AVT Question: Please share insights into the company's roadmap and what 2026 holds for its AV/IT customers.

Thought Leader: Steve Durkee, Chief Executive Officer at BrightSign

2025 was a notable year for the digital signage industry. More vertical markets—from retail and education to banking and transportation—doubled down on digital signage as a business and revenue driver. Instead of adopting a standalone digital display, more organizations embraced connected digital signage systems to better engage and captivate audiences.

2026 will be the year brands maximize ROI from these deployments. Organizations will prioritize easy-to-use digital signage solutions that measure and monetize audience engagement for interactive and personalized content. This demand will guide our 2026 roadmap at BrightSign, with AI playing a key role in this strategy.

The future of digital signage centers on combining AI insights with dynamic visuals for personalized audience interactions. AI-powered analytics give organizations a better understanding of audience interests and motivations. Using these insights to tailor content is what helps them drive stronger customer relationships.

In 2025, we capitalized on AI’s role in digital storytelling by launching new AI toolkits, which give our partners and end users the ability to easily optimize digital signage workflows with AI insights for better personalization. We also ensured the integrated Neural Processing Units (NPU) in BrightSign digital media players could run AI without compromising content playback.

We’re excited to expand AI capabilities, partnerships, and integrations in 2026. Innovations will center on specific applications in vertical markets to support efficient adoption.

As always, our commitment to security, reliability, and performance remains a priority when designing solutions. We look forward to further innovating our tech stack and expanding partnerships to help organizations embrace increasingly connected and personalized digital signage.

AVT Question: Please address pain points faced by AV/IT departments today and share insight into how your company supports AV/IT end users in creating a successful installation.

Thought Leader: Misty Chalk, Vice President of Sales, Americas at BrightSign

Amid the growing experience economy, AV/IT departments face pressure to enhance the experiences their organizations offer.

Deploying technology like digital signage can help, but it’s only the start of the process. Audiences crave personalized micro experiences. A museum setting, for instance, can no longer rely on showing the same digital content on each display; they need to create interactive activations tailored to the interests of each guest. This could mean pairing the digital display with a projector that presents possible topics on the floor, and visitors then stand on their preferred topic as it appears on the display.

While personalizing experiences helps engage audiences, AV/IT departments must avoid complicating their own workflows in the process. Seeking out a partner to support digital signage deployments from end-to-end can help streamline implementation and automate workflows, ensuring organizations have the right hardware, software, infrastructure, and remote management capabilities in place.

Measuring the impact of these experiences poses another challenge. Digital signage journeys are unique for each organization. Yet, these organizations often don’t discuss their goals early in the process. When thinking about impact, it’s helpful to consider the audience: Is it more important to reach as many people as possible—or is it better to target individuals with content that’s most relevant to them? Aligning on these questions can help AV/IT teams set realistic, measurable goals and implement proper solutions. If personalizing content is key, the team could explore AI-powered signage applications that track how many people view a display or detect the mood of a room and adjust content accordingly.

While innovating audience experiences is no small feat, working with a trusted partner can help simplify the process for maximum success.

If promotions, new hires, and partnerships are any indication of a healthy industry (spoiler: they are), Pro AV is thriving. With ISE 2026 in action to kick off February, you may have missed the flurry of moves that happened across our industry the past couple weeks.

[SCN Stellar Service Awards 2026 Nominations Now Open]

Don't worry. That's exactly what we are here for. Get caught up with the latest people movers and partnerships in Pro AV.

People on the Move

Advanced Systems Group Appoints Industry Veteran Derek Pezzotti to Lead Sports and Venue Market Growth

Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has appointed Derek Pezzotti as senior account executive. Pezzotti joins ASG’s Production and Innovation team to help expand the company’s presence in the sports and venue segment. In this role, Pezzotti works closely with ASG’s consulting, design, engineering, and integration teams.

Pezzotti arrives at ASG after an almost 20-year career spanning sports team and event operations, broadcast news, broadcast equipment manufacturer, and, most recently, a consulting firm specializing in broadcast technology for stadiums. This varied background has given him a 360-degree perspective of how venues are planned, procured, built, and run in real-world conditions. That background translates into faster project development and solutions that meet both technical and business goals.

Ampetronic | Listen Technologies Promotes Mikey Shaffer to Vice President of North American Sales

Listen Technologies and Ampetronic have promoted Mikey Shaffer to VP of North American sales. In this role, Shaffer is responsible for accelerating revenue growth, expanding market presence, and optimizing channel performance across North America. She leads the North American sales teams and channel partners in selling Listen Technologies and Ampetronic assistive listening systems.

Shaffer joined Listen Technologies in 2016 and has held marketing, vertical markets, and regional sales roles at the organization. Prior to her promotion, Shaffer served as senior director of sales in North America. Under her leadership, the team delivered a period of exceptional growth and operational maturity.

D-Tools Names G Paul Hess as CEO

D-Tools has appointed G Paul Hess to chief executive officer as part of a long-planned leadership succession. After more than a decade as CEO marked by strong, consistent growth, Randy Stearns has chosen to “downshift” from the role while remaining actively involved.

Hess brings decades of experience in the electronic systems industry, beginning his career as an integrator and later holding senior and executive leadership roles across product, sales, and marketing at organizations including Snap One and ADI. Having worked closely with integrators, manufacturers, and channel partners throughout his career, Hess has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the electronic systems community and how D-Tools’ platform can unlock greater efficiencies, profitability, and growth.

Visionary Appoints Ryan Nowak as VP of IPTV and Signage Solutions

Visionary appointed Ryan Nowak as VP of IPTV and signage solutions. In this role, Nowak leads system architecture, deployment strategy, and technical alignment for Visionary’s IPTV platform to support customers and partners worldwide.

Nowak brings more than 20 years of experience spanning IPTV systems engineering, global solution deployments and product strategy leadership. He works closely with Visionary’s product management, engineering and support teams to ensure scalable and reliable IPTV and signage deployments across enterprise, education, healthcare, sports and broadcast environments.

Prior to joining Visionary, Nowak held multiple senior leadership roles at VITEC, where he most recently served as strategic growth unit product director for Engage and Connect solutions. Earlier roles included head of product management for platforms and director of deployments, where he led global IPTV and signage deployments across diverse network environments. Earlier in his career, Nowak spent more than a decade with the Green Bay Packers as a technology systems engineer, supporting and maintaining technology systems across Lambeau Field and other managed facilities, including live-event operations and fan-facing technology environments.

Vizrt Welcomes Expanded Enterprise Team

Vizrt expanded its team to ignite a new era of professional-grade production, communication, and connection for enterprises. Under the leadership of Vizrt’s CRO, Ryan Poggi, the expanded enterprise team brings decades of expertise in enterprise technology to deliver broadcast-level engagement, once only available to Sports, Media and Entertainment corporations, to organizations of all sizes.

As the new VP of Enterprise, Andy Baillie brings a wealth of experience across content automation, AI and analytics, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) technologies. Baillie has held growth leadership positions at IBM, DocuSign, and Seismic. With a history of pioneering disruptive technologies that scale, he is uniquely positioned to deliver transformative outcomes for Vizrt customers.

Coming from leadership positions at Microsoft, SoftwareOne, and Pax8, Nikki Meyer leads the global Channel Sales team. She manages a high-performing team to deliver solutions via Vizrt’s international community of trusted partners, expanding the reach of communities that can create content that captivates viewers.

Company News

AES Opens Submissions for 6th International Conference on Audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality and Immersive Games

The Audio Engineering Society (AES) has announced details for its 6th International Conference on Audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality and Immersive Games (AVARIG2026), taking place in Europe and including immersive game audio for the first time, June 30 – July 3, 2026, at Sorbonne University/d'Alembert and IRCAM/STMS in Paris, France.

Submissions for peer-reviewed papers, extended summaries, workshops and tutorials are now being accepted through March 24, 2026. Accepted contributions will be included in the AES E-Library and considered for a special Journal of the Audio Engineering Society issue following the conference. Sponsorship opportunities are currently available, with conference registration opening soon. For details on submissions, programming, and how to participate, visit AES.org.

​Audacy and Sonos Forge Exclusive Partnership

Audacy and Sonos have announced a strategic partnership that includes Audacy serving as the exclusive U.S. sales and distribution representative for Sonos Radio’s streaming inventory. Through the partnership, Audacy will leverage its sales capabilities, technology and audio expertise to expand Sonos Radio’s advertising business and strengthen monetization across the platform. The partnership reflects Audacy and Sonos’s shared vision of maximizing the power of audio wherever and however people are listening, for both audiences and marketers.

Sonos Radio’s more than 100 stations will also be distributed on the Audacy platform, expanding access to Sonos Radio’s curated music, artist channels, and mood-driven listening experiences. Listeners will be able to discover Sonos Radio stations across the Audacy app and web, with Sonos Radio featured alongside Audacy’s popular owned-and-operated brands. In addition to distribution on the Audacy app and website, Audacy will also distribute Sonos Radio stations across various platforms, including Google Home, Alexa, and Apple Music. Audacy’s complete portfolio of broadcast stations has been available on Sonos devices since 2020.

AVI-SPL Achieves SOC 2 Type II Attestation

Among a bevy of announcements at ISE 2026, AVI-SPL announced that it has achieved SOC 2 Type II attestation. This attestation applies to the entire AVI-SPL organization and includes a separate SOC 2 Type II report for Symphony, AVI-SPL’s experience management platform. By earning SOC 2 Type II attestation directly, rather than relying on third-party platforms, AVI-SPL reinforces its commitment to security and its role as a trusted, enterprise-grade partner for organizations worldwide.

SOC 2 Type II attestation confirms not only that AVI-SPL has established strong security and confidentiality controls, but that those controls operate effectively over time. For customers, this provides assurance that their data and environments are protected throughout the full lifecycle of engagement, from design and deployment through ongoing managed services and support.

Brompton Technology Welcomes New Partner to Panel Manufacturer Partner Program

Brompton welcomed Fabulux LED as the first Silver Partner in its Panel Manufacturer Partner program. Brompton is introducing the Silver Partner tier to its Panel Manufacturer Partner program, alongside the existing Diamond and Gold Partner levels. While Brompton works with a huge range of LED panel manufacturers, the Partner Program recognises the particularly strong relationships the company has developed with panel manufacturers including ROE Visual (Diamond Partner), Absen, AOTO, and INFiLED (Gold Partners).

Grass Valley and NETGEAR Partner on Enterprise Broadcast AV Workflows

Grass Valley and NETGEAR announced a strategic partnership to serve the rapidly growing Broadcast AV segment. The collaboration combines NETGEAR AV’s live media optimized switching and secure IP networking with Grass Valley’s software-defined production tools and hardware platforms to make it simpler for enterprises to produce, manage, and distribute high-quality content.

Enterprise organizations, including corporations, universities, houses of worship, esports, and venues, increasingly require broadcast-quality production capabilities but have historically faced prohibitive costs and complexity. This partnership directly addresses that gap. Both companies share a common vision of interoperability, built on major standards including NDI, SMPTE ST 2110, Dante, and SRT, alongside a customer-first approach that simplifies user experiences and delivers powerful tools.

Ross Video, BeckTV Expand Ravens’ LED Display System for Stadium-Wide Control

BeckTV and Ross Video have partnered to deliver a major upgrade at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens. Building on a collaboration that began in 2017 and continued with a comprehensive content management system (CMS) overhaul in 2023, BeckTV led the design and integration of a fully unified LED display system that is now fully installed and operational for the current NFL season.

The upgrade introduces new LED boards in Premium Club and concourse areas, extending the Ravens’ CMS beyond the bowl displays. At the heart of the solution is the Ross XPression Tessera M9 engine, enabling real-time graphics rendering and data integration for LED displays and IPTV. The system also incorporates the Ross Ultrix FR5 routing platform, custom Rocket Surgery graphics design, and DashBoard control interfaces for seamless venue-wide management.

To support large-scale visual experiences, the system leverages Carbonite Mosaic for compositing live video and graphics and Ultrix Carbonite switchers for routing and processing. These technologies, combined under BeckTV’s design, ensure pixel-accurate rendering across massive LED surfaces, including end-zone boards approaching 13,000 pixels wide. The expanded CMS now drives content to 52 unique displays throughout the stadium, including concourse TVs, club screens, vomitory displays, and upper and lower ribbons. Full redundancy is built into the system to guarantee reliability during high-profile events.

Pleneo, Sennheiser Announce Intelligent Room Kits

Pleneo and Sennheiser unveiled the availability of two intelligent meeting room kits designed to remove installation complexity, reduce deployment cost, and enable consistent, AI-ready collaboration experiences in medium and large meeting spaces at scale.

The Pleneo Medium Room Kit and Pleneo Large Room Kit are designed to change that. Engineered for medium and large rooms, the kits extend AI-enabled collaboration into larger environments that are typically difficult to standardize and scale. By integrating Sennheiser ceiling microphones as part of a fully orchestrated Pleneo system, the kits deliver high-performance audio pickup that supports intelligent meeting experiences in the spaces where collaboration matters most.

Each kit is built around Pleneo RoomHub, which connects all room endpoints into Pleneo Room OS, the system layer that powers the room as a single, unified environment. Room OS enables zero-touch deployment and automated setup, allowing complete rooms to be brought online without specialist configuration or individual tuning of audio or video settings. Rooms deploy over standard IT infrastructure, using enterprise-grade security and governance frameworks by design.

Visix Named Premier Partner in BrightSign Bright Alliance Program

Visix has been recognized as a Premier partner in the BrightSign Bright Alliance program. This designation acknowledges Visix's commitment to leveraging BrightSign's media players and operating system, BrightSignOS, to power enterprise-level visual communications.

As a Premier partner, Visix will collaborate more closely with BrightSign to strengthen integrations, streamline support, and deliver greater value to customers. This ensures faster alignment on technology updates, deeper knowledge sharing, and coordinated assistance for complex deployments. Visix's priority access to BrightSign firmware and engineering resources accelerates development, supports advanced technical troubleshooting, and fosters continuous innovation informed by client feedback. All of this supports seamless performance and exceptional service, ultimately enabling more powerful, engaging digital signage experiences.

Those working in the digital signage space can attest that the technology has come a long way. In fact, one wonders whether we should still be calling it signage, given the role it plays in communications and operations today.

Joseph Mendonca, director of business development at AVI-SPL, observed that digital signage has moved beyond being a screen-based messaging medium, as an increasing number of organizations are leveraging the technology to provide intelligent, integrated digital experiences. “What was once a standalone communications tool now plays a critical role in workplace communications, operational awareness, employee and customer engagement, and data-driven decision-making,” he noted.

This is being driven by several developments, Mendonca noted, including AI and automation, cloud adoption, compliance and security requirements, and more sophisticated display and media player systems. He also highlighted the evolution of end-to-end content workflows.

“Modern platforms now integrate seamlessly with existing communications, workplace management, operations, and collaboration technologies, enabling organizations to deliver the right information to the right audience, at the right time, with minimal manual effort,” he said. In other words, for many companies, digital signage is a core component of their communications strategy, be it inward or outward facing.

Technology Boost

Innovation in LED, microLED, and ultra-high-resolution display technologies are also changing the digital signage landscape. In particular, Mendonca said microLED is well-suited for environments with high ambient light—including corporate offices, stadiums, and transportation hubs—thanks to high brightness and contrast, energy efficiency, and longevity.

Companies are also taking advantage of 8K, glasses-free 3D, holographic displays, and transparent LED walls for immersive experiences. Flexible or rollable screens, ideal for curved surfaces, serve as standout architectural features.

Systems have also matured to the point where digital signage content is truly dynamic. “[There are] more and more interactive scenarios where content is both live and [coming in] from different types of sources so that you can really animate all the elements of the screen in an automatic or interactive way,” said Francesco Ziliani, CEO at SpinetiX.

These capabilities have led to the combination of live streaming with more traditional digital signage content. For example, a soccer match may be broadcast in real time with a ticker featuring statistics on the players. “Before, you were forced to choose between streaming [or displaying the stats]," Ziliani explained. "Now it’s hybrid.”

Amber Ward, marketing director at Carousel Digital Signage, noted that a growing number of companies are engaging more than one digital signage content creator for their strategic marketing and communications efforts. This has led platform providers like Carousel to support multiple contributors across departments, people who are already accustomed to creating messages with industry standard software. “To make that possible, CMS providers are adding more integrations and familiar tools that simplify content creation and collaboration,” she said.

Managed Services

While small and mid-sized organizations often keep digital signage management in-house, many—especially those with large campuses, national firms with multiple locations, and global enterprises—opt to outsource to a third party. According to Mendonca, the main reason for this is the need to lighten the workload for AV and IT personnel.

“Managing platform operations, device fleets, content workflows, security, compliance, and ongoing support places significant strain on internal IT, AV, and communications teams,” he said, adding that his firm is witnessing increased demand for managed services from Fortune 500 and global organizations in financial services, government, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, and retail. “[These are markets] where digital signage is evolving from a point solution into a mission-critical component of the digital workplace and customer experience ecosystem.”

For Misty Chalk, VP of sales for the Americas at BrightSign, more clients are expecting their AV partners to provide managed services. In the client’s eyes, it renders AV integrators more accountable for the systems they deploy.

“I think that people are recognizing that if you have an unmanaged signage network, that’s not a strategy,” Chalk said. “Everything is now networked and connected, and people want someone that’s going to manage the entire fleet as well as everything else on their network.”

AI for Everything

Initially, organizations began experimenting with AI for digital signage content creation. According to Mendonca, companies these days have expanded their application of AI for automation, governance, and localization, as well as for the delivery of more personalized messaging. “Beyond content creation, AI is transforming how signage networks are operated and evolved, enabling intelligent workflows, policy-driven governance, and continuous optimization with far less manual effort,” he said.

AI is also augmenting interactive displays with the adoption of kiosks that support conversational AI and virtual assistants, as well as smart wayfinding featuring real-time navigation and multi-language support. This, combined with AI-powered analytics, enables companies to be more strategic in communicating with their target audiences.

“These capabilities allow digital signage to adapt dynamically to users, locations, and context, delivering more meaningful and inclusive experiences,” Mendonca said. “Organizations gain the ability to make data-informed decisions, communicate more intelligently, operate more efficiently, and continuously improve employee and customer experiences across the digital workplace.”

Still, according to Ward, AI has made digital communication more difficult to believe. “It’s becoming harder to tell what’s real, what’s generated, and what’s trustworthy,” she said.

Ward argued that organizations can position their digital signage messaging as more meaningful than the noise their audience receives from other outlets. “In corporate and education environments especially, signage networks have become trusted, curated channels, and a reliable source of information employees and students know they can count on,” she noted.

Keeping It Secure

Because a growing number of digital signage systems are cloud-based and deployed across multiple locations, they are exposed to the same risks as any other technology that sits on a network. While Mendonca acknowledged that today’s CMS platforms incorporate security protocols and standards such as encryption, ISO 27001, role-based access control, single sign-on (SSO), SOC 2 Type II, and zero trust architectures, this isn’t enough to keep systems safe.

“Integrators are no longer just deploying hardware—they serve as a critical bridge between AV, IT, and information security,” Mendonca said. “They must help organizations design, implement, and govern a secure digital signage architecture that aligns with corporate security policies, network segmentation strategies, identity management, device hardening, and long-term operational compliance.”

Jason Cremins, chief product officer at Navori Labs, advises AV integrators to consider these security best practices for their deployments:

• Adopt strict authentication and access control protocols.

• Apply HTTPS/TLS encryption for API calls, data transfers, and remote management.

• Don’t deploy any external APIs, apps, or widgets before vetting them for security compliance.

• Implement a rigorous schedule for firmware and software updates.

• Pay attention to the physical security of hardware, and avoid tampering by locking enclosures and protecting cables, especially in high-traffic areas.

• Segment the digital signage infrastructure from the main business network to reduce exposure to attacks.

• Set up centralized logs and real-time monitoring for threat detection.

“By prioritizing security at every stage of integration, AV integrators can deliver digital signage solutions that are effective and resilient against evolving threats, strengthening reliability, compliance, and customer trust,” Cremins said.

Best Practices

For a digital signage deployment to be successful, it’s necessary to start thinking of the future in the earliest planning stages of a project. When systems are designed for scale up front, the need for expensive reconfigurations down the road is significantly reduced. “Systems almost always grow to include more screens, more locations, more users, and more content,” Ward advised.

It’s also necessary for AV integrators to consider their relationship with the customer beyond deployment, Chalk emphasized. “They want somebody that’s going to be able to manage this all the way through and not just on day one,” she said. “We’re going to see a big shift in 2026 where it’s not going to be a single install anymore. Services are what’s going to matter, [and] that’s what people are going to start basing their decisions off of.”

AVT Question: Please share insights on emerging trends and technologies that help engage fans, distribute audio and video in near real-time, and make a difference in sporting venues and esports arenas.

Thought Leader: Misty Chalk, Vice President of Sales, Americas at BrightSign

With younger audiences preferring to watch games at home, higher ed sports and esports venues face the challenge of attracting them with an immersive fan experience.

No one wants to arrive at a game and struggle to see the action in real-time. Advancements in digital display and media player technology give everyone a close-up view, regardless of where they are sitting. BrightSign’s latest Series 6 players, for instance, support quality 4K IP streaming and eye-catching visuals with no delay. Additionally, BrightSign Built-In offers flexibility to position a display anywhere with the power of BrightSign’s System-on-a-Chip (SoC) solution. This way, venues can take advantage of small spaces, incorporating displays into the stadium’s aesthetic design.

