rAVe [RADIO]: Recent Episodes
rAVe [RADIO]
NextLVL Leading has a mission to solve the age and diversity gaps in our industry. The average age of the AV professional is 40+ and we all know we have a diversity issue. One of the ways NextLVL Learning is combatting this is by hosting its Second Annual AV Talent Summit Nov. 20 at Pace University in Pleasantville, New York. My latest Rants & rAVes videocast features NextLVL board members Gary Albaugh, vice president of innovation & development at MicroTheory Engineering, and George Chako, senior director, academic and classroom technology at Pace University, to talk about this summit. You can register for it here: https://thenextlvl.org/event-5787724. Watch this to learn all the details!
Registration has already opened for the ISE 2025 — Integrated Systems Europe. But, in all honesty, I think this show should be called Integrated Systems World. Why? And, why sign up now? Today’s Rants & rAVes podcast guest, ISE’s managing director, Mike Blackman, talks about all of that, plus this year’s keynote, changes to the show, and an already 20+% growth expected for the 2025 event. Make sure to watch and then use our code, “RAVEPUBS,” so you get free access to the show floor!
Also, if you’d like to review the 2,000+ videos we shot on the show floor at ISE 2024 or follow along as we add new product news for the upcoming 2025 event, bookmark this now: www.ravepubs.com/ise
In addition to the ability to go behind the scenes and learn how The Sphere, Cirque du Soleil, the ARTE Museum and Atomic Golf use AV and digital/experiential signage technology to run their experiences, this year’s Digital Signage Experience (DSE) show includes three keynotes and access to two different show floors — all using code RAVEPOD when you register here. The latest episode of Rants & rAVes features DSE’s show director, David Drain, who explores all that the Dec. 7-10 show offers (in Las Vegas). Watch this to learn how you can participate!
Snap One isn’t new to the ProAV market; in fact, they’ve had commercial AV technology for nearly a decade now. And, now part of ADI Global, Snap One has amped up its plans for the rest of 2024 and 2025 as it has nearly twice as many product lines as it did pre-acquisition. I was joined by Snap One’s Scott Normand to cover the new initiatives and to discuss how ProAV integrators can benefit from the expanded portfolio. And, at the heart of it all is its cloud-based remote management platform, OvrC.
LG has simplified the management and design of dvLED systems into two categories: custom and all-in-one. My latest videocast features Eric Olson, senior business development manager at Exertis Almo, and Eric Sikora, senior solutions engineer at LG. On this episode of Rants & rAVes, they talk all about LEDs and how simple it is to design, spec, order, and install LG LEDs — watch to learn more!
I caught up with Exertis Almo EVP Dan Smith and SVP Kevin Welling ahead of the Oct. 8 E4 Experience.
A few highlights:
- A session all about how the intricacies of Autism Spectrum disorder intertwines with the evolution of ProAV
- A session Microsoft Teams Rooms and utilizing AI in collaboration spaces.
- An expo floor full of the latest and greatest technology — dvLED and more!
If that wasn’t enough, you can also earn 12 AVIXA CTS RUs! So, check out this episode and consider registering for the event. It’s all here:
https://e4experience.com/av-tech-expo-anaheim-2024/
If you’ve wondered how LG Business Solutions is addressing the movement toward dvLED in everything from higher education to corporate spaces, this is the podcast for you! The company, famous for its OLED tech, is staking a leadership claim to the future of dvLED. In my latest Rants & rAVes videocast, LG’s senior director, Tom Bingham, joined me to discuss where dvLED is a perfect fit and the future of LED in general.
P.S. Need even more dvLED content? Check out the videos we shot at the LG booth at InfoComm 2024!
Pearl Technology’s Jeremy Caldera joined me on my latest videocast to discuss how you can donate to the new Matt Sittloh Memorial Scholarship — or recommend a college-aged student to apply! Matt was a technician who worked in audiovisual engineering, sales and management for his entire career. Watch and consider donating!
On Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EDT) learn all about USB and how Extron is leveraging this connector for AV and UCC installs. This 90-minute session led by the company’s Training, Product Development and Marketing teams is AVIXA CTS RU and BICSI approved. Extron’s Andrew Evans joins me on today’s podcast to talk about the session and how you can apply to be an Extron Insider and gain access to this session! Also, you can register here. See you there!
The E4 Experience, Exertis Almo’s regional conference and trade show, kicks off its fall tour with a stop in Boston on Sept. 10, 2024. Attendees not only get to see firsthand all the new stuff that debuted at June’s InfoComm show, but they can also earn up to 10 AVIXA CTS RUs with a special Microsoft-led MTR class! Today’s guests on this episode of Rants & rAVes, Exertis Almo EVP Dan Smith and Senior Vice President of Sales John Riley, talk about the event and why, if you’re in the Boston (or New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire or Pennsylvania) area, you should consider attending! It’s simple to register; go here: https://e4experience.com.
Chanan Averbuch likely needs no introduction, as he’s driven the LED market — in many ways — since 2013. Now, he’s heading up a new division of BlueSquare as the director of innovation of BlueSquare X. This is a firm focused on the design and support of digital experiences by partnering with AV integrators. This videocast explains it all — so watch it!
My latest episode of Rants & rAVes features TD SYNNEX Senior Vice President Sandi Stambaugh. Sandi talks me through the unique nature of the second annual TD SYNNEX InVision event, taking place Aug. 27-29, 2024. It’s aimed at ProAV salespeople and is highly focused on helping newbies (three years of experience and under) understand how to be successful in selling AV, UCC and Digital Signage. If you think you might be interested — or know anyone who might qualify to attend — watch this preview and tell them to register!
It may seem like MAXHUB became a UCC leader overnight. But the truth is, there’s a lot of strategy behind what the company does in AV and UCC. My latest Rants & rAVes episode features MAXHUB’s Alan Nicholls, its business development manager, who reviews everything MAXHUB did at InfoComm 2024. If you’re an MS Teams company, you should watch this!
Panasonic Connect’s Chris Merrill joins me on the latest episode of Rants & rAVes. At InfoComm 2024, I recorded a deep-dive demo of KAIROS, the company’s live production platform that can take nearly any signal and distribute it all via AV-over-IP to any digital canvas. KAIROS is single-handedly building a new market category Panasonic Connect calls Broadcast AV. This category includes simplifying live production, esports and in-house livestreaming with TV-style production routing and graphics. So, after you check out this conversation, check out the deep dive into KAIROS to learn even more about it.
Could Planar’s WallDirector Cloud software-as-a-service ecosystem, designed to manage Planar’s LEDs, be the cloud-based management platform that every other display company ends up emulating? I think it’s possible! Today’s Rants & rAVes episode features Planar’s Robert Detwiler, who talks about WallDirector and its management of the Planar ecosystem along with how the company was able to design, deploy and demo a 0.9mm interactive curved LED wall at InfoComm 2024 — watch!
Peerless-AV’s STS650 Universal Scissor Wall Mount made its debut in 2024 and immediately became a hit with AV integrators and end users alike due to its unique ability to allow for AV gear to be racked behind it professionally (sans cable ties). Peerless-AV VP Sales, North America and APAC, Brian McClimans, joined the latest episode of Rants & rAVes to explain why this matters and how it ended up winning a rAVe 2024 Readers’ Choice Award.
Sony has a plethora of things to show you in its booth W2201 at InfoComm 2024, and the latest episode of Rants & rAVes features Sony’s director of sales and marketing for the B2B group, Mark Bonifacio, who talks about everything you can expect. This is a thorough review of all Sony will show at IC24, so watch!
This pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast features Sharp Business USA SVP of Display Marketing and Product Management Jennifer Cheh and VP of Product & Solutions Marketing Keith Yanke. They thoughtfully detailed everything attendees will see in booth W1201 at IC24. Watch this to get a full sneak peek!
Lightware president and CEO, Clint Hoffman, and its SVP of education, Roger Takacs, joined me on the latest episode of Rants & rAVes to preview some new products and tech coming to InfoComm 2024. In addition to adding a bidirectional Dante version to its USB-C lineup of TAURUS products, Lightware will also show a dual-output version as well as its new Gemini line of AV-over-IP products. Watch this; it’s all previewed here. Lightware will be in the Central Hall at the show (booth #C8056).
In today’s episode of Rants & rAVes, Humly’s CEO Anders Karlsson joins as my guest to talk about how his company is focused on making things work seamlessly in both co-working and open workplace environments. From adding sensors to detect device usage on the fly to leveraging Microsoft Places to encourage collaboration, Humly is offering AV integrators solutions they didn’t even know existed. Check this out and then plan to visit Humly at InfoComm 2024 in the Central Hall (Booth C9277).
My latest pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast features Televic vice president of sales, Peter Papageorge, who details exactly why both integrators and end users will benefit from the company’s audio products — in meeting rooms, classrooms and everywhere else. The company will also use IC24 to launch the Unite Platform. Want to know what this is? Watch!
I received some new product scoop on today’s pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast via Matrox Video’s business development manager, Ron Berty. Ron explained that the new Vion lineup will allow Matrox’s ConvertIP AV-over-IP product lineup — using the IPMX standard — to ingest and output video and audio virtually anywhere (even to competitive decoders or from competitive encoders)! The ProAV market will love this! Check it out and then visit Matrox at booth #W1132.
The latest pre-InfoComm-2024 episode of Rants & rAVes features Daktronics National Sales Manager Jim Vasgaard, who walks us through the company’s new Flip Chip CoB LED technology. Rumor has it, it’s a lot cooler and brighter than typical LED wall tech. Jim explains how CoB works as the new LED format — aimed at TAA-compliant (and non-TAA) installs like government, command centers, NOCs, conference rooms and even classrooms, will make its debut at InfoComm 2024 in booth W2617.
SpinetiX will be at InfoComm debuting a very cool partnership with Q-SYS — you’ll have to watch this pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast with Spinetix CEO Francesco Ziliani to get a hint about it or head over to its booth in the West Hall (W2007). In addition to the Q-SYS partnership, SpinetiX will show the all-new four-output 4K signage player/media server (the iBX440) and teach a class on Elementi (its design software). Listen and then head over to spinetix.com/infocomm for more information!
My latest pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast features TD SYNNEX Senior VP Sandi Stambaugh, as this is always a big event for the and its partners. In addition to hosting a reception open to all AV integrators (register here!), TD SYNNEX will focus on both digital signage and UCC in its booth W1745 at the show. Watch this and plan to stop by!
Another day, another pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast! On this episode of Rants & rAVes, XTEN-AV founders Vibhav Singh and Sahil Dhingra join as the special guests to demo three new features in XTEN’s platform. In addition to an awesome AI feature in which the platform will automatically find mistakes in system designs, XTEN has also added a wall-plate builder and the ability to attach product spec sheets and brochures (via PDF) to any system you build within the platform! Don’t miss this episode; Vibhav and Sahil demo these features in real-time. As for InfoComm, the company will be in booth C9063 so you can see for yourself!
This pre-InfoComm-2024 episode of Rants & rAVes features Catchbox VP of commerce, Aleksejs Kolpakovs, who explains the company’s new Catchbox Plus room system aimed at higher education installs and meeting rooms. The system includes the famed Catchbox throwable mic along with a handheld and universal wearable lab mic (all charge wirelessly and are available via Dante and configured with an all-new DSP!). Check out this recording, and plan to stop by booth C5663 at the show!
Optoma will use InfoComm 2024 to debut a new lineup of Interactive Flat Panels (IFPs) that include all the features you expect from collaboration boards but these IFPs also include room sensor technology, as well as Google EDLA certification. In addition, the company will show some new 20,000+ Lumen 1-chip DLP projectors and two new short-throw projectors. All of this was covered by Optoma’s director of product management, Brian Soto, who will also be at the show in booth W1009. Watch this as the company will focus on demonstrating solutions at the show using all these products!
FSR’s director of global sales, Chaz Porter, joins this episode of Rants & rAVes to review all that the company is doing in the Central Hall (booth C8227) at InfoComm 2024. FSR has a new long-distance USB-C cable that carries 60 watts of power, a new all-in-one Ceiling Box for AV-over-IP applications, projective covers for touch panels and an amazing floor box that can handle 16,000 pounds of weight! Watch this to get the scoop, and then go by its booth!
Navori is known as a digital signage CMS and software provider — that’s in the company’s DNA. But, as AI pushes the envelope of what the typical signage player can do, Navori has had to create its own AI-based signage media player, dubbed the the StiX 3800. The latest Rants & rAVes episode features Navori’s managing director, Jeffrey Weitzman, who uses this pre-InfoComm 2024 videocast to talk about how AI can revolutionize signage content and how this player both supports the AI on the edge and leverages the power of Navori’s own signage software’s AI features. Navori will be at InfoComm in booth W1957. Make sure you go see this tiny AI-based player and get a demo of the company’s cloud-based signage software solutions!
AWOL Vision, a projection and screen company that’s best known for short-throw DLP projectors for high-end residential applications, will enter the ProAV market by exhibiting at InfoComm 2024 for the first time in booth C6303. AWOL’s flagship entry product will be a short-throw bar-type projector, the LTV-3500 Max, that can project a 128” image from 15” away from the wall — at a 21:9 aspect ratio. Partnering with Crestron for UCC applications, AWOL will be at the show looking for dealers. In this videocast with AWOL President Steven Shulman, and B2B Manager Kevin Kang (kkang@awolvision.com), the two explain their vision and differentiation from other projection companies. After InfoComm 2024, the company’s commercial AV website will be live at: www.awolvisionpro.com.
Shure’s sr. marketing manager for conferencing, Chris Lyons, hopped on this episode of Rants & rAVes to talk all things InfoComm 2024. In addition to live demos for the new MXW neXt 2 Wireless Mic System and the MXA Series of Ceiling Mic Arrays in Demo Room N232, Shure will have a large presence in the Central Hall in booth C8334. The company will also debut Shure Cloud and a new presenter mic — watch to get the scoop!
Exertis Almo EVP Dan Smith joins me for one of the best podcasts ever. Dan reviews the industry’s successes and pitfalls within the first half of 2024 and tells us what we can expect for the second half of 2024. It’s a candid look at where we are as an industry and where we can expect to see product sales, services and the future of integration beyond 2025, too. Exertis Almo will be in booth W1912 at InfoComm 2024 and will highlight only new products at the show — watch for more!
Today’s videocast features tvONE’s communications and training manager, Mark Trevena, who detailed what the company is doing at InfoComm 2024 in booth W1721. tvONE and Green Hippo are combined at the booth and are part of ACT Entertainment now. But, at IC24, the companies will launch the new CALICO processors, v4.9 of the Green Hippo server software and a lot more. Make sure you watch this and then plan to stop by and see the demos for yourself!
If your phone battery starts to die at InfoComm 2024, just head out into the lobby area of the Central and West Halls as, thanks to Chris Whitley of the industry’s newest buying group, Ellipsys Commercial Technology Group, the company will provide them along with a rest area to sit down! Ellipsys Commercial Technology Group wants to drive awareness of its work, vision and niche to the industry after its first successful year, helping emerging integrators increase margins and grow with vendor programs, best practices and by fostering impactful relationships.
ViewSonic is the first LED manufacturer in the world with a configurable all-in-one dvLED (dubbed LDC), and the company will debut a 245” version of it at InfoComm 2024 in booth W1215. In addition, the company has entered the collaboration software market with something called TeamOne, and ViewSonic’s director of business line , Jeff Muto, told me all about it in this episode of Rants & rAVes. TeamOne works across the collaboration product lineup, too. You can find out more at the ViewSonic booth on the show floor, and if you go you’ll also see the new TeamJoin MS Teams Room Solution!
My latest pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast features Logitech director of business strategy, Nathan Coutinho, who detailed all that Logitech will focus on at the show in booth C5365. In addition to the official debut of MeetUp 2, the company will also show some new AI to make meetings even better across its entire portfolio as well as debut a line of room-booking solutions. Watch this and add Logitech to your InfoComm calendar!
Nureva has a busy InfoComm 2024 ahead. Among other things, Nureva will launch an app at the show that will simplify the setup and management of anything within its platform of products. In addition, the company will announce a plethora of updates regarding the compatibility and certification of its products. Watch this pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast featuring VP of Products Rob Abbott, and make sure you stop by booth C5664 at the show!
Sennheiser will head to InfoComm 2024 in the same month it will ship the new TeamConnect Bars to the industry. The TeamConnect Bars are UCC video bars but, uniquely, have Dante integrated. At the show, the company will also demo its way of doing voice-lift in rooms using something called “TruVoicelift.” Sennheiser will demo this with the new TeamConnect Ceiling Medium (TCC M) microphone. I wanted to learn more, so this Rants & rAVes episode features Sennheiser’s insights manager of business communications and strategic planning, David Missall. David expands on all this, but he also talks about the company’s show-wide scavenger hunt that’ll earn you Sennheiser socks! Sennheiser is in booth C5335, so watch this and make sure you stop by!
Nanolumens chief revenue officer, Kurt DeYoung, joined me on this latest Rants & rAVes episode and details the company’s plans for InfoComm 2024 — including new CoB products in the Engage Pro product family and a native 4K all-in-one LED! Nanolumens is known for its creative installs, and now the company is also focusing on demonstrating sustainability and the plethora of ways to make it easy for customers to remotely manage its products. Watch and plan to go by booth W717 at the show.
2024 seems to be shaping up as the year of the cloud, and Xyte is leading the charge. Xyte has signed some big brands to its platform — including Legrand AV — and Xyte will use InfoComm 2024 to show AV integrators why they should use the platform, too. In the latest episode of Rants & rAVes, I interview Xyte VP of Sales Andrew Gross about the platform’s progress and some of its new features. Watch and plan to go by booth C8263 at InfoComm!
I’ve been saying, for years, that AV integrators need to get into the physical and cybersecurity markets. In fact, the best way to jump in is to become an integrator for Axis Communications’ product lines. For example, did you know that Axis has an entire line of Audio-over-IP PoE speakers? It’s true; this product is one of the things the company will highlight in its booth (C8912) at InfoComm 2024. Axis’ solutions engineer, Alan Severin, joined me on this episode and even did a quick voice-based demo of the speakers. Watch!
Epson already dominates the large venue projection market as the leader in every category, but at InfoComm 2024, the company will debut an even brighter projection lineup with better contrast, better blacks and whites, and, thus, better color than it already offers! I talked about this and more with Epson’s group product manager of high brightness projectors, Gavin Downey, along with some cool surprises in its booth (W1800) but also an appearance by Cirque du Soleil? Watch and/or listen to the latest episode of Rants & rAVes to get the “tea” (that’s Generation Z for “details”) about the June event in Las Vegas!
My latest pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast features Yealink’s director of channel sales, Thomas Gudbrandsen, who tells me about the company’s InfoComm plans in booth C5141. Yealink has integrated AI into its audio and video platforms across the lineup and you’ll see these features at the show. Plus, if you want a close-up, firsthand look at these products, Yealink is offering tailored booth tours. Yealink will also host a Tech Talk and a Happy Hour at the show. Watch this videocast for all the details!
Graeme Harrison of Bluesound Professional and Andrew Gross of Xyte join me on the latest episode of Rants & rAVes to talk about their collaboration to bring cloud-based product management and AVaaS to the ProAV market. Both companies will be in Hall C at InfoComm June 12-14, and if you haven’t learned how Xyte is standardizing the cloud for every ProAV manufacturer to simplify the life of the AV integrator, watch this and then make sure you stop by and see them next month in Vegas (Xyte will be in booth C8263 and Bluesound Professional will be in C9808)!
