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 rooms, and everything in between (except printers). She shares her experiences with a small systems ...
Nov 20, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 2
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 ceil...
Nov 08, 2023•29 min•Season 4Ep. 1
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 else did on the cheap an now we’re asked to “fix” them? News: https://www.biamp.com/company/newsletter...
Oct 30, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 1
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 SuperFriends: The Haunted Hospital Written by Christopher Dechter Edited by Marc Cholewczynski Starring ...
Oct 20, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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 ...
Oct 09, 2023•39 min•Season 3Ep. 14
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 ...
Oct 08, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 13
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, right? Wait, some of you don’t have students in your department? You need to fix that, tout suite! It’s...
Sep 15, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 26
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 do our best to avoid brand names because multiple AV SuperFriends are being told from leadership th...
Sep 12, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 25
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 stude...
Sep 08, 2023•45 min•Season 3Ep. 12
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 and Brand A vs Brand B, losing sight of the nature of what we’re doing. After all, if the students a...
Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 24
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-make-hybrid-work-productive-02-08-2023/ Alternate show titles: Chairs are for winners Number One Grow...
Aug 14, 2023•57 min•Season 3Ep. 23
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 wit...
Aug 08, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 11
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-one conferencing devices getting used in all the wrong spaces. Should pro audio companies really be ge...
Jul 31, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 3Ep. 22
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 beginning. We talk about manufacturer plug-ins and modules, hiring programmers vs. growing programmers,...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 21
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 ...
Jul 08, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Recorded June 16, 2023 Marc visits the Userful booth at InfoComm 2023 Userful: https://www.userful.com/
Jun 30, 2023•8 min•Season 3Ep. 13
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/
Jun 29, 2023•6 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Recorded June 15, 2023 Jamie visits the Forward Thinking Designs booth at InfoComm 2023 Forward Thinking Designs: https://www.forwardthinkingdesigns.com/
Jun 28, 2023•8 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Recorded June 15, 2023 Jamie and Marc visit the Visionary Solutions booth at InfoComm 2023 Visionary: https://visionary-av.com/
Jun 27, 2023•6 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Recorded June 15, 2023 Justin sits down with Joe Cornwall to reflect on InfoComm 2023 Joe on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCornwall Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephcornwall/
Jun 26, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Recorded June 15, 2023 Justin and Chris visit the Q-SYS booth at InfoComm 2023 Q-SYS: https://www.qsys.com
Jun 25, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Recorded June 14, 2023 Marc visits the Stewart Audio booth at InfoComm 2023 Stewart Audio: https://stewartaudio.com/
Jun 24, 2023•10 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Recorded June 14, 2023 Marc and Chris visit the Evertz booth at InfoComm 2023 Evertz: https://av.evertz.com/
Jun 23, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Recorded June 16, 2023 For our final group recording at InfoComm 2023, we invaded the Biamp booth where we were joined by Shirley Imai, Richard Mitchel, and Michael Hooper to discuss how the week went, the most interesting things we saw at the show, and what InfoComm is like from a manufacturer’s perspective (hint: they don’t get to leave the booth). Alternate show titles: Michael Boltron What do you bring as a former higher ed person? Nothing I’m like Hawaii I like to do strange things...
Jun 17, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Recorded June 16, 2023 As we were setting up for our Day 3 preview, we noticed Frank Padikkala nearby and corralled him into our nonsense to talk about networking, IT as people, and the importance of diversity in everything we do. Alternate show titles: The Most Amazing Moderator I’ve ever had Get your sh*t off the network The Perfect Network (You’re not going to) become a cybersecurity expert in 30 minutes People, Process, Technology Put it in a PowerPoint...
Jun 16, 2023•28 min
Recorded June 15, 2023 In our wrap show for Day 2 at InfoComm 2023, we’re joined by very good friend of the show, Darryl Krall from Panasonic Connect to talk about trends such as Chat GPT, AI, AVoIP, and gathering data and analytics from all our stuff. Thanks to Panasonic Connect for letting us take over their booth for the waning hours of the day Alternate show titles: Has this system ever worked? It’s like Ragu - It’s in there Any fish you wish It’s Zeros and Ones...
Jun 15, 2023•25 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Recorded June 15, 2023 We’re back LIVE from the InfoComm show floor before the show floor is open with our thoughts on Day 1, trends we’re seeing, products of interest, and noting that simply everything is on the network these days. Alternate show titles: Everybody’s big to Jamie It’s about switch protection Cool, but unnecessary Using AI as a brand to sell it
Jun 15, 2023•27 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Recorded June 14, 2023 We’re celebrating our 100th full episode! When we started our podcast adventure, it was simply a way to continue sharing ideas during COVID and we’re all heartened to hear just how many people really enjoy our nonsense. For this very special episode, we were prepared to share our thoughts about Day 1 of InfoComm, but instead we invited a cadre of friends, listeners, supporters, and general well-wishers (and whoever was brave enough to wander over and pick up the mic) to jo...
Jun 15, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Recorded June 14, 2023 For the first time ever, all six AV SuperFriends are in the same room… like close enough to touch each other… and touch each other we did! We recorded on the show floor before the show floor opened and shared our thoughts on InfoComm 2023, our plans for the day, where you can find us, hosted sessions, network challenges, and the possibility of gaining knowledge by… eating brains? Alternate show titles: Hit the floor as hard as I can This is a product I want to see somethin...
Jun 14, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Recorded June 13, 2023 It’s our first ever live recording with five of the six AV SuperFriends in the same room, so prepare for a show with an even more rambunctious atmosphere. We cover Apple’s announcements of their new Goggles On Please Pro headset, Apple’s overlooked announcement of FaceTime (and by extensions Zoom and Teams) coming to the Apple TV and thus to a conference room near you (we don’t like it either, but it’s going to happen), the AV SuperFriends thoughts on the first Higher Ed A...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 19