Creating a hyper-personalized journey of micro experiences for fans helps distinguish the stadium experience from at-home viewing. Displays can power interactive touchscreen games or photo booths that superimpose fans’ photos alongside their favorite players, sparking excitement and sharing across social media for broader reach. Media players with sensing technology can direct people to shorter bathroom and concession lines to minimize wait times and support a seamless experience.

From an athlete’s perspective, the latest displays and media players help create a positive pre-game and game-time experience. AI applications can detect the mood of the locker room before the game and adjust visuals accordingly. If players look serious, the display will show stats from the opponents’ previous games to help them prepare. However, if they seem nervous, the displays could update to more soothing imagery for a calm environment. Similarly, high-quality media players that can power 8K video and high-speed 3D motion graphics ensure esports players can easily watch their teammates’ progress and strategize effectively.

Higher ed stadiums are highly visual environments, making the latest display and media player technology critical to an immersive athlete and spectator experience.

December is upon us, but November went out with a bang in the Pro AV world. Right before the Thanksgiving holiday, Broadsign acquired Place Exchange, an independent OOH supply-side platform (SSP), with a minority investment from Crestline Investors. The strategic move combines Broadsign’s content management system, ad serving, and buy-and-sell side capabilities with Place Exchange’s SSP and complementary solutions. You can get the full details in our coverage by clicking here.

Now, before December brings a flurry of winter Pro AV moves, let's get caught up on the final week of November.

People News

Jim Veltrie, President/CEO, Tower Products Retires

After a long and distinguished career, James A. “Jim” Veltrie president and CEO of Tower Products, and its internationally known divisions, Markertek and TecNec Distributing, has announced his retirement effective December 30th, 2025.

Veltrie was one of the first employees hired by Mark Braunstein, founder, president, and CEO as well as chairman of the board of Tower Products, in 1987. He was appointed to the president and CEO position upon Braunstein’s retirement in 2016.

Throughout his 38-year career, Veltrie has been an integral part of the company’s consistent growth and stability, establishing long-term, positive business partnerships. He also led the successful transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Company, a milestone that solidified the company’s future.

Veltrie worked closely with Tower’s board of directors to elect a successor. Current chief marketing officer, Gregory DeCelle will be named president and CEO upon his retirement. DeCelle will bring his extensive knowledge of the industry, 32-year tenure, experience and leadership as he and Veltrie work together toward a smooth transition.

Company News

Arlington Appoints New Rep in Upstate New York

Arlington’s line in upstate New York will be represented by Lachut Electrical Sales of North Syracuse, NY. Founded by Ron Lachut, Lachut Electrical Sales has been in business since 1980. His son, Jason Lachut, is the president and principal of the company. Lachut Electrical Sales will assume responsibility for sales and create demand for Arlington’s products in upstate New York, replacing Flynn-Reynolds who resigned the Arlington line.

Clockaudio Moves Stateside

Clockaudio (UK) has launched a new distribution operation in the United States. As part of this transition, distribution operations will shift from Canada to the United States to better serve the growing American market. This important move will facilitate the logistics by having all the products shipped domestically and ensure even faster delivery times across the United States.

Clockaudio USA will be based in Minnesota and includes a team with years of experience and expertise in microphones, audio hardware, and software integration. They will play a key role in supporting Clockaudio (UK) advance into the expanding U.S. market. Together, the companies aim to provide seamless access to high-performance audio products for the Pro AV world.

CODA Audio Partners with Production Futures

CODA Audio has partnered with the Production Futures organization. Production Futures was founded to create opportunities for newcomers to gain access, learn, train, network, and develop careers in the production industries, working with its partners to bridge the skills gap, support fresh talent, and future-proof the sector.

Through its online platforms and ON TOUR events, the Production Futures community helps to connect new faces with real opportunities, with representatives of its brand partners available to offer advice, as well as access to training and job opportunities. The organization’s pledge is that by 2030, every business in the entertainment production industry should be able to offer a placement, apprenticeship, or training opportunity.

Epson, Vivi Join Forces to 'Redefine How Teachers Connect with Students'

Epson announced a partnership with classroom engagement, campus communications, and school safety software creator, Vivi, to help simplify wireless screen mirroring in educational settings.

Uniting high-impact projection with the freedom and flexibility of wireless teaching, Epson and Vivi offer a seamless solution to help educators bring concepts to life in real time. This partnership supports an integrated solution designed specifically for K-12 learning environments that empowers teachers to untether from the front of the room and enables students share content, capture screenshots of the teacher’s display, annotate, and interact collaboratively. Teachers can play content, give permissions to students to share, get immediate feedback and more to encourage collaboration. It also simplifies IT administration with a flexible, OS-agnostic platform.

Vivi and Epson worked together on this modern solution to help schools simplify AV IT ecosystems. Providing an alternative to flat panels, without sacrificing functionality or impact, Epson’s wide range of 3-chip 3LCD projectors, from interactive displays to high-lumen options, breathe new life into ordinary walls and spaces with bright, vibrant, high-resolution images. When paired with Vivi’s wireless screen sharing, digital signage, communication and safety tools, schools get a solution that supports immersive learning and turns nearly any lesson, or space, into a multi-sensory experience.

ViewSonic Launches Certification Program for Direct View LED Installations

ViewSonic has launched a dvLED Installation Certification Program. Created for AV installers, the program facilitates integrators and contractors to install ViewSonic dvLED solutions effectively and efficiently.

As the dvLED market grows, the Installation Certification Program allows installers and integrators the opportunity to build their customer base and offer on-site support, as well as create an additional revenue stream. The program will kick-off in December 2025 in Brea, CA, with future locations and dates to be announced throughout 2026.

The program includes two days of instructor-led, on-site training combined with hands-on coaching using actual products and components. Each course is designed to ensure installers and integrators fully understand dvLED core technologies and learn proper installation practices for ViewSonic Direct View LED solutions through extensive, practical training.

Pro AV Around the Globe

Bolin Technology has a new strategic partnership with Nippon RAD of Tokyo, Japan. The strategic partnership marks Bolin’s first in Japan and represents a major step in strengthening its presence across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region—an emerging market for IP-based broadcast and Pro AV technologies. Through this new agreement, Nippon RAD will serve as a strategic business partner representing Bolin’s entire line of PTZ cameras and accessories in Japan, providing local sales, technical support, and demonstration capabilities for Bolin products.

L-Acoustics opened its expanded Asia-Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore. The new facility includes a dedicated L-Acoustics Creative Studio where artists, content creators, and partners can discover, experiment with, and create spatial audio mixes using L-Acoustics groundbreaking immersive sound technology. The new headquarters features the L-Acoustics Creative Studio, a 506-square-foot (47-square-meter) immersive audio studio equipped with 23 L-Acoustics speakers arranged in a three-dimensional configuration—including frontal, surround, and overhead arrays. The space is also equipped with L-Acoustics DJ technology, the latest immersive innovation for club and festival environments, enabling DJs and electronic music artists to learn the technology and prepare spatial sets.

LEA Professional has partnered with Audio Americas, a manufacturer’s representative that will enhance LEA’s presence in Latin America. Audio Americas will bring LEA’s rich technology catalog to channel partners across the region. Audio Americas specializes in commercial and residential AV, with a stable of over 120 customers in 24 countries. Through this partnership, Audio Americas will represent LEA Professional’s Network Connect series of professional amplifiers and companion Dante Connect series featuring Dante and AES67 connectivity.

Based in the city of Ottawa, Ingenium owns and operates three museum properties, including the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Fueled by Carousel Cloud software, BrightSign media players and BrightSign’s BSN.Cloud servicefor secure media player management, the Ingenium AV/IT team has quickly scaled from 15 end points on its Canada Science and Technology Museum campus to 50 across all three museums.

[How Digital Signage Can Elevate Healthcare Communications]

All Carousel and BrightSign components live on a common IT infrastructure with native cloud connectivity between all points, empowering network operators through remote management software, secure content delivery and seamless technology integrations.

The Canada Science and Technology Museum campus also includes the Ingenium Centre, an artifact and archive collection storage facility that is open to the public and is part of the Carousel Cloud network. In addition to public-facing signage, Carousel and BrightSign feed corporate-themed content to staff and visitors on seven displays within Ingenium’s corporate office areas. This was in fact the first sign of what was to come.

“I was on staff with the systems integration firm that installed the initial on-prem Carousel servers and corresponding displays in the staff lunch rooms,” said Brian Wragg, AV specialist for Ingenium. “We installed Windows-based media players with those servers. I later joined Ingenium around the time that the Science and Technology Museum went through a major renovation, which included digital signage for visitor information and visual content. We decided to stay with Carousel, but transitioned to BrightSign for media players.”

Ingenium stayed with Carousel because mainly because of its ease of use. “We evaluated other systems but they all proved too complicated,” said Wragg. “Our creative services team handles most of the content creation, scheduling and uploading, and other users have access to certain zones. There was no reason to shake up that formula, and our decision to shift to BrightSign was another reason to stay with Carousel. Now that we have moved to Carousel Cloud, there is an entirely new layer of simplicity and harmony across the network. The BrightSign players are rock-solid. We can synchronize content between them, and we can pipe content from indoor to outdoor screens without having to switch player inputs. BSN.Cloud allows for that freedom, and gives us the power to remotely manage, monitor and control all players.”

The Carousel Cloud network presents a diversity of content across different museums and areas. All museums feature admission screens, which list prices, membership promotions and brief overviews of the daily schedules. The Science and Technology Museum includes a cluster of five screens that offers overviews of current and future events across all three museums plus wayfinding maps for visitor navigation. New to the network are interactive screens that prompt visitors to submit photos for presentation in the Science and Technology Museum and Aviation and Space Museum.

The BrightSign devices installed behind each screen are a mix of players powering 1080p and 4K content. “We have a lot of artifacts with national historic significance at the Ingenium Centre, and very nice images of our staff working with artifacts and prototypes for interactive exhibits,” said Wragg. “It made sense to present these in 4K, which visitors see on a 65-inch display. We will also add a 4K player to project a 40-foot-wide image on the side of the Aviation and Space Museum.”

Speaking of outdoors, BrightSign players are installed in weathertight enclosures with cooling and heating control to compensate for the dynamic Ottawa weather. “We have had one outside for three years with no performance issues,” said Wragg. “We recently added three kiosks with BrightSign players outside of the Agriculture and Food Museum and we expect reliable performance through their first winter. That property is spread out across several buildings, and these screens provide wayfinding and information about exhibits and outdoor activities.”

The transition to a cloud network has also made life easier for the IT department and the creative service staff, the latter of whom typically work from home. “They no longer have to VPN 500MB files to the on-prem server, and they can preview new content without having a physical player in their presence,” said Wragg. “Carousel Cloud manages everything efficiently, and the supervisor in charge of the IT network loves that Carousel consumes minimal bandwidth and has no VPN requirement. Overall, Carousel Cloud makes it’s easy to create, schedule and change content, and BrightSign brings everything to life with exceptional reliability. Everyone benefits.”

It was another very busy week in Pro AV. Diversified opened a new headquarters, Nanolumens and FOR-A were among a slew of industry companies that made new appointments, and NDI named a new Board.

[SCN Top 50 2025: It's Time to Enter!]

Let's get right to it.

People News

Tom Baldassare Joins Advanced Systems Group

Industry veteran Tom Baldassare has joined Advanced Systems Group as a senior account executive. In his new role, he will maintain and develop relationships with Fortune 100 tech and financial firms on both coasts. Baldassare is one of the creators of the Silicon Valley Video Summit, a consistently sold-out event every January, co-sponsored by ASG.

Baldassare has built a following among the top Silicon Valley and west coast tech firms. In addition to servicing existing clientele, Baldassare will also lead ASG’s initiative to cultivate new technology and finance firms as clientele in New York City.

Cobalt Iron Appoints Joshua Pressnell as VP of Engineering

Cobalt Iron welcomed Joshua Pressnell as VP of engineering. Based in Ohio, Pressnell will draw on his diverse background in defense systems, mobile applications, and enterprise software to further strengthen Cobalt Iron’s engineering organization and drive innovation across its Compass enterprise data protection platform.

Pressnell will lead Cobalt Iron’s Software and Systems teams, applying proven engineering leadership to accelerate innovation and product delivery. He aims to build on Cobalt Iron’s strong engineering foundation by enhancing collaboration across departments and refining how technical execution supports strategic business goals. His focus is on evolving engineering practices to align with the company’s vision for 2025 and beyond, ensuring continued delivery of innovative, reliable solutions that meet the dynamic needs of enterprise customers.

Pressnell’s career began in the defense sector, where he lead the creation of mission-critical systems for the U.S. Department of Defense, developing a deep appreciation for cyber security and bulletproof software design. He later founded Varietas Software, producing over 30 niche mobile applications — including a pioneering personal book cataloging app and an email prioritization tool used by enterprise clients. Later, as CTO at Penthera Technologies, he led the development of advanced video streaming solutions for major media brands. His leadership roles at RTI, Ascendum Solutions, and various startups further showcase his expertise in cloud computing, cross-functional team management, and delivering scalable, customer-focused solutions.

FOR-A America Names Ernie Leon SVP, Head of Sales and Strategic Growth

FOR-A America named Ernie Leon as SVP, head of sales and strategic growth. In his new role, Leon will oversee sales strategy, business development, and market expansion.

With previous senior leadership roles at Sony and Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud solutions, Leon brings a unique blend of broadcast expertise, cloud workflow innovation, and customer-focused strategy to help FOR-A America accelerate growth and better serve core customers in the broadcast, corporate, and house-of-worship markets.

Nanolumens Appoints Patrick Britton as Chief Operating Officer

Nanolumens has appointed Patrick Britton as chief operating officer. Britton brings more than 25 years of experience in the audiovisual industry, with a versatile background spanning project management, product launches, operations and executive leadership. His career includes roles as VP of sales and marketing at IMS Technology Services, CEO of South Central AV, regional general manager at AVI-SPL, principal consultant at Polaris Management Advisors, and, most recently, senior consultant at Navigate Management Consulting.

In his new role, Britton will focus on strengthening Nanolumens’ operational workflows to manage increasing volumes and unify systems across the organization. His expertise in enterprise resource planning tools will be a key asset in optimizing efficiency, productivity, and alignment throughout the company.

PPDS Appoints Digital Signage Sales Specialist Hendrik Hack

PPDS welcomed digital signage sales specialist, Hendrik Hack. Accepting the role of sales manager digital signage for north and northeast Germany, Hack joins PPDS with a career spanning almost 10 years, specializing exclusively in digital signage and interactive display sales and project management.

Hack will play a key role in PPDS achieving its growth ambitions for Philips digital signage, as well as value added solutions such as Philips Wave, in Germany. His responsibilities will include working with and supporting PPDS’ partners and customers, as well as with PPDS’ global teams for multinational projects, helping to increase business opportunities, secure tenders, and ensure seamless project completions across all market verticals, including retail, corporate, education, hospitality, healthcare, transportation, public venues, and more.

StreamGuys Promotes Two to Executive Layer

StreamGuys has promoted Tim LaBelle to EVP of global sales and Jesse Orr to EVP of engineering, effective immediately. They will work closely together to fuel the company’s next generation of business growth.

In his new role, LaBelle will oversee all sales and business development. His innate understanding of the company’s technology brings valuable insights for customers and enterprises. Orr has long been a key contributor and leader behind the scenes at StreamGuys, where his core responsibilities include bringing more efficiency to both StreamGuys and customer organizations. That includes maintaining the networking and infrastructure, global data centers, and working to assure 100% uptime for customers' streams and StreamGuys’ suite of services.

Cam Eicher Named EVP of Audio Production for Telos Alliance

Telos Alliance has promoted Cam Eicher to EVP of audio production. In his newly created role, Eicher will leverage his 35-plus years of broadcast experience, deep understanding of customers’ needs, and the strong relationships he has built while at Telos Alliance to bring a more unified product portfolio to market more quickly and ensure a cohesive and consistent user experience across products and brand families.

Company News

22Miles Joins the BrightSign Bright Alliance Program

22Miles has been named an Elite Partner within BrightSign’s Bright Alliance program. The recognition underscores the companies’ long-standing collaboration and highlights their shared commitment to delivering seamless, innovative digital signage experiences across retail, healthcare, education, and hospitality environments.

Bright Alliance is BrightSign’s strategic partner program designed to unlock new possibilities for digital signage by fostering collaborative solutions, seamless technology integration, and joint go-to-market support. Within this program, Elite partners represent the highest level of collaboration. Elite status is reserved for CMS providers that work in close alignment with BrightSign’s technical roadmap, pioneer new markets, and drive customer success at scale.

Audio-Technica Introduces Technica Base Product Portal

Audio-Technica unveiled Technica Base, a new online technical resource center designed to give system integrators, consultants, and Pro AV specialists streamlined access to A-T commercial audio product information. Technica Base offers technical product information, relevant downloads, and other resources to support the specification and deployment of Audio-Technica solutions for commercial audio applications, perfect for accessing information in the integrator’s office or out in the field at their job site.

Technica Base is an easy-to-use search hub offering users up-to-date information on A-T solutions, including documents on each product, technical specifications, software and firmware downloads, high-res images, videos and more. Product information on Technica Base is organized by Wired Products, Wireless Products, and Products by Line (Engineered Sound, UniPoint, ProPoint). Additional System Solution Links include Software and Firmware (Download current software and firmware), Strategic Alliances and Partnerships (complete listing of third-party partners), Case Studies (examples of real-world applications of A-T solutions) and System Solution Territory Contacts.

NDI Appoints Global Advisory Board

Last month, NDI formed its inaugural Global Advisory Board, uniting top industry leaders from across the video technology ecosystem to support NDI’s continued growth, innovation, and worldwide adoption. The NDI Advisory Board will provide strategic counsel on interoperability, standards development, developer outreach, and broader ecosystem opportunities.

Steve Taylor, chief product and technology officer at Vizrt, will serve as chair of the Advisory Board, bringing deep product and industry expertise to lead this strategic group. The six additional members are Jeff Moore, EVP and chief marketing officer, Ross Video; Laurent Masia, senior director of product line management, NETGEAR; Fintan McKiernan, CEO, Ideal Systems; Mahmoud Al-Daccak, video technology expert, MulticoreWare; Andy Carluccio, head of client innovation, Zoom; and Miguel Coutinho, head of NDI.

NSCA Education Foundation Launches Legacy Program

The NSCA Education Foundation, the 501c3 charitable activity affiliate of NSCA focused on workforce development and industry advancement, recently announced a significant financial contribution from Ray Bailey, CEO of Lone Star Communications, to help support the foundation's new Legacy Program.

Bailey is stepping back from his longstanding roles with NSCA and the NSCA Education Foundation, where he’s served in various leadership and Board of Directors roles for more than two decades. He presented the donation in July during his final NSCA Board of Directors meeting, coinciding with his company’s transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

The Legacy Program is designed to sustain long-term investments in career, talent, and professional-develop resources that strengthen the commercial integration industry. Bailey will play an instrumental role in determining how his contributions are applied. Potential initiatives include specialized training programs, such as AI-related skills for integrators, as well as events and programs focused on attracting young professionals to the industry.

Sennheiser Partners with Rise AV to Support Diversity in the AV Industry

The Sennheiser Group has joined forces with Rise AV, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing gender diversity and inclusion in the audiovisual sector. As a Gold Sponsor, Sennheiser supports Rise AV’s mission to create pathways for women and underrepresented talent. By supporting Rise AV, Sennheiser contributes to a shared vision: an AV industry where talent is recognized regardless of gender, and where inclusive structures enable long-term change.

Sennheiser has been advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through initiatives such as its Diversity Network, launched in 2019 and rooted in a women’s network from 2016. Other milestones include the signing of the German Diversity Charter in 2022, the introduction of global DEI training for all employees by 2025, and the annual celebration of Diversity Day. Together, these measures reflect a culture where every voice counts, and different perspectives are valued as sources of innovation.

Utelogy Joins Forces with Natilik to Enhance Managed Meeting Spaces

Utelogy Corporation announced its strategic partnership with Natilik, an IT solutions provider with headquarters in London and offices in New York and Sydney. This collaboration brings Utelogy’s intelligent software platform into Natilik’s long-standing Managed Services portfolio, further strengthening its Managed Meeting Spaces offering.

Together, Utelogy and Natilik are enabling enterprises to achieve proactive support, real-time monitoring, historical analytics, and remote troubleshooting across their AV and UC environments. This combination empowers organizations to optimize uptime, streamline operations, and improve user experiences across global deployments.

WeQuote Expands to North America

For AV integrators, managing quotes, projects, and client communications often means juggling tools that weren’t built for their business. Designed by AV professionals, WeQuote is a software platform that makes quoting, project management, and client updates simple, fast, and reliable. Already used across Europe, WeQuote is now expanding to North America, giving integrators a tool that fits their workflow.

WeQuote’s U.S. launch marks a major milestone in the company’s global growth, helping AV professionals everywhere streamline their workflow and eliminate inefficiencies. “Integrators shouldn’t have to work around software,” said Lee Roche, WeQuote co-founder and CEO of. “WeQuote adapts to how teams actually work, so they can focus on delivering great AV experiences instead of fighting spreadsheets and emails."

