The cable’s optical fiber is an improvement over Cat5 and HDMI delivered over coax, reducing the risk of interference in high-interference areas like data centers, surgical rooms and manufacturing facilities. The cable diameter is much smaller and more flexible than copper, enabling easy installation for tight in-wall spaces. The TruLink High Speed HDMI AOC, an ideal extension solution for digital signage applications in retail, hospitality and commercial settings, supports full 1080p resolution up to 20 meters and will soon be available in lengths up to 100 meters.

An added USB connector allows the cable to draw power from displays with a USB port. Optionally, the HDMI AOC may be powered from an AC to USB adapter. In addition to addressing the unique needs of critical environments such as data centers and hospitals, the AOC maximizes the latest advances in HDMI technology, including 3D and 4K x 2K resolution with Deep Color.

Contact AVI-SPL at 1-800-282-6733 or sales@avispl.com and discover how we can install the right audio visual, video conferencing unified communications or digital media solution for your organization.

The solution is designed to deliver video as a service (VaaS) for small- and medium-sized businesses. RealPresence Cloud enables multipoint connections among standards-based video conferencing rooms, as well as desktop PCs, tablets and smart phones and endpoints supporting the Telepresence Interoperability Protocol (TIP). It also supports Microsoft Lync 2010 and IBM Sametime.

Through the RealPresence Cloud, service providers will have the infrastructure, endpoints and services to deliver scalable VaaS to businesses of all sizes. According to the RealPresence Cloud FAQ sheet on the Polycom website, the offering is currently available to a limited number of qualified service providers for initial evaluation and testing.

Contact AVI-SPL to learn how we can implement managed services offerings that help you easily communicate throughout your enterprise. Email us at sales@avispl.com or call 1-800-282-6733.

• Dallas, TX – April 18
• Washington D.C. – May 9
• Chicago, IL – September 13
• New York City, NY – September 25
• Tampa, FL – October 18
• Long Beach, CA – October 30

Each full-day conference is your opportunity to see how these systems work, so you can make an informed decision on the audio visual investments that will help your company compete and operate efficiently.

Each event begins with a keynote presentation on the value of video, voice and data convergence, and why the combination makes sense for your organization. In addition to networking with other professionals and visiting the exhibits, you can attend product demos and informative seminars that increase your savvy about the technologies that lead to operational efficiencies, save you money and drive growth.

Andrew W. Davis, cofounder of Wainhouse Research, will be the keynote speaker at a number of the Expo events. Wainhouse Research is a boutique analyst firm that concentrates on collaboration products and services, including audio, video, and web conferencing and unified communications.

Benefits of attending AVI-SPL’s Collaboration + Conference Expo 2012

• Learn about the latest professional audio and video solutions and trends from leaders in the industry
• See demonstrations of new audio and video technologies
• Network with peers and industry professionals
• Attend free informational seminars

If you have a question about any of our upcoming events, email us at events@avispl.com.

Fortunately I was able to attend a session, “Using iPads for Online Learning,” presented by Jenna Linskens, assistant professor in the school of education, Marian University, Wisconsin. This was a BYOD session, or Bring Your Own Device. As she discussed the different categories of apps for education, I stopped taking notes and started downloading each one in rapid succession! Below are a few apps to download and try – most are free!

• CourseSmart  e-textbooks
• Inkling –Language Arts
• Plizy – view videos from specific channels
• Popplet – create graphic organizers
• Teamviewer – computer remote control
• Paperport notes – create, edit and annotate

And those are just a few of the apps for education available today; there are literally thousands of them to choose from!

“In 2009 we set forth on an initiative to grow our video communications business. In 2011 we succeeded in growing video related revenue to over $200 million and video is now included in over 50 percent of the projects we do,” said AVI-SPL CEO John Zettel. “With that growth, we recognized the importance of expanding our capabilities in the video services we provide our customers. Acquiring Iformata shows our commitment to expanding our video communications strategy with a strong managed services offering.” Click here to view Zettel’s video announcement of the acquisition.

“This acquisition is a major win for both AVI-SPL and Iformata,” reports Ira M. Weinstein, senior analyst and partner at Wainhouse Research. “This combines AVI-SPL’s strong A/V integration experience and 150+ strong, video-savvy, field sales force with Iformata’s robust, multi-tenant Symphony videoconferencing management system.

