Systems Contractor News - February 2023

Welcome to the February Issue of

By Carolyn Heinze and Mark J. Pescatore

Executive Q&A

By Mark J. Pescatore

Executive Q&A

By Mark J. Pescatore

Get to Know SAVe

Founder Christina De Bono is on a mission to help the Pro AV industry become more sustainable.

By Wayne Cavadi

NAB Show Launches

Sustainability Awards

Technology

By Pete Putman

By Carolyn Heinze

PESCATORE

Sustainability Can Be Taught

When I was but a wee lad, some people in positions of power in my school district decided to cram two agendas down the throats of the impressionable schoolchildren. The first was the adoption of the metric system. This should have been a no-brainer. All measurements based on factors of 10—that’s easy, right?

However, the metric transition was a colossal failure in the United States. Today, about the only remnants of the effort are 2-liter soda bottles, 5K races, and certain medications (because 250 mg sounds a lot more impressive than .0088 ounces when you have a wicked headache).

Why did it fail? The whole deci vs. deca thing certainly didn’t aid the effort, but perhaps the U.S. population simply had too much invested in speedometers, thermometers, and recipe books to ever change. I imagine some apron-clad doting grandmother armed with a rolling pin declaring they could pry her measuring spoons from her cold, dead hands.

The second agenda item was conservation. This one has had more staying power, perhaps because we were given comic books with popular characters like Mickey Mouse. There was also a Schoolhouse Rock episode, “The Energy Blues,” so that helped.

I guess the comic books worked. I’ve always considered myself a steward of the environment. You won’t find me hugging trees or throwing food on priceless works of art, but since elementary school, I’ve been trying to leave the planet in a little better condition. My family recycled newspapers back then; today, you can add glass, aluminum, and plastic products to that list. I’m also the guy who brings his outdated electronics to the county recycling center, keeps reusable bags at the ready in my trunk for grocery shopping, and doesn’t throw litter on the side of the highway.

These days, conservation is more mainstream, as it’s part of an all-encompassing movement called sustainability. Of course, sustainability is a very, very broad concept. In 2015, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that touch on everything from poverty to infrastructure to world peace.

To me, though, the core of the sustainability movement is built around conserving resources and minimizing the mess we leave behind. Reduce, reuse, recycle— yeah, I’ve been on board for decades, and I’m hoping more people will join me.

Which brings us to our first Sustainability Issue. These days, plenty of Pro AV manufacturers and organizations are working toward more environmentally friendly practices. You can read about some of them here and hopefully many more in future issues. After all, conservation has come a long way since the 1970s, but our industry still has many miles—or kilometers—to go.

CONTENT

VP/Content Creation Anthony Savona

Content Director Mark J. Pescatore, Ph.D. mark.pescatore@futurenet.com

Content Manager Wayne Cavadi

Contributors Steve Greenblatt, Carolyn Heinze, Julian Phillips, Pete Putman, Michael Silbergleid, Dave Van Hoy, Will Waters

Group Art Director Nicole Cobban

Art Editor Rob Crossland

Production Managers

Nicole Schilling, Heather Tatrow

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COURTESY OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

This comic book from 1976 was one of a handful used to teach children about energy conservation.

AVI-SPL Acquires Adtech Systems, Multimedia

AVI-SPL continues to expand globally with the recent acquisition of two companies.

Last month, it announced the acquisition of Adtech Systems, an AV design and systems integration firm headquartered in Massachusetts. The acquisition strengthens AVI-SPL’s resources in the U.S. northeast region.

Adtech has a 34-year history of serving customers in New England and across the United States with a focus on continuously optimizing communications and collaboration solutions for the modern workplace. “Bringing Adtech resources and knowledge of this region to AVI-SPL ensures an elevated customer experience,” said John Zettel, chief executive officer of AVI-SPL.

In December, the company announced the acquisition of Multimedia, an IT services and AV technology integration firm headquartered in

Monterrey, Mexico, with a second location in Mexico City. AVI-SPL incorporated in Mexico in 2021; the transaction accelerates AVI-SPL Mexico’s operational capacity and provide its customers in Mexico and beyond a more robust and reliable portfolio of collaboration solutions and IT managed services.

“Multimedia leads the way for AV and collaboration solutions in Mexico,” Zettel added. “We’ve long admired their capabilities, and I couldn’t be more pleased to join forces with a company we believe to be a preeminent provider.”

The transaction officially closed on Jan. 5, and Multimedia now operates under the AVI-SPL Mexico brand. AVI-SPL expects to continue to grow market share in Mexico while developing greater delivery and managed service capabilities for Latin America, where many global brands seek a trusted partner for new hybrid work models and meeting solutions.

C2G Opens New Ohio Warehouse

In January, C2G made a strategic move to a 14-acre warehouse in Union, OH, to improve its customer service and shipping time. The newly constructed facility was designed to support the company’s growing customer base with a larger inventory of its cables and connectivity solutions. Plus, C2G products will be stocked and ready to ship from the Legrand warehouse located in Moreno Valley, CA, to better serve customers across both coasts.

“This exciting move is proof not only of the astounding growth C2G has experienced but of the trust and reliance our customers have in our products,” said Amy Hahne, vice president and general manager, C2G, A brand of Legrand. “The new Ohio warehouse and the inventory at Moreno Valley will strengthen our commitment to delivering the very best possible customer service we can offer—80% of our customers will now order and receive C2G solutions within two business days.”

Q-SYS Certifies Plug-Ins with New Partner Program

Q-SYS has launched its Technology Partner Program with integration partners representing a growing list of Q-SYS plug-ins. As part of the program, plug-ins will receive endorsement badges indicating they have been verified or certified and offer seamless integration with the Q-SYS Platform.

Partners now have access to the Q-SYS Technology Partner Hub, a centralized portal with relevant, up-to-date resources for training, solution development, and marketing. The resources make it easier to collaborate with Q-SYS, get support, and

accelerate go-to-market reach. Current partners include Alcorn McBride, Atlona, Audio-Technica, BirdDog, Blustream, Clockaudio, Datapath, LG Electronics, L-Acoustics, Lightware, Planar, and Wolfvision, among others.

“Q-SYS Technology Partners are essential for the growth of the Q-SYS platform, and we are thrilled to collaborate with a diverse set of partners to help accelerate the development of their Q-SYS plug-ins,” said Geno Zaharie, principal, alliances and ecosystems, Q-SYS. “With this new program, mutual customers can easily identify

and collaborate with partners that represent a wide range of the most popular AV solutions on the market, allowing them to deliver unmatched experiences using next-level automation and control.”

AVI-SPL has acquired Mexico-based Multimedia.

DN-300

The Future of AV Distribution is Here

The DisplayNet ® DN-300 delivers an unprecedented level of AVoIP performance, versatility and reliability; at a price point that defines a new industry benchmark for value. Based on the latest SDVoE technology, the DN-300 provides 4K/60 (4:4:4) video distribution with limitless scalability, zero-frame latency and zero image artifacts.

This single unit offers several unique features that provide system designers with exceptional versatility:

Switchable Transmitter /  Receiver operation

Dual (copper /  fiber) network interfaces

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PoE+ support

Silent, fanless operation

Versatile KVM Routing

Full-bandwidth USB 2.0 support

DisplayNet also provides software-defined MultiViewer and Advanced Video Wall engines that power a wide range of applications without the expense and complexity of ancillary products. A highly intuitive web-based UI and API greatly simplifies setup and installation, as well as integration into third-party control systems.

Contact us today to see how DisplayNet can move your next AV system into the future.

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Realmotion Delivers Immersive Experience at Orlando Airport

Orlando International Airport (MCO) recently unveiled the new South Terminal Complex, which welcomes travelers with an Experiential Media Environment (EME) in the Airside Hub. The EME was conceptualized by executive producer MRA International Group, with executive creative director Marcela Sardi of Sardi Design.

A focal point of the EME is the Moment Vault, a compelling immersive multimedia installation powered by the latest interactive technologies. Passengers can walk through three large curved 2mm LED displays (positioned in a circle) and become part of the onscreen presentation.

The exterior of the Moment Vault is also adorned with 4mm dvLED displays, ensuring that every visitor in Terminal C can be part of the experience, even if they don’t walk through the middle of the installation. The Moment Vault is the first part of Terminal C’s EME, which will grow to include two additional high-tech installations.

Smart Monkeys, a Florida-based consulting firm that specializes in feature-centric technology implementations for location-based entertainment, designed and managed The Moment Vault. The installation uses Realmotion’s interactive media servers and an AI-powered, marker-less motion capture system. The total solution provides content creators a unique set of capabilities that enable novel, “selfie-ready” interactive experiences for travelers, according to Alexandre Simionescu, Realmotion founder and project lead.

Realmotion, which had previously worked with Smart Monkeys, was brought in to provide a media server with generative content capabilities and the motion capture system. The company’s powerful new multi-GPU Fusion server uses six cameras to provide 3D marker-less tracking for up to 25 subjects within the confines of the Moment Vault. Each subject’s motion is instantly converted into digital wireframes. The real-time tracking system then transmits the data to three Realmotion G32 servers, which feed the data into an Unreal Engine scene.

The setup involves AI and machine learning to ensure accurate people tracking through the generation of a “3D pose estimate” for every individual in the space. Each pose estimate is used to accurately place real-time virtual avatars in live digital content.

Previous pose estimate solutions only worked in 2D and could not differentiate between the size and distance of objects, so Realmotion designed its new, proprietary system, which provides precise, responsive, and robust 3D marker-less tracking for groups of users. Plus, multiple camera angles also eliminate occlusion, or sight-line blockages, which would otherwise miss visitors who are behind someone else relative to the camera.

“This project is a crowd pleaser, and that is its intent,” Simionescu continued. “More and more organizations are looking to create novel technological experiences for customers and guests, and they often require significant research and development, including software design and new combinations of hardware. At Realmotion, we are building on the success of our tools by turning the best of them into productized solutions that can be deployed industry-wide with greater speed and affordability, as we are planning to do with our G32 and Fusion servers that helped bring the Moment Vault to life.”

“Creating installations that support generative content is critical to maximizing use and flexibility and provides today’s artists with the tools and canvasses they need to present their latest works,” said Paul Bristol, design consultant, Smart Monkeys. “Often, art installations are temporary traveling exhibits that require tight scheduling and limited options for the host location. With the amazing, permanent digital canvas offer in the Moment Vault, Orlando International Airport can offer much greater visibility and opportunity to artists and content creators, while enjoying a

simpler, more powerful management system.”

A core goal of the project was to ensure operating and updating the displays is as easy as possible for both owners and artists. Realmotion’s advanced products and capabilities made it an ideal choice for this project—and its servers are fully compatible with the ISAAC AV monitoring and management platform used by Smart Monkeys. To help prepare content developers, Realmotion built a software emulator of the tracking system that allows creators to test and develop reactive content without requiring real-world subjects or displays.

“We’re also working directly with artists to help identify more streamlined workflows and cut down the time required to go from concept to presentation,” Bristol added. “Our innovations, combined with improvements in LED technology and the supporting infrastructure that enable drag-anddrop content control, can drastically cut the time-to-market for art pieces, reduce costs for owners, and enable more artists to be featured.”

“There is high demand for creating memorable moments that don’t require physical touch or employee interaction, and their use is certain to grow as travelers and consumers begin to expect these types of installations,” Simionescu added. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and now that we’ve figured out the way to deliver these amazing experiences, we are excited to see what other organizations have the desire to build something special with us.”

The new Moment Vault is an immersive, real-time experience at Orlando International Airport.

Jazz Club Upgrades with Meyer Sound System

After relying on a venerable Meyer Sound system since first opening at its current location in 1997, Yoshi’s legendary jazz club in Oakland, CA, recently upgraded to a new Meyer Sound system incorporating the company’s latest technologies. Supplied by Advanced Systems Group (ASG) based nearby in Emeryville, CA, the new Meyer Sound installation has earned unstinting praise from management, artists, guest engineers, and patrons alike.

“Every artist that has come in here has been blown away,” said Marcel Quiroz, Yoshi’s production manager. “Haley Reinhart’s engineer told me it was the best house system he’d ever heard, and the engineer for Dave Weckl said that hands down we now have the best-sounding room in the Bay Area.”

The prior system had served Yoshi’s well for 25 years, reinforcing the music of jazz, R&B, and

associated pop luminaries. But a grueling schedule of two shows six or seven nights a week, combined with some questionable changes in front-end processing, had dulled the luster of the system. These signs of aging, along with demand for stronger bass by contemporary R&B acts, prompted Quiroz and Hal Campos, Yoshi’s general manager, to consider a complete audio renovation for the venue.

The new Yoshi’s system includes two UPQD1 wide coverage and two UPQD2 narrow coverage full-size loudspeakers for the mains, supplemented by three ULTRAX20 compact wide coverage loudspeakers for down fill, and seven UP4slim ultra-compact installation loudspeakers for front fill. Ample power for contemporary R&B acts is now available through four 900LFC low-frequency control elements, mounted in pairs on the walls. A Galileo GALAXY 816 network platform provides system drive and optimization, while

artist foldback has been upgraded with the addition of 10 MJF208 and two MJF210 stage monitors.

Final designs were generated by Joe Mistretta of Meyer Sound Design Services, working in collaboration with Tom Menrath, ASG key accounts manager, and the ASG Audio Team. “Downtime is expensive for Yoshi’s, as it costs not only the performance venue but their foundational restaurant business,” noted Menrath, “so it was vital to get the new system up and running as fast as possible. Working with Brad Katz of Waveworks, we were able to get the old system out, the new one in, tuned, and back in action within nine days.”

