By Michelle Oswald, VP Marketing Communications

At InfoComm 2010, the new, flashy buzz was about Cisco and 3D. At the same time, in the world of not necessarily new, and perhaps not as flashy, but certainly as relevant, was the ever popular subject of “Green AV”.

For the past several years, InfoComm has dedicated some part of its programming to covering the subject of “Green AV” – and every year the question of what that means – exactly – has not been well defined. Certainly, we would all like to reduce our carbon output, save energy and be able to offer something truly unique and valuable to our clients, but defining Green AV, and larger still, where the AV world fits into the world of Green Building in general, is almost like creating a whole new language, then trying to teach everyone to speak it. It’s a process that takes time, perseverance and definitely, patience.

On Friday, June 11, a new rating system – STEP (Sustainable Technology Environments Performance) – was unveiled at InfoComm that truly takes a big step in the right direction. The new framework was developed by a consortium of subject matter experts representing AV manufacturers, consultants and integrators that have been working collaboratively with InfoComm International on establishing standards for what it means to be practicing “Green AV”.

Anyone familiar with the USGBC’s rating system for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) will appreciate the new STEP system. While STEP employs some of the same rating system concepts as LEED, such as broad subject categories and points valuation for specific achievements, the rating system itself is all about the AV integration process. The new STEP system categories include: Program Phase, Architectural and Infrastructure Design, System Design, Systems Integration, and Operations. Points are earned based on factors such as equipment recycling, use of reclaimed/existing equipment, utilizing teleconferencing (video, audio or web) for at least 50% of project team meetings, and delivering project drawings/specifications electronically vs. paper, for example. Like LEED, which is a voluntary, consensus based, market driven approach to building, STEP will also be a voluntary program between InfoComm members and their clients.

The STEP program will be formally launched in early 2011. As AVI-SPL has already launched several sustainability initiatives, we are watching this program with great interest and are excited about the potential for truly defining “Green AV” and what it can mean to our customers, by providing the ability to provide unique, top quality communications solutions that provide energy savings and waste reduction, and fit into our customers’ own sustainability efforts.

To learn more about AVI-SPL’s sustainability initiatives, visit our Green AV page. »

To learn more about AVI-SPL’s recycling programs, click here. »

Michelle Oswald Michelle Oswald is the Vice President of Marketing Communications at AVI-SPL and has been working in the AV industry for 10 years. She is preparing to take the LEED Green Associate exam in the next few weeks. She has been leading the key sustainability initiatives at AVI-SPL, including AV equipment recycling, waste reduction and utilization of greener sales and marketing tools.

AMX’s partnership with FieldServer Technologies and DENT Instruments will offer an integrated building management control system for building automation, AV devices, and indoor environmental quality from a single interface. This allows all systems to follow a base set of rules for reduced energy consumption to lower carbon footprints and contribute to LEED points.

Click here to read the complete article »

Would you like to know more about AMX products? Click here to request more information »

Located in Sarasota, Fla., Ringling College of Art and Design is recognized as one of the country’s most innovative institutes for visual arts and technology. In the development of their first fully LEED Silver-certified academic building, school administrators sought state-of-the-art systems to lead their next generation of graphic artists.

A strong emphasis would be placed on the use of high-definition (HD) audiovisual systems in conjunction with digital signals. In the video below, Ringling’s assistant VP/director of facilities, Jeff Poleshek, and AVI-SPL’s sales engineer, Jamie Knoop, take us on a tour of the latest advancements in HD projection, digital surround, control panel technology and more.

Click here to learn more about this project.

AVI-SPL’s new environmentally-focused program includes audiovisual equipment recycling (free for AVI-SPL customers), videoconferencing solutions, internal sustainability programs, LEED-certified installations and employee training. Go green with AVI-SPL!

What is your organization doing to recognize Earth Day?

Click here to learn more about AVI-SPL’s green initiatives.

NEC Display Solution’s NP215 and NP410 are the first projectors worldwide to be awarded the new TCO Certified label for quality and environment.

In order to receive TCO certification, a projector needs to:

• Satisfy strict criteria regarding acoustics, energy consumption and the materials used in the product and its packaging.
• Feature an Eco mode in which the device can be operated with lower energy consumption and less noise. When the video or computer interface is disconnected, the projector has to enter standby mode automatically.

In addition the meeting the above, the NP215 and NP410 offer a Carbon Savings Meter tool to calculate and total the CO2 savings that are achieved when the device is being operated in Eco mode.

With this in mind, are you leaning more towards a “green” approach in your projector selection? If not, what factors have you hesitant to make the move?