Pro AV Around the World

Diversified opened a new office in Frankfurt, Germany. The strategic hub expands the company’s operational footprint in EMEA, serving as a center for client engagement, technology demonstrations, engineering, and project delivery. The office space spans ~5,400 square feet (500 square meters), with a 1300 square meter warehouse, supporting Diversified’s existing team with plans to grow headcount over the next two years. The facility provides ample space for prestaging, warehousing, and collaboration for Diversified and its technology partners, including Sennheiser and Crestron, to engage with clients and showcase solutions on-site.

SpinetiX appointed Green Sources as a distribution partner for India. Green Sources will offer the full SpinetiX portfolio and provide on-the-ground commercial and technical support to SpinetiX resellers and integrators nationwide.

Newly Certified

AVer Information's MD720UIS, a medical-grade, all-in-one PTZ camera, has obtained Zoom Pro AV Camera Certification. Purpose-built for telehealth and patient monitoring, the MD720UIS delivers a seamless Zoom experience, enabling healthcare professionals to provide consistent, high-quality care in virtual consultations, intensive care units, telesitting programs and remote patient monitoring environments.

The MD720UIS is engineered to meet the evolving demands of modern healthcare. Featuring 20X optical zoom, ultra-clear 4K imaging and IR night vision, the MD720UIS ensures sharp, detailed visuals in any lighting condition. With PoE++ connectivity, it transmits both power and data over a single Ethernet cable, simplifying setup across medical carts, patient rooms and virtual nurse stations. Designed with privacy and compliance in mind, the MD720UIS features a Local Privacy Mode that halts audio and video transmission, plus an intelligent Mosaic function that automatically masks bodies or faces in the frame to protect patient identity.

Elsewhere, Owl Labs announced its Meeting Owl 4+ has achieved Microsoft Teams certification. With this milestone, the Meeting Owl 4+ joins the Meeting Owl 3 and Owl Bar as peripherals that are certified for Microsoft Teams. With its full ecosystem now certified, Owl Labs provides IT professionals with a comprehensive suite of industry-leading hybrid collaboration solutions.

With this achievement, Owl Labs reinforces its role as a trusted IT partner, serving nearly 250,000 organizations and 92 of the Fortune 100. The Teams certification validates that Owl Labs products meet the rigorous requirements of IT buyers and ensures optimal functionality in enterprise ecosystems.

Setting aside the sports venues of previous years, the 2025 AV/IT Summit brought together industry leaders at Convene at One Liberty Plaza in Lower Manhattan for discussions centered on collaboration, innovation, and issues affecting the industry. Produced by Future B2B, it was the most successful summit to date, with more than 20 sponsors and record attendance.

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Led by AV Technology’s Cindy Davis and SCN’s Mark J. Pescatore, the conference program featured forward-looking sessions, networking opportunities, and actionable insights aimed at shaping AV/IT convergence. Here are some highlights from the day's program.

Bring the Pain

The summit kicked off with the new "Pain Points Panel," an interactive discussion about challenges currently facing the industry, including reducing system complexity and enhancing collaboration between AV and IT teams. Matt McCleskey of Xyte emphasized the importance of designing AV systems that are cloud-compatible and AI-ready, enabling them to adapt and stay relevant as technology evolves. He noted that standardizing a consistent set of components will make systems easier to service and training simpler.

Pescatore emphasized the ongoing frustration of not involving integrators early enough in the design process, which could prevent costly changes and better aligned technology choices with business goals. This resonated with the audience, with one participant noting that integrators are often faced with “nonsense” designs that they then must fix.

The panel also emphasized the problem of AV being seen as separate from IT, often found in facilities but not included in the IT strategy. Bill Chamberlin from Verrex claimed that AV should be treated as an operational expense, like IT hardware, with planned upgrade cycles of three to seven years, helping systems from falling behind in security and features.

Cybersecurity Realities

During his keynote, Jared Timmins of Diversified described the rapid integration of AV, IT, media, and cloud workflows as a technological renaissance that demands a new approach to security, design, and operations. Once isolated, modern AV systems are now intelligent, flexible, connected environments, but they are becoming more vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks, including a 4,000% increase in AI-driven phishing attacks over the past year.

[Diversified: Is Cybersecurity an Inside Job?]

Timmins stressed to attendees that they must go beyond “fit-for-purpose” AV systems and adopt "secure-by-design" principles, making security an integral part of the design and deployment process rather than an afterthought. “If you wait, security becomes a liability instead of a strategy,” he said.

While software orchestration, microservices, and cloud-based infrastructure offer scalability and agility, they also add complexity and potential vulnerabilities. Technology is crucial, but the connection between AV and IT teams is equally vital, as many security breaches stem from social engineering rather than technical flaws. Teams need not only better tools but also enhanced training, shared standards, and earlier involvement from integrators, manufacturers, and enterprise IT.

Virtual Misconceptions

Virtual production is a rapidly expanding field that offers numerous opportunities and practical uses across various sectors, including corporate and higher education. However, it is often misunderstood.

Sony's John Garmendi shared the “three Cs” of virtual production misconceptions: cost, complexity, and cinema. Many believe virtual production is only for Hollywood blockbusters, but there are many ways to get started small, such as greenscreens, AI-enabled tracking, or LED walls that can be scaled to fit your space and budget.

Matt Morgan of Ross Video emphasized that the key is asking the right outcome-oriented questions, such as what’s the purpose and how do we serve that purpose with the appropriate solution. Mark Metzger from AVIXA agreed, explaining that you can start small and scale as your needs grow, while still increasing engagement and production value.

Look to the Future

"The Future of AV Technology" session covered a variety of topics. Sharath Abraham from Jabra began by explaining how hybrid work has become the new norm, citing economist Nick Bloom’s research concerning return-to-office policies, with many companies often requiring at least one day in the office each week. Advanced Systems Group's Michele Ferreira added that hybrid work has expanded beyond conference rooms into broadcast environments, maintaining workflows that were adapted during the pandemic.

Looking closely at modern conference rooms, users expect them to function as a seamless extension of other workday tools, including integration with apps and a consistent user interface. Rob Pickering from TRITECH Communications emphasized that the most successful organizations make training a routine part of their culture through ongoing messaging and drop-in sessions, rather than one-time training events.

The panel agreed that when it comes to AI, it’s important to understand it rather than fear it, focusing on using it to streamline operational tasks like filtering emails, automating research, and mastering prompting to maximize its benefits.

Lessons from Higher Education

Moderated by HETMA chair Erin Maher-Moran from Johns Hopkins University, a session devoted to higher education wasn't focused on failures, but rather provided an opportunity to examine what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what we can all do better moving forward.

[SCN Goes Back to School—Get the August Issue Today!]

For example, Marcus Longmuir from The New School voiced frustration about a multi-room project that started smoothly but became overwhelmed by too many contractors, subcontractors, and project managers, which led to scattered communication and poor decision-making. “We ended up having seven final walkthroughs … and we still had, over the years, issues with all of the rooms,” he shared.

Tim Van Woeart from Rutgers University shared a cautionary story. Despite thorough preparation and testing, a crucial step was overlooked: network compatibility. This oversight caused AV switchers in 30 classrooms to lock up, requiring replacement and costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Even if everything goes perfectly, both panelists noted that well-installed systems can still be wasted if end users aren’t engaged or trained, which is why they emphasized ongoing support and faculty outreach. “If no one knows about it, or no one’s going to support it, it’ll then sit there in the system and just collect dust,” Van Woeart added.

AV/IT Convergence

As discussed during the "AV/IT // IT/AV" session, the rapid adoption of AI has compelled many to find ways to bridge the gap between AV and IT, with early collaboration being crucial for successful AI-enhanced experiences. Vanessa Jensen from Shure also pointed out that cloud monitoring and enterprise VLAN integration are becoming standard practices, with remote visibility, monitoring, and troubleshooting becoming game changers for many organizations.

With an IT background, Tom Nyhus of AVI-SPL highlighted the complexity of network strategy and emphasized that you can’t use a one-size-fits-all approach when comparing dedicated AV networks to their integration into enterprise infrastructure. By using proper segmentation, VLANs, and firewalls, you can build networks that support both while reducing costs and maintaining performance and security.

NETGEAR’s Alex Pendleton emphasized the importance of reliable enterprise-grade hardware, demonstrated by NETGEAR’s success in penetration testing with Fortune 500 companies. He also noted that low-end switches often lack the features necessary for AV security.

Giving Voice to the AI Buzz

The summit wrapped up with a discussion of everyone’s favorite buzzword, AI, and how it’s transforming collaboration, workflows, and revenue models. Joel Carroll of Mersive highlighted how powerful AI can be in easing friction in meetings—and if you don’t even notice it’s there, that’s when we will know AI is truly effective. Meanwhile, Misty Chalk of BrightSign emphasized the impact on digital signage, highlighting that AI enhances real-time analytics and personalization by processing gaze detection, demographics, and emotions directly on the media player, allowing for instant content adjustments.

AI can also influence speech-to-text and translation services by enabling instant live translations in multiple languages. Bill Bennett from ENCO Systems mentioned that it can even reproduce speech in synthetic voices modeled after the original speaker.

But AI isn’t perfect, with SCN columnist David Danto of TalkingPointz sharing that it is often "confidently wrong." As a result, it must always be viewed as a tool that requires human oversight and editing of the final product. That’s why, when asked if AI is currently more hype or hope, most of the panel leaned toward hype, but recognized real potential if the Pro AV industry can figure out the best ways to utilize it.

Olyns is a Silicon Valley startup innovating at the intersection of recycling and retail media. Its flagship product, “The Cube,” is an AI-powered reverse vending machine equipped with a 55-inch digital screen powered by Wovenmedia and BrightSign that promotes sustainability and brand engagement in high-traffic retail environments.

[Digital Signage Continues to Thrive]

Only 14% of plastic is collected for recycling, leading to significant waste that pollutes ecosystems. Olyns set out to address this by encouraging everyday recycling through The Cube. Positioned at the entrances of high-traffic retail locations, each Cube incentivizes recycling while delivering targeted brand messaging to consumers before they shop.

To succeed, Olyns needed more than smart hardware. They required a digital signage solution that could operate continuously and reliably in unattended retail environments, support remote management for quick updates to dynamic advertising content across a growing fleet of Cubes, scale easily as the network expands nationally, ensure seamless playback to maximize ad visibility and engagement, and work with their chosen Programmatic Advertising platform for network monetization.

To meet these demands, Olyns partnered with Wovenmedia and BrightSign—combining a content management system (CMS) with media players to power the full digital experience.

Olyns selected Wovenmedia and BrightSign to deliver a digital signage solution that could meet the unique demands of The Cube.

Wovenmedia’s flexible, cloud-based CMS allows Olyns to scale effortlessly—adding new units, localizing content, and updating campaigns in real time across the entire network or by designated marketing zones. Additionally, BrightSign’s digital signage players, powered by their purpose-built operating system BrightSignOS, were designed with reliability and durability in mind—ensuring seamless playback across Olyns’ network.

The combination of Wovenmedia’s software and BrightSign’s hardware and operating system gave Olyns a dependable, scalable solution that supports its dual mission: improving recycling rates and enabling brand storytelling at the point of purchase.

The Olyns solution is a win-win for the environment, retailers, customers, and brands. As Olyns continues to grow its network across the United States, it knows it can rely on Wovenmedia’s CMS to support that growth regardless of how geographically dispersed its network becomes.

On June 10, the day before the InfoComm 2025 show floor opened, the winners of SCN Installation Product Awards 2025 were revealed during a ceremony at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Winning products were recognized across 12 categories, including two new categories for 2025: Most Innovative KVM Solution and Most Innovative Speaker Solution (Installed).

"The SCN Installation Product Awards are all about celebrating Pro AV product innovation, and I want to congratulate all our winners for 2025," said Mark J. Pescatore, content director, Systems Contractor News. "It's clear that our industry is not resting on its laurels and that manufacturers are continuing to deliver new solutions to simplify workflows for integrators and end users."

And the winners are:

Most Innovative Audio Hardware

Extron: XPA U 4004 FX Power Amplifier

Sennheiser: Profile Wireless

Xilica: RoomHub

Most Innovative AV Installation Accessory

MAXHUB: Express Install Table Stand

NETGEAR AV: M4350 Series AV Switches

WyreStorm Technologies: NHD-510-TX Encoder

Most Innovative Camera

Blackmagic Design: Blackmagic PYXIS 6K

Canon: EOS C400

Promethean: 4K ePTZ Camera

Most Innovative Collaboration Product

Haivision: Command 360

LG Electronics USA: LG CreateBoard 105-Inch UltraWide Interactive Display

Mersive Technologies: Mersive Pro

Most Innovative Digital Signage Product

BrightSign and LG Electronics USA: LG UV5N Series UHD Displays Running BrightSignOS

Chief: Velocity Outdoor Pedestal System

ViewSonic: LDS138-151 Direct View LED Display Solution Kit

Most Innovative Emerging Technology

Ampetronic and Listen Technologies: Auri

Crestron Electronics: Automate VX

QSC: Q-SYS Reflect

Most Innovative KVM Solution

Matrox Video: Avio 2

Most Innovative Speaker Solution (Installed)

Bose Professional: Forum FC112

Shure: Microflex Loudspeakers

Sonos: Era 100 Pro

Most Innovative Sustainable Product Strategy

LED Studio: ECLIPSE

Most Innovative Video Display

MAXHUB: DVLED Raptor Series V3

Planar: DirectLight Slim Series

PPDS: Philips TruePerformance LED

Most Innovative Video Projection Solution

Epson America: PowerLite L695SE

Panasonic Projector & Display Americas: PT-RQ7

Most Innovative Videoconferencing Product

Vaddio: EasyIP Dock

Each of the nominated products were submitted by their respective manufacturers. Industry professionals were able to vote for their favorite products through a ballot accessed through avnetwork.com. Up to three winners were selected in each category, based on the number of entries. The nominated product must have first shipped between January 1, 2024, and May 9, 2025. Products that won in last year’s awards program were not eligible in any category this year.

OpenAV Cloud, a new industry initiative, was launched by a coalition of AV manufacturers and technology providers to accelerate the AV industry's transition to the cloud by promoting openness, interoperability, and customer-first innovation. The nonprofit initiative plans to sidestep proprietary systems, which can hinder integration and innovation, by developing open, cloud-based APIs and shared frameworks for secure data access and cross-brand compatibility.

Founding members of OpenAV Cloud include Sony Electronics, Panasonic Projector & Display Americas, Legrand | AV, Shure, BrightSign, and Xyte. The initiative also counts HDBaseT as an industry partner and has 20 contributing members. AV manufacturers, system integrators, and managed service providers are invited to join the initiative. Membership is free, with the goal of building a broad, inclusive community that shapes the future of AV together.

“Customers today expect their technology to work together seamlessly, regardless of the brand,” said Sam Sabet, CTO at Shure. “OpenAV Cloud is about collaborating to create AV solutions that are interoperable, efficient, and built for the future, ensuring we deliver top performance for our shared customers.”

“By prioritizing interoperability, OpenAV Cloud promotes greater accessibility and freedom for our customers, regardless of their preferred solution or workflow,” said Rich Ventura, VP, Professional Display Solutions, Sony Electronics. “We’re proudly committed to working together with other industry leaders, allowing us to jointly provide our community with a frictionless and collaborative way to streamline integrations and promote the adoption of beneficial cloud-based solutions that have the ability to save time, resources, and money.”

OpenAV Cloud offers a framework that supports faster deployment, easier integration, and a better overall experience for customers and partners alike. Members of OpenAV Cloud are committed to meeting customer demand for flexible, interoperable solutions, as well as building and maintaining open, read-write cloud APIs, collaborating on industry-wide standards and best practices, upholding secure, customer-controlled data access, and promoting cross-brand collaboration.

The initiative represents a turning point for the AV industry, which is rapidly shifting toward cloud-native solutions. “The future of AV lies in accessibility and collaboration,” said Pamela Hoppel, president of Legrand | AV. “With OpenAV Cloud, we’re taking a collective step toward a more connected and customer-centric industry. By working together on shared standards and open APIs, we can unlock greater innovation and value for the AV ecosystem.”

For more information or to express interest in joining, visit openav.cloud.

The Pro AV newsmaker blitz of 2025 didn't slow down. Starin made a couple big moves, Exertis Almo has a new partnership, and companies like Bose Professional are adding to their teams.

Here's what you may have missed last week. 

[All AV Network ISE Coverage in One Space!]

People News

3G Productions Continues to Expand Sales Team

West Coast-based live event production and systems integration services provider 3G Productions has bolstered its sales staff with two recent hires: Sebastian Yepes as director of accounts, and Juan Segovia as account manager.

Based in Orlando, Yepes comes to 3G after more than seven years with 4Wall Entertainment, most recently serving as the director of live Events. Prior to that, he spent three years as OPAV’s director of accounts, and has also worked for both ESPN and Telemundo Media, a division of NBCUniversal.

In his new role as director of accounts, Yepes is responsible for growing 3G’s business on the East Coast and in the touring market, especially within the Latin music industry, where 3G already has a solid presence and is looking to expand.

Segovia, who is located in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area, also joins the company from 4Wall, where he has been both an account executive and project manager. His background further includes maritime AVL positions with Navalimpianti USA and Carnival Cruise Line Entertainment.

In his position as account manager, Segovia is leveraging his relationships and deepening 3G’s footprint on the East Coast, assisting Yepes to support their shared client base. Segovia is additionally be tasked with handling 3G’s growing used equipment sales business.

Bose Professional Expands Sales Leadership Team

Bose Professional has appointed Rick Renner as regional sales manager for the Central U.S. region and Tim Valley as regional sales manager for the Western U.S. region. Katie Stewart will be managing the Eastern U.S. region, as part of Bose Professional’s three-region approach to sales in North America. These strategic hires and appointments are part of Bose Professional’s continued commitment to strengthening its sales leadership and driving growth across the U.S. market.

Rick Renner joins Bose Professional with over 20 years of experience in the professional audio industry. He has held leadership roles at Sennheiser Electronic Corporation and Shure Incorporated, where he most recently served as senior director, professional audio U.S. In this role, Renner played a key part in building long-lasting partnerships with end users, channel partners, and artists, which resulted in record sales growth. 

Valley also brings over 20 years of experience in sales and management in the professional audio industry. He has held key positions at Shure Incorporated and BrightSign, where he most recently served as director of commercial sales. His expertise in team leadership and building customer relationships makes him an ideal fit for Bose Professional’s growing presence in the Western U.S. His career is marked by a focus on fostering deep connections with customers and advancing sales strategies that deliver results.

A.C. ProMedia Welcomes Kurt Metzler as Business Development Manager

A.C. ProMedia, distributor of products and solutions for the commercial and Pro AV installation markets, appointed Kurt Metzler as business development manager. In his new role, Metzler focuses on expanding the company’s presence by cultivating strong relationships with key accounts, providing comprehensive training to clients and sales representatives, and uncovering new growth opportunities. Additionally, he works closely with the supply chain department to streamline order processing and support marketing initiatives by representing the company at tradeshows, promotional events, and product demonstrations.

Metzler has a distinguished career spanning multiple decades in the pro audio industry. He has held roles at companies such as AVL Media Group, Powersoft Advanced Technologies, and Meyer Sound Labs, where he earned a reputation for driving sales, launching innovative products, and fostering lasting relationships with customers and industry stakeholders.

Nemal Electronics Adds New Sales Rep

Nemal hired Omar Newball as its new sales rep. Newball is a connectivity specialist with expertise in RF and fiber technologies, making him a trusted asset in projects requiring advanced communication and network solutions. His dedication and technical knowledge ensure seamless integration and outstanding results in every endeavor.

Newball is a highly skilled professional with over 20 years of experience in customer service, specializing in delivering exceptional support and fostering strong relationships with clients. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, his ability to connect with diverse clientele enhances his effectiveness in meeting their needs.

Shotoku Announces Leadership Developments 

Leadership is developing at Shotoku Broadcast Systems. The international manufacturer of easy-to-use and reliable robotic and manual camera support systems has announced significant changes in its product and sales management team. Clive Mumby has assumed the role of robotics product manager and Vishal Kagdada has stepped into Mumby’s former role as sales manager.  

Following seven years as Shotoku’s sales manager, Mumby is stepping into his new role. His 30-plus year career in both commercial and operational television environments, including tenures with international broadcasters and multiple broadcast equipment vendors, positions him perfectly to drive Shotoku’s ongoing product development.

Kagdada who joined Shotoku as technical sales manager in 2021 with a background in broadcast systems integration as well as the manufacture of precision engineering systems outside the broadcast market, plays an even greater role in supporting and growing Shotoku’s global customer base, drawn from some of the highest profile national and international broadcasters and governments.  

Company News

Exertis Almo Named National Distributor for MuxLab Professional Signal Distribution Solutions

Exertis Almo has been named Top National Distributor for MuxLab professional signal distribution solutions. Through this newly expanded relationship, Exertis Almo’s channel partners now have access to MuxLab’s complete portfolio of professional signal distribution products for Pro AV, AVoIP, Broadcast, Video Conferencing and Digital Signage, along with enhanced marketing, sales and support engagement to benefit the network.