“The result is an immediately available, mature service offering from a well-known and trusted technology partner. Hosted video managed service offerings, like AVI-SPL’s Unify ME™, play a key role in helping enterprise organizations maximize the benefits they receive from their collaboration investments.”

Founded in 2004, Iformata has built a reputation as the leading innovator of VNOC tools and end-to-end automation services through its VNOC Symphony platform. Providing managed conferencing services to global enterprise firms, equipment manufacturers, and top-tier carriers and networks, Iformata’s 450 claim patent portfolio and platform has features for every aspect of managing an enterprise’s fleet of video systems, including call setup, intelligent framing, automated monitoring, event correlation, and call tear down – even for disparate immersive telepresence systems.

The addition of the Iformata VNOC service bureau, associated services and innovative technologies to AVI-SPL’s current Unify ME offering provides a more robust total managed services solution to customers. The enhanced services brought by Iformata is a strong addition to AVI-SPL’s portfolio, which currently includes cloud-based services, remote services and onsite services with long and short term Strategic Onsite Solutions and professional services.

“With the acquisition of Iformata, we become one of the only video solutions providers who can truly provide every aspect of the video communications experience.” said Mike Brandofino, AVI-SPL executive vice president of video and unified communications. “We think it is critical to be at the point of sale when selling services and the fact that we design, build and now provide VNOC managed services across any video platform, clearly differentiates us from anyone else in the space.”

The new operations and the associated employees will join AVI-SPL’s Support Services group under the leadership of AVI-SPL’s Executive Vice President of Video and Unified Communications Mike Brandofino.

For additional information, please contact UnifyME@avispl.com.

Only recently has this technology moved into our classrooms.   The number of brand manufacturers of 3D projectors has increased significantly, making the technology more available to K-12 classrooms.  Although not yet widely used, there are a few pioneering school districts implementing 3D.  I was curious to find out if 3D in the classroom improves learning gains and what educators have to say about it.

Boulder Valley School District in Colorado has integrated 3D in four of its schools. From an article in THE Journal, Nov/Dec 2011 issue, titled: “Taking Learning to a New Dimension,” thoughts on the effects of 3D in STEM education come from science teacher Kristin Donley, who says , “I teach mostly biology and chemistry, and a lot of that information is hard to visualize, so 3D really helped them see in much more detail what I was trying to teach them.”  She goes on to say, “As they would do an essay question about molecular processes, for example, they were able to recall details much better from a 3D versus a 2D and were able to put those details in an essay.”  

3D seems to go beyond the “wow” factor and encourages a deeper level of thought processes. Donley’s students, for example were able to demonstrate a higher level of understanding, and the use of higher order thinking skills. Anecdotal evidence points to what could be called the “Toddler Effect.”  Have you ever seen a very young child deeply immersed in play?  Students are deeply engaged in a 3D lesson as they want to know more about what they are seeing, which leads to much deeper understanding. 

Sounds like some of the early adopters of 3D are seeing tremendous benefits for their students.  I can’t wait to see more classrooms coming alive in 3D!

Visit AVI-SPL at FETC 2012, Jan. 24-26 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. We’ll be at booth #1407, offering professional development information and more!

Audiovisual technology offers a wealth of flexible possibilities to meet these dynamic needs, appealing to both auditory and tactile learners. In a range of advanced technologies, the simplicity of video remains a perfect medium for educators and students alike.

From innovative interactive whiteboards to the latest trends in 3-D projection technologies, discover engaging solutions that bring the ultimate level of excitement and education to your classroom. As we focus on empowering educators through technology, please be sure to stop by our booth at FETC and speak with our Education reps!

Presentation Schedule

Feel free to click here for our presentation schedule at FETC, Jan. 24-26. Our booth will include sessions on the SMART Response system, 3-D technology and interactive whiteboards, professional development for tech integration, prizes and so much more!

Professional Development

While at FETC, our sessions will feature:

RM Easiteach Next Generation: This is a complete whole-class teaching and learning software application which puts you in the driving seat for creating and delivering engaging lessons and resources.

The tools are rich and powerful, but also easy to use, removing barriers and allowing you to make the most of your classroom hardware tools – compatible with any interactive whiteboard and a range of classpads, voting systems and multi-touch tables.

Click here for a video overview of the Easiteach!

RM Dance to Advance: A fun and easy-to-use dance mat activity software for math, ELA, science and social studies.  Using visual, kinesthetic, and auditory stimuli, RM Dance to Advance is an ideal way to challenge and test students’ knowledge.

