By: Carol Emmens

LED, which stands for light emitting diode, is a technology used in scores of products and is well-known for its use in specialty IT and audiovisual equipment as well as everyday products such as light bulbs. LED displays are used in a wide variety of ways and their popularity is exploding. But note that home flat screen televisions, often described as LED’s, are actually LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) televisions with LED back lights. Large format LED displays (video walls) are made up of modular tiles which are locked together so that they are seamless. They are extremely versatile:

• They can be any size.
• They can be curved.
• They can be flown.
• They can be on stands.
• They can be used indoors.
• They can be used outdoors.

Because of their versatility, LED’s are extremely popular for these video walls. Whether they are used as a wall or as individual displays, they are seen at live events ranging from commencements to concerts to corporate meetings. Typically LED displays are specified as indoor or outdoor displays. Indoor models are generally higher in resolution but less bright. But keep in mind the resolution is not comparable to a flat screen television or projector since they are designed to be viewed from a distance.

Unlike LCD’s, outdoor LED displays can be seen even in the sunlight and they are weather resistant; the level of weather resistance is measured as an Ingress Protection (IP) number. LED displays are universal; they are used on stage, in stadiums, educational institutions, and corporations. Given the dramatic impact they make, LED displays are very cost effective for advertisers, entertainers, and exhibiters.

Lights

LED lights, like LED displays, are widely used for audiovisual effects and are used both indoors and outdoors. They range from small stand- alone lights to complex systems of multiple lights that perform multiple functions in multiple locations. LED lights can be used in numerous ways:

• To highlight or pin spot an area.
• To flood an entire wall of a façade or stage.
• To create a light show.
• To highlight a landmark or a work of art.

Because LED lights can change colors or create a scene, they are a cost effective way to transform a space. LED lights are used to set the mood for special social occasions such as weddings, bar mitzvahs or holiday parties and they are used to light up dance floors in trendy nightclubs. They are a “must have” for DJ’s.

LED lights help corporations brand their products and display their logos. They are often a critical component of marketing campaigns and can be customized for important clients. Compared to the neon signs of yesteryear, LED lighting is more energy efficient, is longer lasting, and is better for the environment. Plus, it is appreciably more reliable. Consequently, LED lighting has become the standard for signs and exhibits, providing unsurpassed colors and mixing to create all types of images.

LED lights or “drapes” can be triggered or controlled to change the brightness, the color, and the content. They can display built-in patterns and/or they can fade.  LED lights can be pre-programmed for an event, presentation or show whether it’s a rock performance or a theatrical play. It can be spectacular – or it can be calming and serene.

Your imagination is the only limit to what LED displays or LED lights can do for you. For help in assessing your needs for LED lighting, with rentals or installation, call Zeo Systems; let our experience guide you to the right LED solution(s) for you.

A video wall is an example of digital signage.  A video wall consists of multiple monitors, cubes, projectors or panels that are tiled together. Most often they are tiled tightly together to form one large image, but they are sometimes tiled loosely or into several separate sections for multiple images and messages or unique results, especially for performances.

Typically, video wall displays have detailed, high resolution content which makes them engaging and powerful and they receive a lot of attention. Because of the impact and increasing affordability of video walls, they are growing in popularity and they are used in a wide variety of ways:

• To enhance viewing for concert/sports event attendees
• Advertising
• Control Rooms
• Security
• Interactive Communications
• 3-D Simulation

A flexible tool, video walls can help brand a product, encourage collaboration and interactivity in venues ranging from lobbies, museums, and zoos, to sports and entertainment arenas and shopping malls  – to name a few. They are placed in high traffic areas to attract the most attention.  A video wall can be used indoors or out; it can be flat or curved, and it can be designed for permanent or temporary displays. In short, their uses are almost limitless and your video wall can be as complex and creative as you want.

