We even had a homemade system that automatically switched to follow the instructor as they walked in front of the various boards, went to a wide shot when they left the boards, and switched to the screen if they changed what was being projected. It was very cool, but it got nixed because of how often the instructor would walk off and point to something or talk about something that wasn’t where the camera just followed them to.

(If that system sounds interesting to anyone out there in AV-1-land let me know and maybe I’ll do a write up on it.)

Right now we are dealing with class capture and the issues with camera tracking. Wouldn’t it be super cool if gesture control allowed a faculty member to indicate where the camera was to be focused? Or chose what preset to go to?

As long as manufacturers keep building technology products that will do every unimaginable function ( except be user friendly) there will be techs. There are many schools of thought on visual communication and G.E where I studied determined the size a character would have to be at a 100′ distance (one inch) to be readable by an average audience.

There is no mystery that the general public is skilled only at finding someone else to “fix it” and at a discounted price, much appreciation is expected for the knowledge and skill that it takes to provide this service and make a decent living. The point being that any good project takes planning and consideration of purpose, use and audience.

Built in programing and contingency planning is to be considered for user level comfort. Everyone knows how to turn on the TV, DVD, I-Pod, until these are presented in a recognizable format there will continue to be problems with un-aided operation. Orientation, Education and solid web or user interface control with online access to help specific to the installed system will allow anyone with a basic computer “GUI” interface or interactive help system to master their understanding.

I am constantly challenged by this and try to build in the inherent system tools provided by the manufacturer/s of new equipment and technologies innovation at simplifying these processes, CEC initiative allowing compatible devices DVD, Audio, Video and peripherals (printer laptop, media devices) to interact with each other with and in lew of standard connections guiding the user through their interface instead of baffling, confounding and frustrating further trust in technology.

Every installation I have seen in the last 25 years has assumed that there would be a reduced need for technical services because of the technically advanced features. When in reality there was no attempt nor was it accepted to implement technology services to the users and that the use of “all” of the available features was beyond the scope of the user or the facility yet need to be available for future expansion.

The reality has been that the equipment reached a plateau of operational usage and would be easier to replace than to rent, upgrade or disregard end of life equipment. There are considerations for size ans scope of the functionality you can have the tech work any way you like it only requires one thing $$$$$ so consider what is necessary and accept the fact that there will be humans and there will be technically proficient humans, the projector won’t get it’s feelings hurt and never turn on again, it’s just the bulb.

In the end we pulled NEC projectors out and put up new Epsons. We have not seen a problem in either location since.

We’ve also started putting up ethernet power controllers in any location that’s being renovated and can’t easily be powered off by standing on a chair.