rAVe : Insider AV News & Commentary

A Column for AV Guys: The Guillotine

2006-02-23T12:39:00.000-05:00

I was sooo excited while watching the SuperBowl coverage earlier this month to see that someone finally, FINALLY, crossed the 4-blade razorblade barrier. The long-overdue 5-blade system has finally made its debut. The oh-hum [insert yawn here] market of the 3-blade and 4-blade systems that has dominated the shaving market with has-been gear like Gillette’s Mach3Turbo and the Schick Quattro has finally been shaken up with the 5-blade Gillette Fusion. I ran out and bought one the very next day.

I couldn’t wait. I rushed home, jumped in the shower and began to stroke the Fusion against my face. It was awesome – so I thought. The shave was close and smooth (as the ads claimed) and, all the while, leaving my face without those pesky neck sores that those “other” archaic 3-blade systems used to do – and with a shave that felt even better than the 4-Blade Quattro system I had been using. Five razor sharp blades wrapping themselves around my face.
Ahhhh.

All was awesome until the moment I stepped out of the shower and began to dry myself off. I noticed a thread from my towel seemed to be getting hooked on something that I thought was all gone: a whisker. How could that be? I just used the all-new, diamond-cut, precision-measured Fusion-Technology of the new Gillette 5-blade system. Impossible. But, it was true.

I ran over to the mirror and was stunned to see that was not one, two or even three of these protruding particles of pesky whisker, but potentially dozens or even as many as a hundred. Ugh!

I immediately jumped in my car and headed over to the University of North Carolina’s Quantum Physics department and grabbed a group of students who were clustered around a titanium model of the new 53,000-seat basketball arena being built thanks to the money made from winning the 2005 NCAA basketball tournament.

But, I digress.

I explained my disappointment to them over the $9.99 all-new, diamond-cut, precision-measured Fusion-Technology of the new Gillette 5-blade system and sent them loose to come up with something that will FINALLY solve this nagging dilemma on behalf over every man who is man-enough to shave with a razor rather than one of those wimpy electric shaver systems that Santa drives around in those annual Norelco commercials we see every Christmas.

The result: The Guillotine (pictured here). The patent-pending, liquid-cooled, scheimpflug-designed, nitrogen gas injected, oxygen-free, 24K gold-contact and plated, spring-loaded 40-blade Guillotine - and it’s without any opposing dielectric forces!

Simply put, the Guillotine: A Great Freak’n Shave.

CEDIA Says: Education at All Levels

2006-02-23T12:38:00.000-05:00

I want to address a topic that is near and dear to my heart, and many of those within the CEDIA organization in this - education.

Education comes in many forms throughout life and this holds true in respect to CEDIA Education as well. As many of you know, and more of you will soon learn, CEDIA is the benchmark for education within the residential electronic systems contractors (RESC) channel. CEDIA has made a solid commitment, as part of its ongoing strategic plan, to deliver education to its members at the highest level possible. This has never been more evident with the implementation of CEDIA University “CU on the Road,” CEDIA’s integrated training plan that is being delivered in eight locations throughout North America this year. In addition, CEDIA is providing Installer I and II certification exams at many locations across the country this year. Of course, we cannot discount the comprehensive education that is offered annually at CEDIA EXPO. This will be even more apparent at CEDIA EXPO in Denver, Sept 13th through 17th, in 2006. As time progresses, you will see an increased frequency in educational events with a more in depth and richer offering of curriculum.

Ok, that somewhat covers the CEDIA educational information for our members. Let’s talk about the peripheral educational initiatives that CEDIA is in the process of developing.

CEDIA feels that education shouldn’t stop with its membership. We feel that it is important to address education on a number of different levels. After all, it is our goal to ultimately reach our customer, the consumer. The challenge is... “how do we get there?”

One of the most logical avenues that CEDIA has chosen has been to reach out to the strategic trade community. This would be identified as the builders, the architects and the interior design communities; more specifically through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

CEDIA is approaching this from a multiple-tiered perspective. Currently CEDIA is delivering Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to ASID and Learning Units (LUs) to AIA through approved educational courses, both in person and online. Both CEUs and LUs are required by each respective association for their membership to maintain accreditation on an annual basis.

Another element of CEDIA’s outreach effort and our newest initiative is the upcoming CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Forum that is being held in San Francisco from February 23 through 25th. This inaugural event features a combination of high end industry keynote speakers, panels of industry experts, and breakout sessions bringing together builders, architect and interior designers and, our RESC members for an intense networking opportunity (see http://www.cedia.org/el_forum ). CEDIA will also offer its “train the trainer” course which prepares the CEDIA RESC member to deliver CEU’s in their respective markets. This is a “not to miss” event and we invite our members to attend, there is still space available but it is filling rapidly!

As you can see, CEDIA is constantly reviewing, revising and improving its many vehicles to facilitate delivery of education. Please, take advantage of the opportunities. CEDIA exists for its members, from there its up to you!

I hope to see many of you in San Francisco and again in Denver! Until then, good selling and better learning.

--Andy Willcox

President of CEDIA

Tracking Trends

2006-02-15T16:03:00.000-05:00

One of the things we pride ourselves on here at Kayye Consulting is the ability to track trends. We have a fantastic network of friends in the market who regularly report to us what products they are specifying in systems and selling to clients in system applications. This has allowed us, over the years; to assist our clients in what’s happening as the market evolves. For example, we saw the impact of the iPod on the consumer market as something that would trickle up to the CEDIA (custom-install) market thanks to our relationships with a couple of key HomeAV integration firms. Fortunately, we were in a position to point this out to our HomeAV manufacturer clients, pre-CEDIA, and they all introduced iPod integration tools for the home.

Now, I realize the iPod is not something most of you would see as a high-end home product – much less a ProAV piece of gear. But, the proof’s in the impact, and the iPod has become the “must integrate” category for the high-end home nowadays (believe it or not).

Well, in recent months, we have noticed a trend in the ProAV market that you should all take note of: audio gear is going up. No, I don’t mean in price, I mean in amount of gear specified and, ultimately, sold. And, the numbers aren’t small. In comparing 40 January 2005 systems designed versus January 2004 (same system applications, side-by-side) the amount of audio gear is up 36%. That’s a staggering increase – and all the while video gear is virtually the same (3% increase). Maybe that explains Extron’s move into speakers and more audio gear in the past seven months, huh?

In comparing December 2004 with December 2003 and October 2004 and October 2003, the trend is clear – more audio gear. In fact, in the past five months, the smallest differential is 29%.

So, is it the impact of the iPod, new technology in microphone design, a killer new app? I actually thought it must have been so until someone at a major ProAV dealership in New Jersey told me that it had nothing to do with technology and more to do with money. Apparently, while video gear and projection technology margins have slipped into virtual oblivion, audio margins have remained where they were in 1996. Ten years later, the margin on audio is virtually identical – while in that same period the margin for the average projector has slipped from 32% to, in many cases, less than 10%.

Do you hear what I am saying?

Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

2006-02-15T16:02:00.000-05:00

Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail
What’s In a Business Plan and Why You Need One
By John Stiernberg

Frequently, pro AV people (systems integrators, technicians, rental and staging contractors, designers, etc.) plunge into the integration business with good technical chops but without a business plan. Too often the results are disappointment and burnout rather than creative, technical, and financial success.

Can business problems be anticipated and prevented? Can pro AV people learn from the business world and apply lessons without “selling out” or "becoming a suit?” The answer to both questions is yes! Whether you are already making all or part of your living from AV, or just thinking about the possibilities, this article provides fundamental concepts and encouragement for constructing or updating your business plan.

Why have a business plan?

You may have heard the expression “Fail to plan, plan to fail”. Most businesses (AV-related or otherwise) do not have written business plans. They may have revenue, checkbooks, and even budgets. If they do not have a complete business plan, they are at risk, and many fail as a result. There are seven positive reasons to construct a written plan:

1. Road Map. The plan shows you the best route to your goals and objectives.

2. Measuring Stick. The plan includes financial and non-financial objectives and measurement criteria so you can track your progress along the way.

3. Opportunity Management Tool. The plan articulates what business you are in and how you conduct business. This allows you to identify viable business opportunities, and avoid or manage those opportunities that do not make sense for you.

4. Lower Stress. When you have a plan, you spend less time and energy worrying about whether you are doing the right thing. Your plan helps keep you grounded and calm.

5. Catalyst for Your Best Work. A business plan is like a system design, stage plot, or project schematic. It assures that everyone is working from the same blueprint and performing business tasks in the right order—without compromising inspiration or creativity.

6. Competitive Weapon. Relatively few businesses have plans. When you do, you have an automatic edge on your competition. This helps boost your confidence as you build your competitive position in the market.

7. Essential for Securing Financing. At some point in your business, you are likely to need cash for operations or business development -- above and beyond your revenue from regular business operations. Your business plan helps you anticipate cash needs. A solid business plan is a requirement of any worthy financial institution -- even your “rich uncle.”

What’s in a business plan?

A business plan is a written system of documents that puts your business and its market environment in context over the course of the next several years. It describes 1) what you are going to do, 2) how you are going to do it, and 3) what the consequences are.

The main text is 15 to 20 pages long. In addition, it includes financial schedules and supplemental material that are included in the reference section or appendix. The reason for the brevity is simple. If it is too long, few people will actually read and use the document. Here is a brief description of the contents of each of five main sections or “chapters.”

Chapter 1: Description of your company, business, and industry. This is where you talk about the pro AV industry and your role in it.

Chapter 2: Description of products, both goods and services. This is where you describe what you do in detail, plus the features, benefits, and advantages of your product vs. the competition. “Products” are what you get paid for. Examples of products include:

• Rental and staging technician: system set up, maintenance, show management, etc.

• System designer/consultant: pre-design consultation, system design, commissioning, etc.

