AV SuperFriends

Recorded January 5, 2024 It's a new year and we're starting 2024 by looking backward! We return to a previous topic: working with integrators. On Off the Rails 78, we debated Marc's question about how to ensure we get delivered what we wanted from AV integrators… and that conversation prompted quite the debate on Twitter, led by friend of the show, Joe Way. So, we invited Joe on the show to talk i...

Recorded December 20, 2023 (Part 2 of 2) It's our third annual prediction show! And I predict we'll do it again next year. We first review our predictions from last year to see just how well we did. Some of us were dead on, others were hit & miss, and yet others seem to be deliberately vague just to claim accuracy regardless of outcome. Then, we each prognosticate on what to expect in 2024. Much o...

Recorded December 20, 2023 (Part 1 of 2) It's our third annual prediction show! And I predict we'll do it again next year. We first review our predictions from last year to see just how well we did. Some of us were dead on, others were hit & miss, and yet others seem to be deliberately vague just to claim accuracy regardless of outcome. Then, we each prognosticate on what to expect in 2024. Much o...

Recorded December 8, 2023 Today's news is a summary of the Geometry of Learning research project from friend of the show, Dr. Jon Dorbolo, about teaching in round classrooms. Done well, these are fantastic learning spaces with untold opportunity. Done poorly, they are technology-driven failures. Those two outcomes are not mutually exclusive. Then, we attempted to discuss how to document projects s...

Recorded November 15, 2023 It's December, so it's time for a holiday wishlist! Each of us shares the AV device or service that we'd really like under the Christmas tree. Some of these are real products, others are slight variations on commonly available products, and one requires a time machine. Merry Christmas, y'all! ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter:...

Recorded December 1, 2023 Our news comes from the Chronicle of Higher Education who now recognizes that teaching via lecture and teaching via active learning are not mutually exclusive nor diametrically opposed. Shocker! It's possible to effectively teach via lecture in an active learning classroom and engage students in active learning in a lecture hall. But we all knew that, didn't we? Speaking...

Join the AV SuperFriends LIVE on Dec 15 at 3p EST for a higher ed AV-themed Holiday Party! We will have live guests, a Santa's workshop photo exchange, and the official AVSFmas tree! It should be a great time of holiday cheer! https://avsf.live

Recorded November 17, 2023 Our news article this week is really more of an opinion piece by a friend of the show and all around good guy, Steve Greenblatt of Control Concepts. He opines that maybe, just maybe, contractors shouldn't be chasing only profit margins, but providing solutions that customers will really appreciate. Blasphemy! Then we're joined by Mike Pedersen from Iowa State University...

Recorded November 10, 2023 We start with an article written by a commercial integrator about commercial integrators in Commercial Integrator. While the points the raise are valid (for some), it raises the question as to who is the intended audience. Then we're joined by Johanna Pierson from the Wentworth Institute of Technology to talk about how smaller schools do classroom AV, events, conference...

Recorded October 27, 2023 Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! If you recall, last year we accidentally set fire to Marc's house while trying to deep fry a turkey. This year we all went to Jamie's house where Larry volunteered to smoke the turkey overnight, which turned out great! While enjoying Thanksgiving dinner, we each shared our thoughts on some AV turkeys– that is, products or services that don't qui...

Recorded October 18, 2023 AI is all the rage, so we're going to discuss AI. We start with a discussion of Biamp's new AI-derived DSP processing and we're joined by Richard Mitchell of Biamp. We then expand the discussion to broader topics of AI-powered (or at least AI-branded) AV from cameras to microphones to control systems to digital signage. Finally, what about all these spaces that someone el...

Recorded October 12, 2023 It's our second annual Halloween Spooktacular! This year, we went all out with a fully-produced audio drama from an original script. Who knew we could do an AV-themed horror story? This was probably the most work we've ever put into a show and has been two months in the making. We had a blast making it and hope you enjoy it as much as we do. We're proud to present AV Supe...