The captivating game format features 1 or 2 player capability and allows for single, dual (stepping on 2 answers at once) or sequential (A then B then C) responses.  RM Dance to Advance allows students to personalize their learning experience by selecting from a range of characters, music and background scenes.  Even the most reluctant learner will want to join in the fun!

RM ePad: The RM ePad gives you the freedom to teach and engage your students from anywhere in the classroom. Create and deliver engaging lessons with all the interactivity of a whiteboard from the palm of your hand.

The RM ePad includes RM Easiteach, the award-winning dynamic software tool for engaging and stimulating whole-class teaching. Click here for a video overview of this exciting product!

RM Tuff-Cam: The RM Tuff-Cam is an ultra-simple 3.1 mega-pixel digital movie/still camera designed particularly for children.  This innovative product features rugged rubber casing and a child-friendly grip that makes it perfect for classroom and field-trip use. 

The 4cm LCD screen facilitates video and audio recording and playback.  Children are able to adjust video resolution and zoom through intuitive and easily accessible buttons.  In addition, the camera includes 64MB of internal memory which can be expanded via the SD card slot. 

A docking station allows for easy connection to any PC or Mac (please note, the RM Tuff-Cam is not compatible with Windows 7).  

Come Meet AVI-SPL’s Education Team

These are just a few innovations you’ll see while visiting us at FETC. With a strong dedication towards not only meeting — but exceeding – client expectations, AVI-SPL’s highly trained, highly certified Education team defines the standards for the dynamic design, build and installation of cutting-edge presentation solutions.

You can depend on AVI-SPL to provide:

 • Customized presentation and communication solutions for your classroom

• Comprehensive training

• 24/7/365 support, both on-site and off-site 

While at FETC, please be sure to visit AVI-SPL at Booth #1407 to learn more about using video technology solutions in your classroom. You can also contact AVI-SPL by calling (866) 559-8197 or visiting www.avispl.com.

As we head into 2012, it occurred to me that the marketplace looks eerily familiar to one that some of us experienced 20 years ago.

Twenty years ago, the AV systems integration business was shaken by the fear that commoditization of the products that we used to create fully integrated system solutions would spoil margins and drive the true system integration company out of business. There was some fallout, but for the most part the system integration industry survived by educating clients about and differentiating the integration business from the “box house” businesses that were becoming a growing part of the market’s landscape. A similar situation exists today where “video wall systems” are being sold online after being advertised as a solution that anyone can design and install after selecting one product from column A, one product from column B and one product from column C.

Consequently, I believe our task is the same as it was 25 years ago: To educate the client and explain the value of having a systems integration company like the Control Room Group (CRG) design a system which specifically addresses their requirements (wants and needs) versus thinking they are saving a little money by purchasing a plug-and-play system online and settling for a “good enough” system.

With perhaps the exception of Pajama Jeans, there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for anything of value, and having been focused on the control room market for over 10 years now, CRG knows that as fact. CRG creates and supports 24/7 mission critical control rooms which are custom designed to meet the unique requirements of the client using common off-the-shelf components. The difference in cost between the one-size-fits-all “good enough” system and the fully-supported and specifically designed CRG control room system built to fit your exact needs – RARELY MORE THAN 10%.

Call me or send me an email and I’ll give you more specifics as to how we’ll go about creating an affordable, fully-functional and scalable control room system designed to meet and exceed your unique requirements.

I have another déjà vu experience to talk about but we’ll save that for the next blog. In the meantime, let me know how we can help. Give me a call at 1-888-619-9083 or send me an email – david.jones@avispl.com.

During this webinar, Biamp’s Read Wineland will teach you what to look for in a quality audio conferencing system (as well as the audio part of a video conferencing system). The microphones, DSP core electronics, loudspeakers, installation and room acoustics all need attention. If any one of those elements are inadequate, then your communications will suffer. Read will also explain and discuss the “state of the art” in Acoustic Echo Cancellation and the advantage of networked media systems in the distribution of audio and video.

Read Wineland is regional director Eastern North America for Biamp. Prior to joining the company in 1995, Read was an independent representative for Biamp and other professional audio product lines while based in Ohio. He also worked for Hollywood Sound Systems, and worked on such events as the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards and Saturday Night Live. Read holds a CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) certification awarded by Infocomm, the AV Industry’s governing body and is a member of the Audio Engineering Society.