• Systems contractor/integrator: system installation, end-user training, maintenance, etc.

Chapter 3: Market overview and marketing strategy. This is where you describe the size and growth of target segments, the competitive environment, your promotional strategy, product distribution channels, types of projects, your salesforce, and target client base. The marketing section is a “plan within a plan,” and is the most important section of the whole document.

(Editor's note: We'll include an entire article on "The Seven Links in the Marketing Chain" in an upcoming issue of Gary Kayye’s rAVe).

Chapter 4: Management and organizational overview. This section describes your business experience, history, and personnel needs. This is the place to identify key people, their job functions, and credentials -- even if it is a one-person business. Future needs refers to people who will be added to the business as it grows.

Chapter 5: Financial summary. This section includes $ projections for sales revenue, expenses, sources and uses of working capital (cash) over a three year period. These are summarized briefly in the text of the plan, and shown in full detail in the appendix.

Good business plans also include an Executive Summary. This is a one or two page document that includes the essence of the whole business plan. Executive summaries are helpful when seeking financing, especially when many people are reviewing the plan.

What If This All Seems Intimidating?

You may be a great AV technician, consultant, or integrator, but not necessarily a businessperson. You may find that aspects of running your business are tedious or even scary. That’s OK, but it does not take away the need for a business plan. Here are three key points:

1. Double the planning time and cut the implementation time in half. This is a tried-and-true rule of time management. It’s easier and less costly to do the planning on paper than to learn by the dreaded trial and error. This points to the value of constructing your business plan early in the game.

2. The biggest challenge is competing for attention. We are continually bombarded with information today, and “data overload” is unlikely to change. This points to the value of the marketing section of your business plan in the overall scheme of things.

3. Someone has to handle the business. If not you, find someone who will -- or just do AV for fun. This points to the value of identifying your strengths and weaknesses and building your team as your business grows.

The Payoff

Constructing a business plan is essential for long-term success. Are you thinking about going independent? Your business plan will guide you and help you prevent mistakes and disappointment.

Once you are implementing your business plan, you’ll find that you are spending more time providing great AV systems, bringing quality entertainment and communications to new audiences, and making a good living doing something you love. From my standpoint, it’s worth the effort!

About the Author

John Stiernberg is principal consultant with Stiernberg Consulting, the Los Angeles-based business development firm -- http://www.stiernberg.com

John has more than 30 years of music and entertainment technology industry experience, including eight years as musician and agent, 12 years working for sound equipment manufacturers, and 13 years as business analyst and consultant. In addition to pro AV industry affiliations (CEDIA, Infocomm, NAMM, NSCA), he is a member of IBMA, NARAS, the Folk Alliance, and the American Federation of Musicians. Contact John via john@stiernberg.com.

John's book "Succeeding In Music: A Business Handbook for Performers, Songwriters, Agents, Managers, and Promoters" is published by Backbeat Books. For details, visit http://www.succeedinginmusic.net

NOT Sent From a Wireless Blackberry

2006-01-31T16:00:00.000-05:00

By Gary Kayye, CTS

Last week, the United States Supreme Court rejected an appeal from BlackBerry maker Canada-based Research In Motion (RIM) to review a patent infringement case against them brought by US-based NTP. NTP contends that RIM infringed on its patents in the design and operation of BlackBerry. NTP is now asking for the RIM BlackBerry service to be shut off until they are compensated for the patent infringement – a claim that even after every court in the US has agreed with NTP on, RIM still denies. A shut-off is looming – at least here in the US where the case has been heard.
In an article last Wednesday, Reuter’s Carmel Crimmins declared in the headline that a “BlackBerry blackout threat leaves CEOs aghast”. And, she even quotes Lloyd’s of London insurance chairman, an obvious BlackBerry user; Peter Levene as saying a shutoff is “just nuts. The idea that someone is just going to switch off in three or four weeks, even if it’s only in the United States, it’s crazy.” However, in the article RIM’s VP of corporate marketing, Mark Guibert, claims, “Our software workaround designs remain a solid contingency.”

Yeah, right. If that were totally true, wouldn’t they have already gone to the contingency plan?

And, as far as the CEOs are concerned: Boo-Fricking hoo.

Look, this story’s been all over the trade, technical and mainstream press for years. Virtually everyone’s known, but maybe never believed it, that RIM was being sued by a company for violating patents - this was always a possibility.

Point is, the BlackBerry’s an awesome tool – in fact, it probably created a new industry. And, to be realistic, it’s doubtful that service will actually be cut off – even if NTP receives its injunction hearing scheduled for US courts on February 13th. Heck, the jury trial award to NTP in the original case in 2004 was only $23.1 million. So, don’t fret, you’ll probably still have service. RIM can probably pay that from petty cash with all the BlackBerrys I see when I travel around the country.

But, who knows. It’s happened before. There is a chance that they could, in fact, be shut off. In case they are, and I’m not in my office when it happens, I’ll send you an e-mail from my Trêo.
Oh, I just thought of something, if you have a BlackBerry, how would you get my e-mail?

Long live the Palm!

CES - Is It Really Worth It?

2006-01-25T10:46:00.000-05:00

By Logan Enright
Principal, The Enright Company

Show or CES - you have to wonder whether navigating Las Vegas with 200,000 people in town for the show is worth it. Permit me to vent a little – it took two and a half hours to arrive on the show floor from my hotel parking lot with parking and the badge ordeal. On departure, it took me one hour and forty minutes to drive from the Las Vegas Convention Center to the airport (about 4 miles). Honest. Yes, I will have some cheese with my whine.

This year’s event marked the second year since the demise of COMDEX, the giant computer expo. That means Microsoft, Apple, HP and Intel, to name a few, use CES as a major launching point for new products along side non-computer manufacturers of home electronics.

Speaking of Microsoft -– the next operating system replacing XP, Vista, had its first mass public unveiling. Five years in the making, named Longhorn while in development, Vista boasts many new video and TV-related features. Vista Media Center, which succeeds Media Player 2005, is a great looking software package that will support scrambled digital signals and DIRECTV, thus replaces set top boxes. Many long awaited security features promise to be incorporated in Vista – especially in Internet Explorer 7. Digital Imaging Gallery is a very impressive new digital photo tool for Vista ($129 less $30 rebate) – watch out PhotoShop Elements. Vista is to be shipping by mid-year.

Internet Explorer 7 will have such features as tab browsing, inline search and shrink-to-fit printing. They say you will just open a web browser to check the weather, open an application to view your calendar, and open a calculator program to do arithmetic.

In other Microsoft news, the new Windows Mobile package for the all new Treo 700 was unveiled – Verizon has a lock on it for now and it looks very good.

The CES announcement from Intel was that of the Core Duo Processor. This powerful number-crunching component will sport 1.6-2.1Gig dual 667 Mhz processor with 2Gig cache. The gaming industry is driving this sort of power, and the full motion video market, including editing manufacturers and digital signage providers, will accept these new high-speed processors with open arms.

This year, Panasonic surpassed last year’s 102” plasma from Samsung at the last CES, and upped the ante by one inch. Panasonic showed off a 103” unit, and the image quality of this piece was nothing short of astonishing. No price or delivery date was quoted by a Panasonic spokesperson. Panasonic also introduced a new proprietary, control-over-HDMI connectivity. Called HDMI-AV, this will support digital video, audio and control between source and display within the Panasonic product line.

ViewSonic launched their new Integrated Network Display series 42 and 50” plasmas. These network-based displays have dual RJ45 connection for daisy chaining and onboard USB 2.0 connectivity. Perfect for digital signage, these plasmas allow MPEG 1, 2 or 4 to be streamed via Cat 5/6. Tivella software package is utilized and allows custom configuration. The new XX60 series LCD TVs from ViewSonic offer ATSC-ready, improved refresh rates (6-8ms) and better contrast ratios.

The Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD war raged on at this year’s CES as more industry pundits call for a truce. These two DVD formats are vying to be the home/commercial archival delivery standard for HD. Gary Shapiro, President of CE Vision Magazine in Resolutions for the New Year calls for manufacturers to “swallow pride and do what is right for the customer.” This modern-day VHS vs. Betamax war has major manufacturers lining up on separate sides of the compatibility isle. A Phillips person produced a document showing more Hollywood studios aligned with HD-DVD. A Toshiba spokesperson claims Blu-ray disks have more capacity. However, both are claiming 50G which is plenty for the longest feature film with director’s cut and more.

On the not so controversial side of the biz, Chief Manufacturing rolled out three new electro-mechanical lift/swivel units, called the Cinematic Series. One unit will raise/lower/pan a plasma or LCD on a pedestal. Others extend horizontally from the wall and pan. All include a wireless handheld remote control.

Sampo showed a variety of plasmas and LCD/TVs. ServoTV, a 42" WXGA plasma that incorporates an 802.11a Wi-Fi transmitter that allows a user to broadcast any of the unit's analog signals to a Sampo Client TV, a 10.2" battery-powered LCD, or to any wireless enabled PC or laptop. ServoTV users are then free to enjoy HD or analog media on the main screen, while others watch entirely different analog sources upon the Client TV. This will have distinct applications in the educational and training markets.

eBay, which recently announced the $2B purchase of Skype, the internet phone company, was at CES. With revenue of a scant $7M, Skype allows free internet phone calls. The business plan is to charge non-Skype participants who are on the other line. eBay offered four seminars for retailers to learn how to sell on their site.

And just for fun, Sony rolled out a slick new version of their PSP (Play Station Portable) handheld which handles games, video, MP3, MP4 WAV or ATRAC3plus music files. The landscape-oriented unit with 5” screen uses two types of removable storage: Memory Stick Duo, or full video on UMD cartridge.

