Brian Rhatigan, Author at Exertis Almo Installments Blog

Tightrope – Why hasn’t this happened sooner, but happy it did…

December 11, 2014 By Brian Rhatigan Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that BrightSign has the lion share of the solid state digital media player market and are now found in digital signage applications that span practically all verticals. Their combination of aggressively priced hardware with a simple to use free software application makes for a very attractive offering, however for large enterprise wide installations that in some cases require additional functionality not offered in BrightSign, users were for the most part relegated to using one of the many available CMS packages and more expensive PC based hardware that requires ongoing maintenance and attention to keep it patched and up to date.

This past summer at InfoComm Tightrope Media Systems announced the integration of their Carousel digital signage platform with the BrightSign XD hardware. This match allows users of Carousel the option of using a less expensive hardware option, which also provides a more energy efficient and reliable platform being that the BrightSign units are essentially hard appliances specifically designed to continuously playback digital content with little to no maintenance required.

Carousel builds on the quality of BrightSign with features like powerful template creation tools, advanced user roles & permissions, emergency notifications, a web-based interface, and data integration allowing the import of dynamic content from Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and calendars. I’m glad to see that Tightrope Media Systems who already had a leading digital signage software with Carousel has realized the potential of the BrightSign hardware. This is a case where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

What Is Color Light Output And Why Does It Matter?

November 26, 2014 By Brian Rhatigan Leave a Comment

Imagine you purchase a new high performance vehicle rated at 420 horsepower, yet when you drive the car it just doesn’t seem like it performs like a 420 horsepower vehicle should. After researching a little more you find that the manufacturer rates the horsepower as measured on an indoor track with an artificial tailwind, but in real driving conditions the measured horsepower is more like 150. I realize this is a bit unrealistic, but so is providing brightness specifications on a projector purely measured on the output of white light.

I was recently made aware of the new Color Light Output (Color Brightness) standard that was published in May of 2012 which now not only measures the brightness of White Light Output or White Brightness, but also Color Light Output or Color Brightness. Additionally I was surprised to see that projectors from some of the most well know manufacturers in the industry have a significant difference between their published lumens spec and the tested Color Brightness. In many cases the tested Color Light Output was less than 25% of the published lumen spec and some are even more extreme, for example a WXGA projector rated for 7500 lumens that had a tested color light output of only 1250 lumens.

3LCD technology, found in all Epson projectors, uses 3 chips to deliver vibrant, true-to-life and consistent images and does not use a color wheel like single chip DLP projectors and does not force a trade-off between White Brightness and Color Brightness. It is important to note that all Epson projectors have the same Color Brightness as they do White Brightness so that when compared with similar spec’d single chip DLP projectors the Epson will provide a significantly brighter image with much better color accuracy.

The current lineup of Epson large venue projectors range from 4500 to 11,000 lumens (White Brightness and Color Brightness) with resolutions including XGA up to WUXGA incorporating high end features like edge blending and geometric correction and a wide selection of lens options. Projector buyers should look for and demand both numbers – White Brightness and Color Brightness.

Keeping Communication Personal

November 17, 2014 By Brian Rhatigan Leave a Comment

In the age of electronic communication how do I stay relevant? It wasn’t that long ago that we conducted ourselves in a completely different manner. Flashback to 2005; Facebook was unknown to most of us, my email traffic was less than 25 to 30 messages a day, I carried a flip-phone, and while working as a distribution sales rep I received the majority of my purchase orders by fax, and spent about three hours a day on the phone. Ah the good old days… Maybe, maybe not.

Today it’s not uncommon to receive over 100 emails per day. We communicate with others via social media, text message, and various other impersonal methods, but that seems to be the “in” thing. The “relationship” sale is much more challenging in this environment however not impossible. There are some simple but important things you should consider when dealing with your customers in today’s climate.

Response time is critical. Since the public at large are smart phone users and have access to email at any time and place, the expectation for a quick response is high. Often, if you don’t respond quickly, your competitor will. Schedule face to face meetings when appropriate, as this is still the best form of communication and the easiest way for you to understand your customer’s needs and read their expressions. Remember Birthdays and other important personal events of your regular customers. Social media sites like LinkedIn can help you remember these dates.

A simple thing like including a headshot photo in your email signature can help to personalize the message and help the customer feel more engaged and of course proof read your messages before they are sent. Customers will likely be put off by spelling or grammatical errors since they can reflect on you and your company.