A very important step when you decide to utilize or install a video wall is to define your goals.  All successful audiovisual systems require a clear set plan of action and results desired. A complete video wall system requires a number of components with a wide range of options available for each, starting with the selection of the type of display. An enormous range of technologies, resolutions and sizes are available on the market today and can make selecting one bewildering. A video wall can be designed with LCD’s, LED’s, cubes or projectors.  Each has its own unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages so you need to understand the inherent strengths and weaknesses of each. What is an ideal type of display for one environment is often a disaster in others.

Do you want one image, called a blending, over all the screens? If so, the image has to be as close to seamless as possible and a very narrow bezel (frame) is vital to avoid lines running through the image or text. High resolution keeps the image sharp. Does your video wall require a touch screen to engage the viewer or to provide information? How many touch points are desired? The number can range from one to 32.  Do you want to allow multiple users to simultaneously interact with video wall without affecting other users?

There are applications that call for 3D video walls such as molecular modeling, engineering, and simulations. Is your display compatible with the graphics cards you want to use? For video walls the software is as critical to the design as the hardware.  All video walls are software based; many have software built in that can fulfill your needs but others require a network based software controller.

Installation presents its own series of challenges in mounting, power, and cooling. Video walls can also be subject to heating problems. Does the video wall have heat sensors and cooling fans that come on automatically when needed? Where the video wall will be installed impacts your decision making as well. Is the infrastructure in place  to hold the weight?  Is the installation hardware integrated as it is for the Chauvet® MVP models (which our Production division has in inventory for rent) or do you need to buy it separately?

Is a mission critical 24/7 application that requires a redundant power supply module that provides continuous operation even in the event of a power failure required?.Even the number of power outlets and their locations comes into play. There are video walls that do not require the power to be behind the display and that can handle multiple devices. That reduces the rack space and the number of outlets needed and helps reduce the costs.
A video wall is an excellent way to communicate, enhance your presentation and make an impact, but it takes a sufficient budget and level of commitment to the project. We have alerted you to only a few of the questions that need to be answered before you install one. Zeo Systems expert technicians are  capable of designing, installing and servicing your video wall or if your needs are for a single event, our Production division can provide a rental from our in house inventory as an alternative. Give us a call.

By: Carol R. Emmens

Mega-churches, those having 2000 seats or more, have been in the forefront of using audiovisual systems for dramatic effect in their services. Their music systems rival those of performing arts centers and rock tours, featuring state of the art projectors, multiple large screens and stage lighting. But now smaller churches, especially “satellite” churches, synagogues and numerous houses of worship (HOW) of all sizes are utilizing AV to inform and engage their congregants. Is your house of worship ready to add AV systems or to upgrade the ones you have?

State of the art AV/IT is important because houses of worship are trying to attract congregants especially the millennials. Attracting and keeping congregants is a multi-fold, ongoing project. For example, the younger generations often view an organ as old-fashioned. Planning to implement a more contemporary slant to your worship service? If so, the electric guitars, synthesizers and drums require speakers that can handle the more ‘rock’ type sounds that will be incorporated. There are also congregants who prefer a more traditional service. Does your audio system handle that as well?

And they are not the only audio issues; high cathedral ceilings often make intelligibility an issue. The congregants want to hear and understand the sermons, prayers, and announcements; consequently a house of worship needs several types of microphones.  And even though not required by law as in other public buildings, having assistive listening devices available for your older congregants may be a worthwhile investment.

Does your house of worship have a website? With the astounding proliferation of social media, it is the best and most cost effective way to post events whether it’s a potluck dinner, Bible study, or discussion of the Torah. Often a website is less expensive than print media and more accessible. Before attending a service the vast majority of people “visit” the house of worship online and they expect to find clear, concise information about the style(s) of worship, children’s programs, and schedules.

But people want much more when they visit a website – they are accustomed to the “wow” factors of social media. Do you have the ability to post video? Do you have a link to Facebook? Do you have a YouTube™ account? Who will produce the video and what equipment do you own? It is not enough to use your smartphone or iPad camera to record a video; the congregants do not expect the quality of a high-definition Hollywood movie, neither to they want to see a choppy, poorly lit video that screams “amateur.”

