"COME ON! LEMME TALK TO A HUMAN! STUPID AI!"

Remember when offices had receptionists answering the phones by the third ring?  We do.  We answer our phones ourselves, without AI, and we do not repeat the same disclaimer multiple times: “This call may be recorded for training and quality control purposes, blah, blah, blah.”  When you call our main number, 816-931-9525, I will answer.  There will not be a transfer with bad music.  You will get me.  If you want bad music, I will sing a song.  If I am unable to answer a call, the office will return the call as soon as possible.  Don’t ask them to sing.  It won’t be pretty.

Once upon a time, we hired companies to handle our marketing and webpage optimization.  An intern used free AI tools to generate our copy.  The intern had no education in AV, did not understand who we are and what we do, and did not know how to reach non-technical readers.  It took more time to correct the AI-generated copy than to compose.  So, we canceled our contracts.  If you read these posts and updates from now on, they will be by humans, for humans.  We will keep them short and sweet.

We do automate some processes, “keeping the main thing the main thing.” Jetbuilt is used in all phases.  It’s a great tool that saves us many hours.  Because time is limited, we don’t have as many billable office hours as some firms.  AI is not used to create system designs.  We do not cut and paste designs and charge as if they were from scratch.  Copying and pasting is VERY common in our industry.  Once we meet with you on-site, we will prepare a human-crafted design and proposal, using solutions chosen for you and your users.

Speaker manufacturers such as Fulcrum Acoustic, Danley Sound Labs, JBL Professional, and others provide software that uses machine learning and possibly AI to build virtual rooms that model speaker systems.  AFMG’s EASE allows us to listen to the speaker systems in the rooms virtually.  This process used to require hundreds of person-hours and many thousands of dollars in equipment.  This expedites the process and minimizes errors. 

Of course, all things made by human hands can have issues over time.  We know good companies and solutions from bad, what will work, what won’t.  Most importantly, we can come to service your existing systems and facilitate the transition to something greater.  That’s something AI cannot do.

Advanced Sound & Communication

Brent Handy

816-931-9525 Office

816-564-7281

brent@advancedsoundkc.com

Top 10 Commercial AV Solutions to Transform Business

Cutting-Edge Tech to Keep Your Operations Flowing Effortlessly

Embracing advanced technology helps you stay competitive in Kansas City’s fast-evolving market. Innovation thrives in the state's northeast region, and business owners and site managers are at a crossroads: adapt to the new technology landscape or stick with the past. By integrating cutting-edge commercial AV solutions, your Kansas business can dramatically enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and bolster security.

Imagine your conference rooms transformed with interactive AV systems that make meetings more engaging and productive. Picture your retail space drawing in customers with eye-catching digital signage or video walls, or your church connecting with congregants through exciting new livestream services. 

These technological upgrades not only improve operations today but also shape your future success. Keep scrolling to discover ten top AV solutions companies worldwide are embracing as part of the commercial tech revolution.

Imagine your conference rooms transformed with interactive AV systems that make meetings more engaging and productive. Picture your retail space drawing in customers with eye-catching digital signage or video walls, or your church connecting with congregants through exciting new livestream services. 

These technological upgrades not only improve operations today but also impact your future success! Keep scrolling to discover ten top AV solutions companies worldwide are embracing as part of the commercial tech revolution.

SEE ALSO: Why Your Security, AV, and Control Systems Need Structured Cabling

1. Immersive Education, signage and Teleconferencing Systems

In the new world of video calls and quick huddles, high-end teleconferencing systems deliver seamless communication that makes remote work feel as personal as a face-to-face meeting. With crystal-clear audio and video, these systems are a game-changer for keeping people connected.

2. Stadium AV Solutions

K-12, college, and other large sports venues are embracing large-scale AV solutions like concert-grade sound systems and large LED displays. They enhance the spectator and training experience, transforming them from basic to spectacular.

3. Customized Digital Signage 

Digital signage is at the forefront of advertising and information delivery. Whether it's a digital menu in a restaurant or an interactive directory in a mall, bespoke signage ensures your company’s message is seen and heard with ease.