Bleary eyed, tired and about done with all these trinkets, I came around a corner late in the day and found Ellen DeGeneres on the floor wrestling with a Sony robotic dog right in front of me. They were shooting a promotional video of her.

So with all the headaches of getting around town during CES, I ask again, “Is it worth it?” Heck yes.

_____________________________________________________________

Logan Enright is a hopeless gadget freak and principal of The Enright Company in Tustin, CA. Mr. Enright is current chair of the Independent Representative Council for InfoComm International. logan@enrightcompany.com

CEDIA Management Conference 2006

2005-12-29T11:36:00.000-05:00

CEDIA Management Conference 2006

Now is Your Time to Profit from Experience

The 2006 CEDIA Management Conference will be held February 20-23 in San Francisco, CA. Management Conference has become one of the premier events for business owners, presidents, and decision makers in the custom residential electronic systems industry. If you haven’t been to Management Conference before, now is the time!

The conference will feature two keynote speakers, including Harvey Mackay who will teach you how to out sell, out manage, out motivate, and out negotiate your competition. Also, you will witness Jeffrey Fox’s no-nonsense, crystal clear message taught around the world, how to become a Rainmaker.

There will also be Cross Industry presentations from top companies in their fields such as Ritz Carlton Hotel Company and Dale Carnegie Institute, as well as Small Group Forums on the following business issues:

• Industry SWOT

• Customer Relations

• Success with Manufacturers

• Marketing/Advertising

• Production Home Market

• Sales Processes

• Project Management

• Service Department

• Skilled Employees

• Crisis Management

To find out more about Management Conference visit www.cedia.org, click on ‘CEDIA University’ and then ‘Management Conference'.

Are Laptops Bad for College Kids; or Professors?

2005-12-23T13:33:00.000-05:00

I’ve had the October 14, 2005 issue of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on my desk since the day it came out. I’ve been meaning to write this story for a long time, but just didn’t have the time or opportunity.

But, now it’s time.

In the Marketplace section of the WSJ on that day had an article entitled “The Laptop Backlash,” well-written by Gary McWilliams. As the WSJ is a subscription-only publication, I can’t direct you to their web site to read the original, however it was reprinted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the URL for the article is: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05287/588740.stm. Please do me a favor and hop on over to the URL and read it and then come back to read the rest of my article below.
OK, now, I assume you’ve read it, right?

Well, you know what I think? Boo-fricking-hoo. What a whiner professor Dennis Adams is perceived to be. I’ve been teaching in environments where 100 percent of the students have wireless internet access and laptops sitting right in front of their faces, and I had the entire audience’s attention for more than two hours. Besides, students have been ignoring BORING class lectures for a lot longer than laptops have been around. Before there were laptops, there was the crossword puzzle in the school newspaper. Before the crossword puzzle, there was doodling on notebook margins and before that, there was watching paint peel. If Professor Adams can’t keep his students’ attention for a 50-minute lecture, maybe he ought to take a look in the mirror – rather than to a computer – to lay blame.

Look, there’s no question that we are all fighting for the attention of each and every person we come in contact with every day. Advertising, the Internet, sunshine, snow, catchy songs, iPods, video-iPods, Treos, the phone, the cell phone, Blackberrys – they’re all making attention spans difficult to capture. So what are we to do? Live with it!

Laptops may distract the average college student as he hops from class to class, but the benefits gained from having them far and away exceed the personal and psychological expense. When I attended school at the University of North Carolina (the home of the 2005 national champion Tar Heel basketball team, by the way), we had to hand-write all our papers in little blue books. And we’d get points against us if they couldn’t read our writing. Boo-hoo again, right? Well, heck, we even had to do research in the library – and that sucked when it was a frigid 34 degrees outside. I even had to wear a coat sometimes. But, the bright side was the library was where many of the girls also studied.

The laptop is a tool that has forever revolutionized education. That, coupled with wireless Internet access on most of today’s college campuses, means you’re carrying around an encyclopedia from every country in the world, every song ever produced, every paper ever written, blah, blah, blah – I could go on and on. And, it all fits in a backpack. The laptop is a college student’s gateway to the world they’re about to enter, and it provides them not only a tool packed with information and access, but also a tool to check facts, hear the other side, and an opportunity to form their own opinions. Would professor Adams recommend we go back to the dark ages of education where we have to believe all the rhetoric of each and every professor we had without regard to reality? What’s next, projectors? Should we think twice about putting a projector in a classroom because it might be used by a couple of rogue frat-boys in the middle of the night to show porno-flicks?

Sure, there are and always will be abuses of every system. But, shall we punish the masses for the few? The irony of the fact that the article cites the University of Houston, where professor Adams lectures, the prestigious LIBERAL-arts school known as UCLA, and the University of Virginia as investigating the possibility of blocking wireless-internet access in the classrooms is not lost on me. Should we control what the students see, hear and understand?

Come to think of it, isn’t that what some colleges set out to do?

Ironic, huh?

Hey Hollywood, The Audience is Listening - But Ain't Buying

2005-09-02T15:06:00.000-05:00

By Gary Kayye, CTS

According to the August 12, 2005 issue of Entertainment Weekly, 40% of movie-goers say their experience in the theater is not the same quality experience it was 10 years ago. And, if the year 2005 movie box office receipts have any say in that statistic, it would seem you all agree. So far, 2005 box office sales are down eight percent for the year.

Bad Movies?

Bad Theaters?

I think not. I agree the experience isn't as good as it was 10 years ago as the theaters have all equalized - they're all pretty good now. Ten years ago, there were almost no Stadium Seating venues - I would seek one out wherever I was to get that rare experience. Dolby Digital, Sony's SDDS and THX Sound were found at only the "best" exhibition houses - I would seek them out, too. And, the reality-based special effects revolution that started with Jurassic in 1993 was in full swing with 1995 hits like GoldenEye, Jumanji, Die Hard and Crimson Tide.

The Box Office tracking organizations blame it on the quality of the 2005 movie selection. But, let's be serious here. Take a look at the number one movie of each of the last 10 years: Toy Story, Independence Day, Titanic, Armageddon, Star Wars- Episode I, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the first Harry Potter movie, the first Spider-Man movie, the third Lord of the Rings movie and Shrek 2.

You think those movies are better than the 2005 line-up? Hey, I'm a huge Star Wars fan, but Episode I was not in my top-5 of the Star Wars dual-trilogy - much less my top 5 of 1999.

So far, in 2005 the top grossing movies include Star Wars - Episode III, Batman Begins, Madagascar, War of the Worlds, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Point is the quality of movies varies every year. Every year there are good ones and bad ones. But, people go to see them.

So, what's happening in 2005?

Here's my view:

Theater to DVD: In 1995, watching movies at home was something we all did via VHS on our 30" TVs. Now, it's DVD - a system that no one denies is a heck of a lot better than VHS. And, when you put DVDs on screens larger than 30", unlike VHS, the quality gets better - not worse. But, that's just part of the equation. The time from theatrical release to DVD is much shorter than ever. It took Disney nine months to get Toy Story from a theatrical release to Blockbuster. It took Titanic eight months. But, Star Wars - Episode III will be out of DVD in November fewer than six months after its initial release. And, Batman Begins: four months. Mr & Mrs Smith: three months. Wouldn't you wait if your home theater blows away your local movie theater?

Home Theater Everywhere: That brings me to number two, the home theater. Not everyone actually has a home theater, but a heck of a lot of people say they do. Many consider their living room a home theater and measured by 1995 standards, they do, indeed, have home theater. A DTS audio receiver from Yamaha can be had for less than $250 - and for another $100, you get THX thrown in with Dolby Digital, too. The $800 high-quality DVD player of 1998, can be had in 2005 for less than $200. Heck, you can get one at Wal-Mart for $39 - or free, if you'll buy a refrigerator from them, too. So, the quality of what we have in 2005 is amazing. THE THING that movie theaters used to tout as their big advantage over anything else (besides expensive popcorn) was those big audio demos (i.e. re: "The Audience is Listening "). Now, we have that in Home Theater in a Box systems for $499 that include the DVD player, the speakers, the receiver and even the cables to hook it all up.

The Pause Button: Speaking of the DVD player, the pause button sure has become a household word via the DVD player and TiVo-like digital video recorders. Instead of spending $70 on a babysitter, movie tickets and popcorn, we can get the whole shebang for less than $10 at home - and pause it to go to the bathroom or finish watching it after the dishes are done. Top that, Hollywood.

The REAL Home Theater: Finally, the real Home Theater - or Home Cinema. For less than $10,000, you can have a Home Theater system that blows away the movie going experience at ANY movie theater in Durham, Chapel Hill or Raleigh, NC. OK, I realize that some of the big cities have the best there is, but I'll tell you what: give me an InFocus ScreenPlay 7205, a Da-Lite screen and a thousand dollars to spend on a DVD player, receiver and speakers and I'll give you a home theater that blows away most movie theater experiences. I think this is the key. I think if you took a look at that eight-percent decline in the 2005 Box Office receipts, it would be darn close to equal to the growth in 2005 of the true Home Theater market. I am willing to wait three, four or even five months for the top movies of the year when I know they will sound better (or as good as), look better (or perceptually as good as) and be more comfortable than my local Cineplex (where there was a shooting, by the way, a few weeks ago).

Oh, here's another point to ponder. The fact that the time from theatrical release to DVD release is shortening is no accident. It's planned. In fact, what you will see in 2006 and 2007 is that trend continuing and maybe even being within weeks of each other. In 2005, the money made on DVD will far in away surpass the money made in the theater for most movies; and Hollywood is noticing). What will happen first is downloadable movies (in NTSC format) will become more and more prevalent with Hollywood even pushing the services through DirecTV, Blockbuster, Netflix and TiVo. Then HD-DVD stuff will still be the standard five-to-nine-month delay that we see from movies now, but the regular quality movies will be virtually real-time. And, you'll pay for it - and we WILL pay for it. I can see the day where you will have a choice to rent a movie for download the same week it comes out in the theater for, say, $20. And, we'll pay that, too. If you'll wait three weeks, it will go down to $10, six weeks $5 and so on. I'll explain that one in the next issue - but count on it!

