AV SuperFriends

Recorded October 11, 2024

(Yes, I let AI write all this stuff - cjd)

We dive into the world of assistive technologies, AI-generated transcripts, and the quirks of Bluetooth systems. Today's discussion zeroes in on the upcoming digital accessibility deadlines, the challenges of compliance, and the importance of starting somewhere, even when the task seems daunting. We also explore the exciting potential of Bluetooth Low Energy audio systems and how they can revolutionize assistive listening in educational environments.

Finally, we discuss the peculiarities of AI transcription services. Are they ready for prime time? Spoiler alert: not quite yet.

News article: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2024-07-19-are-schools-and-edtech-companies-ready-for-the-digital-accessibility-deadline

Connect with Mikey Shaffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeyshaffer/

Bluetooth SIG Auracast: https://www.bluetooth.com/auracast/

Ampetronic Auracast: https://www.ampetronic.com/auracast-broadcast-overview/

Listen Technologies monthly webinar on ADA: https://www.listentech.com/training/

Listen Technologies Auri product line: https://www.listentech.com/auri/

AI-suggested alternate show titles:

• Bluetooth Bonanza

• The Accessibility Adventure

• AI Transcription Terrors

• Assistive Listening Revolution

• Digital Deadline Drama

• The Future is Bluetooth

• Transcription Trials and Tribulations

• The Great Accessibility Debate

• Tech Tangles and Triumphs

• AV Adventures in Accessibility

Better alternative show titles:

• The Dante for ALS

• Talk like someone from Kentucky

• I love not taking notes

• A bunch of Furbies hanging out

We stream live every Friday, and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Email: [email protected]

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:

► Chris Dechter: @cdechter

► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie

► Marc Cholewczynski: @avdiplomat

► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1

► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded September 27, 2024

(Yes, I let AI write all this stuff cjd)

Today's discussion tackles topics such as the minimum viable product for AV projects and the challenges of AI-generated content. The conversation dives into the intricacies of AV project management, from cutting corners during commissioning, to the potential pitfalls of cloud-based management systems.

The team also shares their thoughts on the latest trends in AV technology, including the rise of cloud services for managing AV equipment and the importance of setting realistic expectations for technology solutions.

News: https://www.shure.com/en-US/support/shurecloud

Zoom Test: https://www.zoom.us/test

Alternate show titles:

• The Cloud Conundrum
• AI Adventures
• AV Sprinkles on Dog Doo
• The Minimum Viable Podcast
• Legacy Metrics and Modern Solutions
• Don't Call Us, We'll Call You
• Configuration Only
• Shine on the Wall
• Done vs. Done Done

Better alternate show titles:

• The real problem is putting it all on the network
• We learnt Larry something
• We put as much grease as we could on that sumbitch and we couldn't get it in there
• Just gimme a standard room
• I don't love it, but it's OK
• Is the customer going to complain about this?
• But that's somebody else's job
• Swallowing that down sucks
• I would rather tweak the audio than label cables
• I would rather screw over support than the customer
• I don't like to do that but that's the way it is

We stream live every Friday, and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Email: [email protected]

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:

► Chris Dechter: @cdechter

► Marc Cholewczynski: @avdiplomat

► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1

► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded September 20, 2024

(Yes, I let AI write this - cjd)

Welcome to the AV SuperFriends on Topic, episode number 51! In this special October episode, we dive into the scariest trends in AV. From the pitfalls of over-reliance on IT-centric AV solutions to the haunting rise of unrealistic client expectations, this episode is packed with spine-chilling insights and our signature blend of expertise and humor.

Today's discussion tackles topics like the overcomplication of AV systems, the dangers of network islands, and the growing frustration with licensing for everyday items. Plus, we share our thoughts on the ever-evolving world of soundbars and the complexities of room systems like Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms.

Whether you're an AV professional or just someone interested in the latest tech trends, this episode offers valuable insights and plenty of laughs. Don't miss out on the fun and make sure to connect with us on our social media channels!

Alternate show titles:

• The AV Horror Show

• Network Nightmares

• Soundbar Madness

• Licensing Hell

• Room System Woes

Better alternate show titles:

• AV Sprinkles

• I give it to them in the wrong space

We stream live every Friday, and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Email: [email protected]

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:

► Chris Dechter: @cdechter

► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie

► Marc Cholewczynski: @avdiplomat

► Rachel Bradshaw: @tempurity

► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1

► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded September 13, 2024

(Yes, I let AI write all this stuff - cjd)

In this special Friday the 13th episode, the AV SuperFriends are back with a mix of humor, chaos, and insightful discussions on the latest in higher ed AV.

Today's topics include the love-hate relationship with button panels and the complexities of troubleshooting AV systems. The team dives into why button panels are still relevant, the importance of simplifying user interfaces, and the pitfalls of overcomplicating troubleshooting processes.

