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Staying in Touch

by | May 16, 2023 | Digital Signage, Uncategorized

January 27, 2010, the first-generation iPad is unveiled at an Apple press event, changing the way we interact with video display devices in a profound way. While becoming wildly popular amongst adults, the iPad has also become standard equipment for young children who now grow up with a touch device in their hands from adolescence. Touch screens have been around for a very long time. As a matter of fact, the first touchscreen operated by a finger was developed in the 1960’s. However, the introduction of consumer based hand-held touch devices, over the last decade and a half, have had a profound impact on the way humans expect to interact with video display devices.

MicroTouch HospitalityIt is almost strange now if you come across a public display or kiosk and it is not touch enabled. In fact, I recently attempted to interact with a display kiosk, in a hotel lobby, only to find it was not a touch screen. As younger people that were raised with a touch device in their hands come of age, the expectation for interactive devices is higher than ever. We’ve also seen a shift in many areas to a self-service model, for better or for worse, and each will have their own opinion about it, but it is the reality. For example, when was the last time you actually dealt with an agent to check into an airline flight? It is now commonplace to check-in, receive your boarding pass, and receive your luggage tag all without human interaction.

Practically all the major fast-food chains now offer the option of ordering your meal via a touch screen kiosk, instead of ordering from a human behind the counter. Many supermarkets now have more self-checkout lines than traditional cashier-based check-out lines. Large chain restaurants offer the ability to pay your check through a portable touch display on the table. Even when I go to have blood drawn at the lab or visit my doctor, the check-in process is via a touch screen. Let’s not forget the ATM, one of the earliest mainstream uses of touchscreen technology that I can remember.

Outside of self-service, touch-enabled displays can be and are being used in various applications, including classrooms for learning, interactive gaming and entertainment, digital wayfinding, lobby directories, control systems, POS systems, automotive, corporate boardrooms, and more. There are many brands and many sizes of touchscreens on the market today. So, what separates one from the other? To me, it is the accuracy and responsiveness of the touch, along with as the physical aesthetics of the device itself.

There are several different types of touch technology, such as Resistive, Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW), Infrared (IR), and Capacitive – to name a few. PCAP, or Projected Capacitive, has become more available in larger sizes, and provides superior accuracy and speed of touch – and uses a glass top layer allowing for that smooth edge-to-edge glass look and feel. I will not go into the individual descriptions of each of the above technologies, but note that PCAP has become one of the most widely adopted touch technologies now that it can be used on larger displays and provides both great performance and aesthetics.

MicroTouch HealthcareTo enhance our offering of touchscreen technology, Exertis Almo has recently partnered with MicroTouch, who has been providing touch solutions for the market for over 40 years with installations in 80 countries and over 100 patents. MicroTouch offers a wide range of touch solutions, including open-frame models designed to fit into kiosks, desktop, large format digital signage, all-in-one (with computer), and healthcare solutions ranging in size from 7” to 65”. Their new MACH family takes performance and aesthetics to the next level with an ultra slim design, radiused corners, and concealed ports and cable management, coupled with a sleek edge to edge glass finish with a scratch resistant anti-glare surface. Add to this the speed, accuracy, and responsiveness of PCAP touch technology and a three-year advance replacement warranty. This new partnership will further enable integrators to provide high quality innovative touch solutions to their clients. Please visit www.exertisalmo.com for more information.

Brian Rhatigan headshot
About the Author

Brian Rhatigan | CTS, DSCE

Director of Business Development

Supported Manufacturers: Epson (NE, SE, MW), Huddly, Kramer, Jabra

Breaking Down DVLED part 3 – Perfect Pitch

by | May 11, 2023 | Digital Signage, DVLED, Uncategorized, Video Walls

Part 3: Perfect Pitch

Topic: The importance of selecting the right pixel pitch the first time.

During my college years, I worked on a deck building crew during the summers. My boss was a battle-hardened old carpenter who often muttered, “Measure twice and cut once. We didn’t bring the board stretcher today.” This adage is as true in commissioning AV systems as it is in carpentry.