So, think about it: expect the growth of the Real Home Theater market to be exponential and explosive by the end of this decade. The Digital Cinema might just happen at home way before it does at the local mall.

Selling Sonic Foundry’s Mediasite Just Got Easier

2005-07-27T13:00:00.000-05:00

Sonic Foundry announced the company will now offer services to make selling and using the company’s rich media products a whole lot easier. Sonic Foundry will now offer managed hosting, content management and delivery services, alleviating the system integrator and the end-user of those hassles.

Rimas Buinevicius, chairman and CEO of Sonic Foundry, explained to rAVe that it not only removes the bottleneck some companies have when deploying Mediasite, but it also makes the job of the system integrator much easier since they can get Mediasite up and running without having to get it integrated with the end-user’s IT system, or get approval up the entire corporate ladder.

“Over time, the migration path of offering this service takes customers in couple of directions,” he said. “Users will find it easier to scale -- as more units come online, the service we offer can expand. And it also allows for a migration path to bring management back to the organization if desired. Once tested, internal adoption might come more easily.”

Smart idea from Sonic Foundry. This model will let integrators sell a system that initially requires far less commitment from the end-user, and they can keep using Sonic Foundry as the provider or bring the management internally anytime.

The first Rich Media Quick Starter bundle packaged with six or 12 months of hosting is available now and Buinevicius told rAVe typical pricing could be from $1,000 to $2,000 a month.

Display Technology Experience in Chicago -- Free Event August 9

2005-07-18T10:03:00.000-05:00

The Exclusive Electrograph Display Technology Experience is scheduled for August 9th in Chicago

-- Industry Icons: Gary Kayye, John Stiernberg, Chuck Wilson, Alan Brawn will present on Industry Insight and Trends, Business Plans, etc.

-- Autograph Session by Sports Legend Dan Hampton with an auction for a signed jersey.

The Display Technology Experience, presented by Electrograph in partnership with the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA), will be visiting the Mid West Region on August 9th!!!

The Display Technology Experience is an intimate event that provides industry professionals a chance to investigate new technologies and reflect with their peers on current display technology and peripheral solutions. The event will include business planning sessions, emerging technologies presentations, selling techniques, marketing services, installation techniques and information about the overall state of the consumer and commercial audio video industry. This is a must attend for any reseller in the Chicago market!

Date:
August 9, 2005

Venue:
The Odeum Expo Center
1033 North Villa Avenue
Villa Park, Illinois 60181
Phone: (630) 941-9292
Fax: (630) 832-9183
Odium Expo http://www.odeumexpo.com/

Celebrity:
Autograph Session by Dan Hampton 4 - 6 PM http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=87
Shirt Autographed by the Dan Hampton, the Bears’ No. 1 pick, fourth player overall, 1979 NFL

Guest Speakers:

CHUCK WILSON
NSCA Keynote

GARY KAYYE
“Trends in the AV Industry”

JOHN STIERNBERG
“Important Business Concepts”

ALAN BRAWN, President of Telenetix, Inc.
“Selling Design-Build of Advanced Display Technologies”

RICHARD MOFFITT, NSCA Director
“Ways to retain quality technicians”

MEG HAYES, NEC Channel Marketing Manager
“Marketing your company with NEC Big Picture”

& DAN HAMPTON — MEET “CHICAGO’S OWN” NFL GREAT!
Plus…THE 25 Industry Manufacturers!

Visit our website http://www.ELECTROGRAPHDTE.COM and register today! Pre-registration qualifies each attendee for a chance to win a 42" Plasma Display!

We're at InfoComm!

2005-06-06T16:01:00.000-05:00

Come by our booth at InfoComm 2005 in Las Vegas!

We're #2115, between Crestron and Shure. We'll be giving away free t-shirts and signing people up to receive rAVe ProAV, rAVe HomeAV AND our brand new edition, rAVe Europe, which we'll be launching live from InfoComm.

rAVe Europe Announced

2005-06-06T15:58:00.000-05:00

rAVe EUROPE: Finally a new email newsletter in Europe to address the ProAV and Home Theater distribution channelsl

May 24, 2005 -- Brussels -- Kayye Consulting & The Distribution Channel jointly announce a ProAV industry newsletter for system integrators throughout all of EMEA--

Beginning in June, from the show floor of InfoComm, Kayye Consulting, Inc. and The Distribution Channel will launch a high quality email newsletter (eNewsletter) addressing news, analysis and issues essential for ProAV and Home Theater distribution channels.

The semi-monthly newsletter, rAVe Europe, will be available in HTML and offered free of charge to qualified system integrators across Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA).

rAVe Europe will distinguish itself in several ways. rAVe Europe will build on the success of the three-year-old rAVe eNewsletters distributed to the American and Asian markets. Unique to rAVe newsletters is that they are focused strictly on the interests of the ProAV and Home Theater distribution channels rather than on end-users.

In addition to reporting the news vital to European system integrators, rAVe Europe will interpret the news in terms of channel significance with insight and opinions offered by analysts of both Kayye Consulting and The Distribution Channel.

"Gary has insight into the channel like no one else in the industry," said Randy Klein, Senior VP at Crestron Electronics. "He is also not afraid to be candid on controversial issues. The newsletter will be a must-read."

"We intend to make this the eNewsletter that every ProAV and Home Theater manager, salesperson, systems designer, project manager, and installer in Europe reads," said Gary Kayye of Kayye Consulting about the newsletter audience. "We will not only look at a product and its features, but we will look at its technology, its impact on the market, and we'll consider the likely follow-ups and when they might appear."

“Never before,” added Bob Snyder of The Distribution Channel “has there been an efficient way for vendors to find, sell and motivate ProAV systems integrators across the EMEA markets. From Estonia to Dubai, from UK to Romania, from South Africa to Saudi Arabia, the ProAV integrators in all the main countries and those hard-to-reach markets will be united by professional reporting targeting their needs as businesspeople and technologists.”

The eNewsletter benefits from the experiences of a joint venture between Kayye Consulting Inc. in USA and The Distribution Channel in Europe. It will be exclusively written for more than 10,000 system integrators, installers, OEMs, distributors, and other channel players in Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe and the larger markets within Middle East/Africa.

rAVe EUROPE debuts Wednesday June 8, 2005 with a special report on InfoComm and a promotional giveaway.

* Two lucky subscribers to the eNewsletter who sign up between now and July 1, 2005 will each win a KiSS Technologies DP-558 digital video recorder in a random drawing. Information about the contest and drawing are found at www.proAVbiz-europe.com.

To subscribe or advertise, please go to www.proAVbiz-europe.com.

To participate as one of a few select sponsors, please contact: Sara Abrons at sabrons@kayye.com or Bob Snyder at thedistributionchannel@gmail.com.

About Kayye Consulting

Kayye Consulting is a company dedicated to furthering the interests and success of dealers, manufacturers, and other companies within the professional audiovisual industry.

Gary Kayye, founder of Kayye Consulting, is one of the most prominent personalities in the audiovisual industry. Known as an accurate and candid visionary, he is often called upon to deliver seminars and speeches and to write feature articles and editorials that help AV manufacturers and systems integrators understand the future of their businesses, as well as how to prepare for that future.

Mr. Kayye is currently a product, marketing and business operations consultant to dozens of AV companies in the U.S. and overseas. Clients include companies such as Sony, Thomson, Sharp, Epson, Lutron, InFocus, Sanyo, Mitsubishi and Philips. He is also the publisher of and contributor to the AV industry’s foremost e-newsletter, Gary Kayye’s rAVe, and the new Gary Kayye’s rAVe Home Edition. Sign up and find out more at www.kayyerave.com.

Mr. Kayye, who has been involved with the audiovisual market for almost 20 years, was the recipient of the ICIA 2003 Educator of the Year Award. He also helped grow the ICIA/INFOCOMM Projection Shoot-Out as the premiere AV industry trade show special event serving on the committee from 1991 through 1997, and was instrumental in launching the Shoot-Out in the European market at Photokina in 1994 and 1996 as well as the Asian market at the 1995 and 1997 INFOCOMM Asia shows.

Mr. Kayye earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina.

About The Distribution Channel

The Distribution Channel is a content provider for Europe’s information technology channels. As publisher of the e-weekly newsletter, MULTIMEDIA I.T., the company regularly follows trends in European and MEA markets. MULTIMEDIA I.T. reaches 27,000+ European retailers, distributors and digital home integrators and is sponsored by BenQ, ATI, AMD and Freecom.

Since 2003, MULTIMEDIA I.T. has been an appointed media sponsor of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE).

Bob Snyder, co-founder of The Distribution Channel, is one of the more prominent personalities in the European I.T. industry. A well-known industry commentator, Mr. Snyder has been a guest speaker on distribution channels for such firms as Lucent, NEC, Toshiba, AMD, Intel, EIA, Hannover Fairs, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems and many others.

Mr. Snyder has a 30-year background in publishing for the electronics industry, including editorial/publishing responsibilities for numerous channel publications including Hi Fi Trade News, CES Trade News Daily, ACE International, Mart Magazine, Computer Dealer, European Systems & Networking (ESN), CeBIT News and others.

Mr. Snyder earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Lawrence University and post- graduate certification from the Harvard/Radcliffe Publishing Procedures Course.

-----------------------------------------------------

CONTACT DETAILS

In USA: Gary Kayye
E-mail: gkayye@kayye.com
Phone: (919) 969-7501 x111
Mobile: (919) 868-3358
Fax: (919) 969-7561

In Europe: Bob Snyder
E-mail: bsnyder@thedistributionchannel.eu.com
Phone: +32 474 61 71 85
Fax: +32 2 7 065 785

LCDs on Amazon?