Once the congregants arrive at the house of worship they want the same AV technology they have in their offices, educational institutions and homes. They want to read the words to a hymn on a large screen, and sometimes they will need to see and hear the service or wedding ceremony in an overflow room. Hundreds, even thousands, of handicapped and senior congregants who cannot attend the house of worship want to see what they are missing on their flat screen televisions or tablets in the comfort of their living rooms while they sip a cup of coffee.

To achieve all the AV/IT goals of today, the systems are complex and intertwined; for example, the camera lights cannot wash out the screen(s); the speakers cannot transmit feedback – and these are only two potential problems.  All components must work together as a whole to complete the desired presentation.

The first step to incorporating audiovisual technology is to define your goals for each aspect of the project and determine the budget. In addition, it is typically difficult to install audiovisual equipment in a house of worship. It is possible an engineer will need to provide an analysis of the structural integrity of the facility, e.g. is it possible to hang heavy speakers from the beams or do they need to be reinforced? There are many factors to take into account: Is the electricity adequate? Is the network up to par? Is there storage space for components that don’t need to be seen?

The cost of audiovisual equipment has declined and manufacturers have brought new products into the market to address the needs of the house of worship clients. But generally a HOW relies on volunteers for everything from baking cookies to maintaining the website to operating the AV/IT systems. That places an emphasis on installing systems that are easy to use and easy to control. Controls range from pushing a button to amplify a microphone to handheld remotes to iPad systems that control all the equipment with a few clicks.

The components of an audiovisual system – audio, display, lighting, recording – need to be robust, flexible and seamlessly integrated. That takes working with an experienced audiovisual company at every stage of the project. Call on Zeo Systems for a free consultation to help you set your goals and meet them.

By: Carol R. Emmens

Digital signage  (digital displays of information or video) fulfills the needs of all types of corporations and businesses, educational institutions, houses of worship, bars and restaurants, retail stores, and hospitals; it is used everywhere from airports to zoos and everyplace in between: hallways, lobbies, classrooms –  even at gas pumps and in elevators. The proliferation of digital signage has occurred because the associated costs have come down, it is a quick and efficient way to communicate in real time, and it saves the costs of printing.  Digital signage has enormous potential communication applications:

• Post schedules of meetings, events, works assignments, menus
• Share news, stock prices, traffic reports, sports results and information
• Recognize achievements and milestones
• Warn about severe weather and security threats
• Sell a product or service

And those are only a few of its uses.

 As the costs come down and the quality goes up, there’s no better time than the present to consider the addition of a digital signage display to your current signage or an addition or upgrade to your current digital signage display(s). But, prior to any decision, there are many questions that you have to answer.

First, what are your goals? They will impact the design and content of the digital display and every decision you make about the hardware and the software for it. Content is king and it affects every decision beginning with the design: a single display, multiple displays, a video wall?  In turn, the type of digital signage determines the flat screen display specifications such as the resolution, the size, and the number. It also determines the appropriate location within your business or venue to be seen by the greatest number of viewers to have the maximum impact and to avoid problems such as washout of the images due to bright sunlight.

The greatest challenge digital signage presents is in creating it or adapting it from existing printed materials or PowerPoint presentations. For example, if the content exits, is it “digital ready” or does it need to be reformatted to ensure that it fits the display in the correct resolution and that the text is a color and size that can be read easily. Do you have writers and graphic designers in house who are available to adapt or create the content?

What software will you use and where will that software and the content reside? Who will have access to it? Will it be on your network or in a cloud? Determine the role of your IT department. Is it desirable to do more than display static messages?  Do you want to display messages or information in real time? Do you want to access the internal network and/or outside sources of information such as Reuther’s or the Weather Channel? Do you need IP-addressable displays? Social media grows in importance every day. Do you want to integrate it and if so, how difficult will it be do it?