My latest Rants & rAVes videocast features Analog Devices’ Thomas Schultz, the company’s senior business manager, who tells me about the USB-extension products that Analog Devices will bring to InfoComm 2024. IC24 attendees will see the debut of an all-new USB-C extension device that you’ll hear about first here on this videocast. Then, at the show, make sure you stop by booth C8949 to catch a demo of it, live!
This pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast features WyreStorm’s president of its commercial division, Hal Truax, who talks about why booth C8149 should be part of your InfoComm plans. In addition to showing the new MX-1007-HYB 10×7 seamless matrix switcher that does AV-over-IP, HDMI and USB-C + Dante, WyreStorm’s booth will feature new Dante adapters and a long-distance USB-C extender set! Learn more by watching this episode!
Registration is already opened for one of my most popular annual AV industry webinars, “The Top 24 Things Gary Kayye Saw at InfoComm 2024.” In this Rants & rAVes preview, I chat with Brawn Consulting Principal Jonathan Brawn about what they are looking forward to the most about InfoComm 2024 in Las Vegas from June 12-14. This webinar is a must-attend for anyone who didn’t get to experience the show live. The webinar will be Thursday, June 20, and brought to you in partnership with Exertis Almo and sponsored by Samsung! Check out this preview and then register here! (The webinar is also worth 1.5 CTS RUs.)
The latest pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast features Kirkegaard partner & founding principal of Integrated Systems, Bren Walker, to talk about her amazing InfoComm session, “Fear of a Bot Planet: How to Compete with the AI Designer.” This will be a very popular session at the show as it’s true — AV Systems Design is being taken over quickly by AI. If you don’t think so, watch this!
Jupiter is a 40+-year-old company that started with video wall processors. But Jupiter also offers UCC and collaboration software. The company is also famous for pioneering the 21:9 display. Jupiter’s acting vice president of global sales, Craig Stumbaugh, joined me on this pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast today to get some hints on where the company is headed and what you will see in booth W1016.
Lenovo’s global account manager of Smart Collaboration, Caroline Kneafsey, joined my latest episode of Rants & rAVes today to talk about how the company will not only show its entire UCC portfolio at this year’s InfoComm show but also how it has integrated its third-party partners into its booth (#C8143) on the trade show floor. Lenovo is in the enviable position to own the computing devices in more rooms than any other company, and it will show how it is embracing Zoom, MS Teams and Google Meet, equally. Check out this episode to learn more!
As higher-ed budgets have been cut and the workload has increased, more colleges and universities have turned to student support for AV. But, how do you set the students up for success and ensure they can actually support the high-end AV gear in most classrooms? Well, Britt Yenser, AV manager at Northampton Community College, has the blueprint for success for doing just that, and will deliver her expertise in a session titled, “How to Provide Exceptional AV Services while Relying on Student Staff” at InfoComm 2024 on Wednesday, June 12, at 10 a.m. Britt joined me on the latest pre-InfoComm Rants & rAVes episode, and talked about how she’ll deliver this blueprint to anyone in attendance.
Hi everyone! I’m taking over another episode of Rants & rAVes to interview Rebecca Sullins, senior design engineer at AmpThink. Rebecca is going to be busy this InfoComm — she is hosting multiple sessions and even a show floor tour! These are all really great because they will all focus on pro audio. From showing audiophiles at all levels some of her favorite products and solutions on the show floor to teaching a class on the importance of acoustic measurement, you definitely want to check out at least a few of these events. Register below and do it quick because they will sell out!
“Designing for High-Quality Streaming” — June 12, 2024, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Audiophile Show Floor Tour — June 12, 2024, 2-4 p.m. PDT
“Acoustic Measurement for Effective Room Design” — June 13, 2024, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
“Designing Audio Systems with High Intelligibility” — June 13, 2024, 1-2 p.m.
My latest videocast episode features Audio-Technica’s applications engineering manager, Mark Donovan, to talk about the company’s plan at InfoComm 2024. In addition to introducing a totally new product line, Audio-Technica will show and demo new enhancements to its ATND1061 Beamforming Ceiling Array Microphone in its booth C5619 in Las Vegas June 12-14. Watch this, to get hints on the new product line, as well as to hear about the rest of the company’s IC24 plans!
On today’s videocast, I interviewed Peerless-AV’s executive VP, Nick Belcore, about the unique sustainable packaging and delivery system included with the company’s new DS-LEDUNV SEAMLESS Kitted Universal dvLED Mounting System. In addition to simplifying packaging, the new universal mounting system is compatible with every LED brand and model, thanks to a patent-pending universal spacer. Watch this and then make sure you add booth W1725 to your InfoComm 2024 plans (the booth is between LG and Samsung) and see it for yourself!
Legrand AV’s director of digital signage, Michelle Montazeri, to joined me on my latest pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast to talk all about three digital signage panels she’s part of during the show. All three are laser-focused on supporting integrators and users interested in digital signage and helping them understand the opportunities to deploy them. Each session is very different, but we believe they are must-attends if you play in the digital signage space or are curious about opportunities to deploy signage. You can find out more information and register for all three sessions here: https://www.infocommshow.org/show-info/schedule-glance?&searchTerm=Michelle%20Montazeri&searchgroup=A9D319C5-infocomm-2024
I caught up with NSCA Executive Director Tom LeBlanc on my latest pre-InfoComm-2024 videocast to talk about the BizSkills Workshop NSCA is holding the day before the InfoComm show floor opens (June 11, 2024). The workshop is a comprehensive one-day education program will deliver a strategic business curriculum, empowering participants with invaluable insights and tools crucial to enhancing business operations within the ProAV industry. Listen to this interview with Tom and consider registering now, here: https://www.infocommshow.org/infocomm-2024/nsca-bizskills
In the latest Steph Takeover episode of Rants & rAVes, I chatted with Troy Peters, chief experience officer at SEAS Productions. SEAS provides AV and event production for live events ranging from corporate conferences to concerts. At InfoComm, Troy will host a session called, “Project Managing Million Dollar Live Events on the Global Stage” on June 11 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. PDT, in room W225 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The session will offer insights into the importance of project management in AV with pro tips, advice and useful resources. You can learn more here!
ASPEED will be at InfoComm 2024 in booth C6203 showing all-new Dante capability integrated into its AV-over-IP chips. Companies like Harman (AMX), Just Add Power, Aurora and Kramer all already use ASPEED chips to drive their 1G AV-over-IP solutions, and now ASPEED has added Dante to its solutions. In fact, the the last “A” in Dante-AV-A stands for the A in ASPEED. My latest videocast features ASPEED Sales Manager Lester Liu, who explains what the company is doing as well as a little bit about ASPEED’s technology behind the chip. You’ll want to watch this — Lester teases an all new 360-degree camera solution coming for UCC applications, too!
In this Steph Takeover episode of Rants & rAVes, I sat down with Chris Wildfoerster, business development manager at Axis Communications. The company is headed to ISC West, the largest security trade show in the U.S. While this show and its audience look a lot different than those at ISE and InfoComm, security is only becoming more and more important and intertwined with ProAV. That said, Axis is bringing a range of products to the show and you might be surprised to find quite a few of them are audio-based. Learn more about all that Axis is showing at ISC West 2024 and visit the company at booth 14051.
Planar just announced it’s adding many of the Leyard LEDs to its product lineup. Gary asked Planar’s EVP, Adam Schmidt, to join him on today’s videocast to discuss where this positions Planar in the LED market. Planar, known as a high-end LED company catering to the ProAV integration channel, will offer the Leyard lineup as a way to expand the vertical and horizontal applications reach of LED imaging – this will clearly include DOOH, Live Events, monumental signage, sporting venues, etc. This is a potential boon to the ProAV channel, as it allows them to enter all these LED opportunities now backed by the Planar brand.
My latest Rants & rAVes videocast features Howard Rose, the senior product manager of projectors at Panasonic Connect, who talks about the impact that 4K projectors have in the higher-ed space. Panasonic Connect has native 4K projectors for large venue applications but, the company has two versions of 4K-wobble projectors that deliver 4K images on the screen and allow you to design rooms more creatively. Watch this and learn how this applies to your classrooms, lecture halls or auditoriums …
Frank Kolavo of Computer Comforts drove to Chapel Hill, North Carolina — the rAVe HQ — to do this demo right next to the University of North Carolina’s campus. Why? Because the new Transformer Lectern is aimed at higher-education installations. It’s modular, ADA-compliant and works in classrooms and lecture halls equally as well. Check it out and watch this video!
You only need to be in ProAV for one trade show cycle to see that we’ve got a long way to go with acting on DEI: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The obvious gender disparity is only bested by the lack of people of color within the industry. AVIXA’s SVP of exhibitions and event services, Rochelle Richardson, is representative of the future as she’s both a woman and person of color. She’s not only actively working in our market to support solutions but is also in the global trade show space. This work garnered her IAEE’s (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) DEI Impact Award. Watch this to learn about the state of progress in AV and how you can help.
Lenovo went to ISE 2024 and launched its partnership with Jabra via the ThinkSmart Bar 180 system. It was one of the best shows the company has ever had and, as you will hear from Lenovo’s executive director and general manager, Smart Collaboration Business, Shannon MacKay, its strategy of a good, better, best offering using Lenovo compute devices is helping the UCC market grow. Watch this and don’t forget to check out all the Lenovo videos we shot at ISE 2024 here!
On the latest “Steph Takeover” episode of Rants & rAVes, I speak with Bryan Meszaros of OpenEye Global to talk about the Digital Signage Federation (DSF). DSF’s goal is to educate its members and other stakeholders about digital signage trends, important markets and more through education, networking and advocacy. If you’re someone in AV who wants to learn more about this important area of our industry, you can join or attend any of its upcoming events.
We’re thrilled to have DSF as a partner for LAVNCH WEEK 9. You can find out more about that virtual event — coming up March 18-21. Register here.
On the latest “Steph Takeover” episode of Rants & rAVes, I speak with Gina Sansivero of AtlasIED about an organization she helped found called Women of AV/IT (WAVIT). The organization aims to create a network of support for women in (or looking to enter) the AV and IT industries. As president, Gina helps with all types of outreach from developing internships to creating and maintaining relationships with partner organizations. Learn more about WAVIT by watching this episode — you can also find out how to join!
We’re thrilled to have WAVIT as a partner for LAVNCH WEEK 9. You can find out more about that virtual event — coming up March 18-21. Register here.
Logitech will be at ISE 2024 in stand/booth 2M300, showing a plethora of UCC solutions that address every need — from the remote participants to in-person participants — equitably! To talk more about this, Logitech’s head of video collaboration alliances and go-to-market, Sudeep Trivedi, joined my latest videocast to drop some big news about something all-new that Logitech will debut at ISE. There will also be a new version of Logitech Project Ghost (and you know I can’t wait for that)!
My latest pre-ISE-2024 videocast features WyreStorm’s Voislav Zec, product director, and Franklyn Mogale, technical sales engineer, who used the opportunity to debut a new educationally focused product live on the show. It’s a truly hybrid switcher designed to integrate into any classroom, and includes a built-in matrix that can manage HDMI, HDBaseT (3.0), USB-C and AV-over-IP signals simultaneously. Yes, all that in one! In addition, the company will use ISE to launch a cloud-based management system (powered by Xyte), new AV-over-IP transmitters and receivers and a totally new 4K-capable wireless system. WyreStorm is in stand/booth 3A900 at ISE so make sure stop by!
On my latest pre-ISE-2024 Rants & rAVes episode, I invited David Missall, Sennheiser’s insights manager consultants & technical application engineer manager, on as my guest. Missall took us through everything Sennheiser will show at ISE in Barcelona (next week!). The EMEA market will see the TeamConnect Bars for the first time and hear about how Sennheiser added Dante to the EW-DX lineup. However, one of the most excellent demos will be MobileConnect Manager. That isn’t all! Watch this and hear about two other products to debut at ISE!
This latest pre-ISE-2024 videocast features Vestel Head of Sales Burak Ozdemir, to talk with me about the company’s presence at ISE stand/booth 3F200. Its all-new lineup will include digital signage displays, dvLED displays and interactive/collaboration boards. Vestel is an up-and-coming display manufacturer who is well-poised to become a leader in EMEA. You don’t want to miss this episode of Rants & rAVes!
Timing is everything and the co-founders of XTEN-AV, Vibhav Singh and Sahil Dhingra, couldn’t have timed a capital investment from ADI any better as they head to ISE 2024. XTEN-AV will use ISE to add two new features to its cloud-based AV design and proposal software. And this will be the first live look at its new X-VRSE VR-based design capabilities built into its platform, too. Watch this interview with both Vibhav and Sahil and make sure you add booth/stand 4H280 to your ISE plans!
Today’s pre-ISE 2024 videocast features Mago Co-Founder and VP of Global Strategic Alliances Cristiano Fumagalli, who not only explains where we can see the collaborative technology but also teases us with an awesome demo on the platform! Watch this and then make sure you see the company’s tech in the Jupiter stand (3N700) as well as the FunTech booth (5G200) and the Huawei booth (2D425)!
Here’s an early look at a totally new wireless mic system making its debut at ISE 2024, thanks to Shure’s senior manager, integrated systems global marketing, Chris Lyons. The system will be a hit with universities that need sound reinforcement and mic’d professors, but it certainly has a lot of other applications as well (you’ll see when you watch this). That’s not all. Watch this interview and make sure you go by stand/booth 3N300 at ISE, as there will be a handful of other new products — including a new ceiling mic array!
You may recall that a new company called PlexusAV debuted at ISE 2023 using the new IPMX AV-over-IP standard. Well, at ISE 2024, that same company will show you its product lineup and even demonstrate the quality of its 1G encoding and decoding. PlexusAV’s global director of business development, Steven Cogels, joined me on my pre-ISE-2024 videocast so I can learn more about its all-new booth/stand (4G510) and discuss a new product line.
While other display companies are worried about specs, speeds and feeds, Epson will be at ISE 2024, focusing on the experience you can give clients using immersive projection technology. From projection mapping to events, Epson wants attendees to enter its stand/booth in Hall 3 (3J100) and understand how projection surrounds the senses and can transport your mind. Epson’s group product manager, Gavin Downey, joined me on this pre-ISE videocast to explain what you can expect.
My latest pre-ISE 2024 videocast features Humly CEO Anders Karlsson to discuss one of the industry’s most aesthetically pleasing products, the Humly Booking Device. As co-working spaces and desk-sharing explode, Humly is well positioned to become a major factor in UCC and digital signage, and the company will use ISE to launch new features and accessories to its entire product line. Check it out in booth/stand 2W500 — but watch this first!
Xyte will come to ISE 2024 with a new application for its ecosystem — dubbed Xyte Connect. My latest Rants & rAVes videocast episode features Xyte’s VP of sales, Andrew Gross, who explained how Connect will simplify the adoption of Xyte’s cloud-management platform and its AVaaS options. Xyte will be in stand/booth 5J620 and I assure you THIS IS WORTH TAKING THE TIME to learn about. Go!
Christie will allow ISE 2024 attendees to experience all its products and technology in stand/booth 3K500 this year, its 95th year as a company. The entire booth is driven either by Pandora’s Box, its media server technology, or Christie Terra, the AV-over-IP ecosystem based on SDVoE. Christie’s senior director of marketing, Enterprize, Steve Capling, and its director of product management, Joel St-Denis, sit down with me on my latest episode of Rants & rAVes to talk about how Christie’s ISE booth isn’t as product-focused as it is all about the experience and showing what its products, services and software can accomplish. Watch this and stop by during the show!
Yesterday, Xyte announced a $30 million round of investment, which includes $20 million in Series A funding led by Intel Capital, with participation from Samsung Next and existing investors S Capital and Mindset Ventures, as well as $10 million in venture lending from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock. Check out my exclusive interview with Xyte CEO Omer Brookstein just hours after the investment. Here’s what he had to say and how it will benefit AV manufacturers and AV integrators alike.
SpinetiX will use ISE 2024 to debut an all-new four-output media player designed to simplify video wall design and deployment. The new player includes four 4K60fps outputs that can break up or combine content across four displays that are configured in any physical layout — not just 2×2 or 1×4. And, it’s manageable via the ARYA cloud-based signage ecosystem, which, by the way, will officially be Q-SYS certified with a simple plug-in. (This makes ARYA part of the Q-SYS ecosystem, by the way!) Check out this pre-ISE 2024 videocast with SpinetiX CEO Francesco Ziliani to learn more, and plan to visit SpinetiX at ISE in stand/booth 5E500.
My latest pre-ISE videocast features NETGEAR’s director of marketing for NETGEAR Business, John Henkel, to discuss what the company will have in stand/booth 5C750 at ISE 2024. The new M4350 Series will debut in Europe (a few of them even support SMPTE ST 2110). In addition, NETGEAR will show the new PR460X Pro Router and demo how the NETGEAR Pro AV and Pro WiFi Design Teams perform network design services for free. P.S. There will also be nearly 100 booths on the show floor using NETGEAR. See if you can find them all! Watch and make sure to stop by!
Vivitek will be exhibiting on the Delta Display Companies stand, 3K700, at ISE 2024 — showing the full breadth of display products from handheld projectors through LEDs for commands and control centers (and everything in between). In this latest Rants & rAVes episode, I speak to Holger Gräff, Vivitek and Delta Display Solutions EMEA general manager, to talk about what you can expect when you stop by #3K700!
In the latest Steph takeover episode of Rants & rAVes, I take over for Gary Kayye to chat with Natalie Gillespie and Annie Foster of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA). HETMA, being a nonprofit advocacy organization, does a lot of good for our industry, but in this episode we focus on the Prism Scholarship in particular. The scholarship, born out of a partnership with AVIXA, supports the growth for underrepresented communities within higher education technology industry. Learn more about the scholarship, eligibility and how to apply by giving this episode a watch!
Yealink is one of the fastest-growing UCC gear and systems manufacturers in the world. The company is focusing on its partnership with Microsoft Teams and Teams Rooms-certified products at the upcoming ISE 2024 show in Barcelona — Yealink will be in stand/booth #2S130. Today’s pre-ISE 2024 podcast features Yealink’s marketing director, Lisa Zhang, to talk about what we can expect from the show as well as her outlook on 2024! Make sure to add Yealink to your ISE plans.
Another Steph Takeover Rants & rAVes episode? It must be your lucky day! This time, I interview Christina De Bono, founder and president of Sustainability in AV (SAVe), about everything the organization is doing to help meet the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our industry can be quite wasteful, and from programs that help give your tech a second life to encouraging manufacturers to package their products more sustainably, SAVe has done some great work in the past year. However, next year is set to be even bigger. Watch this to learn about everything SAVe has planned, including its first Global Conference. Check it out!
In this Steph Takeover episode of Rants & rAVes, I interview Tammy Fuqua and Christina Cruzeiro about what it is to be a woman in our industry (news flash — it’s tough). During COVID-19, the percentage of women in the AV workforce actually declined! But the AVIXA Women’s Council does great work, and to continue that work it has added Christina Cruzeiro as its co-chair with Tammy. I’m so excited to see all they’ll accomplish. Watch this episode to see what else the Women’s Council has in store for 2024!
Brawn Consulting founder Alan Brawn joined me on for his the latest episode of Rants & rAVes to talk about an article he recently wrote in which he cited some interesting customer buying shifts that have been documented by research firms like Gartner, McKinsey and Harvard Business Review. Data shows that somewhere between 70%-80% of buying decisions are already made before an AV integrator is even called. So, what’s the role of a salesperson now? Well, watch this insightful 20-minute interview that, if you are in sales, will likely change your perspective on your own role.
