AV SuperFriends: On Topic

On Topic Episode 44: The plan was flawless

Recorded (and streamed live) on February 16, 2016

This month’s topic is “rethinking spaces” so we decided to discuss projects that we’ve completed recently that we wish we’d approached differently. Marc hates microphones, Chris hates complexity, Justin hates how the AV services are marketed on campus, Jamie hates treating rooms as clones of one another, and Larry hates blanket approaches (and single monitors on lecterns).

We stream live on the 3rd Friday every month and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com

Alternate show titles:

• Ninja stars
• If you’re not going to do it right, don’t do it at all
• Demanding higher quality
• That’s not what I mean by kit
• We’ve stopped giving everybody everything
• They didn’t need that thing to begin with

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

AV Superfriends: On Topic
Episode 43: BYOD is an AV Rodent

Recorded January 19, 2024

Our topic for February is “things just won’t go away” or “things that keep coming back year after year” like Groundhog Day. We’ve each selected items that we all hope might see their shadow and disappear for a while. BYOD, VR, terrible marketing, wireless sharing, and more. We’re also testing some format changes to On Topic to keep the show shorter and LIVE on various platforms, so look for those unannounced live streams on the socials.

Alternate titles:
I was thinking about this hard
I still can’t stop
Bad marketing
This is why people strap goggles to their head to visit the zoo
It kinda fluctuates in and out
This is why people think holograms exist
Bring Your Own Goggles

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀
► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends
► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com
► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Individual Twitter links:
► Chris Dechter: @cdechter
► Jamie Rinehart: @avsfjamie
► Marc Cholewycynzski: @avdiplomat
► Rachel Bradshaw: @tempurity
► Larry Darling: @lsdarling1
► Justin Rexing: @justinrexing

On Topic Episode 42: People will start laughing at us
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 of it seems to be around AI and Teams. Sorry.

This discussion lasted almost an hour, so we split it into two episodes.


Alternate show titles:

• Don’t touch my pixels
• Don’t go anywhere near that V
• I’ve been exposed to more VR
• They’re strapping it to every product
• Show us on the doll
• Blown all over your campus
• Justin Time
• All unicorns and rainbows
• We gotta keep up with our sh*t

On Topic Episode 41: All of this is just BS
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 of it seems to be around AI and Teams. Sorry.

This discussion lasted almost an hour, so we split it into two episodes.

Alternate show titles:

• Don’t touch my pixels
• Don’t go anywhere near that V
• I’ve been exposed to more VR
• They’re strapping it to every product
• Show us on the doll
• Blown all over your campus
• Justin Time
• All unicorns and rainbows
• We gotta keep up with our sh*t

AV Superfriends On Topic
Episode 40: Toys today are so much worse than they were

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!

Alternate show titles:
I had cool stuff back then
I need it to always work
I have this need
Sketchy at best
Widget world
You can’t have the computer have an internet
I can build you that sh*t tomorrow

AVSuperfirends On Topic
Episode 39: AV Turkeys 2023
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 quite live up to their promises. Marc hates network switches, Larry thinks perhaps we’re overusing ceiling microphone arrays, Justin is skeptical of too many devices based on Android that will become security concerns in the future, Chris likes the concept but hates the execution of wi-fi group microphone apps, and Jamie has given up on fiber-based extenders.

PS: always get the full coverage for your rental car.

--
AV SuperFriends
Web: avsuperfriends.com
Twitter: @AVSuperFriends

On Topic Episode 38: I work in the V department
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 we’d each approach the system with the ultimate goal of how low we can go. Or, more accurately, how low are we comfortable going and still considering it a fully supportable system.

This discussion lasted almost an hour, so we split it into two episodes.

Alternate show titles

• We all have those closets
• Sometimes I’m forced to do things I don’t want to do
• There’s way more money in Oregon than Kentucky, y’all
• The buttons are razored off
• The clocks on those things get funky
• Do you have a clapper?
• If you hear it in the room, you hear it in Zoom (but not well)
• Just focus on the V
• Monitored by Putin or something

On Topic Episode 37: They don’t care about the A
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 we’d each approach the system with the ultimate goal of how low we can go. Or, more accurately, how low are we comfortable going and still considering it a fully supportable system.

This discussion lasted almost an hour, so we split it into two episodes.