Among the first to hear the new system were two of Yoshi’s founders and owners, namesake Yoshie Akiba and Kaz Kazamura. “When I turned it on, it literally brought tears to their eyes,” recalled Quiroz. “They had never heard this room sound so good.”

An avid musician, Menrath found the relatively small project nevertheless highly rewarding. “We do a lot of major projects with Meyer Sound, including huge installations for well-known Silicon Valley corporations, but Yoshi’s has been particularly satisfying,” he said. “This new system with the most advanced loudspeaker technologies is a stunning upgrade, and the artists who perform at Yoshi’s certainly deserve nothing but the best the industry can offer.”

Yoshi’s upgraded its sound system for the first time in 25 years with Meyer Sound.

STEVE JENNINGS

NPARALLEL Upgrades Boardroom with C2G

When structural agency NPARALLEL upgraded its boardroom, it installed C2G cable and connectivity solutions. The agency—whose services include experiential marketing, trade shows, and retail/corporate interiors for clients such as Keen, 3M, Bridgestone, and General Mills—installed C2G’s category cables and Retractable Universal Mount 4K HDMI Dongle Adapter Ring to provide high-quality voice, data, and video distribution along with fast device connectivity during videoconference meetings.

Due to the collaborative nature of its work, NPARALLEL had to transition quickly when remote meetings became the new norm. The agency installed two Vaddio CeilingMIC microphones and two Vaddio Ceiling Speakers to provide full-room audio coverage, as well as a Vaddio IntelliSHOT camera for videoconferencing calls. C2G’s category cables provide the solid foundation needed for the system. Available in various colors and lengths, the category cabling options helped make the install quick and easy.

“Meeting quality makes an impression on clients, which requires reliable, proven solutions— right down to the cables and connectors we deploy,” said Jim Vylasek, director of technology at NPARALLEL. “C2G is well known and delivers the performance we demand, along with the options that make connecting any device to our new Vaddio audio and IntelliSHOT camera system a breeze. It’s simple and worry-free.”

JVC Elevates Gameday Production at Cal State Fullerton

When Timothy Jackson joined Cal State Fullerton as assistant athletic director of the Titans Sports Network, he was tasked with continuing to facilitate the growth of the school’s sports productions for ESPN+. To enhance the broadcasts, Jackson added the JVC GY-HC900CHU CONNECTED CAM broadcast camcorder to the school’s inventory.

Titan Athletics produces more than 120 broadcasts a year, including coverage of men’s and women’s soccer and basketball, plus baseball, softball, water polo, and volleyball. Titans fans can watch home events and Big West road conference games exclusively on ESPN+. In addition, Cal State Fullerton has built a top-tier production studio to give home viewers

Complementing the system is C2G’s adapter ring, which is installed at the room’s conference table for quick, convenient, delay-free connection. Standard configuration includes adapters to connect nearly any device to a display. It has color-coded HDMI-to-DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, and USB-C

adapters, and a customizable integrated pull tab. The dongle comes layered with BioCote, an antimicrobial protection layer on the connector surfaces to inhibit the growth of microbes.

“At the heart of every great sounding and great looking AV system are the cables and connectors that make it all possible,” said Robert Mays, associate product marketing manager, C2G. “NPARALLEL illustrates how essential it is to create a solid foundation as part of the meeting experience. Our wide breadth of certified and tested cables and innovative connectivity solutions provide unmatched quality and simplicity.”

a professional-quality production for all games played at Titans Stadium.

“Delivering ESPN-quality streams for all our sporting events was of key importance and adding JVC’s GYHC900 allowed us to take our broadcasts to this level,” said Jackson. “I was very familiar with JVC and its cameras from previous jobs and knew the GY-HC900 could really heighten our broadcasts. The GY-HC900 offers so much versatility for the price point; it was really a no brainer for us. We have also been using some legacy JVC cameras here, so it made the learning curve much easier for our student and staff operators.”

The JVC GY-HC900 is a unique and innovative broadcast camcorder that makes no compromises in image quality, while offering a level of connectivity not found elsewhere. It features three, 2/3-inch CMOS image sensors and a powerful communications engine that truly makes news-over-IP a reality, with a streamlined, reliable ENG workflow.

Jackson plans to use the GY-HC900 as a primary camera for volleyball and basketball, and as a

centerfield camera on the baseball and softball fields, to capture in-depth images and provide additional perspective of the games. “The GY-HC900 will help us to continue to develop our broadcasting infrastructure,” he added. “Not only is the picture quality amazing, the price also can’t be beat. In addition, the crew at JVC provides amazing customer service and support. We are looking to add additional GY-HC900s to the Titans Sports Network family in the coming months.”

Using C2G connectivity and cabling, NPARALLEL achieves flexible and reliable hybrid meetings.

JVC's CONNECTED CAM provides advanced technology and high-quality imaging for Cal State Fullerton sports productions.

Querétaro Metropolitan Theater Upgrades Audio with Bose Professional

Located two hours outside of Mexico City in Querétaro, Mexico, the Querétaro Metropolitan Theater and Convention Center is a space for the community, private companies, and others to gather and engage in exciting events and dynamic performances. But the theater, which opened its doors in 2012, needed better audio capabilities to attract more high-level artists and private events from companies throughout the region.

In 2018, the venue’s technical and operations team began a project to renew and improve the general audio system. The project included the three key areas of the theater: the Main Hall, which is ideal for concerts and plays; the Experimental Hall, a versatile space for events that require a more intimate atmosphere; and the Dance Hall, which was designed specifically for theater, dance, and body expressive performances.

AV solutions integration company Ponle Audio presented a design centered around upgrading the sound intelligibility and overall coverage and quality within each hall. One of the biggest challenges was achieving optimal coverage in the balconies of the upper levels of the Main Hall. With the original line array system, the only way to deliver audio to the balconies was to increase the volume, which was counterproductive because it would distort the audio in the lower seating areas.

For the Main Hall’s system, Ponle Audio chose Bose Professional ShowMatch DeltaQ line array loudspeaker technology as the backbone of the system. The performance and versatility offered by the RoomMatch Utility loudspeakers is powered by PowerMatch PM8500 amplifiers and ControlSpace EX-1285C processors.

To overcome the challenge of consistent coverage represented by the third level of balconies, Ponle Audio installed a system hanging from the catwalk structure in the upper level of the theater. Eight ShowMatch modules remain hidden from the audience view thanks to a porous gray mesh cover. To ensure a rich audio experience in the theater’s more removed lateral seating and in the third-floor balcony area, a series of

RoomMatch loudspeakers were strategically integrated throughout the spaces.

“For audio, our priorities were coverage and intelligibility,” explained Joel Ramírez, audio engineer and production supervisor at the Querétaro Metropolitan Theater. And that’s what the Bose ShowMatch system delivered.”

Once pandemic restrictions were lifted, the Querétaro Metropolitan Theater resumed activities, hosting performers—and their front-of-house engineers—from many parts of the world. “In general, once new engineers became familiar with the Bose ShowMatch system, they felt confident and quickly understood how it worked,” Ramirez said. “FOH engineers visiting the venue comment that the ShowMatch system installed in the Queretaro Metropolitan Theater meets all the requirements expected of any other line array for professional use. It offers a clear sound and the voices are intelligible. The coverage achieved in the different areas of the venue received very positive comments.”

With concerts ranging from rap, pop, heavy metal, and even flamenco, Ramirez said the system “always responds with high-quality sound. Just recently at the Ibérica Contemporáneo flamenco festival, the loudspeaker system shined with the sound of the different groups, pianists, and dancers that performed on stage. The system has been used with many mixing consoles,

as it is common for the different bands to use their own consoles. With all of them, the ShowMatch system has performed nicely and without trouble.”

The Experimental Hall needed a sound system with the flexibility to adapt to the multiple cultural activities and artistic presentations. This capability created a better experience for guests, and positioned the venue in a more attractive light for new clients interested in using the space. With its new audio system, the Experimental Hall is ready to meet the demands of the orchestras that use it as a rehearsal room, as well as plays, musical concerts, television shows, and even corporate events.

A more intimate, 583-square-foot space, the Dance Hall is used for rehearsals and warmup sessions for dancers who perform in the Main Hall. A pair of Bose L1 Model II portable line array systems are ready to provide audio whenever needed. The loudspeakers are portable and easy to use, so dance artists or instructors operate them without the need of a technician.

The Convention Center, located in front of the Querétaro Metropolitan Theater, offers ample and functional space for trade shows, conferences, and meetings. Its 10 event rooms—two on the second floor and eight on the third floor—can be used individually or combined into a large space to receive hundreds of guests. The 10 rooms are equipped with a Bose Panaray MA12 loudspeaker and Panaray MB4 subwoofer, all connected to a Dante network. The system enables listening to an audio source in each individual space or across all of them at the same time.

These results have greater affects than just the improved technical aspect. According to Hector Quintero Martinez, head of operations at the Querétaro Metropolitan Theater and Convention Center, “The sound and lighting infrastructure put us at the forefront in the Centro-Bajío region. The sound quality improved substantially, and these feelings are shared from producers to entrepreneurs. It is a renewed tool that helps us to attract more and better events.”

The Experimental Hall is a versatile space for plays, corporate events, and orchestra rehearsals.

Bose Professional ShowMatch DeltaQ line array loudspeakers serve as the backbone of the new audio system at the Querétaro Metropolitan Theater’s Main Hall.

Former LG Executive Dan Smith Replaces Retiring COO Sam Taylor at Exertis Almo

Exertis Almo executive vice president and COO Sam Taylor is set to retire later this year, and the company has named Dan Smith as his successor. Smith assumed the position on Jan. 17. Taylor will remain involved in the business and lead the transition until his official retirement in June.

“Sam has made a tremendous impact on the Pro AV industry as a well-respected distribution expert who has brought immeasurable opportunities to his staff, vendor partners, and the reseller/integrator community,” said Warren Chaiken, president and CEO of Almo Corporation. “In 2009, Sam was instrumental in the formation of Almo Pro A/V, which quickly grew to become the largest Pro AV distributor; then following Exertis’ 2021 acquisition of Almo Corporation, Sam successfully led the integration of two major Pro AV businesses to become Exertis Almo.”

“After more than 35 years in the Pro AV industry, I have had the opportunity to experience more than I could’ve ever imagined, with the ultimate goal of growing the essential role of distribution,” said Taylor. “I am now looking forward to spending time giving back both inside and out of the Pro AV industry.”

Smith is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of AV experience in roles that have encompassed the manufacturing, distribution, and systems integration sides of the industry. He’s held positions in sales, product management, product marketing, supply chain procurement, and business process improvement at companies including Magenta Research, Samsung, Tech Data, and Inacom Corporation. Most recently, Smith spent nearly 13 years as U.S. vice president of sales, IT, and

commercial large format displays, at LG.

“I am both humbled and honored to step into the role of EVP/COO for Exertis Almo,” said Smith. “I have nothing but the utmost respect for Sam, and look forward to working with him to ensure that our staff and our channel relationships continue to thrive.”

“Dan Smith is the ideal successor for EVP/COO at Exertis Almo having served in leadership positions for manufacturer, distributor, and integrator companies, which gives him a diverse perspective,” Taylor added. “We will work together through the transition to ensure that business remains as per usual, and that growth continues for our employees and partners.”

Taylor is a pioneer of the “value-added” distribution model, having built the first AVIXA-trained outbound distribution sales team, the first business development management team for technical and expert support, as well as the first set of AV managed services to create a path for resellers to expand their reach and earn recurring revenue.

From left, Dan Smith, Sam Taylor

AV in the Court

Videoconferencing Systems Set New Standard for Proceedings

By Lisa Montgomery

For some organizations, the operational changes necessitated by the pandemic seem here to stay. Handling courtroom proceedings virtually is one. What started out as a temporary fix to keep caseloads rolling has now for many local and state courts become standard practice.

There’s good reason for change. Virtual court proceedings, where some participants attend via videoconference and others in person, have been found to significantly reduce litigation costs, case backlogs, and manpower while spurring resolution, especially in juvenile and child support hearings. Plus, there are the social distancing health benefits that remote courtroom proceedings provide. The implications are so impressive that a post-pandemic working group in California is pushing to expand and maximize remote access on a permanent basis for most proceedings.

It’s a win-win for all parties involved, and a movement that has generated an impressive amount of business for one southern California systems integration firm. Court Video Conferencing Services (CVCS) has specialized in the design, configuration, and installation of custom AV systems for courtrooms since 2009. Back then, the systems were used mainly for recording audio during court proceedings.

Those For the Record (FTR) audio systems were the company’s springboard into more complex and sophisticated AV systems as their courtroom clientele struggled to deal with a new set of challenges precipitated by the pandemic. The Ventura County, California Hall of Justice, which handles family law, small claims, and criminal cases, was one of them.

Turnkey Solution

Like it has for many of Ventura County’s neighboring municipalities, CVCS implemented a turnkey AV system in each of Ventura County’s 20 courtrooms to enable all parties to attend arraignments, trials, and other legal proceedings in real time no

matter where they are physically located—including home, jail, a law office or courtroom, or somewhere else. “As long as they have access to a videoconferencing platform like Zoom, they can connect to the courtroom AV system,” said CVCS president Robert Godinez.

