Volume 9, Issue 24 — December 19, 2011

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Why AV Standards Matter

InfoComm International

Recently, Thom Mullins, CTS, chair of InfoComm International®’s Independent Consultants in Audiovisual Technology Council and leader of the AV design group at Seattle-based Affiliated Engineers, told this story about a system he was working on:

“In the owner-review comments of a recent project was written the following,” Mullins says. “‘Please attempt to include and/or reference industry-standard testing procedures. Some of the adjustment and testing procedures included in this section appear to be somewhat subjective. What defines an acceptable result versus a non-acceptable result?’ Fortunately, I was able to direct the owner to the System Performance Requirements portion of our specifications, which ties acceptable results to solid numbers. He appeared to have missed that part and instead focused on the testing and adjustment process. Once he put both sections together, his heart was at rest.”

As Mullins describes it, this kind of back-and-forth represents “a slow but steady change in our clients.” Part of it has to do with a decade-long transformation of the client himself — from an end user of AV systems to, in many cases, a facility manager or even a chief technology officer. “And although an AV pro may be skeptical of [this transformation], it’s only accelerating,” Mullins explains. “And their key issues — security, bandwidth and up-time — must be our key issues. Of these issues, up-time is vital to our client’s trust in the work we do as designers and integrators. It requires a shift in thinking about how systems are designed, installed and operated."

In almost every market where they’re used, audiovisual systems have evolved from “nice-to-have” toys to business-critical systems — to the benefit of the entire AV industry. As a result, AV design and installation practices have received more scrutiny from those responsible for acquiring and operating the systems. The good news is, greater scrutiny moves the AV professional higher in the client queue. The bad news is (and it doesn’t have to be bad news), AV pros have to be prepared to face tougher questioning. “Far too often, their questions belie concerns over whether the AV systems will be ready on time, function properly, or require too much support from outside their company,” Mullins says.

And that’s why AV standards matter. Now, the industry at large needs to buy into the idea.

“Development and implementation of AV standards will help us gain credibility with our clients, who use standards on a daily basis in the design and deployment of their communications and data networks,” says Mullins. “When we can point to a standard, or ask them if they would like us to design to a standard, their trust in our systems and our capabilities will grow. When we reference standards in our Basis of Design or Programming Narrative, and when we insist that the integrator install and test the systems in accordance with these standards, our knowledge and work become more valuable to them. In many ways, we become a trusted guide helping them to navigate their business.”

A Good Thing

Ask an AV consultant or systems integrator what they think about standards for AV systems and the general consensus is that standards are a good thing. After all, AV is a $75 billion industry that works closely with IT and construction — industries that readily accept standards as a way of life. It makes sense that, as AV technologies and design techniques grow and mature, a governing body would put benchmarks in place as quantitative proof of a system’s performance.

InfoComm recognized the need for standards and invested in a years-long journey to achieve accreditation as a Standards Developing Organization (SDO) by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 2008. InfoComm has published three approved standards: ANSI/INFOCOMM 1M-2009 Audio Coverage Uniformity in Enclosed Listener Areas (ACU), 2M-2010 Standard Guide for Audiovisual Systems Design and Coordination Processes, and 3M-2011 Projected Image Contrast Ratio. Gradually, the standards are showing up in new projects, but the education process has only just begun.

“Early industry feedback was that standards will ruin the creativity of the designer and make it so that anyone could design a system,” says Joseph Bocchiaro III, Ph.D., CStd, CTS-D, CTS-I, vice president of the InfoComm Standards and Industry Innovations Program. “We’ve had to conduct education and outreach because of the confusion over standards. They are not a map that anyone can follow to create an AV system.”

Bocchiaro says that the biggest source of confusion has been the difference between a technology or product standard and a system performance standard. InfoComm’s standards are the latter, whereas IT standards are often the former.

“InfoComm standards are mostly performance standards that address how people experience AV in a venue. They consider technology, physiology and architecture,” Bocchiaro explains. “Most IT standards are technical, interoperability standards. We use a lot of them in AV for media streaming, videoconferencing, networking, etc.”

Another source of confusion is over what, exactly, an InfoComm performance standard should include. Some AV professionals have read the published standards and concluded they don’t go far enough. But that has to do with the way standards must be crafted and developed. Bocchiaro says ANSI, ISO and other third-party accredited standards are consensus-based documents that are required to represent a balanced  perspective – not just for the good of the industry, but also to comply with ANSI or other standards-body rules.

“Standards are meant to be easily understood so that anyone can use common, simple test equipment to find measurable results,” Bocchiaro adds. “The standards are vetted by hundreds of people involved in the program and then the standards go to public review. Anyone in the industry can make comments and suggestions for improvement.”

Richard Derbyshire, partner at AV consulting firm Shen Milsom & Wilke (SMW) and chairman of the Standards Steering Committee, says, “If a standard addresses all issues, then it becomes incredibly complicated and difficult to test. We want to encourage the use of standards, not discourage it. Therefore, each standard defines a specific measurement.”

Adoption Curve

The question becomes, then, when will AV professionals begin incorporating InfoComm standards in earnest?

“To my knowledge there are only a handful of consultants and end users that are requiring the standards at this point,” says Jeffrey Lipp, CTS, president of Lipp AV Design and a member of InfoComm’s Standards Steering Committee. “There are really two main issues that are holding back widespread adaptation of the new InfoComm standards: public relations and long construction timelines.”

Some AV professionals haven’t heard of the standards and are surprised they even exist. “Once there is more widespread knowledge of the standards, it should be very common to see AV consultants require systems to meet the design standards and require conformance forms from the contractor,” Lipp says.

Plus, Lipp adds, it may take a while for standards to slip into the project pipeline. After all, the schedule for new construction projects can stretch for years. The consultant on a project being built today may have designed the AV systems two or three years before the standards were produced.  It is too late to specify conformity to a standard during construction. “It will just take some time for this process to catch up,” he says.

Derbyshire has included the ACU standard in only a few projects over the past two years. He says that including a new standard in a design is more complex than just dropping boilerplate language into a specification, citing the stringent Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat standard the majority of AV consultants use.

The Long View

So while it may take some time for InfoComm standards to make their way into more real-world projects, the long-term view of standards adoption is one that addresses AV’s seat at the project-team table. “As a system designer in the design phase of any project, there are meetings and collaboration with the architect,” says Lipp. “Sometimes architects don't like to make any compromises to properly integrate our AV technology.  Now, when I walk into a design meeting in an architect's office, I'm carrying the weight of the entire AV industry.  All I need to do is reference a standard.”

InfoComm is developing many more ANSI standards, including the Audiovisual Systems Energy Management standard and the Videoconference Lighting standard. The ACU standard will be one part of a much larger Amplified Audio System Performance Standards Suite, which is currently in development.

Derbyshire says that InfoComm’s committees are always looking to learn and refine their processes to better serve the industry. For example, InfoComm has started to publish guides to using standards, such as the ACU Design Guide and ACU Field Guide, which sold out at InfoComm 2011 in Orlando. A companion design guide for the Projected Image standard is also in the works. “The standards process requires tiny steps,” says Derbyshire.” We are not at the destination yet, just at the beginning of the journey. This process needs a fairly long gestation period. We'll see more evidence of success in maybe a couple more years.”

Moreover, every ANSI standard must be renewed every five years, so the reaffirmation and review process starts again for ACU in 2013. At that point, the AV industry will once again have the chance to provide feedback during public review.

Overall, Bocchiaro thinks standards adoption will mimic the way AV professionals have embraced InfoComm’s Certified Technology Specialist™ (CTS) certification program. “It was slow going for a while and then end users started asking for certified designers and installers,” he says. “We have to stay focused on the big picture and remember that, as leaders in the industry, you need standards to point us to the past as well as into the future.”

