Projector screen or Plasma Screen?

If you’re looking for the ultimate home cinema experience, it is likely that you have come to the dilemma of choosing between a projector screen and a plasma screen. Now, this is not a decision to be taken lightly as it will not only affect your viewing pleasure, but your pocket. To ensure you make the best decision for you and your home, we want to give you all the facts! Here are a few things you need to know about projector screens and plasma screens:

Projector screen

Many people believe that projectors don’t offer the quality that TV screens do; however, if we look at modern advancements in technology, this is simply not true. Nowadays, projectors provide clear and detailed images much like plasma screens, but the projector screens give you the opportunity to just about quadruple the size of these images! Isn’t that incredible? There also happens to be much less expensive projector screen options than plasma screens. To top it all off, projectors and projector screens have the additional benefit of being portable, allowing you to move your cinematic experience to wherever you have the space and mountings!

Plasma screen

If you’re looking at plasma screens it is great to know that they have the crisp HD quality at all times, regardless of how the room is lit, unlike projector screens that rely on dim or no lighting to provide the full HD effect. These pricing of these screens is also tremendously less exorbitant than they were a few years ago, making them a viable option for your home theatre, but the price will vary according to screen size. Which brings us to the issue of size: the downfall of plasma screens is the non-adjustable screen size, reducing the cinematic effect. Their portability could also be a factor in your decision between plasma and projector screens. These screens, while they could also technically be considered portable, it’s a much more difficult task than moving a projector and projector screen.

Lights, camera, action! Hosting or joining a video conference may not be exactly the same as getting ready to run lines on a movie set, but the care in choosing the right equipment should be on the same level. No one wants to watch a movie recorded with low quality AV equipment, just like no one wants to listen to someone speaking in a video conference with low quality AV equipment. If you want your equipment to make you dazzle the online crowds, then here are a few things that you need:

HD webcam

While you may have a computer or laptop with a built-in camera, it is often not up to the standard that you need to present a clear and crisp image to guests of the video conference. This image is imperative for keeping individuals engaged with what you have to say, instead of having to focus on a couple of misplaced pixels. So, instead of relying on the webcam that you have, take the time to find an HD webcam that will give you the high-quality image that you need.

Microphone

The next piece of equipment that you have to invest in is a microphone. Just as your laptop or computer comes with a webcam, they will usually come with some form of microphone as well. Unfortunately, this microphone will not do you justice when speaking during a video conference. It would be wise to purchase a high-quality microphone and stand to enhance the quality of your sound.

Lighting

You are also going to need lighting equipment to take your video conference to the next level. While your home or office lighting may be decent enough for a video conference, having the right lighting equipment will ensure that you do not cast shadows as you move, reducing the chance of distracting your viewers.

When you rely heavily on your AV equipment, it can be a let down when equipment such as an amp stops working, regardless of whether it’s due to faults or old age. Often, your first thought will be to take your amp in for repairs, but this definitely isn’t your only option, and it isn’t always your best option either. On the rare occasion, it may be wiser to sell your amp. It can be a difficult choice so, here are a few things to consider in order to assist you in your decision to sell or repair your amp:

Repair

In some cases, repairing your amp is the best option for you and your pocket. When you weigh the options between choosing to repair or sell your amp, you have to consider how much it would cost you to repair the part and how much it would cost you to buy a new amp. If buying a new amp is much more expensive than repairing it, your best choice is to repair it.

Sell

Sometimes, selling the amp is the ideal option for you. If repairing the amp costs more than you would get from selling the amp, then it may be the better choice to sell it. Particularly when you are considering the time gained from repairs. Time is a major factor that needs to be considered as the repair may not last a long time after it has been completed, especially if the amp is old. If the repair will not last long, the better choice would be to sell the amp.