Each of the 20 standalone systems contains a variety of custom-configured, commercial-grade AV equipment that is seamlessly integrated by CVCS to streamline operation, ensure clear, intelligible audio and video, and maintain reliable, stable connectivity throughout the proceedings. Four Vaddio PTZ cameras—strategically aimed at the judge, witness stand, and defense and prosecuting council tables—capture video in the courtroom, while a special document camera focuses on documents and other physical evidence. Shure microphones connected to a Biamp DSP capture and process the courtroom audio.

The courtroom video streams, as well as those from incoming videoconferencing connections, are fed to an RGB Spectrum QuadView UHDx multi-image processor. This component combines up to four incoming sources and outputs a 4K multi-window image simultaneously to 65 and 80-inch 4K displays mounted inside the courtroom and jury room, an AMX NX-2200 integrated controller at the judge’s stand, and a Zoom videoconferencing gateway device that shares the same multi-window view with off-site participants. Audio is distributed from the Biamp DSP to AtlasIED SD72W in-ceiling speakers.

“This system enables everyone to be equally engaged and makes the experience for remote participants feel as close to being in the actual courtroom as possible,” Godinez explained. “Through this hybrid approach, the Ventura County court system has realized a huge cost savings by speeding up hearings, reducing waiting times, eliminating travel, and minimizing the need for security and other staff. It’s also made the courtroom safer, as inmates and detainees no longer need to come to court. Defendants, plaintiffs, and witnesses can stay miles

apart instead of in the same courtroom, which makes for a less stressful environment.”

The AV traffic is a lot to juggle, but the judge has control over the presentation. Using the AMX 10-inch touchpanel, the judge can adjust PTZ for each camera in the courtroom, turn specific mics on and off, and select which video sources to display. Setup can be modified on the fly throughout the proceedings; for example, the judge can choose to display only video of a witness sharing testimony or change the layout of the video windows as procedural scenarios and preferences dictate.

To simplify these adjustments, CVCS designed and programmed several presets. “We made navigation and control as intuitive as possible by presenting on the touchpanel clearly defined options that initiate changes effortlessly and quickly,” Godinez added. “The courtroom proceedings move along smoothly with the added benefit of having video and audio accessible to remote participants.”

System Flexibility

For highly sensitive criminal cases, cameras and audio can be temporarily disabled. Even if AV is shared, the Zoom for Government application utilized in this system and other CVCS deployments features specific security protocols to protect the exchange of important and sensitive information.

The system, which is compatible with several videoconferencing platforms, is also used for jury selection. “Candidates can be located in a different part of the courthouse and questioned remotely,” Godinez explained. “The method was certainly helpful when face-to-face interactions were restricted, but like the hybrid courtroom system, could very well become standard practice. The system is so versatile, there are many other applications that could be explored as well.”

Godinez figured the cost of each tech package at around $120,000. Even with people back in court, CVCS gets in and out quickly. It usually takes seven days for a team of up to five techs to install and configure each courtroom system, something that was relatively easy to accomplish during government shutdowns.

The company has completed more than 300 installations of systems similar to the Ventura County setup. Other California-based court installations include Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles County, Hollywood, and Fresno Superior Courts. Of course, the team customizes for each client, but the base system is the same across the board, which streamlines the process.

The Ventura County, California Hall of Justice is a prime example of technological innovation driving positive change for all citizens by providing greater access to legal proceedings. Regardless of how the county chooses to move forward with its virtual courtroom proceedings, the AV system is at the ready. “The new virtual remote court concept has now firmly established itself, forever shifting the landscape of justice and legal proceedings,” said Godinez.

CCS delivered 20 turnkey videoconferencing systems to Ventura County, California Hall of Justice.

Positive December Closes Strong Pro AV Year

By Peter Hansen

The AV Sales Index (AVI-S) rebounded from a disappointing 57.0 in November to 61.2 in December, closing out 2022 on a positive note. (Note, the December numbers come from a larger sample size, as AVIXA polled approximately 300 additional AV professionals from the ISE mailing list.) In the end, 2022 tied 2018 for the highest aver-

age index, at 63.5. That said, the two years arrived at the same number in different ways. 2018 saw a peak of 67.4 and a minimum of 58.0, a range of 9.4. It was a consistently good year. In contrast, 2022 had a lower minimum at 56.9 in January and a much higher max at 72.7—the all-time record high—in March, for a range of 15.8. It was an inconsistent year, but also a good one.

Each December, we also ask the same sales index question—greater than 5% increase, greater than 5% decrease, or about the same—but we focus on year-to-year change rather than month-to-month. For 2022, this question netted an annual sales change index of 72.5. This was up 4.6 points from the 67.9 recorded for 2021 and up 41.0 points from the 31.5 recorded for 2020 when the majority of businesses saw greater than 5% revenue decline.

It’s important to note that this outstanding 2022 growth happened despite major supply challenges. Despite alarmism from some corners, these issues, though a major headache for our industry, were a brake rather than a block to growth. With perfect supply, Pro AV revenue would have spiked faster and run much worse staffing issues than we did. The net is

with a strong 2022 that starts 2023 with holdover demand due to unfinished projects.

While 2022 may have tied for record average monthly AVI-S, the AV Employment Index (AVI-E) set the record outright. The 2022 average was 61.6, ahead of 2018’s previous record of 60.9. In December, the AVI-E was 58.6.

Here is a major contrast in our indexes: Where the 2022 AVI-S range was 15.8, the AVI-E range was less than half, at 7.6. Oddly, the min and max happened in back-to-back months—January and February—when the Omicron COVID-19 variant suddenly spiked then quickly faded, ushering in the record year we ultimately observed.

Payroll growth was an economy-wide phenomenon in 2022. The U.S. economy added 4.5 million workers, and many other countries also experienced strong payroll growth. Less exciting is the trend in these expansions, which for Pro AV and the wider economy alike is toward slower growth.

The Pro AV Business Index report is derived from a monthly survey of the AVIXA Insights Community, a research community of industry members that tracks business trends in commercial AV. For more information about joining the AVIXA Insights Community, visit www.avixa.org/AVIP.

Peter Hansen is an economist at AVIXA.

Keep It Clean

SurgeX Sales Director Trunkett Talks Importance of Power Management

By Mark J. Pescatore

: How long have you been with this company, and what are your responsibilities?

Steve Trunkett: I joined the SurgeX team about two years ago. My biggest responsibility is identifying how to best support our current and prospective customers with a reliable suite of power management and monitoring solutions, while also nurturing innovation and keeping up with the evolving demands of the market.

: I don’t want you to upset any of your potential customers, but do integrators tend to overlook power management solutions?

ST: In my experience, integrators don’t intentionally overlook power management, but since the category is always growing and evolving as the grid faces new demands, there are always ample opportunities to explore and grow product offerings to best protect projects. Due to the evolving and often invisible nature of power quality, many integrators come to discuss how to best communicate the value of power management in their projects. To combat uncertainty, our team partners with integrators to grow their portfolios with the most comprehensive, reliable, and scalable solutions. We encourage them to bring up power management early in conversations with customers; it adds value to the overall wellness of the project when integrators do this.

: What do you mean by “clean” power and “power conditioning,” and why are they important for Pro AV installations?

ST: Clean, conditioned power is one of the most important factors for reliable equipment operation. The power that is entering electronic devices— whether that’s collaboration technology, connected home systems, lighting, PCs, or AV racks—needs to be clear of anomalies to prevent the risk of damage and degradation. “Dirty” power caused by voltage irregularities like spikes, sags, and surges can wreak havoc on these devices, causing outages, interruptions, and a shortened lifespan due to overload. Technology is often a massive investment, whether it’s for personal or commercial use, and dirty power is not a risk that customers or integrators want to take.

When we put a conditioner and other management tools in place, we’re taking the power back. The power conditioners are designed to regulate incoming electricity, remove distortions, and keep consistent power flowing into connected devices.

: As a native Floridian, I am all too aware of lightning strikes. What can integrators do to minimize damage from power surges?

ST: Power conditioning is a great first step to ensure your power is clean, but for frequent surges and outages, true surge elimination is key. Solutions like power strips with a built-in MOV surge protector, contrary to popular belief, are usually not suitable for today’s intricate technology systems or environments that experience frequent hits. They can only withstand a small strain from power events before being degraded or damaged, giving a false sense of security when left in place long term.

Instead, it’s best to opt for true surge elimination technology. Our Advanced Series Mode protection is designed with patented circuitry to remove surges from the power environment in a non-sacrificial way, ensuring the anomalies won’t degrade the power management device or the connected equipment. For true outages, you can also opt for a solution that includes a battery backup, which can keep critical technologies online with virtually zero transfer time until the power comes back, the generator kicks on, or you’re able to shut down safely. This has become especially popular in the work-from-home era.

: SurgeX has been promoting its SQUID product line. Why should integrators consider adding it to their next proposal?

ST: SQUID has been a tremendous addition to our product line because of its unique ability to streamline AV installations and create a proper and intelligent power foundation. It’s the only product on the market that provides AC/DC power protection, boxed network control, and analytical software within a single, compact device. Its combination of four controlled and monitored AC receptacles and three DC banks allow service teams to install equipment with fewer wires and connections, significantly reducing installation time, effort, and cost. For tight, designforward spaces, it also eliminates unsightly wall warts

Steve Trunkett

Position: Director of Global Sales Company: SurgeX

Overtime: In my spare time away from work, I can be found hiking and skiing new trails in Bend, OR.

to integrate with design-forward installations and save space—while also ensuring equipment remains up and running without disruption.

: What are the short and long-term goals for your company?

ST: We’re looking forward to developing new products to support modern power environments and the integrators working to build them. Technology is at an inflection point, and SurgeX is determined to provide the foundation it needs to thrive. Over the next few years, we’re hoping to double the size of our business by making power management more widely understood and more accessible to integrators.

: What new initiatives are we likely to see from your company?

ST: As we expand our portfolio and continue to support integrators, we’re excited to launch an online portal to make doing business easier. We’ll also be prioritizing our partnerships with distributors and customers and look forward to having more conversations about the importance—and the opportunities—power management holds.

: How can systems contractors better position themselves to profit from products and/or services you have to offer?

ST: Due to the unseen nature of power, issues within an environment that are power-based may present themselves in unusual ways including system lock-up or devices reporting errors when they should not be. This chain of events can cause customers to complain or place the blame on the installed equipment, which can lead to unnecessary repairs or replacements. If the power environment is to blame, the same issues may repeat themselves, leading to frustration and doubt in the abilities of the contractor.

By relying on our team to help integrators navigate the complexity of the power environment and becoming an expert in power management, these partners can better identify when power-related issues are plaguing installations or, better yet, install the proper solutions from the get-go to prevent issues before they have a chance to occur. By educating customers about power quality challenges and the solutions available to negate those issues, contractors can position power management as a shield that helps protect the investment in an installation, as well as their reputation.

New Business Strategies

VidOvation CTO Jachetta Explains Industry Shift to SaaS and TaaS

By Mark J. Pescatore

: How long have you been with this company, and what are your responsibilities?

Jim Jachetta: I have been in the industry over 30 years. I am the co-founder and CTO of VidOvation. My team and I founded VidOvation in 2010.

: Back in October, you announced VidOvation’s Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) offering. Why is this different from a lease, and how does it benefit integrators?

JJ: The appealing aspect of a lease is to spread the cost or the capital equipment expense over 36 or 60 months. A possible negative is the customer is locked into the technology for 36 or 60 months.

With TaaS, the payments are made over a 36 or 60-month term, except the customer can upgrade their technology anytime. One of the conditions is that the new equipment has to be of equal or higher value than the original purchase, but it means users always have an easy access upgrade path to the latest technology.

TaaS avoids the pitfalls of technology end of life. Customers will never be faced with a sudden lack of product or technology support from a vendor.

: Between your TaaS approach and Software-asa-Service (Saas) solutions announced by other manufacturers, are we seeing a fundamental change in the way the Pro AV does business?

JJ: Yes. Businesses across many industries have shifted from a Capital Expenditure (CapEx) to an Operational Expenditure (OpEx) model. The modern enterprise does not want deprecating assets on their balance sheet that they have to amortize over a five or 10-year period.

: Since this interview is in our Sustainability Issue, does your TaaS approach offer an element of sustainability?

JJ: As a trusted partner, VidOvation is committed to repurposing old equipment where possible and properly recycling equipment that can no longer be used. So, yes, in the sense that we take back equipment before end of life, and that equipment can be refurbished and repurposed for applications that don’t require the most recent, top-of-the-line equipment, we’re contributing to a more sustainable product lifecycle ecosystem.

: IPTV is one of the core competencies of your company. What are some of the challenges integrators must consider in today’s IPTV environment?

JJ: VidOvation works closely with the prime systems integrator and the customer to ensure a smooth rollout of IPTV and digital signage on the customers’ network. One of the fundamental requirements of enterprise IPTV is for the network to be multicast and IGMP enabled.

: Digital signage is another important area for VidOvation. Where do you see the biggest growth areas in digital signage installs?

JJ: VidOvation has seen growth in digital signage in casinos, resorts, hotels, convention centers, stadiums, and corporate applications. Every enterprise is seeking new ways to inform and entertain their guests, fans, attendees, and employees. A mixed-media IPTV digital signage system with text, images, video, and live television is the perfect scalable solution to quickly and efficiently provide information and entertainment.

: When you are approached by digital signage customers, what are some of the elements that haven’t been considered for their installations?

JJ: In many installations, VidOvation combines IPTV and digital signage into one informational and entertainment system. This gives the user the added ability of integrating live television into the digital signage experience. It is possible to combine live TV, text, static images, and video clips all in one digital signage experience.

: At-home or REMI production: Was it a COVID-related fad, or is this a “new normal” option for multi-camera productions?