My latest episode of Rants & rAVes features Nathan Bohl, VP & GM and Dorian Haro, product manager at Chief | Legrand AV to talk about how the process of Design Thinking innovated the new Chief wall mount lineup, dubbed Tempo. It’s interesting how Legrand AV uses real-time relationships with integrators, design consultants and even manufacturers and end users to build better products. And, of course, all of it is available at Exertis Almo. Give this episode a watch!
It’s no secret that we’re living in a time during which multiple industries seem to be converging with ProAV. Just a few years ago, we were fighting the AV-is-or-isn’t-IT fight, and now we’re seeing security (physical and cyber) mix with ProAV, too. During this special Steph takeover episode of Rants & rAVes, I interview Candice Aragon of PSA about PSA University. From career pathing to subsidized certifications, PSA University offers a unique setup for security and ProAV integrators alike. Learn more here and consider becoming a PSA member so you have access!
P.S. We know how important security is, so that’s why we’ve developed an entire newsletter dedicated to it! You can subscribe right here.
In the most anticipated panel of 2023, a panel of AV, UCC and Digital Signage experts will join me to explore what of 2023 will affect 2024 and beyond. The panel of experts will review key trends, newly debuted technologies and discuss how to prepare for the upcoming year, as many of these experts have insights into what’s to come in ProAV, digital signage and UCC. To prep us for the webinar, Yealink’s senior sales engineer, Bill Newman, joined me on this episode of Rants & rAVes to talk about one of the products that debuted in 2023 that will steer 2024: the MVC S90. By the way: The webinar is free and approved for 1.0 CTS, CTS-D or AVIXA CTS-I RUs. Don’t miss it — register here.
The Digital Signage Experience (DSE) is less than two weeks away, and, again, it will be co-located with the LDI Show. The industry’s only exclusively digital signage show, DSE includes both a two-day exhibit hall and an educational component. DSE’s David Drain joined me on my latest videocast to talk about the event — after watching, consider registering here. (P.S. code “rAVe,” and you can gain entry into both LDI and DSE for free.)
On Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. EST, I will deliver my annual “State of the Digital Signage Market” webinar. I will cover growth stats, future market trends, the impact of OLED and LED on signage, how DOOH (digital out-of-home) advertising impacts signage — and I’ll even show you a real-world case study of the power of persuasion due to signage. It’s free, you’ll get 1.0 CTS or CTS-D RUs and it’s all thanks to an agreement with Exertis Almo and a partnership with LG Display Solutions! Register now here: https://www.exertisalmo.com/education/list/webinars
I had NETGEAR’s Alex Pendleton join me on today’s videocast. Alex is one of 22 NETGEAR team members whose job it is to help AV integration firms design systems via AV-over-IP. It’s a free service, literally dubbed NETGEAR’s ProAV Design Service, and all you have to do to take advantage of it is email them at proAVDesign@netgear.com. As Alex tells me, that starts a chain of events that concludes with a system entirely designed using whomever’s AV-over-IP encoders and decoders you prefer and delivered to you as a finished CAD file of your choosing. So, I wanted to see what a day in the life of an AV-over-IP systems designer is like — this is an interview worth watching as Alex starts his day at 4 a.m. Yes, 4 a.m. Watch!
On the latest episode of my Rants & rAVes videocast, CresTV host Neil Fluester joined to talk with me about the perils of traveling while maintaining a weekly streaming video show. We discuss what gear we both use to make this happen, from lighting to Shure microphones, we both share the behind-the-scenes gear that make our shows possible — especially when we’re on the go.
In case you haven’t heard, we’re starting the industry’s first and only esports show! Using a similar format to rAVe [TV], this bimonthly series will hit your screens the first and third Thursday of every month at 12 p.m. Eastern time. That means you can catch each episode on LinkedIn, rAVePUBS.com, YouTube.com/rAVePUBS and X, formerly known as Twitter. The livestreamed show, with host Bubba Gaeddert, will feature gamers, tech experts, esports venue designers, esports technologists, futurists and more to keep you abreast of EVERYTHING esports. Why Bubba? Well, he is “the Esports Guru” — he not only runs the VideoGames and Esports Foundation but he’s also the TOP influencer in the esports industry. And now, he’s part of rAVe! Watch this videocast with Bubba and me to get a taste of what you can expect from the show.
Catch the first episode on Nov. 2, 2023 at 12 p.m. EDT. Plus, sign up here to receive a notification each time a new episode is live.
On this episode of my Rants & rAVes videocast, I was joined by Aurora’s founder, Paul Harris, along with HETMA’s vice chair, Erin Maher-Moran, to talk about Aurora’s recent donation and what HETMA plans to do with it. Watch this and, if you work at a university, apply to get some of the touch panels!
AND check out this article:
https://www.ravepubs.com/aurora-supports-high-ed-with-6-6m-donation-of-control-products/
Both Avocor and Rise Vision joined me on today’s videocast as a platform to launch a new product category — an all-in-one digital signage product that includes the displays (in two sizes), an integrated media player, a CMS and creative signage templates. But, it is interesting that this offering can be sold CapEx or OpEx as a finished product or as a Hardware-as-a-Service model — the integrator can choose which they prefer. This is the official launch of the new Avocor R Series — via Rants and rAVes — so watch Avocor’s Scott Hix and Rise Vision’s CEO, Brian Loosbrock, explain the benefits of it.
On the latest episode of Rants & rAVes Exertis Almo’s Tom Kehr, CTS, CTS-D, CTS-I, LEED Green joined me to promote our join All-About-Audio webinar coming up on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. EDT. It’s free, it includes AVIXA RUs for CTS, CTS-I and CTS-D holders (just for attending), and the mega-audio company, Sennheiser, sponsors it. This session will be a bit different as it will be a casual panel discussion touching on all things audio and where it’s all heading. So, if you’re doing any audio in your ProAV systems, join us and register here: https://www.exertisalmo.com/education/list/webinars
My latest pre-Zoomtopia videocast features Yealink’s senior sales engineer, Regend Soh, and Zoom’s Lance Ford, Zoom Room educator. This videocast is interesting — both gentlemen hint at some big moves from Zoom at the annual conference, including a renewed focus on both the K-12 and higher-ed markets. The heart of it will be inside Yealink’s booth (12A), which will feature AI-powered hardware and software solutions with a high level of integration with Zoom. Watch this!
Today’s videocast features Samsung’s Lisa Bohnsack, James Rose and Lisa Gilmour as we talk about how the company has a suite of healthcare products that transform not only the patient experience but also that of the nurses and doctors. Using all sorts of display technologies, Samsung can help you make the overall healthcare experience better, smoother and more accessible. Watch this to see how! P.S. Exertis Almo handles all these products from Samsung, too.
If you haven’t heard of Xilica, you’re not alone. But there’s no time like the present to get acquainted — if you need a stand-alone PoE audio DSP, the company has one. (It’s also modular, so you pick the input port!) Need to distribute audio anywhere affordably and across the network? Xilica has that too. My latest Rants & rAVes videocast features Xilica VP Shaun Robinson to tap into all things Xilica — oh, and did you know it’s distributed through Exertis Almo? Watch!
Logitech’s Eric Spadafora, head of B2B business sales, North America, joined me for a pre-Zoomtopia videocast today. In addition to explaining how Logitech’s 315-degree Sight plays a central part in meeting equity, Zoom’s Intelligent Director will take center stage at the annual Zoom conference — as AI is going to be a central focus in the future of hybrid meetings. Watch this as Eric also hints at future Logitech product offerings and a way to help integrate the Rally Bar even more seamlessly into an environment.
Videri might be the AV market’s only true end-to-end signage company, as it makes every part of the digital signage ecosystem — from creation software to displays — and it’s all on the cloud. Don’t believe me? Watch this as Videri’s platform includes the signage displays (wireless, too), the CMS (including a content creation platform), device management and more. Once again, the entire thing is connected, managed and driven from the cloud. My latest Rants & rAVes episode includes Videri’s new CRO, Stephen Jenkins (who joined the company after spending 11 years at Diversified selling signage), and its head of channel, Jackie Cooper, to talk through the platform and show how well the system performs in real time.
I was joined by Exertis Almo’s vice president of marketing & communication, Melody Craigmyle, to talk about all the new opportunities for attendees during the fall E4 Experiences — coming to Teaneck, New Jersey, and Phoenix, Arizona (September and October), respectively. In addition to my all-new keynote — “8 COOL NEW PRODUCTS AND 5 NEW TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL CHANGE THE AV INDUSTRY FOREVER!” — there will be other chances to earn up to 10 AVIXA CTS RUs as well as a plethora of new products on the show floor that you can see, intimately, via an all-new, live, curated show floor tour opportunity. Watch this and immediately go to E4experience.com to register.
It’s right about the time that LG became LG — from Lucky Goldstar — to differentiating itself from every other display company in the world. It all started with a curved LCD panel and exploded from there. Now LG leads in OLED, Transparent OLED, Touch OLED and all-in-one LED, impacting nearly every display technology globally. Today, Exertis Almo’s own Todd Heberlein talks about the LG differentiation and why he thinks LG should be your first display choice in designing systems.
Planar never disappoints at CEDIA Expo — the company consistently has one of the most popular booths on the show floor. Now that CEDIA Expo is co-located with Commercial Integrator Expo, Planar’s booth (1501) will be packed with people interested in all sorts of high-end residential and even “resimercial” applications. One of the most exciting new LEDs will be in the form of the 3500-nit, 1.2mm outdoor LED as part of Planar’s Luminate Ultra Series displays. That, along with a new 1.35:1 (aka: 21:9) LCD, its new fine-pitch LEDs in the DirectLight Series, and its all-in-one in the UltraRes L Series, will make for an amazing show. Let Planar’s own Jeremy Sternhagen tell you even more during this videocast. Watch!
On the latest episode of Rants & rAVes (shout-out to Gary Kayye for letting me take over his podcast again!), I chat with Tommy Plumer of TD SYNNEX all about the distributor’s upcoming event: InVision Symposium. From Sept. 12-14 in Charlotte, North Carolina, InVision aims to connect you with its community of partners, vendors, thought leaders and more. But what’s interesting about this event is that Tommy mentions how much support and education it will offer salespeople in our industry. Find out more by checking out this videocast and learn more about InVision Symposium here. See you in Charlotte!
On Wednesday, Sept. 27, Gary Kayye — thanks to Avocor — will bring his workplace keynote session to the Exertis Almo webinar series at 2 p.m. EDT. So, if you want AVIXA CTS credits or want to know how to integrate better tech into workspaces to make people want to come back to work, register for this webinar! In the meantime, watch this interview with Gary and Avocor’s Dana Corey to get a glimpse of what you can expect next month!
On the latest episode of Rants & rAVes, Gary invited Savant Systems President J.C Murphy to talk about the value of adding Savant Power Systems to your CEDIA Expo 2023 lineup. In fact, at this year’s show, Savant will show the new Savant Power Storage 20, including a scalable inverter and LFP battery system that houses between 12.5 to 125 kW of storage, delivering from 20 to 200 kWh. As J.C explains in this recording, there’s never been a better time to get into offering renewable energy systems than now as — in addition to having its own professional services team at Savant design the system for you — the U.S. Government is subsidizing this stuff as high as 30%. Watch this!
With a focus on education, TD SYNNEX' all-new Invision Symposium will empower salespeople with the tools to drive success. TD SYNNEX SVP Vendor Management Sandi Stambaugh joins Gary to talk about the 3-day event held in Charlotte Sept. 12-14, and Gary’s keynote about how we, as AV professionals, need to build better experiences using AV tech to help our clients bring people back to the office. Thanks to Samsung, one breakout session will surprise and delight everyone with something experiential right before your eyes — watch this videocast and then register for the event here!
Autel Robotics’ director of business development, Joseph Scaperrotta, joined me on my latest Rants & rAVes episode to detail why now is the perfect time to sell drones. Every emergency services organization is buying and onboarding drones, and every division of the entire public safety market is too. You can sell them too via Autel’s partnership with Exertis Almo. Watch this!
On my latest episode of Rants & rAVes, NETGEAR’s director of product marketing, John Henkel, joins not only to detail what you can expect in its booth (#3547) at the upcoming CEDIA Expo and CIX show but also to offer information on educational classes for you to learn more. Register for the classes here and — in the meantime — check out this interview to see what the company has planned!
Gary was joined by AtlasIED’s VP of sales, Michael Peveler, to talk about its (literally) award-winning AS Series and new Atlas + FYNE partnership. Atlas is well-propositioned to grow in both the high-end residential and commercial AV markets — especially in hospitality — thanks to both product lines. So, watch this interview with Michael — you can “see” the new products for yourself — and plan to drop by booth #1418 at CIX and CEDIA Expo Sept. 7-9, 2023. (And don’t forget to use our code “RAVECE23” for a free show floor pass!)
From industry training and engineered solutions to augmenting partners' installation capabilities and evolving with the changing market, TD SYNNEX takes a multiprong approach to helping its security partners succeed.
Jessica McDowell, senior vice president, security and networking at TD SYNNEX, chats with Gary Kayye on a new episode of Rants & rAVes about the latest trends and solutions in security and how resellers can leverage TD SYNNEX's many tools to expand opportunities and drive their business.
MAXHUB’s business development manager, Alan Nicholls, joins my Rants & rAVes videocast for the worldwide debut of the company’s first Microsoft Teams Rooms kitted solutions. Pricing is extremely aggressive — so watch to see (and hear) all about them!
It’s another post-InfoComm-2023 videocast! This time, my guest is Sennheiser’s David Missall, insights manager consultants & manager technical application engineer. David shows a the company’s newest products — the TeamConnect Bar Solutions and its new TeamConnect Ceiling Medium mic array. With the two models of the TeamConnect Bar, Sennheiser enters the video camera market. And remember, both products are very, very scalable and that scalability is aimed at making AV integrators happy. Watch and learn why!
Hal Truax, VP of sales and marketing for Hall Technologies, joins me on this Rants & rAVes takeover episode to talk about everything the company accomplished at InfoComm 2023. It was a big show for Hall; it debuted its Hall Vision line of interactive flat panels and introduced a brand new ecosystem called Nexus Connect. Both are a big deal — Hall now makes pretty much every product that can go into a corporate space or classroom. And with Nexus Connect, those products are guaranteed and engineered to work together seamlessly. But even if you don’t build a space exclusively with Hall Technologies, there are still opportunities for many other manufacturers to become part of Nexus Connect. Check out this episode!
On the latest post-InfoComm-2023 episode of Rants & rAVes, Visix founder Sean Matthews joins me to debut its Choros AR-Based Space Booking App. It truly revolutionizes not just meeting spaces but all spaces with virtual and AR signage capabilities. It also offers a complete booking app integrated right into the platform — watch!
DTEN has spent the last year or so adding Microsoft Teams Certification to its UCC product line after years of being Zoom-Certified. But the company didn’t just add MS Teams as a feature. Instead, it’s building entire product lines around the platform — and winning awards in the process. This InfoComm 2023 wrap-up videocast with DTEN’s head of marketing, Nia Celestin, is a must-watch, and we’ve aggregated all the DTEN videos we shot at IC23 here!
It’s unlikely that any esports venue has ever existed without a little bit (or a lot) of Sony gear. From cameras to LEDs and everything in between, Sony has it and has likely raised an entire generation of players via its PlayStation console gaming systems. Sony’s Rich Ventura joins me to talk about esports and Sony’s sponsorship of his “The State of eSports Webinar and Panel” — you can register here on the Exertis Almo site. The webinar will take place Tuesday, July 18, at 2 p.m. EDT!
According to Zoom, the average size of a Zoom Room suits 4.2 people. We’re not sure what the 0.2 person is like or if they are a remote user or a data point, but one thing we are sure of is that a 27-person Zoom Room is highly unusual. So, how does it work and how’d it get built? AVI-SPL’s Steven Mason and Dave Lambe joined this episode of Rants & rAVes to show us and take us on the customer journey used to sell and integrate it. This is the ultimate Zoom Room, and it came together thanks to VR-based room virtualization for both the client and the designer's benefit. Watch!
Panasonic Connect’s director of ProAV Solutions & connected ecosystems, Petro Shimonishi, joins me on my latest episode of Rants & rAVes to take an in-depth look at its new UCC ecosystem, including mic arrays, auto- and AI-tracking PTZ cameras, DSPs, wireless presenting, facial recognition and new displays designed for UCC applications. In fact, the company not only has a new ceiling mic system but at InfoComm 2023, it debuted a short-throw projector for meeting rooms, too. Watch this and check it all out at its new UCC site or from your Exertis Almo rep.
Advances like AI, AR/VR headsets and a rapid transformation of hybrid workplaces are putting TD SYNNEX at the very center of the IT ecosystem as the company delivers end-to-end solutions from edge to data centers to the cloud. Lisa McGarvey, vice president, solutions, verticals, and alliances at TD SYNNEX, discusses ways the company is capitalizing on the latest emerging trends allowing them to unlock the ecosystem, grow capabilities and delve into emerging technology needs to support their customer partners.
My latest Rants & rAVes episode features TD SYNNEX senior vice president, TJ Trojan, to talk not only about his InfoComm 2023 impressions but also about the trend toward AVaaS and how integrators can benefit from converting clients from CapEx to OpEx. This is a great one-on-one discussion between 20+-year friends and you get to benefit from it by watching it! And, if you want to learn from TD SYNNEX, check the company out here: https://www.tdsynnex.com/na/us/, and its OpEx AVaaS offering is here: https://www.tdsynnex.com/na/us/servicesolv/
Today’s Rants & rAVes features Shure’s MXA product manager, Evan Groom, who does a great job detailing the features of the new MXA902 as well as explaining when to use the MXA902 versus the MXA920 Ceiling Array Microphones. Both will be on display at booth #3842 at InfoComm 2023 — but you should definitely watch this before you go!
Barco’s ClickShare has become a ubiquitous UCC product — having won yet another rAVe Reader’s Choice Award, but did you know that Barco has an entire IT-based management platform for ClickShare that’s entirely cloud-based? Dubbed XMS Cloud, the company just improved it with a new update, and it’s designed to give IT professionals device control, proactive intervention and remote management of any Barco ClickShares within a facility. Barco’s Lars Duziack joins my next Rants & rAVes episode to talk about how XMS Cloud helps bridge a relationship between AV pros and IT pros while making management of ClickShares much, much easier. Barco will be at InfoComm 2023 in booth #2529. So, watch this and ensure you get a XMS Cloud demo!
The latest episode of Rants & rAVes features Canon’s Len Musmeci, a pro market strategy advisor, to talk about what the company will show in booth #2543 at InfoComm 2023. Canon has decided to focus on streaming and live production solutions for IC23 and will take the opportunity to demo its new AI- and gesture-based PTZ cameras with tracking and auto-looping capabilities. In addition, the company will show the Cinema Cameras and a new line of 4K reference monitors. But, the most impressive demo might be its AMLOS technology — giving remote participants a customizable viewing experience. Watch this!
My next pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast features Sony’s director of B2B sales and marketing, Mark Bonofacio, who details everything you can expect in its booth next week. In addition to 16 new BRAVIA displays — in three new product lines — Sony has decided to focus its in-booth virtual (XR) production set on corporate and live event production rather than Hollywood-style set design. This will be exciting for AV integrators since this is the application we would be more likely to sell. In addition to XR production and the new LCDs, Sony will show the latest Crystal LED — the BH and CH-Series — and a new 27” version of its spatial reality display, too! So, make sure you plan to go by booth #1701 at InfoComm and, in the meantime, watch this! Sony’s InfoComm 2023 microsite is here: pro.sony/infocomm
My next pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast features SpinetiX CEO, Francesco Ziliani, to talk how moving clients from a CapEx to OpEx model when investing in an AV or digital signage system. Primarily, says Ziliani, is the relationship value you get from providing AVaaS. Also, it gives you the ability to add on features later, too — Ziliani is absolutely right. And at InfoComm, the company will be laser-focused on helping drive the market in that direction using the SpinetiX ARYA cloud CMS and Elementi digital signage software. Watch this, go by its booth (#833) at InfoComm but also make sure you register to attend its partner event June 13!
