InfoComm 2022 Recap

Original Source: https://vuwall.com/infocomm-2022-recap/

It was so great to be back on the show floor in what felt like “normal times”. There’s nothing like reconnecting with partners, customers, and industry friends in person. And although general attendance was about half of 2019, it sure didn’t feel like it. We are grateful to all the visitors and the attention that we got from our recent product launches and look forward to a very busy summer.

INFOCOMM 2022 – TOP 3 SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

1. New Tech

We demonstrated the new PAK video wall node that had been launched at ISE, just 3 weeks before InfoComm, and I’m happy to say that the response was great! Our development strategy, that has been a few years in the making, was built upon our customers’ needs, in the goal of resolving their pain points in deploying and operating video wall projects, especially in AV-over-IP environments. At InfoComm, both end users and integrators were really impressed. We were expecting some early adopters, but it turns out that everybody is really excited about the product and what it can do. The market is definitely ready for this technology!

The combination of PAK and TRx are really grabbing attention. We’ve combined a modular distributed video wall appliance with a video wall management software that includes AV distribution capabilities and a built-in control panel designer, all from a single drag-and-drop user interface. This combination brings a level of scalability, interoperability and ease of use that has not been seen before and was extremely well received at InfoComm.

With video wall projects on the rise in just about every industry, integrators and end users need something that’s easy to deploy, easy to use and seamlessly integrates with their existing infrastructure, but that can also scale easily as their needs evolve.

Our Goal? Develop powerful, interoperable tools that facilitate the installation and operation of all IP devices and applications from one easy-to-use centralized platform.

 

In summary, our booth at InfoComm had 2 major technology focuses:

FOCUS #1 – DISTRIBUTED VIDEO WALL TECHNOLOGY WITH PAK

The demand for multi-source, multi-video wall deployments is at an all-time high and continues to accelerate. The progress of AV-over-IP technology, the convergence of AV and IT, the affordability of networks, displays, and the market demand for more flexibility and interoperability, have created a unique need for a distributed video wall solution. We have addressed this market demand with the introduction of the PAK video wall node, which is used to deploy modular video walls in AV-over-IP environments. PAK eliminates complicated wiring, a single point of failure and addresses many other past challenges by creating the most efficient networked video wall solution. In line with our vision to simplify video wall integration and operation, PAK also brings versatility, scalability, and security. Learn more.

FOCUS #2 – INTEROPERABLE & CENTRALIZED VIDEO WALL MANAGEMENT & AV DISTRIBUTION

On day 1 of InfoComm, we announced the latest TRx 3.2 release – Read Press Release. TRx has been around for some time, but never before with such an extensive set of features, enhanced performance, usability and interoperability. This version also features a new plug-in to Genetec™ Security Center for a seamlessly integrated solution that allows operators to visualize IP cameras on video walls with other content sources from a single easy-to-use platform. Learn more.

2. Connecting over Cocktails

There’s nothing like a little “off the show floor” conversation with industry friends. I love seeing all our partners and customers gathering, sharing stories, and taking a load off after a long day. We hosted over 100 people at the Westgate Hotel International Bar, which was just steps away from the convention center. With the event being such a hit, there’s a good chance we’ll be back there in 2024. Big thank you to all those who made it!

3. PAK for the WIN

On the last day of the show, day 3, we got word that PAK won “Best of Show” award at InfoComm, recognized by Sound & Video Contractor, confirming the evolutionary benefits of the networked, multi-decoding device. What a great way to finish the week! The judging panel included CTS-certified technology managers, integrators, and consultants who evaluated the PAK during the show. PAK was previously honored as a Best of Show Winner at ISE 2022 by AV Technology magazine. Read Press Release.

What’s Next?

Looking forward, we will continue to focus on facilitating interoperability in the AV industry. TRx is already supporting SDVoE, IHSE, Matrox, NDI-compatible devices, and many other 3^rd party devices, and the list will continue to grow with every release. Organizations should not be expected to use different software to manage their pool of IP equipment. As this pool grows, and it will, TRx offers them a single software platform to control their entire multi-brand AV infrastructure.

Our next major event will be GSX, the Global Security Exchange, held September 12-14 in Atlanta, Georgia. Of course, we’ll be back at ISE in Barcelona and Distributech in San Diego in January, and InfoComm 2023 in Orlando. Visit our events page for a complete list of events.