Have you ever been to a conference that doesn’t use AV Equipment? Nor have we. This should be enough to tell you that you should hire AV equipment for your next conference, but if it’s not, we’ve got all the information you need to change your mind:

The equipment you need

When planning a conference, there are a few different pieces of AV equipment that you need to gather to ensure that everything runs perfectly, and that each member of your audience is listening to your every word. Here are a few things to check of your AV list:

1. Visuals: there’s only one thing we can say about the visual impact of your conference: go big or go home! Think LED displays and video walls.
2. Audio: the audio at your conference should be nothing but crisp and clear to ensure that every word you say can be heard all the way to the very back of the room.
3. Lighting: good lighting creates a mood and highlights the speaker, helping avoid any distractions outside of this space.
4. A reputable tech team: finally, a great technical team, such as the team at AV Aids & Visuals, is needed to ensure the presentation runs smoothly from the beginning to the end.

Why you need AV equipment

AV equipment is incredibly necessary for conferences. These events take place with the hopes of providing individuals with essential information and this cannot be done by a single person standing at a podium and shouting loud enough to be heard from the back of the room. Not only will this be a laugh a minute, but it is an effective way of distracting and annoying the audience, ultimately causing your conference to fail. Audio visual equipment, such as the products mentioned above, create an authoritative atmosphere that entices the crowd and makes them want to know what you have to say!

Why you should hire

While we are not opposed to you buying your own AV equipment – and we believe you should give it some serious thought! – we understand that this isn’t always the best option for everyone. Hiring AV equipment is ideal for those individuals who do not frequently host large conferences or events that require this specific equipment. Hiring also offers the added benefit of giving you access to the latest and most advanced equipment. if you were to buy equipment, it will eventually become outdated, and you’ll need to upgrade it in order to captivate your audience.

When presenting in a boardroom, confident delivery and relevant information is key to success; however, it’s a little bit different when you’re presenting from home. Home presentations require relevance, confidence, plus a range of equipment to make the presentation run smoothly. If you’re not sure what type of equipment you should have for a home presentation, we’ve got you covered! Here are a few must-haves for an at-home presentation:

External webcam

An external webcam is one of the most important pieces of equipment that you could invest in for your at-home presentation. While it may not be one of the first things that you think of due to the default camera on your device, having an external webcam is imperative as it will drastically enhance the quality of your video and increase the chance of individuals placing their sole focus on your presentation.

External microphone

Listening to a presentation with bad audio is not only incredibly difficult, but incredibly annoying. No one wants to sit through an important presentation if they’re only hearing half of the information due to static sound or loss of audio all together. In order to engage your audience and ensure that they hear every piece of information you are relaying during your home presentation you will need to purchase an external microphone. Considering whether you will stand or sit while presenting will help when choosing a microphone for your presentations.

Lighting

Lighting equipment is a definite must-have for all your home presentations. It can be very distracting for audience members if they are listening to you present with a lighting that is only good for casting shadows. We recommend investing in lighting equipment that will create a well-lit space for you to present in.

Presentations can be highly stressful, especially when the presentation is not conducted in a dedicated room. When giving a presentation, it is best to do it in an enclosed area as this offers the presenter and the audience a range of benefits. Read all about the benefits of having a dedicated room for giving presentations below:

Minimise distractions

Using a dedicated room for all your presentations is highly beneficial as it minimises the chance of any distractions. This is important for the presenter as it ensures that their audience is fully focused on the presentation and that they will not lose focus on what they are saying. This ensures that all the information in the presentation is presented efficiently and that it is heard and understood.

Quick set-ups

Another fantastic benefit of having a dedicated room for giving presentations is that the necessary equipment, such as cables, projectors, and screens, will already be set-up so, all that is left for the presenter to do is to plug in their laptops or USB’s. This allows for a smooth and quick start, ensuring that the presentation runs on time.

Privacy

Finally, the privacy of a dedicated room is a benefit that cannot be ignored! Usually, when working in the business environment, presentations give the audience information that cannot be shared. This is especially true when speaking to clients. A dedicated room for presentations is great for ensuring private information is not shared as well as showing your clients true professionalism.

Slide presentations are commonly used in the business and educational worlds. They are a great means of relaying information through creative techniques. However, the software that we use to create presentations is an important part of the process as certain software may inhibit the format of the information that we are presenting. Read all about the best software for making video or slide presentations below:

Google slides

Google slides is a video and slide presentation software that is readily available to anyone with an internet connection. This software gives us all the advantages of a regular PowerPoint and more. Google slides are a great collaborative software to use as it allows individuals to interact with your slideshow through the tools such as the Q&A tool.

