When you are tasked with upgrading the audio visual technology for your organization, there are several nuances and best practices that should be considered when deciding what to keep and what to replace within your system. This article outlines how you should approach the three most important parts of an audio visual system when upgrading it; the video, the audio and the control…
Should we upgrade the “video” system??
When retrofitting an audio visual system, you should consider the ever changing world of video technology and how the need to keep up with laptops and smart phones is a must if you don’t want to be left looking helpless when the VP needs to have an important presentation. In a world of HD, 4K and now 8K, we are constantly bombarded with the decision to improve our video viewing experience. This is an area where I agree wholeheartedly. While it may not be necessary to invest in the most advanced video display technology, if upgrading your audio visual system, adding a new display and switching system that has the latest and greatest in digital connectivity and display resolutions will most certainly enhance your presentation experience and ensure that you are equipped for any presentation source. If your video system is over 5 years old, do yourself a favor and upgrade your video system.
Do we keep the “audio” system??
Most speaker systems worth their weight in gold can withstand the test of time and then some. While it may be a good idea to replace your ceiling speakers, there is a good chance that they are just fine and can potentially be used in the new system design. System test should be run to determine if the audio system will suffice. Depending on the age of the microphones, they may also be reusable in the overall system design. If your Digital Sound Processor is outdated, you may want to consider a newer DSP that is equipped with the latest audio algorithms for digital audio processing and Acoustic Echo Cancellation AEC. As for amplifiers, if you originally invested in a high quality amplifier and it is under 5 years old, there is a good chance that a thorough cleaning and basic maintenance will enable you to easily get a few more years out of the amplifier.
Is the “control” system any good??
When updating your audio visual system, you should strongly consider the age and overall performance of your room control. Touch screen control is a common way to control different features of an audio visual system. End users should be able to operate the technology without having to think about how to operate it. If your control system is over 5 years old and does not utilize some kind of automation i.e. touch, voice or motion control, you should consider upgrading your control system to a “turnkey” solution that can be used by anyone within your organization. Utilizing multiple remote controls with sticky labels and velcro on different devices is not the way to control an audio visual system and will most likely cause more service issues in the long run.
When considering upgrading your audio visual system, you should seek a professional audio visual integration company with vast experience in outfitting spaces with state of the art audio visual technology. Having the right integration partner will save you thousands in the long run and will prolong the overall life of your audio visual investment.
About the Author:
Ivan Collins is the CEO of one of the nation’s premier audio visual integration companies; Innoface Systems, Inc. Mr. Collins is also the Author of “The Book on Audio Visual Integration”, 10 Steps to Integrating AV Technology into Virtually any Environment.
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