Audio Visual and Interactive Technology Blog Melbourne

April 19, 2023

The Evolution of Audio Visual Technology in Education

As technology continues to rapidly evolve, so too does its impact on education. Audio visual (AV) technology in particular has become an increasingly important tool in classrooms around the world, providing a more engaging and interactive learning experience for students of all ages. The integration of audio visual technology is now essential to create a more immersive and interactive learning environment.

The rise of AV/T in education has transformed the way students learn and engage with course material—from interactive touchscreens to virtual reality headsets, educators now have access to a wide range of tools and resources to enhance the classroom experience. Today, we take a deep-dive into all things AV, technology, and what this could mean for the future of our industry:

Interactive Touchscreens

Interactive touchscreens are one of the most common audio visual tools used in today’s classroom. These boards allow teachers to display and manipulate digital content in real time. Students can interact with the content by writing notes and making annotations directly on the board. Interactive whiteboards provide a more dynamic and engaging learning experience, making it easier for students to understand complex concepts.

You can view our range of interactive touchscreens at the following link.

Devices

Devices such as tablets and smartphones have become ubiquitous in today’s society. Their use in education has grown exponentially in recent years, providing students with access to educational resources and tools like interactive textbooks, educational games and study apps.

Virtual and Augmented Reality

Virtual and augmented reality are two of the most exciting developments in audio visual technology for education. Virtual reality allows students to explore immersive, 3D environments that bring learning to life. Augmented reality overlays digital content onto the real world, providing a new way to experience and understand information. With VR and AR, students can explore the human body, visit historical sites and even travel to outer space, all from the safety of the classroom.

At Vision One, we’re chuffed about the potential of AR in education and are in the process of exploring ways to integrate this technology into our offerings. You can learn more about how Vision One is introducing AR/VR to our business model by visiting the following link.

Artificial Intelligence

AI-powered tools are being used to automate administrative tasks, such as grading and assessment, freeing up teachers’ time to focus on teaching and interacting with their students. AI is also being used to personalise learning experiences, providing students with targeted content and feedback based on their individual needs and learning styles.

The Future of Change

However, as new technologies are introduced, older technologies are becoming redundant. For example, traditional projectors are being replaced by more advanced, high-resolution displays. Additionally, as cloud-based services become more prevalent, on-premise hardware and software solutions are becoming less necessary.

Looking to the future, it’s clear that audio visual technology will continue to play an increasingly important role in education. New products, such as holographic displays (like our state-of-the-art HYPERVSN solution) and biometric sensors, are being introduced and have the potential to break-ground in the classroom teaching and learning process. The ongoing development of AI will also continue to influence education technology, allowing for even more personalised and adaptive learning experiences.

Overall, the evolution of audio visual technology in education is driven by a desire to improve the learning experience for students and make teaching more effective and efficient for educators. As educators continue to explore new ways to integrate audio visual technology into the classroom, students will ultimately benefit from a more immersive and connected learning experience.

February 8, 2023

How AI is Transforming Pro AV

This article has been reposted from avnetwork.com.

From automated presenter tracking embedded into video cameras, to displays providing people counting and facial recognition, to audio solutions with dynamic beamforming technology, there’s a lot of AI making its way into pro AV.

For many years, the AV/IT industry has been using artificial intelligence (AI) to develop products and solutions. Control and automation companies designed drag-and-drop room configurators that eliminated programming, with sensors placed in rooms that, when triggered, turn on the lights, set the HVAC, and launch a presentation. Today, many are delivering intelligent touchless environments using AI and facial detection.

We can often look toward consumer electronics trends to predict technologies that will emerge in the enterprise and other commercial markets. Some kernels of the near-future could be gleaned from a virtual conference session held during CES 2021, between New York Times columnist and author Thomas Friedman and renowned artificial intelligence (AI) expert, president and CEO of Mobileye, Amnon Shashua. Together, they discussed fundamental questions related to the ethics and values governing today’s technology, the challenges facing a rapid pace of change and automation, and solutions for maximizing opportunities in a world that is fast, fused, and deep.

Shashua explained that AI is narrow; it is software that is optimized to solve a single problem. “What Mobileye is doing is all about pattern recognition; cameras and other sensors understanding the visual world and then using that interpretation to drive decisions to do self-driving.”

From automated and intelligent presenter tracking embedded into video cameras, to displays providing data on the number of people entering a building or facial detection providing data such as sentiment; audio solutions with automatic dynamic beamforming technology and handwriting recognition, there’s no shortage of innovative AV/IT solutions being brought to market every day.