PowerPoint

The great thing about PowerPoint is that it is something that many people are familiar with as it is the software that we are regularly taught in school. This will make it much easier to create a slide or video presentation as you may be comfortable with all the ins and outs of the software. Not only is it something that we are accustomed to using, but it also allows you to create diverse presentations, combining a rage of information through video, audio, visuals and words.

Keynote

Keynote is a great video and slide presentation software. It allows individuals to use easily place audio files, videos, images and more into the presentation and it does not have a time limit. For those who are used to working on PowerPoint, it would not be too difficult to switch to Keynote as they are very similar. However, Keynote is an Apple software and can only be used on apple devices which places a limit on who can use it.

Check out our website for information on audio visual equipment that can aid your video or slide presentations!

The idea of immersive experiences has been around for many years. Certain technological features over the years have brought us closer, but none as close as the latest tech trends in AV equipment. We’re heading for some exciting new experiences in the future, and some experiences have already been developed. Read all about the latest tech trends for AV equipment below:

Holograms

A trend for AV equipment that we’ve been seeing in movies and TV shows for many years is finally a reality: holograms are here! Holograms are a form of projection technology that has been enhanced greatly in recent years. As we advance in technology, we are seeing more realistic holograms with three-dimensional displays. In fact, Kanye West just used this technology as a gift to Kim Kardashian!

LED walls

LED walls have been around for a while now, but they are getting bigger and brighter with every model! The latest LED walls offer high-definition views, providing people with an eco-friendly promotional product that is sure to grab the attention of many consumers. These LED walls can be used for advertising and other practices indoors and outdoors.

Augmented reality

Virtual reality is definitely not taking a step back, but its virtual counterpart is taking a huge leap forward. Augmented reality is making its rise in the AV world. This tech trend offers a version of layered reality that enhances every experience. Some smartphone apps have already taken steps to make use of this technology, but we envision exciting things for the future.

As the global economy continues to change, so will the technology that surrounds us. For many industries, the technology has already changed drastically since its beginnings. Since its creation, AV equipment has made tremendous advances, and you can be sure that these technological advances will continue in the future. Read more about the future of AV equipment as technology evolves:

The future of AV equipment

Though we cannot predict what changes will occur in the future, we can be sure that there will be changes in terms of the technology that we use. Some of the AV equipment that we use in current times will be upgraded, some of it will cease to exist and there may be some introduction to new AV technology. There may also be certain features added to AV equipment in the future, such as different types of USB ports for more efficient connections. One aspect of AV equipment that individuals believe we will be seeing a lot of in the future, and that is likely to undergo major developments, is virtual reality (VR).

Why it should change

The AV equipment that is used around the world in modern times is all thanks to the innovations of the past. Without the change and growth that has occurred throughout the history of AV equipment, we would not be where we are now. As AV equipment continues to change in the future, it will give the global economy many new opportunities.

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing audio equipment lately, but you aren’t sure where to look, we have one thing to say to you: choose an AV specialist! Many people will just go to their local retailer when purchasing audio equipment, but there are many reasons why you should do this. Here’s why choosing AV specialists for your audio equipment is a much better choice than going to a retailer:

Information

The great thing about using an AV specialist for your audio equipment needs is that they have the necessary knowledge about the equipment. They can give you all the specs about each product, allowing you to make an informed decision about the audio equipment that you need. If you are uncertain about which audio equipment to choose, an AV Specialist can also provide with expert advice on which options are the best for you and what additional pieces of equipment you may need.

Installation

While a retailer may offer to install the equipment for you, you are often expected to do it on your own. You can be sure that all AV Specialists will install and test the equipment for you, and they will do so at a very high standard. Not only will the AV Specialist install your equipment, but they can also give you some advice on the best placement of your equipment.

Building relationships

The great thing about using an AV specialist is that you can build a relationship with these individuals. Once you have chosen an AV specialist that you are happy with, you can return to them for all your AV equipment needs and they will continue to provide you with the reliable, high-quality equipment and services that you need and trust.