For more information about InfoComm standards, including links for acquiring the standards themselves, visit the standards page. To learn about what using standards can do for your business, visit StandardsBoostBusiness.org.

This article was reprinted with permission from InfoComm International.

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Inaugural GovComm a Hit in DC

By Dawn Meade
rAVe Columnist

The first-ever GovComm Conference and Exhibition was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, from November 1 – 2, 2011. This show was the first ever event hosted by InfoComm International specifically targeted to the government AV market. In addition to the show floor, GovComm provided educational tracks, hands-on theatre demos and networking opportunities. Because this was the first year the event was held, attendance was light, however all those in attendance were impressed with the quality and variety of the AV companies exhibiting there. 

Some of the companies exhibiting were at InfoComm; however, they featured new and exciting products at the GovComm show. KSI Professional, a Baltimore-based manufacturer of AV furniture, showed their Flex Line credenzas.  When you order these beauties, the credenza frame ships immediately, which allows you to build the interior racks and install the credenza on site. Once all construction at the site is finished and the trades are out, the exterior panels (in a variety of stock and custom finishes) ship and are easily installed in place. This two-step process allows the equipment to be installed and tested while construction is still ongoing, but prevents the beautiful finishes of the credenza from being scratched, dinged or otherwise damaged in the work area.

Maryland-based Conference Systems used GovComm to announce its new partnership with Arthur Holm Professional Flat Screen Displays. At the show, the company displayed the Arthur Holm Dynamic Monitors – very slick motorized flat-panel displays that are installed in conference tables and lecterns. Framed in solid aluminum or stainless steel, and featuring fast, near-silent lift mechanisms, the dynamic monitors provide an elegant, modern touch to any boardroom environment, and retract cleanly when not in use.

Projection screens are not a topic that leaps to mind when one talks about trade show wow factors, but Screen Innovations — co-located in the Ford AV booth — provided just that. They demonstrated one of their Black Diamond high-ambient light screens on the well-lit convention floor, to amazing effect. The screen material was thicker and less flexible than your average projection screen, but the image provided by an average projector was stunning. Their Zero Edge ultra-thin rigid screen panel featuring the Black Diamond material is marketed as the first affordable large flat-panel alternative. The crisp, bright image displayed in the demo shows this to be more than mere hype. It certainly caught the eye of the government buyers I was walking the floor with!

Speaking of government buyers, GovComm provided a fantastic opportunity for manufacturers to introduce some government-specific products to these elite buyers. As a result, there were a number of companies exhibiting that wouldn’t normally show up at a regular InfoComm, CEDIA or CES show – but whose products fill any number of needs for a ProAV integrator these days. Soundmasking.com by Dynasound, for example, provides a number of solutions for eavesdropping protection. The company’s countermeasure solutions utilize a variety of acoustic techniques and even offer the industry’s first pre-engineered Portable Eavesdropping Protection system available for offsite secure communications.

This is definitely a product in demand by government and military buyers for situation rooms and SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities), but more and more corporate customers are getting interested in securing their communications. As a result, integrators need to know about Soundmasking.com!

Another company new to AV shows with applications beyond the government market is Alertus. Headquartered minutes from downtown DC in Greenbelt, Md., Alertus provides an entire suite of products for interoperable facility notification that meet or exceed the National Fire Alarm & Signaling Code’s new standards for Emergency Communications Systems (Chapter 24 – ECS). Alterus’ Alert Beacons provide audible signaling and brightly flashing visual indications when activated, as well as a customizable LCD message window for specific details.

The company’s solutions are ADA-compliant and meet minimum standards for mass notification as specified by HEOA (Higher Education Opportunity Act) regulations and the Department of Defense Unified Facilities Criteria. The Alertus system was of particular interest to most buyers and integrators in attendance because it also provide a means to integrate their alert system with existing information systems in place via Alertus Desktop. When an alert is triggered — a fire alarm, a public safety warning, a weather alert — the Alert Beacons are not the only thing activated. Existing digital signage is changed to reflect the emergency alert status. Individual computer screens and workstations on the network are sent a pop-up warning window. Even text messages and emergency emails — if such systems are in place — are sent the emergency alert in real time. In this way, Alertus provides a full range of mass notification to any government, military, educational or corporate facility.

While many of these government-specific manufacturers produce products that can also solve problems in the corporate world, one exhibitor provided very specific solutions for military applications exclusively… and was incredibly cool nonetheless. HDT Global is an Ohio company specializing in fully integrated deployable solutions. Every piece of their mobile command centers is manufactured by the company — from shelter systems (tents and flooring), environmental control systems, aerial delivery systems (parachutes and secure packing crates) to the technology in use in the command center – every rack, component and screen. At the show, they actually set up a mobile command center (tent and all!) in the exhibit hall. It featured a large tabletop flat panel display table (similar to the Samsung SUR40, but ruggedized for military deployment), which is used to monitor and plan troop movements and strategic planning. Frankly, even if you don’t do any military installations (or even emergency response agency installations), it is worth visiting HDT Global’s web site to see just how much cool tech they build! Definitely one of my show favorites!

GovComm provided a number of education tracks and both InfoComm and manufacturer training sessions were provided. Courtesy of Cisco, the show even featured a free catered lunch and networking area both days. I was disappointed that a few major industry players who are InfoComm stalwarts chose not to participate in the show, and I hope they reconsider their choice for next year, especially ones with offices in the greater DC area. (Yes, I’m looking at you, Extron!) Overall, though, despite the light attendance, GovComm went above and beyond my expectations for a first-time show.  I urge everyone to attend the next one in 2012.

Dawn Meade, CTS – also known as AVDawn – is an industry veteran with experience in integration, AV sales, and social media. You can find her on Twitter and on her AV tech blog.

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STEP: The Unofficial, Semi-Definitive FAQ

By Brad Grimes
InfoComm International

You may have heard of it. It’s the Sustainable Technology Environments Program, better known as STEP. Not ringing a bell? Or maybe you’ve heard of it, but you’re not sure exactly what it means (or what it has to do with you). One of the original developers of the STEP Rating System admits he sometimes comes across AV professionals who have no idea what STEP is, but that’s changing.

“Awareness is good,” says Scott Walker, CTS-D, LEED AP. “Articles have been written, and I’ve given many webinars on STEP. So I’m a little surprised when I run into people in the AV industry who haven’t heard of STEP.”

Walker, who is CEO of Waveguide Consulting, a former president of InfoComm International and a member of the STEP Foundation Board, chaired InfoComm's Green AV Task Force, which evolved into the STEP Task Force. “The question now is, ‘How quickly can we get people empowered to do STEP projects?’” he says.

First thing is to set the record straight. STEP has come a long way in a short time. And when something with such vast potential arrives on the scene, it’s sometimes accompanied by FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt). With STEP, that doesn’t have to be the case.

STEP and the STEP Rating System are real, living, deployable initiatives. “Think of STEP as LEED for technology,” says Allen Weidman, InfoComm Sustainability Officer and Executive Director of the STEP Foundation, referring to the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

The STEP Foundation has its own list of frequently asked questions, plus other resources. Here we tackle some of what AV professionals need to know to start using STEP right away, taking insight from some of the people most intimate with STEP and its implementation.

As you’ll read below, STEP will continue to evolve (thus the “semi-definitive” FAQ), so it will be important to check in with the STEP Foundation regularly. But without further ado, your questions:

Q: What is STEP?

A: STEP is a voluntary system for rating the sustainability of information communications technology systems in the built environment. But just as importantly, STEP is a framework for bringing together professionals from separate but related industries in a unified effort to design, implement and operate greener AV, IT, security, and other building systems. In other words, it is not a green AV program; as its name implies, it is a green technology program.

