, conference, show or digital signage?

Edge blending technology is used to do this. Multiple projectors are projected side-by-side, the image is overlapped and then blended into each other.

The effect is a beautiful panoramic. Panasonic has perfected edge blending.

Bad Vibrations

What happens when your ceiling mounted projector vibrates. This is not good, especially when you're looking at a detailed image of an excel spreadsheet.

Because this issue is quite prevalent, some manufacturers have come out with some solutions for this problem.

Chief has manufactured a vibrating isolator coupler. This product mounts between the mounting pipe and the projector mount reducing building vibrations transferring through to the projector. It works.

Building vibration can be caused by hvac systems or seismic designs.

LEED

What is LEED?

LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This is an internationally recognized certification for community and building design using strategies improving performance across all metrics including energy savings, CO2 emissions reduction, water efficiency and other impacts.

How is LEED related to the AV industry?

LEED has a huge impact on the AV industry. We currently have the capability to automate anything electrical in a building including shades, HVAC, lighting and any type of AV equipment.

Sensors can be installed in such a way to measure the lowest impact on the environment. When a room is unoccupied, why heat it or light it? When the sun is shining, why not use the sun and shades to control the light and heat. If someone hasn't been using the audio visual equipment for an hour, automatically shut it down.

The AV industry has a larger impact on our everyday lives than you may think. This type of technology can be used anywhere and will eventually surround us all.

Wireless Mics Infrared-vs-RF

What is the difference between Infrared and RF wireless microphones?

Infrared cannot pass through walls. This is the perfect microphone when security is a concern and you don't want a signal to pass outside a room. An infrared emitter passes the signal to an infrared receive in the room and then usually to an amplified speaker. These types of systems are popular in schools and government offices.

RF (radio frequency) can pass through walls. There encrypted mics that can be used in special circumstances but they are very costly. We use RF microphones because the sound quality is much better.

Have you ever thought how your laptop signal travels from the boardroom table to the projector? Probably not.

Wireless still has a long way to go, it can be cumbersome and needs to be set-up individually on each laptop.

Running wire is currently the best way to go. How do we do that? We can core through the floor, but this can be costly and requires x-rays. Building management also requires approval.

Extron has come out with the AVTrac, this product solves many of the expensive coring issues. AVTrac is a small ramp enabling wire of any type to pass along a track through the floor.

e-Control

e-Control allows you to control your system via web browser. You can use it for anything you want to control including your TV, lights, alarm, cameras, the list goes on and on.

If you want to stay clear of touch panels, this is the way to go. I use it at home, everybody knows how to use it including my 5 year old.

A programmer can design the GUI (graphical user interface) any way you want. Your system can be accessed anywhere. So if you forgot to turn something off, or turn on the alarm, you can do it anywhere, even if you're in Mexico basking in the sun.

There are tons of features including many macros (touch one button to activate a sequence of events) Automatic timers, heat, lights security etc.

Video Walls

There are still some misconceptions about projectors. Most projectors should only stay on 5 hrs at a time (read the fine print). Some people think that you can install a projector in a foyer point it at a screen and create affordable large format digital signage.

Most foyers are bright, this is an area where mid to low end projectors are still lacking. They are brighter these days but still can't compete with our all mighty sun.

The best solution for digital signage in your foyer is LCD displays - They are bright, robust and nowadays very easy to tile. All the major manufactures make thin bezel versions in various sizes. These are pro displays, you will pay more money in the short-term, but these displays are robust and will last quite awhile long-term.

Touch Screen Control Systems

When I speak to an executive at a Fortune 500 company and mention touch screen control systems, they are first reluctant to listen why implementing this type of system is good for their company. It is quite easy to explain;

A typical boardroom scenario usually includes some type of display or multiples, computer input, maybe some video conferencing and audio. We could probably add-up 4-5 remotes and instructions to boot for this type of system.

A touch screen control system can select what you want happen instantly and any embarrassment each time they want to present in their boardroom.

Furthermore, reception can easily set-up the call, presentation for any other form of media through her own PC, it's that easy!

Calculating ease-of-use and time saved over a period of a year will more than pay for the control system.

Hire someone who knows Crestron control systems - you will find out quickly who is capable.

The Bygone Era of Projector Lamps

We new it was coming. Casio has released a projector with LED & laser technology. This projector is rated at 20,000 lamp hours. If you've had any experience with projectors - lamps usually last 2000 - 4000 hrs and dim over time. New lamp, filter and replacement cost between $400 - $900.

20,000 hours should last you until a newer technology is developed. The brightness varies between 2000 - 3000 lumen's. Quite impressive for the sticker price.

I can see many education institutions coming on board with this projector due to its earth-friendly low maintenance.