2005-05-25T08:43:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, this came across my InBox (this is exactly as it appeared in my
e-mail):

"Striving to improve the visual experience in living rooms and conference rooms everywhere, Kreisen (www.kreisen.com), the manufacturers of quality affordable high definition television displays, today announced that its line of high definition (HD) LCD televisions is available immediately at Costco Wholesale Corporation (www.costco.com) and Amazon.com (www.amazon.com). Costco will showcase Kreisen’s flagship 40-inch and 37-inch models. The entire line of 17- to 40-inch displays is available to consumers online at Amazon.com."

Is this a good thing to do PR on?

At first, I thought not. But, the more I think about it, maybe it is. While everyone else is trying to hide the fact that Amazon and Costco are some of their largest retailers (i.e. Sony), virtually unknown Kreisen is plastering it all over the press. Good PR move, I think.

But, is this good for the market?

Gateway, now virtually non-existent in the Plasma market (and sinking in the PC market as of late) sold tons of cheap Plasmas to thousands of consumers a month. Then they disappeared.

Remember GE's line of consumer TV's?

Westinghouse? Believe it or not, they're back...

Now, Dell is one of the fastest resellers of large LCD panels. Yep, in less than a year they've jumped 9 spots.

This sort of competition, while it might look bad from the surface, is actually good in the core. It will force the ProAV and HomeAV market to focus on services and less on profits from product sales - something that's a dying art anyway.

So, more power to you, Kreisen. But, buyer beware. I've been asking for a review unit from them for months and haven't seen anything. But, I've got a plan for that now. I'll pop on over to my local 7-11 down the street, have a Slurpee and have a look at their LCD's.

Happy Birthday!

2005-05-24T18:01:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday, Gary!

Clarity Acquires European Display Products Manufacturer Synelec

2005-05-02T20:28:00.000-05:00

Fresh on the heels of the acquisition of CoolSign -- rAVe Pro – sources tell rAVe that Clarity continues its acquisition mode, this time acquiring one of Europe’s premier manufacturer/marketers of rear projection systems, Synelec. The France-based Synelec, which has offices in Paris, Rome and Shanghai, adds about $30 million in revenues to Clarity, and brings the total number of Clarity employees from 115 to 185.

“Clarity is ranked number one in North America while Synelec is big in Europe, and big in markets where Clarity isn’t, such as telecommunications and utilities. In Europe, Clarity was focused on broadcast and transportation,” says Lisa Duckett, Clarity’s director of marketing communications. “As a result, we didn’t run into them much in Europe.”

Duckett says Synelec will maintain their brand and will continue to sell bundled digital signage systems as they have been.

“The Synelec distribution channel is strong, so everything will remain the same and that goes for Clarity, too. We won’t be bringing their processor to North America,” says Duckett. “But later, we might look for synergies in incorporating the product lines.”

Synelec was a publicly traded company that filed for bankruptcy protection last year. The company had a North American presence but that will be shut down in favor of focusing on Synelec’s other markets.

The purchase adds over 1,200 display system installations to the Clarity portfolio, which includes such high-profile installations as the NASDAQ in New York, Madrid Metro in Spain, SNCF Railway in France and NTT DoCoMo in Japan.

Clarity plans to maintain Synelec technical and sales offices and intends to retain a majority of the Synelec team including Gil Souviron, who becomes a Clarity employee with responsibility of continuing to oversee the European operations.

Clarity will now have offices in the regions mentioned above in addition to Clarity’s offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It will maintain Clarity company headquarters near Portland, Ore.

If there was any doubt which direction the digital signage market was moving, there is none now. Whichever way Clarity moves, the market is now going. The acquisition is BIG and will help them a great deal internationally – it’s a good move for them.

AV in Schools: What good is it if they don't know how to use it?

2005-04-22T08:17:00.000-05:00

Recently, I spoke at a local university's technology show and I was amazed at how much AV technology the campus actually had. It was everywhere. Not only were their large screen displays in virtually all the classrooms, meeting rooms and lecture halls, but there were 25 projectors and plasmas in the cafeteria! We've finally hit the big time!

But, there's a catch. Even with all that AV gear all over campus, most of the instructors didn't know how to use much of it. No one could quite get the document camera to display on the projector without calling an AV technician. Sure, if all they wanted to do is connect up their laptop to the projector in the ceiling of every classroom, they could figure that out. But, introduce any sort of extra signal routing or a problem with the picture and, again, enter the AV technician.

It all started in the 1980s when Apple virtually gave away Macs to schools by the hundreds of thousands. Almost every school got at least one. Then, the districts seem to instantly fall in love with them and buy hundreds more. Within eight years of the first Mac hitting the first elementary school in Southern California, the Apple moniker became just that.

But, no training. Sure, theoretically the Apple operating system was easy enough that just about anyone could learn it on his or her own with virtually no training. And, eventually schools hired media center directors to be in charge of the Mac distribution – thus the training.

But, the cold, hard fact was that they went underutilized and then obsolete before their potential was ever realized. No real training was ever offered in most cases.

Then, the PC came out with Windows. It, too, followed the same pattern but this time was almost impossible to figure out without a college degree in computer science.

Then came the laser disc player and a library of educational laser-based content.

Then came a host of other technological gear and software that was well-meaning, but difficult to use. Thousands of titles. All cheap, readily available, and ultimately better understood by the pupil than the teacher. Why? No training.

Now, here we go again. We’re seeing projection technology and all sorts of other AV gear appearing in the classroom – with little of no training attached. Of course, it’s blamed on budgets – everything seems to be: "We don’t have the budget for both the gear and the comprehensive training for everyone to know how to use it." – the story always goes.

And in many cases, it is somewhat budget-related. Everyone in the educational field knows that budgets are being squeezed more than ever, and this does cause one to pit one against the other.

But, enough is enough. The computer can be used for much more than it’s being used for now. We all know that. And, so can the projector. It’s not just for PowerPoint presentations and browsing the Internet. In fact, it’s imperative that we integrate AV-based and interactive technologies into every element of the schools or we’ll have a generation of kids that can’t pay attention and are bored – although it will probably be blamed on ADD (attention deficit disorder). And why shouldn’t they be bored? Look how much technology has changed the way we all work and interact in both our everyday personal and professional lives. Yet, school is taught virtually the same way it was since I was there – 20 years ago – heck, since my dad was there – 48 years ago. And, we’re not talking just elementary, middle and high school – college too.

Sure, we’ve added PowerPoint, PDFs and even fancy Web browsing to the curriculum, but can we all agree that someone who’s got a GameBoy with them in their backpack is going to be bored in virtually any lecture-style course?

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Demand training. Don’t buy so much technology – buy some training. Yes, a self-proclaimed technologist just said, "don’t buy so much technology." Get trained on harnessing the power you already have lying around campus before asking for more. More isn’t always better.

OK, I admit this is an oversimplified solution or, more accurately, a soapbox. But, I’m working my end of the deal too. I have been demanding, for years, that manufacturers include some baseline training in their products sold through to the educational markets. I’m making progress, but it’s far from a solution.

But, you have to start somewhere.

Electrograph Acquired

2005-04-21T08:21:00.000-05:00

Electrograph parent company Manchester Technologies was acquired today by New York-based Caxton-Iseman Capital. It was a cash deal valued at approximately $56 million. Manchester shareholders receive $6.40 per share in cash. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2005.

Electrograph will become a private company doing business as Electrograph Systems, Inc. Alan Marc Smith becomes CEO. Smith is the former president and CEO of Westcon Group, Inc., and is an investor in the acquisition. Sam Taylor, president of Electrograph, will remain in his position and will also invest in the transaction.

Electrograph, a premier value-added distributor of Pro and high-end HomeAV equipment, was founded in 1982.

Sam Taylor said: "This transaction with Caxton-Iseman is a positive development for Electrograph, and our vendors, customers and employees. Under new ownership we will continue our tradition of value-added distribution for our customers. Electrograph will offer the best selection of large format displays and associated peripherals as well as the highest level of service and support in our industry. Concurrently, we will actively pursue new ways to add value for our business partners."

According to the announcement, Alan Marc Smith was CEO of Westcon Group, Inc. from 2001 to 2004, during which time he oversaw the growth of the company from $200 million in revenues to more than $2 billion, and from 120 employees to more than 1,200. As CEO he managed eight acquisitions and 24 subsidiary integrations in 16 countries. Smith served as executive vice president and COO of Westcon Group from 1998-2001 and director of business development and planning from 1997 to 1998.

Other holdings of Caxton-Iseman Capital, Inc. include Ply Gem, a company that makes vinyl siding, windows, patio doors, fencing, railing, decking and accessories for home construction, and Anteon International Corp, an IT technology provider. Caxton-Iseman also owned Buffets Inc. as of mid 2004.

That's Entertainment

2005-04-11T12:37:00.000-05:00

Someone posted the following as a comment on my NSCA wrapup article. It's WELL worth a look. Unbelievable!

Anonymous said...
see the christie booth sprinkler video here:

http://webpavement.blogspot.com/2005/03/christie-sprinkler-mishap-nsca-2005.html

Do you Bridgit?

2005-04-11T08:54:00.000-05:00

Whether you’re working with people across the street or across the country, you can conference quickly and easily with Smart Technology's Bridgit software. You can work on a document, revise a spreadsheet or give technical assistance – all in real time, right from your desk.

Bridgit software takes the clutter out of conferencing. You just give your conference a name, invite your participants and go. You don’t need to book in advance or upload files. Your participants don’t need to have used the software before. All they need is a PC and an Internet connection.

It’s About Time!!!