My latest pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast features Audio-Technica’s Mark Donovan, applications engineering manager. To do a real-time, live demo of both products being highlighted in booth #3554 at InfoComm 2023. First, you see and hear the Audio-Technica Engineered Sound Wireless system including Mark switching between each of the four transmitters (mics) in real-time. Then, Mark switches to the ATND1061, a beamforming ceiling array microphone — that’s only 9” x 9” — that’s aimed as a solution for conference rooms, boardrooms and meeting spaces large and small. You’ll get to hear it if you watch this live video demo. If you’re in the UCC market, you’ll want to watch this and then go to see them at IC23!
On my latest pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast, CrimsonAV’s Will Bear, vice president of sales and marketing, joins me. Bear first details the company’s strategy and differentiation in the mounting business. We also talk about how CrimsonAV will be in booth 1674 at InfoComm, and will demo new QSR mounting and kiosk solutions — indoor and outdoor — as well as its personalized, educational-based LED mounting support for AV integrators. CrimsonAV is a brand you will clearly hear more from, and this is worth watching — the company is focused on higher margins in the mounting business.
Today’s pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast features PPDS' (aka: Philips Digital Signage) commercial vice president of North America, Nick Begleries, and Jack Boyczuk, global business manager. PPDS is on a roll after hiring some well-known talent from some other display brands — the company also recently introduced some unique products to the ProAV market, including the Tableaux (a powerless, color ePaper signage product), a 65” LCD for video walls and WAVE, a cloud-based management platform for its display. At IC23, the company will focus on bridging and building relationships in North America. As an example, PPDS is opening regional “studios” around the country and is focused on integrator margins; watch this and learn more!
My latest Rants & rAVes episode features Planar’s vice president of product marketing, Steve Seminario, and he detailed the four highlights of its booth (#2243) at InfoComm 2023. It’s all about LED, mostly, and an all-new series, debuting at IC23, dubbed the Planar DirectLight Pro Series. But, we’ll also see outdoor LEDs, ultra-fine-pitch 0.6mm LEDs, a series of all-in-one solutions, too and a fully-functional LED-based XR set! Watch this and plan to make Planar part of your InfoComm experience.
On my latest pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast, I invited Lenovo’s director of portfolio product management within Smart Collaboration, Chris Mantin, to talk UCC. Lenovo has a complete family of solutions, including the new all-in-one ThinkSmart View Plus, aimed at huddle spaces, at-home and hot-desking applications; the ThinkSmart Core Kit, an all-in-one meeting room kit inclusive of compute, camera, mic, speakers and touch controller; the ThinkSmart Hub, a table-top meeting room solution; and the ThinkSmart One, an all-in-one camera, mic, audio and compute in a speaker bar configuration. All of this will be at InfoComm 2023 in booth 3661. Watch this before you go!
For the past decade, one of the most creative booths at the InfoComm show has been LG’s display. From transparent, rollable and bendable OLEDs to giant LCDs and LEDs, it has never disappointed an IC attendee. Well, at IC23, the company will bring its all-new MAGNIT 1.5mm MicroLED purpose-built for live and virtual production to the show floor and will actually demo it in a studio format. And LG’s Andrew Beaudet, senior manager, broadcast and live production, joined Gary’s pre-InfoComm videocast today to make sure you understood why this is a not-to-be-misseed part of the booth (#1642).
Two #GALSNGEAR joined me on this pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast today, Amy DeLouise, creative director at DeLouise Enterprises and founder of #GALSNGEAR and Danilda Martinez, director of programs & outreach, #GALSNGEAR. What’s #GALSNGEAR — well, watch this and you’ll not only learn all about the group but how to help, too. Both of them are leading educational sessions at IC23, too. Amy’s session is “Better Storytelling with Real People on Camera” and Danilda’s panel is on the main stage on the show floor and is all about “Virtual Production in Live Events: Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities.” Both sessions will be amazing!
Sharp NEC Display Solutions of America's own president and CEO, Todd Bouman, and its senior vice president of marketing, Jennifer Cheh, join my latest Rants & rAVes episode to detail what we can expect in booth 1201 at InfoComm 2023. Show attendees can expect new LEDs (including a 21:9 as well as one with interactive touch), new AQUOS displays and a refreshed lineup of projectors, too. You’ll want to watch this, as Jennifer details what new products to expect (including giving us both specs and product features) and Todd updates Gary on the joint venture progress. Make sure you stop by Sharp/NEC’s booth at InfoComm 2023!
I was joined by Mago's CTO, Cristiano Fumagalli, on this pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast to talk about how the Mago platform and ecosystem can simplify UCC applications. Imagine having the exact same control and interface design in every single room in your company or across your campus, no matter the brand of collaboration board you used, no matter the UCC video platform you typically use and regardless if the room had an interactive display, standard LCD or a projector installed. Well, Mago does this and more. Watch this video and then make sure you add booth #4789 to your InfoComm 2023 plans as this could make your UCC life way, way better.
On today’s pre-InfoComm videocast, Vibhav Singh and Sahil Dhingra, co-founders of XTEN-AV, tell me all about the cloud/AI-based system design and proposal platform. But, the two are heading to InfoComm 2023, having integrated desktop-based and headset-based VR design into the XTEN-AV platform, too. On this videocast, they actually do a live demo of the functionality, including building and editing a room — on the fly — inside the VR application, too. Check the company out at booth #4260.
I was joined by Pete Coman, the chief technology officer at PTS Consulting, to talk about the half-day (Tuesday, June 13) “Emerging Trends” program at InfoComm 2023 and why you should attend. This has always been a popular session at the show, and the format has changed to a live fireside-style chat session with a plethora of industry experts that will discuss everything from AR, VR, XR, the future of the workplace and more. Register today!
You’ve probably heard of XYTE, but you may not understand who the company is or what it does. Well, 50+ manufacturers do, as they are using XYTE to help turn hardware into software and services as we move toward the future of AV being Hardware-as-a-Service. Intel will support this movement with a family of NUC devices to simplify this future. At InfoComm 2023, in booth 4167, you can see this. In the meantime, watch this videocast with Brian McCarson, the vice president, Client Computing Group, general manager, Next Unit of Compute Group (NUC Group) at Intel and Omer Brookstein, CEO and co-founder of Xyte. I will bet after watching this, you’ll give AVaaS a shot!
Matrox Video’s director of sales, Americas, Ron Rundell, joins me on my videocast today. Matrox will be at InfoComm 2023 in booth #2917 with the new LUMA Series of graphics cards capable of driving two 8K resolution displays (and will celebrate the launch at InfoComm with a reception). The ConvertIP IPMX-based AV-over-IP lineup has also grown since the 2022 event, and that entire product line will be in the booth as well. All this, including how to join the reception, is covered in this pre-InfoComm videocast!
I invited Craig Durr, senior analyst, Wainhouse Research, as my guest on this Rants & rAVes episode to talk about two sessions he is leading at InfoComm 2023 for AVIXA. Watch this videocast; Craig does a marvelous job of positioning these so those of you in the UCC market will know which one to attend. The two sessions are “Understanding Space Utilization Technologies” (June 13) and “Solutions and Strategies for Shared Desktops” (June 14). Both those session links will take you directly to the registration page, so what are you waiting for?
On my latest pre-InfoComm-2023 Rants & rAVes episode, Logitech’s VP and GM of B2B, Scott Wharton, joins to talk about Rally Bar Huddle, the company’s new huddle-space collaboration solution; Logi Dock Flex, its new desk-booking and management solution; and Logitech’s free desk-booking service — yes, free. Watch this to understand why you need to go to booth #3071 at InfoComm!
On my latest videocast, Michelle Montazeri, manager of digital signage at Legrand AV, joins to talk about her “Digital Signage: Where Do I Start?” class at InfoComm 2023 on Wednesday, June 14 at 8 a.m. EDT. Digital Signage is one of the fastest-growing segments of AV, and this session will help a beginner integrator or end user understand the basics. Listen and/or watch, then register anyone you think can benefit from a digital signage primer!
TD SYNNEX’s Eddie Franklin, senior vice president of sales / public sector, joined me on today’s videocast to talk all about his public sector team. There are all kids of opportunities that most AV integrators are likely not familiar with, as Eddie mentions, so watching this videocast could yield you giant returns! Take a look!
In my latest videocast, Epson’s senior product manager, Ramzi Shakra, joined me to discuss what the company has planned for InfoComm 2023 in booth 3428. For the last decade, Epson has always had an impressive projection-mapping show at the entrance of its booth, and this year's demo will not disappoint. In addition, we’ll see some new projectors and even a few surprises from the 3LCD company — watch this and make sure to add Epson to your InfoComm plans!
Christie Digital will use InfoComm 2023 for the North American debut of an all-new native 4K, 1-chip DLP projector, dubbed the 4K22-HS, at InfoComm 2023 in booth 1623. In addition, you’ll get to see new 0.75mm and 1.0mm MicroTiles LED and an experiential-based booth all driven by its own SDVoE-based AV-over-IP platform, Terra. Gary was joined for this pre-InfoComm 2023 videocast with Christie’s Joel St-Denis and Mike Bernhardt to detail its IC23 plans – watch this and make sure you add these booths to your show plans!
The founder of Computer Comforts, Frank Kolavo, brought the new Configure-IT Lectern to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to demo it live ahead of its presence at the upcoming InfoComm 2023 show next month. Computer Comforts will be in booth #4480 and will be debuting the new lectern designed with help from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In this video, Frank explains the philosophy behind why universities will love the purpose-built two-part cart. He also shows the way he (uniquely and inexpensively) solved cooling and dust issues (with COOL-IT) in any classroom! Watch and then make plans to stop by. If you’re not already a dealer for Computer Comforts, sign up to be one! Frank is a very cool and passionate guy — as you will see when you watch this!
Axis Communications’ Chris Wildfoerster joined me on my latest pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast to talk about his strategy to sign up AV integrators to sell its physical security portfolio and its distributed audio lineup. (Axis has a full line of distributed audio products for AV installs — and it’s all IP-based!) The company will be in booth #5450 at InfoComm showing the line. Make sure to include this company in your IC23 plans; in the meantime, watch this!
Last month, Samsung quietly launched a new WAC series of interactive displays — aimed primarily at K-12 but can be used in all sorts of other applications. Why? Well, it not only includes embedded Android OS on board but also simple USB-C connectivity. The new WAC series will be available in 65-, 75- and 86-inch models and this videocast covers it all. I spoke with Samsung’s director of education technology consulting and solutions, Dr. Micah Shippee, who perfectly positions the product alongside the existing WMB series, Samsung’s interactive pro display. Watch!
AmpThink’s senior design engineer, Rebecca Sullins, joined me on another pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast to talk about her two audio-focused educational sessions at IC23 and her exclusive audio-based show floor tour! AV starts with audio and Rebecca’s integration and live system design background make her uniquely positioned to deliver both “Designing Audio Systems with High Intelligibility” and “Intro to Live Streaming System Design for Performance Spaces” in Orlando during IC23. But, if you’re lucky enough to grab one of only a few guided show floor tours focused on audio tech and products, do it! She’s a fantastic communicator and can break down even the most complicated subjects into bite-sized bits of information. Watch this interview!
Datavideo Managing Director Craig Moffat joined me on another pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast — this time with a live demo! Not only will this company debut a two-input 4K iCast Mini production-style switcher at IC23, but it’ll already be shipping, too! This product will be huge in both in-house video broadcast applications as well as higher-ed classrooms — watch this demo, and you’ll see why!
Dr. Jodie Penrod, the CIO at Marshall University, joined me for my latest pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast to talk about her three higher-ed-focused sessions at the show next month: “Using Classroom Technology Design to Create an Equitable Hybrid Learning Experience,” “Broadcasting for Educational Environments” and “Trend Forecast: Learning Spaces.” What are these sessions about, and why should you attend? Well, watch this and register by simply clicking on the name of the session(s) you’d like to join!
On my latest pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast, I chat with AVIXA’s director of live content, Annette Sandler, to talk all about the 150+ educational sessions at this year’s show in Orlando next month. This year’s educational slate will include a record number of manufacturer-based training sessions along with a focus on conferencing and collaboration. Watch this and register! (Oh by the way, I’m leading a session, too and you can find out more here: https://www.infocommshow.org/infocomm-2023/future-workspaces-experiences.)
My pre-InfoComm-2023 videocast today was with PlexusAV’s global director of business development, Steven Cogels, who talked about what his company will show in booth 4181 in Orlando next month. PlexusAV is debuting an IPMX-based ecosystem approach to AV-over-IP and will seek partners at the show. So, watch this!
In the lead-up to InfoComm 2023, I’m spending time talking to AVIXA and InfoComm influencers, enticing you to attend the show. Today’s Rants & rAVes comes in the form of a sampling of the education offered at IC23. Joined by Jesse Miller, CEO of Midtown Video, I learn he’s teaching leading two sessions, including a panel, “Advanced Streaming Considerations for Live Events,” and a how-to professionally implement “Streaming with Remote Guests” into live events course. Streaming has not just transformed live events but every kind of meeting; watch this videocast with Jesse and consider joining us at InfoComm. (Don’t forget, I have a session at IC23, too — “The Future of Workspaces Is All About Experiences” — there are a few seats left!)
My latest videocast was all about ViewSonic and its plans at the upcoming InfoComm 2023 show. ViewSonic will be in booth 1614 and, as its AV channel manager in Canada, Stan Klebanoff demonstrates here that the big intro will include its foldable all-in-one LED and a new 105” ViewBoard specifically designed to accommodate the 21:9 aspect ratio of Microsoft Teams Front Row. Watch and make plans to stop by the ViewSonic booth at IC23!
Two AVIXA superstars, Sam Minish and Megan Kuhman, joined me on my latest videocast to explain three important InfoComm 2023 happenings; the AVIXA Women’s Council Breakfast, a brand-new Career Empowerment Event and how the organization will leverage its Xchange Live platform during the show. #AVtweeps are invited to participate in all three events, and this videocast with Sam and Megan explains all the details. Please watch it and register using the corresponding links above!
WyreStorm will use its booth (#3515) at InfoComm 2023 to show you how it has become a complete ecosystem producer at every signal routing and distribution level. I mean everything from HDBaseT to AV-over-IP — from streaming to 10G (and everything in-between), Wyrestorm can. In fact, if you watch this videocast, you’ll see and hear how the company will launch and/or detail:
- A new 1G (the first in the industry, in fact) MultiViewer
- New 4K AV-over-IP solutions
- Touch control
- An all-in-one presentation switcher (capable of HDBaseT, HDMI and AV-over-IP)
- Partnerships with NETGEAR, XYTE and Audinate (of Dante fame).
This will be a big year for Wyrestorm — learn more from WyreStorm Product Manager Zec Voislav and make sure to stop by the booth at InfoComm for some freebies, too!
After 40+ years in AV, Sam Taylor found his next passion — raising $1 million for Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Kentucky State University. The university needs its pool renovated — not only to run its swim program but to save lives as well. Watch this videocast and DONATE to this amazing cause!
Next week, I will host AV’s first look a the future of outdoor systems in “Moving AV Outside,” hosted by Exertis Almo — you can register here. Obviously we have digital signage and scoreboards that have been outside forever, but we have a lot more coming. Just watch this teaser with LG’s Clinton Roudenbush, then hurry and register for the opportunity to bring anything and everything AV to the great outdoors!
In addition to showing the new DTEN D7X and D7X Dual collaboration boards, DTEN will use Enterprise Connect to debut an all-new 4K camera system that solves content and video sharing in hybrid meetings with the new Vue Pro Camera System. Want to know what it is? Watch this interview with DTEN’s VP of global marketing, Nia Celestin, and then make sure you visit DTEN in booth 328 at Enterprise Connect in Orlando!
On today’s videocast, Erica Carroll, Sr. Manager of Product Training & Adoption at Mersive, and Jennifer Goodyer, Sales Manager at RT Sales, joined me to talk about how to recruit more women into our industry. The answer is simple, start at the elementary school level. AND … You can help now by funding STEM kits for kids — watch and learn how!
Today’s videocast features BTX’s general manager, Greg Schwartz, and ADI Global’s VP and GM, Cynthia Menna. The two join me to talk about why ADI is keeping BTX a separate company and how they will work, synergistically, to grow the market. ADI is a Residio company and now BTX is part of that family! Watch this interview!
This week I go to LinkedIn and answer this question from Jason Ward: “When do you walk away from an opportunity?” Tune in to learn when to walk away (and when to run).
The Exertis Almo E4 Experience tour will kick off 2023 next week in Dallas; you can not only register for that event but also hop on over to E4Experience.com and register for any and all of the 2023 tour stops. These will include: Santa Clara, California; Teaneck, New Jersey; and Phoenix, Arizona! Exertis Almo’s VP of marketing, Melody Craigmyle, joined my latest videocast episode to give me even more details. There are a handful of new educational sessions at this year’s E4 — all with AVIXA CTS RUs — and I’m doing a live show floor tour with nearly 50 exhibitors and new products! Listen so you know how to get the most out of your E4 Experience.
On today’s videocast, AVIXA Senior VP Rochelle Richardson joined me to talk all things InfoComm. InfoComm 2023 is June 10-16 (exhibition dates 14-16) in Orlando, and rAVe has a free code for you to use (“RAVE”). However, that’s not the main reason to register — watch this, as Rochelle details all that’s happening in and around the show including partnership, special exhibits, education and even show floor tours!
On today’s videocast, Barco’s group product manager for ClickShare, Oliver Van Camp, details what’s different about the new CX-50 Gen2 product. In addition to dual-monitor support, there are many new features — including the ability to use the ClickShare to switch from a Zoom or Teams Room to a BYOM room quickly (as well as a wired HDMI input)!
In my latest (post-ISE) Rants & rAVes episode, I caught up with SDVoE Alliance’s president, Justin Kennington, to talk about all the organization did at the show. SDVoE has more adopters of its AV-over-IP ecosystem than any other alliance out there and now has nearly 800 products in the portfolio from 60+ brands. So, what’s in the future for SDVoE? Watch this and you’ll see! Also, if you want to see some of the SDVoE videos we shot at ISE 2023, go here: https://www.ravepubs.com/?s=SDVoE&cat=28987%2C28988
Even if a customer meets your ideal profile, sometimes we need to qualify the project further to ensure we’re equally invested. Listen to this Selling AV episode to find out how.
At this year’s ISE show in Barcelona, PlexusAV made its debut into the AV-over-IP market. PlexusAV is the first IPMX-based AV-over-IP company that only does IP-based video distribution. And, although it is new, it comes from a 70+ year-old broadcast company … watch this interview with PlexusAV’s Steven Cogels; he explains how PlexusAV is different and what the company’s roll-out plan is!
On today’s pre-ISE 2023 videocast with Epson’s group product manager, Gavin Downey, we talk about how the company is using ISE 2023 to launch products aimed at every market. The one that may garner the most attention is the new L810E Ultra — a 5,000-lumen 4K projector that makes giant images from inches away from the wall, in speaker bar configuration! Other sneak peeks include a new BrightLink GoBoard, a 5,000 and 7,000 4KE projector and new compact native 4K large venue projectors that are 8K, 10K, 13K, 16K and 20K lumens. All of them are shown during this videocast — you won’t want to miss it.
Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe took to my Rants & rAVes videocast today to detail its ISE 2023 plans — starting with a 100% recyclable and sustainable booth. Yep, the company is using a booth in which everything in it is either recyclable or has already been recycled. Also, it will include new 21:9 aspect-ratio LEDs (perfect for the Microsoft Teams Front Row feature), 32:9 display configurations using interactive LCDs and a center-mounted camera, two new high-brightness (8,000 and 17,000 lumens) projectors, new OPS and SDM modules for universal input options and a command-and-control solution, too! Check out Sharp/NEC at ISE 2023 on stand 3E600. Enjoy this talk with both Ian Barnard, senior vice president marketing & product management, and Tobias Augustin, manager product management. ALL this is shown on this videocast, too!
Today’s videocast features DTEN’s head of strategic alliances, Scott Krueckeberg, and on this pre-ISE 2023 videocast, we discussed the new dual D7X solution with a vertically mounted camera and mic array! Why vertical? Watch this videocast, as Scott explains the system concept as well as how the company will use the all-new InclusiView Zone feature on many of its products to define meeting equity for both video AND audio in room and remotely. DTEN will be in Stand 2R350 at ISE, but make sure you check this out first!
On episode 1200 of my Rants & rAVes videocast, Logitech’s director, business strategy, Nathan Coutinho, joined to talk about what the company has planned for ISE 2023. In addition to making its worldwide debut with the new Brio 305 (a 1080p camera available in four colors), Logitech will being its meeting equity solution in the form of the Logitech Sight (an AI-powered camera that’s amps up what you can do on Teams, Zoom and Meet). But, there’s more! Watch this videocast and plan to stop by Logitech’s stand, 2M400, at ISE 2023 in Barcelona. In the meantime, here’s an ISE blog from Logitech, too!
My latest Rants & rAVes episode features Re Mago’s chief technology officer and co-founder, Cristiano Fumagalli. He introduces me to the all-new Mago cloud-based collaboration product line — dubbed Mago (formerly Valarea). Winner of our 2022 Best of InfoComm Award for best collaboration software, Mago will be in three booths at ISE, and Cristiano used this pre-ISE-2023 videocast to actually demonstrate how it works in real-time. Watch!
You can see the company in the MAXHUB booth at ISE 2023 2P300 as well as in the Jupiter Systems booth 3N100.
Matrox Video EMEA business development manager, Rob Moodey, joins today’s pre-ISE-2023 Rants & rAVes videocast. Matrox Video will be at ISE 2023 on stand 5C500 showing, among other things, the ConvertIP product line of AV-over-IP encoders, decoders and controllers — all based on the AIMS Alliance proposed standard, IPMX. You should plan to go see this, as the company will also show it with a Crestron controller as well as a software-based system!
On my latest videocast, I chat with Christie Digital’s director of product management, Joel St-Denis, about what you can expect in stand/booth 3K600 at ISE 2023 in Barcelona. The company will, again, tie the entire booth together using its AV-over-IP platform — Terra — that’s based on 10G SDVoE and drive it all with Pandora’s Box. What’s more? Christie will also showcase projection mapping with a brand-new 35,000-lumen Griffyn 4K35-RGB pure laser projector and a new product to be debuted at the show … Listen and watch.
On my latest pre-ISE-2023 videocast with NETGEAR’s John Henkel and Laurent Masia, the three of us talk about the new NETGEAR AV team. We cover its free AV-over-IP System Design Services, its Wireless Network Design Services, more switches and the new Engage AV Controller. This videocast covers it all — check it out and see why you should stop by stand/booth 5D800 at ISE 2023 in Barcelona! Plus, save the date for the two training sessions that NETGEAR will hold Wednesday, Feb. 1 here.
Gary was joined by Andy Herron from WyreStorm for the latest pre-ISE-2023 videocast to talk about the new products you can expect to see in its stand (3Q725) on the show floor Jan. 31-Feb. 3. One unique offering from WyreStorm will be the industry’s first (and still the only) weatherproof, outdoor enabled AV-over-IP decoder. But, you’ll also see new control interfaces including a 10” touch panel and a 10-button keypad — watch!
Gary was joined with Nureva’s VP of products, Rob Abbott, on this pre-ISE-2023 videocast to talk about plans in stand/booth 2N450 in the Unified Communications & Education Technology zone. Nureva will be back with live demos of its Microphone Mist technology, but the company has also added five product stations to explain both the product offering and technology behind the unique microphone arrays. One of those stations will feature the new HDL410 audio conferencing system — designed for even larger spaces. Watch this and make sure you include Nureva in your ISE 2023 plans!
How do we continue to grow our businesses effectively as technologies change? The secret to qualifying new customers and projects lies beyond the technology itself. Give this episode a listen for more!
QSC’s own (and co-chair of the AVIXA Women’s Council) Tammy Fuqua joins me on my latest videocast to talk about a study group that is open to all AVIXA members. The group will meet every other week and will collectively work on educating everyone in time to take the AVIXA CTS test at InfoComm later this year in June. Watch! (And also check out the Study With Steph episode that details more of what the group will cover.)
Sam Taylor is a legend — even his competitors would admit that. And now, he’s retiring. So what’s he going to do now? And what can we expect with new incoming EVP, Dan Smith (who’s leaving his VP role at LG Electronics USA to lead the new ProAV team at Exertis Almo)? Well, fortunately, they both sat down with me to answer both these questions and more. Watch!
First thing’s first: Have you ever heard of IDEA? The Illinois Digital Educators Alliance aims to “inspire, connect, and provide the educational community with opportunities that transform teaching and learning through technology.” On my latest Rants & rAVes episode, IDEA’s own storyteller, Stefanie Crawford, joins to talk about IDEAcon, the mid-February conference in Chicago, aimed at teachers, ed-tech managers and IT pros who support education. IDEAcon isn’t just a conference, by the way; it’s an educationally focused experience that includes a conference and tech exhibits from companies like SMART, Sony, Microsoft, Google, CDW, COMCAST and others. If you sell or design for education (or market to education), watch this videocast with Gary and Stefanie — you can also register here.
Today’s Rants & rAVes is all about how ProAV integrators can sell into the hospitality market. It’s not just about TVs in the rooms anymore. Now, hotel AV includes digital signage, impressive lobby structures, huddle spaces outfitted as UCC rooms, coworking spaces and, of course, event spaces — all packed with AV tech. Exertis Almo’s Eric Steiner, vice president of hospitality sales, and Andrew Rozak, its services development manager, joined Gary to talk about all this. Watch!
If you’re an AV Integrator and at least 20% of your total annual sales aren’t coming from services, you’re in trouble. Seriously. If you rely totally on hardware sales, you’re unlikely to survive the next ProAV price squeeze that will occur by the end of 2023. What services should you be selling — besides system support and remote management? Well, watch my latest videocast with Rob Voorhees. We’ll explain what the options are and which ones are low-hanging fruit.
PPDS is the technical name for what is commonly referred to (by us industry insiders) as Philips Digital Signage. And, for the last six years, the company has been building a global strategy for becoming a top-three display company; the plan was accelerated last month with the appointment of 20+ year industry veteran Nick Begleries to the role of commercial market VP. He joined Gary, along with Bruce Wyrwitzke, director, professional displays, to talk about the state of the plan and how they see Philips differentiating itself here in North America. Oh, and both these guys have something in common with the cast of the movie “The Goonies,” too. So, watch!
Exertis Almo Executive VP Sam Taylor joined me on my latest videocast to talk about the company’s acquisition announcement — it has acquired Caddrillion. Caddrillion is an AV systems design firm that was started by Justin Gregory, and it’s clear that Exertis Almo sees its future in offering more and more services. Watch Sam give some insights in how Exertis Almo will benefit from the acquisition as well as how this might affect what the company has planned in the future.
In today’s world, you can win on price and not make money, bid to make money and lose on price … or you can lead the problem-solving and discovery process to create a scenario — and everyone wins.Listen to this Selling AV to find out how.
Although you can use LED walls and projection to build Microsoft Teams Rooms — and the new Front Row feature that leverages 21:9 and 32:9 aspect ratios — Sharp NEC hasn’t introduced a dedicated solution for it … yet. However, Sharp NEC solution architect, George Borden, hints at what is coming and when we might see it in this episode of my Rants & rAVes.
When it comes to both race and gender, it’s no secret that the AV industry has a few gaps. But thanks to a couple of recent reports by AVIXA, we know more about these gaps — and we can start to change them. On the latest Steph takeover episode of Rants & rAVes, Peter Hansen and Joé Lloyd join to talk about what these reports mean for our industry. So check it out and make sure to join us for a special LAVNCH & LEARN Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. EST to learn even more.
Want to know what “this” is? Watch my latest videocast with MAXHUB’s director of sales & marketing for UC, Charlie Montoya, and you’ll get a sneak peek — literally — of its newest Zoom-based IFP. MAXHUB will be at Zoomtopia next week in booth #43 or you can check out the company here: maxhub.com.
dvLED, LCD, LED, there are reasons that all exist and there are use cases for all! In Steph Beckett’s latest Rants & rAVes takeover, she and AVI-SPL’s Brad Sager chat all about dvLED. Brad’s session at DSE 2022, titled “dvLED: What You Need to Know,” will answer questions like: What are the pros and cons of specifying dvLED? What are the best installation scenarios for dvLED? And more. Watch this videocast to get the idea, and join the DSE session that will feature both Brad and Paul England of SNA Displays Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. PST. (Register here and use code “RAVEGIFT” for a free show floor pass!)
In another Rants & rAVes takeover episode with Steph Beckett, she chats with Megan A. Dutta, co-founder of the Women of Digital Signage group. Megan wants everyone attending DSE to check out the Women of Digital Signage Luncheon, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. PST. Featuring an expert panel, great food and opportunities to meet others in the digital signage industry, it’s sure to be an event you don’t want to miss. The luncheon is open to all and costs $65. Find out more here, but also make sure you’re registered for DSE! (Use code “RAVEGIFT” for free entry onto the show floor!)
In her latest Rants & rAVes takeover, Steph Beckett chatted with NSCA’s Tom LeBlanc about his panel session at the upcoming DSE show. The panel, titled “Transform Your Talent Pipeline,” will focus on the integration “bubble” and how to break out of it. If you’re having trouble finding ways to bring new talent into the AV industry, you won’t want to miss this session (taking place Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m. PST). So check out this video and then register for DSE here — you can even use our code “RAVEGIFT” to get a free pass onto the show floor!
In the quick-service restaurant (QSR) world, digital menu boards are quickly becoming THE WAY to order food and complete a transaction. But if you’re looking to follow the likes of McDonald’s and Starbucks, where do you start? Jackie Walker, retail experience strategy lead, Publicis Sapient, will speak about this at DSE 2022, but she also joined Rants & rAVes with Steph Beckett to talk a little bit about this. Watch if you’re interested in utilizing digital menu boards, and see her speak live at DSE by registering here! (Use the code “RAVEGIFT” for a free show floor pass.) See you in Vegas!
Earlier this month, TD SYNNEX held its annual Inspire Conference in Greenville, South Carolina. It included over 3,000 AV and tech pros who provided a plethora of insights into where the market is today and where it’s heading. TD SYNNEX’s own senior vice president, product management, Sandi Stambaugh, details this as well as how it can help you navigate the potential of a recession as well as continued supply chain issues. Watch.
Steph Beckett takes over this episode of Rants & rAVes to talk a little about DSE (coming up very soon — Nov. 17-19). Brandy Alvarado-Miranda (BAM! Marketing and PR Agency), David Defelici (Telecine) and Justin Lachovsky (Telecine) joined to discuss their session at the show: “Respecting the 5 Cs for Great Enterprise Digital Signage.” Check out this videocast episode to learn more about what those five Cs are and how they can help you successfully leverage the power of digital signage. Then, check out their full session at DSE Nov. 18 from 9-9:45 a.m. PDT. Register for DSE and use the code “RAVEGIFT” for a free show floor pass!
Gary was joined by the co-founder of Twisted Tech, the runner-up award winner for the “most innovative new product at CEDIA Expo 2022. Boris Braun became inspired to start the company by doing what every tech does — terminating Cat cable. And, he’s patented a way to make it faster, as you’ll see from this real-time video demo. Watch!
Auto-tracking, voice-tracking, NDI, frame-tracking and TAA compliance are just a few of the reasons Lumens Integration Inc. wants you to consider it as a PTZ supplier. Oh, did we mention the company is one of the largest PTZ camera manufacturers in the world? I spoke with Lumens’ zone manager, Eddy Boyette, on my latest Rants & rAVes videocast. Watch! If you want to learn more Lumens will also be at the upcoming Exertis Almo E4 Experience.
I was joined by ScreenBeam’s sr. director - technical marketing, Jay Taylor, to talk about how its unique approach to BYOM includes the ability to build a Zoom Room or MS Teams room but still allow users to simply, with one connection point, still use their laptops as UCC devices and run a meeting using their preferred UC application. Watch!
In the latest episode of Rants & rAVes, Exertis Almo business development manager, Jennifer Fisher, joins me to talk everything LG. The company has a plethora of OLED and LCD options, but keep an eye out for the big growth area for LG — LED and dvLED. Watch to learn more!
One could argue that Sharp Corporation invented the interactive display with its first AQUOS commercial display some 21 years ago. Now, Sharp NEC Display has an entire line of AQUOS displays aimed at collaboration, with a plethora of options thanks to either an OPS or an SDM slot. Gary was joined by Sharp NEC’s George Borden, solution sales architect, to talk about the line for this podcast for Exertis Almo.
At the CEDIA Expo 2022 show, there was an all-new Innovation Hub — limited to all-new companies with all-new tech. The winner uses AI and it, literally, life-saving tech; Gary will interview that company in an upcoming show but, today, here’s one of two runner-ups: IDView. IDView makes the smallest outdoor 180-degree cameras for commercial and home security applications. Watch!
And, here’s the product video we shot of the precut at the show:
I caught up with ISE Managing Director Mike Blackman while at CEDIA Expo last week; we couldn’t wait to talk everything ISE. ISE 2023, the AV megashow from AVIXA and CEDIA, is less than four months away and it’s likely to be the biggest event in four years for the global AV industry. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare. Watch this!
Clive Davis is in the LED club, thanks to the most recent The Wall install from Samsung, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer now has one of only a handful of home cinemas driven by a microLED. This interview with Samsung’s business development sr. manager, Mike Bennett, and the integrator for the entire project, Architechnology Designs, talks all about the install and what it was like to work with the ultimate music man.
NETGEAR only does networking. And, whether you’re just connecting everything to the network, in a home or actually driving all your content across a network using AV-over-IP, NETGEAR has solutions to do it all. And, the company only does networking, so it does it well. NETGEAR’s own director of product marketing, John Henkel, joined me on this pre-CEDIA Expo videocast today to talk about what the company is exhibiting at the show — seeking CIs to sign up! NETGEAR will be in booth 7008. Also, the new NETGEAR residential microsite is here: https://www.netgear.com/business/solutions/residential/
DoorBird is most known for its creative door-entry systems. Did you know it not only creates a secure entry system but can also be used as an intercom? It can also record any activity to the cloud without any fees and can integrate your whole home into one entry system controlled via any third-party control system. To tell us even more, DoorBird’s key account manager, Gary Corsale, joined me for this pre-CEDIA videocast to tell you why you need to stop by its booth (#23075) at CEDIA Expo next week!
Adding a lifetime warranty for all customers, LED powerhouse Planar will be at CEDIA Expo in booth 15003 next week in Dallas for the annual high-end residential show. In the latest episode of Rants & rAVes, Gary was joined by Planar’s product manager, Jeremy Sternhagen, to talk about using CEDIA Expo as a launching platform for Planar’s new Luxury Living family of products, including four sizes of 4K and 8K microLEDs, five sizes of fine-pitch LED and a new outdoor LED product, too. Watch this so you’ll have the scoop!
CEDIA Expo happens to be next week (Sept. 29-Oct. 1) in Dallas, and most of the manufacturer training sessions have already been filled because show management is expecting 15,000 attendees! Jason McGraw, group VP of CEDIA Expo, joined Gary on his videocast today to detail more of what’s expected! Watch!
Gary got a scoop from Liberty AV’s own Kevin Peterman, director of product management, who explains that at CEDIA Expo next week, Liberty AV will introduce its SDVoE-based AV-over-IP lineup, dubbed the DigitalinxIP 6000 Series. However, the magic is in the software solution paired with it — watch this videocast and make sure you stop by booth #14009 at CEDIA Expo.
Adam Schmidt, Planar’s executive vice president; sales, marketing & service, and Steve Seminario, vice president product marketing, joined my latest episode of Rants & rAVes today. We talk about how, in today’s world, there are supply chain issues and inflation, yet, Planar lowered the price of its microLED lineup. Yep, as of Sept. 1, Planar aggressively repositioned the pricing of its DirectLight Ultra Series. It’s a mystery explained in this videocast; you’ll have to watch to find out more!
Avocor’s senior VP and general manager, Dana Corey, joined me on my latest videocast to talk all about the company. Avocor recently signed an exclusive deal with Google that will allow the AV integrator community to service the Meet video platform as well as MS Teams and Zoom. In fact, Avocor is doing it creatively with two different collaboration boards — one 27” personal one and another 65” IFD. Both work natively, are integrated with Google’s Workspace collaboration suite and are shipping this fall. This, along with its recent collaboration with Logitech, has positioned Avocor as the collaboration board leader. Watch!
Gary invited Sony’s VP of B2B, Rich Ventura, on his latest Rants & rAVes videocast to talk all about digital signage. Sony’s approach is unique as the company simultaneously supports both SoC (system on a chip) and external media players. Thus, its solutions, highlighting the BRAVIA displays, include everything from retail to transportation and corporate signage.
Also, Rich has a 20+-year history in the digital signage market and is a leader in the category. He previously served as the president of the Digital Signage Federation board and is currently on the advisory council for the new Digital Signage Experience show this November in Las Vegas. So, watch!
Michelle Montazeri, Legrand AV’s manager of digital signage, joins me on my latest Rants and rAVes videocast today. This is an interesting one, #AVtweeps — Legrand sits in an interesting place in the world of digital signage. (The company works with everyone: Media player companies, signage companies, display companies, content producers, etc.) With 2023 just a few months away, we talked about the trends Michelle is seeing that will drive digital signage adoption next year.
If you sell signage or want to enter the signage market, this is a perfect videocast for you to watch — we discuss the metaverse’s impact on signage, the trend toward using data to determine the ROI of a network and how NFC technology will make for an equitable experience for customers. Watch!
HTSN (Home Technology Specialists Nationwide) just announced that all its members get every bit of CEDIA’s online education for free. But, that’s not the only reason to join the organization. HTSN’s Director, Hank Alexander, joined Gary Kayye on the latest episode of Rants & rAVes to talk about this benefit, why HTSN pays each of its member’s CEDIA Association membership dues and how its proprietary eXchange platform is a game-changer in solving residential supply chain issues. Watch this to find out more — don’t forget to check HTSN out at CEDIA Expo 2022 in booth 31117!
Exertis Almo’s VP of marketing, Melody Craigmyle, joined Gary Kayye on his latest videocast to talk about what you can expect from the company’s E4 Experience this fall — and what you should bring your customers! Gary will attend both cities as the keynote speaker again, and he’ll also do a live group tour of the show floor. His keynote is on how building AV experiences will help bring Generation Z and millennials back to the office. Watch this video for more information — you’ll see how to earn up to 9.5 CTS credits and see a bunch of new products that have only been shown at InfoComm this year.