January 12, 2023

Interactive Digital Walls Bring Delight to Aged Care

Bright colours, moving shapes and interactive screens: an interactive, digital wall can bring joy to any paediatric hospital or age care facility. Seeing the sheer elation such an innovation could bring, the question beckons: could this work in aged care?

Using principles of dementia design, we discovered that it was possible to develop content to reach residents living with dementia, who have started to lose certain cognitive or communication abilities, making it perfect for aged care homes, Australia-wide.

An interactive digital wall may cycle through colourful animations, with recognisable shapes or colours. Each animation would intend to be soothing, and visible to residents with reduced eyesight. These digital scenes aren’t just pleasant to look at: they’re engaging and interactive. There’d be koalas to touch, ping pong to play, or snow angels to be made.

As important as it is to bring delight into care, the digital wall seeks to serve three key aims.

Getting social in non-verbal ways

Losing the ability to communicate can be a frustrating and a confusing experience. By opening new methods of communication through technology, we can reduce that frustration. This allows staff, friends, family and even other residents to interact communally in an intuitive and joyful way.

This also creates a new medium for loved ones to re-engage with their relative or friend. Avoiding stilted or repeated conversations, the wall is a topic of discussion. It brings communication alive. Rather than reminding families of loss, the digital wall facilitates a new kind of interaction.

Bringing meaning into activity

Inactivity is a risk with many dementia patients. Keeping resident’s active is key in keeping them healthy and happy. The interactive nature of the digital wall rewards action. Residents are encouraged to walk to it or move with it; it offers something more stimulating than static pictures and is more communal in nature than virtual reality.

Acting as a conduit for activity, the digital wall gives residents something to engage with. This, in turn, reinstates a feeling of utility and connectedness to the world around them.

Remembering and making new memories

For millennia, cultures have used images and stories to preserve knowledge and memories. They utilise the brain’s capacity for visual memory and spatial recollection. Such a multisensory experience empowers residents to create new memories and interactions.

That’s not to overlook the mental benefits of creativity. A novel place, with no prior memories attached, can be the perfect location for new conversations or reminiscence. Colours can spark memories of things, places or feelings. The digital wall is what residents will make of it: serving to spark some reflection and engagement.

This article was inspired by a report written on hellocare.com.au.

December 15, 2022

Revisiting some of our favourite technology innovations 25 years down the track!

25 Years. 25 Million Installs.*

Okay. That’s clearly an exaggeration.* We don’t exactly know how many installations we’ve performed over the course of our 25-year history. What we do know, though, is that we have a pretty awesome portfolio that we couldn’t be more proud of.

Today, we’ll open the doors again, and share with you some of our favourite, most innovative techology deployments in our history.

ESTA

In 2018-19, ESTA implemented its Integrated Strategic Plan 2023 (ISP2023), a five-year road map to align its core services with the expectations of its partner agencies and the community. One of the core directives involved strengthening service resilience and surge management by moving to an “all services at multiple sites model.” Primarily, this involved a move of core facilities to a new site at Williams Landing.

As part of this move, ESTA – with the guidance of Lucid Consulting Australia – contracted the design and integration team at Vision One to develop and deploy audio visual turnkey solutions to support the needs of the new facility.

Elite Football

Elite Football in Maribyrnong is Melbourne’s ultimate indoor soccer experience. The team at Vision One Technologies – with no shortage of their own indoor football fanatics – collaborated with the team at Elite to create a stunning audio visual showpiece for their new facility.

Stealing the show and hanging 6 metres above the artificial turf below, 9x Phillips Video Wall Display Panels were hung on a Vogel’s custom mounting structure. The video wall primarily transmits content from Foxtel’s beIN Sports and Optus’ Fetch box.

Carey Baptist Grammar School

In 2017, Vision One were proud to have worked with Carey Baptist Grammar School in the design, development and deployment of their Centre for Learning & Innovation building.

The showpiece of Carey Grammar School’s Centre for Learning & Innovation (CLI) building is the Imaginarium Alpha room. Originally designed to provide students and staff with a space where they could interact with new and exciting innovative technology, the Imaginarium allows for the space to be used in many varying applications, limited only by the users ‘imagination’.

Domaine Chandon

In 2019, Vision One collaborated alongside the team at Alaud, a creative studio and production company that specialises in visionary work for global, innovative brands to create a visual marvel for Domaine Chandon ‘s refurbished winery tour exhibit.