Let’s be honest, Indoor DVLED walls are expensive. And they should be!!! The visual experience is second to none, and it’s not close. Companies are concerned with getting their brand image and messaging across clearly and impactfully, and DVLED walls deliver. Assuming, of course, that the right product is selected.

If a client is dropping six figures on a DVLED display, it is critical that the integrator gets it right the first time. Putting up video walls is labor intensive enough. The notion of ever having to take a wall down because the customer was dissatisfied with the end result would be disastrous. And really, when it comes to DVLED, the only conceivable reason a client would be disappointed would be due to selecting a pixel pitch that was too large for the application.

customer communication

In the world of LCD displays or modern-day TV’s, most end users are primarily concerned with size and resolution. For example, a high definition (1080p) image will look the same—relatively speaking—regardless of image size, on a conventional LCD display from any reasonable viewing distance. The pixel density is so…um…dense…that any perceived “pixelization” will be negligible to the average human eye.

My friends, this is not so with DVLED. If you remember from my previous blog, Cabinets and Modules and Panels, Oh My, I described how DVLED pixels can be thought of as a grid of dots that make up an image. Think, Paint by Numbers. The more dots you jam into the same relative space, the clearer the image. Additionally, the closer you are to the display, the easier it will be to see the grid-lines. So, this would lead to reason that in order to produce a good DVLED image, you need the right amount of dots, in the right amount of physical space, that are viewed from the right distance.

pixel pitch vs resolution

Thus, I present to you the most important spec of all, when selecting a DVLED wall, the Pixel Pitch. Expressed in numerical values such as 0.7, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.9. 2.5, 3.7, 4.0 and so on, the pixel pitch indicates the center-to-center distance in millimeters of one pixel to the next. The smaller the number, the closer together the pixels are.

Now, I know we all love using handy math equations and standards in the AV industry, but unfortunately, selecting the right pixel pitch is a bit of an art. The most popular and generally accepted “standard” that is thrown around is Distance / 10. This means that to select the right pixel pitch, you need to take the distance in feet of the closest viewer and divide by 10. The quotient (aka. answer), should get you in the neighborhood of what an appropriate pixel pitch selection would be. For example, if the closest viewer is 10ft away from the display then the appropriate pixel pitch would be 1.0. Similarly, if the closest viewer was 25ft away the best pixel pitch would be 2.5.

viewing distance

Beyond this simple calculation, we need to go a little bit further and consider other factors like intended use, the type of content and the specific needs of the audience or viewer. In cases like retail or entertainment, where full motion video and large print will be the primary content and the average viewing distance and viewing range are very wide, pixelization is probably less of an issue. In an executive board room of a financial firm that will be using the wall to display smaller text, numbers and data or in critical medical imaging scenarios, it would be wise to opt for a pixel pitch that is perhaps a little smaller than the standard quotient.

Finally, let’s talk about cost. The smaller or “finer” the pixel pitch, the higher the cost. This means that a 220-inch video wall with a 2.5 pixel pitch could very easily end up costing more than twice that of a 3.7 pixel pitch of the same size. Similarly, depending on the type and quality of LED’s being used, a P1.0 could easily be two, three or even four times the cost of a P2.5 wall of the same relative size.

I’ve been around this game for a while, and I know we operate in a competitive landscape. It is sometimes tempting or even necessary to fit the solution into the budget. However, with DVLED walls, the repercussions of selecting a pixel pitch that is too large to fit into a customer’s budget could be dire. So, take heed. Or better yet, call me, and make sure you select the right pixel pitch the first time.

That’s all for now. Stay tuned for my next installment of Breaking Down DVLED:

Part 4: The First Step in Installing a DVLED Video Wall is Admitting you Need Help
Topic: Commissioning Assistance and why it’s important

Part 5: First Things First
Topic: The importance of proper site prep and conducting a proper site survey

Check out my other installments if you haven’t already:

Part 1: Got Spares?
Topic: The importance of having spares when purchasing / commissioning a DVLED video wall.

Part 2: Cabinets and Modules and Panels, Oh My!!!
Topic: The anatomy of a DVLED video wall.