4. Portable ACOUSTIC treatments and lighting packages

All users of corporate and education conference systems should have similar experiences. This can only happen if they share common spaces. We have solutions to create equality in these spaces.

5. Advanced Surveillance Systems

The latest surveillance technologies protect businesses with high-definition video, facial recognition, license plate recognition, and mobile-device integration. No matter where you’re located, you can monitor operations from afar.

6. Interactive and immersive Conference Room AV

Upgraded conference rooms are revolutionizing meetings and presentations, going beyond the immersive videoconferencing solutions we mentioned above. Options like interactive whiteboards and automated room scheduling help your team run more efficient, engaging meetings.

7. High-Tech Broadcast Rooms

For content creators and newsrooms, updated broadcast rooms equipped with state-of-the-art displays, microphones, and more are essential. These setups are perfect for producing professional-grade video content that stands out.

8. Distributed AV Systems

For campuses, hotels, and large corporate facilities, distributed AV systems let you share audio and video signals seamlessly across multiple rooms or buildings. 

9. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences

VR and AR are not just for gaming. These technologies create immersive customer experiences and provide innovative training solutions for employees.

10. Smart Building Integration

Smart buildings are the future, and integrating AV technology with other building systems makes your Kansas workplace more connected and efficient. Automated environmental lighting, climate control, and security systems are just the beginning.

It’s Time for an AV Upgrade

Embracing these commercial AV solutions isn't just about keeping up with the times; it's about setting your Topeka business apart. It's about creating experiences that resonate with your customers and streamline your operations.

Ready to transform your business with cutting-edge commercial AV solutions? Contact the experts at Advanced Sound & Communication to help you prepare for a successful future.

RIP Old School Video Projection

Bring Dazzling, High-Resolution Video to Your Audience

Are you interested in the largest, brightest, and most reliable video wall technology? You’re not alone. Nationwide, video wall installations have increased significantly in recent years. Video walls are projected to reach nearly 14 million by 2027. 

And it’s not hard to see why! High-resolution video walls offer beautiful, eye-catching displays for everything from performances and religious services to marketing. Universities, hospitals, airports, public spaces, houses of worship—all types of organizations can use LED wall panels to share their messaging and brand imagery. 

So, how do you install video walls? Learn all about LED wall panel installations in our handy guide below. 

SEE ALSO: 5 Ways Churches Can Benefit from Commercial Digital Signage 

How We Build LED Walls 

Installing a video wall requires the following essential components: LED wall panels, mounting brackets, power cables, data cables, and an LED video processor. Walls can be suspended or mounted to a wall via a frame. New technology eliminates the need for frames, creating a smooth, seamless image that hugs the wall closely.  If you don’t want to see your LED wall until you need it, we have solutions that drop down from the ceiling like a video projection screen!

Once the LED wall is in place, we program the screen’s layout through the video processor. This is where we decide how you’d like to display content and which media sources feed the wall. 

A common obstacle in LED wall installations is connecting to the video processor, which may be in a utility rack or room far away. We run data cabling or use existing fiber infrastructure to connect to the processor and content management system. 

Color and Brightness Calibration 

All visual displays come with factory settings but can drift and become off-sync over time. Video walls can appear distorted when certain panels no longer match color or brightness. This becomes painfully obvious when adjacent panels no longer match and don’t form a cohesive image. 

This is why calibration is essential for a perfect video wall installation. Once we’ve calibrated all your LED panels, you can create wall-sized visuals without any noticeable inconsistencies or seams. 

How You’ll Update Content 

A video wall can look incredible, but if updating visuals is inconvenient, it won’t help your business. Luckily, we can integrate your LED video processor with a cloud-based content management system that lets you remotely change and swap visuals from any computer. When you need to update videos, images, slideshows, or text, you can update multiple video displays in seconds. 

Ready for LED Video Walls? 

If your organization is interested in an LED wall, Advanced Sound & Communication can help. We install custom LED displays and control systems that make it easy for your staff to manage your video content. 

Contact us here to get started today! 

