ExhibitOne's VCIS Brings Virtual Language Interpretation to the Courtroom

Tape recorders, projectors and paper. Oh my! That really conjures up memories of school class rooms circa 1960, 1970, 1980 1990.  Problem is...it also conjures up visions of many courtrooms around the country - circa 2011. But, according to a recent article in Courts Today, key audio video technologies are ready to help change all of that. Click here to read about what Courts Today calls expanding courtroom technologies.

VGA Era Coming to a Close

The end is near! The ubiquitous Video Graphics Array (VGA) display output may become history by 2015. Both Intel and AMD say that's when they will stop their support for the venerable display output. As a result, numerous monitor companies have said they will accelerate their adoption of scalable and lower power digital interfaces into PCs - such as High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and DisplayPort. 

The newer ports allow for slimmer laptop designs and support higher resolutions with deeper color than VGA.

Additionally Intel says that by 2013 it will also end its support for the low voltage differential signaling technology (LVDS) panel interface which has been the standard for LCD panel inputs.

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At the Intersection of AV and IT

The audio/visual (AV) world is all about projectors, monitors, microphones and speakers working together to facilitate the dissemination of information. The information technology (IT) world tends to revolve around the computer. Although not necessarily on a collision course with one another - both worlds are certainly seeing more of one another lately.

That's because, more and more, they are beginning to speak the same language. Historically, AV always spoke in analog - sights and sounds generally created through a frequency (think CRTs and VCRs). Information technology has always relied on its bits and bytes to create its digital language (LCDs and DVDs).

Today's plasma/LCD/LED screens, video systems, digital recorders and integrated sound systems are all based on digital signal processing. In commercial applications this usually means centralized digital control systems and connectivity through data networks involving switches, routers and protocols.

With audio and video being transmitted over converged networks and sharing infrastructure - network security, load balancing, bandwidth and other implications need to be addressed long before anyone even thinks about buying their AV equipment.

As such, when you are having AV systems designed and implemented within a new building or integrated into an existing facility, it is important that you are relying on AV professionals who can also speak IT. And, it wouldn't hurt if you found someone within your own IT organization who speaks a little AV. (HINT: if anyone has played in a band...that's your person!)

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Annoyance-Free Teleconferences 

There's a lot to like about teleconferencing. It's fast. It's cheap. And for those so inclined...it allows for discreet multi-tasking.

But sometimes it does have its annoyances. Here are some tips (for many...reminders) to help keep these meetings "annoyance free."  

Type of Telephone (in order of preference)

Wired telephone - still provides the best in clarity and quality of sound. It may be helpful if you can plug a headset into the phone, which often helps produce even better clarity and quality of sound. Be sure it not only has a mute button - but that you use it.

Cordless telephone - now much better than they used to be with much lower risk of interference. Do keep an eye on the battery meter. Mobility, however, does invite a greater risk of unintended background noise. Be sure it not only has a mute button - but that you use it.

Cellular telephone - Yikes! What's to like about this option? Batteries going dead. Losing signal. Garbled reception. Background noise. The only good aspect is that cell phones have a mute button. Be sure and use it.

Speakerphones - The only thing worse than a cellular telephone is what virtually everyone usually uses on a teleconference - a speakerphone. Echoes are hard to avoid. Users turn their heads away from the microphone when speaking. People with the softest voices sit the furthest from the microphone. Papers being rustled about. Noisy room ventilation. Noise cancelation cutting off conversation. What's there to like? Well, speakerphones have a mute button. Be sure and use it. 

Testing Part 1 - if you are hosting a call, test the call-in number and password 10 to 15 minutes in advance...just in case.

Testing Part 2 - know the features of your telephone and call-in service. Become comfortable with their use.

Preparation  

Send materials (at least an agenda) well in advance of the call. Try to think in terms of days (three days) rather than minutes - which often seem to be less than five.

Send a reminder one day in advance with all call-in logistics.

For anything other than a wired phone...have a back-up

battery/phone available.

Have a list of the people to be on the call in front of you.

Do what you have to do to reduce any/all noise in your calling environment.

During the Call  

Set call ground rules.

If there are a lot of people on the call - state your name each time you begin to speak.

Five minute rule. Wait no longer than that for participants to join.

If the call is being recorded, be sure everyone on the call is aware it is being recorded.

Set expectations for the length of the call and stick to it!  

One final thought in the event it was overlooked earlier...when you are not speaking...make liberal use of the mute button. 

Who knew that so much thought should go into a telephone call? (ANSWER: not very many people at all.)

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