Amidst the backdrop of ongoing supply chain challenges, 2023 has been a pivotal year for the Audio-Visual (AV) industry, marked by significant innovations and shifts in traditional practices. This context sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of the year's most impactful developments and future projections in AV technology.

Matt Boyer, Director of Technology at Vistacom offers a comprehensive review of the AV industry's evolution over the past year. He highlights how the response to supply chain disruptions led to the discovery of new products and solutions, steering away from conventional methods. Boyer also sheds light on the anticipated impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the AV sector, with a particular emphasis on advancements in system monitoring and remote service support. he also addresses the need for more open APIs to enhance remote diagnostics and updates, ensuring the ongoing security and efficiency of AV devices.

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of hybrid work environments, it's crucial for all to get a handle on the ins and outs of video conferencing. This episode of Tech Unraveled, presented by Vistacom, delves into the modern challenges and evolving technologies in this space.

The episode features Cara Shannon, Senior Manager, Product Marketing  at Crestron discussing the intricacies of video conferencing in hybrid work settings. Hosts, Josh Herring and Lianna Russell explore topics like Microsoft Teams Rooms integration, intelligent video technology, and the balance between in-office and remote work preferences, offering a comprehensive view of the current state and future of video conferencing technology.

As AVoIP (AV over IP) becomes more integral to audiovisual professionals, the improved and streamlined AV system implementations resulting from AVoIP solutions lead to a natural question. What is the best AVoIP solution? The answer? It depends.

In the latest episode of “Dear Matt,” presented by Vistacom, Matt Boyer, the Chief Technology Officer at Vistacom, leverages his 30+ years of experience in the AV industry to address the factors crucial for selecting an effective AVoIP system tailored to specific use cases and performance requirements. Boyer illustrates this with examples ranging from houses of worship to hospital operating rooms, highlighting how different scenarios demand varied AVoIP solutions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the intended application and desired performance level, whether dealing with compressed video and latency in a worship setting or requiring uncompressed video with sub-millisecond latency in a medical environment. Additionally, Boyer advises considering factors like the manufacturer's reputation, support quality, ease of management, API availability, and hardware requirements. Concluding the segment, Boyer invites viewers to submit their AV questions to Vistacom, ensuring a continuous exchange of knowledge in the AV community.

In a time when the AV industry supply chain faces unprecedented challenges, understanding its current status and future trajectory is crucial. In this week’s segment of “Dear Matt,” presented by Vistacom, host Matt Boyer, the Director of Technology at Vistacom, brings his over 30 years of experience in the audiovisual industry to the status of the AV industry supply chain.

Boyer acknowledges the significant impact of supply chain issues, noting how they have compelled Vistacom and its clients to explore alternative solutions and products. This shift, born out of necessity due to shortages in digital audio processing, wireless microphones, and AV over IP control systems, has unexpectedly led to positive transformations. Boyer highlights how this departure from traditional solutions has opened doors to innovation, resulting in breakthroughs and unique opportunities. While most manufacturers have normalized their stock levels, a few still need help with specific product lines. This insightful discussion sheds light on the resilience and adaptability of the AV industry in the face of supply chain disruptions.

Are projectors a dying technology?

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of display technology, one might assume that projectors could soon be a thing of the past. Not so fast, thinks Vistacom’s Director of Technology, Matt Boyer. In this Dear Matt segment, Boyer, a seasoned expert with over three decades in the AV industry, looks at video projection technology’s current state and future.

This video shows how projectors maintain a strong foothold despite the rise of direct-view LED and large LCD screens. Boyer argues for the projector’s cost-effectiveness and adaptability, highlighting advancements like laser light sources and ambient light rejection screens that bolster their performance economically. He emphasizes the utility of projectors in diverse settings — from digital cinemas to residential spaces and K-12 education — and their specialized use in projecting on unconventional surfaces such as building exteriors during events. Notably, the use of 4K projectors in mission control centers for organizations like NASA and SpaceX underlines their significance. Boyer ensures that projectors, through continuous innovation, are far from facing their twilight.

As the world grows increasingly reliant on advanced AV technology, understanding the nuances of various protocols and tools will be crucial. Matt Boyer, the Chief Technology Officer at Vistacom, recently discussed NDI (Network Device Interface) —  a vital component in modern AV setups, and the role it will play in the future of the AV industry.

On a recent episode of his show “Dear Matt,” Boyer explored the intricacies of NDI while he addressed a viewer’s question about NDI transmission and its benefits in different AV environments. He explained the development of NDI and its purpose. NDIs have diverse applications, including video production, conferencing, and transport. Boyer also highlighted NDI's cost-effectiveness and adaptability and how it has increasingly become an ideal choice for a range of AV systems. During the segment, Boyer further explored the ways in which NDI is eliminating traditional switchers, and revolutionizing the AV world by simplifying installations. Boyer noted that this is helping increase the prevalence of NDI in standard AV installations.

The landscape of audiovisual technology, especially within the business world, frequently presents a maze of compatibility and functionality concerns. As organizations increasingly migrate to a platform like Microsoft Teams, questions about the interoperability of MTR, such as seamlessly integrating with software like Zoom or Webex, become more significant.

As these tech giants strive to foster smoother digital communication, users stand to benefit from features that enable one platform's room to access another's meetings. An expert in this area is Matt Boyer, Chief Technology Officer at Vistacom. His guidance on his weekly Vistacom segment “Dear Matt,” helps break down some of the most common challenges users run into and need assistance with. This week he focused on MTR and video conferencing operability.