To view a list of featured NEC projectors, click here »

Alert! It has come to our attention that there is a computer virus named Green AV (“Green AntiVirus”) circulating on the internet. AVI-SPL in not affiliated with or affected by the Green AV hoax. All references to Green AV on any of AVI-SPL’s websites is relevant to the Green Audio Visual industry.

AVI-SPL is pleased to offer projector lamp recycling at no cost to you – you pay only the shipping costs to ship the lamp to our recycling center. While many companies offer a recycling service, they often charge for the recycling. With our program, AVI-SPL pays the recycling cost – and keeps our carbon footprint small by having you ship directly to our recycling center. It’s quick, easy and inexpensive to be environmentally responsible.

Did you know?

• Most projection lamps contain mercury, which is toxic and can leak into the ground water if placed into a landfill
• Shipping a projection lamp to our centralized recycling facility via standard mail is only about $3 per lamp

To print your pre-labeled address label, click here. »

Alert! It has come to our attention that there is a computer virus named Green AV (“Green AntiVirus”) circulating on the internet. AVI-SPL in not affiliated with or affected by the Green AV hoax. All references to Green AV on any of AVI-SPL’s websites is relevant to the Green Audio Visual industry.

In his article, “Videoconferencing helps companies cut travel costs,” USA Today reporter Roger Yu profiles the cost savings being brought to law firm Lathrop & Gage. With 11 offices and 300 attorneys, Chief Information Officer Ben Weinberger estimates that he’ll only need to travel once this year to each office, versus the typical 25 times a year. He’s now relying on the six dedicated videoconference rooms set up in the main headquarters, with HD cameras, monitors and software provided by Polycom.

Substantial industry growth:

In 2008, the global videoconferencing market grew 24% to $2.4 billion, according to Roopam Jain, a technology analyst at Frost & Sullivan. The firm forecasts the market will more than double, to reach $5.7 billion by 2013.

Commentary by unified collaboration leaders TANDBERG and Polycom:

Recent tech breakthroughs have helped to loosen business customers’ purse strings, says Rick Snyder, president of TANDBERG ’s Americas operation. Internet bandwidth is more plentiful and affordable. HD cameras can cost less than $200. More sophisticated chips can compress HD images with crisper resolution. Some vendors can help clients better manage internal computer networks so that video gets priority. “The movement to HD has raised the bar,” Snyder says.

With costs falling, smaller businesses are being courted with systems that cost less than $10,000. Polycom and TANDBERG have introduced products featuring 32- to 52-inch monitors and HD cameras that can be installed in boardrooms or on PCs.

Click here to read the complete article. »

Alert! It has come to our attention that there is a computer virus named Green AV (“Green AntiVirus”) circulating on the internet. AVI-SPL in not affiliated with or affected by the Green AV hoax. All references to Green AV on any of AVI-SPL’s websites is relevant to the Green Audio Visual industry.

Sanyo launched two ultra portable projectors – the PLC-XW250 and the PLC-XW200 – that offer educators outstanding cost performance with an eco stand-by power mode that uses a mere 0.4 watts and their exclusive “Easy Setup Function.”

Eco Power Stand-by Mode

Using a mere 0.4 watts, the PLC-XW250 and the PLC-XW200 are SANYO’s most ecological data projectors. The eco power stand-by mode saves about 80% of the energy that is consumed by similar previous SANYO projectors*. By redesigning the electrical circuits, these two projectors are able to comply with the EuP-Directive Lot 6 and the EU RoHS Directive. As an additional environmental measure, all the packaging contains pulp molds, which can be recycled as used paper.

Easy Setup Functions

Both projectors incorporate SANYO’s latest “Easy Setup Function”, which include Auto Input Signal Search, Auto Vertical Keystone Correction, and an Input Guidance Function. The Auto Input Signal Search automatically detects the input signal and makes the necessary internal settings. The Auto Vertical Keystone Correction function automatically detects its position angle and corrects for any image distortion. And finally, the Guidance Function displays on-screen connection instructions when there is no input signal detected, enabling easy setup for expert users and novices alike.

Wired LAN Management

Using the supplied wired LAN terminal (RJ-45), the PLC-XW250 and PLC-XW200 can be controlled and managed via network connection. The LAN connection offers settings for power on/off, switching input signals, projecting from a remote location, as well as for monitoring lamp conditions and usage time. An automatic maintenance notification function sends notices to preset email addresses in the event of projector problems, resulting in faster maintenance response time. Using SANYO’s PJ Network Manager software, it’s possible to centrally monitor operating conditions of up to 200 projectors on a single network, reducing multiple projector management time.