At the heart of STEP is the STEP Rating System, which guides all stakeholders in a project down the path to a sustainable result by awarding them credits for following agreed-upon practices, depending on their role in the project. The STEP system is broken down into five phases: program, architectural and infrastructure design, system design, systems integration, and operation. Each phase has credits associated with it; the more credits a projects earns, the higher its eventual STEP rating.

When it comes to technology providers, there are STEP credits that all of them — from AV integrators to structured wiring professionals — can earn. The current version of the STEP Rating System includes credits for AV systems and design. But as STEP evolves, there will be credits that pertain specifically to IT, security, cabling, and others.

“In STEP, there are core requirements that all low-voltage systems have to hit, such as recycling packaging and electronics,” says Raymond Kent, CTS, LEED AP, and Co-Chair of the STEP Foundation Technology Task Force. “But things like dealing with power amplifiers are pretty specific to audiovisual, so we’ve identified and written credits that are specific to AV. Now as IT, security and other industries get involved, they will have their own low voltage system-specific credits. That way, for instance, a security company working on a STEP project would focus on the core credits plus their security-specific credits.”

Q: Why does STEP exist?

A: As the green movement gained momentum over the last decade, technology providers — AV professionals, IT integrators, security installers, etc. — grew interested in sustainability, too. Many wanted to do their part. And when the USGBC started its LEED program to rate the sustainability of commercial and residential buildings, some saw the opportunity for the AV and other technology industries to contribute. After all, a new office building with well integrated telepresence systems, for example, could reduce a company’s carbon footprint by reducing travel and generating other sustainable benefits.

In 2008, BICSI, the association for the association information transport systems (ITS) industry, created something called the Green Building Technology Alliance (GBTA), which included InfoComm, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA), in order to write technology-related innovation credits that could be incorporated into the LEED rating system. That effort just happened to coincide with LEED’s meteoric rise in interest and popularity.

“We wrote five credits under Innovation in Design, which were all rejected,” says Brian Hansen, BICSI President and Specification Engineer at Leviton Network Solutions. “After many meetings with LEED, it became apparent that they had too many other things on their plate and that technology was a small piece of what they were trying to do.”

No one blames USGBC for looking beyond the critical role technology systems can play in greening the built environment. But it doesn’t change the fact that technology systems can be designed intelligently, energy-efficiently, and sustainably to the overall benefit of buildings and their owners. So there had to be another way. That other way was STEP.

STEP emerged from a pair of task forces established by InfoComm. It was written by a diverse group of industry professionals, including several LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs), to help promote sustainable technology where no similar program exists and to answer the call from technology professionals who have been looking for a way to play a role in the green movement.

Q: So STEP is an InfoComm program?

A: It was. It isn’t anymore. Remember all that AV/IT “convergence” talk? Well, it extends to sustainability, too. Although an InfoComm task force created STEP, the sustainability issues that STEP aims to address are bigger than just AV. They extend to IT systems, structured wiring and more. It’s not enough just to green the AV systems if the networks they increasingly run on aren’t green, too.

So when the STEP Rating System was finished this past summer, it became the jurisdiction of a new, separate, non-profit organization called the STEP Foundation. The STEP Foundation, launched at InfoComm 2011 in Orlando, started with InfoComm and CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, as its first Sustaining Members. They have since been joined by BICSI and TIA. Each of the four current Sustaining Members has seats on the Board of Directors.

Moving forward, the STEP Foundation is expected to grow to include members at varying participation levels: Associate Members, Sponsors, and Friends of STEP. So while InfoComm is intimately involved with the STEP Foundation, it does not run STEP. All Sustaining Members have equal say in STEP’s development, no matter when they joined.

Q. Why would the building community embrace sustainable AV and other technology now that STEP has been created?

A: Here’s one reason: LEED backlash. LEED is arguably the most recognizable green building guide in the world. However, it’s received some negative press recently because highly rated LEED buildings haven’t performed like their owners expected. And in most cases, that isn’t the fault of the USGBC or the design/build team. It’s the result of user error.

“One of the most significant challenges LEED has faced is that you have building owners who thought they were promised X amount of efficiency and they weren’t achieving that,” says Kent, who also works for architecture firm Westlake Reed Leskosky. “But the fact is, you can design someone a Ferrari, you just can’t teach them to drive it. In other words, you design them a very energy-efficient building, but if they leave all the windows open and the lights on 24 hours a day, it’s not going to be an energy-efficient building.”

STEP, as a complement to LEED, introduces ways of using technology to manage building systems, such as HVAC and lights, in order to make the building more energy-efficient during operation. Moreover, the existence of STEP stands to spur major end users of technology — particularly those with significant sustainability goals, such as the government — to request its use by contractors, subcontractors, and others, causing a domino effect of STEP adoption.

TIA, one the STEP Foundation’s Sustaining Members, has a strong public policy arm. “From a public policy perspective, we think we can get recognition for STEP,” says Herb Congdon, Associate Vice President for Technology & Standards Development at TIA. “STEP gives us the opportunity to take information into the types of programs that the General Services Administration is implementing, for example, so that they’ll recognize the STEP program as a way to identify solutions and vendors that [are sustainable].”

GSA is the federal agency that, among other things, oversees U.S. government buildings. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, $4.5 billion was earmarked to convert GSA buildings to high-performance green buildings. STEP can help.

Q: I’ve heard that attaining LEED certification can be expensive. Will STEP be expensive, too?

A: The short answer is, it depends. “It depends on how long your project is. It depends on how big your project is. It depends on how many STEP credits you’re striving for,” explains Walker.

To run a project through STEP will require paperwork and administration, which may have associated costs. If the project is relatively small and lasts a short time, those costs could be quite low. Obviously, the more STEP projects a company does, the more familiar it becomes with the process, to the point where it’s a natural business process and doesn’t incur added cost at all.

“The first one may cost a lot because you’re creating the templates and the spreadsheets and the methodology,” Walker says. “The second one will cost less, and by the fifth one, you’re opening a template, filling in some numbers, and you’ve complied with a credit.”

On the flip side, very ambitious STEP projects that aim to achieve the highest ratings, including credits for smart building technology, will likely mean more work because it includes major building systems, such as HVAC. But those projects are also the type that could pay for themselves very quickly, generating demonstrable return on investment.

The good news is, the technology systems that go into a STEP project need not necessarily incur higher costs. “That’s the neat thing about this,” says Hansen. “There’s no a lot of extra cost people will need to add to a STEP project. There are so many products already being manufactured that would qualify under STEP.”

“Technology-wise, STEP can actually be less expensive,” explains Walker. “For instance, STEP pushes you to look at reclaimed equipment. What can you reuse that the client already has? Are the racks still good? Will some of the speakers last longer? It rewards you for not just throwing everything out. Obviously, that doesn’t work for many systems. If a company is going to all-digital routing and their existing equipment is analog, that’s justification for replacement. You still get points in the planning phase for considering it and determining you can’t reuse certain equipment. In that way, STEP rewards good intentions.”

STEP also incentivizes the use of multifunction systems that can perform several jobs, rather than a series of single-purpose devices. In that way, a STEP project may cost less than a project that doesn’t take multifunction systems into consideration as a matter of design and planning.

Q: What good is STEP to me in attracting business? How am I going to sell it?

A: Like this: “I was in an interview for a project at Westlake Reed Leskosky,” says Kent, “and the client was very much about sustainability and achieving LEED and it gave me an opportunity to say, ‘Not only can we make the building sustainable, but we also have the opportunity, if you select us, which they did, to make the technology sustainable as well.’ And you could see their eyes light up, thinking, ‘Wow, we didn’t know that existed.’”

LEED is popular because it offers a selling proposition. The International Green Construction Code is in development because people think sustainable building practices should be the norm. Building owners and other clients want and need sustainable solutions. And the fact that technology providers now have STEP could actually help them grow their businesses.

