School AV Equipment Considerations
By Kevin Worthington
There is a wide assortment of audiovisual equipment on the market that is perfect for your school’s classrooms, computer media labs, office, or auditorium. An often-overlooked component is storage of your school’s valuable AV equipment. This equipment should have the appropriate AV cart to optimize their use.
AV carts are a great way to share equipment between classrooms and to add convenience to equipment during presentations.
Much research and money goes into purchasing the right AV equipment, so make sure proper consideration is also given when purchasing a corresponding AV cart. Here are a few details that should be considered before buying an AV cart.
1. Monitor Size
Be sure that the cart you choose is large enough and strong enough to hold the AV equipment you need to store or move. The measurement of your monitor is taken from the diagonal length from the upper left corner of the screen to the lower right corner of the screen.
While most new monitors have a small footprint, you may want to check the overall base dimensions of the monitor against the overall dimensions of the shelf that the monitor shall rest on. Maximum monitor size and shelf dimensions are noted on all products designed for monitor use.
2. Construction
The most common materials that AV carts are made of are steel and plastic. Plastic carts are lightweight and generally less expensive, but they are also weaker than steel carts. Keep in mind that steel carts are more suited for your needs if you have a larger or heavier monitor.
3. Height
Your audience is important to consider when shopping for an AV cart. Will your projector or monitor be used in an elementary school or a high school? Maybe both? Some AV carts feature adjustable height legs that can be lowered for younger students and then raised again for upper-level students.
The size of the room that the AV cart is to be used is also important to consider. When projecting in a large space, a higher cart is best to ensure that the audience in the back can too view the presentation. Likewise, if in smaller space, the cart should be low enough to avoid having the audience crane their necks.
4. Wheels
Most AV carts come with standard 4-inch casters, which work well for most mobile uses. Should an AV cart need to be pushed over rough ground or maneuvered in through tight classrooms, a larger caster base could be beneficial. Caster sizes and materials are usually noted for each product when applicable.
5. Storage
What type of AV equipment are you storing? Some AV carts are designed for specific equipment, such as an overhead projector cart or perhaps a laptop storage cart. Others may have many adjustable platforms that can easily hold a variety of media equipment that may need to be connected together to perform a task.
Check product shelf dimensions against your AV equipment dimensions to ensure proper fit. Some AV carts come with locking storage cabinets that will keep your expensive equipment safe and out of view when not in use.
6. Accessories
Most AV carts offer a power strip that allows the user to plug all equipment into the cart's power strip and then run only one cord from the AV cart to an electrical outlet. Another useful accessory to consider is a safety belt, which keep monitors and projectors firmly in place during transit.
CD / Cassette Players & Headphones
Another large component of a school’s audiovisual equipment needs include CD and cassette players and headphones. There are a wide variety of educational resources available that are formatted on CD and cassette tapes. When using the correct CD and/or cassette players and headphones, these compact resources are great for sharing information between classrooms or for individual use.
Here are a few tips to ensure these educational tools are heard by all ears.
1. Watts = Power
You need to have an idea of the maximum number of people that will need to hear the CD or cassette player at one time. You will most likely want a unit with multiple speakers if you are planning to use for an entire classroom. To measure the power of a media player, look for the number of watts that are indicated. An audience of 100 people would need a player with 10 watts; an audience of 75 would need a player with 5 watts; an audience of 50 would need a player with 3 watts; and an audience of 30 would only need 1 watt.
2. Output Jacks
Output jacks are where you plug in headphones, speakers, or any other device that amplifies the sound coming out of the media player. Most units have at least one output jack, and some have multiple jacks for group use. For units that only have one output jack, audio splitters or multiple output boxes are available to increase the number of people that can listen at once.
3. Input Jacks
Input jacks are where you plug in equipment that puts sound in a player be amplified out of the media player. A perfect example of this is a microphone. Some CD and cassette players have built-in microphones, but for those that do not, you will need a microphone with a 1/4" or 1/8" diameter plug to be compatible.
4. Headphones
There are two basic kinds of headphones: stereo and mono. Stereo is the most common, and it outputs both a left and right channel for each ear, creating a richer sound, such as music. Mono is a single-channel headphone that delivers the same sound to each ear and is best used for language or speech study. There are switchable, stereo to mono headphones if you are unsure of the output of a given player or need dual-function headphones.
5. Warranty
There are plenty of CD and cassette players that can be purchased rather inexpensively at local chain stores, but most buyers are unaware that warranties for consumer electronic products cover only personal use. The warranty is nullified once those products are taken to a school or business because consumer electronic manufacturers do not make their products sturdy enough to support the demands of day-in and day-out school use.
Kevin Worthington is president of Worthington Direct, www.worthingtondirect.com.
Product Roundup
Bretford Carts
Bretford has introduced two height-adjustable carts with welded pull-out shelving. The newest versions reduce set-up time and support the use of additional technology equipment, such as a notebook computer. The new height-adjustable carts have legs and shelves that are arc welded into place for a strong and secure platform and to help simplify set-up so users can have them up and running within minutes. An average of 30 percent post-consumer recycled steel is used for minimal impact on the environment.
www.bretford.com
Samsung UF-130DX Presentation Station
The new Samsung UF-130DX Presentation Station is a high-definition digital presenter with an onboard processor running Windows CE. The UF130-DX builds on Samsung’s reputation for accurate color and clarity for any classroom by delivering 30 frames per second video at 720P HD output as well as standard XGA and SXGA resolutions. The ability to work with multiple memory devices—such as compact flash cards, SD cards, or even USB flash drives—allows users not only to save their presentations but even upload their files to the UF-130DX for playback.
www.samsungpresenterusa.com
Hertz Furniture
Hertz Furniture features the new Smart Cart Lectern from Oklahoma Sound Corp. Here is a smart way to mobilize PC-based presentations throughout your educational facility. The Smart Cart Lectern features high-quality wood construction, shelves and compartments for all of your A/V equipment, lockable front and back doors, and a built-in, 25-Watt solid-state amplifier. Hertz offers a wide variety of audio-visual equipment for schools and churches.
www.hertzfurniture.com
Audix M1255
The Audix Micros Series, small condenser microphones with integrated preamp and detachable cable, continues to evolve and break new ground with the addition of the M1255. With a stylishly machined brass housing and modular threaded capsule, the M1255 is designed to handle a wide variety of live and fixed install applications. Features include a smooth frequency response of 80 Hz – 20 kHz, 12 mm gold vapor diaphragm, a selection of 4 capsules, and complete immunity from RF caused by cell phones and GSM devices.
www.audixusa.com
Panasonic Projectors
Panasonic Projector Systems Company has announced the debut of two new LCD projectors designed for cost-effective, fixed installations. Ideal for small to medium classrooms, the new PT-F200NTU and PT-F200U projectors are excellent for existing system upgrades as well as first-time installations. The PT-F200 series also provide long-lasting brightness and features that reduce installation and maintenance costs. The PT-F200NTU model also sports built-in wireless and wired network capability.
www.panasonic.com/projectors
mimio Interactive
mimio Interactive is a portable system that includes a wireless stylus and an interactive bar that easily attaches to any whiteboard. The system works with a traditional PC and projector to allow a teacher to control desktop applications and the Web directly from a whiteboard to create a more dynamic environment and enhance classroom learning. Teachers can access files and browse Web sites, editing display screens directly at the board.
www.mimio.com |