Bridgit software helps you get things done. In less than a minute, you can respond to a client, get feedback from colleagues or follow up with a sales prospect. Instead of waiting to deliver documents, you can show information right from your computer screen. Writing tools and webcam support help you understand each other quickly.

This BLOWS AWAY WebEx and all the over-bloated, over-engineered Internet-based web conferencing software. Bridgit is all you really need for over 95% of those applications and UNLIKE ALL OF THE OTHERS, it's simple to use and works 100% of the time.

Breakout Products are Hard to Find These Days

2005-04-10T15:39:00.000-05:00

But I found one. DayView Glass, distributed by Pro Display USA, is one such breakthrough product. It is actually a film placed over any glass, such as a window, which can be used as a rear or front projection screen. When not in use, you can make the window clear (with no noticeable change to the window) or opaque for privacy.

Now, this new technology is breakthrough because you can put it on the windows of a fishbowl conference room, in any window that separates two rooms, anywhere there is glass.

But what really makes this breakthrough is the imagination of the company CEO, Angelo Skiparnias, who foresees all kinds of new ways dealers can sell this technology. One recent installation at a retail store is a good example of creative advertising using this new technology. As a shopper passes by the retail store window, a sensor “wakes up” the projector and screen. Audio comes on saying hello, and stopping the shopper, who is then presented with a short video advertising a specific product. At the end of the video, the window clears to show the actual product in the retail store window display. You can do this with clothes, jewelry, food, cars – anything at all.

Another consideration with this technology is that the size of the image is only limited by the size of the glass. That means you can project huge indoor or outdoor displays. Now, we’re talking sports arenas, marinas, hotels, convention centers – even the entire sides of buildings.

Pretty creative. But the best example is a concept Angelo explained of making an entire building disappear. Let's say you have a building that has the Hollywood Hills and Hollywood sign as the backdrop. Using a few image captures, projectors and this new DayView glass, you could project the background onto the foreground and voila, the building now looks like it blends into the surroundings.

Sanyo's 16:9 4000 ANSI lumens projector is AWESOME!

2005-04-04T08:05:00.000-05:00

My new favorite projector is the ultimate cross-over projector, in my opinion. Sanyo's new PLV-WF10 is the industry's first, bright 16:9 projector that's affordable. At under $13,000, this 4K lumen native 720p LCD projector is PERFECT for boardroom, conference room, large venue and even home cinema applications.

It's about time!

There are thousands of applications out there where the need for a bright, 16:9 aspect ratio projector is required. What's taken the projector market so long to get us here? Well, I'm not going to worry any longer about that and will recommend the new Sanyo PLV-WF10 to anyone and everyone who asks.

The Digital Transition: A Sports Bar’s Worst Nightmare

2005-03-22T10:21:00.000-05:00

Everybody’s heard and read something about HDTV and the world’s transition from our current analog standard TV system to the new digital standard, right? Today most countries in the world use either a system known as NTSC or PAL for broadcast television transmission and display. Both systems are very similar in that they are analog-based and display either 525 or 625 lines of resolution on the screen. Regardless of screen size (from 3” to 300”) you’re still seeing either 525 lines of video or 625 lines of video.

But, over the next three to five years, the entire world will be switching to a digital-based transmission system that will accommodate up to 1080 lines of resolution for TV viewing. That will yield much higher resolution images and broadcasts for everything from sitcoms to educational shows to sporting events.

In fact, in many areas of the world, you can already receive these new digital signals with a conventional rooftop antenna and pick-up a couple of local channels broadcasting in the new HDTV (high definition television) format. Soccer’s upcoming World Cup, football’s SuperBowl and baseball’s World Series are all available in HDTV!

In fact, much of what’s out there on HDTV now can actually be displayed in either digital or analog HD formats. Sure, the digital HD format with its DVI (digital visual interface) or HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) connector and signal formats look a lot sharper than the analog component video counterpart. But, they still blow away NTSC and PAL sporting events that are blurry and at a loss for resolution.

Sports bars love this. The added resolution makes large-screen projection and flat-screen formats look awesome. So good, in fact, that you can actually see facial expressions on the faces of the fans sitting on the sidelines, the puck flying across the ice in hockey (assuming hockey still exists), the color of shoe laces in soccer and you can even read the obnoxious signs held up by fans at virtually any sporting event (my personal favorite was ‘Duke Sucketh’)– in HDTV resolution.

But, are these Sports Bars really ready for the transition? Did they plan for this? When they were working with their AV integrator, did they have a transition plan from analog HD to digital HD?

Probably not.

Today, it’s estimated that more than 6,000 sports bars exist across North America touting their new HDTV display technology – drawing sports fans from as far as 200 miles away just to see the big game in HDTV format. Europe, another 1,200 sports pubs, as they call them. But, did you know that more than 90 percent of these are routed and displayed in the current analog HD format and not in the future digital format?

Why should they care?

Well, according to the FCC, by July 1, 2007, the USA will be ready for digital-HD formatting and will order that the analog ports be shut off from showing high resolution HD content. Yes, shut off. So, when this happens, the HD component output will no longer carry anything higher than 480p resolution video. In other words, the native 720p and 1080i HD formats won’t work at all – unless, of course, you use the digital DVI or HDMI ports. You see, these digital ports can’t be copied so Hollywood supports this transition as it virtually eliminates content pirating/theft.

Simple enough -- just switch the output ports, right?

Well, not so easy. Sure, if your TV’s HD satellite or cable box is directly connected to the TV with a single cable, all is OK. But, if you’re connected like most sports bars are where signal routing is done via component HDTV distribution amplifiers and switchers and lots of high resolution coax cable, no way.

In fact, their system design will have to be overhauled completely. Every DA, every switcher, every cable and every connector will have to be re-installed and changed to DVI or HDMI for anything other than 480p - enhanced definition television (EDTV) - to be displayed. And, who wants to look at EDTV when you can get HDTV?

So, what’s the message here?

Well, if you’re an AV systems integrator designing systems using digital cable, satellite TV or any sort of HD format, you need to be future-thinking and have a plan for how you’re going to go back later and change out what you’ve put in there and make it true, digital HDTV. Or, at the very least, fully-disclose to your clients what’s happening in just a couple of years. Or they’ll come back to you complaining that you didn’t.

If you’re a customer: beware. Not every AV integration firm realizes that we are in the midst of this transition to digital TV. Sure, everyone knows it’s happening, but the extent to which this affects TV viewing may not be apparent. HDTV will eventually ONLY be digital.

Finally, if you’re a consumer – don’t go out and buy an old-technology analog format TV. Buy the new generation HDTV format displays and take the time to look on the back and make sure there’s either an HDMI or a DVI connection for truly digital HDTV display.

My Love/Hate Relationship with TiVo

2005-03-18T10:23:00.000-05:00

I love TiVo.

I hate TiVo.

If you have TiVo in your bedroom, you know exactly what I am talking about. What the heck is the deal?

TiVo is an awesome invention. All the imitators SUCK in comparison. No one's DVR has come close to matching the user-interface design and ease-of-use of TiVo. Not ReplayTV, not Time Warner's sickly Scientific Atlanta DVR offerings and certainly not the new generation of MultiMedia PC's. TiVo blows them all away. Anyone can use it. You never need to read a user's manual and you certainly don't need to re-boot it all the time to keep it up and running.

But, what the heck is the deal with the obnoxiously loud hard drive noise? Many nights I can tune it out and sleep. But there are some nights where I have to actually unplug power from it just to fall asleep.

Turn off the power you say? No way. Doesn't work. Noise is still there. In fact, I'm not even sure what the power button's supposed to do.

Anyway, apparently the hard drive needs to continuously run to keep it operating efficiently. I've asked and asked TiVo what to do or if they can offer a solution, but none yet. My laptop, my PC, my cell phone, my PDA - nothing makes as much noise as TiVo's hard drive.

But, I have to admit: I still LOVE my TiVo!!!

NSCA Needs Manufacturers on Board

2005-03-14T12:49:00.000-05:00

Before I totally disagree with the editor of ProAV magazine this month, let me say that I am, however, impressed with what Mark Mayfield has done over there at ProAV. Two years ago, it was a useless ProAV publication. Now, it's more than readable! Some of the articles go on and on and on about technical topics that only a select few care about, but most of the publication is awesome! Congrats Mark.

However, you are DEAD WRONG this month's (March 2005) issue in your column "Reasons For Change." Dead wrong!

In it, you argue that NSCA should stay a closed society - not allowing the Board to be made up of more than dealers and integrators of AV gear. In theory this may be a good "concept." And, back in the good 'ole days where manufacturers colluded on prices and didn't give much back to the industry, this was a smart platform for an organization - as someone had to look out for the little guys out there schlepping the gear.

But, NSCA is missing out on a lot more than equal Board representation by not allowing manufacturers to join in. Look at the amazing financial commitments that companies are making over at both InfoComm and CEDIA that NSCA is missing out on. Whether or not you like it or appreciate it, money runs a market and right now InfoComm and CEDIA have a lot more in their
coffers than NSCA. This is no fault of NSCA, of course.

Also, what about representation? The ProAV market is made up of manufacturers, consultants, architects and dealers - not just dealers. Dealers sell it, but without everyone else it'd be hard to sell much stuff.

And, your argument ignores the market shift. No one can deny that the ProAV market is shifting from its traditional dealer (and Rep) channel to one that incorporates distributors and Internet retailers. Again, whether or not you like it, it's there. So, ignoring the manufacturer encourages them to ignore you. None are, to my knowledge, doing this today, but they will. Mark my words. Ignore them and they will ignore you.

Finally, what funds NSCA today is, as I pointed out earlier, money. Today, that money comes from the Expo - Systems Integration Expo (known as the NSCA show). Ignore manufacturers and, again, there will be no show. No show, no money.