Featured MuxLab Solutions available through Exertis Almo include:

• Muximus Control Software Solution: A fully customizable integrator control platform, which includes AVoIP, Digital Signage, Dante Audio, 3rd party devices and the MuxControl integrator interface designer to create end user tablet experiences.
• Seamless AVoIP Transceivers (4K30-4K60): The HDMI-over-IP PoE seamless transceivers are designed for AV streaming over LAN, WiFi and Internet. Designed for Commercial and Residential AV, Classroom Projector, Digital Signage, Boardroom, and Medical Information Systems.
•  KVM Control Room Solutions: Enables a single operator to control multiple computers in a control room environment using one keyboard, mouse, and monitor, switching seamlessly between different sources.

Starin's Big Week

Starin, The Farm AV, and Toolfarm will now operate under the global Midwich brand. This strategic alignment reflects the unified vision of these leading organizations to provide technology solutions to their partners and clients.

The rebranding signifies the culmination of a collaborative journey between these industry innovators, streamlining resources and expertise under the Midwich Group’s umbrella. Together, they aim to provide unparalleled service and support to integrators, resellers, and technology professionals, enhancing their ability to address evolving market demands.

Midwich will continue to focus on building profitable revenue and market share across three hardware technology growth pillars in the U.S.: unified communications and collaboration (UCC), media and entertainment, and integrated audio complementing this portfolio with recurring revenue solutions and services.

Starin also announced a new partnership with Absen. This strategic collaboration expands Starin’s product portfolio and delivering advanced LED solutions to the North American market. Together, Starin and Absen are poised to meet the increasing demand for LED technology, providing customers with innovative solutions, support, and a commitment to excellence. This partnership underscores Starin’s dedication to leading the AV industry and addressing the evolving needs of its clients.

“We are committed to serving our customers by recognizing and addressing their needs in this dynamic market segment,” said Tyler Brebberman, VP business management, Starin. “Partnering with Absen allows us to offer comprehensive LED solutions, aligning with our mission to deliver impactful, high-quality products that drive success for our clients.”

Audinate Announces New Partnerships

Heading into ISE 2025, Audinate announced that Sennheiser, Symetrix, and Powersoft have joined as new partners adopting Dante Media Encryption into Dante-enabled products. Dante Media Encryption protects the content of Dante media flows between devices using strong AES-256 encryption, safeguarding media from interception or unauthorized access.

Dante Media Encryption can be enabled via a firmware update for many existing Dante devices. Dante Media Encryption capabilities are fully compatible between updated devices in managed Dante networks.

 “We are pleased to partner with Audinate to bring Dante Media Encryption to market,” says Charlie Jones, senior partner relations manager, business communications, Sennheiser. “As an independent 3rd party working with over 600 manufacturers, Audinate is uniquely positioned in the industry to provide a manufacturer-agnostic, interoperable encryption solution that customers desire.” 

DigiValet Announces New Integration With Crestron Control Systems

DigiValet's hospitality solutions are now fully integrated with control systems from Crestron. This integration combines DigiValet’s guest experience solutions with advanced control and automation products from Crestron.

DigiValet’s tablet-based guest room solutions are installed in guest rooms at hotels across the globe, including Wynn Las Vegas, Raffles Singapore, Bulgari Paris, and St. Regis Maldives.

DigiValet offers comprehensive guest engagement and control, including lighting, shading, HVAC, hospitality television (including IPTV and OTT services), in-room dining ordering and PoS, housekeeping service requests through job dispatch systems, restaurant and spa reservation, and personalized messages and promotions.

LG and BrightSign Announce Alliance, Launch Integrated Digital Signage Solution

LG Electronics and BrightSign announced a collaboration resulting in a new series of LG ultra-high definition (UHD) digital signage displays running BrightSignOS. These displays will be available to U.S. customers in the second quarter of 2025, with international markets following.

The new LG 49, 55, and 65-inch UV5N series models will run the trusted BrightSignOS on LG’s powerful, embedded system-on-a-chip (SoC) multi-core processor. These displays are designed to transform content delivery and offer a wide variety of BrightSign partner content management system (CMS) solutions. They cater to a range of vertical markets, including transportation, retail, museums, hospitality, corporate, education, and healthcare. Businesses across industries are seeking to take control of content, create engaging customer experiences, and optimize the potential of signage applications. These true-integration signage solutions provide end users with real-time access to both BrightSignOS and the display.

Rise Announces Launch of Rise AV

Rise has launched Rise AV. Rise AV will build on the success of Rise Women in Broadcast (WIB), which was established in 2017 in the broadcast and media industry. With over 3,000 members worldwide, Rise has supported many women, advocates, and companies in technical, engineering, operations, marketing, sales, and executive roles through its programs.

The mission of Rise AV is to create an inclusive AV industry where gender diversity thrives, inspiring innovation, equity, and opportunity for all. It will focus on attracting and retaining talent, education and awareness, mentorship, and partnerships. In May 2025, Rise AV will introduce its first initiative in the U.K.—Rise AV Mentoring—a six-month dedicated program Global supporting women’s career and personal development. This will be led by Rise’s award-winning Mentoring Manager, Carla Maroussas.

Rise AV was founded by Rise’s Founder and CEO, Sadie Groom and Rachael Hamilton, who will become managing director. Hamilton has 18 years of experience in the AV sector, having previously been brand director of AV Magazine. She then founded IAR, the AV industry’s first business and marketing consultancy.

VigilLink Announces New Partnership with TecNec Distributing

TecNec Distributing and VigilLink announced a new partnership designed to expand TecNec’s offerings with VigilLink’s innovative AV-over-IP solutions. This collaboration aims to deliver AV products to system integrators, dealers, and rental houses across the Pro AV, broadcast, and pro audio industries. TecNec will distribute VigilLink’s full line of products.

Through this partnership, TecNec will leverage its 30 years of expertise as a premier value-added distributor, providing VigilLink’s innovative fiber optic and AV over IP solutions to its extensive network. VigilLink continues to extend its reach in the Pro AV market, focusing on environments where reliability, speed, efficiency, and security are critical.

Yamaha ProVisionaire Plan Collaborates With XTEN-AV

 Yamaha has announced a collaboration between the company’s new ProVisionaire Plan software, which brings intuitive ease and speed to designing and configuring professional conferencing systems, and XTEN-AV, a cloud-based, AI-powered professional AV design platform.

ProVisionaire Plan is a browser-based tool which allows users to enter basic information, such as the dimensions of a room, then automatically chooses and arranges equipment to deliver an optimal audio solution. The results are presented visually, including a 3D view which allows investors to clearly imagine the system they are investing in.

The new collaboration will see ProVisionaire Plan seamlessly integrated into XTEN-AV's AV TOOLS function. This enables not only product searches, but also the seamless integration of automated equipment selection tailored to specific projects. Providing users with a one-stop experience, it will further accelerate audio system design, reducing overall workload and costs.

The sports bar evolution has come a long way in the past two decades. It has gone from having the most TVs to larger, higher-definition displays and immersive, zoned sound. What were once luxuries have become necessities for any sports bar—or live music venue, for that matter—to survive.

[Wireless Microphone Headaches]

While buffalo wings and burgers are enticing, anyone who prefers sports bars for their game-day watching pleasure knows it’s all about the ability to see and hear your team in action. That's why technology—from devices and software to control systems—is more important than ever.

Pitchers and Pictures

Today's sports bar is nothing without programming. If you have a football Sunday where the audio isn’t zoned properly or the displays aren’t top shelf, those fanatics are finding a new sports bar the following week. That's why it is imperative to get it right the first time. Paul Harris, CEO/CTO at Aurora Multimedia, offered up a checklist of best practices for audio and video distribution setup in a venue that specializes in showing sports and live music.

• Location, Location, Location: Consider seating locations, as people will be facing a variety of directions, not to mention obstacles like columns that can be in the way. The number of displays, placement of displays, and sizes of the displays will be based on location to make the customers experience a pleasant one. Selecting the right size is based on viewing distances, considering the closest to furthest away—too big and it will be difficult for closer patrons to view, while too small makes creates an issue from viewers located further away.

• Even Audio: Projecting audio across the room will only make it more difficult to hear at a distance and uncomfortable if someone is positioned closer to the speaker—plus, having a conversation will become frustrating.

• Seamless Switching: When switching between live and broadcast, it's important to use seamless switching for a clean change in content. Zero latency is also critical, so the customer does not see the time difference between when the performer speaks and what is seen. Having a good DSP processor for mixing and feedback suppression is key, as no one wants an unpleasant squeal from the speakers.

Digging a little deeper, in a world where IP-based solutions are taking over, what works best: RF, AVoIP, a hybrid approach, or something else? Scott Hetzler from Contemporary Research posed that RF or hybrid may be the best-case scenario in most instances. An RF system takes advantages of tuners built into most TVs, eliminating the need for external hardware IP decoder boxes. Instead, a simple IR or RS-232 controller operates over the same coax cable.

“The cost of an RF system with full TV control is approximately 40% less than an AVoIP system,” Hetzler explained. “CR offers a package system called Venue Vizion available in RF/hybrid or IP. These packages are pre-wired and ready to drop into a rack, and come with modulators or encoders for eight channels, and controllers or decoders for up to 20 TVs. These packages make installation easier and lower cost, but can easily be expanded for more channels or TVs and offer complete TV control from any web-enabled device such as pad, phone, or PC.”

Amped for the Action

While even audio is important, so is the clarity and quality of the sound itself. Which loudspeakers are best in a sports bar environment?

Patrick Nunnally, AtlasIED's regional sales manager, Southeast, said there’s no one-size-fits-all for any application, including sports bars. Sometimes it depends on specific zones or the venue’s size, while other times it's a matter of background versus foreground music.

“In sports bars, this varies. The venue itself and its architecture, combined with the customer's needs and wants, will really dictate and hopefully drive you to the correct speaker choice,” Nunnally said. “We’re seeing more and more of them have an open architecture, which leads to more pendant or surface-mount type speakers aimed down. This is good because it increases your capabilities to deliver a more robust sound. My favorite for sports bars is a surface-mount speaker mounted up into the ceiling, aiming down, proportionally spaced out, and zoned out accordingly.”

As Nunnally recollected, based on his 30 years of experience in sports bars as both a patron and integrator, some people initially want to have audio from every TV all over the place. In reality, this can make the environment chaotic and unpleasant. “It’s best to establish a hierarchy based on the time of day and the events taking place,” he said. “If you have all the games playing at once and they’re all competing for audio, it creates a bad experience for everyone and can drive customers away.

[A Winning Bet in Downtown Hartford]

"When there are no sports events, you could have background music playing throughout the facility. But when important games, like college or NFL football, are happening simultaneously, you need to prioritize which game will be the main focus. You can then allocate a separate zone for specific groups of supporters.”

Many sports bars serve as venues requiring live sound as well, whether it be trivia night or a band on the patio. It’s important to engineer the system to handle the demands of live audio, as it is the most challenging aspect. “The key is choosing speakers that fit the ceiling heights and customer preferences and then designing the system around them,” Nunnally said. “Once you find the ideal speakers, everything else, including amplification and digital signal processing, can be selected to match.”

Livin’ on a Prayer

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood held the grand opening of their 55,000-square-foot Friends In Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk in March. It offers plenty of screens for watching sports, as well as a full bar and plenty of bar eats, but its main focus—as you might suspect considering the owners—is live music.

The venue is using an L-Acoustics A Series concert sound system, designed by Clair Global Integration. On each side of the stage are one A15i Focus over two A15i Wide enclosures, and another hang of one A15i Focus over two A15i Wide to provide even coverage up to the second-level balcony. A DiGiCo Qauntum225 console provides front-of-house and monitor mixes for four bands a day.

Meanwhile, The Oasis, a rooftop bar, has its own A Series loudspeakers and KS21i subwoofers powered by an LA4X amplified controller. “One of our mantras at Clair is it has to sound great, not just loud,” explained Joe Anderson, systems designer. “Our goal is to elevate the production-value level of the entire sound experience here, making it closer to what you’d expect from a concert rather than a club. The A Series speakers deliver great sound, with a lot more punch than you’d expect from their size, right out of the box."

Another Nashville live-music venue is JBJ’s Nashville, owned by music legend Jon Bon Jovi. It requires much of the similar technology required in a sports bar. There are a multitude of displays and, of course, the sound is of vital importance in a restaurant/bar dubbed the “state-of-the-art fusion of rock 'n' roll and country.” Last summer, Aurora Multimedia was called upon to integrate multiple networks at the venue.

Aurora Multimedia went with its 1G AVoIP VPX Series at JBJ’s Nashville thanks to its seamless switching and enhanced image quality with zero-frame latency. Per Harris, the VPX Series offers Bluetooth Auracast and software-based Dante/AES67. Paired with IPBaseT Manager—Aurora’s enterprise class management software—users can route video previews, make macros, create alerts, and more on any PC, tablet, or phone.

[Subwoofers: Pick Your Spot]

“When you have a facility that must be on the top of its game, there is no time for downtime,” Harris said. “The VPX Series are all transceivers … they can be set as an encoder or decoder as required. In addition, the units have self-healing features and live diagnostics. These diagnostics can remotely tell the support person if the issue is the equipment, customer usage, or connected equipment related, and at what day and time it occurred.”

Sign of the Times

Digital signage? In a sports bar? Believe it or not, Brian Rowley, chief marketing officer at BrightSign, is seeing a much-needed use for digital signage and display solutions. Sports bars are frequented by those fans that can't make it to the stadium, so massive video walls can substitute for that experience.

"Video walls powered by digital signage players stream games in 4K resolution, making guests feel as if they are at the game," explained Rowley. "Meanwhile, to elevate the fan experience, digital signage displays positioned adjacent to video walls promote game-time specials, the latest menu offerings, breaking news, and even pictures of patrons who want to share their fandom with others. When a game is happening, sports bars need to keep fans engaged and in the moment, while bringing in the social and communal elements sports fans crave."

[The Digital Signage Best Practices Guide]

The right digital media players and signage technology give sports bars more flexibility, enabling them to switch things up during breakfast or lunch times by providing what Rowley calls a blank canvas to create their vibe and promote specials, menu items, or advertisements. "The BrightSign XT5 Digital Player is popular for sports bar settings for its strong dual-screen performance, superior live-streaming capabilities, and hassle-free content control—all using a single player," Rowley said. "It offers the right blend of motion graphics power and video performance to make guests feel as if they are present at the game in person. With 8K video and 3D motion graphics capabilities, the XT5 creates dynamic visuals that immerse guests into the experience."

Game-Day Control

Welcome to Bar-Bill Tavern, which has multiple locations across upstate New York in Clarence, East Aurora, and Rochester. The system at Bar-Bill Tavern was antiquated, using multiple remotes to control the audio and video like the “old days” of sports bars. Systems integration firm Park Place Installations looked to simplify the control at all the Bar-Bill locations and to do that, it turned to Snap One’s Control4.

Sports-bar friendly, Control4’s Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) technology enables hassle-free setup and seamless integration with over 20,000 devices. This makes day-to-day operations far more efficient by controlling everything from one centralized platform.

Scott Normand, commercial market senior director for Snap One, said the MultiDisplay Manager feature is ideal in a restaurant or sports bar. It allows easy control of hundreds of displays across multiple rooms, keeping patrons engaged by ensuring they can watch the games or programs they want.

“Control4 is an ideal solution for restaurants and sports bars looking for simplified AV control combined with intuitive features,” Normand added. “It's beautifully designed interface allows end users to manage complex AV systems effortlessly with minimal training, ensuring smooth operation.”

No matter what solution you go with in the sports’ bar space, much like a Rob Gronkowski playbook, the simpler the better. “From our experience in the restaurant and sports bar industries, we’ve learned that both integrators and end users prioritize simplicity,” Normand explained. “Integrators want a system that’s easy to install and program, and end users want a system that’s intuitive and easy to operate. In a fast-paced environment such as a sports bar, a simple-to-operate system allows for employees to quickly change displays to the most relevant game, monitor light settings, or play a victory song over the audio system when a key win is secured.”

The beauty brand market is highly competitive, and the hair tools division is heating up. Legacy brand, GHD, has a fresh strategy on how to remain a top-tier player in the category. Currently, the global hair styling tool market is forecasted to grow at an annual rate of 4.9 percent to reach US $38.4 billion by 2030. With challengers posing some of GHD’s toughest competition yet, the company is taking a proactive approach.

“We have to make sure that we are still uniquely positioned during this cost-of-living crisis, by remaining a significant company in the beauty tech space.” GHD chief executive officer Jeroen Temmerman said in an interview with Cosmetics Business.

The Plan to Strengthen Brand

GHD’s game plan to strengthen its brand position includes expanding into untapped markets and launching new products. The company is also committed to driving innovation and leveraging unexpected technology in stores.

In addition to research and development, the GHD team examined their in-store presence. They asked retail installation specialist, Lime Retail if they could help build an interactive stand to put in stores: “We are thinking about using sensor technology and putting a layer of mirrored glass in front of a standard screen.” 

Ross Halford, senior account manager of Luxury Brands at Lime Retail, agreed to make that goal into a reality: “We can use Nexmosphere presence and lift and learn sensors, all of which work well with BrightSign players. But do you know what happens if you put a layer of mirrored glass in front of a normal screen? You reduce brightness by over 50 percent and make content almost impossible to see. Let’s get a high-bright version in the size you want to get the best possible output.” Halford and his team knew Bluefin could get them what they needed.

The Lime team mocked up a comparison demo to show a normal screen with pane of mirrored glass in front next to the Bluefin custom-built, High-Bright 21.5-inch screen with mirrored glass built in. The difference was obvious!

Bluefin International believes in going beyond standard limitations. By designing to unique environments, they enable customers to achieve their goals. Each Bluefin screen comes with the OS built in. For the GHD project, Halford chose BrightSign Built-In as the operating system. BrightSign Built-In works seamlessly with Nexmosphere sensors, all of which are housed in the Bluefin screen itself for a clean, simple design.

Hair Triggers!

When you approach the unit, sensors trigger the screen. The lights, which are also controlled, dim to 20 percent and content referencing the products being showcased plays. Once it finishes, the lights brighten back to 100 percent so shoppers can see themselves clearly in the mirrored glass. A call to action comes up, cueing them to select a product. When they select a product and pick it up, the unique content for that item is triggered, lights dim, and content plays. The Bluefin High-Bright custom screens make all the difference in whether the shopper can see and engage with the content or not.

[Display Drivers, When Image Matters]

This unit design keeps shoppers engaged for longer and acts as a virtual sales specialist for the brand, so they ended up being exactly what GHD needed to complete their beautiful interactive kiosks. “Bluefin really came through and designed for purpose,” Halford said. “GHD has embraced what we’ve recommended and they are really happy with the final product.” 

The installation has been so successful for the GHD brand and product sales, “We continue to order more screens as the client rolls out more units,” Halford said. “In fact, they are building out an experience zone on Oxford Street, and have expanded to a two-sided screen format for new units rolling out in other stores in the UK.”

Lime and Bluefin continue to work with GHD as they expand their footprint in beauty stores across Europe.

While video walls, flat panels, and projectors deliver eye-popping and engaging content in brilliant color and resolutions, they are merely the window dressing to what goes on behind the scenes.

A bevy of hardware and software solutions are needed to transmit and receive the video signal, switch sources, manage content in real-time and securely, and deliver audio to round out the user experience. Here are just a few; 22 to be specific!

22Miles’ Content Manager

22Miles’ Content Manager is an all-inclusive platform that enables efficient management of visual communications for projects of any size. It features over 1,000 customizable templates, AI-powered design suggestions, and fast editing tools, making it an ideal low-code, drag-and-drop solution for content management for systems integrators. With the industry’s most extensive library of enterprise software integrations and one-click widgets for interactive features like room reservation, 22Miles Content Manager is a future-proof solution that evolves with your business. The platform is compatible with most new and existing hardware, making it perfect for new deployments and retrofits. 

Atlona’s OmniStream 2.0

Atlona’s OmniStream 2.0 AV-over-IP firmware adds support for 4K60 video with 4:4:4 color sampling alongside better bitrate efficiency and integrated multiview processing. OmniStream 2.0 features the new VCx codec that delivers less than one frame of latency from encode to decode, enabling 4K60 4:4:4 streams with artifact-free presentation of computer-generated content and fast-motion video. Increases in coding efficiency enable additional HD streams over 1Gb Ethernet networks, multiple 4K streams over 10Gb switch-to-switch uplinks, and simultaneous 4K and HD over Gigabit Ethernet. OmniStream 2.0 also enables simultaneous display of multiple sources from OmniStream Pro encoders onto one screen.

Audio-Technica’s ATND1061

Audio-Technica’s ATND1061 Beamforming Ceiling Array Microphone has received major upgrades with its latest firmware update, including Video System Control Architecture (VISCA)-over-IP and Voice Lift technology. VISCA offers synchronized control of multiple video peripherals, improving interoperability and meeting equality. Using VISCA over IP, you can position the camera to match with the audio captured by the ATND1061. This creates a more natural experience in hybrid calls. The ATND1061 now includes Voice Lift, a technology that improves the communication environment in a space where voices don’t carry (i.e. larger rooms). Voice Lift makes a presenter’s words more intelligible.

BrightSign’s XT5 Digital Signage Players

BrightSign’s XT5 Digital Signage Players elevate and future proof digital signage activations to create captivating experiences for years to come. The XT245 delivers robust 3D motion graphics in 4K and vibrant HDR video, from Full HD to breathtaking 8K, all while being powered over Ethernet for highly efficient deployments. Meanwhile, the XT1145 enables live video playback via an HDMI input and expands engagement options with USB and serial connections. Brands can seamlessly blend broadcasts into signage, including live news and sports, to offer an engaging atmosphere. And finally, the XT2145 can control two screens simultaneously with dual HDMI outputs. This capability has become more critical as brands look for ways to engage consumers with more dynamic visual content. 