Scott Walker says selling STEP is all about taking conversations with clients to a new level.

“We’re all here because we have customers,” he says. “Without customers, we don’t have an industry. Someone has to buy something from us. So what are the things that either get people to buy more or prevent them from buying less? [Clients] may be under pressure to use less energy and be more sustainable. If you don’t have an answer for them, they may simply buy less. On the other hand, if you want to differentiate yourself from your competitor, you want to be the one leaning into this sustainable future to be a trusted resource for customers.

“We talk a lot these days about dwindling margins and how low you can go. But can you change the conversation with your client? Instead of saying, ‘I’ll sell you that projector for less than I did last time,’ tell them, ‘Let me come analyze how much energy you’re using on this stuff and figure out a way we can save on energy costs.’ A dollar is a dollar at the end of the day. If you can save the client two dollars on the back end, maybe you’re not squabbling about that one dollar on the cost of the projector.”

Q: Is STEP recognized by any accrediting bodies?

A: As of now, it is not. But InfoComm members know that the association is an Accredited American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards Developing Organization (SDO) and has already published three ANSI/InfoComm standards. InfoComm and the other Sustaining Members of the STEP Foundation believe in the power of standards.

The good news, according to Allen Weidman, is that up to this point, STEP has been developed in a way that sets in down the path toward ANSI accreditation. The plan, Weidman says, is to begin the ANSI process by 2013. And TIA, which is also an ANSI Accredited Standards Developing Organization, will likely lead the way.

“Documents and programs like this tend to have more legs, more legitimacy as published standards developed through a consensus ANSI process,” says TIA’s Congdon. “While the STEP standards may go through a TIA ANSI process, long-term, the documents may be published as joint standards to increase the exposure for the documents themselves.”

Q: I’m working on a terrific project now that would be perfect for STEP. What can I do?

A: The STEP Foundation is soliciting pilot projects at this very moment. Pilot projects will implement the STEP Rating System and provide the valuable feedback for its long-term development, including the types of case studies required for ANSI accreditation.

If you’re interested in participating as a STEP pilot, first visit the STEP Foundation website to learn as much as possible about the program, including the different levels of STEP certification. Then download the registration form [PDF] and return it to the STEP Foundation. If your project is chosen, you will receive the documents required for tracking STEP credits throughout the process.

Q: What’s next for STEP?

A: There are a couple of significant next steps (pardon the pun) for the STEP program, according to Weidman. First, Sustaining Members from outside the AV industry will develop credits specific to their technologies. This doesn’t mean that a technology provider can’t use STEP in its current form, which includes more than 50 core credits that aren’t specific to one industry. And because AV credits already exist, AV professionals can start learning about STEP and applying its principles right away. As credits are developed for IT, telecommunications, security, and other systems, people can begin to use STEP for other parts of their technology projects.

Second, the STEP Foundation and its members are starting to develop education around the STEP Rating System. “It all comes down to educating the client and making sure that the people doing the education really understand what they’re doing,” says Kent.

At this point in its development, it takes time for an AV professional to get his head around what STEP entails. There’s currently a nearly 200-page STEP Reference Guide [PDF] that details every current STEP credit. The foundation’s Sustaining Members will soon be tasked with developing courses—whether online or in-person—to teach members how to use STEP and achieve individual credits.

Longer term, says Walker, it will be necessary to certify trained STEP professionals through an accreditation program similar to the LEED AP program. But none of this should slow STEP’s considerable momentum. Even as pilot projects are underway, new credits are developed, and technology professionals become proficient in STEP, clients — the ones clamoring for sustainable solutions to begin with — can help advance the process.

“End users can jump into STEP right away,” Walker says. “They’re into it; they’re green. They can simply put into an RFP that they want the AV professionals working on their project to run it through the STEP process. If they have a strong sustainability advocate inside their organization, there’s nothing to stop them from doing it right away.”

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Websites for Integrators

By Dawn Meade
rAVe Columnist

I feel the need to address an ongoing problem in the world of AV marketing – companies that simply don’t understand HOW to market their companies online. I mean, it’s almost 2012, folks! The Internet is not new, we all use the World Wide Web, and even social media is taking off… So how is it, that so many people out there are still confused about what they need and how to handle their business online?

A bit of background, first: I built my first hand-coded HTML web site back in 1995. This was pre-WYSIWYG, pre-web development software, pre-Flash, pre-Google even! The sad little text-heavy personal page was hosted on Geocities, back when few knew what that was and far before Yahoo bought it and subsequently shut it down. And, back then, it was AWESOME!! Once I got over that initial thrill of being “on the Web” and once I graduated from college, I entered the work world with a job at an advertising agency that also built commercial web pages — a real novelty at the time.  And, in all honesty, it was my ‘mad web skillz’ that got me my very first job in the AV industry. I built a site for a local integrator as a side-project while working at the agency, and when I left the agency, I joined that integrator full-time!  So, one could say I know a bit about Web presence.

First off, companies need a website. Duh, right? As I mentioned, we’re at the end of 2011. Yellow pages and traditional directories barely exist in print form any more.  When people need information, they go to the web — via traditional computers, tablets or smart phones. If you aren’t online, you might as well not exist. And, with domain name registrations being so simple and so inexpensive these days, you really have no excuse today NOT to have a custom domain name – www.yourcompanyname.com or whatever. It’s cheap and it’s easy — make it happen. And, when you put a site up, make sure your information is accurate and spelled correctly. Just like a resume with typos will go immediately into the circular file when job-hunting, most times, a website with typos will drive the visitor to the Back button rather than the “Hire Us Now!” tab.

Now, most of you already have that much down. Frankly, even the dummies that Websites for Dummies is written for already know that much! Next is the tricky bit: You MUST-MUST-MUST update your site! Ugly sites, amateurish sites, prepackaged-and-show-it sites — all of these can be forgiven (albeit grudgingly!) but a site that hasn’t been updated or revisited in over a year? Unforgivable for a business site. Hey, the Internet has a very long memory, so people have learned to check those copyright dates and update dates for freshness. Don’t want to take a chance on missing that big project because the potential client sees your stale site and thinks you’re out of business, right?

Which brings me to another important point — social media is NOT Web presence, though it plays a part in Web presence. As “man cannot live by bread alone,” companies cannot thrive on Facebook alone. Yes, you should have a company Facebook page (and LinkedIn page… and so on…) but this cannot and should not be your only web presence. Accurate or not, the perception of companies that only exist on Facebook is that the company is amateur, perhaps a hobbyist and not a real company, or a start-up without resources for a “real website.” Even with Facebook, you still need a website and it still needs to have regular maintenance. Obviously, your freshest content goes on Facebook (or Twitter… or whatever other social media you are most comfortable with!) but you still need to keep a website and keep it rather up-to-date. Don’t have products or manufacturers on your site that are out of business! 

Don’t use obsolete technologies on your website either.  At one point, it was common practice to include “This site best viewed on Netscape” type disclaimers on home pages. Now, if someone sees “Netscape” or other dead browsers on your site, they’ll immediately leave because obviously that company is no longer in business, right? Similarly, it was once common practice to use a Flash splash page… or frames for navigation… or any number of other formerly in-vogue technologies and tricks on web pages. Today, those sites are not merely loathed by users, they are ranked lower (if at all) on search engines and are impossible to view on tablets, smart phones and other mobile devices. In short, avoid these things, for they are evil. Now, to keep a site fresh it helps to regularly update, not just the content, but also the overall design and layout. If your current site includes Flash or frames or auto-play movies or background music, REDESIGN NOW! It will give you the dual benefits of giving your site new, fresh activity to get notice from users and search engines AND it will stop ticking off every person who visits your site!