For many digital signage displays, it is no longer enough to deliver information; the information needs to engage the viewer – it needs a “wow” factor such as video or audio. Is the location suitable for an audio zone that will immerse the viewer without blasting the speech, sounds or music throughout the room, lobby or store?

Do you need an interactive display? For example, retail stores are especially under pressure to make sure that the digital signage displays deliver a positive “return on investment” (ROI). Their displays MUST be innovative, eye catching and engaging.  They were among the first users to adopt interactive displays and the pixel density of 4K, which is four-times the resolution of HD, and allows up to eight quadrants in the display and they, in turn, offer ways to have up to 32 interactive touch points. Today it is possible to see how you look in a new hair style, try on glasses or clothes, even see what it would look like to decorate or paint a room with digital signage.

The questions we raised are the tip of the iceberg, but digital signage does not have to be a daunting task if you partner with an experienced audiovisual company.  Zeo Systems has a successful track record designing, installing and supporting digital signage systems that are extremely effective and affordable. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your digital signage needs.

By: Carol Emmens

Lecture hall seats are often empty now as college and universities increase or initiate “flipped learning” or “inverted” classrooms.  In a flipped classroom what is normally done in class e.g. lectures and what is normally done as homework are switched or flipped. In a flipped classroom, students read materials or listen to audio and view video podcasts before coming to class.

Using capture systems and video conferencing, lectures and PowerPoint presentations are stored remotely in a “cloud” and made available online, generally through the Internet. Homework such as problem solving and essay writing is done in class with both professors and peers guiding the students.

Now scores of classrooms resemble corporate huddle rooms or medical and scientific labs. Class time is reserved for hands on learning, discussions in small groups and collaboration instead of note taking. Flipped classrooms provide an opportunity for students to ask questions and to apply what they learned in the online lecture. It also provides students with more time to use scientific equipment in class and to utilize healthcare simulation labs which prepare them for real life health problems and emergencies.

There are two aspects to the “flipped classroom:” online learning and classrooms with the audiovisual equipment to allow content sharing and analysis. Professors usually create their own video lectures.  Although it takes time and skill to do a video, it is becoming easier as manufacturers bring new equipment for video capture and dissemination to the market.  The equipment is becoming easier to use and numerous, affordable storage solutions are readily available. In addition to their own videos, videos by publishers, and professional use apps;  course materials are often posted to YouTube or managements systems like Blackboard.

Retrofitting classrooms for the digital world is likewise becoming easier. There are products that make it possible to connect devices with different signals and connectors, multiple control options, and interactive flat screen devices and whiteboards.

Video podcasts or video courses are audiovisual files distributed via the Internet. They are not the sole source of instruction and differ from MOOCs or massive open online courses. MOOC’s such as those offered by MIT are often open to anyone not just enrolled students.

Because clouds based storage makes it easy to store and share information, many universities are members of consortiums such as Unizen which includes the University of Michigan, Indiana University, Colorado State University, Penn State, the University of Florida and others. They share lectures, lesson plans and research and make course materials and information available from the best minds in education, organizations and corporations. The authorships are noted.

The Open Cloud Consortium (OCC), which is one of many worldwide, operates a cloud to support scientific, medical and health care research; it members include the University of California (Berkeley),  Florida International University, Johns Hopkins, NASA,  international universities and organization such as AIST (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology).  OCC, in turn, has joined Matter, a workspace in Chicago with all types of rooms and AV/IT resources. Matter is a partner with the American Medical Association, and shares the same goal: to bring entrepreneurs and physicians together to “collaborate and test new technologies, services and products.”  Research universities are among those that benefit the most from flipped classrooms.

Technology, used effectively, is not a mindless way to teach but a way to open minds and to create paths to success. When flipped classrooms are introduced, both professors and students are often skeptical but not for long. They often flip their opinions on flipped classrooms once they have experienced the positive results:  grades and attendance go up, retention increases, team skills improve and applications of the course materials are discussed, analyzed and demonstrated.