Carousel Digital Signage’s Carousel Daily

Carousel Digital Signage’s Carousel Daily is a new feature for Carousel Cloud that extends the reach of traditional digital signage content well beyond the facility walls, enabling seamless communications to thousands of devices. Leveraging Carousel Cloud’s existing content management, scheduling, and multi-platform tools, users can effortlessly push important organizational news and information directly to intended audiences. Bulletins are distributed as links or QR codes to iOS, Mac, AppleTV, and/or Android mobile devices, with external URLs that seamlessly guide viewers to essential destinations such as training completion, video viewing, company messages, and annual enrolment. Carousel Daily ensures the right messages publish on the right mobile devices, desktops, and displays.

Crestron’s AirMedia

Crestron’s AirMedia enables secure wireless collaboration in the modern digital workspace. Easy to deploy and manage, the solution can be used in conference rooms, huddle rooms, lounges, lobbies, or almost any space to establish a productive meeting environment. When integrated with the Appspace digital signage application or other web-based signage providers, AirMedia can display digital signage content when no presentation is being made or when the room is not occupied. This turns every screen into a content hub to display corporate branding, company news, or list the events slated for that day.

[25 AI-Enabled AV Products]

Datapath’s VSNMini 300 Video Wall Controller

Designed for college, sportsbook, and corporate environments, among others, Datapath’s VSNMini 300 Video Wall Controller can be used as either a personal video wall controller/workstation or as a standalone video wall controller. It boasts a slick form factor, with a modern aesthetic and the industrial-grade components that customers require. Ideal for small- to medium-sized applications, the VSNMini 300 supports the latest standards, including 12th Generation Intel Processors (i9, i7, i5) and NVMe (M.2) SSD storage for maximum performance. Graphics and capture capabilities are provided via three PCIe slots that can be configured as required with Datapath’s Image graphics, Vision capture, and ActiveSQX IP decode/encode cards.

DVIGear’s DN-300H 

DVIGear’s DN-300H DisplayNet SDVoE Transmitter/Receiver USB HID is the newest addition to the DisplayNet AVoIP family. Based on the latest SDVoE ASIC technology, the DN-300H supports USB HID device extension and routing with instant switching. It offers innovative software-defined KVM functionality, multi-screen KVM support, and advanced features including hotkey routing and system control. The DN-300H delivers unprecedented functionality and versatility in an ultra-compact, low-profile form. This unit provides switchable transmitter and receiver functionality with 10G copper and fiber network interfaces. A host of cutting-edge features and a low price point ensure high value for system integrators and their customers.

Green Hippo’s Hippotizer

Green Hippo’s Hippotizer Media Server Range provides real-time video playback, manipulation, and 3D mapping for video production in live event, AV, and broadcast applications. With reliable, purpose-built hardware, Hippotizer boasts industry-leading performance with multiple live capture, input, and output options. Hippotizer’s multi-user, network-based architecture and ZooKeeper interface seamlessly mix DMX, Timecode, Timeline, MIDI, OSC control, and API to build and add elements to any production. With Hippotizer’s complete set of intuitive pre-visualization and mapping tools, instant content updates or pixel-perfect video mapping are made easy. 

Haivision’s Command 360

Haivision’s Command 360 enables enterprise, defense, government, and public safety organizations to make real-time, critical decisions fast by centralizing multiple communication sources into a secure, intuitive video wall display that can span any size network and multiple locations. Command 360 can be set up and fully operational quickly, minimizing disruption to mission-critical environments. Upon setup, the next-generation solution—with its secure, browser-based user interface—delivers the advanced functionality needed to coordinate and manage an entire operation or command center. Key features include easy-to-use, intuitive control; enhanced security; multi-site and remote scalability; fast, easy deployment; and real-time visibility.

IHSE’s kvm-tec Scalable Pro Line

IHSE’s kvm-tec Scalable Pro Line supports up to 5K60 video over a 10G network switch. It uniquely features the ability to control and manage up to 16 computer sources on a single display via a single keyboard and mouse. By simply moving the mouse inside the gridded cell and clicking, the operator has full control of the source.

Jupiter Systems’ Zavus XP

Jupiter Systems’ Zavus XP (XP stands for Xtreme Pixels) represents the pinnacle for Jupiter display engineering, as it can handle all typical deployments, but excels in digital signage. Zavus is available in pixel pitches of 0.7mm, 0.9mm, and 1.2mm, and is truly built for the modern office. The key technology used for Zavus XP is flip-chip COB, providing an encapsulated pixel area with a smooth black resin coating that provides a cooler surface and delivers 30 percent improved energy efficiency over standard dvLED, superior grayscale, as well as unrivaled image depth and contrast. It is powered in collaboration with Megapixel VR processing for superior performance.

Just Add Power’s MC-QX

Just Add Power’s MC-QX MaxColor 4K60 Tiling and Warping Transmitter combines Just Add Power’s award-winning MaxColor 4K60 features with its innovative tiling and warping technology. It allows 4K60 source devices to be displayed on a single screen instantly, along with Warp Engine’s source rotation capabilities. Users can watch four 4K60 video sources simultaneously in multiple formats, including single-screen, video wall, or tiled video. Further, installers can rotate any source in a Just Add Power system in 0.1-degree increments in real time with incredibly low latency. The rotated image can then be sent to an unlimited number of receivers in the network, allowing for the creation of massive artistic video walls.

Korbyt’s Experiential Signage

Korbyt’s Experiential Signage empowers businesses, universities, and corporate organizations to create truly immersive, interactive digital experiences with a near-endless array of third-party sensors and devices, including touch-interactive tablets, pressure sensors, mechanical and capacitive-sensing buttons, temperature sensors, lift and learn sensors, or even optical sensors. Experiential Signage is the newest addition to Korbyt’s cloud-based CMS that lets administrators engage employees, students, customers, and guests via various channels, including digital signage, desktop, email, and mobile devices. With more than 1 million endpoints, 300 cloud migrations, and more than 100 native integrations to date, Korbyt Anywhere is the most advanced platform to captivate audiences on any screen, anywhere. 

Matrox Video’s Mura DVW

Matrox Video’s Mura DVW, a high-performance IP-based 4K distributed video wall appliance, enables the combination of multiple units in various arrangements to easily create a fully synchronized video surface of any size. Mura DVW integrates advanced computing, networking, video decoding, and graphical processing capabilities to deliver seamless visual experiences with maximum security. Mura DVW video walls are flexible and scalable, enabling you to build fully distributed video walls with performance that improves as more appliances are added. Each Mura DVW appliance supports high-density and flexible decoding—up to one 8K60, four 4K60, eight 4K30, and sixteen 1080p60 streams—all in H.265 (HEVC) or H.264 (AVC).

Mersive’s Solstice Dynamic Digital Signage

A blank screen is wasted space. Mersive’s Solstice Dynamic Digital Signage feature makes it simple and easy to bring new life and functionality to all your screens and spaces. Maximize your display’s potential with engaging visuals between meetings, by serving up content from dynamic web pages or content from Google Slides, PowerPoint, AppSpace, Carousel, Tripleplay, and more. With vibrant digital signage on touchscreens, you can create a rich experience by allowing end users to perform a range of actions. Book rooms, submit IT tickets, play videos, display important information, and more, by simply tapping on the display—all within a customizable environment that matches your organization’s branding for a more connected experience.

Navori Labs’ StiX 3800 Media Player

Navori Labs’ StiX 3800 Media Player supports flawless 4K content playback at 60fps, ensuring your media is displayed with stunning clarity and detail. Ideal for various settings, from retail to corporate environments, the compact device is also equipped with AI-powered footfall tracking, providing valuable insights into audience metrics and engagement. Features like auto-activation allow for effortless installation, while PoE capabilities minimize connectivity requirements. The StiX 3800 also promotes sustainable practices by activating the display only when the audience is detected. This makes the StiX 3800 not only a powerful digital signage solution, but also an environmentally conscious choice.

Realmotion Engine

The Realmotion Engine by Realmotion is a versatile spatial computing software. Realmotion Engine can handle both dynamic, interactive elements in real time and linear video content. Integrated with commercial-grade sensors and content creation platforms, it offers unparalleled flexibility, performance, and reliability for projects of all scales. Realmotion Engine can be leveraged in various scenarios, including interactive digital experiences, projection mapping, digital art installations, broadcast, live event venues, and more. A key strength is its ability to integrate sensor data, media outputs, media playback, lighting management, and content management through one scalable software.

RGB Spectrum’s SuperView IPX

RGB Spectrum’s SuperView IPX is a state-of-the-art multiviewer that consolidates up to eight video images on a single screen, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making workflows. Supporting both HDMI and IP inputs, it allows users to seamlessly display local and remote video sources with complete flexibility. The SuperView IPX features 4K 60Hz input and output resolutions, customizable display layouts, and presets, along with H.264 and H.265 decoding. With an embedded architecture for enhanced security and control via a browser-based GUI, Telnet, and RS-232, it is the ideal solution for mission-critical 24/7 operations.

Ross Video’s XPression Tessera

Ross Video’s XPression Tessera is a multifaceted solution for managing and filling video displays in any studio or venue. The XPression Tessera Distributed Workflow system utilizes a simple region-mapping tool to allow users to slice up a graphic on a large canvas and distribute it across multiple channels or engines for pixel-accurate rendering. A single Take ID can be used to trigger the animation to play out in perfect synchronization across one channel or dozens of them. From simple studios to the largest live event stages, Ross Video can help you engage with viewers.

Vanco’s PAEXEARC

Vanco’s PAEXEARC Digital Audio Extender with eARC transmits HDMI eARC/ARC digital audio signals up to 328 feet and S/PDIF signals up to 656 feet over a single Cat5e/6 cable. It supports bi-directional PoC, allowing power supply from either end, and features simultaneous SPDIF and HDMI outputs for a customized audio solution. With CEC pass-through in eARC/ARC mode, it enables integrated control of multiple devices. Designed for reliable performance and compatibility with various audio systems, the PAEXEARC is ideal for enhancing audio distribution in meeting spaces and classrooms, ensuring high-quality sound and ease of control in large or complex setups.

Vizrt’s Viz Virtual Studio Go

In the age of hybrid working, learning, and connecting, it’s become a key challenge to capture and keep the audience's attention. The Viz Virtual Studio Go by Vizrt was designed to help drive engagement in any instance where video is shared, boosting communication, understanding, and connection. Software and hardware are pre-configured with fully designed and customizable AR graphics and an included virtual set scene. Engineered with award-winning virtual studio capabilities, powered by Viz Engine, and built on the connected workflows of NDI, storytellers are empowered with best-in-class technology to create engaging presentation experiences out of the box.

Another week in Pro AV has passed and another acquisition made headlines, as did an LG and Mo-Sys partnership.

Convergint acquired Esscoe, a provider of mission-critical security and fire and life safety systems in the Chicago and Midwest regions, enabling Convergint to accelerate growth across the Midwestern U.S.—building on Esscoe’s long-standing reputation for delivering innovative solutions to its customers. Read the full story here. 

LG Electronics acquired a stake in Mo-Sys Engineering. The strategic seed investment and partnership will expand LG Business Solution’s capabilities in the virtual production and broadcasting technology segments, enabling LG to deliver a more comprehensive lineup of sophisticated hardware and software-based solutions, according to Ki-mun Paik, SVP and head of the Information Display business unit of LG Business Solutions Company. You can read our full coverage here. 

Here's what you missed. 

[On Your Business: Sales Is Not a Four-Letter Word]

People News

Kira Baca Appointed CRO for Newly Merged Fabric x Xytech Entity

The newly combined entity of Fabric and Xytech Systems, currently known as Fabric x Xytech, appointed Kira Baca as chief revenue officer (CRO). With over 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment (M&E) services and technology sector, Baca plays a pivotal role in driving revenue strategies and spearheading growth initiatives for the combined organization.

Baca’s impressive career includes leadership roles at Technicolor Creative Services, SDI Media (now Iyuno), Sony NMS, and Rightsline, where she was instrumental in revenue growth and global expansion. Most recently, she served as chief revenue officer at Atelier Creative Technologies, where she developed a new go-to-market strategy and established the global teams for sales, business development and strategic partnership teams. Throughout her career, Baca has managed global client accounts for major entertainment companies, orchestrated international mergers, and secured transformative technology deals. In August 2023, she was appointed to the Board of Directors for Fabric and has been closely collaborating with Rob Delf and the team during their rapid growth and market expansion.    

Follow-Me appoints Thijs Bruins as Global Sales Manager

Follow-Me, manufacturers of high-end performer tracking solutions for lighting, immersive audio, video mapping and stage automation applications, appointed Thijs Bruins as global sales manager.

Bruins oversees the Follow-Me global sales network, aligning existing partners, expanding the network to improve customer experience and providing a strong base for the company’s future growth. He has a wealth of technical expertise, starting out at a young age as a lighting technician and continuing to juggle this freelance work and training, Bruins moved on to the role of manager of special projects at Trekwerk, before joining TAIT as business development manager where oversaw the growth of TAIT’s presence in Europe through the pandemic.

Peter Thomsen Appointed as Commercial Director at nxtedition

nxtedition appointed of Peter Thomsen as its new commercial director. With an impressive track record in the international media industry, Thomsen brings a wealth of expertise to nxtedition.

Thomsen’s career in media technology began with NTP Technology, where he developed his technical expertise in audio solutions and broadcast infrastructure. He then transitioned to Danmon Systems where he excelled in systems integration, project management, and business development. His success in driving business growth at Danmon positioned him to lead the establishment of Qvest’s operations in the Nordics, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s presence and delivering innovative media technology solutions.

RCF Appoints Manager of Installed Sound and System Designs

RCF has appointed Jim Reed to the newly created position manager of installed sound and system designs. In his new position, Jim Reed is tasked with spearheading business development in the permanent integration market sector, including working with integrators on system design, and serving as liaison between RCF’s U.S. operation and the headquarters in Italy, reinforcing the ongoing development of market-driven products for the system integration market sector.

From the start of his time with RCF in sales and products support, Reed drew upon his history in the audio industry working as an A1 audio technician, FOH engineer, and installation project manager for several AV companies to quickly establish himself as the lead product specialist for the U.S. With a primary focus on the installation and larger production company markets, he developed a range of training and instructional materials for RCF, including videos and in-person training seminars, covering topics from basic audio theory to comprehensive system design. His expertise extends to on-site product demonstrations and sales training seminars for some of the largest AV retailers in the U.S.

From the start of his time with RCF in sales and products support, Reed drew upon his rich history in the audio industry working as an A1 audio technician, FOH engineer, and installation project manager for several AV companies to quickly establish himself as the lead product specialist for the U.S. With a primary focus on the installation and larger production company markets, he developed a range of training and instructional materials for RCF, including videos and in-person training seminars, covering topics from basic audio theory to comprehensive system design. His expertise extends to on-site product demonstrations and sales training seminars for some of the largest AV retailers in the U.S.

USSI Global Welcomes Christina Murgo

USSI Global has added an experienced AV and digital signage professional to its leadership team as the company prepares for business growth in a thriving industry sector. Christina Murgo joined USSI Global’s Digital Signage and Technology Group as director of sales and business development, leading a new initiative to bring the company’s enterprise-level project management model to a broader customer base. 

Murgo is tasked with applying USSI Global’s proven model to meet the needs of medium-to-large digital signage networks that can benefit from a turnkey approach. That includes developing custom service plans and select value-added services that align with the capital budgets of each customer and preserve the long-term integrity of the technology and infrastructure. Murgo’s 25 years of experience across diverse roles with NEC, Scala and AVI-SPL provide the foundation for success in an exciting role.

SMPTE’s David Grindle to Conclude Term as Executive Director

David Grindle will conclude his term as the SMPTE’s executive director on Oct. 18. Grindle has served SMPTE in this role for two years, guiding its ongoing evolution and growth in supporting professionals across the industry. Collaborating with staff, volunteers, members, and the SMPTE Board of Governors, he has played a central role in making the Society more accessible and valuable to its global membership—from students and early career professionals to well-established creatives, engineers, and executives working in media and entertainment.

[ST 2110: An Introduction]

As executive director, Grindle led SMPTE in launching new products and educational initiatives designed to bring added benefits to both individual members and corporate partners. The Society’s achievements during his tenure include making standards and self-study courses available free on demand to members, expanding outreach to students and new entrants to the industry, amplifying the organization’s focus on global membership, introducing simpler and more flexible options for membership, and realizing cost reductions and greater operational efficiency. True to form, Grindle also inspired the Society’s members to learn how to tie a bow tie in raising money for the SMPTE Education Fund.

Through technical conferences, industry events and partnerships, and its continually expanding offering of timely educational programs and courses, SMPTE has helped a wide array of media professionals to further their knowledge and careers. To this end, notable accomplishments during Grindle’s tenure include supporting the regionalization of the various German SMPTE Student Chapters, creating a larger cohort and expanding the potential reach of each university’s program; adding Clark Atlanta University, the first HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) to join the SMPTE Student Chapter family; further augmenting the educational resources and solutions available through SMPTE Rapid Industry Solutions (RIS) initiatives; and launching training courses focused on practical knowledge for IP-based media operations.

Company News

Calrec, LAMA, Lawo, Gallery Sienna, and Telos Alliance Join the Dante Ecosystem

Audinate welcomed new cloud-based solutions from Calrec, Gallery Sienna, LAMA, Lawo, and Telos Alliance to the growing list of applications that support native Dante audio in cloud-based production workflows. The recently released SDK for Dante Connect enables software developers to build Dante audio transmission and reception natively into their cloud-based applications. 

[Head in the Cloud(s)]

Calrec, Gallery Sienna, LAMA, Lawo, and Telos Alliance join the expanding ecosystem of cloud-based software applications to choose direct integration of Dante into their applications. Integrating Dante directly into cloud-based applications enables end customers to connect any existing Dante hardware or software to cloud-based software applications using Dante Connect. 

These new Dante integrations give broadcasters and audio engineers a vast array of new products to choose from when building cloud-based Dante audio production workflows. 

BrightSign Partners with Praevar

Praevar, a manufacturer of intelligent outdoor displays and kiosks, has partnered BrightSign. The collaboration will put BrightSign’s technology inside outdoor and semi-outdoor digital signage and digital out-of-home (OOH) displays.

Since 2016, Praevar has designed and manufactured indoor and outdoor displays for many OOH media companies. The company will combine its commercial-grade displays with the power of BrightSign’s System-on-a-Chip (SoC) solution, BrightSign Built-In. This will transform Praevar’s high-brightness Placard and Podium series displays into all-in-one visual messaging and marketing solutions that users can easily deploy and manage.

The solution meets the growing demand for smart commercial displays with built-in media playback, storage, and management capabilities. It also empowers retailers to extend marketing reach outside the physical limits of brick-and-mortar stores to windowfronts, sidewalks, concourses, and plazas of retail and mixed-use environments.

Since 2016, Praevar has designed and manufactured indoor and outdoor displays for many OOH media companies. The company will combine its commercial-grade displays with the power of BrightSign’s System-on-a-Chip (SoC) solution, BrightSign Built-In. This will transform Praevar’s high-brightness Placard and Podium series displays into all-in-one visual messaging and marketing solutions that users can easily deploy and manage.

Cinegy and Scale Logic to Announce Strategic Partnership

Cinegy and Scale Logic announced a strategic partnership at IBC 2024. The two companies will be working together to extend Cinegy’s presence in the United States and elsewhere, allowing Cinegy to take advantage of Scale Logic’s technical expertise, reseller network and extensive media customer base. U.S.-based and other global customers will be able to acquire complete turnkey media solutions based on Cinegy software and the comprehensive range of hardware and technical competence provided by the long-established and well-respected Scale Logic team.

Scale Logic will be providing integrated solutions for all aspects of broadcast and AV, based around Cinegy’s Archive, Desktop, Capture, Air and Multiviewer applications installed on best-of-breed server, storage and networking solutions.

Boom, TD SYNNEX Ink Major North American Distribution Deal

Videoconferencing manufacturer Boom Collaboration is partnering with TD SYNNEX. Boom’s complete range of high performance cameras, audio and connectivity hardware will be distributed by TD SYNNEX across the United States and Canada.

Per Boom founder Fredrik Hörnkvist, Boom’s MAGNA Pro 4K PTZ camera and innovative HALO, AURA, and UNO videobars are set to become some of the company’s most popular product linest. He also outlined how the new Boom ZYGO multi-connectivity hub will create even more sales opportunities for TD SYNNEX customers. Fellow founder Holli Hulett says the company’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) technology ethos and platform agnostic approach will help further drive demand.

“TD SYNNEX is committed to empowering innovative partners to achieve great outcomes with technology,” said Sandi Stambaugh, SVP of vendor business management at TD SYNNEX. “With Boom added to our comprehensive portfolio of vendor partners, we’re able to enrich the breadth and depth of our offerings so customers can continue to accelerate their business and unlock growth for the future.”