Alternate show titles

• We all have those closets
• Sometimes I’m forced to do things I don’t want to do
• There’s way more money in Oregon than Kentucky, y’all
• The buttons are razored off
• The clocks on those things get funky
• Do you have a clapper?
• If you hear it in the room, you hear it in Zoom (but not well)
• Just focus on the V
• Monitored by Putin or something

Episode 36: This Should Be Better Than My High School
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 done complaining, we also discuss some good examples of technology-enabled spaces that put the student experience first– esports, maker spaces, informal learning spaces, and more. Alternate show titles:

• 80% is great as long as everybody gets it
• Students don’t quantify experience
• They recognize when they don’t like it
• A reason to be in the room
• This thing’s a dog turd
• The adequate room
• The student experience is adequacy
• Removing stuff can improve a system
• Never do widget-fest
• We did not do academic harm
• Building community spaces

Follow us on Twitter @AVSuperFriends to stay updated with what we’re doing!

On Topic Episode 35: Questionable Undefined Modalities

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 faculty more time to learn and adopt new technologies before deploying them campus wide.

Connect with Marina on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-walton-m-a-ed-cts-884782173/

Article discussed:
https://edscoop.com/faculty-edtech-review-time-survey/

Full report:
https://www.wgulabs.org/posts/cin-faculty-survey-2022-faculty-as-edtech-innovators-moving-beyond-stereotypes-to-promote-institutional-change

Alternate show titles:

• We just figured out how to use the other one
• It’s the same thing, just a different name
• Biting off that hard bite first
• Find the complainers
• This has never worked
• Of course it works– watch!
• Does it turn on, show a picture; don’t worry about it
• Just because it works, doesn’t mean it’s a success

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 just terrible in every way and still serve its purpose.

Alternate show titles:

• That’s going to take an architect
• The finest of the fine stuff
• What’s the wow factor
• But they look good

On Topic Episode 33: Tchotchke of Choice / InfoComm Preview

Recorded May 19, 2023

It’s June and for the pro AV world, that means InfoComm… and that happens to be the topic of this month’s episode. Our download numbers show that you’re likely listening to this before you travel to Orlando, so this episode is all about what we’re doing all week long. Justin is teaching a 3-day course, Chris is leading a HETMA workshop, Larry is presenting a case study, and we’re recording and publishing every day, so look for a glut of content.

If you’re listening to this episode after InfoComm 2023, you can score us on our predictions and plans. See you in Orlando, y’all!

AV Superfriends: On Topic
Episode 32
"I'm Not Much of a Top Hat Guy"

Recorded April 14, 2023

Is it over yet? While the topic for this month’s show wasn’t clear, it was assumed to be about the approaching end of the school year. Instead, we opted to discuss technologies that we’re just sick and tired of discussing. And, if you know us, you know we just love VR and the metaverse. And while we don’t wish anyone ill will, we do enjoy our schadenfreude.

News articles:

• https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-eliminates-its-metaverse-division-as-part-of-companys-layoffs-plan-94b03650
• https://futurism.com/the-byte/virtual-metaverse-real-estate-trouble
• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-03-26/apple-reality-headset-details-pro-features-top-100-meeting-watch-like-start-lfpgdgdb
• https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/26/technology/apple-augmented-reality-dissent.html

Alternate show titles:

• Curved-D
• Mass Deployment Everywhere All the Time
• I didn’t mean to be intentional
• Would you say I have a plethora?
• It’s swinging and we’re just jamming stuff in there
• Smarthat
• Strap the thing to your ass

====

On Topic Episode 31: Pull the Stick Out

Recorded March 10, 2023

Who wants some riveting discussion of IT budgeting? Yeah, neither do we, but we make a heckuva effort to stay awake for this. Chris budgets projects with massive contingencies and with market pricing, Marc budgets by time, Larry is concerned about trying to make up all of last year’s projects and complete this year’s projects, Jamie borrows used gear from the rich to give to the poor, and Justin just wants to know “What can I buy today that will last until I no longer work here?”

Alternate titles:

• WAGs and SWAGs
• Standard Deviation minus 7
• Sound in the Ceiling
• Administrative Swirl
• Done Been Learnt

On Topic Episode 30: It’s Trash in the Classroom

Recorded February 10, 2023

It’s the coldest part of winter, so let’s talk Spring Cleaning! Remember to fully submerge your touch panels in bleach before re… oh, not that kind of spring cleaning. We’re joined by Joe Way to talk through our plans for Spring Clinging— that is, what we should be thinking about replacing, what we are holding on to, and what things we should be getting rid of entirely. We all have rooms full of old gear that should go… or should it?