JJ: VidOvation has been successfully deploying

Jim Jachetta

Position: Executive Vice President and CTO

Company: VidOvation Overtime: I am a foodie. I love to meet new people and learn about them and their culture through food. So I plan my business trips around my favorite restaurants.

at-home or REMI production technology for more than eight years. Yes, the lockdown and COVID-19 accelerated the deployment and use of at-home production technology, but we were prepared for the growth.

You could say that COVID-19 was the catalyst to get more widespread use of at-home and REMI production, but the technology had already been tried and tested. And now there is no going back: Once content creators realized they could save time and money with at-home production technology, they were all in.

: What new initiatives are we likely to see from your company?

JJ: In hospitality, IPTV is a common requirement to support bring your own device (BYOD) to integrate the guest’s phone into the IPTV in-room experience. VidOvation provides a casting option to support casting video from a guest’s phone to the in-room IPTV screen.

JULIAN GATES has joined GROUP ONE LIMITED, the U.S. distributor for several pro audio and lighting brands, as technical support engineer for DiGiCo and KLANG. Gates is tasked with providing telephone and online technical support for DiGiCo’s and KLANG’s domestic customer bases, performing repairs and upgrade services in the shop, site-visiting clients to conduct product trainings, and other related duties.

In an effort to strengthen its development capabilities, HITOMI BROADCAST has added THANUJA MALLIKARACHCHI as a software design engineer and DYLAN GRIFFITHS as an engineering technician. Mallikarachchi joined Hitomi from Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he was a lecturer and researcher in data science and informatics. Griffiths is working on the continued development of iOS user interfaces for Hitomi, helping to develop an automated test rig to characterize the AV behavior of every variant of iPhone and iPad.

MARK HARAHAN has joined SDVI as vice president of sales for North America, and Simon Adler has been promoted to senior vice president of sales for North America. In the new roles at SDVI, Adler and Harahan will lead the company’s engagement with U.S. and

Canadian customers, helping existing customers continue to grow out their cloud-based media supply chains and helping new customers optimize their media supply chains in the cloud. Harahan has more than 25 years of experience selling into the media and entertainment industry, with strategic sales roles with Grass Valley, Miranda Technologies, and Sony Electronics. Adler has been with SDVI since 2017 and played an instrumental role in expanding the roster of SDVI customers.

Audio industry veteran DAVE PEDIGO has joined TRINNOV AUDIO as global director of training. In the newly created role, he will be responsible for the development and implementation of new and expanded training and educational programs, as well as supporting the development of industry immersive audio standards. With more than 20 years of experience in the custom electronics industry, Pedigo joins Trinnov from Auralex Acoustics, where he served as CEO.

VUWALL has added DAVID BROMBERG as regional sales manager of Western USA. He will focus on building the company’s channel of integration partners and resellers in the region.

Bromberg previously held sales positions with Kramer, Barco, and Legrand. In addition to Bromberg’s new role, VuWall has also announced that Christian Cooper is assuming an expanded role as regional sales manager of Eastern USA, while Francisco Provencio has been promoted to senior application engineer.

L-Acoustics Reorganizes Sales Efforts

L-Acoustics has created a new sales organization focused on sales strategy, business development, and building territorial sales channels. The new organization emerges with the retirement of Jochen Frohn, executive director of business development, who set the vision for the global sales team for the last 14 years.

Under the general management of CEO Laurent Vaissié, the new team will be spread across three divisions. The Business Development team will concentrate on developing commercial expertise and end user outreach in key vertical markets. The Strategy Leadership division will develop mid to long-term go-to-market strategies and key partnerships, as well as manage resource planning and market intelligence. Sales and Sales Operations will focus on developing regional sales channels.

Jacob Barfoed, who joined the company in 2022, has been promoted to global director and will lead the Sales and Sales Operations division. In his new role, he will

drive the overall productivity and effectiveness of the territory sales organization and lead sales growth, while building and maintaining long-term business relationships with key clients. Barfoed previously spent 20 years at Sony Professional, where he developed an intimate understanding of the distribution channels and broader business environment of the Pro AV industry.

Within the Sales and Sales Operations division, Oksana Mudrak moves into the role of global head of sales coordination, managing the support teams in the APAC, Americas, and EMEA regions. Also reporting to

Rep Report

THE FARM AV has purchased SIGNAL MARKETING, an AV manufacturer rep firm. Since 1987, Signal Marketing has provided a trusted connection between leading brands of audio, video, and musical products and dealers in the Rocky Mountain states and Arizona. The Farm will now cover Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

DRAPER has expanded its network of independent manufacturer representatives, with Mizzen Marketing and Richard Dean Associates being joined by AUDIO BIZ, EXCELLENCE MARKETING, FARM AV, HWPCO, MAINLINE MARKETING, MCFADDEN SALES, and SKMAC. The new reps will handle Draper’s projection screens and fabrics, as well as AV mounts and structures and commercial window shade products.

BLAZE AUDIO has selected AUDIO AMERICAS as its new sales rep for Latin America. The Latin American territory is a large and diverse region, and the distribution landscape varies in each country. Audio Americas is unique in that it is a single sales agency specializing in commercial audio, video, and control products. Audio Americas has its head office in Santiago, Chile, with sales managers based in Mexico and Costa Rica.

Barfoed, Nick Fichte has been promoted to the position of director of sales, L-Acoustics Creations. Newly integrated into the global sales division, Fichte will spearhead the global sales strategy and development of the L-Acoustics Creations network of certified integrators. Barfoed is also supported by David Cooper, director of sales APAC, and BJ Shaver, director of sales Americas.

The Business Development team includes two new key hires. Olivier Roure has joined the company as business development director, sports facilities, while Tim Boot has been named business development director, acoustics solutions. Other team members include William Cornell as director, musicals and theater, and Scott Wakelin, who has been promoted to director, hospitality. Paul Keating will assume a double role as managing director, L-Acoustics Creations EMEA, and director of the architectural vertical.

Julian Gates

Mark Harahan

Dave Pedigo

Dave Pedigo

Thanuja Mallikarachchi

Dylan Griffiths

Below: The L-Acoustics Sales and Sales Operation team includes (from left) Oksana Mudrak, BJ Shaver, David Cooper, Nick Fichte, and Jacob Barfoed. The L-Acoustics Business Development team features (from left) Scott Wakelin, Tim Boot, William Cornell, and Olivier Roure.

Reevaluate Your Employee Evaluations

One-on-One Meetings Yield Better Results than Traditional Performance Reviews

By Steve Greenblatt

Organizations have traditionally utilized performance reviews as a time when managers or supervisors meet with their direct reports to formally discuss their role and effectiveness while providing an evaluation of their contribution, conduct, and skills. In some cases, these engagements are prompted by an issue or need to address a deficiency. Most often, they mark a cyclical compensation assessment and an obligatory evaluation.

Classic performance reviews tend to be approached with a formal, regimented structure evoking feelings of anxiety and trepidation. While individuals often fret over the potential of having their destiny determined for the next year or more, managers and supervisors have the daunting task of evaluating their direct reports to determine how to rate and critique their performance and provide justification for a compensation adjustment within a predefined range.

Many organizations that subscribe to employee performance reviews follow a specific review process based on a structured grading system. While this type of scorecard system can be reliable in providing a consistent, objective barometer, it can also overlook or discount the truly unique and valuable qualities that contribute to future standout performers.

When assessing a person on paper, their personality, unique strengths, special abilities, and valuable insight can be easily masked and result in shortsighted conclusions. A lack of attention to these blind spots can lead to resounding repercussions—including discounting the true value of the individual, limiting potential, losing quality talent that moves on, and unknowingly paralyzing the organization. Perhaps the most glaring deficiencies of the classic performance review system are the infrequency of engagement, absence of timely feedback, oversight of the importance of regular communication, and the structure and formality of the process.

A Different Take

A modern alternative to the classic performance review that is being quickly adopted in forwardthinking organizations is the concept of frequent one-on-one meetings between supervisors and their direct reports. When practiced regularly, one-on-one meetings can be as short as 10-15 minutes daily or weekly, or longer sessions of 30-60 minutes can be

held monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually.

These valuable sessions provide an opportunity for open dialogue where team members are encouraged to share their thoughts allowing for concerns, obstacles, ideas, and feedback to be communicated in real time. Effective one-on-one meetings include a balance of two-way discussion and active listening by both team members and supervisors.

may need to be eased into this new approach. Here are some tips for getting started.

Commit to a regular meeting schedule. When both parties have a set time on their schedule, they will make it a priority. Meeting regularly provides opportunity to relieve pressure, minimize discomfort, and alleviate the potential of issues festering because they are not being addressed. Additionally, frequent dialogue not only allows for familiarity and timely interaction, but also leads to shorter meetings or discussions that produce more meaningful insight.

Have a consistent agenda and format. Like most meetings, successful and efficient one-onones stem from a predictable, goal-oriented approach that maintains focus. When participants are caught off guard, they become riddled with stress and anxiety, which results in interactions that are guarded and less effective. Knowing what to expect will ease tension and produce valuable conversation where both parties can walk away with a mutual understanding of takeaways.

Among the value of moving from a system of formal performance reviews to frequent one-on-one meetings is relieving the pressures and stress of doing them. For the onus that is put on annual performance reviews, the impact they provide does not correlate.

Sharing feedback and providing direction on an infrequent basis is not an effective way of strengthening an individual or team. Plus, setting annual goals and measuring progress infrequently with long intervals between meetings is not the most effective way of achieving results. Perhaps one of the biggest ills of annual reviews is the tendency for attention to goals and improvement only during time periods surrounding a recent meeting and leading up to the next scheduled review, which could be a year or more later.

Without making time to check in and listen regularly, it can be incredibly difficult to understand each person individually and manage them on a more customized basis. A culture of one-on-one meetings not only provides a more effective alternative to performance reviews, but also provides a valuable shift that organizations need to become more accommodating and attractive to the needs of their current and future team members.

The New Rules

Adopting one-on-one meetings can be a process, and those used to traditional performance reviews

Encourage ease of communication. Being available and offering opportunities to interact is critical for managers and supervisors to encourage dialogue. The more comfortable everyone feels, the more open and relaxed they will be to share and receive feedback that can be truly meaningful. As supervisors and their team members have a better understanding of each other’s personalities, wants, and needs, they will establish a rapport that will make communication easier, tendencies more predictable, knowledge transfer more seamless, and results more achievable.

Share understanding of roles and responsibilities. The supervisor/team member relationship stems from a bigger organizational picture that is developed to create value, run effectively, and be profitable, which provides stability for everyone employed. It is crucial for all team members to understand the importance of their role, goals, and how to contribute to results. Frequent communication and one-on-one meetings allow for real-time status checks, course correction, prioritization, and the ability to overcome obstacles that can stand in the way of achievement.

Steve Greenblatt, CTS, is the founder of Control Concepts, Inc., which provides specialized software and services for the Pro AV industry. Contact him at steveg@controlconcepts.net.

For the onus that is put on annual performance reviews, the impact they provide does not correlate.

Sustainability in Pro AV

Manufacturers and Integrators Work to Reduce Waste and Minimize Environmental Impact

By Carolyn Heinze and Mark J. Pescatore

Much like a light bulb has a usable life, so do most Pro AV products. After a product runs its course, though, what happens to it?

From components to packaging, what parts are reused or recycled? And do companies have policies in place to reduce waste during the manufacturing process?

These questions speak to the growing importance of sustainability. While definitions can vary widely, SCN generally defines sustainability as meeting present technological needs while minimizing long-term environmental impacts and raw material usage.

Commitment to Conservation

Thankfully, many companies serving the Pro AV industry already have sustainability programs. Yamaha, for example, participates in several initiatives, including the UN Global Compact, and has its own Sustainability Committee. Sennheiser has included environmental protection efforts in its corporate guidelines, with specific emphasis on materials, energy efficiency, and recycling.

According to Luca Lastrucci, co-founder and CEO of Powersoft, conserving energy has always been a part of the company’s DNA. With solar panels installed on its roof, for example, the company’s main factory in Italy generates enough power to be self-sufficient. “Not only does such an approach reduce the impact of equipment on the environment,” he explained, “but it also represents an interesting economic advantage.”

In 1995, Powersoft introduced Class D PWM technology, which Lastrucci said is “based on extremely high efficiency that allows it to transform all the energy drawn from the mains into usable power, and to recycle the reactive energy coming back from the loudspeakers. This was pretty revolutionary at the time, and it took a bit of time to be widely adopted, so we’re proud to have been at the heart of this advent.”

Other Powersoft technologies aimed at improving efficiency and consequently reducing power consumption are now part of the company’s design philosophy called Green Audio Power. “We will continue to contribute toward environmental sustainability, thanks to smaller, lighter, and more efficient amplifiers,” Lastrucci added. “This equates to lower electricity bills but also a lower carbon footprint, as well as a smaller impact on the environment as a result.”

Early last year, collaboration products developer Xilica, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, announced its commitment to carbon neutrality. The company is working to ensure its products will have net zero impact on the environment and achieve Climate Neutral Certified status. (Climate Neutral is a global nonprofit that helps companies offset their carbon emissions.)

“We know that fighting climate change requires strong, coordinated action across industries, and hope our own efforts will make a positive contribution to the larger movement for greater environmental responsibility,” said James Knight, Xilica’s COO, at the time of the announcement.

Reducing Waste

In a blog posted last month, Broadsign CEO Burr Smith said the company has pledged to reduce and offset its carbon footprint starting in 2023. The company, which worked with experts to understand

its carbon footprint, is still finalizing its plans, but expects to share details in Q2.