Recorded Sept 15, 2023 (Part 2 of 2) Rather than discuss whatever the topic is this month, we decided to challenge ourselves to collaboratively determine how capable of a basic classroom we can put together. Focusing on the capabilities, not the stuff, and given the scenario of a general purpose classroom, about 30 students, single display, and collaboration/hybrid capable, we hashed out just how...

Recorded Sept 15, 2023 (Part 1 of 2) Rather than discuss whatever the topic is this month, we decided to challenge ourselves to collaboratively determine how capable of a basic classroom we can put together. Focusing on the capabilities, not the stuff, and given the scenario of a general purpose classroom, about 30 students, single display, and collaboration/hybrid capable, we hashed out just how...

Recorded September 8, 2023 Instead of the news, we focus on a topic we've noticed a lot recently: that the AVIXA CTS is being pushed as an entry-level certification. It really isn't, nor should it be, but if it's getting that reputation, it devalues the certification for everyone. Next, student workers. They're a fantastic resource and we all have dozens of them running around and helping out, rig...

Recorded September 1, 2023 There's no news today, so we're going to read a letter from a listener who raises some questions about how we budget and plan long projects. They're not wrong, but also things are not quite cut and dry. Then, the joys and challenges of modern room systems. After fighting for so long to get away from h.323 codecs ruining everything, are we recreating the same problems? We...

Recorded August 18, 2023 Let's talk about the Student Experience. And that's really why we're all here, isn't it? We discuss what students are expecting from a university in 2023, advocating for students when no one else will, and crushing everything down to be delivered by Zoom or Teams. After all, we have one chance to get it right; are we cutting corners that puts that all at risk? After we're...

Recorded August 25, 2022 Did you know esports is dead? Neither did we, but here's an article about it and while it may not be filling stadiums, the reports of its death are greatly exaggerated. Then we're joined by Don Merritt from the University of Central Florida to discuss learning spaces without focusing on "the stuff." As technologists, it's tempting to talk about features without activities...

Recorded August 4, 2023 In our spiciest episode yet, we tackle everything from hybrid meeting rooms to work from home, auto-framing cameras in giant board rooms, conference room envy, departmental arms races, policing conference room usage, and why NDI isn't the right solution for most scenarios… or is it? (No). Article: https://www.avinteractive.com/news/collaboration/what-do-you-really-need-to-m...

Recorded July 21, 2023 We're joined by Marina Walton from Trinity University to talk Faculty Support covering everything from identifying champions, supporting innovative learning spaces (that everyone hates), engaging department chairs, hosting an IT Open House to put faces to names, adding a personal touch to IT support, and much more. We also discuss an article (and related study) about giving...

Recorded July 28, 2023 We're joined by AV industry luminary, influencer, blogger, journalist, podcaster, and all around great person, Alesia Hendley, to talk InfoComm 2023, her journey through almost every vertical of the AV industry, and coming future trends. We also discuss an article on why there isn't a single, universal AVoIP standard and the growing influence of conference bars and all-in-on...

Recorded July 14, 2023 We're joined by Steve Greenblatt and Brittany DiCesare from Control Concepts to talk programming, programming, and more programming. While most AV projects seem to involve a vague scope of work and set of drawings, leaving the dots to be connected by the programmer, Steve and Brittany suggest a more holistic approach wherein software and automation is considered from the beg...

Recorded June 13, 2023 We figured since five of the six AV SuperFriends were all in the same building, we'd record our On Topic episode for July. The topic is Showcase Spaces, but rather than review our own showcase spaces, we discuss the general process of developing a showcase space, what the end user clients want, and that's it's absolutely, completely possible to have a showcase space that is...

Recorded June 16, 2023 Marc visits the Userful booth at InfoComm 2023 Userful: https://www.userful.com/

Recorded June 16, 2023 Marc and Jamie visit the Liberty AV booth to talk about the Teleportivity AI demo. Liberty AV: https://secure.libertycable.com/ Teleportivity: https://teleportivity.com/