The E4 Experience will be in Washington, D.C. Sept. 23 and Boston Oct. 20. See you there!
Listen Tech’s president and CEO, Maile Keone, is a role model for all women in AV. Mentored by two AV hall-of-famer’s Russ Gentner and Cory Schaeffer, Maile is helping to build Listen Tech into an audio company that has some of the most unique solutions in our industry. Her experiences, her expertise and her empathy helped bring her to where she is today — and she’s an AV CEO you should meet. Watch this latest episode of Rants & rAVes to learn more!
Gary was joined on his podcast today with Samsung Senior Manager, Shari Sentlowitz, to explain Samsung’s new All-In-One THE WALL MicroLED solution. It’s not only an all-in-one LED but it’s actually packaged together in ONE box - including a 110” HD version or a 146” HD or 4K resolution version that is packaged with the mount, speakers, a media player and all the trim accessories you’d need to finish a complete install in 2-hours. Yes, 2-hours. Don’t believe me? Watch!
Gary was joined on today’s Rants and rAVes with Sandi Stambaugh, TD Synnex’s senior vice president, end point solutions. Certainly, the new debuts of all-in-one LED solutions have simplified LED applications, but the custom and experimental options still dominate the LED landscape. So, watch this recording to see how TD Synnex can help!
What the heck is “Hyperconverged?” Let’s talk about it! Ross has been doing it 10+ years in the broadcast market and is now bringing it to ProAV. Imagine buying a processor — not just any processor — but one that’s always upgradable, always feature-rich and always signal-type or transport-protocol agnostic. Now, imagine signal distribution in ProAV with one box that’s completely future-ready — no matter the signal, connector or resolution. That’s Hyperconverged Solutions. Watch this interview between Gary and Ross’ director, product management - Hyperconverged Solution, Todd Riggs, to find out more.
Love SDVoE and IPMX. SDVoE is so close but lack of open control // setup interface / API means I can't use two different branded SDVoE systems together which defeats the open standard in my view. Why lock them away from each other if they could be compatible? — Cody Hein, CTS (@codymhein) July 3, 2022
You might remember how we referenced the above tweet in this videocast with SDVoE's Justin Kennington. In this Rants & rAVes episode, Cody Hein speaks to Gary Kayye about his thoughts on AV-over-IP and SDVoE. Watch to learn what Cody thinks can be done to fix the future of AV-over-IP.
Exertis Almo’s Rob Voorhees joins Gary on this episode of Rants & rAVes to talk about the benefit of offering recurring revenue-based services to your clients. Exertis Almo’s Business Communication Services include bandwidth, voice, live TV, Mobility, cybersecurity and more. It’s all explained in this videocast! Watch to learn more information.
Love SDVoE and IPMX. SDVoE is so close but lack of open control // setup interface / API means I can't use two different branded SDVoE systems together which defeats the open standard in my view. Why lock them away from each other if they could be compatible? — Cody Hein, CTS (@codymhein) July 3, 2022
Over the weekend, a group of AV pros gathered on Twitter to talk standards. When SDVoE was mentioned in the tweet above as having a “lack of open control / set-up interface” (apparently, barely anyone noticed), considering the mantra of the SDVoE Alliance, Gary thought this would be a good chance to address a few misconceptions about the organization on his videocast. Tune in to this Rants & rAVes episode for a conversation between Gary and SDVoE Alliance President Justin Kennington.
Many may assume Crestron purchased 1Beyond simply to augment its UC lineup of products. However, you assume wrong. The strategy expands beyond UC and into schools, hospitality and even the home. Gary was joined on today’s videocast by Crestron’s EVP of marketing, Brad Hintze, who breaks down the future of 1Beyond inside Crestron AND even hints how there will be a carryover of 1Beyond’s product line into the NVX AV-over-IP ecosystem.
Among the many products Matrox was showing at InfoComm 2022, one that received a lot of attention was a creative digital signage controller known as the QuadHead2Go. The QuadHead2Go is a 1-input (HDMI or DisplayPort) to 4-output (HDMI) controller that allows you to re-map the input content to any configuration of 4 displays similar to a mini-monitor wall controller. This is great for creating digital signage applications. Samuel Recine, Vice-President of Sales, Americas and the Asia Pacific, AV/IT Group at Matrox, joined Gary on today’s post-InfoComm 2022 videocast. Gary and Samuel spoke about the applications of the QuadHead2Go and how easy it is to use with the various signage CMS platforms. Here’s a demo of the product we shot at InfoComm 2022, too! Click here if you’d like to see any of the other eight videos we shot at the Matrox booth.
Gary caught up with ISE’s Mike Blackman at the InfoComm 2022 show to talk about the 2022 ISE event as well as what he expects for 2023. This was literally an impromptu interview of Mike as he walked through the show floor in early June. Enjoy a happy Mike!
Epson’s booth at InfoComm 2022 was abuzz due to its debut of the show’s only 21:9 projection-based Microsoft Teams Rooms Front Row demo. We shot a video of it — the complete system includes a bundled solution from MS Teams, Jabra Heckler and Epson (you should watch it; it gives you a glimpse into the future of HyFlex meeting rooms). But, one of the most popular things in the booth was likely Epson’s compact 20K-lumen laser projector, the EB-PU2220. In all, we shot 10 product videos in the Epson booth. For this episode of Rants & rAVes, Epson’s Ramzi Shakra joined Gary to talk about the company's IC22 presence and all it showed.
On the latest post-InfoComm-2022 videocast, Gary's guest is David Missall, Sennheiser’s insights manager consultants & technical application engineer manager. The two talk about the new EW-DX Wireless Mic family debut as well as the massively popular UCC-based TeamConnect family of products. We actually captured four videos in the Sennheiser booth — one included an in-depth tour of the new EW-DX. Check out this interview and then hop on over to our InfoComm microsite to watch all of the Sennheiser new product videos from IC22.
Gary was joined on today’s post-InfoComm 2022 videocast with both NETGEAR’s John Henkel and Laurent Masia to talk about the company's presence in over 60 booths at the IC22 show. According to Gary, the importance of IP in AV cannot be overstated and he, John and Laurent explain how the services that NETGEAR is providing are a big differentiator for them (along with having complete support for all flavors of AV-over-IP in AV systems). We actually shot four videos on the show floor featuring NETGEAR products, but watch this interview first — especially if you care about the future of AV.
Gary was joined by two industry icons who are both retiring this month — Ron DeVoe and Elaine Jones. Ron reflected on what it meant to be a value-add manufacturer’s rep firm for more than four decades while Elaine Jones will be leaving the AV industry as one of AV’s best-ever writers. Both will be missed, but they shared and reflected on 45+ years in AV with Gary on this fitting tribute as they get ready to retire.
Aurora launched a product at InfoComm that Gary has been talking about for years. What is it, what does it do and why does he think it’s going to be big? Watch this!
Also, don't forget: We shot nine videos at Aurora‘s booth at InfoComm. You can watch them all here: https://www.ravepubs.com/?s=Aurora&cat=29068&post_type%5B%5D=rave-video.
Gary caught up with CEDIA’s Jason McGraw to talk all about this year’s expo. The 2022 show will take place Sept. 29 - Oct. 1. By the way, it’s no longer just a home tech conference. Since being acquired by Emerald Expositions, CEDIA Expo has added work-from-home and resimercial and wellness categories — plus it signed a partnership with IMCCA (the UCC association) and integrated the National Kitchen and Bath Association into its purview. With the growth of home theaters, smart home tech and work-from-home tools and tech since the pandemic, CEDIA Expo is poised to have a great event. Watch and make sure you register now.
PTZOptics Chief Revenue Officer Paul Richards joined Gary Kayye on the latest Rants & rAVes episode to talk about the company and its sister company, HuddleCamHD. There is one new product that many wanted to order on the show floor, but it’s still 60-90 days away from shipping. Watch and see why. Plus, Paul reviews other products shown at InfoComm 2022, including the new SimplTrack Lite and SimplTrack 2 cameras. Look out — this company will only grow!
Gary was joined by Lenovo’s own Brian Mignault to talk about its all-new Think Smart 1 All-in-One Videoconferencing Bar With Built-in Windows 10, which made its debut at InfoComm 2022. It’s the only bar-based product with Windows 10 built right in and allows for a computer, camera, mic and speakers as an all-in-one solution for small to medium-sized rooms. We shot this, and two other videos — including a booth tour — at InfoComm, and all three of them are here: https://www.ravepubs.com/?s=lenovo&cat=29068&post_type%5B%5D=rave-video. Enjoy!
Gary was joined by ROE Visual’s East Coast account manager, Nick Jevons, to talk LED. When entering the ROE booth at InfoComm, attendees were greeted by a three-story high Black Pearl II giant LED wall designed for XR virtual production sets. This videocast covers that along with the plethora of both rental and install LED products shown at InfoComm 2022. If you missed InfoComm, this will help you understand all that ROE can do for you. If that's not enough, we also shot eight videos in the ROE Visual booth at the show — they're all here: https://www.ravepubs.com/?s=ROE&cat=29068&post_type%5B%5D=rave-video.
For InfoComm 2022 attendees who enter the Sharp NEC Display Solutions booth (N2305), something called NaViSense will grab their attention — it’ll be the way that you can drive sales through services to your clients. Of course, Sharp/NEC will also have a host of LED, LCD, projection and signage displays — but the solutions the combined company offers will be the central message. Sharp NEC’s Kelly Harlin joined Gary on the latest episode of Rants & rAVes to explain and demo this. Watch!
Barco’s InfoComm 2022 booth (W1203) will include everything from ClickShare to live events solutions. However, we predict the biggest attention will be given to its TruePix LED System that’s like the UniSee of LED. On this episode of Rants & rAVes, Gary was joined by Barco’s Alina Mishra and Inge Govaerts, who take us on a journey through what we’ll see inside the booth, TruePix and all!
With the launch of an all-in-one LED (the 6000 Series) and a re-introduction of the brand into the US market, PPDS (aka Philips) will likely have the best InfoComm show they’ve ever had. Philips is already the largest manufacturer of LCDs in the world but with a complete line-up of LEDs (shipping 1.2mm+ but with a 0.9 and even smaller on the immediate roadmap), Philips’ N2021 booth at the InfoComm 2022 show will be a buzz. Gary was joined to talk about its North American strategy, and the show specifically, is PPDS global head, Franck Racapé, and its Commercial VP, Vince Schuster. Watch!
Christie isn’t holding back. Following an amazing ISE Show for them in Barcelona last month, Christie Digital is back in the USA for InfoComm and will feature nearly an entire product line - all interconnected via its Terra AV-over-IP ecosystem – on display at InfoComm in booth N2145. Gary was joined with Christie’s Joel St-Denis, Director of Product Management, who details how they plan on showing all this. It’s definitely going to Wow all attendees, Watch! Oh, and he details a private showing of new MicroTiles LED that are coming with pixel-pitches of 0.75mm!
Gary was joined on this pre-InfoComm 2022 videocast with Nureva’s Director of Product Management, James Rempel, to talk about what they have planned in booth W2537 in Las Vegas. Its newest product is the CV30 camera that’s part of the Nureva XT classroom kit – and it allows for simple AI-based teacher tracking. And, now, they’ve even added 3rd party camera registration and management through Console too. Watch this to see all they will show during the event!
Gary was joined on this pre-InfoComm 2022 edition of his videocast with Visix’s President and CEO, Sean Matthews, to talk about what they have planned for the show. Visix is the only exclusively digital signage company that has supported the ProAV market from the beginning – selling through AV integrators. And at InfoComm 2022 in booth N1344, they’ll show over 20 new updates to their signage software suite, new ePaper signs – including color ones – and explain their cloud signage strategy. All of it is detailed in this recording with Sean!
Telestream will use InfoComm 2022 (booth N1374) to launch the Wirecast Gear — a fully configured live video streaming production system. Every single client you have either wants to add in-house production or streaming to their operations — and Telestream wants to be your turnkey supplier. The Gear is purpose-built for cloud-based production capable of up to native 4K production and distribution — including NDI. Telestream’s SVP Corporate Marketing and Production & Streaming Business Unit, Scott Murray, joined Gary on his pre-InfoComm 2022 podcast to explain the concept and engage with the ProAV community!
Gary was joined on this pre-InfoComm 2022 videocast with Matrox's Vice President of Sales – AV/IT Group; Americas & Asia Pacific, Samuel Recine. Matrox has its own booth (N1563) at the show but will also be demonstrating new encoding and decoding products in the IPMX/AIMS Alliance booth as well as the HDBaseT booth. It’s all about making it easier to send video and audio across the network and over the Internet. He says we’re very close to an AV-over-IP standard, too! Watch!
Some AV companies look at Logitech as just an accessory manufacturer — peripherals for AV installs. However, Gary Kayye says that’s the wrong way to look at it. He points to the Logi Dock as the “secret sauce” to the future of work. Plus, with the Rally series of collaboration products, Logitech could have the strongest lineup of UC solutions at InfoComm 2022. Logitech’s head of AMR sales, Eric Spadafora, chats with Gary in this Rants and rAVes episode — the two talk about why booth W2035 should not just be a stop, but an ultimate destination at InfoComm 2022 next week!
Epson never disappoints at a trade show. InfoComm 2022 will be no different. It will debut the world’s smallest (and highest) 20,000-lumen laser projector. It will also showcase a series of projectors that output 21x9 aspect ratios (and even wider) designed to fulfill the new Microsoft Teams Front Row feature as well as upcoming Zoom Room ultra-wide functionality and more applications and improvements to the LightScene lineup. Gary was joined on his videocast today by Epson’s product manager, Ramzi Shakra, who details the company's plans including — as always — a cool immersive art exhibit using projection! (Epson will be in the North Hall in booth 2331.)
MAXHUB not only entered the UCC market just a few months ago, but did it with a Red-Dot-Design-Award-winning product, the UC M40. It's a 360-degree hybrid meeting room camera with both video and audio AI. The company very well could win another Red Dot Award with its new Smart Lectern — an ADA-compliant touch-screen-integrated front-of-room controller with a built-in 21” LCD, mics and wireless transmission capabilities. Of course, it will have its all-in-one LEDs, too. MAXHUB will be at InfoComm 2022 in booth W1123 but, in the meantime, if you want to see all these before the show, watch this recording with MAXHUB’s director of sales for UC products, Charlie Montoya!
Like for many other companies in early 2020, for TeamBoard, timing was everything. The company spent thousands of dollars (globally) to launch its new lineup of IFP (Interactive Flat Panels) — including a mobile one — in early 2020 only to see momentum following ISE swallowed up by COVID. So, InfoComm 2022 will be a sort of a relaunch for TeamBoard. The company will not only show its collaboration boards but also a new AirServer Connect 2 wireless system, too. Gary was joined by TeamBoard's sales manager, Andy Penman, and business development manager, Jitu Patel, to talk about what they plan in booth N656 at InfoComm 2022 next week. Watch — it has quite a unique offering for UCC clients.
DTEN’s CMO Rick Corteville joined Gary Kayye for a pre-InfoComm videocast. DTEN will exhibit in booth W2555 at InfoComm 2022 and will add some interesting AI to its personal collaboration board, the DTEN ME, which will likely be the talk of the show (I'm serious!). In addition to being a work-from-home personal collaboration appliance, the DTEN ME is about to become a solution for turning any Zoom-based meeting room into a hybrid collaboration space. Make sure you watch this recording and add DTEN to your InfoComm plans!
In the latest Rants & rAVes episode, Gary was joined by Epson’s senior product manager, Remi Del Mar, to talk about the huge movement toward wide, wider and ultra-wide display screens and imaging. Thanks to the Microsoft Teams Front Row feature and a spec requiring a 21:9 display of UCC content, you’re going to see a plethora of very widescreen displays entering the market over the next few years. The birth of the digital canvas is upon us. Epson already has a handful of projector models capable of doing this and even wider resolutions than that, natively. Why not fill an entire room with display technology?
On the latest episode of Rants & rAVes, ScreenBeam’s senior director strategic alliances, Jay Taylor, joined Gary to talk about the latest launch, the ScreenBeam USB Pro Switch — a way to turn any MS Teams Room space into a Zoom Room, a Meet Room, a Pexip, Webex, et. al. room. It’s a unique design as it has two host ports (for the Room PC and a ScreenBeam 1100 Plus) and four USB ports for connecting mics, speakers, multiple cameras, etc. and it gives you instant BYOM without having to switch out the Teams Room PC. Watch this pre-InfoComm videocast and you’ll want to go by this booth at InfoComm 2022 (W1429).
In case you missed ISE, Barco was one of the busiest booths at the show. The company launched a totally new concept in LED, dubbed TruePix, Barco showed new features integrated into the ClickShare Conference (including the ability to make it a digital signage player), it demo’d weConnect — a true HyFlex solution for education — and the company had two of the coolest projection mapping demos on the show floor (one in its stand/booth and one in the middle of the show floor). We shot seven videos here at ISE 2022 — including a comprehensive booth tour of all of this. In this videocast, Gary speaks to Barco’s Inge Govaerts, its director corporate communication & events. Watch and don’t forget, Barco will do this all again at InfoComm 2022!
If you’re looking for a new display company to partner with, AG Neovo hopes you’ll visit booth N553 at InfoComm 2022 in Las Vegas next month. AG Neovo isn’t new to ProAV, but the company may well be one of the best-kept secrets in smart-display technology. Gary was joined on this pre-InfoComm videocast by AG Neovo’s product manager, Francisco Garcia, to talk about all this and how, via a partnership with a cloud-based AI and analytics firm, AG Neovo is building smart solutions for active signage networks and hybrid meeting solutions. Enjoy!
Everyone can think of at least one AV product they wish existed on the market. Well, if it has to do with USB switching or mixing HDMI and USB sources together, INOGENI probably has it. INOGENI will be at InfoComm 2022 (booth W1366) showing a handful of these new products including TOGGLE, a three-input USB 3.0 switcher; 4KX-PLUS, an HDMI-to-USB-3.0 converter for Cisco Webex (or any other USB platform that you’d like to use to share HDMI sources) and, the flagship SHARE2 and SHARE2U, two-input HDMI-to-USB and USB-to-USB switchers, respectively.
INOGENI Founder and CTO Gilles Chouinard and CMO Jean-Pierre Simard joined Gary Kayye on this episode of Rants & rAVes to talk about how the company focuses on BYOM, BYOD and in-house UC production applications. But, at InfoComm, they will debut something called the U-CAM, a USB-3-camera-to-HDMI converter that, among other applications, is the perfect companion to bring the Huddly Canvas whiteboard camera into any UCC platform including any Cisco Codec. This is worth watching and will absolutely make you want to go see this booth at InfoComm (in the West Hall)!
WyreStorm’s NHD product line is all about AV-over-IP ‚— everything from H.264 to 10G using SDVoE, and every data rate in between, too. The company will use its InfoComm 2022 booth (W339) to debut that and will also show its entire lineup of UCC products, including new cameras, mic arrays and speaker bars. WyreStorm's Andy Herron joined Gary on this pre-show videocast to explain where the new lineup fits in the company's ProAV ecosystem.
2022 is proving to be Snap One’s (formerly SnapAV) biggest year in ProAV thus far. The parent company to AV brands like Access Networks, Control4, Binary, Pakedge and SunBrite (formerly SunBrite TV) also has brands like Strong (mounts), OVRC (remote management and monitoring software) and WattBox (IP and cloud-based power solutions) — all brands you should be selling into ProAV installs. All of this will be in its booth (W629) at InfoComm 2022 AND — news flash — Snap One will also be where you’ll pick up your rAVe 2022 show T-shirt! Anyway, watch this pre-InfoComm-2022 interview with Snap One’s Scott Normand and add this booth to your show plans!