Located in the prestigious Yarra Valley, such a luxurious setting could only be accompanied by the most esteemed line of audio visual technology, with rooms bearing innovative wonders like the 4m x 1.5m VuePix QE2 LED Video Wall Display, Philips 2×2 49″ video walls and Philips 65” 65BDL3000Q Signage Panels.

October 19, 2022

How Augmented and Virtual Reality Can Transform Your Business

This article has been reposted from soti.com.

With its limitless potential, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) is adding a new dimension to various markets in the enterprise. Statistics show that more than 150 companies in multiple verticals, including 52 of the Fortune 500, are testing or have deployed AR/VR solutions. Despite this, AR/VR is still heavily associated with the gaming and entertainment industry, as a form of escapism. Findings show that consumers only become aware of this technology through gaming applications, not realizing their full potential in the enterprise. With market research projecting that the combined AR and VR markets are set to grow up to $150 billion by 2020, it is important that businesses start brainstorming ways to implement this technology to enhance their business-critical operations.

AR/VR in the enterprise

From consumers demanding an effortless shopping experience to increasing worker productivity and accuracy, AR/VR presents an opportunity for businesses to improve their workflow and streamline their operations.

Retail
According to a recent SOTI North American retail survey, consumers want a shopping experience that is both seamless and catered to their personal preferences. In the survey, 76% of respondents indicated that retailers that deploy more mobile technology enable a quicker shopping experience, an increase from 67% last year. Additionally, 73% of respondents were in favour of self-service technologies to improve their shopping experience. These demands are enabling retailers to create virtual experiences using AR/VR, to better serve the needs of their customers. For example, Sephora’s Virtual Artist app lets users try on various shades of makeup by projecting the product onto an image of their face. This allows the consumer to visualize and tailor the product to fit their needs.

Healthcare
There are multiple advantages to using AR/VR technology in the healthcare space, especially when it comes to education and training. Trainees can be placed in an immersive environment where they are able to perform surgeries and practice procedures. The use of technology in this way is beneficial because organizations are given the ability to train staff at a lower cost, with reduced risk and less resources used. Using wearables, nurses and physicians could also interact and be able to pull up relevant data on patients more efficiently. For example, in a SOTI Case Study on St Ives Home Care, workers are required to travel across Australia to provide personalized in-home care and support. With wearable technology they could reduce their travel time and improve customer service with ease-of-access to the data they need. Data directly sent to the network would also provide insights into worker location and allow workers to update their patients with accurate arrival times.

Field Services
AR/VR headsets can increase productivity and accuracy on the job. Workers can perform tasks such as maintenance while also having access to hands-free information. These headsets can be used to help troubleshoot issues in the field and enable collaboration. By connecting to the headsets, experts could see exactly what the technicians are seeing, even from vast distances, transforming into virtual coaches when needed. When dealing directly with clients, these tools can increase customer satisfaction by improving first-time resolution on service calls. In the future AR/VR could even eliminate service calls altogether by allowing workers to take a virtual form instantly to help the customer fix minor issues.

Transportation and Logistics (T&L)
AR/VR wearables in T&L can streamline operations and reduce costs. By superimposing holographic images and directions onto the real world, AR/VR technology can greatly decrease the strain placed on employees, thus increasing worker productivity. For example, the technology could locate and verify the correct product in a matter of seconds, eliminating the need to manually search the warehouse. When it comes to training, employers can use fewer resources by implementing AR devices to help educate employees in the field, where they can access information to be able to perform a specific task in the correct way. In addition to this, wearables or mobile apps utilizing AR/VR technology could be used to provide information to employees delivering goods by giving them access to data about the type and weight of each package, and how fragile they are. This data would ensure the proper placement of goods in the vehicle while considering routes and environmental factors during transportation. For example, in 2016, German logistics company DHL began to test mobile AR systems by implementing the Vision Picking Program.

Will the virtual become a reality?

The trajectory of AR/VR in the enterprise is promising. Ideas such as Holoportation, where you and other members of your team are occupying virtual spaces regardless of location in a collaborative shared room, has vast implications for unified communications. However, there are still many challenges along the way when it comes to bringing this technology to the online space. Current products on the market only address a small audience of consumers interested in activities such as gaming. What this means is that organizations need to start making a meaningful connection between AR/VR and the applications they have in the enterprise.

