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.