Zeo Systems expertly trained technicians can assist you in determining the equipment you need to adjust today’s classroom to today’s technology. Flat panel displays, video and projection systems, microphone and voice systems, or complete control systems; No matter if we are integrating new technology to an existing system or building a new one from scratch, you can count on Zeo Systems to help you capture or record lectures and to design the audiovisual systems needed for your institution to successfully implement flipped classrooms.

By: Carol Emmens

Open space floor plans are now the norm in corporations. According to the International Management Facility Association, approximately 70% of all employees in the U.S. work in open offices, which were popularized by hi-tech companies such as Google. Open spaces are viewed as a way for the employees to interact and to innovate.

In practice, open spaces often buzz like a beehive and make it difficult to concentrate or to collaborate with a team. Consequently, architects and facility managers are designing and constructing small rooms for team work. The rooms are often called huddle rooms and they are in use in almost every industry ranging from finance to technology to healthcare and they are also use in universities and colleges. They create an atmosphere for collaboration and for brainstorming, which help teams deliver (in theory) better performance in sales, marketing, research and productivity.

Typically huddle rooms are small to encourage everyone, even those who are normally less vocal, to participate in collaboration. Technology is the key to making a huddle room popular with employees; a highly used huddle room has the audiovisual equipment and IT access which makes collaboration easy by allowing information within the room and outside the room to be shared and displayed. Both audiovisual companies and IT companies were quick to develop equipment for use in huddle rooms

The majority of huddle rooms are equipped with only the basics: A 42” or 50” flat panel screen with an overlay to encourage annotation or a short-throw projector and a whiteboard. But that is only the first step. For employees using a wide variety of devices, a huddle rooms requires a wide range of connectors (HDMI, DVI, and VGA). Employees use iPhones, laptops, and tablets daily at home so they bring them into the work place. They expect to use their own devices as well as company computers; BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is commonplace.

The employees’ device cameras are used to connect to colleagues and industry leaders located elsewhere for impromptu FaceTime or Skype. For most rooms, however, higher quality wall mounted speakers and cameras are needed to create an atmosphere of eye to eye contact and collaboration.

To minimize the plugging and unplugging of devices from the display, high speed switchers allow the participants to hook up all at once and to switch easily from laptops, tablets or Smartphones. A high resolution switcher/scaler allows multiple images to be displayed on one screen or multiple screens.

Content sharing including information online is the number one objective and huddle rooms often have Wi-Fi. It is often necessary to connect to information on the network or in a cloud based storage system such as Drop Box. Wi-Fi is sometimes slow or unstable; a router or a bridge in the huddle room provide the teams with faster and more reliable way to access information and to provide more security, which is a priority to protect confidential information. A top notch huddle room requires the audiovisual team and the IT department to work together and to understand what each is doing to avoid blocking a network set up for the room.

Frequently corporations require multiple huddle rooms which are earmarked for specific activities such as videoconferencing (check our February blog for more information) or project meetings. On occasion a room is used for one team of experts drawn from cross cultural fields to work together on one project from start to finish. These have been dubbed “scrum” rooms and they serve as the primary work space for the members of the team.

There is no typical huddle room, and no typical budget. The budget needs to be based on the number of rooms desired and the objectives of each. A modest budget of $3-4,000 is the norm for the vast majority of the rooms and it is usually sufficient as the costs for technology continue to drop.
Whatever the cost, users agree that huddle rooms are necessary and that benefits are enormous in terms of generating innovation, critical thinking and problem solving. Forget the water cooler – the huddle room is where the action is.
To learn more information click here to download the ‘Tech Managers Guide to Huddle Rooms’ from AV Technology by New Bay Media.

As the holidays approach, the spotlight—sometimes literally—will be on how houses of worship communicate and how they present their pageants, holiday shows or services.

