Issues

May 2016 Digital Edition

Sound Advice: Silence Of The Cams

Although the market is saturated with a variety of headphone models to suit each individual listener’s taste, sometimes all that matters is how well they cancel outside noise. Our columnist extolls the joys of drowning out airplane din with a good pair of noise-canceling headphones and examines the technology behind such simple pleasures.
By Peter Mapp, PhD, FASA, FAES


Sign Age: Cool On Campus

Social media is a major part of young peoples’ lives, so many college campuses are integrating social media into their digital signage to increase student engagement. We take a look at how Georgia State University accomplished this during a recent digital signage expansion.
By Shonan Noronha, EdD


House of Worship: Business: FCC Incentive Auction

The upcoming FCC auction has major implications for anyone running wireless audio systems. But how will it impact houses of worship? Our columnist has a few ideas.
By David Lee Jr., PhD


The Commish: RS232 Overload

RS232 may not be as popular as it once was, but it’s still a common method of bidirectional control over AV devices. In this column, we share some ways you can prevent flooded RS232 ports from locking up your control systems.
By James Maltese, CTS-D, CTS-L, CQT


It’s Just Personal, Not Business: Tomorrow May Never Come

The recent loss of his mother got our columnist thinking about missed opportunities for deeper connections in both our business and personal lives. This column is part touching tribute to a departed loved one and part call to action for those of us who let the little things get in the way of what truly matters.
By Douglas Kleeger, CTS-D, DMC-E, XTP-E, KCD


InfoComm POV: The Thing About Things

AV professionals who were present at the dawn of the Internet of Things in the late ‘90s might view the current buzz surrounding the IoT as old news. But rather than dwelling on how the IoT has already changed the landscape of the AV industry, InfoComm International’s Director of Communications explains how it stands to impact the AV solutions of the future.
By Brad Grimes


NSCA POV: Recurring Monthly Revenue

NSCA’s Executive Director offers some pointers on how you can improve your company’s bottom line by building a recurring revenue model that really works.
By Chuck Wilson


Consultant’s POV: Making The Best Of The Current Situation

A flat-line economy is no time to be idle. In this column, we share some ways to bolster your company’s profits, even when business isn’t exactly booming.
By John Mayberry


Industry POV: Churches On The Go

Many smaller churches, or churches that are in the process of expanding, rely on mobile setups, multi-site models and portable church applications. While catering to these congregations may not seem as profitable as working on permanent installations, it is still an opportunity for recurring business. We offer some advice on how to design solutions that will work for these clients.
By Dave Rodgers


Industry POV: An Enlightening Opportunity

Although the projector market is arguably on the decline, projectors are still viable technology that offers integrators multiple opportunities for recurring revenue. We make the case for why you should be installing more projectors in your video systems.
By David Weatherhead


Industry POV: Are You Not Entertained?

The President of Business Development and Solutions for NEC Display Solutions takes a look at several key digital signage technology trends being implemented in the entertainment verticals and elaborates on application, analytics and nascent technology in this very profitable marketplace.
By Richard Ventura


Industry POV: Are They Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

Any device that combines one or more sources into a single audio signal can be called a “mixer,” but the term still gets put through the meat grinder when served to the end user. In part three of our ongoing series, we explain in layman’s terms the different types of mixers available, along with their strengths and weaknesses.
By Rob Ziv, CTS


In Focus: Maverick Technical Institute

The most efficient way to feed young talent into your business is by driving them straight in, through practical, hands-on experience in an educational environment. MTI aims to do just that, as a technical school that exists to train young people for entry-level positions in AVL.
By Anthony Vargas


Education On The Next Level

In a recent expansion, Cal Poly Pomona’s Collins College of Hospitality Management lifted their classrooms to another level of AV. Covering the design through integration phases of the project, we explore the rejuvenated rooms of this now bleeding-edge-equipped educational facility.
By Jim Stokes


Education Moves Toward New Technology

Our columnist provides a snapshot of the education industry, relaying insights into the possible near and far-flung futures that the field may assume. Overall, this market segment is following an established cultural trend, i.e.: adoption of newer technology at every level. We’re not clairvoyant, but it is definitely looking good for the integrators of tomorrow.
By Dan Daley


Tuning The Room: Acoustic Design

There has never been a better time to push venues’ sound to peak performance, as miracles of material science have provided integrators with innovations that meld both function and beauty. Our columnist demonstrates these materials at their best, recounting acoustic treatments for some notable projects with demanding soundscapes.
By Sergio Molho


Two Integrators Review DSE 2016

As we approach InfoComm 2016, it behooves us to take a step back and gain some closure on this year’s Digital Signage Expo. A different perspective than we’ve covered in the past, the Whites’ reviews place the show in a relatable context, delving into the offerings at the show and the show floor experience.
By Mike White, CTS, and Robert White, CTS


Market Brief

Education Facilities: Politically charged public funds in an election year.
By Matt Van Dyke


AVent Horizon: On First Steps, Missteps & Reaching Full Stride

OLEDs have finally reached a workable plateau for application. Our columnist sketches the struggle of this display medium to reach solid ground by closely examining the product’s beginnings and fumbles from past tradeshow introductions.
By Pete Putman, CTS, ISF

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