They also discuss the latest survey from Western Governors University on faculty perceptions of educational technology. The conversation touches on the burnout caused by constant connectivity and the pressure to keep up with ever-evolving tech tools.

As always, the episode is sprinkled with humor, off-topic banter, and a couple of brand-new commercials that are sure to make you chuckle.

Article discussed:

• https://edscoop.com/university-college-faculty-technology-burnout-wgu-survey/

• https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25080448/embargoed-wgu-labs-final_2024-faculty-edtech-survey.pdf

Alternate show titles:

• Button Panels: The New Touch Panels
• Why Does Everything Have to be So Difficult?
• More Tech, More Problems
• Friday the 13th AV Adventures
• Faculty Burnout and Tech Fatigue

Better alternate show titles:

• We're going to be On-Prem-Remote
• People prefer the knob
• I need a 6-gang rough-in
• Two gallons of Internet
• Check this out!
• Buy it first and try it out
• If you do, you made a mistake
• Black box effect
• It could be any of the 'trons

We stream live every Friday, and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Email: [email protected]

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:

► Chris Dechter: @cdechter

► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie

► Marc Cholewczynski: @avdiplomat

► Rachel Bradshaw: @tempurity

► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1

► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded August 16, 2024

(Yes, I let AI write all this stuff - cjd)

Chris Dechter kicks off another Friday afternoon podcast adventure with the AV SuperFriends. Despite a larger panel and some absences, the team dives into the ever-thrilling topic of budgeting in higher education AV systems.

Joined by a diverse panel including Marc Cholewczynski, Larry Darling, Justin Rexing, Lyle Waldron, and Donnie Merritt, the discussion revolves around the challenges and strategies of managing AV budgets across various institutions. From differing approaches to budgeting, to the impact of COVID-19 on funding, and the importance of standardization, the team explores how to stretch every dollar while maintaining functionality.

They also touch on the importance of being at the table with university executives, understanding the real needs of teaching spaces, and the potential for rethinking AV standards in a post-COVID world.

Whether you're dealing with a shoestring budget or trying to make the most of one-time funds, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for anyone involved in higher ed AV management.

Alternate show titles (from AI):

• The Budgeting Adventure
• Stretching Every Dollar
• AV Budget Woes
• Standards Are Not Brands
• The Art of Budgeting

Article discussed: https://www.avnation.tv/2024/07/29/the-higher-ed-technology-storm-brewing/

Connect with our guests: Don Merritt - Director, Instructional Resources at the University of Central Florida https://www.linkedin.com/in/donmerrittphd/

Lisle Waldron - Manager, Multimedia and Audio-Visual Services at The University of Trinidad and Tobago https://www.linkedin.com/in/lislew/

Real alternate show titles:

• I'm part of Florida now
• Magical Money from Heaven
• A Wish on a Monkey's Paw
• Faculty don't care what they're touching
• I'm Justin on an Island
• The Good News is I have No Money

We stream live on the first and third Friday every month and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Email: [email protected]

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links: ► Chris Dechter: @cdechter ► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie ► Marc Cholewczynski: @avdiplomat ► Rachel Bradshaw: @tempurity ► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1 ► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing ► Lyle Waldron: @lylewaldron ► Donnie Merritt: @donniemerritt

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded August 23, 2024

(Yes, I let AI write this - cjd)

On today's show, we dive into some of the worst AV mistakes we've ever made but never admitted to. From miswired speaker systems to network multicast nightmares, this episode is a confessional of epic proportions. We also tackle a listener email about tuning audio in a room, offering practical advice on how to make classrooms sound better using DSPs like QSC's Q-SYS.

Article discussed: Extron Firmware Update: https://www.extron.com/article/gcp-driver_1740

Connect with Richard Mitchell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-mitchell-41972a8/

Alternate show titles:

• Global Resonance Only

• I Was Hot Sh*t

• The Great Diesel Gas Hybrid Experiment

• Shake It Till You Make It

• Mono Audio for the Win

• Nuke It from Orbit

• Firmware Friday

Better alternate show titles:

• Enough to wire a house

• I went through ten or twelve

• The whole sum' b*tch

• There's sound when I leave

• I was convinced to tie a cable to my belt

• I'm pretty sure I just filled this up with diesel

• I just had the IP address mixed in there

• Three words: Syn Aud Con

We stream live on the first and third Friday every month, and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Email: [email protected]

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:

► Chris Dechter: @cdechter

► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie

► Marc Cholewczynski: @avdiplomat

► Rachel Bradshaw: @tempurity

► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1

► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded August 9, 2024

Chris is confused about what day it is so he has to intro the show twice. Then once we've figure that out, we're joined by Robert Durbin and Travis Cawthorne from Kramer AV to talk about their recent acquisition of ZeeVee.

