The People, The Stories and The Gear Powering Pro AV
Here’s a thought that might surprise you: true innovation in the Pro AV industry appears to be slowing down. Now, I know how that sounds – especially when we’re in an era where technological breakthroughs are happening left, right, and center. But hear me out. What was the last true “game-changing” technology in AV? When […]
In this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas and his guest, Joe Wylezik from Vincit, dive deep into the impact of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design on the digital transformation of AV technology. Wylezik, with his extensive experience in design, offers fascinating insights into the core principles of effective UI […]
This episode of Pro AV Today, hosted by Ben Thomas, features Tim Bigoness from D-Tools. The two dive head first into the increasingly pervasive influence of software-based tools in the Pro AV industry. The AV landscape is undergoing a significant shift towards more software-based tools and solutions, largely driven by evolving consumer expectations. The […]
In the latest episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas welcomes Randy Bapst and Dalaney Thompson, two of the creative minds behind AiBuy, to discuss the exciting future of interactive content creation. The conversation covers a range of topics, from leveraging interactive content for creators to how broadcasters can monetize it, […]
Pro AV Today
In this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas and his guest, Joe Wylezik from Vincit, dive deep into the impact of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design on the digital transformation of AV technology. Wylezik, with his extensive experience in design, offers fascinating insights into the core principles of effective UI […]
This episode of Pro AV Today, hosted by Ben Thomas, features Tim Bigoness from D-Tools. The two dive head first into the increasingly pervasive influence of software-based tools in the Pro AV industry. The AV landscape is undergoing a significant shift towards more software-based tools and solutions, largely driven by evolving consumer expectations. The […]
In the latest episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas welcomes Randy Bapst and Dalaney Thompson, two of the creative minds behind AiBuy, to discuss the exciting future of interactive content creation. The conversation covers a range of topics, from leveraging interactive content for creators to how broadcasters can monetize it, […]
Welcome to another episode of Pro AV Today with your host, Ben Thomas! This week, we have a special guest joining us – Izzi Demara from RoomReady. Izzi is a newer voice in the world of professional AV and is about to attend her very first Infocomm show. In this conversation, we’ll get a unique […]
Welcome to another episode of Pro AV Today with Ben Thomas. In this episode, we were thrilled to have Nancy Wang, the founder of Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT), join us for an engaging conversation on empowering women in the technology industry. Nancy shared her wealth of experience and knowledge on three main topics: […]
The AV industry is undergoing a dramatic shift in regards to hiring and retaining talent. As many people are coming into the industry for the first time, some are still unaware of the opportunities for growth within the AV community. As an AV pro, it’s crucial to develop skills that can help you advance […]
The Sennheiser Profile USB Mic is the audio titan’s latest foray into “plug and play” microphones. With both a loaded feature set and an aggressive price point, the Profile USB Mic aims to elevate standard content creation setups. Does it live up to the hype? Check out my thoughts below: Features at […]
The AV industry is rapidly growing and offers diverse career opportunities for individuals with different backgrounds and skill sets. From designing and installing audio-visual systems to creating immersive digital experiences, the AV industry encompasses a broad range of roles that require creativity, technical expertise, and innovation. If you are passionate about AV and looking […]
Touch displays have come a long way since their inception in the mid 1900s. Today, they have revolutionized various industries, including gaming, sports betting, digital signage, quick-service restaurants (QSRs), and education. These industries have seen an evolution in touch display technology that has transformed the way they operate, interact with customers, and gather data […]
Obstruction lighting is an essential component of any tall structure, including cell towers. These lights are used to warn aircraft pilots of the presence of the structure, especially at night or in low visibility conditions. In the broadcast industry, cell towers play a critical role in delivering audio, video, and data to consumers, and […]
In recent years, podcasts have become a primary communication tool for B2B companies. From industry thought leadership to education, there’s a podcast for just about every interest. It’s natural to want to start your own. But where do you begin? Here are three tips to help you get started. 1. Define your audience […]
Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming service, has just the launched the beta version of a new feature called “DJ”. Spotify’s DJ is an AI-powered personalized music selection feature that delivers a curated selection of music and spoken commentary about the tracks and artists, similar to a radio DJ. The AI is designed to […]
The broadcast industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced many broadcasters to adopt new technologies and workflows to keep up with the demand for remote and at-home broadcasting. Some technologies stuck, and others fell to the wayside. So what’s here to stay? REMI […]
Watch above as Pro AV Today‘s Ben Thomas and Martin Heckmann of Masonite discuss the intersection of technology and design in the residential installation space. — The intersection of technology and design has been a growing trend in the residential installation industry. As technology advances, it is becoming an increasingly important factor in the […]
Concerts can be quite expensive and many people outside the industry often wonder why the prices are so high. One of the main reasons why concert tickets are so expensive is due to the production costs involved. These costs include the staging, lighting, pyrotechnics and other special effects used to create an immersive and […]
Watch below as Pro AV Today host Ben Thomas and Mark Noland of Kingston break down the latest tech and best practices for enterprise file storage and transfer. *transcript is auto-generated BT: Hey, everybody. Welcome back to pro av today I’m your host Ben Thomas. Fun conversation today really centering around data storage. And […]
The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is a ten-day event that takes place in Las Vegas every December, drawing in thousands of visitors from around the world. The NFR is the championship event for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), featuring the top rodeo contestants in the world competing in events such as bull riding, […]
Watch below as Pro AV Today host Ben Thomas and Tomacz Dzikocwski from 3SS break down the latest in “in-car” entertainment. In-car entertainment has come a long way in recent years, and that’s never been more apparent than at this year’s CES show in Vegas. Gone are the days of basic AM/FM radio and […]
“Avatar: The Way of Water” is out to international commercial success and much analysis surrounding its AV technology innovations. In 2009, Director James Cameron introduced audiences to a new world with the record-breaking smash, “Avatar.” And it wasn’t just Pandora that was new for cinemagoers; it was revolutionary 3D visual effects that kept audiences coming […]
This article was amended to reflect the rumored nature of U2’s performance at the Las Vegas MSG Sphere. While several outlets have reported the news as more or less confirmed, U2 has not confirmed the news themselves. The Las Vegas MSG Sphere has reportedly picked its opening act for 2023 to inaugurate the grand opening […]
The AV community is built on the backs of those who have been willing to share their knowledge and experiences. This is especially true when it comes to reaching, teaching and mentoring those who are new to the industry. Watch below as AV influencer Alesia Hendley joins Pro AV Today with host Ben Thomas to […]
As the globe wrestles with the idea of work-from-home and many builders and homeowners look for ways to differentiate across a saturated housing market, the residential AV market has seen a resurgence. “The market is ripe and there’s been quite a lot of driving factors that have forced everybody to start to see how important […]
“The only source of knowledge is experience.” – Albert Einstein Experiential AV exists in the space where the physical and digital worlds intersect. Creating these experiences is the primary mission for Proto Founder and CEO, David Nussbaum. Watch below as he joins host Ben Thomas to discuss the state of experiential AV and how Proto […]
As Pro AV melds into new B2B industries, new technological advancements are continually being made. Especially when it comes to price accessibility and form factor. Reflecting on this, Sean Petterson, CEO of StrongArm spoke to host Ben Thomas, on the advancement and importance of wearables for industrial athletes and B2B industries. Leading the charge […]
Pro AV continues to make its presence felt across numerous industries, and the security market is no exception. In part 2 of the Pro AV Today series focusing on command and control rooms (Part 1 can be found here), Ben Thomas welcomes industry expert Scott Norder of RGB Spectrum to source his insights on the […]
Ben Thomas hit The Great White North for insights on the Canadian AV market. Drew Lobley, Director of Operations at Sensus Communications, joined Thomas on his quest. Sensus is an AV integration & collaboration solutions provider servicing more than 8,000 customers across Canada in various industries. The Canadian AV market is at a transformational […]