“We are committed to this because we understand the climate crisis is one of the most significant challenges facing the world and we all, individuals and businesses as well as governments, must do more to make our future brighter,” Smith wrote. “I don’t want to leave future generations, including my grandkids, worse off because nobody cared enough to try and make things better today.”

Patrick Cuddy, CTS, serves as director of enterprise and Pro AV distribution for Legrand|AV. As a LEED Green Associate (LEED is a popular green

Middle Atlantic Products will assemble racks with accessories and items that would otherwise be added on the job site, which eliminates extra plastic and cardboard from the waste stream.

Robert Trebus, director of sustainability at d&b audiotechnik, said the company’s Certified PreOwned program helps decrease the carbon footprint of its products.

Legrand|AV has embraced sustainability, according to Patrick Cuddy, director of enterprise and Pro AV distribution.

Broadsign’s Burr Smith said the company has pledged to reduce and offset its carbon footprint in 2023.

“People have to realize their own footprint and the environmental impact of their own production consumption. That’s where our industry can really step up.”

Patrick Cuddy, Legrand|AV

building rating system), he’s also very much a part of the company’s sustainability efforts. That includes a place on the AVIXA Sustainability Task Force, a volunteer group focused on creating standards and best practices for the Pro AV industry to create a more sustainable future.

Legrand|AV has made a conscious effort to embrace sustainability. Middle Atlantic Products, for example, uses recycled steel in its products, and provides packaging to customers to send batteries back for recycling. Da-Lite’s screens have received certification for low emitting projection screen fabrics from the GreenGuard Environmental Institute. Another Legrand|AV company retooled an entire product line to remove lead from its soldering process.

Is there waste in the AV industry? “There’s a ton—many tons,” offered Cuddy. “The challenge is that there are a plethora of certification systems. Some are targeted to specific industries or vertical markets, while others are more universal. It’s going to be interesting to see how we evolve to marry up those various standards.”

Sustainability does not exist in a vacuum; it is interdependent on a variety of factors. So, how does the AV industry get better? According to Cuddy, the first step is to “realize we need to get better.”

From shopping bags to electronics, U.S. consumers tend to practice a “use it and toss it” mentality. Cuddy would like to see the industry improve education efforts to customers, providing product life expectancy information and other details to encourage participation. “Our world is changing,” he noted. “We have more people, and we are very consumable in our focus

AVIXA Sustainability Task Force

Created by the AVIXA board of directors, the Sustainability Task Force is a yearlong initiative tasked with creating “a common understanding of sustainability for our industry.” The co-chairs of the task force are David Silberstein, channel sales manager for DTEN, and Thomas Serbruyns, vice president of strategic initiatives for Barco. The group is expected to disband by August 2023, once it submitted a proposal that investigates how the organization can support the Pro AV industry’s efforts in becoming more sustainable.

in the U.S.”

According to Cuddy, one of the AV industry’s biggest issues is electronic waste, or e-waste. The majority of end-of-life components are added to a landfill instead of getting some sort of second life. Cuddy proposed that older equipment can be repur-

SUSTAINABILITY BUSINESS

posed for different applications, stripped for parts, or even recycled for new products.

Reusing decommissioned equipment could have a positive impact on the supply chain as well as the environment. “Just because there’s a newer version doesn’t mean the previous version doesn’t work for the

right application,” he offered.

Cuddy said recycling is pretty good at the manufacturer’s end, as it is part of the waste stream in the production process. However, he would like to see the industry find more consistent efforts to encourage the recycling of batteries, displays, and other components.

“It’s the installed base that doesn’t have that readily available,” Cuddy explained. “People have to realize their own footprint and the environmental impact of their own production consumption. That’s where our industry can really step up.”

How Green Is Green?

What’s a good first step toward better environmental practices? Cuddy said manufacturers should look for opportunities to be more sustainable in the manufacturing process. They should also make sure all components and chemicals are compliant with RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) standards. Even relatively simple actions, such as turning off lights in factories when there are no humans present or scheduling downtime for equipment maintenance, can make a difference.

For the installer, sustainability efforts often begin with asking manufacturers a single question: What is the end-of-life process for your products?

Cuddy said adding sustainability information to bids and project specifications can be a very appealing feature for environmentally conscious clients.

Plus, some manufacturers offer services to reduce waste. For example, Middle Atlantic Products will assemble some items in racks prior to shipment. Not only can this improve installation efficiencies, but it reduces packing material waste at a job site. Cuddy said installers should look for

New Packaging Part of Shure Efforts

By Mark J. Pescatore

Last year, Shure announced it is adjusting its packaging to be more environmentally friendly. Starting this year, new products will have packaging that uses primarily renewable and recyclable materials. Among other initiatives, the company joined the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, audited more than 1,500 packaging components, and is committed to eliminating paper and fiber-based packaging that is not certified by sustainable forestry organizations by 2030. We reached out to Jamie Griffin, Shure’s vice president of operations, for more information about the company’s sustainability efforts.

: How challenging was it for Shure to implement these new packaging efforts?

Jamie Griffin: Upgrading packaging for the large number of Shure products is no small task. We especially need to balance the critical importance of creating packaging that protects sensitive electronic equipment being shipped around the world with environmental responsibility of that packaging. But we’ve found smart ways to improve on the environmental side, have begun implementing these new sustainable packaging initiatives, and are still working on improving.

: How has the Sustainable Packaging Coalition assisted in your efforts?

JG: It is able to provide a number of resources—

based on what they’ve learned from their research and what other companies are doing—to help our sustainable packaging team move forward with these efforts.

: Is Shure pursuing other sustainability efforts?

JG: Our work has made a positive impact on the environment—such as converting equipment to rechargeable batteries that helps keep hundreds of thousands of batteries out of landfills each year— but we still have more work to do.

We are working on greener logistics. Many of our facilities are also working on providing even smaller carbon footprints. We take our responsibility to the Earth seriously and are committed to making environmental improvements. We are taking a multi-disciplinary approach to sustainability, which includes our people, our products, our facilities, our communities, and our partners.

Powersoft, led by (from left) Luca Lastrucci, Claudio Lastrucci, and Antonio Peruch, maintains a design philosophy called Green Audio Power.

manufacturers that provide those types of services.

In August 2020, d&b audiotechnik, a sound reinforcement equipment manufacturer headquartered in Backnang, Germany, announced the launch of its Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program, under which the company recovers systems that are end-of-life, remanufactures them, and resells them into the marketplace.

Remanufacturing is not to be confused with repairing, recycling, or refurbishing. According to the Remanufacturing Industries Council—an alliance of businesses, trade associations, and academia—remanufacturing is a “rigorous industrial process by which a previously sold, leased, used, worn, remanufactured, or non-functional product or part is returned to a like-new, same-as-when-new, or better-than-when-new condition from both a quality and performance perspective, through a controlled, reproducible, and sustainable process.”

At d&b audiotechnik, systems included in the CPO program are checked for damages and dismantled down to the component level. They are then reassembled, repainted, and tested before being reintroduced into the market. Robert Trebus, director of sustainability at the company, noted the process not only enables d&b to decrease the carbon footprint of its products, it also makes its systems accessible to customers who don’t have the budget to purchase brand-new gear. “[There is] an attractive price benefit [which has] opened up another business segment,” he said.

Integrators may also look to organizations like Sustainability in AV (SAVe) for guidance on how to make their organizations more sustainable. (See our story on page 28.) Last fall, the nonprofit launched its first certification program in partnership with Tempest Technologies, an AV solutions and service provider based in Issaquah, WA. SAVe’s one-day program includes an education module, workshop, and assessment so integrators can develop a strategy for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015. Once companies identify which SDGs they will focus on, they may remain in regular contact with SAVe to share their progress, discuss their challenges, and access resources.

Still, transparency on the manufacturing side of things can help everyone make better purchasing decisions. Anyone who has attempted to buy a sustainable product understands that it can be difficult to discern just how environmentally friendly the item actually is. For this reason, Trebus would like to see Pro AV industry associations develop guidelines that help designers, integrators, and end users determine just how “green” are the products that are being specified and purchased.

“My concern is that by using the word ‘green’ everywhere, the end user can’t identify what is really sustainable and what is just a greenwashing marketing campaign,” he said. “We need a little bit

more structure and guidance in the market.”

Regardless, Trebus believes that pursuing sustainability is the biggest opportunity of this decade. He argues that when manufacturers work on decreasing their carbon footprint, they automatically increase the quality of their products, pointing

to similarities between sustainability best practices and ISO 9001 quality management standards.

“When you develop a product that is more sustainable, you increase the quality of what you do,” he added. “The result is a much higher value product in the end.”

Get to Know SAVe

Founder De Bono Is on a Mission to Achieve 2030 SDGs

By Wayne Cavadi

Sustainability in AV (SAVe) continues to make an effort to bring the Pro AV community together for a better and greener tomorrow. It is remarkable to think how much of an impact the organization has already made since becoming a nonprofit organization just a year ago.

SAVe was conceived by Christina De Bono, owner of ClearTech AV in Altadena, CA. She founded the organization as a vehicle for the AV industry to do its part to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were endorsed and adopted by all 193 member states of the United Nations in 2015. There are 169 targets among the 17 SDGs set for 2030. Two goals, for example, focus on ending poverty and hunger; other goals include creating sustainable cities and communities, as well as providing affordable and clean energy.

Simply put, SAVe is the first industry-wide, U.S.-based organization to bring stakeholders in the Pro AV field together to take action to achieve those 17 SDGs. It officially became a functional 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in early 2022. But how can SAVe help?

“The key word is action,” explained De Bono. “Unless we take concerted, meaningful, measurable action to achieve sustainability, the future of our industry, businesses, communities, and planet will be imperiled. The status quo is not sustainable. From climate change and environmental degradation to poverty and inequality, the challenges we face are profound, diverse, and getting worse by the day. We must address them as nations, as individuals, and as businesses.”

SAVe isn’t simply an organization working with the Pro AV industry, it is part of the industry. This makes SAVe better positioned to advance some goals more than others. “At the same time, we recognize the utter interconnectedness of the SDGs and understand that the key to achieving any one of them is to achieve all of them,” De Bono added.

Educate and Enable

So, what does SAVe do to help in achieving these lofty, yet imperative goals? Per De Bono, that answer can be made in two key areas.

First, SAVe educates. “Most members of our industry have never heard of the SDGs, much less acted on them,” De Bono noted. “It’s imperative that people come to understand the 2030 SDGs because

they provide a blueprint for action. Many people in our industry understand that the planet is imperiled, and they have a vague understanding of what sustainability means. But very few have any conception of what they, and the companies they run or work for, can do to meaningfully advance sustainability.

“Consequently, we are in the process of creating a robust library of information resources, including educational modules whose topics range from the history of the SDGs to specific issues such as the proliferation of electronic waste [e-waste]. These resources are available to the public, and the classes are used specifically for volunteer training and SAVe Certification.”

SAVe also enables action. De Bono mapped out two principal programs that the organization has created for members of the Pro AV industry: SAVe Certification and SAVe: A Second Life.

SAVe Certification was created specifically for members of the AV industry. The three-part, SAVe-led workshop helps organizations identify ways to advance the SDGs while developing means to act on them at the same time. Once SAVe Certified, a company can inform and educate others about its commitment to achieving the SDGs.

“The goal is to give them the structure and tools to advance the SDGs meaningfully, measurably and— for lack of a better word—sustainably over time,” De Bono added. “To achieve SAVe certification, organizations complete the workshops, create a sustainability program, and submit it to SAVe for review.”

SAVe: A Second Life was developed in partnership

with the Commission on Voluntary Service & Action (CVSA). “Together, SAVe and CVSA are working to create a network that facilitates the reuse of AV equipment and peripherals,” explained De Bono.

“When reuse is not an option, SAVe: A Second Life will assist equipment manufacturers, resellers, and owners in responsible recycling and disposal of equipment so as to minimize the environmental impact of e-waste.”

Partnering for a Better Tomorrow

As with any lofty initiative, SAVe can’t achieve the SDGs by itself. “SAVe will work with any organization that shares our objective,” said De Bono.

To date, SAVe has established formal partnerships with four organizations, including the CVSA. “The CVSA is an all-volunteer coordinating and consultative body of non-government volunteer service organizations founded in 1945 to promote, expand, and strengthen voluntary service programs that serve people in need,” explained De Bono. “[CVSA] provides a model for the kind of grassroots organizing that will maximize the effectiveness of SAVe, while ensuring its independence from forces that may try to coopt it.”

The Western Service Workers Association (WSWA) is a free and voluntary membership association built by and for low-income service, domestic, in-home care, part-time, and temporary works since 1975. “Though WSWA and SAVe are distinctly different organizations,” De Bono explained, “they share a commitment to advancing the SDGs—and are both grounded in an organizational model that mobilizes individuals and businesses to achieve common goals while preserving their independence and autonomy.”

The Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA) is an advocacy organization focused on the higher education AV industry. HETMA represents 312 colleges and universities, raising awareness of technology issues and the needs and challenges higher education technology managers face. “HETMA members share SAVe’s commitment to advancing the SDGs, and provide an invaluable conduit for us to harness the power of higher education institutions to secure our future,” said De Bono.

SAVe will also be part of the Impact Lounge at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), one of the largest global Pro AV and systems integration shows, in Barcelona in 2023. “As the SDGs are a global initiative, our partnership with ISE will be a force multiplier for SAVe,” said De Bono.