October 18, 2022

Vision One Celebrates 25 Years of Technology Excellence

With more connections than a video-over-IP system, we called on an old pal to help us celebrate 25 years of excellence in the audio, visual and technology industry. Take it away, Morgan!

https://www.visionone.com.au

http://www.facebook.com/visiononeaus

http://www.twitter.com/visiononeaus

January 25, 2022

HYPERSVN 3D Holographic Signage

This article has been reposted from www.hypervsn.com.

HYPERVSN 3D Holographic Signage for Hospitals and Healthcare

Now we realize that COVID-19 was both scaring and unexpected at the same time, which made it even more awful. The financial and psychological crisis was the first and the smallest damage produced by the pandemic. For a long time since the last war, we had to acknowledge how fragile civilization is in general and human life in particular.

Made to step forward to the forefront of global battlefield hospitals and other medical institutions took unprecedented and heroic efforts to meet the latest challenges. It is not only about the avalanche-like number of patients. Hospitals also faced a lack of medicines, equipment, and a critical shortage of staff.

But selfless fighting for human lives is not enough to stop the disease. It asked for everyone to observe precautions and think about other people around us.

Informational and educational technologies in healthcare industry

The need to get complete and professional advice about the virus puts informational and educational technologies in medicine in high demand.

On-the-spot visual displays and digital signage took on consulting services and this way helped hospitals to increase the number of personnel actively fighting COVID-19. The technology also helps hospitals to effectively communicate public safety measures without a chance to spread the virus from humans to humans since communications were replaced by human-to-technology interactions.

But since delivering the right message quickly and effectively is important, traditional banners and displays lose to next-level technologies. That is why more and more companies hire HYPERVSN informational holographic displays to do the job.

Why choose holographic displays

Holographic displays present critical information in a way that cannot be ignored and focus all patients’ attention on COVID-19 safety measures and other important announcements.

HYPERVSN 3D displays increase chances of a message being seen: twice likely than 2D videos or messages and 4.5x more likely than printed ads. They also obtain higher emotional engagement: 40% longer view and engagement time than 2D digital ads and 60% longer view and engagement time than printed ads.

So, our original solutions for hospitals and other institutions, Informational Signages and Holographic Doctors, changed the way patients perceive and embrace the information.

HYPERVSN Informational Signage

Holographic Informational Signage effectively educates visitors and clients about the approved public safety measures, helps to provide instructions and communicate critical manuals.

Depending on the purpose and placement, we offer a great variety of 3D visuals for medical signage from COVID-19 precautionary measures recommended by WHO to safety reminders and instruction animations. We can also create custom 3D holographic content based on your needs and peculiarities

Placement options

Making HYPERVSN signage easily noticeable you can make use of the following usually most crowded places:

hospital entrance zones;
receptions and lobbies;
elevator areas;
checking rooms;
cafes, etc.

HYPERVSN Holographic Doctor

If you not only want to attract attention but also strive to put words in the minds of your patients you will need someone they can trust. In this case, we have something great to offer.

HYPERVSN holographic doctors are good enough to make people listen and follow the announced health care measures, medical and social recommendations. People love human-like holograms, they like to compare the holographic technology with real consultants and start this game happily.

Holographic doctors can reduce the burden which falls on real staff and this way help fighting the disease more effectively.

Notice that you can use either the ready-made 3D holographic visuals with the COVID-19 precautionary measures recommended by WHO or contact us for some custom announcements.

Holographic doctors in Birmingham Women’s Hospital

One of the real-life cases that describe good use of holographic doctors was Birmingham Women’s Hospital. It is one of only two women’s dedicated hospitals in the UK. The hospital uses HYPERVSN Wall of 9 Devices with custom holographic human content telling visitors about the hospital safety measures during the pandemic.

The 3D content and character created by our in-house Design Studio were enthusiastically received by patients and the staff.

More options

In addition to the medical sphere, HYPERVSN can be used in any area, including retail, HORECA, entertainment, offices, transport, etc. So, when the pandemic ends, you can easily take advantage of it for promoting sales, attracting new customers and visitors, advertising products, telling stories, etc.

To learn more about the awesome HYPERSVN technology, contact us today!

July 15, 2021

Epson Wireless Screen Sharing

This article has been reposted from epson.com.au.

Epson’s new Wireless Screen Sharing device enhances your productivity by making it easier than ever to share your screen and declutter your meeting space!