Tom Keefe BDM

About the Author

Tom Keefe

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Absen

Ingress Protection: the other IP of AV

by | May 4, 2023 | Digital Signage, Outdoor AV, Uncategorized

When you hear the letters “IP“, most people probably think of Internet Protocol, Intellectual Property, or maybe even Innings Pitched.  Here, we are going to be referring to Ingress Protection, or how well an electrical enclosure can protect from the penetration of dust and moisture. Even if you have never heard the term before, you have most certainly thought about ingress protection at some time. Have you ever spilled water on your phone, tablet, or laptop?  That instant panic (and possible profanities) is caused by your lack of trust in the ability of your device to keep out moisture.

Most new cellphones are marketed as waterproof or water-resistant. What do those terms mean? Are they marketing buzzwords, or are they meant to be taken at face value? This video by CNBC does a good job explaining them. I have personally taken the term waterproof too literally myself. On my oldest daughter’s 1st birthday, we took her swimming and I wanted to document as much as I could with my “waterproof” phone. We had a great time, but the documentation did not go as planned. In fact, I learned a new notification that day. A water droplet icon meant that moisture had made its way into my phone, and it was no longer functioning properly.

How did these standards come to be? In 1976, the International Electrotechnical Commission, or IEC, published IEC 60529, with the goal of standardizing the requirements regarding protection by enclosures. Prior to that time, there were separate standards for motors and low-voltage switchgear and controlgear.

The IP rating consists of two digits:

  1. The first rates protection against solid objects and works on a scale of 0-6.
  2. The second rates protection against liquids and works on a scale of 0-9.

The guide below lists details of what level of protection each number represents.

IP ratings chart

Source: https://www.iec.ch/ip-ratings

Outdoor displays should have a rating of no less than IP55, to be reasonably safe from both dust and water. Using the above guide tells us that the first numeral of 5 means that the enclosure is considered “dust-protected”. Since we are fully in pollen season in much of the country, strong protection against solid foreign objects is necessary. A first numeral rating of 4 would not supply the necessary protection against pollen grains as they are smaller than the 1.0mm size listed in the description. The second numeral of 5 means that the device is “protected against water jets”.  Who is going to be blasting an outdoor display with water jets?  Well, a landscaping sprinkler system or someone using a hose are both water jets you would want to be safe from.

Samsung Terrace Outdoor qn65lst7tafOutdoor installations have progressed from your run-of-the-mill bank clocks with time and temperature to complex direct view LED displays that are truly immersive.  Keeping the viewer immersed, and not the hardware, is a key to the success and longevity of any outdoor AV project.  When your electronics are exposed to the elements, you will always have some degree of risk involved.  Using the IP ratings, along with the manufacturer’s suggested usage and accessories, will allow you to minimize risk for your projects and customers.  Be certain to read the warranty as well to ensure you are not doing anything that might void or shorten your warranty period.

Samsung Terrace Outdoor SoundbarOutdoor displays can range from a standard TV in an enclosure designed to be outdoors, all the way up to massive dvLEDs that you might see in Las Vegas or Times Square. Whatever your needs, Exertis Almo can provide solutions that run the gamut, including multiple dvLED vendors. The Samsung Terrace Series (consumer) provides options for outdoor displays, a soundbar offering, as well as accessories that can help protect and prolong the life of the hardware.  These have become quite popular in commercial settings such as bars, restaurants, hotels, and even corporate patio areas. 

Visit ExertisAlmo.com today to learn more about our outdoor displays and other products.

Did you find this post helpful? Join the conversation over on LinkedIn.

Gerry Aubrey

About the Author

Gerry Aubrey | DSCE

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Samsung CE

Edition 5 of “This May Be a Dumb Question, but…”

by | Apr 28, 2023 | Professional Development, Uncategorized

This Blog Series is written by Exertis Almo's Business Development Managers: 
Ashley Nichols, CTS, DSCE, and John Borns, CTS, DSCE.