Welcome to Tech Unraveled, brought to you by Vistacom, where we delve into the AV industry, going beyond buzzwords to provide insights from industry experts. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Michael O'Halloran, a Regional Account Manager with Planar, join us to discuss the exciting world of DirectView LED technology. As a trusted partner, Planar has been at the forefront of video wall solutions, and their expertise in DirectView LED is unparalleled. Let's dive deep into this game-changing display technology.

• DirectView LED: A bezel-free display technology for video walls, offering seamless visuals and superior picture quality.

• Advantages of DirectView LED: Consistent color and image uniformity, longer lifespan, and the ability to create large video walls without size limitations.

• Partnership success: Planar is a trusted partner for video wall solutions, with DirectView LED gaining popularity for its unique applications and advancements.

DirectView LED technology, while not new, has undergone significant advancements to meet the evolving needs of various applications. Unlike traditional LCD video walls, DirectView LED eliminates bezels, providing a seamless, uniform picture that captivates viewers. Planar, a renowned player in the display market, has been offering cutting-edge video wall solutions for over four decades.

DirectView LED's popularity stems from its ability to overcome the limitations of LCD displays. While LCD panels have size constraints, DirectView LED can be scaled to virtually any size, making it ideal for larger displays. Additionally, DirectView LED offers enhanced image uniformity and color consistency, as there are no independent displays that age differently. This technology has a longer lifespan, typically around 10 years, compared to the five-year warranty offered for LCD video walls.

The flexibility and ease of installation make DirectView LED a preferred choice for various applications. Unlike large LCD displays that require cumbersome logistics, DirectView LED panels can be easily transported and assembled. Planar's DirectView LED solutions, such as the Direct Light Ultra cabinets, deliver high peak brightness and exceptional picture quality, rivaling hand-built OLED televisions. The advancements in technology have made DirectView LED more cost-effective, making it an attractive option for conference rooms, boardrooms, and other corporate environments.

Planar's commitment to showcasing the potential of DirectView LED is evident through its network of showrooms across the country. These showrooms provide firsthand experiences of the brilliance and quality of DirectView LED displays, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and clients.

DirectView LED technology has revolutionized the display industry, offering seamless, vibrant, and visually stunning video walls. Planar, with its extensive experience and expertise, continues to push the boundaries of DirectView LED technology. As prices become more affordable, the adoption of DirectView LED is expected to increase, transforming the way we experience visual content in various settings. To fully grasp the power of DirectView LED, it's highly recommended to witness its brilliance firsthand in one of Planar's showrooms. Stay tuned for more exciting episodes of Tech Unravel as we unravel the ever-evolving world of AV technology.

Welcome to Tech Unraveled, brought to you by Vistacom, where we delve into the AV industry, going beyond buzzwords to provide insights from industry experts. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Michael O'Halloran, a Regional Account Manager with Planar, join us to discuss the exciting world of DirectView LED technology. As a trusted partner, Planar has been at the forefront of video wall solutions, and their expertise in DirectView LED is unparalleled. Let's dive deep into this game-changing display technology.

• DirectView LED: A bezel-free display technology for video walls, offering seamless visuals and superior picture quality.

• Advantages of DirectView LED: Consistent color and image uniformity, longer lifespan, and the ability to create large video walls without size limitations.

• Partnership success: Planar is a trusted partner for video wall solutions, with DirectView LED gaining popularity for its unique applications and advancements.

DirectView LED technology, while not new, has undergone significant advancements to meet the evolving needs of various applications. Unlike traditional LCD video walls, DirectView LED eliminates bezels, providing a seamless, uniform picture that captivates viewers. Planar, a renowned player in the display market, has been offering cutting-edge video wall solutions for over four decades.

DirectView LED's popularity stems from its ability to overcome the limitations of LCD displays. While LCD panels have size constraints, DirectView LED can be scaled to virtually any size, making it ideal for larger displays. Additionally, DirectView LED offers enhanced image uniformity and color consistency, as there are no independent displays that age differently. This technology has a longer lifespan, typically around 10 years, compared to the five-year warranty offered for LCD video walls.

The flexibility and ease of installation make DirectView LED a preferred choice for various applications. Unlike large LCD displays that require cumbersome logistics, DirectView LED panels can be easily transported and assembled. Planar's DirectView LED solutions, such as the Direct Light Ultra cabinets, deliver high peak brightness and exceptional picture quality, rivaling hand-built OLED televisions. The advancements in technology have made DirectView LED more cost-effective, making it an attractive option for conference rooms, boardrooms, and other corporate environments.

Planar's commitment to showcasing the potential of DirectView LED is evident through its network of showrooms across the country. These showrooms provide firsthand experiences of the brilliance and quality of DirectView LED displays, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and clients.

DirectView LED technology has revolutionized the display industry, offering seamless, vibrant, and visually stunning video walls. Planar, with its extensive experience and expertise, continues to push the boundaries of DirectView LED technology. As prices become more affordable, the adoption of DirectView LED is expected to increase, transforming the way we experience visual content in various settings. To fully grasp the power of DirectView LED, it's highly recommended to witness its brilliance firsthand in one of Planar's showrooms. Stay tuned for more exciting episodes of Tech Unravel as we unravel the ever-evolving world of AV technology.