Why Your Wireless Systems No Longer Work

Click Here To Read The FCC History of Wireless Devices

If you don’t want to read the history of how and why we got to where we are today, know that we have a very small amount of air space to operate our wireless microphones, monitors, etc. We have to work around the sources causing radio interference outside and inside. Most people don’t know wireless systems compete for space with non-audio wireless equipment. In fact, wireless systems compete with things that aren’t audio-related at all. LED lighting, LED video walls, video displays and other non-audio components create interference.

Our customers benefit from our on-site service. We scan sites to know all of the interference, inside and out, BEFORE making recommendations for purchase. Some mail-order suppliers will reference online resources like this one from Shure. Frequency finders show how many simultaneous units can be used in each zip code. While these resources show what is possible in a perfect world, they do NOT show local users and the interference they may generate.

Every system we design and install has filters to reduce the interference caused without and within the four walls. Antennae are explicitly selected for the environment. The cables, length, and amplifiers are chosen to minimize noise and maximize reception. Antenna distributors and combiners ensure each receiver receives the strongest, cleanest signal from one central antenna.

We receive calls weekly from wireless users who have lost all functions of their illegal systems and don’t know why. They can’t understand why wireless can’t be turned on and left unchanged for decades without issue. Those days are over! Wireless is no longer a set-and-forget thing. It should not be considered reliable without active management. Active management requires learning to scan, choreograph frequently, and test systems to compensate for internal and external changes.

Contact us today for on-site service and training.

The Rise of Sustainable Low-Voltage Lighting

Enhance Morale, Improve Sales, and Entice Patrons with Stunning Illumination Solutions

Sustainable commercial lighting has become a key part of green initiatives nationwide. As businesses strive to reduce their carbon footprint and adopt eco-friendly practices, the focus on energy-efficient lighting has never been more pronounced.

Let's delve into the transformative world of business lighting solutions and their impact on your company. Keep reading!

SEE ALSO: Transform Your Business with Environmental Lighting

The Current State of Commercial Lighting

The days of flickering fluorescent tubes and humming ballasts, incandescent bulbs, and specialized base halogen bulbs are over. Traditional commercial light fixtures had a knack for creating a 1980s movie ambiance while also being unkind to our planet. While the light colors were easier on the eyes, those bulbs, and the carbon footprint they left behind, aren't a shining example of eco-friendliness.

Why Sustainable Business Lighting Matters

Switching to sustainable low-voltage lighting is about more than saving the planet. It’s also about the long-term savings for your business. Think reduced energy bills and fewer light bulb replacements. Plus, in an age when consumers are keenly aware of environmental issues, a green badge can significantly boost your brand's image in the community. It's good for the planet and your bottom line.

Leading Sustainable Lighting Solutions

Modern Oklahoma businesses need leading-edge solutions. LEDs last longer and use less energy than traditional bulbs, and when paired with intelligent lighting control, they deliver a double whammy of modernity. Smart lights can adjust their brightness based on the time of day or the number of people in a room, dim or brighten with the tap of a button, and more! These systems don't just conserve energy; they can elevate your building’s look and feel.

Working with a Professional Commercial Lighting Designer

Better lighting takes more than a trip to the nearest home improvement store and a box of commercial LED bulbs. Partnering with a professional commercial designer like Advanced Sound & Communication lets you tailor lighting to your business needs and preferences.

Consider the aesthetics. A lighting team like ours curates a mood that matches your brand image and impresses clients. Think warm, inviting lights for a cozy café or bright, focused illumination for a bustling retail space. Then there's functionality. Need recessed lights that dim during presentations? Or sensors that adjust lighting based on natural sunlight? We’ve got you covered.

A commercial lighting professional ensures your new solutions are not just sustainable but also optimized for maximum energy savings. Consider us your personal guide through the maze of sustainable lighting upgrades, walking you through every step of the project, from tax rebate incentives to fixture selection, system support, and updates.

Lightbulb Moment: It’s Time to Reach Out

In the grand scheme of running a business, lights might seem like a small detail. But in the world of sustainability, every eco-friendly light switch your company makes matters. If you want to enhance the ambiance, boost productivity, and help protect the planet, contact our team here!