SAVe shares the same goals as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

NAB Show Launches Sustainability Awards

NAB Show is launching a new awards program to recognize individuals, companies, and products for outstanding innovations in media technology that promote conservation and reusability of natural resources and foster economic and social development. The NAB Show Excellence in Sustainability Awards will be presented on April 15 during a special ceremony on the Main Stage at NAB Show in Las Vegas.

“Sustainability efforts not only benefit the planet and society but also make good business sense,” said Chris Brown, executive vice president of global connections and events at the National Association of Broadcasters. “In addition to providing global recognition for sustainability leaders within our industry, NAB Show is

ability Champion Award, which honors individuals driving sustainability efforts and programs; the Sustainability Leadership Award, honoring organizations that have launched or completed sustainability initiatives in the past 12 months; and the Sustainability Product or Service Award, which recognizes products or services launched in the past 12 months that significantly improve sustainability or provide sustainable market alternatives.

NAB Show will accept nominations from businesses of all sizes, locations, and maturity, including nonprofit

Former SMPTE executive director Barbara Lange, who now serves CEO of Kibo121, a consultancy firm that guides media technology organizations on their path to sustainability, will manage the NAB Show Excellence in Sustainability Award program. “I am delighted to work with NAB Show and AWS on this program to help elevate this important initiative within our industry,” she said.

The awards are supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS), which is known for its efforts to support Amazon becoming net zero carbon by 2040. “The media and entertainment community is continuously finding new ways to reduce our carbon footprint, from cutting back on the number of production vans for broadcasts, to flights needed, to energy output from facilities,” said Marc Aldrich, general manager of media

Learn from the Past, Shape Your Future

It’s Time to Change Your Approach to Pro AV

By Julian Phillips

Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci famously quipped, “It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”

It is true that a lot of “stuff” has happened to us over the last three years—global pandemic, political strife, war in Europe, global supply chain meltdown, and the ever-increasing evidence of the effects of climate change. Our mistake would be to believe that we are mere pawns in a giant game of chess and the victims of unseen enemies. Let’s not take that path, because if we can learn from our past, we can shape our future. We are all actors, and we must all play our part.

Let’s rewind a century and learn from what happened in the aftermath of the last global pandemic, the tragically misnamed “Spanish Flu” that came off the back of the ghastly Great War in 1918. The 1920s became an era of emancipation, experimentation, exploration, and invention; from the women’s suffrage movement, the discovery of the North Pole, the use of insulin to treat diabetes, and the world’s first television, it seemed that old rules were being broken and boundaries were stretched beyond the believable. It took the Wall Steet crash and the subsequent Great Depression to put an end to the Roaring ‘20s, but by then, we had learned that collective human endeavor could achieve far more than the “grand designs” of the elite.

Here we are then, it’s 2023, and the future of the Pro AV industry is in our hands. What are the lessons we can learn, and what can we do to shape our future? Well, here are five thoughts for the global AV community, and hopefully they will provide resonance from whatever your background or the role you currently play.

Rip Up the Rule Book

There is a reason why we did things the way we did, and usually always for the right reasons, but now is the time to rethink and reimagine—whether it’s

designing conference rooms without tables or replacing redundant hardware with software in the cloud. Virtually every single scenario that demanded AV standards or UCC reference designs has changed and, in many cases, dramatically. Now is the time for blank sheets of paper and blue-sky thinking. Be brave and use tools like virtual reality to experiment and fast track ideas.

Convert from Linear to Circular Design

The Pro AV industry emerged within a linear design process of real estate developers handing off to architects, who passed on to facilities managers and general contractors, who engaged with IT departments and consultants, who bid out to integrators, which specified manufacturer’s products and employed labor to build, operate, and support for end users. This may be how we built automobiles in the 1980s, but it is too siloed, costly, time-consuming, and redundant for the unique challenges we face today.

Instead, we need to be “circular,” with human experience in the center and all stakeholders working together at the same time in continuously learning, rapidly adapting, and improving teams. And on the subject of circularity, we need to address sustainability—not just with the recycling of products and components, but by eliminating wasted time and not recycling old ideas.

Transform Your Business Model

It is highly likely that if your designs, standards, and processes are outdated, then your business model will be, too. This applies as much to the “check producing” end user community as it does to service providers.

The linear design process encourages transactional commercial behaviors, with everyone having their assigned role in sequence and “best value” supposedly assured through market competition at a singular event, like a bid. But the circular design process is not best served through a transactional mindset. Circular design demands partnership, collaboration, shared costs, and rewards—everyone in the endeavor together and everyone in it for the long run.

Much greater success, productivity, and profitability will be assured when we learn to trust each other, share our knowledge, ideas, and skills. To this end, the measurement of customer/ vendor relationships must transition from deals to lifetime value.

Transform Your Organization, Too  Just like buses, none come along for ages and then three arrive all at the same time. If transforming designs and business models are not enough, we also need to look long and hard at organizational designs. Is your current company, department, or team organized in the right way to make all these changes, address customer needs, and drive success into the future?

If you’re not sure where to start, the unified global response to COVID-19 should provide a big clue. Overnight, we experimented quickly and adapted fast. Not only did we shift from our offices and schools to our homes, but we also learned how to distribute work and provided greater flexibility and life balance.

Our biggest issue with “return to office” is that the workforce has become agile and adaptable, and our organizations have stayed virtually the same. Organizations based around purpose, not function, are most likely to succeed.

Delete the Fear of Failure

Finally, in this brave new world, we all need to be explorers and creators, not followers and copiers. We need to try new things and test new ideas. Not all of it is going to work, and some of it could be downright horrible. But if we persist with this dangerously outdated notion of celebrating the A+ student who simply learns how to repeat received opinion rather than the F student who tries something totally radical and fails, then we persist with a culture of mediocrity, eventual decline, and irrelevance.

The “Soaring 2020s” will be defined by those who fearlessly shape the future, and who don’t sit back and wait for things to happen to them but go out and happen to things. Now, over to you.

Julian Phillips is the managing director of XTG, the AVI-SPL Experience Technology Group, and was named a member of the SCN Hall of Fame in 2019.

Organizations based around purpose, not function, are most likely to succeed.

Avoiding AV Complexities

Contra Costa County Invests in AV Enterprise Solution for $60 Million Administration Building

By Michael Silbergleid

When it opened in 1964, the 12-story Contra Costa County Administration Building in Martinez, CA, was state-ofthe-art. But over the years, time had taken its toll.

“The building was costing the county a fair amount of money to maintain,” said Wayne Tilley, information system division director—communications, at the Department of Information Technology for Contra Costa County. “Systems were aging out and could not be maintained effectively. The building was at a critical age point.”

County administrators and the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors realized the need for a new building. The solution would be to build a new four-story administration building across the street from the original building and then raze the 1964 structure. In 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved $60 million for the new 71,000-square-foot building; construction began in 2018 and was completed in 2020.

Ahead of the Curve

“Those of us at the county started talking more and more about AV and its complexities—its inability to be simplistic, what remote to use, how to turn things on, linking to third-party systems—and how to make

that better, but more importantly, what AV could bring to the county,” said Tilley.

Tilley engaged with several companies he had worked with in the past, and found himself meeting with Chris Apple, vice president of sales for Interactive Digital Solutions (IDS), a company that both he and the county had worked with for 12 years, even before Tilley began working for the county.

“We started to sketch things out,” recalled Tilley. “We looked at how to make AV simpler, use automation, use a one-touch panel instead of multiple remotes, and room scheduling. In a couple of hours, we had everything that we could think of.”

IDS would eventually win the bid for the new building’s AV system. “We’ve been designing this

system for a year and a half—it took four months to get everything installed,” said Matt Rhodes, director of sales for North America for IDS. “Everything” included outfitting 15 executive offices, 40 conference rooms, 10 break rooms, a training room, the chamber room for the Board of Supervisors meetings, and 20 digital signage locations plus an outdoor kiosk.

“Most places don’t want to invest in a full IP-based AV enterprise solution like Contra Costa County has,” said Rhodes. “But that can be expanded county-wide for a centralized video solution. In 2019, before COVID, most designers and organizations were not doing a multi-software meeting platform approach; it was all Zoom or Webex. We were ahead of the curve and saw the need for multiple software platforms in each room—and the county wanted to do what we thought was a great idea. Of course, now, multiplatform is a must have.”

One of the biggest reasons the partnership between IDS and Contra Costa County exists, according to Rhodes, is the company’s on-site engineering and remote management support. “We’re ingrained into the support structure, with an engineer on site one day a week and during board meetings. We’re also just 90 minutes away should something unexpected happen,” Rhodes said. “This all leads to a partnership that is good and healthy, which is why the county is one of our best customers.”

Control Consistency

Part of the simplicity that Tilley wanted can be found in how IDS designed the system, with every room built on the same foundation, from the board chamber to the smallest conference room. This gives users a common experience throughout the building.

“Each room has a profile of how it can be used: its permitted occupancy and available technologies,” said Tilley. “We don’t have a bunch of people trying to use the same room at the same time. Now, a person walks in, the room is preset, they turn on the panel, and have their meeting.”

The panel is from Crestron or Avocor, depending on the size of the room. “Larger rooms use a Crestron control panel,” explained Tilley. “This allows me to come into a room, touch a button that turns on the lights and the monitor, then touch a link and bring up my video meeting. I can also control speaker and mic levels, plus the camera in the room can count the number of people to verify capacity.”

Rhodes added that each room needs some sort of compute resource. “This lets users schedule meetings, but it also lets Wayne and his team, as well as us off site, see all the equipment and know its health. During COVID, we would know if lower room capacities were

The new chambers for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors features simplified audio control and a large video wall.

Avocor touchscreen displays are used in several rooms to control video meetings and whiteboard presentations.

outdoor kiosk and 20 digital signage locations were included in the project.

CONTROL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

accommodate public overflow by opening up other rooms so that they can watch the proceedings and make statements to the board as though they were in the main board chamber,” he noted.

“Smaller rooms use Avocor’s 65-inch or 86-inch touchscreen displays,” explained Dana Corey, senior vice president and general manager for Avocor. “Twenty of the smaller displays are spread throughout the building and five of the larger displays are split between the board chamber, executive offices, and other meeting rooms for controlling video meetings and whiteboard presentations.”

Now In Session

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors started meeting in its new chambers in September 2020, with the public attending virtually. While various departments would move into the building during the pandemic, it wouldn’t be until March 2022 when the public could attend meetings in person.

According to Tilley, the AV design goal for the board chamber was simplicity. “It needed to be easy for board members, administration folks, and our CCTV partners that televise the meetings,” he added.

exceeded. Before COVID, no one really carried about that type of basic analytics. If nothing happens in a room after 15 minutes, it’s released for other users.”

According to Tilley, a benefit of multiroom control is the ability to expand videoconferencing to breakout rooms. “During board meetings, we can

IDS is Avocor’s top reseller, according to Christal Giles, western regional sales manager for Avocor. “We’ve been working with IDS since 2019, and we’re currently working with them on the county’s new Health Department Services Building, with 13 65-inch touchscreen displays, and the Employee Human Service Building, with 65, 75, and 86-inch touchscreen displays,” Giles added.

Avocor’s displays utilize the Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) using an Avocor i7 OPS PC with Windows 365. With an OPS side slot in the display, users can swap in a new PC without having to deal with external cabling.

All the mics easily plug in and have auto sync with auto level control. There’s Wi-Fi in the room, so the public can watch meetings on their smartphones and hear real-time Spanish translation, or watch English and Spanish dual-line open captions. Wireless audio assist is also available.

The highlight of the chamber is its video wall, a 16x9-foot widescreen display made of 64 panels. “I wish we could have gone bigger,” said Tilley, “but we were limited by the available height. With a new building, you shoot for the moon—but architects and accountants bring you back to reality to what the true department needs are. And that goes back to an AV system that works independently and seamlessly.”

An

One Size Fits All?

With New USB4 Specs, USB-C Might Become Universal Connector

By Pete Putman

The transition from analog to digital audio and video signal formats over the past two decades has completely redefined the Pro AV industry. It’s enabled us to pack more pixels on the screen and distribute immersive audio to speaker arrays. We can move data at lightning speeds, use network switches and software to distribute audio and video, and stream 4K content with high dynamic range over fast networks to the home.

But there’s one task that has yet to be accomplished: consolidate all the different types of connectors in use for video, audio, control, and power. Given the myriad of connectors we were forced to use in the analog days, we’ve come a long way toward consolidation: HDMI and DisplayPort can both carry embedded audio, and the latter interface also provides low-voltage power. Twisted-pair signal extenders can transport power over ethernet (PoE) along with RS-232 (still around!) and infrared signaling (also still around!), but that adds another level of complexity.

USB-C Advantages

Until a few years ago, these video and audio interfaces existed separately from high-speed data transported over the universal serial bus (USB) interface. HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB 2.0 were commonly found together on signal extenders (and on some matrix and presentation switchers) but remained in their own

lanes. That is, until the development of the USB Type-C connector, concurrent with the release of the USB 3.0 standard.

The Type-C connector is a totally different animal than older USB Type A, mini, and micro versions. For one thing, Type-C is a compact 24-pin symmetrical connector, meaning it makes no difference which way you plug it in. (This is a very handy attribute when trying to charge your phone after a late night.) Type-C is also a “smart” connector, configuring its pins to fit the application. Need to move files and charge a device? Done with no fuss and no muss. Need more lanes to move data? You got it.

