Audio-Visual Aids
Captivate your audience with an impressive range of audio-visual equipment. AV Aids & Visuals extend extensive experience and professional support for all audio-visual requirements. This includes a product range of laptops, screen hire requirements as well as projector screens. Continue Reading →
AV Aids & Visuals are trailblazers in the sound installation industry and we offer impeccable services and solutions across different contexts. One of our core client engagements includes Residential home installation services for Home theatres, LCD and plasma entertainment centers. Continue Reading →
Trying to keep up with the latest tech trends or deciding on what audio and visual technology to use can lead you to a rabbit hole. There is always a new, more advanced, and latest equipment or system with over-the-top features. Below are the latest tech trends for AV equipment you need to look out for in 2021.
Spatial Audio
Have you been noticing how sound quality has been improving over the years? For example, when listening to a Hip Hop song, you can just feel the beats, drums, acoustics, high-end gear, and even think of the skilled audio engineer. Spatial audio is setting a new standard for quality by changing the way people consume sound beyond listening to music. Continue Reading →
The webcam market in recent months has very much been driven by people who are working from home, and who need to upgrade the basic 720p webcam in their laptop or desktop PC. Of course, working from home during COVID-19 lockdowns has played an integral part in the popularity of webcams, but are their future secured even when lockdowns are a thing of the past? We’ll get to find out as we go over this blog.
What is a webcam?
According to Business insider, a webcam is a simple video camera that, when attached to a computer, lets you capture still images and video. Webcams are usually cheaper than a standard video camera and allow for face-to-face communication online, making it easy to illustrate things visually and connect with your audience. They come in different types, and we’ll discuss a few in the next step. Continue Reading →
Have you noticed a trend in the world of presentations? The recent ways of presentations in a much wider format is something you should consider as well. Plasma displays have captured the attention of the home theatre industry and of consumers because of the sheer size and quality of the picture they can produce.
Today, they are being used for presentations too, larger presentations, in particular, are finding the wider screen works better in very large rooms to accommodate all the persons including the front and back seaters. Let’s explore the term ‘HD resolution plasma screen’ in the next step.
What is a full HD resolution plasma screen?
An HD plasma screen is a flat-panel display that contains millions of gas-filled cells, or pixels, wedged between two pieces of glass. Plasma screens are available in 42-, 50-, 56-, and even 65-inch sizes, and they can get even bigger. Another advantage of plasma screens is their ability for wall hanging. Let’s look at the benefits of an HD resolution plasma screens in greater detail. Continue Reading →
A few years ago, a lot of people traded in their televisions for a projector screen for a number of reasons we will explain in this blog. Technology and digital savvy customers continue to discover the benefits of projector screens on a daily basis. Not only do these devices offer an exceptional value for your money when it comes to design, functionality and quality images, but they also boost a number of benefits that traditional televisions can’t even come close to. First things first, let’s get into what a projector is.
What is a projector?
A projector is an optical device that “projects” or extends its light outward or beyond itself in order to form an image, video, or display onto a projection screen. It can be used for home entertainment as an HDTV alternative. It blows up a small image to huge proportions on a blank screen so that
If you’re new to the idea of projectors, let’s help you understand the types of projectors and what they do.
Types of projectors
Home Theater projectors
These were introduced around the late 2000s and early 2010s, when HDTV (High Definition Television) started replacing those big TVs called CRT with a square 4:3 ratio. They produce much larger images and the customization of the images is quick and easy. If you’re looking for a theatre-like experience, this should be your option.
Business projectors
They are used in businesses for presentation purposes and they connect to laptops and desktop computers, giving you access to your computer programs. Though they differ in sizes and ratios, what you should know about these is that they are mostly compatible with computers rather than HDTV.
Short Theatre and Short Theatre projectors
Last but not least, Short and long theatre projections, in simple terms, are the distance from the projector to the screen.
The type of projector that creates the best visuals
It’s hard to pinpoint the one feature that is most important to consider when buying a projector, but usually it boils down to image quality. But if we were to give advice on what to look for in a projector to achieve the same best results, is to first figure out what exactly you need it for, look at how big the projected image you’re looking at is, the aspect ratio which refers to the ratio between the height and length of the screen, the brightness, lens zoom, and keystone correction.
Conclusion
If you’re out in the market looking to buy a projector, know what your requirements are or the things that matter to you the most. There are some considerations, of course, but when you consider the “big picture”, the advantage of any projector is the impressive picture quality that it comes with. If you have made up your mind about projectors, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
It’s lights, camera and action! And the spotlight is on you. You do a sound check 1,2-1,2 “Can everyone hear me?” You ask your audience. If you ever wondered how to properly hold a microphone during a presentation, this article has all the answers for you. If you’ve ever been in an audience where you had difficulty hearing or understanding a speaker, you know the frustration that occurs when a speaker doesn’t use a microphone properly.
When tasked with holding a microphone during a presentation, you should hold it effectively so that it captures your voice but at the same time, does not interfere with your interaction with the audience. First and foremost, let’s get an explanation of what a microphone is, out of the way.
What is a microphone?
According to Wikipedia, a microphone, also called a mic, is a device that converts sound into an electrical signal. A microphone is a great instrument to use to help you to amplify your voice if you sing, give speeches, do stand-up comedy, or otherwise perform in front of a crowd. Knowing how to properly hold a microphone is the key to using it to your advantage.
You’ve probably seen some people holding a microphone like an ice cream cone and wondered to yourself if that was the correct way or not; well, we’re going to explain the most ergonomic ways to hold a microphone during a presentation in the next step.
