IP-enabled audio-visual products are the wave of the future for the industry, with educational and corporate users putting them to use to stay competitive in their markets. Audio-visual products with IP ability allow a direct interface to the owner's LAN. So how can this converged technology benefit the user? Following are some new developments that complete the IP/AV convergence puzzle and give us a glimpse at what technology can do:
- Remote Diagnostics: An IP-enabled projector can send an e-mail to the technician for reactive service needs, such as a burned out lamp, and proactive service needs, such as filter maintenance. Features can also include network-based control and delivery to transport video, files and more. Some projectors have mini-PCs embedded inside that allow users to access information from the Ethernet connection.
- Wireless Networking: Quite a few vendors are improving portable projectors by adding wireless network cards that eliminate the need for video cables connecting a computer to the unit. However, there are still kinks that need to be worked out. For an integrated system, these features are less important because hardwired solutions are more reliable. After all, you still need to bring power to the projector and that can't be done without wires! In addition, wireless networking still has MAJOR issues with security from hackers, so carefully investigate your options.
- AV Control Systems: These systems are leading this new "convergence" revolution. For example, it is now possible for a technician with the right personal digital assistant (PDA) to walk into a room, download full, customized control through a wireless network card, and take-over room operation from a busy, or techno-phobic, presenter. The technician can also control the room across the LAN, WAN or even the Internet.
- Audio Processing: The old analog sound systems are converting to digital-processed, Ethernet-driven, computer-controlled networks. Users can accomplish all audio processing in the digital computer domain by adding a few microphones, amplifiers and speakers. It's amazing to think that what used to take up racks of physical space now resides in non-volatile computer memory at a fraction of the size and weight of the old analog gear.
- Video Conferencing: In the wake of 9-11, video conferencing has gained increased popularity by saving costs and time associated with travel. In addition, people are using it more and more as an effective communication tool. The sales are strong, and it is on the cusp of another revolution, involving networks, the Internet and IP. IP-based videoconferences have proven successful, primarily in higher education. Many campuses are using a new "Internet2" connection, a high-speed Internet reserved for education, as their VC backbone. However, not all have reaped the benefits of IP. To have a quality videoconference, one still needs a fast, reliable connection all the way to the far end. The booming telecommunications sector of the 90s has hit bottom, making phone, Internet and data services options trickier than ever. Even at EDI we still wrestle with service providers to ensure they deliver at least the minimum quality of service that our clients and we expect - something akin to death and taxes. VC manufacturers are battling to build the best, with special features like picture-in-picture, dual video streams (including high-resolution computer signals), automatic down-speeding for those common connection snafus, better echo cancellation, background noise elimination, and of course, IP-based conferencing.
- Flat-out Fabulous Video: When many people hear "flat-panel TV," they think of gas-plasma monitors. Plasma sales are still strong, and the quality and prices have dramatically improved since last year. However, plasma has inherent issues such as susceptibility to burn-in, power consumption and heat, maximum size, as well as a finicky appetite for video. While they aren't right for every situation, plasmas are becoming a monitor or TV of choice because prices are dropping, quality is good and floor space is always at a premium. The digital TV revolution isn't here yet, and the manufacturers of the wide-screen plasma monitors are learning from mistakes in previous generations. But, don't count out the LCD monitor - some are breaking the old size barriers and giving plasma a run for its money.
- Display Solutions: Gone are the days of having one display solution to choose from. The dominant projection technologies, LCD (liquid crystal display), DLP (digital light processing) and D-ILA (a digital, LCD-based light amplifier), will soon compete with reflective LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) technology that promises high resolutions at much lower costs. LCOS was the hot topic a few years ago in the display world; now OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) is all the rage. According to the Society for Information Display, desktop LCD monitor sales overtook the traditional bulky CRT monitor this year. Early next year, OLED-based monitors will arrive in digital cameras and desktop monitors. OLEDs can literally be printed in sheets! These are two interesting technologies that must overcome production problems in order to become mainstream and probably won't overtake the proven "800-pound gorillas" for several years.