The audiovisual systems will be more important than ever. They will be expected to have the highest level of resolution and fidelity in their stereo systems, projectors and flat screens, and even their own phones, tablets or digital cameras.

They will be expected to be easy to use, and to offer the capabilities of video capture and distribution. Often that is not easy to achieve because of the challenges of a house of worship’s design and construction (e.g. hard surfaces and high ceilings).

Now is the time to evaluate the equipment that the church owns and to assess whether or not it needs to be retrofitted or enhanced based for how the audiovisual systems will be used:

1. To Support “Conventional” Prayer
2. To Enhance Theatrical Presentations & Contemporary Services
3. To Archive Sermons and Guest Speeches on CD’s or DVD’s
4. To Stream Services or Project Them in an Overflow Room

Now is the time to evaluate the acoustics, to review the sightlines for video and computer displays, and to determine who will operate the audiovisual systems.

Audio

At a minimum a good, high-quality sound system is needed to ensure that clear intelligible speech is heard regardless of where anyone is seated. Houses of worship are not required by law to provide Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) as other public buildings are, but they are a plus.

The largest segment of the population is the Baby Boomer generation and approximately 30% of those over the age of 60 have some level of hearing loss. If they have issues hearing the service, not only will they not receive the message your pastor is trying to convey, but it is likely that they will lose interest in attending the service altogether.

Ideally, a well-designed audio system supports clear speech and music. However, there are systems that need to be retrofitted for contemporary “rock” services, which are increasing in number. Often this can be done easily and affordably.

For example, they may need to add an automatic audio mixer or sub-woofers, which adds the deep bass sound missing from most speakers. An automatic audio mixer senses the sound levels, and can make adjustments in real time to volume. It can also balance a group of microphones for a band, choir or stage production.

An automatic audio mixer does have limitations and it cannot compensate for acoustical issues inherent to your building. Sometimes acoustical panels are also required to absorb “noise”.

Video

Nowadays, video projection is just at home in a house of worship as in a corporation or a school. High resolution, adequate brightness and accurate colors are expected on both the large screens and the flat panel displays that are used to project the words to a hymn or song, a video, a schedule, or other announcements.

An audiovisual expert needs to determine the projector lens and brightness needed for the location and structure of the facility to ensure both an exceptional image without destroying the aesthetics of the facility.

The cost of flat panel displays has dropped so they are often used to display announcements, directions, and even photographs of special events, provided there is adequate staff or volunteers to keep them up to date.

A high-resolution LED flat screen provides a very creative way to add a back drop or stage set for enacting vignettes, religious stories, or to display the service in an overflow room.

Live Streaming

Streaming both live and archival video meets the needs of all age groups, and helps expand the size of congregations within the community and beyond. It presents a unique opportunity but raises a few questions:

1. Do you have a camera? Does it have the features needed?
2. Do you need more than one camera?
3. Do you have a budget for it and for a video selector/mixer?
4. Do you have a camera operator(s)?

Streaming allows baby boomers who are unable to attend the services due to aging, injury any other physical limitations to take part in the service.

The “Now” Generation—or Generation X, along with Generation Y—want the service available when and where it is convenient for them. The Internet is so pervasive that many people “sample” religious services to find the one they like best.

Streaming allows relatives and friends who are unable to attend an event the opportunity to see weddings, bar mitzvahs and christenings, and makes them feel that are a part of the event.

Many congregations report that streaming increases donations as the congregation has grown. It also provides data about who is watching and what are they watching. It is then possible to tailor the streaming to the needs and wants of the congregation.

Budget

Installing or retrofitting an audiovisual system is dependent on the budget. Don’t forget to include service and maintenance.

If the budget is modest, financing the equipment from one of our available financing sources, such as Global Finance or Direct Capital, is an option. If direct purchase or financing of new equipment is not in the budget, consider a short-term rental as a possible option.

To ensure a track record for safety, it’s important for the rental company to be certified as a mobile stage rental company.