Speaking of mobile devices, customers will ADORE you if you build a mobile-friendly version of your site! It is not that difficult to do, and countless tutorials exist online already. Plus many software packages include an option to make mobile versions, or make it easy to do so. Do it. Yes, tablet usage — led by the iPad — allows for standard sites to display nicely on mobile devices, but smart phones are still the mobile device of choice and the percentage of people using them grows every year. If you don’t want to build an entirely new site for mobile use, at least design a mobile-friendly standard site that will display well on smaller screens — like using a one-column site instead of multi-column. 

Of course, you can avoid all of this heartburn — and that of design challenges (Is my site professional enough? Does it make me look competent or amateur? Is it ugly?) — by simply hiring a competent firm to design and maintain your site for you. Despite the ease of creating websites today, there are still a lot of companies out there that offer these services and specialize in the entire gamut — from basic HTML and CSS to mobile development, App development, blog and social media services and SEO (search engine optimization). Check your local technology networking groups for companies near you, or ask other business owners who they use and trust. Or, go to an expert in AV site design. Relidy is a CE Marketing firm in Texas that specializes in websites and print marketing for CE Professionals (and, I’m sure, ProAV integrators too!). A company like Relidy can design a professional site that looks great and highlights your professional experience, while providing a Content Management System that makes updating and customizing the site incredibly easy.

Take some time right now and look at your company’s web presence. Look at your site and its design. Is it up-to-date? Does it include obsolete technologies in its design and functionality? Are you relying entirely on Facebook for your web presence or do you have a real site too? Take a hard look at what your company is doing and fix what is wrong.  It is not that difficult to have a quality, up-to-date website and a full web presence with social media aspects, but it does require you to be aware of the rules and best practices. However, in today’s connected and mobile world, you can’t afford NOT to.

To read a CEPro interview with Relidy principal Mark Bally, visit http://www.cepro.com/article/today_only_free_advice_about_integrator_web_sites/K579

To read some Web Design Best Practices from The 60 Second Marketer, visit http://60secondmarketer.com/blog/2011/02/17/website-design-best-practice/

To see the Top 5 Web Design Mistakes Made by Small Businesses, according to Mashable, visit http://mashable.com/2011/04/10/5-web-design-mistakes/

Dawn Meade, CTS – also known as AVDawn – is an industry veteran with experience in integration, AV sales, and social media. She still enjoys mucking about creating websites. You can find her on Twitter, on her AV tech blog, and of course, here at rAVe as a staff writer and as part of the rAVe BlogSquad. 

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Focus on Acoustics: An Update on the Design Impact of Acoustical Standards

By Steven J. Thorburn, PE, CTS-D, CTS-I
Thorburn Associates

At Thorburn Associates, we keep an eye on many rating systems and standards that affect our work as acoustical consultants. These rating systems and standards are a way to help ensure that buildings will work for their intended purpose.  The end of the year is a good time to assess where things stand and what to look for next year.

LEED 2012

As part of its continuous improvement cycle, LEED 2012 expands on changes made in the LEED 2009 rating system. Major updates focus on improving usability, enhancing the technical rigor of the rating systems and adapting the rating system for a wider variety of market sectors.

It includes a credit for Enhanced Acoustics for all types of new construction.  The criteria vary based on the building type: the Enhanced Acoustics credit requirements for schools are largely the same as in LEED 2009; the major updates come in providing 1 to 2 points for addressing background noise levels and privacy concerns in the other types of new construction. This may allow your project to earn an additional point for making small improvements to your existing standard design practices. The second of three public comment periods has recently closed, and current plans are to start using the newest rating system in mid-to late 2012.

In Progress

While LEED may be making the most dramatic changes for next year, there are a couple of other standards involving acoustics that are making news for the work that is still ahead:

This fall, the Classroom Acoustics Standard ANSI/ASA S12.60 was included in federal school modernization legislation. These efforts, however, are unlikely to move forward until the current election cycle is over next fall.

The 2012 International Green Construction Code will be available in spring 2012.  This code is adopted as the basis for the local building code in many parts of the country and around the world. As a result of public comments requesting revision, the inclusion of the acoustics-related requirements has been delayed until the next revision.

Steve enjoys helping others understand the principals of acoustics and audiovisual technology almost as much as he enjoys sipping a good single malt scotch. He’s been InfoComm’s Educator of the Year, is a two-time InfoComm Facility Design Award Winner, author, teacher and has AV design experience on more than 2000 projects including Universal Studios Toon Lagoon, Hershey Park and Six Flags Great America. Find his company Thorburn Associates online at http://www.TA-Inc.com

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Focus on Technology: Audiovisual – A Quick-Start Guide to Video Conferencing Installation

By Steven J. Thorburn, PE, CTS-D, CTS-I
Thorburn Associates

Let’s assume you have just received the new video-conferencing-system-in-a-box that you ordered online from AcmeAV.  The room it will be installed in is relatively small, seating 10 to 12 people.  Before you start unpacking all those cables and reading that 765 page instruction manual, here is a list of tips and rules of thumb to help you ensure that your video conference installation will be more interactive and productive.

The Display

Rule number one: Don’t use video projection unless you have absolute control over room lighting. Flat panel displays such as LED backlit LCD or plasma work best. The display should be permanently wall mounted and oriented to the center of your conference table. Everyone seated at the table should have a clear line of sight to the images on the display. Mount the display on the wall so that the bottom of the image is no higher than 4 feet above the floor. Make sure the size of the display is appropriate for viewing by the most distant viewer at the table. (Divide the distance from the display to the farthest viewer by six. The result provides an acceptable display image height plus or minus a little; the width is controlled by the display format.)

Camera Position

Proper location of the camera will allow the viewers at the far end of the video conference to perceive that you are making eye-to-eye contact with them. It is preferable to locate the camera below the display at about 3 feet 6 inches above the floor. Remember that you want to convey the best possible image to those you communicate with.

Microphones

If your conference table is smaller than 8 feet, a multi-element “pod” type microphone should work well. Once the table gets larger than 10 feet, it is recommended that individual microphones with a cardioid pick up pattern be provided for every two people seated at the table. Locate each microphone about 2 feet back from the edge of the table and make sure that the microphone’s pick up pattern is oriented towards the participants. Proper mixing of the microphones should be accomplished using a digital signal processor (DSP). If the DSP has on-board echo cancellation, be sure to disable the echo cancellation that is built into your video CODEC.

Room Lighting

Never use exterior sunlight as illumination for your videoconference. It is best to use fluorescent lighting with a color temperature of approximately 3200 Kelvin.  Avoid using directional fixtures that illuminate participants from directly above. This will cause unwanted shadowing on faces. If possible, install lighting fixtures that angle the light away from the video display at a 45 degree angle to the participants’ faces. Proper illumination of walls behind the video conference participants is also important.  Make sure this wall is evenly illuminated and only slightly darker than the main source of illumination.

Speaker Location

Avoid using ceiling mounted loudspeakers for the incoming sound from the far end of the conference. It is best to locate loudspeakers above or to the left and right of the video display. This helps reinforce the illusion that the sound is more localized to the people speaking from the far end.

In summary, there are many factors that contribute to a successful video conference installation, far more than could be contained in a single newsletter article.  If you implement the items listed above, you have already eliminated 80 percent of the biggest mistakes often made by the novice do-it-yourself video conference installer.