GET A DEMO!

Did you miss InfoComm this year? Or did you miss the VuWall booth at InfoComm this year? That’s ok. We do great demos online or, if you prefer, we are welcoming visitors at our Canadian and German Experience Centers, located in Montreal and Stuttgart. To request a demo, click here.

Connection: the unsung soldier of AV integration

Original Source: https://vuwall.com/connection-the-unsung-soldier-of-av-integration/

5 Tips on Ensuring A Reliable AV Deployment

When designing an AV project, we want to make sure the solution will perform as expected AND have reliable performance.

• Step 1: Select the different technologies that will be used
• Step 2: Select each product based on its capabilities and its reliability

When we think about performance and reliability in an AV project, our first thoughts go to the complex technology involved in the every appliances we intend to use; and we tend to see the connectors as those little unbreakable solid state devices used to connect all our sophisticated pieces of equipment and definitely the last thing to fail.

Every manufacturer will deliver the most reliable product they can, but they don’t have control over how those products are connected with one another; the connector is this sort of “no-man’s land” between each appliance you use in your project. The problem is that there can be a lot of connections in an AV project.

If you see water dripping somewhere in your home, your first reaction will be to verify each connection before you start disassembling your dishwasher. But with AV, when you have a bad signal on your screen or your speaker, there is no visible “leaking” along the signal path and your first reaction will be to look into any piece of equipment between the source and your screen or speaker. You may even go to the most complex item in the chain or the item with which you are the least familiar. You may even question the quality of the software used to control your devices before you check your connections! We have seen this time and time again… it’s a common reaction. But is it the right one?

As a manufacturer, we can safely say that nearly 25% of the service calls we receive end up being related to a connection or cable issue. This represents a lot of time wasted by technicians in the field before they can identify a poor or broken connection which can generally be fixed in seconds or minutes!

Unfortunately, most of the time, connectors and cables are not considered in the early stages of troubleshooting. So, what is the best way to technicians from wasting their time in the field? Have a strategic approach to connectivity while designing your project and selecting your components.

I present your 5 tips on how you can minimize connection failures and optimize your AV deployments:

1) Build a design that minimizes the number of connections

Example: instead of using the combination of a matrix switch, a multiviewer and a control system to manage the content of your video walls and auxiliary monitors in a control room, use a video wall controller like VuScape, that integrates the compositing, the switching and routing to different surfaces and includes a the control panel designer to create all the control panels you need.

2) Standardize on the type of connection you are using

Avoid connections where you have to crimp on-site for digital video cable links like HDMI, DVI and DP. If you have to use extender devices that will required CATx links between them, make sure you use a proper CATx cable AND connector that meet the signal requirement that can achieve the cable length required. In other words, don’t use a CAT5 cable to achieve a 4K/60 signal over 100 meters. This scenario clearly requires a CAT6a or better. Finally, make sure to test all custom cables with a proper CATx cable tester.

3) Use manufacturers recommended connectors or extenders

Not all HDMI cables and connectors are made equal. At VuWall, we thoroughly test a series of cables and extenders to make sure they don’t affect the integrity of the signal. By selling VuWall certified cables and extensions, we guarantee the integrity of the signal all the way up to the display.

4) Adapt your connectivity strategy to the environment

Humidity, vibration, point-to-point distance, electromagnetic fields all play a role. These are important factors to consider. For example, make sure to never run your cables alongside electrical wires. If you must cross electrical wires, it is always best to cross them perpendicularly at 90 degrees. Also, make sure that your cables are pulled properly: avoid bending them too much and make sure that they have adequate support along the cable path not to damage them. Don’t overtighten your cables when using ‘’Standard’’ tie-wraps as this may cause internal damage to the conductor insulation and create a variety of other problems.

5) Don’t cheap out!

Select locking connectors as much as possible (I know it’s hard to avoid HDMI). Expensive connectors do not necessarily mean higher quality, but usually, you get what you paid for. On a $100K project, don’t try to save a few bucks on connectors and cables at the risk of having to go back on site for days of troubleshooting to end up replacing a few low-cost cables or connectors. Not only would this reduce your client’s confidence, but it will certainly affect the bottom line of the project!

Remember! Your system is only as reliable as its weakest link!