The world of broadcast quality cameras has expanded beyond the traditional barriers of terrestrial TV. Houses of worship, educational institutions, sports leagues and more have taken advantage of more accessible pricing as well as a more manageable form factor. One of the pioneers of the modern POV camera, Tod Musgrave of Marshall Electronics, joined Pro […]
Watch below as Michael Carroll of Dynamic Attractions joins Pro AV Today host Ben Thomas to discuss some of the ways that technology is empowering and enabling the modern attractions industry. *transcript is auto-generated* BT: Hey, everybody, welcome back to Pro AV Today. As somebody who’s been in the industry for quite some […]
Livestreaming is an essential part of our modern day world, and the expectation is that it should be real-time. Easier said than done, right? There are inherent challenges and unpredictability that come with livestreaming, from reliability and bit rate issues to real-time interaction barriers. Delivery times can sometimes take up to five minutes after […]
The needs of furniture evolve on a seemingly daily basis. Watch as Pro AV Today host Ben Thomas and Scott Srolis of Salamander Designs break down the role of furniture in modern day AV design. Watch the full interview below. * Transcript is auto-generated BT: Hey, everybody, welcome back to pro AV. […]
How should the AV industry develop new solutions to drive technology and innovations in their markets? Here is an often forgotten secret, it should focus on the end user. In emerging markets such as hospitality, healthcare, and education, the demands from the end user help drive these innovations. Scott Wharton, VP & GM, Video […]
On a recent episode of the podcast “Pro AV Today,” host Ben Thomas interviewed Rich Ventura, Sony’s Vice President of B2B. The two talked about some of the latest changes in the AV Industry and the emergence and increase of new markets in the field. Thomas said that many companies, particularly new ones, are […]
Designing a physical space and imagining what it looks like can be hard, but new technology is making it easier than ever. Pro AV Today host Ben Thomas talked with Ken Brueck, co-founder of Modus VR, a new piece of tech that is leading the way in virtual design. Brueck says the idea came […]
As businesses search for profitability in the face of a potential recession, many tech companies have made the difficult decision to layoff significant portions of their staff. But what, if any, impact does this trend have on the remote and overseas workforce? We asked Lach de Crespigny, Co-Founder of Revelo, to break down this impact and […]
It seems today as if everyone and everything is using Communication technology. From the broadcast studio to the control room, houses of worship, and theme parks, digital communications are one of the most vital pieces of technology for effective operations. Bob Boster, President at Clear-Com, understands the need all too well. Clear-Com is an […]
Web 3.0. The Metaverse. Monetization. Innovators & creators are excited, primed, and ready to take advantage of today’s technology. Still, the platforms that make content happen have the upper hand. One company, Joystick, aims to change all that. Michael Le and Robin DeFay, the Co-Founders of Joystick, joined Ben Thomas to cut through the […]
One of the emerging trends in AV and across all technology over the past few years is the shift to cloud and web-based workflows. But with these trends come the challenges. As AV and tech companies find themselves ill-equipped to accommodate these shifts, companies are outsourcing remote labor to handle these challenges at a previously unseen rate. […]
Hail, hail, the gang’s all here. Greg Harper, President of Harpervision Associates; Cory Schaeffer, Director of Alliances & Ecosystem at QSC; Michael Reilly, Director of National Accounts at Barco; and Charlie Jones, Global Alliance & Partnership Manager at Sennheiser, joined Ben Thomas for an engaging roundtable discussion on the state of collaboration in AV. There […]
The Pro AV industry has experienced exponential growth as venues and public spaces reopened due to the waning threat of COVID within the United States. With technology driving innovative advances within the industry, companies are working to find ways to meet customer needs while tackling business challenges and turning visions into reality. Pro AV Today […]
Digital transformations are taking industries by storm within the United States. This is no different for the AV industry which relies heavily on digital and network connectivity to support advancing technologies. Mark Lynd, Head of Digital Business at NETSYNC spoke with Pro AV podcast host Ben Thomas about cybersecurity challenges faced by the private and […]
There is a renaissance occurring in the projector market. To break down the causes and possible challenges of this renewed interest in projector technology, Ben Thomas turned to Richard Hutton, VP of Demand Generation for Sharp/NEC Displays. For several years the K-12 segment, which drove projector sales moved towards display technology. Hutton said there are […]