If you’ve been following along with our blog series for the past few months, you may have been led to believe that the only questions we ever get are related to projection systems. Who could blame you? You’ve obviously read 3 straight issues of our critically acclaimed mini-series on projection (edition 2, ed 3, and ed 4). Well, I hate to break it you like this, but you’d be wrong. We get all sorts of questions – and maybe you shouldn’t go around assuming things so much. 🤣 Maybe we shouldn’t have dedicated 80% of our blogs thus far to 1 topic. 🤔 There’s no way to know for sure. Anyway… Today, we’re going to talk about AV racks! Another seemingly mystifying part of the AV ecosystem that we’re going to try and make sense of for you.

QUESTION

John, Are these rackshelves/lacing bars/drawers compatible with my rack?
or… John, I have 8 pieces of gear. What size rack do I need?
or… John, How do I know if these pieces of gear will fit in my rack?

ANSWER

These may appear to be different questions, but in actuality, they all stem from not knowing the same basic principles about AV racks. Questions like these are very near and dear to Ashley and me, because we asked a lot of these questions when we first started working together at Middle Atlantic Products many moons ago. We totally remember what it was like trying make heads and tails of how racks work and how everything goes together and what goes where. It wasn’t until a kind soul (shout out to Jason Pavia!) came along and totally bailed us out and taught us how everything works. The beauty about racks is that they are actually very straightforward because there are rack STANDARDs in place.

Firstly, let’s talk about the width of the rack1. Every rack (as far as I know) is 19” wide between the rails. So, anyTHING that wants to be rack mountable is going to conform to that width. Power strips, amps, shelves, mixers, you name it – they’re all going to be that width (or have some additional rack mount hardware that allows to it to cover that space). You pretty much never need to worry about whether or not something will fit into a SPECIFIC rack, because all racks are same size.

The second thing to know is the RACK UNIT2 (or RU as it’s more commonly referred to). A rack unit is always 1.75” high…but that doesn’t really even matter, because everything that is going to be mounted onto a rack must confirm to a solid RU measurement. So those amps, power strips, drawers, etc., that we mentioned above, are all 1 RU, 2 RU, 3 RU etc. So, knowing all of that, you can confidently assume that all of your rack mountable gear will fit in whatever rack you end up going with AND you can determine how tall of a rack you need by simply knowing how many pieces of gear you’re putting in there and how many RUs they occupy.

The last thing consider is the depth of the rack3. This is where the standards sort of dry up. The main thing to concern yourself with here is the depth of your DEEPEST piece of gear. You pretty much just need to make sure that it’s deep enough to accommodate that one piece, with a little extra room for cables and air flow. So, if you have a 20” deep UPS, you’ll probably want to get like a 24” deep rack.

QUESTION

How do I know which type of rack to choose? Wall-mounted? Gangable?
Why would someone need one vs the other?

ANSWER

I’ll admit that no one has asked me this question exactly, but it is an amalgamation of a general overwhelming feeling people have when trying to start looking for a rack. There are a TON of options out there and knowing which ones to use and when can feel intimidating at first. This is really where understanding the needs of the system and users is critical. Most racks are built with a certain type of application in mind. Let’s hit on a few of the common ones and why people would want to consider them.

wall-mountable rackWall-Mounted Racks – There a few different uses here. Mainly, if you have smaller rack need…something like 8-10 RUs….it may be easier to access the gear for use or service by having it hanging off of the wall at eye level. Bending down or kneeling to get to the gear can be an unwanted nuisance, especially if the gear is being accessed routinely. Additionally, maybe you want to keep the gear away from small people with bad intentions – kids. Wall-mounted racks are used in classroom applications. Also, simply having the rack secured to the wall can save space in some locations and may help keep a cluttered closet a little more organized.

Gangable5 Racks – This is really just a way of describing racks that can be fixed to one another in a row. If you’ve ever infiltrated a high security data center to get access to the heavily guarded corporate secrets, then you’ve undoubtedly seen a bunch of server racks “ganged” together. This allows for multiple racks to sort of operate as one larger unit, allow for cables to pass more easily between one another, save space, etc. Additionally, maybe you have a small system now, but one to potentially expand in the future. Getting gangable rack will allow your system to be scalable…to expand into a second rack down the line.