Specifi Partners with Nice North America

Specifi announced a new integration with Nice North America, a subsidiary of Nice. The new collaboration, which follows recent successful integrations with brands including Snap One and Masimo Consumer Audio, will empower Nice dealers to create compelling proposals, which enhance client communications through the client portal, and bolster their online presence with Specifi WebBuilder. Additionally, Nice will introduce Specifi’s Builder Tech-Marketing Solutions to their builder and integrator partners. These powerful marketing tools include the creation of builder microsites and proposals that showcase home technology standards and options, simplifying the presentation and sale of tech options through builders.

Matrox Video Appoints Intronics to Serve as Distributor

Matrox Video has a new partnership with value-added distributor (VAD) Intronics, a Netherlands-based specialist in IT, AV, KVM, and industrial custom connectivity solutions. Intronics will focus on supplying Matrox Video's AV-over-IP infrastructure solutions, including the Matrox ConvertIP Series of IPMX/ST 2110-ready encoders, decoders, and converters and the Matrox Maevex 7100 and 6100 Series of encoders and decoders, to customers in Spain and the Benelux region.

[ST 2110: An Introduction]

With headquarters in Barneveld, offices in Belgium and Spain, and additional sales forces throughout Europe, Intronics supplies standard stock products as well as customer-specific solutions in and beyond the Benelux region. The company provides further value through pre- and post-sales technical support, training, and more.

Haivision MCS Awarded $61.2 Million Production Agreement by U.S. Navy

Haivision MCS, a subsidiary of Haivision, was awarded a significant five-year production agreement by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), with an estimated total value of $61.2 million USD (approximately $82 million CAD). This strategic agreement positions Haivision at the forefront of delivering combat visualization and video distribution systems for the U.S. Navy's Surface Combatant Fleet. 

Under this new production agreement, Haivision MCS will provide to the U.S. Navy a comprehensive suite of Haivision ultra-high performance video processing solutions for mission-critical display along with video transcoding, storage, and distribution components. These systems will be integral to the Navy's Combat Information Centers (CICs) across various surface combatant vessels, enhancing situational awareness and mission planning capabilities. The advanced visualization technology is designed to support the Navy’s future combat systems, including those planned for AEGIS Destroyers (DDGs), Aircraft Carriers (CVNs), Amphibious Ships (LHDs, LHA, LPDs), Frigates (FFGs), Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs), and the next-generation United States Coast Guard (USCG) Cutters, among other critical applications. Haivision’s next-generation systems will play a pivotal role in supporting mission-critical applications by delivering superior situational awareness throughout the ship.   

This award builds upon Haivision's ongoing success with the U.S. Navy’s CANES (Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services) program, which already leverages Haivision’s real-time video encoding, transcoding, recording, and playback technology for ship-wide video distribution.

Grass Valley and ES Broadcast Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement

Grass Valley reached a strategic partnership agreement (SPA) with ES Broadcast. This agreement marks the continuation and expansion of a long-standing relationship that has flourished over more than a decade, positioning both companies for further growth and success.

The agreement entails a multi-million-dollar annual spend by ES Broadcast across Grass Valley's extensive product portfolio, including live production infrastructure, cameras, and switchers. ES Broadcast, recognized as the first AMPP-certified partner globally, will also emphasize the expansion of the AMPP Platform as a key component of its strategic focus.

ES Broadcast, with a presence in the U.K., mainland Europe, and the United States, is a global business known for its sales and systems integration, as well as its expansive hire business. The company rents Grass Valley camera systems to major sporting, news, and entertainment events across the globe, further solidifying Grass Valley's presence in the industry.

ES Broadcast's commitment to excellence is further demonstrated through its status as an Authorized Service Provider (ASP) for Grass Valley in the U.K., Ireland, Spain, and through its Crosspoint Spain division. This ensures that customers receive certified, knowledgeable, and experienced support services, a crucial component of the ongoing growth strategy for both companies.

Located in Fair Oaks, IN and established in 2004, Fair Oaks Farms aims to give its visitors a better understanding of farming and the future of agriculture through an experiential museum that makes learning hands-on and interactive. To power technologies—like the touchscreen map of the United States and projection-mapped forest display—the farm turned to BrightSign media players.

With a wide range of visitors including student field trips, families, business trips, and bus tours, Fair Oaks strives to ensure its museum attractions are engaging, dynamic, and educational. The touch-screen map, for instance, allows visitors to tap images to learn about dairy farmers in different states. Another attraction includes projection-mapped visuals that make visitors feel as if they are standing in a forest.

However, the farm needed to find the right technology to power these experiences. Previously, the displays were inconsistent and would occasionally turn off, showing a blank screen. This interrupted the immersive nature of the experience, and the blank screens meant visitors weren’t learning anything.

[Tech Perspectives: The Emperor Has No Clothes]

Fair Oaks decided to deploy the BrightSign XC4055 (part of the XC5 product line) along with the HD1025 (part of the HD5 product line). These players replaced the mini-PCs they had been using and now support multiple use cases, including:

• Displaying a video that immerses guests in the world of farming.
• Powering a touchscreen map of the United States that lets visitors select different videos to watch, highlighting dairy farmers in each state.
• Running a projection-mapped forest display that immerses visitors in the way farming and agriculture intersect with the local environment.
• Powering Stemmy’s Lab—an interactive space for visitors to see and learn more about agriculture and the dairy industry.

The media players integrate seamlessly with motion sensors to make the exhibits more interactive for visitors. For example, educators can program digital exhibits that leverage RFID tagging and motion sensing (in partnership with Nexmosphere) to trigger a specific video or game for certain visitor groups. This delivers a customized experience for new or repeat guests.

[A Matter of Touch]

With dual and quad HDMI outputs, 3D WebGL HTML5 performance, and high-quality video capabilities, the XC4055 powers amazing visuals that inspire and engage visitors. Content for the exhibits can be built right on BrightAuthor:connected, allowing Fair Oaks to effortlessly design, publish, and manage experiences. The team can easily test the content in their office then have it work immediately in the museum. This made for a seamless deployment process.

Fair Oaks has been pleased with the reliability of the new BrightSign solutions. Their previous setup required multiple steps to turn on the devices and power up the activations. Now, staff can come in, press a button, and know it will all work once powered on. With zero downtime issues from the BrightSignOS and BrightSign hardware, guests spend more time engaging with the digital content.

Employees can now spend more time interacting with guests since they don’t have to worry about the exhibit technology. And if they do run into an issue, the players are easier to access and troubleshoot. The previous mini-PC setup would run into issues due to overheating, and they were placed in small cabinets that were difficult to access. Once they were accessed, the team had to wait for the computer to power off and cool down before they could turn it on again. The small size of BrightSign’s media players made it easy to position them right up against a display for faster access. The BrightSign XC4055 also maximized efficiency for Fair Oaks. They can now run multiple displays with the single multi-output player.

Powered by the BrightSignOS operating system, the BrightSign XC4055 and HD1025 guarantee the long-lasting, reliable performance Fair Oaks needs. Plus, BrightSignOS supports the system’s scalability, giving the museum the freedom to innovate the exhibits in the years ahead without having to worry about implementing new technology.

[Adele to Enter Guinness Book of World Records with Largest Outdoor Video Wall]

With digital signage players from BrightSign, Fair Oaks Farms was able to create a more reliable and consistent museum experience for guests—and streamline workflows for employees.

Looking ahead, the museum hopes to explore more features that will make it possible for the immersive experience to come to life on its own with minimal input or oversight.

On June 11, the winners of SCN Installation Product Awards 2024 were revealed during a ceremony at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Winning products were recognized across 11 categories, including a new category, Most Innovative Camera.

"Every year, the SCN Installation Product Awards provide an opportunity to recognize innovation in the Pro AV industry," said Mark J. Pescatore, content director, Systems Contractor News. "It's always nice to see enthusiasm about new products from so many different categories. We should never take product development for granted, especially in an industry that is seemingly in a constant state of change. Congratulations to all our 2024 winners."

And the winners are:

Most Innovative App

Sony Electronics: Device Management Platform (DMP)

Most Innovative Audio Hardware

AtlasIED: Aimline Series ALX-D 

Blaze Audio: CBL528      

Shure: Microflex Advance MXA901 Conferencing Ceiling Array Microphone

Most Innovative AV Installation Accessory

BZBGEAR: BG-AVTPG-MINI-G2 | 8K HDMI 2.1 Test Pattern Generator 

Chief, a brand of Legrand | AV: Tempo Flat Panel In-Wall Mount System  

Vanco International: EVMX42MV 4K 4x2 HDMI Matrix with Multiview

Most Innovative Camera

BirdDog: X1 Ultra             

Crestron Electronics: Crestron 1 Beyond i-Series  

JVC Professional Video: KY-PZ540 CONNECTED CAM PTZ Camera

Most Innovative Collaboration Product

Atlona: AT-OME-CS31-SA        

Sennheiser: TeamConnect Ceiling Medium                 

WolfVision: Cynap Videobar            

Most Innovative Digital Signage Product

22Miles: AI Solutions    

BrightSign: XT5

ViewSonic: ViewSonic LDS135-153 Direct View LED Display Solution Kit 

Most Innovative Emerging Technology

Listen Technologies: ListenWIFI

Q-SYS: VisionSuite

Sony Electronics: ELF-SR2 Spatial Reality Display     

Most Innovative Sustainable Product Strategy

LED Studio: EDGE Series 

PPDS: Philips Signage 3650 Series EcoDesign QE-Line          

Most Innovative Videoconferencing Product

Samsung Electronics: Interactive Display WAD Series

Vaddio, a brand of Legrand | AV: Venture VideoBAR + TableMIC  

Most Innovative Video Display

Avocor: X Series

MAXHUB: Raptor LX Series/LX165V07 

Planar: DirectLight Pro Series 

Most Innovative Video Projection Solution

Epson America: EB-PQ2010B 10,000-Lumen 4K 3LCD Laser Projector

LG Business Solutions USA: ProBeam BU53RG Laser Projector

Optoma Technology: ZU607TST Short-Throw WUXGA Laser Projector  

Each nominated product was submitted by its respective manufacturer. Each of the nominated products were submitted by their respective manufacturers. Winners were chosen by industry professionals through a ballot accessed through avnetwork.com. Up to three winners were selected in each category, based on the number of entries. The nominated product must have first shipped between January 1, 2023, and May 10, 2024. Products that won in last year’s awards program were not eligible in any category this year.

The American Bankers Association (ABA) is a trade association representing the nation’s $23.4 trillion banking industry, which includes small, regional, and large banks that collectively employ approximately 2.1 million people. In late 2022, ABA moved to its current 87,000-square-foot headquarters in Washington, DC’s Dupont Circle neighborhood.

[Editorial: Videoconferencing Sparks ‘Zoom Boom’ for Cosmetic Procedures]

As part of the move, ABA further committed to Zoom videoconferencing in support of its active hybrid work environment. A host of multi-sized meeting and workspaces within the three-story office environment—including a large boardroom, two large conference rooms, 10 medium and nine small conference rooms, 11 huddle rooms, the CEO’s office, three coffee bars, staff lounge, and more—were equipped to support Zoom meetings effectively and efficiently.

“The majority of our people work two days a week from the office and the remaining time at home, so there's a big need for videoconferencing to support regular, daily meetings with anywhere from two people to over a dozen,” explained Tony Neal, ABA’s VP of infrastructure. “We also support weekly meetings of ABA stakeholders in other locations, for example, meetings of state banking association members and those of other types of committees, including our board of directors.”

ABA’s AV project was designed, managed, and installed by New York-based TRITECH Communications. TRITECH is no stranger to installing AV systems for the financial services industry, having already done such work for JPMorgan Chase, Moody’s Investor Service, and Brown Brothers Harriman, among others. “TRITECH was the best vendor to meet our needs, in part because they were already doing the cabling in the building,” Neal said. “For projects like these, I prefer the cabling vendor and the AV vendor to be the same—and their reputation as a reliable and savvy AV deployment partner made the choice easy.”

The sheer scale of the project, along with the fact that the ABA wanted it done reasonably quickly, made for a challenging build. ABA started the process with TRITECH in December 2021, moving into their new headquarters just 11 months later. Add the fact that these rooms had to seamlessly support a range of portable BYODs and TRITECH had its work cut out for it.

“This was right during the COVID-19 crunch,” recalled TRITECH’s Barclay Davidson, who managed the ABA project. “As such, we had problems getting some of the equipment specified for the large boardroom and two large conference rooms, such as the Crestron NVX AVoIP distribution systems. Crestron was experiencing a product shortage at that time, so they provided us with an interim solution until the NVX units we wanted could be retrofitted into the rooms in December 2023.”

The Big Three

Without a doubt, the large boardroom and two large conference rooms are the stars of this show. They are interconnected using networked AV-over-IP via a central headend located in the ABA’s AV room. The approach provides a future-proofed solution that allows the system to be easily scaled should requirements be added as technology evolves.

[Clancy: Crestron Answering Hybrid Workforce Needs]

The boardroom is equipped with a Planar 109-inch LED video wall, NEC NP-P605 6,000-lumen ceiling-mounted laser projector, and Da-Lite Tensioned Advantage 110-inch motorized projection screen installed in the ceiling. There are also mobile TV display cart connection plates within the boardroom to support additional viewing angles both within the room and when its accordion-style glass partition is open to create a 2,400-square-foot reception space.

Multiple Vaddio RoboSHOT 30E PTZ cameras in the boardroom provide coverage of the space. The setup is rounded out with a Zoom Room appliance that supports Zoom meetings, laptop connections with both HDMI and USB ports in a floor box, Soundtube CM-82 ceiling speakers, ceiling-mounted beamforming microphones, and lavalier and handheld microphones. All AV functions are controlled using a Crestron TSW-1070 10-inch touchpanel mounted on the wall that can also be connected to the floor box.

Meanwhile, the two identical 30-person, large conference rooms each have a pair of wall-mounted Samsung QB85R 85-inch displays, with a RoboSHOT PTZ camera mounted between them to capture the audience looking at the displays. A second camera is mounted on the ceiling facing toward the displays to cover a presenter standing at the head of the room. A mobile TV display cart connection allows those in the back to watch a closer display for detailed viewing, if required. Like the large boardroom, each large conference room has a Zoom Room appliance, HDMI/USB floor box, ceiling speakers, a similar selection of microphones, and Crestron touchpanel control.

Comprehensive Connectivity

The AV equipment in the rest of ABA’s meeting and team rooms varies depending on their usage and capacity. For example, each of the huddle rooms, which are designed to enable hybrid meetings with up to five in-person attendees, has a wall-mounted Samsung QB50R 50-inch flat panel display, plus a Logitech videobar connected to a small-format PC behind the display to support Zoom conferences.

[Viewpoint: Hybrid Headaches]

A Logitech Tap user interface located on the table controls the system, with an HDMI connection to enable content sharing from a laptop. However, the HDMI connection is not necessary for ABA staff laptops, which can share directly to the display via Zoom’s share screen functionality over Wi-Fi. A similar approach is used in the medium and small conference rooms, with some variance in monitor size.

The CEO’s office has a Samsung QB65R 65-inch display on a Chief TS325 articulating wall mount, along with a small-format PC and a Logitech videobar. Zoom conferences can be controlled from a user interface located on the table. The CEO’s office also has an HDMI connection to support content sharing from a laptop, if required.

[SCN Hybrid World: Videobars Offer Simplified Conferencing Solution]

Each of the three coffee bars features a Samsung 65-inch monitor connected to a BrightSign XD234 media player and CATV/streaming devices installed behind them. Plus, the staff lounge has a 55-inch monitor and a CATV/streaming device, while one visitor reception area has a similar setup housed in a cabinet under the TV.

“TRITECH also designed and installed a mesh network setup for end user cable TV stations in select but varying employee offices," Neal added. "The flexibility of the design allows ABA to move TV services to any office that requires it without running coax cable or disturbing the infrastructure.”

According to Neal, the ABA’s Zoom-centric facility is working as planned. “Our staff and people from the outside say that the rooms are great,” he said. “We've had very few issues with them, almost zero issues with them, to be honest.”

The secret to ABA/TRITECH’s success on this project? “Prototyping and testing the rooms as we did is always a good thing before they all get installed,” replied Neal. “Work with the AV vendor to make sure that everything meets your needs, do a lot of testing when the room is turned over to you by them, and, crucially, ensure that the room is easy for the customers to use from the onset.”

Recent visitors to Central London have probably noticed WatchHouse, a new chain of design-conscious cafés. Tateside, a London-based integrator, has added digital signage, background music, and other AV/IT solutions across several of the chain's 15 locations, and will support the brand's expansion moving forward, including the opening of new locations in the United States.

"WatchHouse sought a partner to handle both IT and AV aspects during the scaling of their operations,” recalls Jack Cornish, technical director at Tateside. “We’re providing them with a complete solution, from initial design through to implementation and ongoing support."

[Shopping for DOOH]

The cafés offer hot drinks and food in beautiful surroundings served by a passionate team of coffee professionals. Around the corner from the chain’s inaugural Bermondsey House is its Roastery, which allows WatchHouse to create unique local blends and premium coffee across all its locations. WatchHouse is recognized for the stylish interiors of its branches and works with interior designers to define and elaborate on the distinctive aesthetic of each location.

Maintaining each House’s individuality may present a challenge when it comes to scalability—but has instead proven to be an opportunity for the Tateside team, which can showcase the versatility of their skills and the diversity of the AV brands they work with by providing bespoke solutions at each House.

For background audio, for example, Tateside specified loudspeakers in various formats. "One example of the work we’re doing with WatchHouse is the Fenchurch Street branch, where we utilized Origin Acoustics discreet opening speakers and subwoofers to provide a great audio experience with minimal visual impact,” Cornish explained. Tateside also installed compact Powersoft DSP amps with simple user control provided by on-wall control panels.

Some of the latest locations have included digital projection for menu displays, which required careful placement of projectors within joinery or walls. “An Epson 4K super-ultra-short-throw laser projector is used to display the digital menu onto a beautiful solid marble wall,” said Cornish. “We used a 4K BrightSign player, as we love their reliability, and we used Embed Signage for our cloud-managed CMS for all remote content management and scheduling.”

[Enabling Pain-Free AV/IT Convergence]

Tateside not only designs and integrates the AV system for WatchHouse, but also provides a comprehensive solution covering passive and active IT infrastructure and ongoing support. “Whilst the backend stays the same, each House requires something different, so we’re drawing up the plans for each branch, organizing and fitting the Wi-Fi, the switches, the routers, dealing with the ISP and the AV system,” Cornish noted. “After the installation is complete, we’re then available to provide support in case of any issues and keep the system up to date through our Managed Services team.”

WatchHouse plans to open 500 Houses by 2033. Tateside is currently working on active projects in several other London locations as well as New York City, with additional Houses in the pipeline. “As WatchHouse grows, it’s reassuring to know that our technology needs are entirely taken care of by Tateside,” said Roland Horne, CEO and founder of WatchHouse. “Each of our Houses possesses a unique identity—and working with the Tateside team we’re able to retain the same language of our spaces whilst ensuring a consistent high-quality execution of the technology."

Located in Silicon Valley, Valley Christian—a K-12 college preparatory school located in San Jose, CA—strives to deliver a tech-forward experience for its students, staff , and visitors. When the school wanted to update its music department, it turned to Red Dot Digital Media to design, program and install a total of 10 room-scheduling screens for each of the school’s new music rooms. The entryway to each room features an 11-inch Bluefin touch panel with BrightSign Built-In, hardwired to automated locks that control access to the rooms.

Valley Christian wanted to give their music instructors a streamlined way to assign and monitor access to practice rooms in the new music building, while also giving students the ability to use their student ID number to access the room-scheduling system, which unlocks their assigned practice room during their designated practice session time. 

[How to Make Room Scheduling Easy]

"We worked with Red Dot previously on a project to install screens throughout the campus for general messaging, as well as digital menu boards in our cafeteria. We were pleased with the result of that project, so it was an easy decision to engage with Red Dot again to outfit our new music building with a room-scheduling and access-control system,” commented Valley Christian Schools. “Our music instructors now have a system to manage access to our practice facilities that’s on-par with what many student musicians won’t encounter until they reach college."

Red Dot built a custom software interface that enables school personnel to populate a shared spreadsheet with a student’s ID number, granting them access to the practice rooms. Calendar scheduling for each room is administered by the staff through Microsoft Office 365. When a student wants to reserve a room, they send a request to the staff member to schedule the time for them. At the appropriately scheduled time, the student then goes to the room and enters their student ID number on the touch panel keypad, which unlocks the touch panel. The student can then press the “unlock” button for the room door to gain access. If the student is not scheduled at that time, the room will not open. If the room is occupied it will display a red indicator, and if it’s available the indicator will be displayed in green.

“Valley Christian is forward-thinking in how they approach the integration of digital media into their campus. Each time we’ve collaborated with them, we’ve been impressed by their appetite to push boundaries and implement innovative solutions that are common in university settings, but quite unusual for a K-12 institution,” said Darryl Kuder, president of Red Dot Digital Media. “We’re grateful that Valley Christian entrusts their digital aspirations to us, and we’re especially proud of how this latest project turned out.”

[How Tony Stark Can Save Pro AV (and Other Trends)]

Implementing a custom room-scheduling system that provides automated access control to a series of rooms can be a costly endeavor. To help Valley Christian reign-in the cost of the project, Red Dot assembled a solution that took advantage of readily available (and relatively affordable) hardware, underpinned by the Signagelive CMS, which powers the room-scheduling functionality of the project. Using touch-interactive Bluefin screens with BrightSign Built-In capabilities eliminated the need for external media players - an important consideration in this use case where using standalone players would have required lengthy cable runs to maintain the clean aesthetic that Valley Christian desired. This approach significantly reduced the amount of custom work, saving Valley Christian thousands of dollars on the project compared to a fully custom-built solution.