For Pro AV Today’s second look at digital signage, the spotlight was on the unsung heroes that make digital signage a reality: the mounts and support systems. After all, digital signs don’t hang up by themselves. Megan Zeller, Senior Director of Business Development at Peerless-AV, joined Ben Thomas to provide her perspective. Peerless-AV has been […]
During women’s history month, Pro AV Today podcast host Ben Thomas welcomed Kelly Perkins, Marketing Director at Kinly, to discuss the lack of diversity in the AV industry and investigate ways in which the industry can expand its reach. One significant challenge the industry faces is the lack of awareness within the general population. This […]
Digital signage has been a regular part of many environments for nearly 20 years. While it’s no longer “new,” it’s still a critical piece of technology used in settings from retail to airports to corporate. So, where is the market today and what’s next? Expert Justin Shong, General Manager, Americas at Jupiter Systems, joined […]
Accessibility in education is second only to the curriculum itself, and technology is enabling that more than ever. Pro AV Today’s Ben Thomas brought on Mark Roslon, Director of Product Management for Commercial Projectors at Epson, to have an in depth conversation about the accessibility of digital displays and technology. On the commercial display […]
With the popularity of shows like Yellowstone and The Mandalorian, the Western is experiencing a renaissance. And riding that wave of popularity is the rodeo. Interest in rodeo isn’t specific to certain geographies in the United States. With the help of digital media and broadcasting, audiences for rodeos are growing and can become even […]
Using the internet as a resource is hardly new in the education space. The security of that connection is pertinent to maintaining a safe and educational environment for students and teachers. Identity Automation’s Jamie Donally and Michael Webb discuss the value and importance of cybersecurity in the education space with host Ben Thomas. The state […]
Remote video production is changing the broadcast landscape. While the model accelerated due to the pandemic, the technology making it possible continues to drive innovation. Discussing this topic, Pro AV Today host Ben Thomas spoke with Mickey Miller, CEO of Vislink. Vislink specializes in collecting, delivering, and managing high-quality live video and data across news, […]
The demands for enterprise audio are much different from years past. The pandemic and changes in how people work and connect are behind much of this change. To get the pulse on what’s happening now and what the future holds, Pro AV Today host Ben Thomas spoke with Nancy Knowlton, CEO of Nureva, providers of audio […]
While hologram technology isn’t new, the modern application is night and day from where it started decades ago. To discuss its evolution and applications, Pro AV Today host Ben Thomas chatted with Larry O’Reilly, CEO of ARHT Media, experts in the hologram space. “The modern era of holograms was really Tupac at Coachella. The interactions […]
The E4 Expo in Dallas has occurred for the past 12 years, but this year it will be earmarked as the industry’s first true hybrid event. Melody Craigmyle, Vice President of Marketing & Communication at Almo Corporation, spoke with MarketScale Host Ben Thomas about what the Expo will entail. The Expo will include extensive interaction […]
AV over IP isn’t a new concept in the Pro AV market. Its prevalence is growing with the unique demands of the modern world. While the “v” or video over IP innovations have dominated the conversation recently, the “a” or audio is just as important. For audio or visuals, it involves the transmission of […]
Hello everyone and welcome to Pro AV Today brought to you by MarketScale – I’m Ben Thomas. We’ve been working our way through our post-InfoComm 2021 hangover with a healthy dose of coffee and insights from the industry leaders we spoke to in Orlando. On today’s show we’re going to hear from Richard Sasson […]
Universities have made some sweeping changes and added new capabilities to their offerings after the pandemic forced most schools to adapt. Now networks and systems are preparing to support hybrid and in-person learning, as well as synchronous and asynchronous choices for nontraditional students. While at this year’s InfoComm, we asked Lex Peters, UX Designer […]
Key Points: A Gitlab report recently showed that 80% of remote workers would recommend working remotely to a friend. Being able to interface with colleagues anywhere enables employers to offer more services to benefit employees. Companies are seeing employees want to strategize how they can get time back into their day to increase personal […]
Key Points: Nyere Hollingsworth speaks with Tyler Kern on how Under Armour uses AV The virtual presence is just as significant as the physical presence of people in the room. Commentary: InfoComm 2021 may be AV’s big show of the year, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an attractive time and resource investment for […]