AV rack2-Post Racks vs 4-Post Racks – Generally speaking, in AV applications, you won’t commonly use 2-posts racks. These are typically used in network-based applications with thinner patch panels and lots of wire management needs. 4-post racks are sturdier and can handle heavier AV gear like your amplifiers, DSPs, Mixers etc. Also, 4-posts racks can be more easily built into larger cabinets, which gives them additional options that may improve your system. Speaking of which…

Other things to consider – Security, thermal management, additional storage, etc. I’m certainly not going to be able to do these additional considerations justice. Racks that can have fully welded side panels, and lockable doors are much secure than those that don’t. Some racks are better equipped to manage the heat in the rack (which is critical to control if you want to preserve the life of your gear). Some racks have more room inside the cabinet, or can accommodate special accessories, making it much easier to mount small devices and power strips. Knowing which of these features are critical for your project will help guide you towards the right rack. Luckily, we’re here to help guide you if you need some help!

Vocab Test Time!

Are these the most detailed definitions? No – we are not a dictionary, nor the AVIXA CTS Prep book. Will someone message us after still telling us how much we missed? Possibly. Will these get you a basic working knowledge of these terms and why they matter? We hope so. Plus, we are 99% sure they will help you impress your grandparents when you reset their WIFI. 🤔

  1. Width of rack – always 19”, doesn’t matter the rack.
  2. Rack Units (RUs) – 1.75” per rack unit. Describes the height of a rack and rack mountable gear.
  3. How deep is your rack – Make sure it’s deeper than your deepest piece of gear.
  4. How deep is your love? – I really need to know…
  5. Gangable – Racks that can be easily connected together.

Thanks for Reading and Asking Your Questions!

Do you have more ‘dumb’ questions? Share your questions here and we will get you an answer.

Did you find this blog post helpful? Connect with us and #TeamExertisAlmo over on LinkedIn.

Ashley Nichols, Dir BizDev

Ashley Nichols | CTS, DSCE

Director of Business Development

Supported Manufacturers: Sony

John Borns, BDM

John Borns | CTS, DSCE

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Legrand AV (NE, SE, MW) – Chief, C2G, Da-Lite, Luxul, Middle Atlantic, Vaddio, Wiremold

Bringing Harman-ies Outdoors

by | Apr 25, 2023 | Outdoor AV, Pro Audio, Uncategorized

As I began putting thoughts down and mapping out my latest piece, it seemed quite obvious and fitting what I should be writing about.  It is the week after Easter, my kids are home from school on spring break, and it just so happens to be the nicest weather we have seen in NJ since September, with temps in the upper 80’s!  Oh, how I missed working with my office windows open!  With all of that in mind, I think back to a topic I recently wrote which discussed “Anywhere Audio”, as I had coined it.  In that piece, I discussed the varying types of portable and powered loudspeakers that seemed to blossom coming out of the pandemic as more people and activities were now outdoors.  So, as I sit here mapping out my latest plan, I thought it was important to expand on that.  The topic of outdoor audio is a lot more “wide encompassing” that even I thought and given that, I made the decision to “phone a friend” to discuss the topic even more.  Allow me to introduce you all to Dave Tewksbury, Product and Applications Sales Support at Harman Pro Solutions.  “Tewks”, as he is widely known around the industry, is not only a phenomenal resource and incredible friend to everyone who knows him, but he is also an accomplished singer and longtime audio enthusiast.  Simply put, I learn something new every time we speak!  So, with that, allow me to highlight our recent discussion around Harman and how they approach the Outdoor Audio Category.

To help set the stage for the conversation (pun intended!), Tewks recalled how he first got started in the world of Audio.  I will be the first to admit that I always assumed he was a singer who specifically chose to work at Harman, but his background is far greater than that.  As Tewks fondly recalled, he caught the “JBL Bug” as a young kid in Cincinnati.  His sister, who was a performer at the time, had taken him to their local music shop called Buddy Rogers.  The salesperson there had mentioned that JBL was one of the best they could get so that is where the discussion started.  Given that this was long before the times of powered loudspeakers, they would also need an amplifier to which the salesperson said “if you are using JBL, you MUST use Crown.  Those go hand in hand!”.  That is how it all started.  Since that day/interaction, Tewks has used nothing but JBL/Crown for all his audio needs which predates his employment at Harman.  That would come later down the road after first working at an integrator who also happened to be a major Crown/JBL partner as well as a local rep that turned out to be a rep for Harman.  The draw to these brands, outside of the name recognition, is that Tewks can emphasize these products have never steered him wrong.  As an avid musician, he has never blown a speaker, replace a driver or other components, and as a musician funds can be limited at times, this history of quality is something he will firmly standby.

