Imagine a restaurant with only one appetiser, entree, and dessert to choose from. While this approach may appeal to some as avant-garde, the restaurant’s longevity is questionable. That’s because most people crave variety and new experiences. The idiom “variety is the spice of life” likely doesn’t come up often in conversations about AV equipment, but it certainly could. A handful of large companies dominate the AV industry, but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of small firms making great products that stay in business because of customer preferences.
In almost every aspect of AV design, one size does not fit all. Even when discussing Ethernet cable, you can get drawn into spirited conversations about the pros and cons of shielded vs. unshielded. There’s not one DSP or one amplifier that’s the best choice for every installation. Part of it simply comes down to personal preference.
Consider car companies and the collectively myriad models available. Every model can get you from point A to point B, so why is there more than one model? Preference plays a significant role, as does cost and functionality (2- or 4-door, passenger quantity, boot (trunk) carrying capacity, warranty, and more). You can apply similar thinking to AV devices. How many rack units does it take up? How loud is the fan? Does it have the ins/outs or power or channel count I need today, plus room for growth?
Also, change is hard, and installer memories are long. If someone has a bad experience with a product line or device one time, they may write off the entire company as unreliable. The AV industry’s deadlines and razor-thin profit margins do not lend themselves to experimenting with new hardware and software much of the time, either. Thus, many people stick with the products they know from brands they trust, although sometimes for far too long as technology continually evolves.
The beauty of preference is that it allows AV designers and integrators to create best-of-breed systems as they see it for their customers. It might include their preferred microphone from Company A, a DSP and amplifier from company B, and loudspeakers from company C. Another integrator may design their best-of-breed system using products from companies D, E, and F. Best-of-breed is a subjective term that often comes down to a mixture of measurable characteristics coupled with intangibles like ease-of-use.
An experienced user may find one vendor’s software easy to use, while the perceived complexity may mystify a layperson. As long as the end user’s goals are met, how you get there is often left to the integrator’s preferences.
CLOUD-BASED SYSTEMS
Cloud-based systems open up a new pantheon of AV design and management opportunities. While once dominated by hardware, AV is quickly evolving into a mixture of hardware and software, much of which is becoming cloud-based, providing integrators more opportunities to monitor AV systems remotely. Perhaps the most significant benefit of remote monitoring is the peace of mind it provides. In today’s digital world, we expect our technology to just work, and having expertly trained technicians working behind the scenes makes that expectation a reality. Remote monitoring systems offer efficiency, cost savings, easy scalability, improved performance, and reduced downtime. It’s particularly beneficial in large-scale AV deployments or when managing geographically dispersed AV setups. From simple EQ adjustments or volume level changes to applying software or firmware updates in the off hours for access to new features and capabilities, remote management can be a boon to end users and integrators alike.
Broadcasters, in particular, are investing in cloud-based software and production. We are entering a new era of broadcasting based on shifting audience viewing preferences, workflow paradigms and content creation/curation. For these reasons, cloud-based broadcast production is gaining popularity since it offers several advantages over traditional production workflows. Cloud-based production offers a flexible, efficient, and scalable solution that can meet the demands of any broadcast. Audio endpoints can send synchronised, high-fidelity audio directly to best-of-breed or customer-preferred production software in the cloud.
Audio can also be distributed globally within the cloud, allowing different teams to use the same audio within multiple applications and locations to address different audiences, languages, and aspects of the production process. Source audio can be sent from remote sites directly to the cloud so mixing engineers can do their jobs from wherever they are located. This approach also broadens access to talent.
Remote production makes it easier to include commentators, analysts, or guests who cannot be physically present at the broadcast location. They can contribute from wherever they are, making it possible to include a broader range of voices and perspectives in the broadcast.
Virtualisation also offers significant environmental benefits by reducing the need for physical hardware and infrastructure. Replacing AV devices with virtualised platforms minimises energy consumption, as fewer devices require power and cooling. This also leads to a smaller carbon footprint from hardware manufacturing and transportation. Furthermore, virtualisation extends the lifecycle of existing hardware by enabling updates through software rather than hardware replacements, reducing electronic waste. The streamlined design also decreases the need for cabling and materials, supporting a more sustainable and resource-efficient AV ecosystem. By leveraging AV virtualisation, organisations can achieve greener operations while optimising performance and scalability.
FUTURE FORETELLING
Variety keeps life interesting and fresh, from the foods we eat to the unique intricacies of each AV installation. Many AV integrators have strong preferences for both products and brands, which likely won’t change soon. However, much like the migration from analogue cables to Ethernet transmission, change in AV is inevitable. Being open to trying new products and new (possibly cloud-based) technologies will not only serve integrators well as markets and client needs evolve but also provide opportunities for growth and learning.