Other Features

While both projectors provide a native resolution of 1280 x 768 and are capable of displaying high definition material, the projectors’ can project an aspect ratio is 4:3. The compact dimensions and lightweight properties of the PLC-XW250 and PLC-XW200 make them a perfect choice for educational and even business presentation applications. Both deliver a super bright image with the PLC-XW250 rated at 2600 lumens and the PLC-XW200 rated at 2200 lumens.

Click here to read the complete press release »

Click here to view featured Sanyo projector »

Alert! It has come to our attention that there is a computer virus named Green AV (“Green AntiVirus”) circulating on the internet. AVI-SPL in not affiliated with or affected by the Green AV hoax. All references to Green AV on any of AVI-SPL’s websites is relevant to the Green Audio Visual industry.

Over the last several years Mitsubishi has been adding eco-friendly features to their projector line-up. By lessening their impact on the environment and conserving natural resources, Mitsubishi is doing its part in being socially responsible. And soon Mitsubishi will be introducing their projector recycling program.

In order to lessen their impact on the environment and conserve natural resources, Mitsubishi
Electric is committed to being socially responsible. Some of their commitment to a greener environment includes:

• Energy-efficient, long-life lamps
• Lead free solder on all Printed Circuit Boards
• Our newest models consume less than 1W on standby mode
• Use of recycled paper products for user reference guide and carton box
• Projector cabinets are not painted, and conductive coating is not used
• User manual has been converted from paper to a digital format (CD)
• Compliant with both California and European RoHS standards

Click here to see featured Mitsubishi projectors »

Alert! It has come to our attention that there is a computer virus named Green AV (“Green AntiVirus”) circulating on the internet. AVI-SPL in not affiliated with or affected by the Green AV hoax. All references to Green AV on any of AVI-SPL’s websites is relevant to the Green Audio Visual industry.

On Earth Day, Sony Electronics (SEL) launched its GreenFill recycling service program – the nation’s first in-store, drop-box solution sponsored by a consumer electronics manufacturer.

“Sony’s GreenFill program is providing consumers with a convenient, sustainable solution for recycling small electronic products,” said Mike Fasulo, SEL executive vice president, chief marketing officer and corporate social responsibility officer. “We are continuing our commitment to reach our goal of recycling one pound of old consumer electronics equipment for every pound of new products sold.”

Sony’s new Greenfill e-recycle drop boxes provide a convenient way for consumers to recycle small CE products such as cameras at retail.

The program was launched on Earth Day to further encourage consumers to dispose of old or unwanted electronics in an environmentally-safe manner.

GreenFill service simplifies electronics recycling by providing consumers the ability to recycle small electronics – such as cameras, portable music devices, small laptops, cell phones and portable gaming devices – at participating retail locations. It’s a convenient solution that allows consumers to recycle any brand of product at no cost.

The program is an extension of Sony’s Take Back Recycling program and is designed to help build awareness of Sony’s nationwide network of more than 270 drop-off locations where larger Sony-branded electronics will be accepted at no charge and other brands will be accepted for a small fee.

Since last week’s Greenfill launch, 92 retail partners have joined SEL in its goal to make it as easy to recycle small consumer electronics, as it is to purchase them.

Nassim Sarraf, senior specialist, marketing, said many SEL retail partners have jumped on board, because they recognize the program could resonate with consumers.

“Greenfill is a way to show consumers you share the same values … a shared commitment to the environment and a sustainable future,” she said. “At the same time, it’s an opportunity to drive more traffic to their stores and positively impact sales.”

As part of the program, SEL covers the costs of recycling fees and promotional materials, which can be used by dealers for their own promotions. In exchange, the company requires dealers to prominently display the co-branded, e-recycle drop box in store, absorb the costs of shipping the box to Sony-designated recycling locations, promote Sony’s recycling efforts and drop-off locations for larger electronics, and leverage provided materials to educate employees and promote to consumers. All requirements are detailed in a requisite dealer contract.

From Honey Mae Kenworthy, SEL employee communications, and Yolanda Hunt-Boes, SEL dealer communications

Sony also adopted the use of recycled and reused materials in several models of their LCDs, and all are EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive compliant, helping prevent harmful materials, such as lead, from leaching into our ecosystem when improperly disposed while also helping increase recycling and reduce potential chemical exposure from the manufacturing process. And further keeping green in mind, suppliers for products are certified as green partners based on Sony’s stringent standard for chemical substances used in products.

Click here for an overview of AVI-SPL’s featured Sony projectors. »

Click here to find out more about Sony’s recycling program »