What really makes Type-C the cat’s pajamas is that it can also transport display and audio signals using what’s called Alternate Mode. If your laptop has Type-C ports, it doesn’t need a separate HDMI or DisplayPort jack—simply connect a monitor using a Type-C cable, just as you’d connect an external solid-state drive. (While fully compatible with DisplayPort, Alternate Mode only works with HDMI version 2.1, not 2.0 or 1.3/1.4.)

Need for Speed

Now, USB has gotten even faster. Last October, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) published its USB4 Version 2.0 specification, which claims a maximum data rate of 80 Gbps over Type-C cables and connectors. That is a significant boost in performance for UHD displays, storage devices, and USB-based hubs and docks. The USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery (USB

Pure Fi Offers New 40 Gbps USB-C Cable

In January, Pure Fi unveiled its Pure Fi USB Type-C Active Optical Cable (AOC). One of the first USB-C active optical cables offering speeds of up to 40 Gbps up to 30 feet, the new cable is ideal for applica tions that require high-speed connectivity between devices not located close to one another. Compatible with the latest USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 and 4 devices, it offers bi-directional connectiv ity across a wide range of current and legacy USB devices.

With a cable diameter of just 0.2 inches, the Pure Fi USB-C AOC’s sleek form factor ensures connectivity without being encumbered by thicker cabling options. Plus, the 30-foot cable allows users to place external drives and other peripherals in a closet or in another room, moving noise and heat production away from the workspace. Its ability to deliver up to 60W of power over USB-C is also ideal for VR applications, as the cable delivers a steady charge for hours of uninter rupted use.

PD) specifications have also been updated to support this higher level of data performance.

In its press release, the USB-IF touted “…Up to 80 Gb/s operation, utilizing a new physical layer architecture based on PAM3 signal encoding, over existing 40 Gb/s USB Type-C passive cables and newly-defined 80 Gb/s USB Type-C active cables.” (PAM stands for Pulse Amplitude Modulation, a signaling system also used for HDBaseT signal extenders.) Note, the maximum data rate of 80 Gbps applies only when all lanes are used for data and no other applications.

Another feature of USB4 and the “smart” Type-C connector is adaptive data transfer rates. From the press release: “Optionally for certain applications, such as driving very-high performance USB4-based displays, the USB Type-C signal interface can be configured asymmetrically to deliver up to 120 Gb/s in one direction while retaining 40 Gb/s in the other direction.”

You couldn’t even conceive of doing that with older versions of HDMI, any version of DVI, or analog connectors. USB4 will also enable Enhanced SuperSpeed USB data tunneling to exceed 20 Gbps (per lane) and is compatible with DisplayPort Revision 2.1 and PCI Express Revision 4.

Why is that extra speed so important? Consider that an UltraHD monitor (3840x2160 pixels) with a refresh rate of 120 Hz (for gaming) and 10-bit RGB color requires a display data rate of about 43 Gbps. Both HDMI and DisplayPort upgraded their specifications in recent years to get well above 50 Gbps to support high frame rates and increased color bit depth. Now, they have a universal serial data interface that’s catching up.

Migration to Unification

I say “universal” because a migration to Type-C— something Apple is already doing to switch from its proprietary Lightning connector—offers economies of scale to commercial and consumer electronics manufacturers. If one connector can do all the heavy lifting, why not let it while reducing the number of

Products like the Lightware UCX-4x2-HC30 universal matrix switcher already feature USB-C ports for 4K, audio, data, and power connectivity.

Like any other signal, USB bits can be shared across multiple destinations through hubs (equiva lent to distribution amplifiers). They can also be sent to specific destinations through switchers. And we’re already familiar with the operation of these products for moving HDMI and DisplayPort signals. Manufac turers of signal management and distribution products are now expanding their lines to add USB hubs and switches.

There are also hybrid switcher products coming to market that mix Type-C and HDMI inputs, although the maximum data rate through the Type-C ports is currently limited. One example I found from Lightware provides two Type-C and two HDMI 2.0 inputs with a maximum data rate of 18 Gbps (good enough for UltraHD/60 with 8-bit RGB color) and two HDMI 2.0 outputs. These are baby

interface? Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports look exactly the same as USB-C ports and their connectors are physically identical. You can connect

a USB-C device into a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port without any problems. Currently, Thunderbolt holds the edge in data transfer speeds (40 Gbps) and will continue to do so for a while, as adoption of USB4 will—like any new signal interface format— take time. And Thunderbolt can also transport

Still, the writing is on the wall for discrete signal interfaces. As more manufacturers get on board with Type-C interfaces and signal management products, there will be a push to consolidate and simplify the number of connectors and cables we use with computers and displays. And from my perspective, USB4 Type-C is the most likely candidate to emerge the winner.

Pete Putman, CTS, KT2B, is the president of ROAM Consulting.

As more manufacturers get on board with Type-C interfaces and signal management products, there will be a push to consolidate and simplify the number of connectors and cables we use with computers and displays.

Comprehensive K-12 Communication

Mass Notification Finally Getting ‘Attention It Deserves’

By Carolyn Heinze

Founded in 1958, Christopher Columbus High School (CCHS) in the suburbs of Miami counts a number of Fortune 500 CEOs among its alumni. Renowned for its college preparatory program, football and athletics, and focus on leveraging technology, the private, all-boys Catholic school recently deployed a campus-wide mass notification system to improve communications across the 24-acre property.

The CCHS campus connects the facility’s audito-

Get the Message Out

rium, classrooms, and indoor gymnasium via a series of breezeways. The need to communicate news and instructions to students, faculty, and visitors—both on a routine basis as well as during emergencies— drove the school to invest in AtlasIED’s IPX Series of IP endpoints with Singlewire’s InformaCast mass notification software. United Data Technologies (UDT), a Miramar, FL-based provider of IT, security, and AV solutions, headed up the integration.

UDT integrated the InformaCast software with 120 AtlasIED IPX speakers and displays positioned in the school’s classrooms. There are also 20 IP horns installed in the facility’s common areas, parking

garages, and outdoor lots. The network-ready IP endpoints are PoE-capable, which facilitates system expansion, if required.

Multi-Purpose System

The system is used as an intercom, for daily bell schedules, and for announcements, meditations, and prayers. Delivered directly from an administrator’s phone, content may be live or pre-recorded. With Singlewire’s InformaCast software, the school can send emergency messaging (either via text or audio) to the phones of students, staff, and parents, both on campus and off. It will also alert law enforcement in the event of an emergency.

“AtlasIED works very nicely with InformaCast, and it works very nicely with [the school’s] Cisco phone system,” said Joe Montesinos, senior account manager at UDT. “It was very easy to integrate all three of them.”

Mass notification is “finally getting the attention it deserves,” Montesinos noted. He points to Senate Bill 70, passed by the Florida Legislature in 2020, which mandates the deployment of mobile panic alert systems that can communicate in real time with emergency response services in all Florida public schools and charters. The bill, known as “Alyssa’s Alert,” is named for Alyssa Alhadeff, who was killed during a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, in February 2018.

“The InformCast software with the AtlasIED technology allows us [that communication],” Montesinos said. “If there is an active shooter or a fire in the facility, we can control the exits. You can have constant, two-way communication with your classrooms and your teachers [that instructs them to either] evacuate or lock down. All of those things are in an emergency procedures manual, and they execute off of that.”

The ability to deliver emergency alerts to parents who are not on campus is also important, Montesinos said, because it minimizes confusion. For example, a school might go into lockdown mode not because of

Streamlining communications throughout any facility is crucial to keeping things running smoothly and making buildings as safe as possible. Here are some systems to consider.

Biamp Vocia

An emergency communications, paging, and background music system, Vocia is a scalable solution based on a distributed, decentralized architecture. It allows for zone-based communications and is suitable for corporate offices, school campuses, airports and transit centers, healthcare facilities, and more.

Bogen Communications Nyquist E7000

A software-based system, Bogen’s Nyquist E7000 is an IP-based paging and intercom solution designed for communications on campus as well as a districtwide basis. Its GUI provides map-based paging and intercom management, as well as station supervision with email alerts. Other features include text-to-speech functionality, which enables users to create pre-recorded, scripted announcements.

TOA Electronics TOAlert

TOAlert is an EverAlert mass notification platform. The company’s ecosystem of TOAlert products includes a display, smart media player, embedded web server, PoE and Wi-Fi receivers, and a bracket mount. The system is compatible with TOA’s N-8000 intercom and VM-3000 mass communication systems. The VM-3000 Series includes amplifiers, remote microphones, remote mic extension unit, emergency power supply, and fireman’s microphone featuring an emergency activation key that activates pre-recorded emergency alerts.

Christopher Columbus High School has deployed a campus-wide mass notification system to improve regular and emergency communications.

an emergency on premises, but due to an incident in the surrounding area, such as a holdup at a neighboring shopping center. Informing parents of these details can help to curb panic.

Cameras Fall Short

Jesus Villahermosa, president of Crisis Reality Training, based in University Place, WA, teaches K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, and corporations the protective measures to follow in the event of a mass shooting. He also provides securityrelated site assessments and consults with architects on how to design safer facilities. He argues that while facilities may rely on camera systems to keep their properties secure, in many cases they aren’t effective.

He cited the mass shooting that took place in May 2022 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX. “The

problem with camera systems is they’re rarely ever monitored in any school in America,” Villahermosa explained. In Uvalde, he said the cameras simply served to film everything the school and the authorities got wrong.

“[There is the shooter] walking in, clearly showing that the argument that the door wasn’t latching correctly to be incorrect,” he observed. “The door latch is perfectly fine—you can hear it as clear as day as it shuts behind him. So your camera has just recorded your failures. I don’t know of any time that a camera has saved a life in an active shooting.”

Villahermosa spent 33 years on the police force in Pierce County, WA, as a deputy sheriff and point man for the S.W.A.T. team. A first responder during a number of active shootings—one was at his son’s high school, which his son thankfully survived—he has spent the last four decades researching mass shootings around the world. Based on his experience, Villahermosa recommends that mass notification technology is the best tool in emergency situations.

“The emergency notification system is the only system that notifies everyone on a campus of the same thing at the same time,” Villahermosa said.

Of course, this is only true if mass notification systems are configured properly and tested regularly.

Villahermosa noted most mass notification systems in schools are configured to be heard during classroom time when things are relatively quiet. The same goes for emergency drills, which are “spontaneously” announced, again, during classroom time. “When do most school shootings happen? Ninety percent [of them are] during passing periods,” he said, referring to when students are at their lockers or on their way to the next class.

Herein lies the problem. If the system is set at 70 decibels but the noise during a passing period measures 95 decibels, for example, no one is going to hear the emergency alert properly. “PAs are set at 65 to 70 decibels because we’re expecting you to be quiet,” Villahermosa said. “The bad guy could care less what you’re expecting.”

Back at CCHS, Alex Seage, senior director of technology and innovation, said the school’s new mass notification system has contributed to an improved learning and teaching environment, while increasing safety at the same time. “With such a large campus and students as young as 14 years old, you have to be ready to communicate to them immediately,” he said. “Having this system in place has really helped us communicate and get the word out to keep the campus safe.”

From left, Jesus Villahermosa and Joe Montesinos

The Importance

Interoperability

By Dave Van Hoy

Last month, we discussed the topic of vendor interoperability in the cloud and the challenges of building ecosystems with different independent software vendor (ISV) products that “talk” to one another. Media technology companies innovate first, engineering products before there are standards that facilitate creating ecosystems with those products.

As systems integrators, we look to create homogeneous systems with multiple vendors’ products in the cloud in the same way we use SDI or ST-2110 for on-prem installs. While not designed initially as an internet protocol, Vizrt’s Network Device Interface (NDI) is currently the most prevalent interface between different vendors for use in the public cloud.

Speed Bumps for Standardization

There are a multitude of considerations when determining the proper protocols for a system in the cloud, including the type of transport to the

cloud and output destination (CDN, private network, terrestrial), processing system, complex switched production versus simple distribution, etc.

We’re still in the early days, but I think we’ll see public cloud hyperscaler-oriented standards within the next few years. If we look at Google as an example, they’ve always been a champion of open standards and have the financial and technical ability to drive them forward. Just take a look at Google’s purchase of On2 Technologies for $124.6 million in 2010. The company open sourced the code for its VP8 video codec to create VP9.

The problem we have with standards in this arena today is that the time it takes for organizations to adopt them can take years of negotiation between vendors. With the speed of development typical in the internet industry, that glacial pace won’t cut it when standardizing protocols for the cloud.

We’ve been grappling with questions around this. First, can standards bodies adapt and publish a standard in months not years? Second, how did a commercially successful standard like NDI become so widely used when it was never sanctioned by any standards organization?

The problem we have with standards in this arena today is that the time it takes for organizations to adopt them can take years of negotiation between vendors.

of

CLOUD POWER TECHNOLOGY

The NDI Anomaly

Another approach is illustrated by NDI. NewTek created NDI, then offered it free to everyone, encouraging other vendors to use it. The intent is to generate more sales for NewTek, since its NDI-supported line would be interoperable with more products.

That’s one methodology, but it can be a long shot because only one company has skin in the game. And the competitive companies you want to be involved with as part of the ecosystem likely won’t jump to adopt another company’s tech. The case of NDI’s adoption is unusual because the technology was so compelling, and customers were asking for its implementation. When customers ask vendors, "This NDI interface is great, why aren't you supporting it?" it speeds implementation pretty fast.

