AV Trade Talk

Sony’s New Residential TV & Projector Lineup (2022)

Tech talk: Sony's 2022 residential TV lineup is bigger, brighter, and more affordable than ever and the new projectors offer amazing image quality. We talk about Mini LED, OLED, QLED, lasers, and more. Get the details about this year's offering and Sony's Road Show schedule from Jayson Savage, Associate Sales Manager for Sony's CI channel business. Learn more at www.sonypremiumhome.com.

So, you want to author a book? See how Kat Wheeler did it during the Pandemic!

Author and AV industry pro Kat Wheeler talks about her new book, There is no cloud, and what it took to get it published (during a pandemic, no less).

Story brief: As a sales rep for SmartTech, the world’s largest home automation company, Cameron Caldwell’s job is to keep customers happy… and buying. That means the current bane of her existence is a rival company’s home AI device, the HomeTech Hub. Her customers want to use the HTH’s voice commands to control the electronics she’s selling them—and if she wants to keep selling to them, she needs to make sure that happens. Why can’t they just ask it the weather and be happy with that? While attempting to get tech support for one of her clients, Cameron finds something strange in a HomeTech Hub and is immediately curious. Is there something about the product no one’s supposed to know? But when people start dying, she knows something far more complex is going on, and she’s determined to find out what the technology the whole world has let into their homes actually does. As Cameron digs deeper into something she never thought would be possible, she starts to wonder what she’s gotten herself into… and whether she’ll be able to get out.

AVbites: Holiday baking fun, family traditions, memories and mishaps

Friends from the audiovisual industry share stories of their favorite holiday traditions, recipes, memories, and mishaps. We talk a little tech, too, as neighborhood holiday light displays always catch a tech-lovers eye. Michelle shares her "Million Dollar Rum Cake" recipe and Brad offers some Keto-licious options (and lessons learned along the way). Another FUN episode in the AVFoodies Detour Series, this week's guests include Gina Sansivero, Michelle Loret, Amanda Wildman, Brad Montgomery, Christa Bender, Jenn Steinhardt, and Alison Maxson, with Katye McGregor Bennett and Vijita U.G. co-hosting. Download, tune-in, and enjoy! Happy Holidays!

AVbites: Thanksgiving meals and family traditions

Friends gather to share stories of their favorite thanksgiving feasts, recipes, traditions, memories, and kitchen mishaps, as well as their time-tested tips for a great holiday. From prep times and ingredients, turkey and ham, to sides, desserts, and beverages, we cover it all in this episode, another in the AVFoodies Detour Series. Guests include Gina Sansivero, Chuck Espinoza, Jayson Savage, Christa Bender, Robert Keeler, Alison Maxson, and Dave Pedigo, with Katye McGregor Bennett and Vijita U.G. co-hosting.

AVbites: Craft beer and good cheer

🍺 Join us for another installment of our AV Foodies Diversion Series, where we discuss some of our favorite craft beer and the breweries behind them, the virtues of logging your brew experiences on Untapped and nitro, and, of course, we weave in a little coffee talk, too. Breweries mentioned include Modern Times, Dos Desperados, Dogfish Head, and more. Guest include Christa Bender, Shawn Tobin, Jonathan Brawn, Mike Gatopoulus, and Erica Williams. Vijita U.G. joins again as co-host.

Unpacking a CEDIA Award-winning project: Best Home Cinema Level II by Thoughtful Integrations

When a custom home builder in Dallas, TX needed a high-performance home theater installed into a luxury show home in less than a month, he contacted Thoughtful Integrations, a tech integration firm well-versed in the process. Whereas home theaters with all the bells and whistles typically take several months to design, engineer, install, and calibrate, this one was done in a matter of weeks and with award-winning results. Tune-in to learn how they created a room that accommodates all ages and interests, including sports, movies, gaming, music, or any other entertainment choice. Brands mentioned include Rayva, Anthem, Triad, Sony, Kaleidescape, Control4, Screen Innovations, Jaymar, D-Box, Dolby, ISF, CEDIA, HTA, and builder J.Anthony Homes.

Unpacking Josh.ai's big reveal — Meet Nano, Core, and more!

Josh.ai CEO Alex Capecelatro shares details about Nano, the world's first Architectural Microphone, and Josh Core, an elegantly designed server that acts as the central brain for this truly remarkable voice-automated home technology ecosystem. This changes the voice control and automation game entirely and offers a fun way to interact with your home, in a manner that's safe, secure, and maintains your privacy. Tune in to learn about this fascinating new tech offering.

Feel Good Fare: Kicks for Kids Kickoff; AV industry fundraising for children's shoes

Feel good fodder: As families across the nation struggle with economic hardship, the holidays can be particularly difficult. To help make the holidays a little brighter, Access Networks is spearheading a fundraiser being facilitated by The Boys & Girls Club to provide children across the country with a pair of brand-new Nike shoes. There's a fundraising goal of 1,000 pairs of shoes between now and the end of December. That's a small sum to bring a big smile to someone in need, so, let's DO this, everyone! Bryce Nordstrand, CSO, shares details in this quick 'cast. Please, download, listen, and share. Thanks for your support!

#AVtweeps #AVGivesBack @AccessNetworks @katyemcgregor @Nike @BGCA_Clubs #HolidayCheer

AVbites: Game Meat

For many, game meat is a healthy alternative to commercial or farmed varieties. In this AV Foodies Detour Series episode guests share some of their favorite types, cuts, how to make a great meal with game meat and what not to do. Hint: don't eat "gamey" smelling or tasing meat, do try sous vide, less is more when seasoning, and so much more. Tune-in, #AVfoodies, you'll learn something new, for sure!

AVbites: Gardening through the pandemic

Ah, the humble home garden. What was once a weekend hobby has become a COVID escape and success story, of sorts. Diverse and abundant harvests lead to creative home-cooked meals and something to share with neighbors, family, and friends. Perfectly-timed with the start of Autumn, we talk about different gardening styles, which veggies and fruits were most successful this year. We ALSO learn not only the British term for Zucchini but also what a Veggetti is, that an all-in-one toaster-oven-broiler-air fryer-and a dehydrator can all harmoniously exist in one unit, and that while Gina doesn't like single-purpose kitchen tools others find them very useful. Loads of laughs in this one and some solid tips and recipes, too. Tune-in, #AVfoodies, you'll learn (and laugh) a lot! #AVfoodies #AVtweeps

Hosts Katye McGregor Bennett, Vijita U.G.

Guests: 
Gina Sansivero, Noel Kennedy, Christa Bender