As InfoComm 2022 is upon us (and will be here in ~three weeks), time is running out to register! In the spirit of getting ready for the show in Las Vegas, Steph Beckett joined me on the latest episode of Rants & rAVes to discuss what we’re most looking forward to at this show. We also promote our very own code that gets you FREE admission onto the show floor June 8-10. So, don’t be shy! Now is your chance to register for InfoComm here using the code “RAVE” and we will see you there!
Gary was joined on this pre-ISE videocast by William Golde, director of channel marketing for both PTZOptics and HuddleCamHD to talk about some new products they will launch at ISE 2022 (in stand 5S200) as well as a new distribution partnership with Midwich. They’re focused on solving a lot of problems in using cameras for live events and for UCC applications and have incorporated more native NDI compatibility (as well as some really innovative auto-tracking tech). Watch and make sure they’re on your radar!
Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe will make its global debut (of sorts) at ISE 2022 — it will be the first time both companies will display together at a global trade event. In fact, they will bring together the entire range of their visual display solutions. Sharp NEC’s SVP of marketing & product management EMEA, Ian Barnard, and its manager product management, Tobias Augustin, joined Gary on this episode of Rants & rAVes to talk products, technology and the applications that make Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe a leader in all things display. They will be on stand 3E600 at ISE 2022.
When Jupiter introduced the 21:9 aspect ratio display some years ago everyone was like, “what?” But now, following Microsoft Teams Front Row launch specifying at least a 21:9 ratio, Jupiter is sitting pretty — and alone. The company will be at ISE 2022 on stand 3E250 showing the display along with its video processors for media, signage and video wall applications. Jupiter’s VP of global sales and marketing, Justin Shong, joined the videocast LIVE from the ISE Show floor during setup to talk about the company and its partner exhibitors — Valarea and Alleo — that are demo’ing collaboration. Watch to get a sneak peek of the show floor (while under construction)!
Gary was joined with Equipson COO (and 2021’s AVIXA Harold Thiel award winner), Juan José Vila, to talk about BikeFest — oh, and ISE too. BikeFest was a fundraiser he headed up that benefited the live events market — raising over 6000 euros. At ISE 2022, he’ll be recognized for this but, more importantly, he will be in the Equipson stand (7K600) showing both install and rental/staging gear under three brands (all part of Equipson) including WorkPro, LightShark and FANTEK. Juan is a great interviewee — so you will enjoy this videocast!
DTEN will be on stand 2C400 at ISE 2022 with a brand-new product, the ONboard. ONboard, unlike other Zoom-based collaboration boards, gives remote and in-office participants equal access to its digital canvas. In addition, DTEN will show the ME, ME Pro, the DTEN Mate and the D7 Series of collaboration products. In the meantime, here’s an inside look at the ONboard with DTEN’s own CMO, Rick Corteville.
Inside the Jupiter stand at ISE 2022, Valarea will demo its BYOM solution for meeting spaces running on Jupiter’s native 21:9 monitor — fully collaborative, too. Not only does it include complete UC compatibility, whiteboarding and remote analytics, but its Version 4 also includes mixed reality. Once again, this will all be on the ISE show floor (stand #3E250), but you can also watch this videocast for more information!
SpinetiX’s CEO, Francesco Ziliani, spoke to Gary today about his ISE 2022 show plans. SpinetiX will be on stand 3R100 in Barcelona and will also exhibit in the Intel booth. And this year’s theme will be all about hospitality — like hotels and restaurants — but the company will also focus on another kind of hospitality. Listen and watch for more!
InfoComm is less than 6 weeks away already — it will be in Las Vegas for the 2022 show. AVIXA CEO, Dave Labuskes, joined Gary on his videocast to tap all-about-InfoComm. Have you registered yet? If not, use our registration code (and gain free entry) “RAVE” by clicking here: https://www.infocommshow.org/. There are approximately 700 reasons why you should attend, and in addition to all those new products that will be launched and people to network with (for the first time in 2+ years), Dave gives Gary a sneak peek of what to expect for the 2022 show. Watch!
Vivitek will return to ISE for the 2022 show in Barcelona with new projectors, new NovoConnect products and a 220” 4K all-in-one LED! Gary catches up with Vivitek’s General Manager EMEA, Holger Graff, to review its ISE 2022 plans and give us an update on both entry-level and high-end projection along with an expanded wireless sharing and collaboration product line — all on Stand 3D820 at ISE 2022. Watch!
ISE 2022 will mark the first large-scale AV event in over 26 months. According to Integrated Systems Events Managing Director Mike Blackman, the show will include over 800 exhibitors in its Barcelona debut. Yes, 800. 800. That means this show will be bigger than most of the AVtweeps thought. Therefore, there are plenty of reasons to attend the ISE 2022 event (with no excuses) and we’ll even give you free access with this code "CMREGGII" when you register here: https://www.iseurope.org/. But, the keynotes, alone, are reason to attend — watch this as Mike explains what to expect — in addition to warm weather!
During LAVNCH WEEK 5, Calibre used rAVe for the global launch of its LEDFusion lineup of all-in-one LEDs. Gary was joined today with Calibre's senior sales manager, Raymond Budd, to talk about how these work and how you can interconnect multiple displays to create an even larger LED canvas. Watch and then check all four of them out here: https://calibreuk.com/en-emea/our-products/led-display/aio-led-display.
In today’s pre-ISE-2022 videocast, WyreStorm’s Alex Martin joined Gary Kayye to detail the company's ISE stand (3J700) plans in Barcelona. WyreStorm is one of those “glue” manufacturers that carries all flavors of AV-over-IP including 1G and even 10G SDVoE. In addition to showing its entire AV-over-IP lineup — dubbed the NHD Series — WyreStorm will also show its Apollo UCC products and the Synergy series of matrix switchers. Listen to this videocast as Alex also hints at a forthcoming waterproof AV-over-IP product, too!
Christie’s heritage in AV is projection; at ISE the company will show everything from its entry-level 1-chip DLP line, the Inspire Series, to its Griffyn 4K32-RGB pure laser projectors. Of course, you’ll see its MicroTiles LED and an awesome projection-mapping demo, but you’ll also get a chance to see Version 8 of its acclaimed Pandoras Box player/server connected via SDVoE and even NDI (and a whole lot more). In this pre-ISE 2022 videocast with Christie Project Manager Thomas Mrozek, get a good overview of what will be on Stand 3K600 at ISE in Barcelona. Watch!
CCI (aka Computer Comforts Inc) actually pulled up to the rAVe headquarters in its touring truck to shoot its Rants & rAVes episode live! This interview with CCI’s founder, Frank Kolavo, shows you how to add higher ed and K-12 lecterns, desks, chairs and even front-of-room AV cabinets to your cache of product offerings to the educational space.
In addition to this one-on-one interview with rAVe's Gary Kayye, below Frank Kolavo takes us through his lineup of new products to make ed spaces even better through individual product videos, too! So, watch the individual product videos below, and for those of you attending InfoComm, be sure to visit CCI at booth #W2830.
X2O Media has the industry’s only totally turnkey answer to HyFlex meetings with its OneRoom solution. Order a OneRoom from X2O media, and the company will do the rest: spec it, design it, deliver it and help install it. What does HyFlex mean, what is OneRoom and how does the X2O Media system get around the limitations of hybrid participants and live participants not being able to collaborate in breakout rooms? Watch this interview with X2O President Mansour Brek and you’ll understand it all. Also, consider adding it to your ISE 2022 plans; the company will be exhibiting on stand 2K300.
Matrox took the lead in embracing the SMPTE 2110 standard (what’s currently used in broadcast video) for ProAV AV-over-IP and helped form the AIMS Alliance. AIMS, in turn, created the IPMX proposed standard for sending AV-over-IP that hopes to be ratified in late 2022, becoming the first and only AV-over-IP standard for ProAV installs. However, Matrox’s ConvertIP does more than that — it also embraces the power of HDBaseT and even variable bandwidth installs up to 12G — uncompressed 4K. At ISE 2022, they will show all of this on stand 5Q350. Gary was joined on this pre-ISE 2022 videocast with Matrox’s business development manager, Ron Berty, to talk about this and all things AV-over-IP. Watch!
Gary’s series of pre-ISE-2022 videocasts includes this one with Nureva’s VP of products, Rob Abbott. ISE 2022, in Barcelona next month, will be the place most people will see both the Nureva XT Educational Bundle and Nureva’s first USB-based camera, the CV30 (and Console, its room insights software package). (By the way, all these were launched in just the last 90 days or so.) The company will also use ISE to show (and demo) the latest in Microphone Mist technology inside the HDL series of mic arrays; maybe it will even hint at some new stuff coming soon ... you'll have to watch to find out!
Few companies experienced the growth that Logitech did in 2020 and 2021; this is primarily due to its UC portfolio. With a perfectly positioned product set for small, medium and large rooms in the form of the Rally Bar Mini, the Rally Bar and the Rally Bar Plus, respectively, Logitech is well-positioned to have another record year in 2022. If you want to see these in action, Logitech will be at ISE 2022 in Barcelona in the new UC Pavilion on Stand 2L340. In this pre-ISE videocast, its VP and general manager of the video collaboration group, Scott Wharton, joined Gary Kayye not only to talk about the new lineup but also to give his take on the outlook for the UCC market for the rest of the year. He also picks his favorite new product ... it may surprise you … Watch!
Almo Corporation’s VP of marketing and communications, Melody Craigmyle, joined Gary on his Rants & rAVes podcast to talk about (what is about to be) the biggest E4 ever. With over 60 brands, likely the largest collection of all-in-one LEDs ever assembled in one building and two hospitality robots that AV integrators can sell, the May 3 E4 Experience in Chicago will truly be that — an experience. Watch this interview, then register at E4Experience.com.
Executive vice president and COO of Exertis Almo, Sam Taylor, joins Gary on his latest videocast to update us on Exertis’ acquisition of Almo Corporation and Almo Pro A/V's consequent rebrand as Exertis Almo. Gary also took the opportunity to ask Sam his thoughts on how 2022 will play out, the impact of supply chain issues on the AV, UCC and Digital Signage markets and what's on the horizon for the all-new Exertis Almo.
Legrand’s SightLine screen may simultaneously be the simplest and most creative launch from a screen company in years. It's a simple concept: Get rid of the black fabric drop above every electric screen, ever. When the screen is projected on, it appears to “float” in the air — therefore freeing up that space for speakers, mics and even cameras that may need to be mounted above the screen (rather than below.)
SightLine will be under both the Projecta and Da-Lite brands and will make its physical debut at ISE next month. In the meantime, you can hear (and see) all about it by watching this short videocast with Legrand’s EMEA Screen Product Manager Maikel Koppin.
Intel’s NUC team has always impressed; we’ve seen NUCs drive purpose-built computing applications, be used as digital signage media players, as in-room PCs in classrooms and as collaboration systems. However, did you know that you can get one the size of a credit card? Check this out — and check out all the post-Enterprise-Connect show news from Intel in this interview with the company’s Brian McCarson.
Big brands tend to get all the big-time coverage. Yet, one of the coolest and most progressive Zoom-certified companies, DTEN, may be the ultimate UC&C partner for both integrators and end users. DTEN is the “everything Zoom” company and it has just about anything you’d need for a meeting room (if your users are Zoom people). This company also has one of the best personal collaboration systems in the DTEN ME (it’s a product you’ll likely see repackaged in an application like a virtual concierge/receptionist). In this Rants & rAVes episode, Gary was joined by DTEN’s Scott Krueckeberg, the head of strategic alliances, to talk all things Zoom as well the company’s presence at this year’s Enterprise Connect show. Watch as he hints at some forthcoming awesomeness...
Everyone pivoted during the pandemic — some more than others. Panasonic, however, was lucky — it was already armed with a host of hybrid-focused educational products, and it upgraded a bunch of others. Now, the company has a complete lineup of K-12 and higher-ed laser projectors, direct-view displays and PTZ cameras (and something called Moonshot) that are all aimed at helping EDU do AV right. Watch this podcast with Panasonic’s Darryl Krall and rAVe’s Gary Kayye!
If you want to learn more, go to www.e4experience.com — Panasonic will bring its EDU solutions to the E4 Experience in Anaheim later this month. You can also register for this EDU webinar: https://www.avixa.org/events/2022/03/24/default-calendar/inside-look-next-generation-connected-and-collaborative-classrooms
Next week in Anaheim, California, Almo Pro A/V will kick off the 2022 E4 Experience tour — an annual regional show with 50+ manufacturers of AV, UCC and Digital Signage gear. AV integrators in Southern California have always been big supporters of the E4 Experience (now in its 12th year). But don't forget: The 2022 event also provides you an opportunity to show the newest tech to your end-user partners too. So, what do you get by attending an E4, besides free breakfast and lunch? Watch this interview between rAVe’s Gary Kayye and Almo Pro A/V’s own VP marketing and communication, Melody Craigmyle. Register to attend here (it’s March 22 at the Anaheim Marriott): www.E4experience.com.
Huddly’s CTO, Vegard Hammer, joined Gary Kayye on this episode of Rants & rAVes to catch up on all that’s new at the meeting room camera company. The coolest part of this videocast includes a sneak peek of the new Huddly S1 Camera and a feature called “gallery” (demoed live too) that Huddly hopes will bring "meeting equity" to both in-person and hybrid meeting participants. Watch and you’ll understand how and why!
On this episode of Rants & rAVes, Gary's guest was Samsung’s director, enterprise retail sales key accounts, Parish Chapman. The two talk about how Samsung has gone well beyond the physical sign to help its clients implement solutions. Examples include building an integrated social media display, some unique kiosk solutions and support for content generation, too. By the way, the timing of this podcast is perfect — Gary just delivered his annual digital signage webinar, which you can watch here for free. Plus, check out all of Samsung’s signage solutions here: https://www.samsung.com/us/business/solutions/industries/retail/displays/. Enjoy!
On this episode of Alexis AV Talk, Aaron Udler is our guest. Aaron is the president and CEO of OfficePro Inc., a training and staffing company based in Maryland.
Aaron discussed his transition from AV exhibit sales to AV and IT training and staffing support. He also shared his strategies for finding great talent for his firm and clients: Hiring for personality and training for technology. And, what’s more? Hiring people through recommendations from county and state workforce development programs is also a winning strategy that he shared.
You can reach Aaron via LinkedIn and Twitter. For more information on the workforce development programs at Anne Arundel County, Maryland and Montgomery County, Maryland, click on the links/please reach out and let us know about other workforce development programs in your areas.
We live in a world of endless online meetings. Want to make yours stand out? Add a hands-on component. Now, how do you do that? Listen to this Selling AV episode to find out.
On today’s Rants & rAVes, Gary caught up with Sonic Foundry’s own Donny Neufuss (the company's director, business development & strategic partnerships), to talk about an upcoming AI-based video tech the company has developed; you should really know about it!
In case you missed the news, Kramer announced it would buy UC Workspace on Feb. 2, 2022. Gary was lucky enough to snag the first video interview with the heads of both companies. Kramer CEO Gilad Yron and UCW Founder and President Angela Hlavka both provide insight into the reasons for joining forces and what we can expect in the future. Check it out!
Gary caught up with LG’s Adam Coleman and Dan Baker to talk about the company's new collaboration boards/dvLED products: an all-in-one for meeting room applications and new direct-view LCDs. LG’s entry into the collaboration board market (with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Edition) means you can use this company for UCC and Education applications. Watch this videocast and consider signing up for Gary’s 2022 Kayye’s Krystal Ball Predictions webinar, brought to you by LG Business Solutions and Almo Pro A/V! You can register here for free; if you attend, you'll get access to Gary’s Krystal Ball article 24 hours before the rest of the universe! Enjoy!
Payden Adams is this episode’s special guest and Alesia Hendley is back as Alexis’ co-host. Alesia and Alexis spoke with Payden about his recent relocation and his career path. They also discussed his career trajectory: everything from a theatrical performer, an AV technology salesperson, a casting consultant, to his position as the producer-senior director entertainment, production, & game presentation at the Utah Jazz. Check out this episode for tips on various topics including how networking can help you find your next position and what steps you can take to land that position; barriers to entry into the workforce and pathways to finding your dream job; and if the path to your dream job runs through college or if on-the-job training is best for you and your goals. Listen to hear more on these and other great nuggets about being more intentional about career path planning.
If you’re an AV Professional, should you know the math behind your system designs? Does the math really matter?
Find out on this episode of #SellingAV!
ISE broke the news Tuesday that the show, scheduled for Barcelona Feb. 1-4, 2022, will be postponed until May 10-13, 2022.
In this episode of Rants & rAVes, I sit down with Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events, to talk about the reasoning behind the decision. We talk about the importance of health and safety during these times, and how the postponement will likely affect in-person attendance.
Give it a watch and register for ISE 2022 here. (P.S. Use code CMREGGII for free entry!)
As salespeople, we are always eager to tell the story of how we help customers. It’s not a bad story to tell, but perhaps it’s better to start with learning a little about the person on the other side.
Gary had a chance to catch up with Mersive’s own Christopher Jaynes, the company’s founder and CTO. Mersive invented hardware-based collaboration 15 years ago and it was Christopher's vision that led to the industry-wide UCC room craze that we have today. This podcast will help you see and hear his vision for collaboration in 2022 and beyond; plus, you'll gain an understanding of where Mersive fits in the future of the AV ecosystem.
In my latest episode of Rants & rAVes, Seneca's Jami McGraw joins me to talk about the company (owned by Arrow), its latest innovations and more. He also gives a firsthand look at the ElementMP series — a series of digital signage hardware solutions claiming to have the simplest out-of-box experience possible. So, if you'd like to learn more about how Seneca focuses on the whole experience of a product rather than just the content player portion, you're gonna want to watch this!
rAVe’s own Gary Kayye was the first reporter to have a chance to record a video interview with Exertis International’s managing director, Clive Fitzharris, and Almo Corporation’s president and CEO, Warren Chaiken less than 24 hours after the bombshell announcement of Exertis’ acquisition of Almo. This is a candid look into how it happened and what’s next — including organizational details and the companies' outlook on 2022. Watch to find out how they think this could help solve many of the supply chain issues facing AV integrators in the coming months. Enjoy.
It’s tempting to use slides as a crutch and read them like a script to the audience (or even have them read along). However, this is a bad idea for several reasons. Get my two tips on better presentations in this episode.
When will the AVI-SPL acquisition of SKC Communications be complete? Why did AVI-SPL buy SKC and what are everyone’s new roles in the new organization? All these questions and more are answered inside this exclusive video interview with AVI-SPL’s John Zettel, SKC Communications’ Tray Vedock and rAVe’s own Gary Kayye
Gary caught up with DSE’s new leadership, Brad Gleeson and Marian Sandberg, to talk all about the March 2022 Las Vegas-based expo. Registration literally just opened this week — and we've got you covered! rAVe has a discount code that earns you 50% off of the Expo Hall Pass: Use RAVE22 and register here: https://www.digitalsignageexperience.com.
Rebranded Digital Signage Experience, the new show will include content creators, advertising pros, experience designers and integrators to one event on March 22-24. Watch this to get all the details!
Network security threats continue to increase as end users seek to implement long-term, hybrid solutions in a post-COVID world. In this episode of Rants & rAVes, TD SYNNEX execs Jessica McDowell and Sandi Stambaugh discuss the opportunity for integrators to embrace this new climate as well as how the expanded TD SYNNEX team can provide support and expertise through the entire sales cycle. Listen in to learn how you can work more closely with your customers while protecting their most valuable assets as we move into 2022 and beyond, and also learn how you can take advantage of complimentary network security and practice builder assessments through TD SYNNEX.