Nine emails just came in while writing this, so I better get back to work…

Bulletproof Outdoor Messaging – Literally

November 10, 2014 By Brian Rhatigan 1 Comment

With the holiday season fast approaching I can’t help but think of all the fun involved in trekking out to the local mall or outlets, battling for a parking spot and dealing with the crowds of stressed out holiday shoppers. In actuality it is truly one of my favorite times of the year. Now if you are like me, working in the AV industry you can’t help notice the technology all around us even when you are on not on the clock and your significant other is likely sick of you commenting on just about every public AV installation you come across in your travels.

After all, public spaces like shopping malls, outlet centers, transportation hubs, and stadiums attract a lot of people and are the perfect areas for digital messaging; however these types of environments can be harsh for electronics. Brightly lit areas from the sun can make digital screens very hard to view, moisture from rain and snow can damage electronics, as well as exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures, and let’s not leave out the natural human tendency to touch things, which can lead to physical damage of installed equipment. As the demand for AV in public and outdoor applications has increased, integrators have been looking for more options to offer to their customers.

Earlier this year, LG entered into a joint venture agreement with MRI (Manufacturing Resources International) and formed a new, independent company, called LG-MRI combining the technical advances and patented innovation of MRI’s popular BoldVU® Outdoor LCD Display products with the global strength of LG’s established sales and services offices. Unlike solutions that utilize a traditional display, with an enclosure, thermal management, a media player or PC, or a stand-alone outdoor display, the LG-MRI units are engineered from the ground up with the end application in mind.

BoldVu® units feature an industry leading 2500 nit brightness for 10 years, and can operate in temperatures between -40 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Their IP54 rating provides complete protection from rain, dust, and dirt and a 13.5mm safety glass cover is ballistic resistant. A sophisticated monitoring system continually looks after over 200 internal hardware and operating parameters to warn of any potential performance or hardware issues, and if service is needed these units can be serviced in their mounted position so you don’t have to worry about uninstalling the display.

We at Almo quickly saw the value in these products and welcomed the opportunity to add them to our product portfolio in order to provide more value to our reseller partners. So the next time your client is looking for this type of solution, remember that you have this new option to bring to the table. Additional information can be found at www.lg-mri.com. Happy Holidays!

So What… It’s Just a Cable…

October 29, 2014 By Brian Rhatigan Leave a Comment

After a decade in the industry it is rare that I am introduced to new products that really excite me and are truly innovative. This was not the case when I was recently introduced to the folks at Comprehensive Cable and learned about their Pro AV/IT Series of high speed HDMI cables. Like myself, I am sure you are thinking what can be so special about an HDMI cable, however once you get your hands one, like me you will be impressed.

They seem like simple things, but based on feedback from the dealer community, Comprehensive took steps to include features in these cables that you normally don’t see, and truly make this a professional grade HDMI cable. For example, the ProGrip® Connector provides up to 16lbs of retention force holding the connector in place and preventing unwanted service calls. How many times have you picked up a coiled cable and had to guess if it was a 25ft, 35ft, or 50ft cable? Each of these cables is marked clearly on each connector with the cable length.

Seven color choices make classifying and identifying cabling in the back of a rack easier than ever, while the 24/26 gauge construction provides a heavy duty yet flexible jacket that is CL3 rated and includes a lifetime warranty. Of course technology like 4K, HDMI 2.0, and 3D are supported, and they have been clocked at speeds up to 31 Gbps.

We at Almo are excited to be carrying these and other cables from Comprehensive Cable, and I encourage you to contact your Almo rep and ask about a sample pack.

IPS and Digital Signage – Worth Taking a Look

September 19, 2014 By Brian Rhatigan Leave a Comment

Flat panel display technology has evolved and gotten so good over the years from every one of the major manufacturers that it has become very difficult to differentiate between brands, as displays have become commoditized. With bezels getting smaller and smaller, even on standalone displays we are now even seeing some models that don’t include the manufacturer’s logo. So how do we choose which display to use? Well, in our business every application is unique and we do our best to find the best product to fit a particular job or requirement.

While I think it has gone somewhat unnoticed, LG is one of the few manufacturers that has a truly differentiating technology when it comes to displays used for digital signage applications. In-plane switching (IPS) is a technology that was developed in the late 1980’s that LG has adapted and continued to improve on, and provides some distinct advantages over other LCD displays, especially when used for signage.