This room-scheduling solution is the latest milestone in Red Dot’s long-standing collaboration with Valley Christian. The specialty integrator previously installed a digital wayfinding kiosk on the campus, as well as new digital menu boards in the school’s cafeteria. In each instance, Red Dot designed custom solutions built on different CMS platforms, taking into account each project’s stated goal, technical complexity and budget considerations. The wayfinding kiosk uses BrightSign’s legacy BrightSign Network CMS, while the menu boards are powered by Wallboard, and this latest project takes advantage of Signagelive’s room-scheduling solution.

[SCN Finally Goes Inside the Vegas Sphere ... and We Had a Ball]

Standardizing on a single CMS is convenient for the integrator, but it often requires the client to compromise the stated intent of their project. Using a single CMS solution for a broadly scoped project typically means functionality tradeoffs have to be made, or costly bolt-on solutions must be purchased to achieve the desired functionality. In the case of Valley Christian, Red Dot was able to build custom solutions for each use case, ensuring they did not need to compromise the form or function of its growing digital network.

AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Carrie Kaumans, Corporate Channel Marketing Manager at Listen Technologies

Assistive listening systems play an important role in creating immersive experiences for esports athletes and spectators. Assistive listening systems can support athletes and spectators with chronic or situational hearing loss by filtering out ambient noise and delivering audio from games and commentators directly to listeners’ ears via earbuds or headphones connected to receivers. Audio over Wi-Fi assistive listening systems let listeners use their personal smartphones as receivers, so there’s no equipment to check out or return. They simply download a free app on their smartphone, select a channel, and listen to clear, intelligible audio in their ears. If they wear Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids or cochlear devices, they can stream audio from their smartphone to these devices. 

Assistive listening systems help players and fans overcome the challenges of hearing loss, distance from the audio source, background noise, language, and acoustics that can make hearing difficult, detract from the gaming experience, and prevent participants from fully engaging in esports.

When selecting an assistive listening system for esports, consider who will be using the technology. Do they prefer to borrow equipment or BYOD? Select a system they are likely to use.

Also consider the unique challenges of the space. The esports arena in the Digital Creative Lab at the University of Southern California (USC), for example, is enclosed, and there is a collaborative space adjacent to the arena. To ensure everyone in the collaborative space can experience what is happening inside the enclosed arena, USC selected an audio-over-Wi-Fi assistive listening system. Spectators can follow the action by streaming the audio from the gaming and the instructor in the esports arena. Gamers and spectators with hearing loss can also use the streamed audio for assistive listening.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Jeff Schneider, Director of Sales, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions at Digital Projection

Like any sporting event, watching the action unfold on a big display makes the experience more immersive and engaging for spectators. At the same time, it provides athletes a way to demonstrate their skills to fans and peers. Nothing handles this application better than a dvLED video wall. It can be scaled to any size, customized to any aspect ratio, and configured to display multiple windows of game play at once. A dvLED is also highly versatile and integration friendly, which enables it to function as both a display for gaming, as well as digital signage for upcoming events, scores, and streaming media from on- and off-premise components. The multi-functional dvLED video wall can juggle diverse applications with ease and without any compromise in brightness or resolution. Another huge perk for esports applications is their low latency. This precludes any lag during intense, action gaming for smoother, more enjoyable and competitive gameplay. 

Like any large-format display, proper design is paramount to the performance of a dvLED video wall. Lighting, the physical space, usage, applications, and electrical requirements are variables that can impact the image quality and viewing experience of a dvLED video wall in an esports facility and should be carefully considered before installation. Aligning with a manufacturer that offers comprehensive design and tech service and support on the job site can streamline this process and ensure optimal results. Also keep maintenance in mind. Replacement of individual modules comprising an dvLED display of heavy usage is not uncommon. Be sure spare parts are readily available and can be shipped quickly for minimal interruption in the esports action. 

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Daniel Evans, Senior Vice President of Sales at Magnifi

Competition in the esports industry is growing, and sponsors and fans are looking to engage with gamers and teams through more immersive and action-oriented experiences. One of the major advancements is AI-driven tools, which provide gamer creators and developers with rapid scalability, automation, and real-time and intuitive features, making it easier to create high-quality and visually engaging gameplay footage and sports highlights. This allows content producers, developers, streamers, or esports teams to focus on game strategy rather than the laborious tasks of editing and post-producing hours of gameplay footage.

There are also opportunities for AI to address the rapidly growing localization market, allowing creators to reach a larger and more diverse global audience with translated content. AI-drive algorithms can help creators generate living-world environments that are expansive, respond to players’ actions, and provide a fully immersive experience.

AI-driven tools also provide advances in marketing strategies and tactics, creating more monetization opportunities through automated branding and cross-channel publishing, among others. As fan bases desire more personalized and engaging experiences, global marketers are paying attention to the way AI can help them optimize their campaigns, create customized content, and build relationships in the esports and gaming communities. AI algorithms also offer predictive analysis for market and data insights and user behavior.

AI has applications for use across the entire esports production process, from generating content to creating non-player characters (NPCs) with humanlike intelligence—all ultimately driving sports and fan engagement. AI use cases in the esports industry are vast, driving the industry to new heights and providing unique and immersive gaming experiences to players at every turn and on every device. AI’s ability to automate repetitive tasks, analyze large amounts of data faster than humans, and streamline processes makes it a true game changer that is reshaping the way games are developed, experienced, and enjoyed.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Justin Strazdas, Product Marketing Manager, Video and Production at Roland

Esports is highly dependent upon the competitor’s reaction time, so while having the latest and greatest graphics card in their system can be a priority, it goes far beyond that with the range of peripherals required. For example, a monitor with low “input lag” is a critical component for split-second win-or-lose situations. They also need a mouse that suits the comfort and style of the player; some need to try several different models before they find one with the response and sensitivity they require to compete. And audio can make or break a competition if their opponent’s footsteps are lost in the mix. For that, there are audio mixers designed to deliver optimized EQ frequency adjustment and headsets that provide accurate sound fields. While there are many more pieces like keyboards and chairs that are necessary for long-term success, ultimately it comes down to the fans who make this industry a reality.

For them, immersive experiences within esports events rely on so many areas of technology to work, and it’s fascinating to see how quickly it has evolved in step with audiovisual and broadcast workflows. LED walls are installed in so many competitive spaces now, with creative panel layouts that not only provide magnified gameplay for spectators, but also assets like live statistics, game maps, and dedicated camera shots for each player. Video switchers are increasingly capable of handling the video sources required to provide a memorable experience for in-house and streaming audiences, with automation tools that are critical for executing complex show cues. I think the next frontier is gamification, as it presents many new ways to increase audience participation, reward fandom, and bring the community even closer to the experience. The idea that fans could collectively change the course of a competition is an exciting possibility.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Keri Manasa, Regional Director, Solutions and Consultants Team at Legrand | AV

Universities looking to construct esports arenas need to work on a business case that includes multi-use capabilities. A stellar example of an esports arena doing all the right things is The Fortress at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. They retrofitted an existing structure and built in flexibility to tackle anything from one-to-one or team-to-team competitions as well as graduation ceremonies and everything in between. 

They made room for that flexibility by adding T-trusses throughout the space to mount digital signage and speakers at virtually any weight capacity. This allows them to adjust the configurations to best suit the viewing experience for that particular match. 

One way they were able to target their budget dollars was to forego adding 4K or 8K capabilities. Most of the audience is watching the streams through tablets or smartphones, which are not 4K or 8K ready. For the price jump to accomplish 4K, they did not see the expected benefit. By eliminating this cost, they answered the needs of their current audience and took those budget dollars to invest in power and all the fiber connections they needed. A trench was dug into the floor to provide ample room to run power and cable.

As a side note, their rack room had limited space behind the racks, so they installed a garage door in that hallway for maintenance access and ventilation during gameplay. This sort of forethought showcases the type of out-of-the-box thinking that an esports project can require. 

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Jared Darensbourg, National Live Events Manager at Panasonic Connect

Esports is the fastest-growing sport in the world right now, estimated to surpass $10 billion in the next few years. And while sporting venues and arenas have their eyes on this growth, a more untraditional candidate, universities, do too. With admissions rates declining, universities have struggled to recruit the next generation of students. Esports offers a new channel to pique the interest of potential admits. However, it’s one thing to create an arena. It’s another to attract students, generate buzz, and keep players and viewers coming back for more. The right technology is the key differentiator.

One challenge that universities face when developing esports arenas is room. Often, they don’t have the space to create massive stadiums and therefore need to repurpose empty lecture halls, theaters, or gyms. In these cases, it’s important that AV teams incorporate immersive elements to best optimize the space and create a spectator-style venue. Projectors offer detailed, sharp, color-rich images that create the look and feel of a high-end esports arena. Projectors can also be used to project live streams of games, so players and viewers can easily watch and participate in the action from afar.

Yet live streams bring on new challenges too. For larger programs, there’s often multiple games happening at once, requiring audiovisual teams to seamlessly switch between different participants to keep audiences invested. To minimize setup, streamline workflows, and reduce the number of on-site personnel needed, AV teams can invest in live production platforms to easily switch between streams from one location to another. With ST 2110 capabilities, teams can be completely remote and choose to use PTZ cameras for on-site filming, with Ethernet to send streams back to control rooms.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: James O’Hagan, Vice President of Education Innovation at LeagueSpot

In recent years, the educational landscape has witnessed a significant shift towards integrating scholastic gaming and esports across all grade levels. This evolution reflects a broader recognition of the educational potential inherent in digital play. Schools, libraries, and child-focused organizations are still in the early stages of crafting secure, walled gardens of digital play, tailored specifically for their youth communities.

These digital environments offer more than mere recreation; they are spaces where game titles align with the values and objectives of their stakeholders. This careful selection ensures that the content resonates with educational goals, wrap-around supports can be included, and promotes a balanced blend of enjoyment and learning.

One key aspect of these digital playgrounds is their focus on protection. By establishing exclusive spaces for children and adolescents, educators and administrators can shield young users from external influences that might not align with their community’s ethos. This safeguarding is critical in an era where digital exposure is ubiquitous, yet often unregulated.

Moreover, these platforms serve as fertile grounds for honing skills vital for the future. Participants engage in collaborative problem-solving, strategic thinking, and digital literacy, all within a framework of structured play and positive adult interaction. Such environments also foster inclusivity, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to interact and learn in a shared digital space.

The role of audiovisual technology in these initiatives cannot be overstated. High-quality AV solutions are pivotal in creating immersive, engaging experiences that captivate young minds. As educators and technologists, our task involves not only providing the hardware but also understanding the dynamics of digital play in educational settings.

As this trend gains momentum, it is imperative for AV professionals to stay abreast of the evolving needs of educational institutions. This involvement can make a substantial difference in how effectively these digital playgrounds serve their purpose, thereby shaping the future of education in the digital age.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Michael Tuohy, Technical Support Manager, Just Add Power

The explosion of esports has caused ripple effects in the AV integration industry. Live audiences—numbering annually in the millions—have continued to grow yearly, with typically double-digit percentage point increases. With this surge in engagement, there is a growing need to leverage today’s signal distribution technology. AV over IP has become a go-to option to link gamers to the audience, allowing for a rewarding and immersive experience.

When distributing game video for a live or streaming audience, choosing a product that offers visually undetectable latency is of paramount importance. Seconds can be the difference between victory and defeat in a competitive environment. Audience immersion is lost when the spectator is a beat behind the gameplay due to high latency.

Quality is the next focus. Users and the audience want to see the detail and immense color range of modern gaming platforms. A fuzzy, washed-out picture or unclear audio will simply not suffice. Fidelity to the original content must be respected to ensure that details are not lost. When selecting equipment, look for 4K60 resolution with HDR10/ Dolby Vision, deep color support, and multichannel audio.

The final key tenets are scalability and reliability. Systems must be able to span large venues, accommodate creative device placement, and support flexible system sizing. Once installed, the system needs to work reliably; nothing breaks immersion faster than dropped video frames or lost audio. Make sure your chosen equipment is battle-tested and has robust support engineering available to back you up.

Focusing on these performance categories when selecting an AV-over-IP solution and applying creative energy to system design will ensure your esports program has an AV distribution system that will immerse gamers and spectators in the experience, and fuel growth in this exciting industry, for years to come.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Heather Blair, Senior Account Manager, Esports, LG Business Solutions

As a result of growing esports popularity, an increasing number of schools are launching esports clubs and competition teams as extracurricular activities for a broad range of students. Knowing that only 54 percent of students participate in traditional sports, educators have come to appreciate the surging popularity of gaming among youth. As of 2022, 175 universities have joined the National Association of College Esports (NACE), many of which initially became involved through student-run clubs that eventually joined organized, competitive leagues. As the competition heats up and attracts ever-larger investments and public attention, the number of participating schools is likely to continue growing.

In order for fledgling esports programs to deliver meaningful student experiences, they must first evaluate and consider whether their existing computer gear and infrastructure are sufficient to perform at a competitive level. These games typically require up-to-date gaming PCs with powerful graphics cards, while high-quality monitors and peripherals can greatly boost player effectiveness thanks to higher picture quality and brightness, better contrast, clearer communication with teammates, and highly responsive input devices. 

Some programs—particularly at middle schools and high schools—have succeeded in repurposing existing equipment and spaces to provide a cost-effective opportunity without encountering opposition. While esports is indeed growing quickly, there can still be obstacles—particularly at the K-12 level—in attaining funding and support from the school boards and administrators responsible for student and community needs. 

Institutions that want to address the widest swath of student interests and attract diverse student populations are helping put esports on an equal footing with traditional sports. Through the rise of scholarships, famous student players, and even fortunes made possible by allowing student athletes to sign sponsorship deals, it’s clear that esports has become an important campus activity and will continue to be an enrollment driver as the industry matures.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Mark Boyadjian, Senior Customer Solutions Engineer at Neutrik

Whether you are new to esports and gaming or regularly compete, manage, broadcast, or produce events—esports have become an undeniable global phenomenon. With numbers in viewership and attendance eclipsing traditional pro sports, the pace of growth requires an experience for athletes and spectators that rivals the biggest musical act concert tour.

Unlike traditional sporting events where the game field is supported by large and small displays around the field or venue, in esports the displays are the game field. Making sure that the gaming equipment on the competition stage is designed to be reliable for the competitors, with low-latency signal chains, is the minimum requirement.

Once the gaming field is set for maximum performance, we need to provide what the players see and do to the live audience and streaming viewers—not just a video feed, but an immersive experience that lets everyone feel like they are part of the competition. To succeed in this endeavor, there are design considerations: available budget, the size of the venue, from where attendees will view the action, broadcast booth location(s), secondary entertainment, food vendors, gamer art and gaming gear vendors, and available network speed—inside and outside of the venue—for streaming and social media interaction. Together, the answer to these questions defines what the athlete and fan experience will be.

If you are reading this and shaking your head at the complexity of creating such an experience, realize that there are industry professionals for each facet of live gaming events. If this will be an installed system for a school or esports venue, a systems integrator will be a great place to start. If this is a temporary or rental space, contact your local AVL rental house. Companies that manufacture the equipment used in esports spaces are also a terrific and typically free information resource for making sure the event has what it needs to be a success. 

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Jeanne Lewis, Senior Manager, Partner Marketing and Events at Sony Electronics

Technology is playing a pivotal role in creating more sensory and immersive engagement for esports athletes and fans—from playing to viewing. In order to set up a comprehensive and captivating program for venues, athletes, and spectators, you need to plan for and implement the latest innovations. Visually, POV cameras, like Sony’s SRG-XP1, are enabling unobtrusive access to players and capturing every angle of a tournament to provide equity for participants and viewers alike. In stadia, high production values are an expectation and professional-grade camera equipment that features elements such as the “cinematic look,” full-frame sensor technology and lenses, Super35mm sensors, high frame rate and other techniques often used in broadcast sports, can elevate esports events. Drones such as Sony’s Airpeak can capture crowds and athletes from the air to amplify the excitement and offer new vantage points. 

Large-format consumer gaming monitors, including Sony’s INZONE, help engross players, while professional displays like Sony’s pro BRAVIAs provide a wide viewing angle to accommodate spectators with detailed visuals and outfit a stadium’s retail spaces, quick service restaurants, wayfinding and digital signage needs. Projectors with high refresh rates can be used to display all of the fast-moving content. From an auditory standpoint, headsets such as Sony’s INZONE, which provide 360 Spatial Sound for gaming, are an essential part of an esports setup. Top-tier audio and microphones and accurate sound positioning can provide a player or spectator with the necessary spatial awareness to make them feel as if they’re a part of the game. With all of the different pieces of technology required for the most engaging experience, programs should consider a provider who can help them create a connected and efficient ecosystem that is a win for integrators, venues, players, and fans.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Mario Ponce, Senior Specialist of Market Development at Shure

From the livestream to the on-stage opposition, a successful Esports production requires uninterrupted, pristine audio to ensure competitors can communicate effectively and spectators don’t miss a split-second of the action, no matter if they are tuning in from home or the live audience.

To determine which audio equipment is required to sound extraordinary, first think strategically about the scale and layout of your esports facility, be it a fully equipped stadium or a bring-your-own-device LAN gaming center. Do you plan on creating a multi-purpose space that can adapt to users’ needs and different styles of competition? If so, you’ll likely find value in investing in both wired microphones and a wireless microphone system to accommodate this flexibility. You’ll also want to be certain you can support enough channels of audio to suit the needs of your space, post-match interviews, and large competitions.

In most scenarios, each competitor should be equipped with an individual microphone. A dynamic microphone with a cardioid polar pattern should be prioritized, as this will be the most effective at isolating the voice while rejecting background noise from other competitors and an audience. You will want to consider the microphone connection: Does it support XLR, direct-to-computer USB, or both? A microphone with both an XLR and USB output allows competitors to send their audio directly into their stream from their computer, while your audio engineer can simultaneously run the audio through front-of-house. 

Additionally, a wireless microphone solution provides an ideal solution for hosts, live commentary, and post-match interviews. Take the time to talk to specialists who can point you in the right direction, as there are multiple factors to consider that might not seem immediately apparent. To get the most out of this investment, it pays to think through how your facility will grow and just how scalable your wireless system will need to be.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Dan Holland, Marketing Manager at IHSE USA

The ability to obtain, gather, process, and distribute information effectively is key to gaining operational superiority. Many system designers have found KVM display management system (DMS) switching to be an effective means to streamline data access while maintaining an important level of security and data quality. System designers moving toward UHD video are depending on standards bodies to reduce the confusion surrounding the latest 4K and 8K technology. 

Emerging markets are taking advantage of DMS as well, including esports for tournament production. Attended by thousands of spectators in large venues and watched by millions online, these live events combine two production workflows: in-venue presentation and broadcast transmission. DMS KVM extenders and switches streamline both by controlling, switching, managing, converting, and delivering video and audio signals. In the venue presentation workflow, extenders provide the interconnection between player monitors and remotely located gaming computers, offering visually lossless video and instant interactive response to deliver the level of performance players’ demand.

For observers, DMS switches allow operators to instantly choose between live and recorded content for playout on massive screens above the players’ stage. In the broadcast workflow, switches enable production teams to create programming of the highest quality throughout the event, while extenders perform the vital function of translating between computer and broadcast frame rates, ensuring that live content is transmitted and replayed in pristine quality.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: John Hulen, Director of Channel Marketing, Education at Crestron Electronics

When considering the AV technology used for esports, choosing technology that introduces low or nearly zero latency into the signal paths is one of the fundamental factors. The quality of the video and audio processing, routing, and signal distribution will directly impact the playing and viewing experience. Crestron has created the DM NVX platform of AV-over-IP encoders and decoders, which work on standard gigabit Ethernet networks with less than one frame of latency and incorporate high-quality audio which is just as important as the video image. 

There are three common types of esports spaces: labs, training venues, and competition arenas. Each type of space will have different requirements to provide the most immersive experience for athletes and spectators.

Esports labs often require integration for USB peripherals and extension, point-to-point or source-to-display interaction, and the ability to scale. Whereas training venues incorporate additional control needs like coaches reviewing videos of players’ techniques and strategies. This flexibility enables a coach to highlight a single athlete’s play on one or several displays during a practice and then the ability to quickly reconfigure the room into a learning space. Finally, esports arenas encompass most, or all, of the above technology, along with further features such as video walls, audio routing, a shout casting booth, the ability to switch between multiple cameras and integrate streaming, as well as advanced control functionality. 

No matter the space type, intuitive touch screen controls are invaluable because many of these spaces will be set up, monitored, and managed by student workers or used when full-time employees might be away from campus. The experience is paramount in these venues and having a space that is easy to manage allows the technology features to shine. 

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AVT Question: Please share insight into setting up an esports program within higher education at any level, including the technologies that make a difference and the elements that create an immersive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Thought Leader: Jarred Halenkamp, Sales Engineer at Absen

DvLED (direct-view LED) technology, when integrated by industry leaders like Absen, is essential in the world of esports and has the potential to transform esports events into unparalleled experiences. Absen, as a renowned manufacturer of LED display solutions, has played a pivotal role in advancing the esports landscape. Their cutting-edge displays offer superior visual performance, boasting high resolution, fast refresh rates, and vibrant colors. This level of visual clarity and precision provides a competitive advantage to players, enabling them to make quick, accurate decisions in the heat of the game.