This week on Pro AV Today, powered by MarketScale, we take a look at the House of Worship market at the Church Facilities Expo in Dallas, to touch base on how this live events market adjusted its AV integrations to keep spirits high and audiences engaged. Most modern churches have a delicate balance to walk when […]
Apple Inc. is working on a new service that will let consumers pay for any Apple Pay purchase in installments over time, rivaling the “buy now, pay later” offerings popularized by services from Affirm Holdings Inc. and PayPal Holdings Inc. Watch below for more details on the upcoming offering. “The interesting part here is you can […]
Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech announced plans to request U.S. emergency authorization for a third booster dose of its vaccine. The release states, “Pfizer and BioNTech have seen encouraging data in the ongoing booster trial of a third dose of the current BNT162b2 vaccine. Initial data from the study demonstrate that a booster dose given 6 […]
Vertical Aerospace Group, based in Bristol, England, won conditional orders for as many as 1,000 electric aircraft that could total $4 billion from buyers including American Airlines Group Inc. and Virgin Atlantic Airways.” Tune in below as Vertical Aerospace Group CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick breaks down the purchases and the opportunity for growth in the aerospace […]
Kraken, the popular crypto exchange, has now brought their mobile trading platform to users in the U.S. The company states users will now be able to trade over 50-tokens on the platform, straight from their mobile phones. CEO Jesse Powell spoke with Bloomberg’s Emily Chang. “You got to be able to have an iron […]
Watch below as President Joe Biden speaks about the May jobs report and touts progress in job growth and Covid-19 vaccinations in the first months of his administration. He addressed reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. “The unemployment rate is now below 6% for the first time since the pandemic hit.” Pres. Biden: Today, we […]
How has the modern city center evolved from those of the past? On this inaugural episode of Deconstruction, a VCC podcast, host Ben Thomas and Derek Alley, CEO of VCC, break down the modern city center and what it takes to plan, build and maintain it. According to Alley, the term city center would have […]
A year ago as the pandemic ravaged the world and cities locked down one by one, consumers were the ones panic-buying. Today, it’s companies doing the hoarding and it’s pushing supply chains to the brink. Bloomberg’s Enda Curran reports. Host: And what is really driving this massive supply crunch? Curran: Well, good morning, Heidi. What’s […]
Colonial Pipeline Co. said it began to resume gasoline shipments late this week, after a cyberattack that caused fuel shortages in several states. President Biden also asked US residents not to panic buy amidst the shortage. Watch below for more thoughts from Bloomberg’s Jamie Tarabay. Host: So, Jamie, operations resuming, when is the actual […]
US cell networks are currently in a race to lay claim to the 5G spectrum and drive value for their customers. T-Mobile US President and CEO Mike Sievert claims to be in the lead of the 5G race, and feels confident about the future of the carrier. Watch below to see Sievert discuss the wireless […]
GE (NYSE:GE) just announced an agreement to combine its GE Capital Aviation Services business (“GECAS”) with AerCap Holdings N.V. (“AerCap”). GE Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. said, “Today marks GE’s transformation to a more focused, simpler, and stronger industrial company. Coupled with our continuing efforts to strengthen GE’s performance, operations, and culture, this […]
COVID-19 tests have become such an integral part of life today that many people don’t stop to think about the laboratory technicians working behind the scenes to deliver results efficiently and accurately. However, these diligent people still face issues in their day-to-day work. LabDash aims to solve many, if not all, of them with its […]
Today I’d like to talk a little coronavirus and its impact on tech. Tech firms all over the world use international trade events to showcase their products and maybe even in many respects test the market waters to see how products might do in the industry. But this is important to the tech world […]
The digital era has opened a new frontier for creatives all over the world. Particularly in the music industry, a record deal is no longer a requirement for artists to be heard by a wide audience. Collyer Spreen, an audio consultant at Cutting Edge, has experienced the digital shift firsthand. “If you have talent, […]
WiFi, mobile ordering and targeted advertisements are commonplace at many sports arenas today, but that wasn’t the case as recently a few years ago. The demand for interactivity in venues has skyrocketed as professional sports has looked to improve the in-stadium experience. Tod Caflisch of TechFoundry LLC has been one of the champions of […]