Steve enjoys helping others understand the principals of acoustics and audiovisual technology almost as much as he enjoys sipping a good single malt scotch. He’s been InfoComm’s Educator of the Year, is a two-time InfoComm Facility Design Award Winner, author, teacher and has AV design experience on more than 2000 projects including Universal Studios Toon Lagoon, Hershey Park and Six Flags Great America. Find his company Thorburn Associates online at http://www.TA-Inc.com

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This Week from rAVe NOW's BlogSquad

Dustin Baerg: Intelligent Interface Design
Lee Distad: Tales of Holiday Retail Strangeness
Olivia Dumanovsky: The New Girl
George Tucker: Knit One, Purl Two
Catherine Jones: London Skyline – 2012
Gary Kayye: We've Got Big Plans
Chris Bingham: Turn Up the Quiet
Jane Timmins: Getting That "Aha, I Get It!" Moment
Joel Rollins: Quiet Revolution
Jennifer Willard: Wow, What a WAVE!
Dawn Meade: A WAVE of Good Cheer in DC
Lee Distad: Bigger Boat Syndrom is Alive and Well

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You Buy Them or They Buy You: IT Buys Another AV Integrator

Atea, who calls itself the number one supplier of IT infrastructure products and services in the Nordic and Baltic region of Europe, announced its results for Q3 2011 that show revenue up 15.6 percent and EBIT up 38.3 percent. Services revenue increased as much as 28.8 percent, hardware was up by 11.1 percent and software was up by 18.2. percent.

That says a lot about where IT is going, with services and software exceeding hardware sales (and don’t forget the difference in margins on those different types of revenues).

More importantly, in Q3 2011 Atea announced the acquisition of the specialized AV solutions company FotoPhono AS in Norway (as well as UAB Elsis IT, the third-largest infrastructure company in Lithuania). Significant IT infrastructure solutions Atea see as important growth areas going forward are: unified communications, mobility, virtualization, cloud solutions, datacenter solutions, software asset management, device lifecycle management, print/copy, green IT and consumerization.

Sound familiar?

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AVNation and rAVe [Publications] Announce Exclusive Partnership

Exciting news for content cravers in the AV community – our very own rAVe [Publications] is announcing a partnership with AVNation, founded by Tim Albright, to now carry AVNation media exclusively. AVNation, known primarily for its weekly podcast AVWeek, will also soon be launching three additional podcasts: HOWcast, the LIVElife and DoItYourself. All of these podcasts will be hosted and available for listening to on the rAVe [Publications] website. And if that isn’t enough to get your AV-media-geek engines going, we'll also be launching an exclusive video cast in Spring of 2012.

The popular AVWeek podcast launched this past summer after a bit of Google Plus banter between Tim Albright and a few other creative AVTweeps. Tim, whose prior experience in the AV industry was in broadcasting, both radio and television, thought the AV industry could use a medium such as a podcast for getting information.

“The audiovisual industry has a vast pool of knowledge available when it comes to the written word,” said Albright. “However, there was nothing that was the equivalent of a television or radio show. So, the real question was, how are AV industry professionals different than others? They aren't. If they are not different, then there is a market for audio and video content for the AV professional to consume. If you want to read, you have that opportunity to do so. However, if you want to get the latest news and information about the AV through a radio show in an entertaining manor, that's where we come in.”

So, what happens when you combine a content-filled digital media publication like rAVe and a broadcast media team like AVNation? An awesome partnership that shows how the more businesses work together, the more everyone wins.

“We are excited about our partnership with rAVe publications because each of us do what we do well,” said Albright. “The opportunity to build a vast treasure chest of information and commentary for the industry is very exciting. There have been many rAVe bloggers writers on our panels in the past, and hopefully well into the future. As AVNation grows so will our ability to offer a variety of content for rAVe and their subscribers, such as in-depth programs on different markets, long form interviews with industry leaders, and much more.”

To date, the AVWeek podcast has featured such notable AV industry guests such as Gary Kayye, Kevin Iselli, Matt Scott, Dawn Meade and more. Topics have ranged from tradeshows, to analog trade-in systems, and even high-fiving the Green Giant. Yeah, that guy.

What’s most exciting is the partnership between rAVe and AVNation.

“Tim has done a great job with the podcast over the last few months,” said Sara Abrons, editor of rAVe. “He asks interesting questions, is an articulate and engaging host and finds interesting people in the industry to have on the show. We've always wanted to do a podcast at rAVe, so we were really happy when he said he wanted to partner with us.”

This partnership opens up all of the media content to a wider, and possibly new audience. So, fans (including old, new and future) of both rAVe and AVNation are sure to not be disappointed.

To listen to the podcasts, visit https://www.ravepubs.com/avnation

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ClearOne Receives $3.7 Million Cash from Biamp in Judgement

Yesterday, the United States District Court for the District of Utah released the sum of $3,702,321.33 to ClearOne Communications. This payment is the full amount of the supersedeas bonds posted by Biamp Systems Corp. ("Biamp") with the Utah Court, following ClearOne's jury verdict against Biamp in November 2008, which was subsequently partially affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit earlier this year.

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Extron Announces PS Series Desktop Power Supply Trade-In Program

Extron has launched a creative (energy conscious) PS Series Desktop Power Supply Trade-In Program that allows Extron customers in the U.S. to return 15 unused 12-volt, 1-amp power supplies for a new PS 124 Multiple Output 12 Volt DC Power Supply. The PS 124 features eight 12-volt DC outputs, providing a total of 4 amps across all outputs with no per-port current limitations. It is designed to take the place of several individual Extron PS Series desktop power supplies, freeing up equipment rack space. The PS 124 is UL 2043 rated when used with the optional Flexible Conduit Adapter Kit for installation into a ceiling space.

Two PS Series desktop power supplies, Part #28-071-27LF and Part #28-071-57LF with an Engineering Revision number E21461 or higher, are eligible for trade-in. Extron customers will receive one PS 124 for every 15 eligible power supplies returned.

All details are here: http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=pstradein

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ClearOne Gets InfoComm Accreditation for StreamNet Courses

ClearOne just announced that its StreamNet training course now qualifies for InfoComm Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) Renewal Units (RU). The CTS accreditation from InfoComm demonstrates the growing adoption of StreamNet technology, which is core to ClearOne's strategy for integrating its full line of professional AV products with StreamNet IP streaming and control solutions.

Individuals that hold an InfoComm CTS certification (including CTS, CTS-D and CTS-I) are required to earn RU credits periodically in order to keep their certification current. Participants who successfully complete the StreamNet training through ClearOne's popular ClearOne University will receive four RU credits.

ClearOne offers its accredited courses in person throughout various locations in North America. To register for an upcoming training event, participants can enroll online through ClearOne University at http://www.clearone.com/training

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New Display Technology Could Use "Quantum Dots"

A small upstart from the UK is working on what it hopes is a bigger hit in display technology than the current generation of LED-backlit LCDs. Called Quantum Dots (QD), the technology is from a nanotechnology firm called Nanoco.  It's basically small 3D semiconductor dots which, together with millions of others, make a giant canvas-like display technology.

Nanoco Technologies is unique in that it is the only large manufacturer using large quantities of Quantum Dots, a semiconductor materials discovered in the 1980s. Their patented molecular seeding process does not use a regulated heavy metal, making it possibly the only completely "green" display technology. In addition to display technology, the QDs are being manufactured for use in lighting, solar cells and biological imaging.

The future of cadmium free display technology?

QDs are both photo active (photoluminescent) and electro active (electroluminescent) and because of their unique physical characteristics, they can be readily incorporated into OLED displays.

For more technical details on the technology, go here: http://www.nanocotechnologies.com/index.aspx

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Sony Debuts Two Portable/Install Combo 4000+ Lumen Projectors

Using Sony's new BrightEra 3LCD panels, Sony's two newest projectors include the VPL-CW255, spec'd at 4,500 lumens and WXGA resolution and the VPL-CX235 projector spec'd at 4,100 lumens and XGA resolution. Both have a 12-bit 3D digital gamma correction circuit and Sony's Dynamic Detail Enhancer (DDE) that is certainly one of the best for HD video in commercial projectors. Using a new 10 glass lens element and one aspheric plastic lens, both are equipped with 1.5x optical zoom and vertical +/-5 percent and horizontal +/-4 percent lens shift (H: +/-3 percent for CW255).