In most cases viewers will be looking at digital signage displays as they are walking through a retail store, or traveling through an airport for example, and will be viewing off axis from a wide viewing angle. With non-IPS panels, as the viewer moves off access they will notice changes in color, dimming, and reduced contrast, as opposed to IPS which offers a true wide 178 degree viewing angle with no degradation in picture quality.

Additionally, IPS displays have built-in temperature control that adjusts to light and heat eliminating dark or blackened areas that can occur with traditional LCD displays in high ambient light conditions, while increased physical stability of the panel minimizes image distortion when external pressure is applied, from a human touch for example.

LG includes IPS technology in their entire line up of commercial televisions, monitors, and video wall displays and should be at the top of your list when considering displays for your next digital signage project.

The Importance of Training

August 22, 2014 By Brian Rhatigan Leave a Comment

One thing I can say with certainty about the industry we work in is that change is constant. While basic foundations like flat panel displays, projectors, and amplifiers for example remain stable, the way in which they are used and the way in which we connect with them is evolving rapidly. In the nearly ten years I have worked in this industry I have seen huge advancements in technology, most significantly I would say is the way that AV devices have evolved into networked devices. There have been other big changes in display technology (what happened to my dear friend Plasma??), panels have gotten thinner, lighter, larger, and backlight technology is almost exclusively now LED.

Change hasn’t been related just to the technology. Our business has become even more competitive over the years with regular new entrants into our marketplace including non-traditional AV dealers that are now competing for AV projects such as IT resellers and electrical contractors. At the same time customers are more educated and more selective in the technology that they adopt and the partners that they choose to do business with. With so much information available to the buying public at their fingertips you need to be prepared for engagements at a higher level than ever before. Product knowledge is an absolute must if you want to represent your firm in a positive light.

Working for a distributor like Almo I have the luxury of having regular visits and trainings from the top vendors in our market which in many cases is as frequently as six to eight times a month. I understand that frequency does not work for every business; however it is vital that you allow some amount of time for your sales and engineering staff to engage in manufacturer or industry related training as a highly trained staff will be a key differentiator for your organization.

In addition to meeting with your manufacturer and distributor reps I encourage you to take advantage of the educational opportunities available at events like the annual InfoComm Expo. If you prefer to stay local or want a more personal experience there is a nice selection of regional events throughout the year such as the Almo E4 AV Tour (www.e4experience.com) which provides a full day of industry related training and CTS renewal units along with one-on-one time with the industry’s top manufacturers.

Whether it is a lunch and learn training with a vendor, a trade show event, or online self-paced course, you will add value to your organization by participating as you continue to differentiate your company from the competition.

InfoComm 2014 Video Walls & Digital Signage Reflections

July 11, 2014 By Brian Rhatigan 1 Comment

InfoComm 2014 marked the 7th InfoComm show that I have attended as an exhibitor over the last 10 years and each year there seems to be a few themes or specific technologies creating a lot of buzz. As a distributor we have the fortune of providing a very diverse mix of products from many of the industry’s top manufacturers so we play close attention to the current and evolving trends and do our best to represent those in our booth.

This year 4K seemed to be attracting a lot of attention. While it is still early in the game and the lack of mainstream hardware and 4k content is challenging, most feel this will come on strong. Remember when 1080p first surfaced we were in a very similar position, and look at where we are now. With mass market companies like BrightSign introducing 4K media players that retail for under $1000, and large format 4K displays like the 84” we showcased from LG, the evolution of 4K will be accelerated.

Ultra-thin bezel video wall monitors once again had a huge presence at this year’s conference as this category of display continues to grow in popularity. As manufacturers try and outpace each other with thinner and thinner bezels, LG is at the forefront of this battle debuting their new 55LV series video wall display featuring the thinnest bezel currently available in the marketplace measuring 3.5mm combined panel to panel. While bezel width is important LG has not stopped there, offering unique technologies that are true differentiators when it comes to video wall monitors implemented in signage applications. LG’s IPS technology eliminates the common color changes and distortion found with most displays when viewers are not directly in front of the screen. Additionally, IPS removes the blackening defect found in many LCD panels when exposed to direct high ambient light, while the Shine-Out feature is ideal when using video walls in window displays reflecting away the sunlight for the best image quality.

While digital signage is certainly not new anymore, modern technologies continue to surface and evolve around it. I still often ask myself how we sold so many displays prior to the signage craze. Technologies such as 4k and ultra-thin bezel monitors continue to evolve as the signage market grows, as does the need for engaging and interactive content to feed the hungry screens. Repeatedly our customers expressed the need for an outlet to provide digital content for interested clients leading us to introduce Almo Content Creation Services earlier this year. With this new service, Almo’s customers can now round out their hardware and installation services with digital content creation providing a more complete offering.