As we steered the discussion into the outdoor category, Tewks was generous enough to peel back the curtain just enough to highlight Harman’s philosophies on quality and the thought process that goes into creating speakers that not only sound great but can withstand the harshest of elements outdoors.  When I think of what JBL does in the way of outdoor audio, it is quite impressive and expansive.  We could also spend a lot of time discussing the IP ratings of speakers and why they matter.  A speaker’s IP rating is generally 2 numbers that follow IP and each of those 2 numbers means something.  The first number is what they call intrusion protection such as dust, debris etc.  The second number is the moisture protection.  Simply put, on a scale of 1-6, the higher the number the better the protection would be.  So, if a loudspeaker was IP66, theoretically it would be totally protected against dust/debris and protected against strong jets of water such as on a cruise ship deck.

Because of these factors, I broke this category up into segments to help guide us:

JBL control 28-1Category 1: The Hybrid Indoor/Outdoor Speaker. A good example of this would be the Control 28-1.  This is a surface mount speaker with 8” driver and as the name implies, can be used both indoors and outdoors.  When using outdoors, I highly recommend using under a roof/awning and making sure it is not exposed to harsher elements such as salt water or freezing temps.  This speaker comes with an IP44 rating which means it offers average protection against water being splashed or objects like nails, etc that are unable to penetrate the grille.

JBL awc-129 bkCategory 2: All Weather. A good example of this would be the AWC129.  As the name implies AW=All Weather.  Highly weather resistant and perfect for outdoor applications such as sports stadiums or outdoor bars/cabins.  The AWC line comes with an IP56 rating, which means it is protected against small dust particles and strong jets of water and can be used in direct exposure.

eon one compact Category 3: Powered and Portable. This category houses some of JBL’s best selling speakers such as the Eon One Compact, PRX One, Eon 700 series and the brand new PRX900 Series.  While I do not recommend leaving these out in harsh environments or even getting splashed with water, they are regularly used for outdoor events, outdoor dining, fitness classes and more.  They also have optional transport cases and rugged cabinets to help prolong their lifespan.

Category 4: Performance Audio. This group may or may not be as obvious to everyone, but next time you are at an outdoor concert this summer, look on the stage and up in the rafters and you will see what I mean.  Whether it is the ever-popular VTX A Series or the newer SRX900 Series which happens to also be powered, JBL excels in this space.  VTX for example, carries an IP rating of IP55 and come with rugged enclosures with a Duraflex finish to make sure they last and perform well throughout a tour.  The SRX900, as mentioned previously is a newer, powered solution for performance use-cases.  This series comes with a similar IP54 rating, which places it right up in the ranks with the VTX and has a 16-guage perforated steel grille for added durability.  Needless to say, both models were meant for the outdoors!

Category 5: Landscape. One of JBL’s best-selling series is their Control 80 Series of landscape speakers.  These “mushroom” style speakers are green in color, so they help blend in with gardens or other landscapes as needed.  Highly weather resistant that also offer a 360-degree coverage for audio! This series comes with an ip-56 rating, so you know you will be getting long-term use of these.  JBL has recently expanded this category to include in-ground subwoofers and the new ground-stake speakers.  Combined with the Control 80 Series, they have an entire solution for landscape needs which are perfect for residential, hospitality, bar/restaurant and so many more!  Tewks highlighted how he uses 4 of the Control 85’s in his own backyard and says, “you don’t need to have ears on your kneecaps for these to sound good”.  Meaning, they perfected the ability to get highs, mids, and lows up to your listening levels through a down firing speaker.  It’s really incredible!