In addition to zoom and shift capability, the projectors’ geometric correction function, plus vertical and horizontal key stone correction easily allow users to fit an image squarely on to a screen, even from an offset projection angle. The VPL-CX235 is planned to be available in December for an estimated street price of $1,599, and the VPL-CW255 is planned to be available in January 2012 for an estimated street price of $1,999.

Both can be found here: http://www.sony.com/projectors

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Artcoustic Builds Beautiful Speaker, Again

Danish loudspeaker manufacturer Artcoustic has finally announced the launch of the new SL Series of 67 mm (2.6-inch) deep array speakers. Designed for the very finest high-end home audio and commercial applications, the SL Range claims in its press release to have "raised the bar for what is possible in loudspeaker design" and we'd have to actually agree with them.

Click here for the specs [PDF]: https://www.ravepubs.com/utility/documents/spitfire-sl-owners-manual.pdf

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Community Adds More Pendant Loudspeakers

Community has introduced the newest addition to its Distributed Design Series of ceiling and surface mount loudspeakers. Featuring identical componentry to the D6 ceiling model, the DP6 pendant loudspeaker is a true coaxial loudspeaker with an HF compression driver, offering Community's patented Carbon Ring Cone Technology and Tru-Phase high-frequency waveguide for consistent, wide dispersion up to 16 kHz. Uniform voicing allows the entire range of Distributed Design ceiling, surface and pendant mount loudspeakers to be combined in a single installation with what Community claims is no compromise of consistency from zone to zone.
 
The DP6 is equipped with a built-in autoformer, allowing the loudspeaker's full output and performance to be realized with 70V or 100V distribution lines. An easily accessible selector switch on the face of the loudspeaker makes it simple to choose between 8 ohm or 70V/100V operation, while the integrated rear cover conceals wiring and hanging hardware for a clean, aesthetically pleasing installation. Two 15-foot high tensile galvanized steel wire rope suspension cables with integrated spring clips are included.

Available in standard black and white finishes, the DP6 specs can be found here: http://www.communitypro.com/index.php/product-list/394-distributed-design-pendant

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Dukane Offers Starboard Link EZ for Low-Cost Interactivity

Dukane is entering the low cost interactive whiteboard market, now offering to Dukane dealers Hitachi's StarBoard Link EZ. The StarBoard Link EZ secures to any flat surface to transform a static wall or whiteboard into an interactive environment using a computer and a projector. The size of active area is adjustable — from 45’’ if the surface is limited, to 90’’ for the rooms where a bigger work space is required. You can use your finger, a stylus or any object to navigate through activities, websites and multi-media content. It also supports multi-touch.

It lists for $749 and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information on Hitachi Starboard, click here [PDF]: https://www.ravepubs.com/utility/documents/StarBoardLinkEZSpec.pdf

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D-Tools New Online Store Now Open

D-Tools recently launched a new online store for users of D-Tools’ System Integrator software. This new online resource will provide D-Tools’ new and existing customers with an additional channel for purchasing products and services. D-Tools' online store provides users with easy access to purchase the company's software and services such as Estimator, training, data subscription and per-incident support. With these products now available online, users can now make purchases without having to contact sales.

The store facilitates an easy checkout process and accepts PayPal as a means of payment. Users will also have access to exclusive online discounts and coupons that are updated frequently. The new store is located at: http://www.d-tools.com/store
 

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Platinum Tools Intros Overhead Hanging Tools

Platinum Tools has launched of its new line of hanging hardware options for hanging ceiling wire, jack chain, threaded rod and eye lag screws. All made of steel, the hardware options are powder actuated for fastening to concrete and also include threaded and non-threaded holes to accommodate jack chain, ceiling wire or threaded rod.

Detail are all here: http://www.platinumtools.com

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rp Visuals Readies 103", 82" and 85" Mounts

Dubbed Wall Flex, the new series of mounts from rp Visuals are designed for heavy-duty LCD and plasma mounting. The mount actually allows for comfortable service by extending the mounted display up to 31 inches from the wall and then even gives you the ability to articulate to the left and right. Integrated with a quick-release retention system, the Wall Flex is designed to secure the panel in the closed position and is even guaranteed to hold up in an earthquake — or or maybe even with Randy Pagnan hanging from it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDHcaeDJ4mc

[Editor's note: Randy is actually climbing on a different product of rp

Here's a brochure about the product [PDF]: https://www.ravepubs.com/utility/documents/rpvisuals-mounts.pdf

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Kramer Shows New 8×1 VGA & Audio Switcher

Dubbed the VP-81KSi, Kramer's latest is an old-timey analog switcher with eight inputs, one VGA and/or Cat5 output plus one balanced stereo audio output. The VP-81KSi is designed to work with a family of "Step-In modules," the SI-1VGA, SI-1VGAT and WSI-1VGA, which are part of Kramer's Table Mount products.

The VP-81KSi is HDTV capable (component), has a bandwidth spec of 440 MHz (-3dB) and is specified to work with resolutions up to WUXGA (1920×1200). Additional features include: audio-follow-video (AFV) switching and an audio breakaway option that switches video and audio channels independently; DDC (Display Data Channel) communication between the selected input and output on pins 12 and 15 of the 15-pin HD connector; Kramer’s I-EDIDPro intelligent EDID processing algorithm that ensures plug and play operation for analog systems; a volume control for the audio inputs; a standard 15-pin HD output connector and a Cat5 output for compatible Kramer twisted pair receivers to provide long distance signal transmission.

The VP-81KSi lists for $1,295 and you can find all the specs here: http://www.kramerus.com/products/model.asp?pid=2073
 

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Altinex Intros UTP Transmitter/Receiver for AV and IR

Altinex's latest is in the form of its TP115-201/202 – an RGB, audio, RS232 and IR to Twisted Pair (Cat5) Transmitter/Receiver that can send signals up to 300 feet. Housed in a compact form factor, the TP115-201/202 Transmitter/Receiver provides buffered local outputs for both video and audio — with the local video and audio output in the same format as the input. This enables the user to have a personal monitor and loudspeakers nearby while the audience views a larger display and listens through the house audio system. When a local monitor is connected, the TP115-201 passes the EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) data from the monitor to the computer video source; otherwise Altinex' built-in EDID data is passed to the video source, ensuring a proper signal match.

The TP115-201 and TP115-202 support analog audio with RGBHV video and optical/digital audio with YPbPr component video. The TP115-202 receiver accepts the twisted pair signal from the TP115-201 transmitter and decodes the video, audio and control signals for output to a projector, display, amplifier, speakers, etc. The transmitter has a 15-pin HD female connector for video input (RGBHV or YPbPr) and a 3.5 mm optical mini jack for audio input. Local outputs use a 15-pin HD female connector for video and a 3.5 mm optical mini jack for audio. The transmitter’s female RJ-45 output provides the main drive to the twisted pair cable that is accepted on the receiver's female RJ-45 main input connector. The receiver also has a 15-pin HD female connector for video output (RGBHV or YPbPr) and a 3.5 mm optical mini jack for audio output.

Complete specs are here: http://www.altinex.com/index.php?q=TP115-201
 

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Vaddio Ships HD Ceiling-Mounted Document Cameras

Vaddio is now shipping its new CeilingVIEW HD-18 DocCam document camera systems. These are pretty cool document cameras that are installed in the ceiling. Replacing the CeilingVIEW HD document camera, the CeilingVIEW HD-18 DocCAM features an 18x optical zoom lens for enhanced detail and greater zoom capabilities and a 1.3 megapixel CCD image sensor with a 1.8-LUX for better-quality low-light performance. The CeilingVIEW HD-18 DocCAM is a high definition ceiling-mounted document camera system capable of 16:9 resolutions at 1080p, 1080i and 720p, and 4:3 resolutions at 480i and 576i.