Next, we discuss the concept of streamlining classroom AV systems to just a PC or laptop… or both. Why does anyone need more than that anyway? All your content is starting there, so get rid of the rest of your stuff! It's contentious, but surely a glimpse of the future.

Finally, there's a technology arms race for building out spaces on campus with student recruiting specifically in mind. Besides, those campus tours never go look at our oldest and worst spaces, do they?

Article discussed: https://edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2024/07/how-universities-can-use-tech-recruit-students

Robert Durbin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwdurbin/

Travis Cawthorne

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviscawthorne/

Alternate show titles:

• I love to drag around a case

• Oversaturated with 'trons

• It's USB all the way down

• Jamming Teams Room

• 90% is happening from a single source

• The other side of that argument is everyone else

• The cheapest USB adapter you have

• What Jamie did as a science experiment was cool

• Up to your knees in network video

• You got your chocolate in my peanut butter

• Tronasys

• Whack-a-mole one-button

We stream live on the first and third Friday every month and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Email: [email protected]

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:

► Chris Dechter: @cdechter

► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie

► Marc Cholewczynski: @avdiplomat

► Rachel Bradshaw: @tempurity

► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1

► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded (and streamed live) on July 26, 2024

No topic provided again this month, so we decided to look at the numbers for display technologies. Where does it make sense to consider LCDs vs. projectors vs. LEDs? Chris even built a spreadsheet of rough numbers because he's a nerd that way. Are LEDs becoming cheap enough to replace projectors? Is anyone building LCD videowalls these days? What are you installing on your campus?

Spreadsheet link: https://tinyurl.com/dkxv92t4

Alternate show titles:

• I should have three or four and looking at more

• Put the money on the wall

We stream live on the first and third Friday every month and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Email: [email protected]

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:

► Chris Dechter: @cdechter

► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie

► Marc Cholewczynski: @avdiplomat

► Rachel Bradshaw: @tempurity

► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1

► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded July 19, 2024

It's the summer doldrums, so instead of news, Marc shares the AV experiences from his summer vacation to the House of Mouse. Oddly painted speakers, immersion breaking VR, and RF-beacon driven proximity audio broadcasts are just some of the highlights.

Then we respond to a Reddit forum post about how university AV teams are structured. Everyone is a bit different and we didn't even get to full division organization charts. Some of us have partner teams on campus, some do it all, and some even do other teams' jobs for them. How are you structured?

Finally, who is buying all these capturing-recording-streaming boxes and why? This concept breaks Chris's brain and causes him to lose sleep.

Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/CommercialAV/comments/1e40pxi/university_jobs

Alternate show titles:

• The Surprise AV Experience
• Fuschia not Chartreuse
• The Costco Experience
• Dollywood After Dark
• Subpar AV
• We do some advanced systems
• A lot of twirling
• How do you do all that work?
• The Cabling Crew
• If our internal team is in the hospital…
• Legitimate Programming
• Nobody's responsible for anything ever
• It's hard to know what everybody does all the time
• It's not a flat service

We stream live on the first and third Friday every month and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Email: [email protected]

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:

► Chris Dechter: @cdechter

► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie

► Marc Cholewycynzski: @avdiplomat

► Rachel Bradshaw: @tempurity

► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1

► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded July 12, 2024

We're bookending the show with SMPTE 2110 stories, so we start with discussion of Cisco hosting a webinar on Precision Time Protocol (PTP). If you don't know what all that is, it's potentially huge news for AVoIP to play nice on enterprise networks from the sleepy giant of networking.

Then we discuss the non-electronic products we prefer for building equipment racks, mounting projectors, hiding gear behind display monitors, and working with conference tables. We're pretty well all over the place, but we all agree that ADA compliance and keeping things clean go hand-in-hand.

Finally, we consider an odd product from Blackmagic Design. This could be the greatest thing we didn't see at InfoComm or the worst thing ever created. And it's SMPTE 2110 native!

Cisco webinar: https://blogs.cisco.com/sports-media-entertainment/take-your-st-2110-workflow-to-the-next-level

Blackmagic Ethernet switch: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicethernetswitch

Alternate show titles:

• Whatever the other acronyms are

• It nerdily excited me

• It's going to have to trickle down a lot

• They have to do things and figure it out

• Keeps hands out of places

• It's a 15 lumen projector

• Bop-it!

• There's always a better way to do it

• Be careful of people's knees

• It was kind of a b*tthole move on my part

• I've done weirder

We stream live on the first and third Friday every month and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Email: [email protected]

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:

► Chris Dechter: @cdechter

► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie

► Marc Cholewycynzski: @avdiplomat

► Rachel Bradshaw: @tempurity

► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1

► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support