Consumer grade or consumer equipment, while usually less expensive than professional products, is sometimes viewed as a way to save money. However, there are important factors to be considered. Typically, consumer products are less durable and dependable than professional models. Most manufacturers’ warranties for consumer products are often null and void when the equipment is used in non-consumer applications and contractors will sometimes refuse to install it.

Whatever your audiovisual system budget, it is worth a house of worship’s investment whether the facility services hundreds or thousands.

Even a modest budget allows a house of worship to make the best use of the technology and the facility. Sometimes the addition of a piece of equipment or rental of equipment alone can make an impactful difference.

Last week we addressed some possible places gremlins could cause problems within your audio, video or lighting systems.

This week, we will feature a few more potential places gremlins can show up and how they can be addressed and conquered to ensure the successful marriage of AV/IT systems. Zeo Systems is your solution.

Ways to Combat AV System Gremlins & Places They Can Appear:

1 – Wireless Issues

Admittedly, cable management is sometimes a nightmare and Wi-Fi is readily available. We want our audiovisual system to be wireless, and there are all types of audiovisual equipment which are wireless or that offer a wireless option in addition to cable inputs and outputs: So why aren’t all AV/IT systems wireless? The answer is simple – wireless equipment is the easiest for the gremlins to attack; thus, it doesn’t always work as desired. Wireless audiovisual systems require the communication and cooperation of the IT department or vendor. It is important to know that digital devices which are brought into meetings sometimes emit strong RF (radio frequency) noise and distort the audio when wireless microphones or PA systems are in use. Zeo Systems can help you be prepared for any and all of these potentialities.

Wireless projectors connected to a network are often a boon; however, there are times when they do not work. This could be due to one of several possible gremlins:

• The computer is not connected to the network.
• A router or DNS server is down.
• A firewall is blocking the connection.

There are sometimes additional complications for wireless systems caused by network issues, which unleash more gremlins.

• Are the lectures and presentations are on a computer in the room or on a network?
• Is it possible to connect to the network with your own devises?
• If they are on the same network, are the ports needed open on the network?
• Is there enough bandwidth to handle the presentation?

2 – Control System Problems

A complete, seamless AV presentation must include a fully integrated AV control system. What your audience sees and hears when they enter your church, nightclub, restaurant or store will influence them in many ways and affect how they receive your message. Anytime several systems come together, the potential for gremlins increases dramatically. All the separate systems have to talk to each other in a ‘language’ they all understand. Gremlins often get in the way of the translations. Zeo Systems extensively trained and CTS certified technicians are master translators and will have your systems communicating in no time.

3 – Lack of Planning

The success of the gremlins is typically caused by lack of correctly identifying the objectives of the AV system, planning and/or coordination. For the gremlins of audiovisual to be defeated, it is important to use an experienced audiovisual designer: Zeo Systems is your solution. For new construction or renovation, it is necessary that the architects, interior designers, and trades so they work with, not at odds to one another. This takes coordination. Most times when problems arise, it is not purposeful. Too often, an interior designer or lighting vendor selects a chandelier which will hang exactly where the projector needs to be installed. An architect selects all hard materials such as glass and marble and the sound bounces around the room. The electrician is not told to install electric outlets in the ceiling or on the wall for the flat screen TV. All these problems are avoidable. Without planning, you could be the gremlin of your AV system.

Obviously, gremlins can appear in a myriad of ways. Contact us for a free consultation and let Zeo Systems assist you in determining the solutions to any problems that may arise with your AV system.

BONUS: The Role Of AV In Our Everyday Lives

Check out the video below from InfoComm that illustrates the ever increasing role and need for AV in our everyday lives.

Zeo Systems provides AV system integration services in the greater Philadelphia area, including Montgomery County PA, Bucks County PA, and Delaware County PA.

Stop waiting for the convergence of AV and IT – it is here. Used effectively, the combined power of audiovisuals and networking improves communication, inspires creative thinking, impacts learning, provides entertainment and on a practical level, increases sales.