DvLED displays not only enhance the player experience but also offer remarkable benefits to spectators. These displays can create captivating, expansive video walls, immersing the audience in the gaming action. This immersive environment can convert casual viewers into passionate fans, driving engagement and fostering growth in the esports community. We should be committed to providing a dynamic and captivating experience for spectators.

DvLED technology offers a high degree of flexibility in display configurations. Players and teams can have customized setups that cater to their specific needs and preferences, promoting player comfort and peak performance. Moreover, dedication to responsible sourcing and energy-efficient design ensures a more sustainable approach to dvLED technology, mitigating the environmental impact.

In summary, leadership in the esports world demands a deep understanding of the necessity and transformative potential of dvLED technology, especially when partnering with industry innovators like Absen. By providing players with the best tools, creating an immersive experience for spectators, and embracing responsible technology, dvLED can be the catalyst for a positive change in esports events, solidifying its position as the premier entertainment experience in the digital age.

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Korbyt Anywhere is now fully compatible with the entire portfolio of BrightSign’s new Series 5 media players. The move follows extensive interoperability testing to ensure the Korbyt content management system (CMS) performs flawlessly not only with BrightSign’s latest hardware, but across the entire BrightSign ecosystem.

[Ready Player One]

From important announcements and company updates to recognition programs, Korbyt’s CMS works in tandem with BrightSign’s media players to ensure that employees receive the right information at the right time, resulting in heightened engagement and a more connected workforce.

“The strength of the Korbyt Anywhere platform lies in its ability to work reliably across a range of devices, and our customers expect the Korbyt platform to perform well in any hardware environment,” said George Clopp, CTO at Korbyt. “Given the massive global footprint of BrightSign media players, we expect that many of our customers will soon migrate to BrightSign Series 5 - and when they do, they’ll have the same rewarding Korbyt experience they enjoyed with BrightSign’s legacy media players.”

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The seamless integration between Korbyt’s CMS and BrightSign Series 5 enables effortless delivery of content, with the ability to scale as user needs evolve. The BrightSign Series 5 lineup offers performance and connectivity options at every level and every price point. Coupling BrightSign’s unrivaled performance with Korbyt’s vast CMS feature set, businesses can elevate their digital signage initiatives for simple to sophisticated experiences.

Red Dot Digital Media is revamping internal corporate communications for dnata, a global air services provider offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services across six continents. dnata reached out to Red Dot to assist in deploying corporate communication screens throughout its global service network as part of the company’s initiative to streamline its internal communications.

dnata was particularly interested in creating a way for its corporate headquarters to post messages and communicate with employees in a dynamic, engaging and reliable way. Given the distributed nature of its facilities, dnata required a solution that was easy to deploy in individual locations, while still being simple to manage across its vast network of endpoints. To serve this need, Red Dot paired BrightSign media players with the SignageLive CMS to manage the entirety of dnata’s corporate messaging. In total, nearly 200 screens were deployed worldwide in 16 different countries including North America, Africa, the Middle East, South America, Australia, Europe and Asia. The screens run on a BrightSign XD235 media player with SignageLive software, each of which was configured and tested in Red Dot’s Carlsbad, CA facility before being shipped for installation. 

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"After collaborating closely with Red Dot across our USA operations for several years, we were pleased to discover the company's expertise in handling international projects. Sustaining the ongoing partnership proved to be a significant asset as we ventured into our global expansion," shared Willem Bosch, marketing and communications manager at dnata. "The Red Dot team effectively navigated through regional complexities and supported the seamless management of our global deployment, a task that would have been daunting if we had engaged country-specific vendors for each location."

This global deployment was particularly challenging in that many of the shipping destinations—countries like Brazil, Pakistan, Iraq and Zanzibar—presented unique customs requirements and other shipping-related challenges. Red Dot’s global expertise working cross-border and familiarity with country-specific regulations ensured that shipments arrived as expected and on time.

[The Integration Guide to Digital Signage 2023]

Once onsite, equipment then needed to be deployed and integrated into more than a dozen airport location networks, each of which presented a unique set of challenges and different layers of security. Red Dot’s team of specialists worked closely with local IT staff to properly configure the networks and allow the players to seamlessly pull content updates from the cloud. Working directly with local IT specialists saved countless hours of remote troubleshooting and greatly streamlined the process of bringing equipment online.

“It’s easy to underestimate all that’s involved with a global deployment. Simply shipping hardware where it needs to be means navigating import taxes, customs regulations and other shipping requirements, which vary greatly from country to country,” said Darryl Kuder, president of Red Dot Digital Media. “Once the equipment is on-site, the team needs to work closely with building management, client IT staff and the contractors performing the on-site work. Orchestrating this on a global scale is no easy feat and requires deep international expertise for successful deployment.

Red Dot was able to use the SignageLive CMS to build on dnata’s existing templates previously deployed in the U.S. by Red Dot, an efficiency that both saved the client money and accelerated the deployment timeline. Two master screen layouts were developed, each including zones for marketing and HR content, a custom content ticker, local date & time and the company logo. 

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A global deployment of this scope required a partner with top-level design qualifications, expertise working within the BrightSign and SignageLive ecosystems, and the ability to deploy & manage content on a global scale. Red Dot was well-suited for the project on all fronts, with the built-in advantage of having already deployed 36 dnata locations in the United States. Red Dot’s existing relationship with dnata and its track record of successful global deployments made Red Dot the ideal partner for this vast deployment.

AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Joel Carroll, Executive Vice President of Sales at Mersive Technologies 

Collaboration components and software are moving beyond their original intent to interoperate holistically as part of a larger solution to supercharge both the display and the in-room experience. If the result is seamless, it can create deep engagement and increase return on the objective—not just investment. Collaboration platforms like Mersive Solstice that integrate with third-party digital signage providers and allow customization of the signage experience are a great example of this amplified experience in both corporate and higher-education facilities. 

We have one large higher education customer that uses Solstice in lecture halls, huddle spaces, and open spaces campus-wide. Rather than those displays remaining dormant when not in use, Solstice’s digital signage capabilities enable them to deliver valuable information and consistent messaging via what is essentially a customizable web page. News, advertisements, events, and other kinds of information appear as a scroll at the top of each display all over campus. Then, when it’s time to collaborate in a huddle space or learn from a professor in a lecture hall, the display becomes part of the collaboration ecosystem. Additionally, deep analytics inform the staff on how each room is being used and inform decision-making around how to deploy collaboration technology in additional rooms or adjust current spaces to make more efficient use of the space. 

Pushing the capabilities of digital signage even further, facilities can make spaces responsive to in-room sensors, leveraging digital signage in completely new ways with pages that are deployed when someone enters the room. This opens up huge possibilities for users to brand their displays and customize experiences for their audience. Repurposing a display to show interactive content isn’t about reallocating resources, it’s about using sensory-aware technology to serve up the exact message you want to give.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Sean Matthews, Chief Executive Officer at Visix

We continue to see the digital signage ecosystem evolve in new and exciting ways. Across every vertical, adopters have embraced the knowledge that digital signage is no longer confined to traditional displays. Every screen can now be an endpoint for a digital signage network.

Digital signage software suppliers have stepped up their innovation cycles to help organizations reach people across these many platforms. Hybrid workplace models have fundamentally changed employee engagement, and businesses have increasingly adopted digital signage to provide consistent messaging—over company intranet websites, smartphones, and even conferencing software solutions—to build a better employee experience.

The employee experience also ties into a critical new piece of the digital signage ecosystem: space booking and management solutions. While meeting room signs have existed for decades, the focus has shifted to bookable spaces. We now see interactive solutions that allow people to book any shareable asset or space, with the ability to integrate with existing calendar systems. These solutions should be considered part of the overall employee experience.

The success of any digital signage strategy ultimately correlates with its effect on the audience experience. Whether it is the employee experience, the university visitor experience, or the customer experience, audiences today expect screens to be lively and interactive. Without strong audience engagement, the digital signage strategy will fall short. 

Digital signage software innovators are helping their customers rise to the occasion, providing easy-to-use content creation tools and managed services to develop compelling interactive experiences. While “interactive” brings visions of touchscreens, there are other ways to create memorable interactive experiences. Consider adding QR tags to digital signage displays, meeting room signs, and wayfinding kiosks that allow people to take the information they need with them on their mobile phones.

Moving forward, we’ll see more integration of AI tools into the digital signage ecosystem—notably for content creation and data analytics that help organizations measure the success of their digital signage strategies.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Will Bear, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Crimson AV

AV and IT are closely intertwined, and decision makers must be attuned to various trends that can impact their purchasing decisions. Whether it's interactive displays, touch-enabled devices, or immersive technologies, there are some key trends to keep in mind.

First, as AV/IT systems continue to converge, seamless integration and interoperability become paramount. Decision makers should prioritize solutions that can seamlessly communicate and integrate with existing infrastructure.

Second, touch-enabled displays and gesture control have become a big part of digital signage solutions. Buyers should look for touch technology that is accurate, responsive, and supports multi-touch gestures. Incorporating intuitive touch controls enhances the UX and provides a more interactive and collaborative experience.

Third, immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are transforming the way people interact with content. Tech managers should consider how these technologies can be leveraged to enhance presentations, training sessions, and customer interactions. Immersive experiences can captivate audiences and provide a competitive edge.

Fourth, user-centric design principles should guide AV/IT purchasing decisions. Solutions should be intuitive, easy to use, and accessible to individuals with varying levels of technical proficiency. A well-designed user interface can significantly impact user adoption and productivity.

And finally, rapid technological advancements mean that AV/IT solutions can quickly become obsolete. Decision makers should seek scalable and future-proof solutions that can accommodate evolving needs and technologies. Investing in upgradable systems and modular designs can extend the lifespan of AV equipment.

Tech Managers should consider a holistic approach that encompasses integration, user experience, innovation, sustainability, and security. By staying informed about these trends and selecting solutions that align with their organization's objectives, decision makers can create immersive and impactful AV environments that enhance communication, collaboration, and overall business success.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Chris Teguh, Product Manager at Epson America

We are seeing a surge of interest in creating immersive spaces and experiences, and with that comes the demand for flexible technology to power them. Whether art installations, entertainment, or practical use cases like collaborative classrooms or ultra-wide displays in meeting rooms, high-resolution and large-scale display applications are on the rise, and there are a couple of AV trends that are worth keeping an eye on.

Display technology expectations in everyday life have risen significantly in recent years as retailers look for unique ways to attract consumers. Corporate spaces and classrooms are being designed to see and do more with their displays, and immersive entertainment is becoming more prevalent. As a result, there is a much higher demand for accessible and flexible display technology that can deliver immersive or ultra-wide displays across a wide range of environments. 

In addition, popular collaboration tools, such as Microsoft Teams Front Row, are optimized for a larger display size and ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio. With a wider screen you can have multiple windows side by side, such as chat windows, presentation slides, and documents. Having advantages over flat panels—projectors are a cost-effective solution that provides a lot of installation flexibility for wider aspect ratios like 21:9.

Epson continues to introduce new projector technology and tools that enable immersive environments for entertainment, schools, and collaboration. Offering flexible aspect ratios and smaller form factors, convenient installation, blending and stacking tools, and high-quality image and brightness, Epson packs impressive features into its extensive 3-chip 3LCD projector lineup. This simplifies decision making for AV/IT professionals—no matter what task is at hand.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Jordan Feil, Director of Marketing at Navori Labs 

AV/IT decision makers must realize that technology is changing and advancing more rapidly than ever. That means keeping one eye on the now and the other on the future when planning their next purchases. By selecting software providers that are forward-thinking and constantly innovating, they will always have a digital signage software platform that can address the latest industry trends and technologies.

This goal is more easily achieved through a single, unified software platform that can handle many projects, from standard digital signage and interactive kiosks to immersive and gesture-powered experiences. AV/IT decision makers must find a way to execute on any project or use case that comes up, without needing to deploy multiple different platforms.

The first hurdle to overcome is confirming that the software is reliable and that it works. Purchasers often get distracted by technology trends they see at tradeshows or in software demos, and rush to buy and implement without the necessary QA and testing. This often results in futuristic experiences that are unreliable and don’t work perfectly 100 percent of the time. Consumers expect snappy, responsive experiences—same as with our personal devices—making functional reliability paramount. Work with vendors that develop and actively support their software in-house to maintain consistency with the digital signage experiences you provide.

While interactive and immersive experiences are designed to impress and excite customers and visitors, never forget to include CTAs and conversion steps along with that wow factor. That may be as simple as gathering contact information from interested customers or offering coupons or other incentives to try out the interactive experience you have made an investment in for your organization. Finding ways to monetize your new experience can take the pressure off, because no matter what, their new project will bring in revenue and potentially pay for itself in the future.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Effi Goldstein, President at HDBaseT Alliance 

When it comes to digital display purchases, perhaps the primary factor AV/IT managers should take into consideration is the quality and performance of the visual content that’s planning to be presented. Of these, one of the most important aspects is resolution, especially as displays continue to get bigger in screen size. Furthermore, as DOOH becomes more immersive, higher resolutions without compression are needed to avoid pixelation or other artifacts that can diminish the viewing experience. However, with these higher resolutions also comes greater bandwidth and data transfer rate requirements, which can pose significant challenges for long-distance extension of the media from its originating source. In such cases, HDBaseT 3.0’s ability to transmit fully uncompressed 4K@60Hz 4:4:4 up to 328 feet (100m) over Category cable provides the ideal solution, and one that can even be daisy chained over and over without sacrificing signal quality.

Additionally, with standards and formats evolving so rapidly, AV/IT managers should also seek to implement solutions for future proofing their digital display installations with flexibility. One such way is through modular interface cards, such as those based on Intel’s Smart Display Module (SDM) platform. These cards are easily interchanged to provide displays with various functionalities and interfaces, including HDBaseT 3.0, and their small form factors make them compatible with even modern slim-profile screens. As a result, existing hardware can continue to be leveraged over time rather than be replaced as the system is continually upgraded. Not only does this translate into financial savings due to potential longer equipment lifespans, but also less e-waste finding its way into our landfills. In other words, green benefits on multiple fronts!

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AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Sam Kennedy, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Crestron

I’d urge specifiers to really think about the potential for multiple functions when it comes to these deployments: Can wayfinding double as interactive messaging, for example? Can an advertisement also become an interactive menu? The growth of interactive screens took off in the strive for contactless interactions at fast-food restaurants and hotels during the pandemic, and those possibilities continue to develop. From wayfinding to access control, the examples are limitless. Suppose you’re in a shopping center or a hotel: Tap the map, and you can find out what’s happening in that space.

That’s mainly accomplished by advancements in software rather than hardware. The next steps in this technology will be about simplifying the entire system—having fewer boxes to deal with. Less hardware means ease of installation, ease of management, and products that can be easily adapted and applied to both commercial and residential installations. 

I think it’s also tremendously important that organizations keep in mind what’s coming next: signage that delivers content to a specific audience.

One way to automate this content delivery might be density and occupancy sensors. Let’s use Crestron HQ as an example: If I know that on certain days of the week, the marketing section of Crestron sees a large number of in-person workers, but on other days most of my colleagues are working remotely, then perhaps I can change my content to deliver the right info for that larger group. I might choose to display information like benefits changes or agendas for team meetings when the screens are likely to be viewed by the most people. If I know that we have many in-person customer meetings on Tuesdays, then that’s when I’ll display content informed by my company’s branding, or a video that’s showing off our latest products. 

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AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Brian McClimans, Vice President of Sales, North America and APAC at Peerless-AV

When AV decision makers are planning for their next purchase, they need to keep in mind the power of using digital signage to create immersive experiences and increase ROI.

For example, in the case of advertising, the average American is usually exposed to 4,000 to 10,000 advertisements a day. A captivating visual presentation—possible with high-quality digital signage—can be the key to creating a memorable experience and standing out amongst the noise. Static signage is no longer enough when it comes to public, out-of-home advertising.

We can expect to see an even steeper rise in digitized out-of-home advertising with upgraded digital signage solutions, which save brands both time and money compared to static signage that needs frequent, manual updating and is less eye-catching. 

Outdoor-certified displays, kiosks in shopping centers, dvLED video walls in public transportation, and digital billboards are just a few spaces where digital signage can be used to catch the attention of passersby and communicate immersive messages in just a few moments. In fact, recall jumps to 55 percent when viewing outdoor digital billboards in particular, proving both the effectiveness and importance of digital signage when it comes to advertising. Having high brightness, high-resolution imagery, and a durable solution built to withstand elements can ensure digital signage maintains its quality and aesthetic appeal for long-term, effective usage. We can expect to see businesses upgrading displays that prioritize high power efficiency, lightweight solutions, and interactive capabilities.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Patrick Prothe, Director of Marketing at Audinate 

There are several trends to consider that reflect changing consumer expectations and technological advancements, ensuring investments remain relevant and impactful.

Content personalization continues to be a significant factor in most interactive experiences. Consumers are influenced in their personal lives by online shopping experiences and social media content curation that caters to their desires and interests. That curation is created by cataloging prior activity on the platform: What did they look at, like, or buy? What was their dwell time on the page? Did they leave a comment or review? Decision makers should pursue solutions that leverage AI to optimize content delivery and measure audience engagement.

More digital applications are being used to display dynamic, real-time video content that requires low-latency audio. To support this trend, particularly in digital signage applications, Audinate partnered with ASPEED to develop Dante AV-A. Dante AV-A extends the Dante AV portfolio to hardware based on ASPEED’s popular AST1530/1535 system-on-chip (SoC). It delivers high-quality video and two channels of Dante audio that are instantly compatible with Dante-enabled audio products, simplifying distributed AV system design.

Platform management and security are increasingly crucial for any digital solution. As these solutions become more interconnected, security measures must be prioritized to protect against potential cyber threats and ensure data privacy compliance. Adding oversight of interactive projects to an already taxed IT organization means that managing the platforms must be easy and intuitive. Remote management capabilities and cloud-based solutions for centralized control and ease of content distribution are must-haves for any solution. 

By keeping these trends top of mind, decision makers can make informed choices that align with their organization's goals, engage their target audience effectively, and create memorable digital experiences that drive results.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Brice McPheeters, Vice President, Product and Planning at Nanolumens

We understand that the ever-evolving digital signage ecosystem requires considering trends that will shape the future of an organization. With the advent of interactive, touch-enabled, and immersive solutions, the potential for transforming user experiences has never been greater. We believe several areas need to be considered when planning your digital signage projects.

First, the AV/IT industry is witnessing a surge in demand for bespoke solutions that cater to specific needs and spaces. Decision makers should prioritize vendors that offer customizable display options. An AV partner’s expertise lies in creating tailored, flexible LED display solutions that fit unique environments and enhance engagement, making them a frontrunner in this aspect.

Second, the integration of interactivity into displays is revolutionizing user engagement in various sectors, such as education, retail, and corporate settings. Touch-enabled screens, interactive displays, and gesture recognition technologies are on the rise. AV/IT decision makers should explore how touch capabilities integrate into their solutions, fostering a more intuitive and immersive user experience.

Third, in an age where visual experiences are paramount, investing in immersive displays can significantly impact user perception. Partner with a manufacturer that offers cutting-edge display technology that provides stunning, high-resolution visuals—captivating audiences with breathtaking imagery and seamless content delivery.

And finally, to ensure that investments remain relevant and adaptable, decision makers must evaluate the scalability and future-proofing capabilities of their chosen display solutions. Manufacturers should focus on providing scalable display options, coupled with upgradable hardware and software. This ensures their offerings are an ideal choice for AV/IT decision makers looking to stay competitive.

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AVT Question: Please share insight into display technology trends, new form factors, and applications.

Thought Leader: Travis Tuttle, Key Account Manager at Absen

AV/IT decision makers stand at the crossroads of technological evolution, facing an array of choices that will shape their organizations' communication and presentation capabilities. Whether considering interactive, touch-enabled, or immersive solutions, several key trends should be foremost in their minds when charting the course for their next AV/IT purchases.

First, user experience emerges as the paramount consideration. In an era where seamless interaction is expected, touch-enabled and interactive technologies offer intuitive interfaces that foster engagement. These tools not only facilitate collaboration but also enhance presentations by enabling dynamic content manipulation. AV/IT choices should focus on empowering users, and encouraging active participation and knowledge sharing.

Another critical consideration is flexibility. The modern workspace demands adaptable tools that seamlessly integrate with existing systems and accommodate evolving needs. Interoperability between different devices and platforms ensures smoother communication and enhances productivity. Decision makers should prioritize solutions that offer compatibility and scalability, safeguarding their investments in the long term.

Additionally, the trend towards immersive experiences cannot be ignored. Virtual and augmented reality are transforming how information is presented and absorbed. Forward-thinking decision makers should explore the potential of immersive technologies to create captivating and memorable experiences. These innovations hold the promise of transporting users to new realms of learning and communication.

Security must remain a steadfast concern. As AV/IT landscapes become increasingly connected, the risk of breaches and data leaks heightens. Decision makers should seek solutions with robust cybersecurity features, safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring the integrity of their systems.

The AV/IT landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, with interactive, touch-enabled, and immersive technologies leading the way. As decision makers plan for their next purchases, they must keep in mind the user experience, trends of flexibility, immersion, and security. By embracing these trends, organizations can position themselves at the forefront of innovation, fostering collaboration, communication, and success in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

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