1. Plug into a Laptop!

Just plug the transmitter into your laptop
To connect, just plug the transmitter into a USB port on your laptop. No need to worry about wireless settings or cables. No special software needs to be installed. No advance preparation. It’s that easy.

Automatic Start-Up
Epson’s projectors automatically turn on when it is paired with a transmitter connected to a laptop.

2. Click the Button!

Just Click and Share
One click on the app’s button and you are displaying on a big screen.

Intuitive Design
It’s simple enough that anyone can use it without special training. Multi-screen projection and screen hiding are just as easy.

3. Collaborate on the Big Screen!

Share Up to Four Screens on One Big Screen
You can share up to four screens at once on the big screen. Enhance your productivity by comparing multiple documents on the big, easy-to-view screen.

Smooth Screen Switching
Switching to the next presenter’s screen is a breeze. No more interrupting meetings to fiddle with cables or moving to a seat the cable can reach.

To learn more about Epson Wireless Screen Sharing, contact us today!

July 13, 2021

Catchbox – A Fun Microphone Kids Want to Speak Into

This article has been reposted from thomgibson.com.

Click here to watch a video on how the Catchbox system is used in classrooms!

When I was in the throws of hybrid learning this past semester, I put out a video on how to manage all the mics and speakers in the classroom. The biggest issue was that my at-home students couldn’t really hear in-person students. My solution at the time was to just have all my in-class kids be on Zoom and unmute themselves. I just had to make sure I also muted my speakers when students did that so I didn’t get feedback. It wasn’t a great solution but it was all I could come up with.

In the process of preparing for that video, I came across a company called Catchbox that made a microphone inside of a foam box that could be thrown easily from one person to another.

A FUN MICROPHONE KIDS WANT TO SPEAK INTO

I brought the Catchbox system to my classroom for the last few weeks of school and the kids loved it. The kids at home heard everyone clearly and the kids in class all of the sudden had something to say just so they could catch the throwable microphone and speak into it!

Such a simple idea: just tossing something to a student who is about to speak can do wonders for engagement.

HOW WE USED THE CATCHBOX IN OUR FINAL STAFF MEETING

Our final staff meetings were all in-person (no one on Zoom). We meet in a fairly large room and usually don’t need a microphone for the presenter. We end each year by sitting in a big circle and having folks share things they appreciate and value about their colleagues. Often though, if you’re on the other side of the circle and someone is sharing, you don’t always catch everything they’re saying unless they’re loud and obnoxious like myself. Nothing’s worse than someone on the other side of the circle saying something nice about you and you can’t even hear them so you just nod and smile like an idiot.

I decided to set the Catchbox up so that way whoever had the throwable microphone would come through the sound system in the room.

If you think your classroom or school could benefit from a Catchbox, contact us today!

July 6, 2021

How to Maintain Good Microphone Hygiene

This article has been reposted from www.en-au.sennheiser.com.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic we assembled this note on protecting and cleaning Sennheiser/Neumann microphones and accessories. Especially for vocal and speech recordings, microphones are often used at close proximity to the mouth, possibly also by multiple users.

To reduce the risk of spreading diseases through bacteria and viruses, one or more remedies, explained in detail below, may be used:

ideally, have just one user per microphone (including the accessories)
after or before use, clean all surfaces, i.e. microphone housings, head baskets and accessories
leave the microphone unused for some time period
utilize accessories such as windshields and thin plastic film bags to add protection

Cleaning the microphone housing

For cleaning Sennheiser/Neumann microphone housings from soiling including human exhalations, you may use ethyl alcohol (ethanol) or isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol). Used as a disinfectant, typically a 70% solution is used. Apply with a disposable soft cloth, a soft brush or paper tissue. Make sure that the liquid is applied only to the outside of the microphone and does not enter the inside or the capsule.

Do not use rough materials which might scratch the surface. Do not use any solvents stronger than ethanol or isopropanol, as these might damage the surface.

Never use sprays, as these can deposit on the membrane and thus damage the microphone capsule!

Cleaning removable microphone head baskets

With some microphones, the head basket can be easily removed for cleaning. Make sure not to touch or damage the capsule!

With the head baskets containing foam windshields, remove the inner foam and clean it separately as described below.

Metal head baskets can then be cleaned also on the inside with ethanol or isopropanol. You may also immerse the head basket in clean, hot water (e.g. 70°C/160°F). Do not use the dishwasher. Let the basket dry out completely before re-assembly.

To learn a more indepth solution for microphone hygiene, click here!

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