Dan Feldstein, only the second president and CEO in Crestron's history, is no newcomer to ProAV or Crestron, for that matter. He used to “help” his dad design control systems when Crestron was still in, founder, George Feldstein’s garage — at the age of 5. But, do you know him? What’s his management style? What does he think of AV integrators? What about the future of AV? How will the chip shortage affect AV in 2022? How about supply chain issues? And, is he a pilot, like his dad? All these questions are answered (and more) as this exclusive interview with rAVe’s own Gary Kayye gives you a glimpse into Dan’s personality and vision for the future of Crestron. Enjoy!
Gary had a chance to catch up with XTEN-AV co-founder Sahil Dhingra to talk about the company's 48-hour Black Friday sale — allowing anyone to get 40% off the cloud-based AV design platform. This is a once-per-year opportunity to upgrade from your on-prem-based design platform to one that is AI-based AND in the cloud. Listen and watch to find out how you can take advantage of this deal!
We’re excited to be partnering with Almo to bring the first (ever) truly hybrid AV event to the market. Using the LAVNCH HYBRID Platform, Almo Pro A/V will hold its live, in-person E4 Experience as it does annually, in Dallas, and — in an exclusive partnership with HB LIVE — Almo will deliver curated content to a global online audience in real-time. This will NOT be a streamed event. Instead, it will be truly curated content for the online audience (and will be different from what the local audience sees). All the details are inside the videocast I recorded this morning with Almo’s VP of marketing, Melody Craigmyle. Watch it and register!
This time, I have a conversation with Farisa Ahmed and Barry Grossman — plus, I'm joined by a guest co-host, Mark Coxon, to discuss workforce development in Episode 7 of Alexis AV Talk. While attending a monthly industry meeting, Barry made himself available as a resource for anyone interested in learning more about the audiovisual industry. Farisa introduced herself and has since participated in internships and embarked on a successful career as an engineer, technologist and teaching assistant. She is thriving due to her self-determination, willingness to learn and focus. If you’re not quite sure how to talk with students about careers in the AV industry, then take a listen to the ideas and experiences that Barry shares in this episode. Barry is a great resource for developing internships and onboarding programs. Many thanks to Mark Coxon for co-hosting and sharing his insights on workforce development and diversity in our industry.
Many people don’t know that there is actually a “proposed” AV-over-IP standard, called IPMX, that’s moving through the process of becoming an “adopted standard” for ProAV. Developed from SMPTE 2110 and managed by the AIMS Alliance, IPMX already exists. Also, a company called Macnica has a reference board, dubbed the MPA1000, that you can buy today — and, yes, it is developed using the IPMX standard and can push 4K over 1G! Gary caught up with Macnica’s Andrew Starks to get an update on the standard’s adoption cycle and is the prediction for 2022.
Amber Pollitt joins Alexis in this episode of Alexis AV Talk. Amber is a journalist, filmmaker, photographer and editor. She’s used her creative energy by collaborating on several short film projects including “Yellow,” “Saudade- ‘Puxa o Fio’,” and “The Creative Garden.” She is currently working on a film that is very personal to her called “No Shame Skin” and you can find more information about her other works at https://www.amberpollittproductions.com. Amber uses her tech skills daily as a Gear Coordinator at LiveX, where she preps and manages equipment for all of their live and virtual events. Amber touches every piece of equipment that is used for their events, and she is an integral part of the team. As a newer person in the AV industry, we wanted to hear about Amber’s experiences being a young person, a woman and a Black woman in technology. Amber has a lot to share; I’m grateful that she shared her perspective with us.
Gary was joined by today’s Rants and rAVes guest, Steve Capling, director of global enterprise marketing at Christie, to talk about the plethora of new products the company has introduced in 2021. Working with THE rAVe Agency during rePLAY 2021, Christie will debut new projects in the 1-chip DLP Inspire Series, a new M Series high-end 4K25 RGB Pure Laser projector outputting 25K lumens, the new Core Series II of entry-level LEDs and even a new MicroTiles LED lineup. Watch this interview now and register for rePLAY here: LAVNCH.com/replay2021
Gary was joined by Integrated Systems Events' own Mike Blackman to talk about the opening of ISE 2022’s registration — the first-ever ISE Show in Barcelona. So, what’s new, what should you expect and why should you attend? Well, besides the fact that February is usually in the high 60s in Barcelona, this interview includes the scoop on what’s happening! After watching, please register here: https://www.iseurope.org/.
Not only will Draper be exhibiting at InfoComm 2021 this week but, the company will be heading there with two new product lines for you to see and touch! Gary was joined by Draper’s Randy Reece, who talked Foundation and Acumen. The Foundation Mounting System is aimed at dvLED installs and includes an innovative and rugged design, a complete side-trim option and awesome pricing. Acumen is Draper’s newest projection screen line — it's designed from the ground up with maximum versatility and simplicity in mind (plus, there’s a battery-operated version, too!). Want to know how many times the screen can go up and down between each charge? Watch this video and, if you are in Orlando this week, go see Draper in booth 2901.
The company will also participate in THE rAVe Agency’s LAVNCH rePLAY week Nov. 2-4; you can register for that here: www.lavnch.com/replay2021.
Prepare to be impressed with this real-time demo here on today’s videocast! In booth 3943, you’ll get to see the eGlass LightBoard) along with HoverCam’s new products and technology. And, Gary was joined by director of marketing Bayley Pierson on today’s edition of his Rants & rAVes podcast for a real-time demo. WATCH THIS and be impressed. In case that wasn't enough, the company is giving away 20 of these at InfoComm 2021 on the show floor! Trust us; watch this!
In this videocast, Siemon's Dave Valentukonis discusses cable topologies — including why #AVtweeps should only use Cat6A UTP and above cabling solutions. Plus, he gives you a sneak peek of what you'll see from the company at InfoComm in Booth 2021. Yes, you read that right ... Siemon will be in Booth 2021 at InfoComm 2021 so you have no excuse to forget its booth #!
Although Planar won’t be at InfoComm 2021, it will be participating in THE rAVe Agency’s rePLAY 2021 week (Nov. 2-4 2021), as well as holding its own six-city tour in November and December — (dubbed MicroPalooza) covering the entire U.S. Registration is free (but limited) and Gary was joined by Planar’s own Adam Schmidt and Steve Seminario to talk all about the tour (as well as the new products launched in 2021 that you’ll get to see)! Watch this and make sure you register today.
P.S. You can see Planar’s new stuff, virtually, inside rAVe’s rePLAY event — registration for that is here: https://lavnch.com/replay2021/.
The SDVoE Alliance picked THE rAVe Agency’s rePLAY 2021 event — the week after InfoComm (Nov. 2-4 2021) — to not only launch 8K over the SDVoE ecosystem but the organization is also using rePLAY to show you how its new API works! Gary was joined by SDVoE’s Justin Kennington to talk about 8K, the API, Season Two SDVoE LIVE! show (moving to LAVNCH for the rest of 2021 and 2022) and how it now has two different AV-over-IP certifications as well as 14 classes inside the SDVoE Academy. Watch this wrap-up of what’s up with SDVoE and then register for rAVe’s own rePLAY event (and get a free T-shirt doing it) here: https://lavnch.com/replay2021/
In this episode, I speak with John Cheatham of the University of North Georgia. John gives some great insight into how integrators being flexible with their services is key to being a good partner. John also talks about how the university used integrators this summer and how their work required a network reconfiguration.
Although Sony will not physically be at InfoComm 2021, the company will be leveraging the LAVNCH platform to debut plenty of new products during THE rAVe Agency’s rePLAY 2021 event — the week following InfoComm 2021 (Nov. 2-4). rePLAY is designed to wrap up everything we saw at InfoComm 2021, along with covering all the new products we loved from the past year. We will also announce the coveted rAVe Readers’ Choice Awards. In the meantime, check out this videocast with Sony’s Mark Bonifacio, who talks about the entire 2021 product launches — including what’s debuted so far. He also gives you a sneak peek at what to expect for the rest of 2021 and into 2022!
P.S. Sony is kicking off a series of regional shows this month with stops in Dallas, Minneapolis, Chicago, New York and a handful of other cities. You can register here: rave.pub/3nfMPMe.
Few companies grew as much as SpinetiX did during the pandemic. Even fewer innovated as much. From the cloud-based ARYA to its new Live Agent feature, SpinetiX has a lot of new offerings to show attendees. In addition to bringing its new 4K players with PoE and Wi-Fi, SpinetiX will be using its booth (#2027) to demo Live Agent bidirectional UCC-based feature to the AV market as well as cloud, on-premise and hybrid options for signage installs — aimed at the Corporate, Retail, Transportation, Hospitality and Medical segments of the market. But, before you go (or even if you aren’t going) watch this interview with the SpinetiX CEO, Francesco Ziliani.
Yes, Absen will physically be at InfoComm 2021 with one of the biggest booths on the show floor, and, yes, the company will be launching new products. With the rise in virtual sets using LEDs and the move toward replacing LCDs with LEDs in meeting rooms, Absen is perfectly positioned for a big-time 2022. Gary caught up with Absen’s president, James Liu, to hear about what the company is planning for its booth (#1008) at InfoComm. Watch the video and make sure you go check out the new CL Series!
On Thursday, Oct. 21, we’ll be hosting a LAVNCH & LEARN with Mediasite — the industry’s leading lecture capture technology. We want you to join; Mediasite — created by Sonic Foundry — is way, way more than lecture capture. In fact, it provides AV integrators with a turnkey video platform for hosting and archiving your client’s entire meeting archive — aaS. The Video-as-a-Service market will explode in 2022 and you will need a partner to help you sell and manage it. So, watch this promo for our upcoming event focusing on Mediasite and sign up to attend the live event here: https://lavnch.com/lavnch-and-learn/mediasite/register/.
Lately, there’s a lot of focus on the sales technique of “challenging” customers and their business decisions. I’m all for challenging assumptions, but the way you do it makes all the difference. So tune in to hear my thoughts on what to say … and what not to.
In today’s Study With Steph episode, Jay Rogina from Spinitar jumps on a call with me because we are talking about site surveys! If you consider yourself a good integrator, you’ll know the importance of a job site evaluation and what can go wrong if the evaluation is done the wrong way. Jay walks me through safety protocol, interpreting different plans and more. Enjoy!
NanoLumens invented curved and flexible LEDs — that’s its unique differentiation, too. But, in a sea of different LED providers, how does NanoLumens stand out? What are its other strengths? In this Rants & rAVes episode, Kurt DeYoung from NanoLumens tells you why he thinks you should consider this company first as your LED vendor.
The future of UCC is more than software and rooms; in fact, it’s well beyond rooms. So here’s a teaser of what you’re going to learn about in next week’s webinar — worth 1 AVIXA CTS RU, too!
After watching, don’t forget to register at this link. See you there!
Let’s talk about gathering customer information. It’s an important part of specifying any room — you have to know what the customer needs. Of course, gathering info requires a certain level of communication. What are the best ways to communicate with a customer or client? What questions do you ask to properly find out what the customer needs from the space and from the technology? How has COVID-19 affected these conversations and meetings?
I invited my new friend Jeremy Caldera, senior vice president of Pearl Technology, to chat with me and answer the above questions. This episode is helpful if you need some real-life examples to go with Chapter 11 in AVIXA’s CTS Exam Guide, or if you just want to brush up on tips for communication and executive-summary making.
Enjoy!
Samantha Ventura, CEDIA’s longtime head of education, is leaving after creating the industry’s first high-end residential educational certification program. In fact, she created two of them!
Why is she leaving, what is she going to do and what is the future of CEDIA in education? Watch!
It’s an exciting time to sell digital signage — with smart signage and connected communications being front and center in the industry. And while certain capabilities may have been around for years, there are significant new use cases for protecting people in public spaces as part of a broader communications strategy. Listen in as TD SYNNEX senior vice president of product management, Sandi Stambaugh, and senior vice president of services and engineering, Joe Pittillo, talk about current opportunities in the market and how their teams can provide support from bundling to installation services and more.
After launching the FLEX into the educational market in the first half of 2021, Newline Interactive aims to get the ProAV integrator channel excited about all the WFO potential for the personal, interactive UCC product. Newline’s own Tim Garber joined Gary on this episode of Rants & rAVes to talk about why FLEX is perfect for any business person to use both as a WFO solution as well as a shared space UCC appliance in and around the office. This video also includes a demo of the capacitive touch technology used in the 27” FLEX. Enjoy!
In the latest episode of Study With Steph, I invite Pete Putman (just in time apparently since he announced his retirement the week after we recorded) to chat with me about wireless radio systems. As you may have learned from Gary Kayye’s Rants & rAVes episode, Pete has had a long and fruitful career in the AV industry, but he got his start in radio! (He even got kicked out of college for it …… kind of. More on that in the episode.) Pete helps me learn about transmitting and receiving waves, allocation of frequencies and all about antennas and why different types matter.
If you’re someone who’s interested in this subject and wants to learn more about having fun with antennas ….. antennae??? (the CTS Exam Guide doesn’t go super in depth about this subject), I’ve also included the YouTube video he references. Check it out and enjoy this episode!
This Tuesday, Gary will introduce you to the future of system and power management for the AV industry. Does this teaser convince you to attend our LAVNCH & LEARN with Snap One? It should! Watch the video and learn more here.
No one covered the InfoComm Projection Shoot-Out better and more thoroughly than Pete Putman. He set the standard for evaluating projectors for nearly a decade. And, if he didn’t like what he saw, sales declined for that brand. Pete created an analytical way to compare projectors that made him into one of the most prolific and respected writers in AV history.
But, he didn’t even start his career in video; ironically, he was an audio guy. Learn about that and more in this video — Pete is now retiring and gave rAVe’s own Gary Kayye THE exclusive, final interview of his career as he leaves the industry to become a granddad. You will love this conversation, and you will feel the fondness Gary and Pete have for each other.
You can find Pete’s LinkedIn article he mentioned in the video here; his YouTube channel can be found here.
Learn all about class capture in this episode as I speak with Kathleen Dooley of Midwestern University. Kathleen discusses her role and how much it has evolved to support the video recording, storage and distribution of classes. She also gives some great insight into how manufacturers have been critical to her success.
It’s good to have an idea of your goal for a meeting, but — of course — you don’t want your meeting to be overly scripted. Learn how to keep EQ in the equation for achieving your desired outcome.
Gary was joined on today’s Rants and rAVes podcast by AVIXA’s economic analyst, Peter Hansen, and its senior director of market intelligence, Sean Wargo. If you’re wondering when COVID will end, this is NOT the episode to watch. But, if you care about how the chip shortage will affect your business, when the AV economy will turn around, how UCC sales will shift the market or how 2022’s growth projections look, this IS the one to watch!
Plus, after watching it, you’ll be armed with all sorts of websites they recommend you check out and explore.
They’re also listed below:
- InfoComm Show registration: www.infocommshow.org
- AVIXA’s Market Intelligence site is here: https://www.avixa.org/market-intelligence
- The 2020 IOTA Brief: https://www.avixa.org/market-intelligence/iota-2020
- The 2021 META quarterly: https://www.avixa.org/market-intelligence/meta
- The Monthly ProAV Index: https://www.avixa.org/market-intelligence/pro-av-business-index
Even if there were no in-person CEDIA Expo (Sept. 1-3, 2021), the education and certification department at CEDIA (the association) would still be delivering education. Show or no show, thanks to CEDIA’s Samantha Ventura, CI education and training is alive and well in the residential AV market with CEDIA hosting classes for live attendees, live virtual attendees and prerecorded on-demand sessions. Here’s the plan — thanks to this video interview between Gary and Samantha — for how you can get every kind of training session you want and get certified, too!
Sign up for an all-access training pass here: https://cediaexpo.com/education/training-overview/.
There’s probably no one fielding more complaints, confusing calls or questions in the market today than Emerald’s CEDIA Expo VP Jason McGraw. Is CEDIA happening? Can we get a refund if we pull out? Are masks required? Do I need to bring proof of vaccination if I attend? Will anyone show up? Why isn’t Emerald canceling CEDIA? How many companies have pulled out and how many still remain? IF I attend, will anyone be there? All those and about eight other key questions are answered in this videocast. But, best of all, Jason delivers THE PERFECT response to ANYONE complaining about CEDIA not caring about attendees or exhibitors and being in this “for the money.” His response to this was perfect and shows why Jason is one of the most-liked people ever in AV.
Check out this real-time video demo of a technology called audio fencing with AVer’s director of product marketing, Carl Harvell. This tech is the future of UCC and going back to work in an open-office environment. After you see the new AVer VB130 video bar, I just know you will want to be a dealer for it! Who wants to make a bet?
Get ready for my next webinar, “The State of the AV-over-IP Market,” presented by Almo Professional A/V on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, at 2 p.m. EDT. NETGEAR’s Cody Kleven sat down with me earlier to chat about the growing AV-over-IP market, the future of the technology in the ProAV space and the numerous opportunities AV integrators can take advantage of today.
Register for the webinar next week with Almo Pro A/V — sponsored by NETGEAR — for the latest updates about the AV-over-IP market.
Lizzo voice: Y’all been waiting for this one!
Every time I’ve asked someone for study tips for the CTS test, the first thing I’ve heard is “learn Ohm’s law.” So, being the physics-averted person I am, I avoided it like the plague for as long as possible. But I’m back. I’m ready to learn. Jim Maltese from Level 3 Audiovisual was kind enough to join me in this episode (he’s also teaching a CTS-D prep course at InfoComm this year). So without further ado: Let’s learn about electrical systems and Ohm’s law; it’s not as scary as it looks!
P.S. If you’re still having trouble with Ohm’s law after checking out this episode, check out Tom Kehr’s recent article. I also found it to be a tremendous help!
Diversified’s CEO, Fred D’Alessandro, picked our own Gary Kayye to break the industry’s biggest acquisition story of 2021 so far — on video, too; it’s the buyout of New England-based HB Communications. He was also joined by HB’s own CEO, Dana Baron, on this episode of Rants & rAVes. The two discuss the reasons behind the two companies becoming one and the future plan. Watch!
Newline’s own Marie Totten joined Gary to discuss how and why the new Newline Flex works for K-12 education as a tool for both in-person and hybrid learning applications. The Flex is a personal collaboration touch screen that’s an all-in-one solution for everything UCC. But, in K-12, it may be the secret sauce for helping teachers thrive in this new hybrid learning environment. If you sell to education, you will want to sell the Flex after watching this video!
We spend way too much time upfront combating the consumerization of AV. This week I address how to capitalize on momentum of consumer tech experiences to lead into your professional AV sale.
Gary spoke with CEDIA Expo’s Jason McGraw to get all the details on the upcoming show — Sept. 1-3 2021 — in Indianapolis. This will be the largest tech show since February 2020 and includes an all-new category of products: Resimercial AV tech for the home. This is a huge growth opportunity for both residential AV and commercial AV integrators. By the way: Every hotel in Indianapolis is within walking distance of the convention center, and the show will feature well over 250 exhibitors. Watch this interview and register to attend today!
In Gary’s 2021 Kayye’s Krystal Ball of annual predictions about new tech, he predicted that we’d see monitors with built-in cameras (think Zoom Video meetings but not appearing as though you’re looking above or below your monitor). Well, you’ll get to see it, for the first time ever, on today’s Rants & rAVes videocast! Jupiter has done it and will bring it to market in Q1 2022. Want to see what it looks like? You’ll have to either watch this or wait until InfoComm in October. Jupiter’s own GM, Justin Shong, demos it live for Gary — check it out!