Our InfoComm 2014 exhibit brought in a record breaking 37,000+ attendees telling me that our industry is going strong, and that dealers are interested in continuing education as well as staying abreast of the latest technologies. During the coming months I will have my eye on 4K and video wall technologies and can’t wait to see what the future brings.

Interactive Projectors For Classrooms Alive and Well

June 5, 2014 By Brian Rhatigan 3 Comments

The demand for interactive display devices in teaching/learning environments seems to be stronger than ever with interactive whiteboards becoming very common in classrooms just like a chalkboard. The introduction and growth in popularity of the ultra-short throw style projector over the last 10 years has even further enhanced the users experience by drastically eliminating the shadow on the screen caused by the presenter standing in the light path of a traditional longer throw projector.

To take this one step further manufacturer’s like Epson, whom already have a very strong presence in the education market, have introduced interactive projectors which offer similar functionality to an interactive whiteboard; however they can project onto any standard whiteboard. With this option schools can take advantage of their existing whiteboard surfaces without having to have the added cost of replacing them with installed interactive whiteboards.

Epson BrightLink 595Wi

Up until now, these interactive projectors have worked by using sensors that would detect signals from an electronic pen that the user would be required to use, however Epson is first to market with a new interactive projector, the BrightLink 595Wi, that no longer requires the use of an electronic pen. This new technology offers users the ability to interact with the board’s surface through finger based touch, enhancing the user experience further for those that don’t favor the use of electronic pen devices.

Partnerships with Promethean, Mimio and Smart now allow Epson customers to purchase licenses of tried and true educational software platforms that many educators are already comfortable with to be used on Epson BrightLink Interactive projectors. Combining ultra-short throw projection with pen or finger based touch built in to the projector, and industry standard software provides a winning combination of features and functionality that will continue to serve this market well.

Getting Started In The Digital Signage Industry

April 28, 2014 By Brian Rhatigan Leave a Comment

“How do I get started in digital signage?” I get asked this question several times a week and it’s not a simple answer as there are several things to consider. The Digital Signage Federation defines Digital Signage as a network of digital displays that is centrally managed and addressable for targeted information, entertainment, merchandising and advertising. Now Digital Signage means different things to different people. It could be a digital display at a supermarket checkout line showing information about products and promotions; it could be a television in your local deli or pizzeria showing live programming and advertising for businesses in the area; it could be a welcome sign with the day’s events in a hotel lobby; along with a nearly unlimited number of other purposes.

When someone asks the question about getting started in digital signage, it is helpful to understand what that person’s background is. Traditional AV integrators typically have no problem understanding the hardware that is involved and handling complex installations, but may need some coaching on the CMS software or on the networking side of things. IT resellers are usually experts at networking and software packages, but may not be as comfortable with the installation and connectivity requirements for displays and media players. Both of the above may have big voids when it comes to the content creation requirements, while ad agencies and traditional print sign companies are strong here, but are most likely green when it comes to installing display hardware.

Digital Signage systems require strengths in many areas including the specification of appropriate sized displays and placement for optimal viewing, as well as understanding mounting and power requirements. Additionally knowledge of different video signals, cable length limitations, and the different types of signal distribution hardware is essential. Education on these topics is available through organizations like infoComm as well as value added distributors like Almo.

Also, since almost any Digital Signage system lives on a network, at least a basic understanding of networking is a must. Education on this topic is available through various sources including network equipment manufacturers such as Cisco and control system hardware manufacturers like AMX as well as infoComm. Training on the actual Digital Signage CMS software will usually have to come from whatever vendor you choose for your client’s application, while content creation services will have to be outsourced if you don’t have the appropriate staff in house to provide that. Note that Almo has recently announced content creation services available to resellers and integrators, helping to round out the complete solution to offer to customers.

Other advice I would offer is to start small. Call on local and small businesses that might require just one or a small handful of digital signs in order to get your feet wet. Perhaps your local pizza shop owner wants to have live television in his dining room, but also sell advertising space on a portion of the screen, or maybe the local coffee shop wants to switch over to a digital menu board. Also, pick one or two digital signage delivery systems and get to know the software and processes very well. With a few hundred products on the market, you need to focus on just one or two that will work in most applications.