5 tips for handling a microphone during a presentation
Keep your hand on the middle section of the microphone at all times
Make sure that your hand is in the right position by keeping your hand in between the head of the microphone and the base where the antenna is located. This allows the microphone to enhance your voice. Avoid holding the microphone at the bottom, especially if there’s a wire, as you could accidentally unplug it with your hand, or worse trip and fall.
Wrap all of your fingers around the microphone to keep it steady
Always hold the microphone using all of your fingers to ensure that it doesn’t move around too much. Keep your wrist relaxed and hold the microphone in a confident manner.
Squeeze the microphone firmly as you use it
Squeezing the microphone helps you have greater control over your breathing and control over the mic. This helps prevent the microphone from moving a lot. However, try not to squeeze the microphone too hard as this can cause tension to build in your hand and voice.
Hold the microphone at a 45-degree angle
The best way to hold a microphone when during a presentation is at a 45-degree angle downward. Of course, this is different from holding a microphone when singing. This angle is the best position for your breathing and for expanding your ribs. Never hold the microphone in a vertical position like an ice-cream cone, as this won’t enhance your voice.
Keep the microphone approximately one and a half to five centimetres away from your mouth
Although it differs from person to person, try to keep the microphone as close as possible to your mouth without actually touching it. Practise holding the microphone a few different distances away from your mouth to see what proximity works the best for you. The closer you are to the microphone, the more enhanced the lower frequencies will be.
Conclusion
If you want the microphone to sound as clear and natural as possible, ensure that you follow all the instructions as stated above. If possible, practice speaking into the microphone before it’s your time to shine to get your technique right. At AV Aids and Visuals, we understand the virtual importance of having functional and reliable AV and sound systems, to help ease anxiety and stress of sound systems that actually work. If you need to get your hands on any of our sound equipment, don’t hesitate to contact us.
If you’re looking for the ultimate home cinema experience, it is likely that you have come to the dilemma of choosing between a projector screen and a plasma screen. Now, this is not a decision to be taken lightly as it will not only affect your viewing pleasure, but your pocket. To ensure you make the best decision for you and your home, we want to give you all the facts! Here are a few things you need to know about projector screens and plasma screens:
Projector screen
Many people believe that projectors don’t offer the quality that TV screens do; however, if we look at modern advancements in technology, this is simply not true. Nowadays, projectors provide clear and detailed images much like plasma screens, but the projector screens give you the opportunity to just about quadruple the size of these images! Isn’t that incredible? There also happens to be much less expensive projector screen options than plasma screens. To top it all off, projectors and projector screens have the additional benefit of being portable, allowing you to move your cinematic experience to wherever you have the space and mountings!
Plasma screen
If you’re looking at plasma screens it is great to know that they have the crisp HD quality at all times, regardless of how the room is lit, unlike projector screens that rely on dim or no lighting to provide the full HD effect. These pricing of these screens is also tremendously less exorbitant than they were a few years ago, making them a viable option for your home theatre, but the price will vary according to screen size. Which brings us to the issue of size: the downfall of plasma screens is the non-adjustable screen size, reducing the cinematic effect. Their portability could also be a factor in your decision between plasma and projector screens. These screens, while they could also technically be considered portable, it’s a much more difficult task than moving a projector and projector screen.
Lights, camera, action! Hosting or joining a video conference may not be exactly the same as getting ready to run lines on a movie set, but the care in choosing the right equipment should be on the same level. No one wants to watch a movie recorded with low quality AV equipment, just like no one wants to listen to someone speaking in a video conference with low quality AV equipment. If you want your equipment to make you dazzle the online crowds, then here are a few things that you need:
HD webcam
While you may have a computer or laptop with a built-in camera, it is often not up to the standard that you need to present a clear and crisp image to guests of the video conference. This image is imperative for keeping individuals engaged with what you have to say, instead of having to focus on a couple of misplaced pixels. So, instead of relying on the webcam that you have, take the time to find an HD webcam that will give you the high-quality image that you need.
Microphone
The next piece of equipment that you have to invest in is a microphone. Just as your laptop or computer comes with a webcam, they will usually come with some form of microphone as well. Unfortunately, this microphone will not do you justice when speaking during a video conference. It would be wise to purchase a high-quality microphone and stand to enhance the quality of your sound.
Lighting
You are also going to need lighting equipment to take your video conference to the next level. While your home or office lighting may be decent enough for a video conference, having the right lighting equipment will ensure that you do not cast shadows as you move, reducing the chance of distracting your viewers.
When you rely heavily on your AV equipment, it can be a let down when equipment such as an amp stops working, regardless of whether it’s due to faults or old age. Often, your first thought will be to take your amp in for repairs, but this definitely isn’t your only option, and it isn’t always your best option either. On the rare occasion, it may be wiser to sell your amp. It can be a difficult choice so, here are a few things to consider in order to assist you in your decision to sell or repair your amp:
Repair
In some cases, repairing your amp is the best option for you and your pocket. When you weigh the options between choosing to repair or sell your amp, you have to consider how much it would cost you to repair the part and how much it would cost you to buy a new amp. If buying a new amp is much more expensive than repairing it, your best choice is to repair it.
Sell
Sometimes, selling the amp is the ideal option for you. If repairing the amp costs more than you would get from selling the amp, then it may be the better choice to sell it. Particularly when you are considering the time gained from repairs. Time is a major factor that needs to be considered as the repair may not last a long time after it has been completed, especially if the amp is old. If the repair will not last long, the better choice would be to sell the amp.