The Quick-Connect Short Range provides power to the camera, and component HD video back to the Quick-Connect SR up to 100 feet over a single Cat5 cable.  The Quick-Connect SR utilizes the EZ-Port on the back of the camera, making installation even easier.  

The Quick-Connect HD-18 DVI/HDMI delivers simultaneous analog component video (YPbPr) and digital video (DVI-D or HDMI) outputs on separate connectors, up to 100 feet over a single Cat5 cable.  

Complete specs on both are here: http://www.vaddio.com/category/high-definition-document-cameras

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Altinex Intros Digital Signal Meter

Altinex's DIGI Sniffer digital video signal detector is designed as a tool for AV integrators to measure the strength and quality of digital video signals including HDMI, DVI and Display Port at any resolution. It features a six LED bar graph and the stronger the signal, the more LEDs are illuminated. The DIGI Sniffer works with both HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) and non-HDCP signals.

Designed to fit in a pocket, the new Altinex DIGI Sniffer features auto power control (shut-off) and will only turn on when touched from both sides. It's battery operated.

It's not on Altinex's website yet, but it should be here when it is: http://www.altinex.com/index.php?s=products&l=new

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AmpliVox Adds Color-Coordinated Lecterns

Adding color to its line of Pinnacle lecterns, AmpliVox Sound has a wide range of customized options to match the PMS colors of any organization. The polyurethane shell of the Pinnacle line can now be ordered in virtually any shade, making it a unique choice for colleges, high schools, sports organizations and other entities promoting their brand’s color identification – that includes indoor and outdoor models.

AmpliVox has become known for its colorful podiums through its charity initiative, the Pink Podium Promise in support of breast cancer organizations. Don Roth, AmpliVox’s CEO, was approached by a relative who wondered if the company could make a pink podium for use at a fundraiser. Roth developed the idea into a major donation program, delivering free pink podiums to any interested breast cancer advocacy group. Over 200 AmpliVox pink podiums now appear center stage at breast cancer walks and educational events nationwide, including a large-scale commitment to Komen Race for the Cure affiliates.

The popularity of the pink podiums suggested the potential for other custom-colored lecterns. The lecterns are made of a waterproof/weatherproof plastic shell, and have a concealed reading and storage shelf, heavy-duty casters and pocket handles for ease in movement. They also offer an optional dashboard kit with a 19” gooseneck mic, digital clock and LED reading light.

Complete specs? Here: http://www.ampli.com/military-multimedia-lecterns.htm

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iRoom Motorized iPad Dock Ships

If you're using iPads as touch-screen controllers in your installs, you may be interested in this in-wall docking station — it's motorized (so the iPad folds into and out of the wall) and locks it into place for security. In addition to continuously charging the iPad while docked, the dock allows you to install it in landscape or portrait mode and has a nice black (aluminum) piano-type finish to it. Connection for network, power, audio and a docking release are all integrated into the mounting system. It even has an integrated proximity sensor that detects motion and turns the iPad on when someone gets close to it.

For complete specs, go here: http://www.ipad-dock.at/index.php/idock-basic.html

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Middle Atlantic IP Controllable RackLink Mastered by Control Concepts

When Middle Atlantic Products set out to develop its new RackLink Suite of Power Management products, a crucial goal was to ensure its communication flexibility across multiple platforms including the web, mobile devices and control systems. To develop that critical open-architecture communication with control systems, the company partnered with Control Concepts.

Working in close collaboration with Middle Atlantic, audiovisual control system solutions company Control Concepts created communication drivers for both Crestron and AMX that work with the new protocol. The protocol also provides matrix readings from the systems for energy management, imports RackLink data into a database that compares usage and points out cost saving opportunities and allows control systems to register for unsolicited information. These features provide AV professionals with the data they need to make real-time changes to the control system that save energy and cost, and improve functionality.

For more information, go to http://www.middleatlantic.com

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InfoComm Announces 2102 Roundtable Tour Dates

InfoComm International is going back on tour in 2012, with 42 stops in more than 30 cities and nearly 20 countries. Join your pro-AV peers for an agenda packed with training, business discussions and networking that will enhance your career and your organization. These events give you the chance to openly discuss the challenges and opportunities you face on the job.

Mark your calendar now for 2012 InfoComm International roundtable tour stops and visit http://www.infocomm.org/roundtables for the most up-to-date information.

• January:  Washington, D.C.
• February: Scottsdale, Ariz.; Singapore
• March: Atlanta; Mexico; Sydney
• April: Argentina;  Boston;  Dublin;  Hong Kong;  London;  Melbourne,  Australia;  Western Regions,  U.K.
• May: Bangalore, India; Brazil; Brisbane, Australia; Canberra, Australia; Pittsburgh; Vienna
• July: Chile; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; New York City
• August: Mexico; Mumbai, India; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• September: Berlin; Brazil; Minneapolis; Singapore; Sydney
• October: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Melbourne, Australia; Peru
• November: Canberra, Australia; Colombia; Hong Kong; Houston; London; Panama
• December: Miami; New Delhi

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NSCA's 2012 Business & Leadership Conference Now Open for Registration

NSCA has opened up registration for its 2012 Business & Leadership Conference, which will be held March 1 – 3, 2012 in Dallas. In addition to keynotes and classes, attendees will be able to participate in business roundtable discussions, casual networking and a golf outing with peers.

The only conference designed specifically for commercial electronic systems executives, managers and business owners will be held at the Four Seasons Las Colinas with a discounted hotel rate of $139/night. Registration for the NSCA Business & Leadership Conference is only $949 through Jan. 5, 2012. After that date, rates will increase to $1,049. For more information or to register, visit www.nsca.org/blc or call 800.446.6722.

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Lencore Hires Three New Employees

Lencore Acoustics has hired three new members to its executive office team — Michael Ceglia, field technician, Bryan Flynn, CAD drafter and systems designer, and Jennie Soria, administrative assistant.

To read the complete press release online, click here.

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Altinex Announces Webinar Series

Altinex has announced a series of free webinars for AV systems designers, consultants and sales professionals, which will start in January and run through March on Fridays. The topics will include project design and programming GUIs in AVSnap, Altinex's systems integration tool (not to be confused with AV distributor/manufacturer, SnapAV).

To read the complete press release online and see the complete webinar schedule, click here.

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Community Promotes Three in Sales and Marketing

Community Professional Loudspeakers has promoted three new people in the sales and marketing department. Steve Goodwin has been promoted to Latin American sales manager, in addition to his current responsibilities as marketing services manager. Julie Henn has been appointed to senior sales associate and LizAnn McConlogue has been promoted to inside sales administrator.

To read the complete press release online, click here.

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Soundcast Systems Announces New Website

Soundcast Systems has announced a new dealer-centric website, which can be found at http://www.soundcastsystems.com.

To read the complete press release online, click here.

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Scalable Display Technologies Named Red Herring Global Top 100 Winner

Scalable Display Technologies has been named a 2011 Red Herring Global Top 100 winner, selected from more than 1,000 nominees.

To read the complete press release online, click here.

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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe ProAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!

For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100% opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the ProAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that's why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).

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A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I've been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don't think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe Publications has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.

Everything we publish is Opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship ePublication with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA and launched in February 2004, is, by far, the largest ePub in the HomeAV market (we blow away ANY other Publication in the high-end home AV market.  We added rAVe Rental [and Staging] in November 2007, rAVe ED [Education] in May 2008 and then rAVe DS [Digital Signage] in January 2009. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com

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