Special (Unplanned) Events at NSCA

2005-03-14T09:47:00.000-05:00

The weather in Orlando during NSCA was clear, sunny,and just lovely. Well, outside, anyway. Inside, it was another story late Thursday afternoon as the ceiling above the Christie booth let forth a downpour that went on and on and on.

“As soon as the pipe burst, a swarm of Christie people and NSCA staffers were pulling critical gear from the booth and covering the rest with anything waterproof,” says Max Kopsho, Christie product manager. “Thanks to the heroic efforts of everyone involved, none of the equipment was seriously damaged and we were able to get our booth fully operational in time for the next day on the show floor.”

Kopsho says personnel from Freeman Decorating also jumped in to help, and the booth was back in running condition as of 1 a.m.

“I'd like to make a special point of noting some of the considerable efforts and hard work put forth by the technical support and events management team at Christie,” says Kopsho. “Steve Capling, our events manager, took command and led the charge to a full recovery. He proved himself to be a great example of grace under fire (or water, in this case). Billy DeWolf and Paul Comella, two of our finest field application engineers, jumped into action and used their vast technical know-how and years of trade show experience to do in hours what normally takes days to do. Dave Muscat, our Canadian sales manager (who as of this trade show is an honorary 'techie'), spent the evening and part of the early morning tearing down and setting up the Christie booth.

“As a product manager, I have always been proud of the products we develop at Christie and this show is especially unique. We have some new high end 3-chip 10Bit DLP projectors that will just blow you away. Now I have to say that this experience has made me even prouder. Who else can say their projectors can survive a flood and prove it? More importantly and seriously I do have to say that this experience does have me feeling very proud about the people I work with, not just at Christie, but throughout this industry.”

Friday afternoon brought another surprise when a voice over the loudspeaker ordered everyone to evacuate. That sent the crowd of thousands dashing to the door until another voice came on saying it was a false alarm. The voice also said later the evacuation didn’t apply to the attendees at NSCA, but I later spoke to someone who had been at the Global Pet Expo next door and she didn’t hear any of it.

It might have been mildly amusing to many, in hindsite, but not to at least one New Yorker with whom I spoke later that day. Those sorts of mistakes terrify anyone who has been through such trauma as 9/11.

Denise Harrison, Editor-in-Chief, rAVe

Breaking News -- Swiderski Closes Shop

2005-03-11T08:41:00.000-05:00

March 10, 2005

It's a tight-knit group up there in Itasca, Illinois -- so we learned when investigating the breaking news that after 57 years, powerhouse ProAV systems integrator Swiderski Electronics closed their doors as of late last week. Between NEC and a number of other companies in the area, most people in our industry have worked with or for Swiderski. Most people are shocked, all were sad.

Why is this news? As we at rAVe have said for a while, business is going to be tougher as profit margins erode and services become the more desirable client offering. But that's not all that easy, either.

Bob Stern, central region sales manager for Kramer, worked for Swiderski and remembers:

"Before I was hired at Swiderski my impression was that this company was the "gold standard" of the AV integration industry in the Midwest. Their yearly "Swiderski Expos" were regularly attended by almost 1000 people and 100 manufacturers over a 2 day period. There was nothing like it in the area.

" There were many account executives that came and went in the few years I was there. Many, such as myself, went on to successful careers working at the manufacturer's level. Others went to competitors and some left the industry altogether.

"As an elite AV engineering firm, Swiderski, in recent years, had trouble getting their executives to sell large engineering contracts to potential clients who wanted it for free. They were competing with companies out there that would. Most of the high profile projects they were awarded were based primarily on the relationships that were developed by Joe III and Paul Swiderski. They were not interested at working at the "hang and bang" level. Selling engineering contracts was a hard thing for the lesser experienced AE's to get their arms around.

"It is truly sad to see a company of the stature of Swiderski shut their doors. We are seeing more and more of that in our industry recently and I am sure this won't be the last major player it happens to. I wish them all the best."

Joseph Azzarello of AV Design & Engineering, worked at Swiderski for ten years. He said:

"I'm sorry to see them go. I wouldn't know anything about this business if it weren't for Swiderski. I'd chalk it up to the changing marketplace."

Representatives from the company, whose clients include Harpo Studios and thousands of others over the years. didn't return our calls in time for publication, so we don't know if rumors that a small group of management might start up another entity. We'll let you know as we learn more.

Live From NSCA -- A few highlights

2005-03-10T22:06:00.000-05:00

Besides the products mentioned below, some other companies are providing rather integrator-friendly features in their products.

The NEC 610 model projector's short throw lens is one thing to read about, and another to see. You can place it just 4 inches away for a 40-inch image; 24 inches away for a 100-inch image. I saw it at about 8 inches away, sitting on an end table in front of the screen. Really nice.

Peerless is doing some integrator-friendly things with their universal mounts. Namely, the integrator receives the mount already partly assembled AND the hardware is all labeled, taking the guesswork about which screws, bolts, etc. are needed for that particular installation.

Live From NSCA -- Clarity

2005-03-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

Clarity is showing its new Bobcat X 40-inch direct view LCD panel. It raises the specs a bit from the Bobcat, and it is much more flexible in terms of giving the installer only the connections they need, so they don't have to pay for ones they don't use. So, it's a bit easier to buy according to application rather than just make one that fits all.

Rob Murdock, director of product marketing, also says this panel is a true 16:9, a popular request among customers.

Live From NSCA -- Avocent

2005-03-10T21:32:00.000-05:00

Avocent spent most of its years in business in the IT space, in KVM switching to be exact. As a result, they got pretty good at their own take on wireless technologies.

Their wireless -- video wireless -- technology is now making waves (sorry) at NSCA. Director of Strategic Business for Wireless Matt Nelson pointed to banks as one of the ideal locations where through-wall or line-of-site wireless signage for video would mean much simpler installations. But banks are only one solution and, at this point, it's looking like this technology can be used almost anywhere.

Here's why -- when I asked about a particular sign that stood alone, Matt pointed to another company's booth probably two aisles away and said "the signal is coming from there!" Bottom line: they're up to 3,000 feet line-of-site wireless video.

Sweet.

Live from NSCA -- Christie

2005-03-10T21:00:00.000-05:00

Christie is giving a close-up demo of ChristieNET and its operations center. I didn't realize they installed Regal Cinema's huge digital signage network and most people never stop to consider all that's involved in monitoring 7,000 displays at once. As Christie's Max Kopsho explained, a network manager can't ping 7,000 screens and get replies from all of them to be sure they do, or don't, need maintenance. Christie's "non-polling" methodology (using an attachment called CCM that talks to the individual displays) lets the manager hear back from only those displays that need assistance. The way the network software works looked amazingly simple to me, which has to please busy signage managers.

Christie also has its own network service organization that has grown quite a bit over the past year. They have staffed up an entire department for network management providing service to dozens of companies.

Back to cinema, I got quite an education from Sr. Director of Advanced Media Displays Alan Dresner on what theaters are doing with digital projectors for pre-film programming. The ability for cinema houses to sell highly targeted advertising according to particular film demographics is one of the most logical and exciting, and complex, opportunities seen in a while.

-- Denise Harrison, Editor-in-Chief, rAVe

In the ProAV market? You'd better pay attention to the consumer market too...

2005-03-07T23:54:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed the shift? If you haven't, take notice. Whether or not you want to admit it, the consumer market is "driving" the professional market in a big way. Most large manufacturers who have pro and consumer groups are now structured such that the professional groups are managed by the consumer groups, the pro version of products are coming out three to six months after the consumer versions (condider the new HD HandiCams, TiVo, the DVR, HD Plasma, HD LCDs, etc), and that consumer distributors are now selling pro products.

It's happening right under our noses.

So?

You better start caring or you'll be applying for a job at Circuit City as they need technical sales people to sell more plasmas in one day that you've ever sold in your entire AV career.

Randy AV

2005-03-03T09:32:00.000-05:00

Have you ever noticed how many Randy’s there are in the AV market? It’s astonishing.

In fact, there are so many that I almost decided NOT to do this column, as I wasn’t sure how to write it without offending all the Randy’s that I will, inevitably, have to leave off – simply because of space.

Let’s start with the big guy, Randy Lemke. Those of you who know Randy (Lemke, that is) know that when I say big guy I mean that literally. Not only is he the head (executive director) of one of the two associations for the ProAV market, InfoComm, but also he’s like eight feet tall. OK, not eight feet, but at least 6’ 8”. I think.

Number two has to be Randy Pagnan. I have to list him second or he will never talk to me again. In fact, I am quite sure he will be upset with me for not listing him first as he thinks at something like 43 years old he’s been in the market longer than anyone. He does know everyone, though!

Oh, I just remembered, I probably should have done Randy Klein first – as the executive VP for Crestron and a client of mine, he’s deserving of number two, I mean number one. Randy might very well have been in the market longer than Randy number 1 and Randy number 2, combined. One time Randy told me he was thinking of skipping InfoComm but I know he won’t – that would be like the Pope skipping Easter mass.

Randy Tritz used to work for me back in the Extron days. He’s now in charge of Shen, Milsom, Wilke’s Chicago branch and just became partner. He’s a thinker – not that the first three aren’t, but Randy number 4 is someone who will sit in a meeting, not say a word until right before the meeting is breaking up, and then say the most important thing that was said the entire time we were in there. Cool guy, too! He’s the one who first turned me on to the Apple Computer back in the 1980’s.

Randy Riebe, now at Tandberg, used to be a colleague of mine when I was a VP at AMX. He’s one of the smartest systems guys I know in the ProAV market. He’s a very quiet guy, but knows his stuff! Tandberg is lucky to have him. Riebe, as he was known at AMX, seemed to be an insider before he even worked there – something no one else attained within AMX unless the founder Scott Miller anointed them that.

