The Tide Is Turning
Large screen LCD screens are affecting the market.
Monitors are getting larger every day. What this trend means for projector sales and installations.
By Pete Putman, CTS, ISF
Published January 2012 | Read More...
From The crow's nest
Pulling out his (liquid) crystal ball,
industry
expert Pete Putman analyzes trends in AV technology.
His detailed predictions for 2012 combine familiar ideas
with new twists to keep everyone on their toes...
By Pete Putman, CTS, ISF
Published December 2011 | Read More...
Retrofitting a video system
Digital and analog play at a university arena.
The Xavier University Cintas Center in Cincinnati OH has
upgraded the fan's experience, merging digital with analog
to deliver a seamless presentation...
By Chris Schaaf
Published November 2011 | Read More...
Fiberoptic Links For Video
Detailing this real-world alternative to copper cables.
It pays to know the basics of fiberoptic system design because the data rates required for digital video are increasing, and the cost of fiber links is decreasing...
By Scott Bosen
Published November 2011 | Read More...
Get Ready For RF 2.0
It’s no longer ‘Black Art.’
While the advent of new RF HDTV solutions may have been somewhat of a surprise to traditional AV integrators, the near instant growth over the past three years indicate an importance in the AV market.
By Doug Engstrom
Published October 2011 | Read More...
Evolution Of The Digital Dome
Boston Museum, Adler Planetarium create impact.
Boston Museum of Science and Chicago’s Adler Planetarium have advanced the digital theater revolution and the potential for creating an impact beyond museums and science centers with the starball.
By Martin Palicki
Published September 2011 | Read More...
Technology Meets Customer Service
AV improves Comcast's communications.
Technology is making the job of cable providers more challenging, but the latest in AV and control system technology is helping Comcast address customer service and employee concerns at its Englewood CO and Philadelphia PA call centers.
By Dawn Allcot
Published August 2011 | Read More...
Selling Job Security
Service contracts provide security for both sides.
Service contracts (especially proactive-oriented ones) are much more profitable than selling products, with research indicating that even a poorly run service department was often more profitable that a well run sales department.
By Gary Kayye, CTS
Published March 2011 | Read More...
Are You Social?
Who are your Facebook ‘friends’?
Statistically, about 65% of those reading this have a Facebook account that you access three to four times weekly...
Published February 2011
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The AV Cloud
Are you interested in 40-plus-percent annual growth?
Two years ago, I started writing about the effect cloud-based computing might have on the commercial AV market...
Published January 2011
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Kayye’s Krystal Ball, V.2011
The author reviews how he did last time, and
makes projections for the future.
A technology upgrade can involve all the elements of a new design, build and install project. Most projects call upon technology...
Published December 2010
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Bailing Out
What’s your value proposition?
As I get older, I find myself having conversations that, when I was a 22 year old entering this market long ago, I couldn’t have imagined having...
Published December 2010
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Those dang signs
Don’t go the way of Blockbuster.
I was at the local Starbucks here recently and noticed something interesting: They’re going digital…signs, that is. They’re all...
Published November 2010
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Deploying new technology
A big 'Aloha" and interactive content attract shoppers.
A technology upgrade can involve all the elements of a new design, build and install project. Most projects call upon technology....
Published October 2010
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Does CTS Matter?
From fledgling program to de-facto standard.
Almost two decades ago, InfoComm launched the commercial AV industry’s first educational certification designation....
Published October 2010
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Old People Are Irrelevant
Don’t join them before your time.
As a kid, I was taught that I should respect old people because they have the knowledge gained from experience....
Published September 2010
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Successful global videoconferencing
Office furniture manufacturer spans the globe.
“Videoconferencing.” Mention this word to a business leader and immediate thoughts of failed meetings leap to mind...
Published August 2010
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Six months later...
The author offers his mid-year review.
Can you believe the year is more than half over? I am shocked at how fast it’s gone!
Published June 2010
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The dealer differentation decade?
‘The Emerging Market’ will be a major part of your future.
I recently wrote a column (“The Projector Differentiation Decade,” Sound & Communications, January 2010) in which I celebrated the few manufacturers...
Published May 2010
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Videoconferencing network issues
Exploring the costs and options of various network types.
Successful videoconferencing is dependent on having a network robust enough to handle the demands video places on it.
Published May 2010
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Why AV dealers suck at marketing
And how you can get better....
Have you ever wondered why (or maybe been frustrated because) your company’s marketing efforts are banal, boring and, well, just plain bad?
Published March 2010
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The world is still flat
Professional flat-panel displays
outperform recessionary market.
The professional and commercial displays market had been rather staid for decades, but came to life with the arrival of...
Published March 2010
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Project differentiation decade
Both manufacturers and integrators can be innovators.
NEC, Christie, Sanyo and Digital Projection all took bold steps to become more than just also-ran “projector manufacturers” in 2009.
Published January 2010
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Staying in touch
Interactivity can grow your business.
Interactive digital signage is poised for rapid growth as touch technologies become scalable and companies discover the value of engaging viewers with customized content.
Published January 2010
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The IT factor
Are you leveraging the network?
With the offer by Cisco to purchase Tandberg and the growth of the digital signage market in 2009, this year may be forever remembered as the year the IT market started its takeover of AV.
Published December 2009
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Are AV integrators afraid of signage?
Get into the market before it’s too late!
Almost a year ago, I wrote, in this very space, basically begging the commercial AV channel to get into the digital signage (DS)market.
Published November 2009
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The bottom up
Technology’s taking a different path.
I just returned from the 2009 CEDIA Expo and, wow, what a show! I was pleasantly surprised to see that CEDIA not only set an East Coast show-attendance record...
Published October 2009
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A new wave of 3D
Industry pushes for commercialization.
Three-dimensional cinema seems to have made a major leap into the minds and craving hearts of the general public with major theatrical film releases this year.
Published October 2009
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HD over component Video Is Dead
Kick-start to an AV economic recovery?
Everyone’s used component video for HD. Everyone. In fact, some surveys find that as many of 85% of commercial AV installations using HD are still being integrated over component video.
Published September 2009
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Modern integration strategies
Charting the pathways to ensure success
for in-store media networks.
To understand modern strategies for integrating media networks into retail environments, it is helpful to review...
Published July 2009
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Sound directions
Focused audio improves digital signage.
Managing the audio component of digital signage can be a complex and daunting task.
Published May 2009
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Building Key Alliances
Expanding DS offerings with maximal efficiency.
Want to grow your digital signage (ds) business?
Published March 2009
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