But gremlins are always waiting to strike, patiently biding their time to cause problems and mishaps. Gremlins need to be addressed and conquered to ensure the successful marriage of AV systems / IT systems wherever and whenever they are used. Zeo Systems is your solution.

Ways To Combat AV System Gremlins And Places They Can Appear:

1 – BYOD (Bring Your Own Devices)

Bring Your Own Device is now ubiquitous; presenters, colleagues, teachers, and students all bring their own devices to meetings and lectures to present and to collaborate with the team. Here’s one place gremlins spring into action. The laptops, iPhones, iPads, and tablets do NOT have the same inputs and outputs; they connect in a variety of ways. Is your AV system ready or are you still using VGA connectors (a Video Graphics Array connector is a three-row 15-pin connector)? For iPads alone, there are at least four Apple adapters to connect them to a projector or flat screen TV. A pocket full of “dongles” or adapter is needed to connect each device.

What about streaming and television? Some devices only output to HDMI. Does your projector have an HDMI port? Is it time to upgrade? There are HDMI to VGA adapters on the market, but they do not always work. Any video that is copy protected does not allow a connection to work and the streaming or video will be blocked.

Now you’ve licked the connection issues with a pocket full of dongles. But the display is still wrong. Why? It is likely the size of the screen or the sightlines were miscalculated or ignored. This often happens because the architect(s) and interior designer(s) worked in a vacuum without consulting the AV/IT departments or vendors.

2 – Size Matters

Flat panels are everywhere we look from airports to zoos but are they appropriate for your project? Are they large enough for everyone to read the information or are additional screens needed in supplementary locations? Is the room large enough to require a screen? The dimensions of the room, the layout and the height of the ceiling help to determine the size of the screen. Are multiple screens required to ensure everyone an opportunity to see the presentation? Are the screens positioned correctly so viewers aren’t straining their necks to see them? What will you show on the flat panels or screen? Do your objectives require a wide screen? By the way, does your screen have a wide image aspect ratio and does your projector show wide screen images? If not, it is time to replace them.

3 – Sightlines

The sightlines are the angles at which the screen is viewed and they are just as important as the size of the screen. In a very wide room, the sightlines for those on the far right and the far left are critical. In an auditorium, performance center or lecture hall the incline of the floor is critical to whether or not everyone is able to view the screen. The sightline to see the presenter or instructor is also important to keep the audience’s attention. Is the location of the lectern or the pulpit easy to see for the audience? Is it easy for the presenters to connect their devices? Is the wall plate close or is it across the room resulting in long cables that create a tripping hazard?

4 – Audio Solutions

OK, one issue solved; everyone can see the screen. But can they hear the presenter or teacher or movie? The use of a microphone and speakers are often overlooked despite the demand for presentations that dazzle both the visual and auditory senses. The speakers in a projector or flat screen TV are rarely adequate except for a home theater, yet the installation of additional speakers is often overlooked. Is surround sound desired and is it achievable in a particular room? Installing an adequate number of speakers, however, does not overcome audio issues such as interference or “noise” nor will it compensate for poor audio quality. In fact, poor audio sounds even worse when it is amplified through a sound system. The key word is system! All the components of an audio system need to meet a high standard in order to achieve a high quality of audio. The use of the audio – for voice reinforcement, music or both – determine the speakers, mixers, assistive listening devices and microphones needed as do the audio characteristics of the facility or room. Sound often “bounces” in rooms due to structural issues such as glass walls and marble columns, and furniture.

Obviously, gremlins can appear in a myriad of ways; Tune in next week for more…
Meanwhile, if you have a current gremlin in residence, contact us for a free consultation and let Zeo Systems assist you in determining the solutions to any problems that may arise.

Zeo Systems provides AV system integration services in the greater Philadelphia area, including Montgomery County PA, Bucks County PA, and Delaware County PA.