As we discussed through these, Tewks emphasized how Harman listens to their customers.  A void in this category for many years were speakers that could be used in dessert climates such as Arizona, so with that, Harman rolled out a green and a brown colorway in their ground stakes so more customers could utilize.  Another point of emphasis was how they always strive to be ahead of the trends/needs of their customers.  I referenced the recent surge we saw in outdoor audio needs from 2020 to now, and Tewks reminded me that it takes 4, 5, or even 6 years to fully develop a new product so with that in mind it was clear that Harman placed an emphasis on this category well before the need even was present.

While I could talk about speakers with Tewks for hours on end, I think our discussion painted a good picture of where this idea of “outdoor audio” is headed.  While I chose to mainly emphasize speakers here, let us not forget what else could be needed.  If not using a powered loudspeaker we certainly need amplifiers, mixers, and the obvious microphone to go along with it.  However, I come from the belief that none of those will matter if you don’t have the proper speakers.  You have 4 main components to any audio system as I just highlighted and if one is sub-par or incorrect for the desired use and atmosphere, the whole system will fail.

Next time you are involved in any project requiring outdoor audio, I caution to do your homework and ask the right questions to determine what is needed.  Hopefully you understand IP ratings a little bit more now and can decipher which type of outdoor speaker could be used for a given project.  JBL and Harman is certainly a great place to start!

Enjoy this blog?
Let Rob know over on LinkedIn …and/or connect with #ExertisAlmo on our LinkedIn company page.

Robert Voorhees
About the Author

Rob Voorhees | CTS, CTP, DSCE, CTNS, Dante

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Business Communications Services, and Harman: AKG, AMX, BSS, Crown, DBX, JBL, Soundcraft, Martin Lighting

Education Opportunities at E4 Experience

by | Apr 20, 2023 | E4 Experience, Uncategorized

Not long ago, I did a little promo video on LinkedIn poking fun at the travel expenses and hassles associated with going to a “big” trade show and extolling the virtues of the Exertis Almo E4 regional trade shows. If you know me, I’ve had some travel hassles over the years.

Tom Kehr Linkedin E4 travel videoHonestly, if you can attend an E4, there’s no better bargain on the planet, especially now that we’re not just Exertis or just Almo, but Exertis Almo, with more lines and services than ever available to support the audio-visual integrator.

There’s a lot that has been written about hybrid meetings and meeting equity and all that, but nothing tops meeting face-to-face, shaking hands (or fist bumps if that’s more comfortable for you), discovering new contacts, and having a conversation around good food. It’s what a friend of mine, Stuart Weiser, calls, “Meet, eat and greet.” Despite all of our 24/7/365 electronic connectivity, you can’t beat the one-on-one that the E4 Experience offers. Sometimes our best connections happen quite by accident and when we don’t expect it. We just “happen” to meet someone, strike up a conversation where interests and goals mesh and it becomes the beginning of a long-term profitable business relationship.

E4 has extended the show floor hours to 4:00PM (in some cities), so you won’t have to feel so rushed to get it all in – breakfast, Keynote, exhibits, sessions, lunch, and education. Did you see food mentioned twice? Even before I joined Exertis Almo, I always remembered that E4 always did a great job with meals. Food and coffee are the fuels of AV.

But, although we are often driven by our stomachs, E4 is so much more. More vendors and exhibits than before, but also the same great education that has become a hallmark of E4. I have the privilege of doing two sessions, but I’m not alone, as Gary Kayye and Tom Stimson will be presenting as well. In addition, Melody Craigmyle will be leading a roundtable on DEI. As always, our education provides RUs for your CTS renewal.

Great people, great manufacturers, great education, and great food. The only thing it will cost you is a day out of the office and the potential for missed opportunities. No expense report necessary.

Want to know more?
 Attend the 2023 E4Experience in a city near you, and take one or both of Tom’s courses on “Conducting a Needs Analysis” and “Conducting a Proper Site Survey” to earn up to 2 AVIXA CTS RUs.

Check out his “Project Questions & Needs Analysis” post.

Did you find this post helpful? Engage with us over on LinkedIn.

Tom Kehr

About the Author

Tom Kehr

CTS-D, CTS-I, Network+, LEED Green Associate, ISF-C, ATD Master Trainer

In-House System Designer and Trainer

Supported Applications: System Design

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