On an unrelated note, we also want to hear from you on 21:9, so head over to Twitter to share your opinion.

Article mentioned by Larry: https://www.ravepubs.com/why-mtr-with-front-row-looks-so-bad/

29: A Premium Experience In Their Own Pocket
AV Superfriends: On Topic

Recorded January 11, 2023

This month’s topic is BYOD and why that’s a terrible idea all around. Wait, it’s not? Well, you’ll have to convince me. We discuss BYOD for conferencing vs. BYOD for presentation only, BYOD for meetings, BYOD for student devices, wired vs wireless connections, why all wireless sharing appliances are bad, and even campus-wide iPad/Chromebook/laptop programs. Larry introduces the term BYODTRTMADETPIF and Justin again reminds us of his (in)famous Zoom Rooms.

Follow us on Twitter @AVSuperFriends to stay updated with what we’re doing!

On Topic Episode 28: Let me get out my genie lamp

Recorded December 14, 2022

It’s our annual prediction show!

But first, a Festivus Miracle— ClearOne and Shure have settled their dispute over squares, or whatever it was.

Anyway, we review our predictions from January 2022 to see how right (or wrong) we were and then make bold predictions for 2023. Marc talks AR and VR, Chris foresees a student-driven redefining of the college experience, Rachel is both impressed and creeped out by AI, Jamie sees increased training and development for instructors, Justin expects someone to buy Zoom (Amazon? Apple?), and Larry says we’ll all be using Microsoft Teams more than Zoom.

Article discussed: https://www.avnetwork.com/news/shure-clearone-have-reached-global-settlement

27: Holiday Wishlist (B&H Convenience Store) | AV Superfriends: On Topic

Recorded October 26, 2022

In the spirit of American retail annual sales scheduling, here’s a holiday episode recorded in October. Our theme for this show is stocking stuffers, so we all have a little gift to share (aka a “recommendation”) or something from our AV wish list that will hopefully arrive soon. Little Marc gives everyone AVoIP decoders, little Chris gives “secret” analog I/O for QSC Cores and wants the perfect button panel controller, little Justin gives everyone an NDI to USB converter, little Jamie also gifts us all an NDI decoder, and little Larry brings a Dante remote decoder from the local corner store.

Don’t forget to join the AV SuperFriends LIVE on Friday, December 9 at 3:00p EST for our holiday spectacular!

AVSF Live: https://avsf.live

Products discussed:
• VANCO Handheld HDMI Tester: https://www.vanco1.com/product/handheld-4k-hdmi-tester/
• BirdDog Pod: https://birddog.tv/pod-overview/
• BirdDog Play: https://birddog.tv/play-overview/
• Focusrite RedNet R1: https://pro.focusrite.com/category/audiooverip/item/rednet-r1

Alternate show titles:
• Fool around at the house
• Jamie learnt me something today
• That’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year
• Uncle Larry’s at it again
• It’s a twofer learnt day
• Listen to Zoom trash my sound

Follow us on Twitter @AVSuperFriends to stay updated with what we’re doing!

26: AV Turkeys | AV Superfriends: On Topic

Recorded October 21, 2022

For Thanksgiving, the AV SuperFriends all gathered at Marc’s house and stood around the kitchen waiting for the turkey to cook in the indoor deep-fryer.  In addition to an assortment of side dishes, we all brought an AV Turkey to share.  Marc reminds us of the nonsense of touchless AV control, Chris complains bitterly about wireless sharing appliances, Justin gives up on Stem Audio, Jamie rewinds to multi-cable digital video extension, and Larry despises digital signage.  Turkeys all around!

Follow us on Twitter @AVSuperFriends to stay updated with what we’re doing!

On Topic Episode 25: AV Nightmares

Recorded September 28, 2022

In a change of pace, we've collected our scariest and creepiest tales of AV projects, equipment, customers, and support. Join the AV SpookyFriends as we sit around the bonfire and share our tales of fright. Justin brings an Old Kentucky Fable, Marc recounts his End of Summer Waking Nightmare, Larry reminds us that our worst fears can come true during the Year of Good Enough, and Chris visits the Twilight Zone to recount the Needs Analysis of Terror.

Happy Halloween, y’all!