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Today we swim in a world awash with video formats; so many frame sizes, frame rates, data rates, file sizes, compression algorithms. Terminology gets used and repurposed so much that [...]

Communication is critical for any live event, broadcast or streamed. Apart from cell phones and general-purpose two-way radios (aka walkie-talkies), intercom systems are the backbone of communication in theaters, music [...]

I worry a fair bit about bad ideas and misconceptions that get passed on, in full or in part, and then become 'common knowledge.' Eventually it's easier (and less risky) [...]

We talk a lot about switchers in broadcast and AV; routing switchers, matrix switchers, and source switchers. Production switchers, known as 'vision mixers' in Europe, are used in live production [...]

Sometimes the choice of equipment or cabling for a project is clear, driven by technical needs, cost, past experience, etc. But when new options arise, or issues are in conflict, [...]

Without electricity there's no AV. And anyone who's been doing this for a while has seen the steady increase of power cords and power supplies in racks, consoles, credenzas, above [...]

Not a very original title, but tools are necessary to build AV systems. And the right tools make the job go smoother and faster--not to mention maintaining quality. This article [...]

I first became aware of Nureva's 'microphone mist' technology when I watched a promotional webinar that featured raves from some of their customers. Apparently a single soundbar, mounted high on [...]

Anyone who designs or builds media technology systems has to troubleshoot from time to time. Whether it's during installation or tracking down a problem later, troubleshooting is a diagnostic process [...]

Today we swim in a world awash with video formats; so many frame sizes, frame rates, data rates, file sizes, compression algorithms. Terminology gets used and repurposed so much that it's easy to lose track of what it means. There are some actual standards behind video formats, as well a lot of fudging around the edges as things constantly change., This is not intended as a history lesson, but it's important to remember that television as a viable form of media goes back to around the 1940s--less than 100 years [...]

Why do we do what we do? This isn't a philosophical question, it's about installation practices. Why do we mount equipment in racks? Why do we secure cables to the [...]

You can make all the signals digital, but sound is still Yan analog phenomenon. And sometimes using analog audio equipment, or analog connections, is still the best choice because analog [...]

Sometimes comms can get complicated. This scenario was described in 'Skillset: Integrating NDI'--a large event space with stage presenters and audience, full video production with a control room, and multiple [...]

When does a technology finally fade out? We don't use the horse and buggy anymore. Except in a few special cases. We don't use fax machines anymore. Except for some [...]

My first experience with NDI, NewTek's software platform for video over IP, was to install the software tools on my office computers and see how it behaved. Very cool, actually. [...]

The manufacturer Magewell appeared on the AV equipment scene about 10 years ago with converters for USB video connectivity and other functions. They have expanded into PCI capture cards, NDI [...]

I have a client with a large executive conference room. The table is around 40ft long and seats 40+ people, each of whom has a push-to-talk table mic. There are [...]

I'm a test equipment kind of guy. I want be able to measure and generate signals objectively, based on known parameters, rather than relying on the good graces of equipment [...]

Systems for video production, streaming, live events, and security are loaded with computers--and control rooms are loaded with keyboards, monitors, and mouse(s), or other controllers. In this universe, KVM matrix [...]

Even if you don t work regularly with transmitters, an RF spectrum analyzer can be quite handy. I wanted one when I was accumulating analog test gear in my early [...]

Videowalls are all the rage, getting bigger and more Velaborate all the time. Managing and feeding these walls may require expensive processors and many video sources. On the smaller side, [...]

The article focuses on patch panels used as central connection points in AV systems, specifically discussing video and audio patching. It mentions for video patching, coaxial jacks are used with various sizes and impedance ratings, while audio patching involves ¼" jacks with different termination methods, such as QCP insulation displacement punch-down terminals.

The article offers information about troubleshooting principles for designing and building media technology systems. It emphasizes the importance of being methodical, learning how things are supposed to work, understanding underlying concepts, and getting familiar with symptoms while being suspicious of incomplete problem descriptions. These principles apply to both audiovisual technicians and other professions.

The article focuses on the persistence of older technologies, specifically serial data interfaces (such as RS232, RS422, and RS485) and analog telephony (POTS). It highlights these technologies are still in use due to their compatibility with existing equipment and specific functionality requirements. It also mentions the importance of understanding the resistor color code, which is used in various applications beyond electronic circuits.