That was the case with Grass Valley’s Agile Media Processing Platform (AMPP) cloud-native live production system. NDI is a key component in ASG’s Virtual Production Control Room (VPCR) ecosystem. We asked Grass Valley to add NDI support to AMPP so it would talk to other products within VPCR. They came back with NDI support in a matter of weeks. It’s been the same pattern when we asked other vendors for NDI support.

Association Time?

In discussions with hyperscaler and vendor execs about how to speed protocol standardization, we’ve concluded that the best way to achieve that goal would be through an industry association.

Case in point: The HDMI standard is owned by the HDMI Association. The association is open; any company can join. Most consumer displays have an HDMI port in the back. Interoperability is guaranteed because it is in the TV manufacturer and provider’s best interest to be interoperable with each other.

Imagine if you needed a different set-top box for a Sony TV versus an LG TV or a Samsung, etc.? What would that do to the marketplace? It wouldn’t exist. Industry associations can move at the speed they decide is commercially important to react.

If the HDMI Association comes out with HDMI 1.3, but that standard doesn’t have enough bandwidth for UHD, which is what TV manufacturers need to create market churn with new 4K TVs, it’s in everyone’s commercial interest to collaborate on HDMI 1.4. Then, come the holiday season, you can sell HDMI and new UHD TVs that interface to a set-top box with HDMI 1.4.

I believe this is the methodology under which we’re going to see standards evolve for internet and hyperscaler-based production. Industry associations put their money and energy into creating standards on which interoperable products can be based. And they can move at a speed in the best business interest of all involved.

Interoperability is crucial for both hyperscalers and vendors. The hyperscalers have two competitors: each other and on-prem installations. If there’s a way to make things work on-premises that you can’t in

the cloud, your customers are not going to buy your cloud services. And if you’re an ISV and must write different code to run in Google versus AWS versus Azure to make things communicate, hyperscalers have created a disadvantage for themselves. The ISV will select just one company for cloud services.

Vendors have discovered the same need to be interoperable with one another’s technology. Does anyone remember the Panasonic MII format war against the third-party-supported Sony Betacam? Getting a small piece of something is always better than a big piece of nothing.

Magewell USB Fusion

USB Fusion, a multi-input video capture and mixing device, lets users easily combine camera, wired screenshare, and media file sources into attractive live presentations for online lectures, live streaming, videoconferencing, and other applications. Featuring two HDMI inputs and one USB webcam input, USB Fusion lets users switch between 1080p60 HD sources or combine two inputs (picture-in-picture or side-byside) into one output and capture the result into popular software via its USB 3.0 interface. It also offers an HDMI output, making it equally adept as a standalone, tablet-controlled presentation device. On-device buttons allow users to switch between sources or select a combined scene layout, while a browser-based web interface offers presentation management, scene switching, status monitoring, and device configuration. The free USB Fusion companion app provides expanded layout controls and lets users add pictures, video clips, and more into presentations.

Studio Technologies Model 342 Intercom Station

The new Model 342 is a two-channel intercom user station that supports Dante workflows. The compact, desktop device integrates seamlessly with other Studio Technologies Dante-based intercom system products to create flexible intercom resources for broadcast or live events. It supports both Dante and AES67 operation, and is compatible with Dante Domain Manager software. For power, it only requires

a standard PoE network connection. Hardware features include a dual-channel (stereo) headphone output, two headset connectors, integrated sidetone support, call signal receive display, and remote mic kill (“talk off”). With both 5-pin XLR and 3.5 mm TRRS headset connectors, the Model 342 is compatible with professional broadcast headsets, gaming headsets, and mobile phone earbuds. The microphone input circuitry supports dynamic or electret microphones, and the unit’s two LED-illuminated talk pushbutton switches can be independently configured.

group modes. Installation methods include tabletop, wall, and display mounting using optional mounting accessories. Both have also been certified as a Zoom Rooms hardware devices.

Yamaha Unified Communications CS-800 / CS-500

An all-in-one system, the CS-800 (pictured) video sound bar integrates the microphone, speaker, camera, and HDMI video output required for remote conferences into one device, while the CS-500 video collaboration system includes the microphone, camera, and HDMI video output, utilizing the speaker of the connected display (Yamaha or third-party speakers). SoundCap Eye technology takes information from the multi-dimensional beamforming microphone array and highly accurate positioning information from the video to focus audio capture on the participants in the meeting. Combined with audio volume controls, this technology makes the CS-800 and CS-500 ideal solutions for open-space meeting environments. Both feature a 4K AI-enabled video camera supporting auto-framing, allowing for three modes: speaker tracking, individual tracking, or

MSolutions UCT

The new USB cable test (UCT) module is a solution for qualifying today's wealth of USB cables, signal types, and connectivity options. USB-C signal failure typically happens when the transmitting device and cable cannot provide the amount of power required for the signal. The UCT module also helps users understand the power consumption of a USB device in relation to the host, as well as bandwidth, data speeds, and the presence of specific wires across the cable that match varied USB specifications. It removes the mystery of which cables are compatible between cameras, extenders, displays, or computers by identifying what USB signal types the cable can pass. The tester will also identify and qualify the USB version that the cable is specified to, which is often the root of compatibility issues (especially when laptops are involved).

AMX by HARMAN Jetpack

Jetpack is a new 3x1 switching, transport, and control solution for K-12 classrooms and meeting spaces. It features simple-to-operate room controls and multiple 4K60 video inputs, and enables voice lift for clear communication with everyone in the space.

Jetpack combines 4K60 4:2:0 HDMI and USB-C video switching and distance transport, room control, wall

Audinate Introduces Dante Domain Manager Subscription Model

Underscoring its commitment to providing scalable and secure network solutions, Audinate has announced a subscription model for Dante Domain Manager, its network management solution that brings enterprise-grade system administration to the AV world.

“Dante Domain Manager has become a critical solution in the AV industry, allowing for user authentication, role-based security and audit capabilities for Dante networks,” said Joshua Rush, chief marketing officer, Audinate. “In addition to lowering the up-front costs of acquisition, the subscription model allows buyers to treat Dante Domain Manager as an operating expense rather than a capital expense, ensuring it is even more accessible.”

Available in three editions, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, Dante Domain Manager can be tailored

to meet user needs and budgets while maintaining the agility, scalability, and security necessary to create a trusted audio network. All three additions are available as an annual subscription with ongoing support and maintenance, or as a perpetual license that includes one year of support and maintenance.

Dante Domain Manager Silver Edition supports 20 Dante devices in two Dante Domains, and is ideal for smaller installations such as houses of worship, recording studios, and broadcast facilities. Dante Domain Manager Gold Edition supports 100 Dante devices in 10 Dante Domains, and is designed for medium-sized installations, including schools, small businesses, and larger houses of worship as part of a comprehensive AV management strategy. Dante Domain Manager Platinum Edition supports 250

Dante devices in 50 Dante Domains, and provides enterprise AV management for the largest missioncritical systems found in universities, stadiums, public spaces, and corporate offices.

Add-on packs are available to match the number of Dante Domains and devices required.

plate accessibility, and audio amplification in a kit that requires zero programming. The kit supports a wide range of classroom and meeting space applications and control options. Features like onboard web GUI configuration, CEC, RS-232, relay control, IR receiver with IR learning, and one power supply to power the whole kit simplify the install. Included software makes it easy to discover and manage all Jetpack kits on the same network.

FANTEK F-RING

The patented FANTEK Ring (F-Ring) is a cost-effective innovation that can be installed on trusses in a matter of minutes. Once in place, the F-Ring ensures that no damage can occur when the truss is being stacked on trolleys, moved between venues, or placed on the ground. Although removal is easy, there is no need to remove the F-Ring before using the truss,

NEW PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY

which means the same F-Ring can remain in place. And because it is very secure, there is no opportunity for the F-Ring to be lost during transit. F-Rings are ideal for rental companies that want to protect their valuable truss stock. They are compatible with all truss models from any manufacturer using 50mm main tubes, the type most common with the 29cmwide trusses used for trade shows and live events.

Williams AV WAV Pro Wi-Fi Receiver

A second generation, dedicated Wi-Fi audio receiver for assistive listening, the WAV Pro uses a new mobile device optimized to be a dedicated assistive listening device. Its 6.8-inch HD+ Infinity display and long runtime make it unique. The large display allows for easier readability for administrators during setup and end users when using the device. In addition, the WAV Pro’s 6,000 mAh lithium polymer battery delivers up to 40 hours of continuous audio streaming in normal use conditions, reducing charging frequency. The new WAV Pro Wi-Fi Receiver also meets ADA hearing compliance for a dedicated assistive listening device, and is Bluetooth-enabled, streaming audio to Bluetoothenabled headphones, speakers, and hearing aid telecoils when used with a Williams AV neckloop.

AVer Information CAM570

Designed for medium to large meeting rooms, the CAM570 features three pairs of built-in audio sensors that detect human voices up to 10 meters with audio tracking functionality. The PTZ conferencing camera features a 4K dual-lens camera with 36x total zoom and an AI lens with 95-degree FOV. AVer’s beamforming technology guides the PTZ camera to focus on the most relevant activity in a meeting, while eliminating unnecessary audio with mouth and human voice detection. Dynamic Detection automatically adjusts the camera angle and zoom to capture every meeting participant. Featuring smart AI technology, the frame automatically adjusts as the number of individuals in the room changes to eliminate unnecessary disruptions. Additionally, AVer’s Smart Gallery merges close-ups of everyone in the room to enable collaboration equity. The CAM570 is Zoom certified and works seamlessly with Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and other videoconferencing platforms.

How to Build Your Best Corporate Studio

By Will Waters

As organizations continue to assess doing business in a hybrid world of interaction, video production has become one of the top needs as they work to reach customers and employees alike. According to Wyzowl’s The State of Video Marketing 2022 report, more than 40% of businesses use live action video for marketing, which was the most used of the types of video.

While some organizations outsourced and hired firms to create live video content, others chose to build production studios and hire teams of their own. And for good reason—there are considerable benefits to building in-house capabilities, such as lowering costs and the ability for teams to create content faster with fewer external hurdles. If you’ve been tasked to design and build a livestream studio for a corporate client, here are several additional important considerations to help set the project up for success.

Think Like a Storyteller

Always keep in mind the audience that a client is trying to reach. Knowing who is consuming the product generated by the studio you’re building is the first step in thinking like a storyteller. This is where an integrator can differentiate themselves from the rest.

Is it for streaming? Where is it going to be delivered—a mobile device, displays in the lobby? Does it need to be simulcast? What is the proposed experience? Working through these questions with clients will give you the details that will be integral to the room you are helping to build. Knowing the end experience will help you make more thoughtful recommendations for the technology needed to deliver that experience.

Of course, budget will

always dictate your plans, and you will need to use it as one of your key guidelines in every decision you make. It may limit the technology you buy and the extent to which you can alter the physical space.

Location, Location, Location

For the proposed studio, you need to have a clear understanding of what space will be dedicated for production and how the client will coordinate a production if there are space size constraints. If the room is built for AV only, planning where the video content originates from (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or PowerPoint) and where it needs to be displayed is most critical.

Also, if the client has chosen a location within an existing building because it was the only space available, such as a location near the manufacturing floor or cafeteria, alert the occupants early enough so they are aware to “keep it down” to prevent potential audio quality issues. You’d hate for the clients to avoid using it because sound control and noise factors were not considered enough in advance.

With the steps above complete, you can proceed to designing signal flows, choosing signal types, and selecting equipment. This is when you must decide how to capture sound and video, how it needs to be displayed, and the pipeline for delivery. For audio specifically, what do you need to reinforce your sound? For example, do you need a public address system in addition to the stream? If your intention is to create a streaming broadcast, you will need to plan for and design all aspects during this phase.

Lighting may be the most underappreciated element in production. You might have a great space with large plate glass windows and lots of sunlight. It might look great if you are in the room, but on camera those windows might be too bright, which could affect the color balance of the cameras. And when heated, they may trigger the air condi-

tioning, which could affect the audio capture. If that happens, video and audio quality will be poor, and no one will want to use the room for streaming.

Hardware and Protocols

Assuming the budget and other constraints exist, hardware choices will determine how the client makes or saves money. Additionally, every new studio you build today needs to account for some type of hybrid component. Whether it’s connecting people down the hall or across the country, you must design systems that have the flexibility to have inputs and outputs in the AV system that are not constrained by any single piece of hardware.

Which leads us to protocols. You have a choice to make in the technology designed to move audio, video, and metadata. Choose the protocol that best suits your needs. That sounds simplistic, and it is, but you need to embrace it.

There are similarities in that all modern AV protocols use Ethernet cables to connect, but most protocols will require you to buy at least one piece of hardware to serve as the clocking mechanism for it to work. Certain protocols are agnostic and enable connectivity without issues. The right protocols can reduce complexities and reduce the time spent on programming and integration.

The use of multiple cameras is the standard in high-quality broadcast production, as they help make content more interesting and keep viewers engaged. A switcher, like the NewTek TriCaster 2 Elite, is required to connect and manage camera switching—and will modernize the production capabilities instantly as well as facilitate a better overall visual and audio experience. Other hardware like tally lights, microphones, and even lighting also connect through a switcher to help improve overall studio production efficiency.

The best integrators consider the story of every project and combine it with good system design while acknowledging the various constraints. Choose the hardware pieces, standards, and technology partners that are best for the project and the storytelling needs. If you start with trusted partners, tech, and protocols, you will have better outcomes, happier clients, and greater success in creating live production studios.

Will Waters is the head of global product management for NewTek.

Whether it’s connecting people down the hall or across the country, you must design systems that have the flexibility to have inputs and outputs in the AV system that are not constrained by any single piece of hardware.