A Randy over at Zenith (Moore’s his last name) heads up product marketing. He’s put together a line of plasmas that are some of the best I have seen in the past 14 months. Another Randy success.

I have a great love for the ICIA Professional Education and Training Committee (PETC), as I served on it for 11 years. And there were many Randy’s that came and went on PETC. In fact one’s still there, Randy Jackson of the University of Washington. He’s bought a lot of stuff from Crestron’s Randy, interesting, huh?

Is it a Randy conspiracy?

Speaking of conspiracy, Randy number 2 (Pagnan that is) lives in California. Randy Pleasance from Coast Business Communications does too. I am definitely on to something. Both do AV systems, both live in California and both are named Randy.

Continuing, PESA’s manager of business development (currently the longest Randy AV title) is a Randy by the name of Randy Lloyd. He took me to my first Maggiano’s restaurant experience in Denver, Colorado. Man, their portions are huge – huge!

Randy Green, whose real name is Randell, but with the obvious leadership role that “Randy’s” hold in the AV world, goes by Randy, works for D-Tools. We see right through that. His position at D-Tools is so secretive that his press release didn’t even give a title – just that he was on the “senior management team.” Randall Dark, the well-known HDTV god, goes by Randall to be different.

Everyone’s probably heard of AVI (Audio Visual Innovations) in Florida. There’ve been lots of Randy’s there, but the head Randy is Randy Bonham – he’s the VP of sales. He’s been around a long time and I think at one time he was a good friend with Randy Pagnan.

Oh, check this out. Remember how I told you that InfoComm (headed by Randy number 1, Randy Lemke) was one of the two Pro AV industry associations? Well, do you know what the other association is? NSCA – National Systems Contractor Association. Well, NSCA’s current elected president is none other than another Randy, Randy Vaughn. And, he happens to write for Systems Contractor News – the very same publication that publishes articles by Randy Riebe (Randy number 5). And, just to show how these Randy’s have it all figured out, Randy Klein (Randy number 3) serves on NSCA’s Manufacturers Council. A definite conspiracy.

Moving along, Randy Weldon runs the ProAV group at Philips. He lives in Atlanta, far away from the other Randy’s, so I don’t think he’s part of the conspiracy. However, Randy Young, director of marketing for Magenta Research, based in Brookfield, CT, exhibits at NSCA – where all those other Randy’s volunteer. See, it’s all coming together.

Lutron, believe it or not, has three Randy’s (Brown, Sharrer and Thomas). They are all unrelated, but I still have to wonder how three Randy’s all work at the same company – a company serving the AV market. Ironically (or, maybe not), not too long ago, Lutron issued a press release about a job they did at Major League Baseball player Randy Johnson’s house, hmmm. Makes you think, huh?

Randy Siefert over at Telex is probably one of the most well known Randy’s in the market. But, no one knows for sure how to spell his last name (I know the feeling).

By the way, I see right through those hidden Randy’s too. You know the ones – those that hide their name with a slightly different spelling. But, the king-daddy (or mom, I guess) of hidden Randy’s is Brandi Lansing over at Washington-based audio processing manufacturer Symetrix. Know what she does? She’s in charge of HR (hiring people). I wonder how many “Randy’s” she’s hired??? Check it out.

Finally, the best-looking Randy is Randi Oeck. Actually, she goes by Ellis now, as she is married. But Randi used to work at Extron, too, with none other than Randy number 4, Randy Tritz. I wonder if she and Ms. Brandi Lansing are leading the conspiracy as their “Randy connection” is so well hidden.

This is Gary R. (Err, I mean V.) Kayye signing off.

Plasmas: Not All Made Alike

2005-03-02T14:58:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed how many companies are selling "badged" plasmas now? Plasmas are all of a sudden perceived by the average person as a commodity - even though it's not!

Why do I say that? Well, when a product is a commodity, they [all brands; all models] are virtually identical. And, they're not. Gateway's proof of that. Dell, too. In fact, right now, there are three generations of plasmas on the market available from various manufacturers. And, some are good and some are great! And, some are terrible. I feel sorry for someone who buys one in that last group!

I own a Sony plasma - in fact, I have two. One is four years old and the other is brand new. Both are awesome. So, when my neighbor called me the other day to ask if he should buy the one at the Bose store since it was almost $1000 less than the Sony - what do you think I told him? You guessed it!

--Gary

Apple's AirPort Express - The Future of Whole House Audio Distribution?

2005-02-28T11:14:00.000-05:00

Whether or not you like the MP3 audio format - it's here to stay.

Sure, there's no doubt that the MP3 format leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to audio officianados or so-called AudioPhiles. But the fact is, people love it. Want proof?

Well, in mid-2004, Apple Computer introduced a product called the AirPort Express and touted it as the world's first 802.11g mobile base station for sending audio wirelessly to any room in the house. Using Apple's market leading software player and web site, iTunes, the Airport Express allows you to play audio from your Mac or PC (yes, PC) and stream it via a wireless (or wired) network (using both wireless standards) to any room - or even all the rooms - in your home. All for less than $200. Take it to the next level and for less than $1000, you can build a system to get streaming MP3's to every room in your home - and do it yourself.

Still not enough proof? Well, consider than Apple sells more Airport Expresses in one day than Niles and Russound sell audio distribution systems in a year - combined.

OK, these are not totally apples-to-apples comparisons, but the fact is that on my block alone, four of the eight houses use the Airport Express to do exactly what I am using my Crestron 6Pak system to do. Sure, my Crestron system blows them out of the water in functionality as I can also use it to switch video from room to room and even browse the Internet, but for audio distribution, it's a basically a wash. I can send music all over my house and they can send music all over the house. One clear advantage i have, however, is that I can also send music from a CD player or my XM Radio tuner via my home network to any room in the house - they can't. But they also haven't needed to. Every song they want, so they claim, is in iTunes.

And it's rumored the next version of AirPort Express will incorporate that functionality too - or, at least the functionality to stream other audio sources via the same network.

If that's true, I will truly be impressed.

But for now, it's doesn't. Although the AirPort Express is an impressive product and does work as advertised, it's NOT a whole house audio distribution system.

But, then again, maybe it kind of is...

16:9 projector around $5K?

2005-02-28T09:47:00.000-05:00

When will we see a bright, 16:9 projector in the $5,000 range? We have plenty of 4:3 aspect ratio projectors for the traveling presenter that are in the 3K to 5K range that carry lumen outputs in excess of 2400 ANSI. But, no 16:9 projectors in that range - at least none below 8K.

EPSON Projectors on Sale!

2005-02-24T09:47:00.000-05:00

Go to the home page for EPSON USA (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/index.jsp) and check out what's at the bottom right hand corner.

Projectors on sale!

Yep, a manufacturer selling projectors, direct, at 40% off list price. Sure, it's a discontinued projector model, but watch this carefully as it could become a trend - projector manufacturers selling at dealer-level pricing to the end-user. Good or bad? I guess it depends on who you are - and, of course, the support that's backing it.

A Novel Idea

2005-02-18T14:36:00.000-05:00

Not long ago, I had an idea for a projector with a DVD player built right in. Seemed like a logical product idea. Optoma thought so too and beat me to the punch with the introduction of one at CES. It has a fantastic design. Check it out at www.optoma.com -- it's called MovieTime.

--Denise Harrison, Editor-in-Chief, rAVe

AMX is Sold!

2005-02-15T12:34:00.000-05:00

AMX is Sold

An investment group has purchased AMX. Although rumored for some time now, we thought the purchase would actually be from inside the market. We'll have to wait and see what happens, but if they keep the same management team intact, AMX will still be a MAJOR factor. Bob's team has done more for AMX in the past two years than anyone did in the previous six years, combined. They are a strong number two in control and pursuing Crestron's dominance. So, for all your AMXers out there, pray that the team stays. And, for all you AMX dealers out there, write, call and e-mail Duchossois to let them know what you think...

Gary Kayye, CTS

A Digital Signage Standout

2005-02-14T13:49:00.000-05:00

While writing the news for the next issue, I found out a bit more about a new product called ChyTV from Chyron. So many digital signage systems have been introduced the last few years that it's rare to find one that stands out. This one does. Be sure to read the story in this week's issue -- it looks like a very cool system with tons of flexibility and a cheap price. If you haven't yet subscribed, go to http://www.kayyerave.com -- for both the residential and professional/commercial free AV eNewsletters.

--Denise Harrison, Editor-in-Chief, rAVe

Finally! Mitsubishi's 14 oz. "PocketProjector"

2005-02-10T11:38:00.000-05:00

Mitsubishi finally announced its PocketProjector. I'm still waiting for final lumen and contrast specs, but so far it looks like a very cool toy -- 14 ounces and fits in the palm of your hand.

It's due for a July delivery at $699 retail. They're billing it as a professional projector and they claim it can project a 20-inch image from about a foot away, or a 40-inch from less than a yard. Not really all that bad. It has SVGA resolution, by the way.

What I find almost as interesting as the projector itself is that Mitsubishi actually trademarked the PocketProjector name, much to the dismay of anyone else producing small projectors.

-- Denise Harrison, Editor-in-Chief, rAVe

Welcome!

2005-02-09T16:16:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the rAVe blog. Here, we will post commentary on news as it happens. We'll also publish from tradeshows so that those who aren't able to attend can read about what we saw during the day.

Today, the big news is the resignation of the HP CEO, Carly Fiorina. According to ZDNet:

HP's board said the change is effective immediately. Robert Wayman, HP's chief financial officer, has been named interim CEO and has been appointed to the board. Ultimately, Fiorina's attempts to translate her vision of IT's future into profits and growth for her company failed to meet post-merger expectations. News.com's Margaret Kane reports.

-- Denise Harrison, Editor-in-Chief, rAVe