Are you looking to future-proof your business’s communications?
If you ask any business leader today, you’ll hear about their AV struggles. Old projectors produce pixelated images. Conference room microphones pick up too much background noise. Remote employees can’t hear or be heard on video calls.
But there’s hope.
Updating your AV infrastructure can be easy and affordable with the right broadcasting equipment solutions. Modern businesses don’t need to settle for failing audiovisual technology. Anyone can future-proof their communications with these proven tips.
New research from AVIXA predicts the worldwide Pro AV market will grow to $422 billion by 2029. That’s $97 billion more than the projected value for 2024. Businesses are recognizing the importance of investing in quality AV systems to support hybrid workers and improve collaboration.
Enterprise grade broadcasting equipment is more accessible than ever with providers like Thor Broadcast. Companies of all sizes can leverage broadcast technology to level-up their video distribution, signal processing, and streaming.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about updating your business’s AV technology for the long haul.
Table of Contents
- Why Your AV Infrastructure is Letting You Down
- The Parts of an AV Infrastructure
- How to Select the Best Broadcasting Equipment Solutions
- Tips for Implementing Your New AV Tech
- AV Infrastructure Upgrade Mistakes to Avoid
Why Your AV Infrastructure is Letting You Down
The AV infrastructure in most companies today was installed many years ago. At the time those systems were good enough. But times have changed, and they aren’t cutting it anymore.
Let’s face it. Employees working remotely need high-quality video feeds. Clients expect professionally designed presentations. Training departments are simultaneously distributing content to multiple locations.
Old projectors, out-of-date encoding devices, and limited guest podiums just can’t hack it.
Hybrid work has accelerated the need for functional AV technology. 34% of companies upgraded their conference rooms in the last year. And those that haven’t upgraded are already behind.
Failing AV technology leads to all sorts of problems. Bad audio quality on calls, low-resolution video streams, dropped connections, and compatibility issues with new software platforms are just a few examples.
The Parts of an AV Infrastructure
Your AV infrastructure is only as strong as its weakest component. Every piece of technology needs to work together in harmony for your employees to communicate effectively.
Let’s review the essentials:
Signal Distribution: This refers to how video and audio signals are transmitted throughout your organization. New IP-based systems allow for incredible flexibility. You can distribute content to other rooms, buildings, and remote locations with ease.
Video Processing: Encoders, decoders, and scalers help content play on any screen correctly. High-quality processing ensures your video won’t stutter or lag.
Control Systems: Once you have lots of different technology working together, you’ll need a method of controlling it all. Centralized control systems allow staff to use one touchscreen or software portal to run your entire AV system.
Displays: Large format LED displays and interactive technologies make your content look amazing. Today’s displays offer higher resolutions and better colour than ever before.
Audio: Don’t forget the audio! Professional microphones, speakers, and processors remove distracting echoes and background noises.
How to Select the Best Broadcasting Equipment Solutions
Picking the right broadcasting equipment starts with knowing your business needs. All too often, companies overspend on features they don’t use. Others try to cut costs only to replace equipment every few years.
Consider these questions:
What types of content will you be displaying? Streaming video, recorded content, and live feeds all have different requirements.
How many locations will need to view your content? One conference room is much different than an enterprise with multiple buildings or a nationwide dealership.
What quality of video do you need? While 4K is becoming the industry standard, some businesses may need even more robust specs.
Do your homework before making purchases by:
- Performing an audit of your current setup and documenting pain points
- Identifying what your business needs three years from now
- Focusing on scalability instead of raw specs
- Testing out any equipment ahead of time to verify compatibility
Don’t work with shady vendors who offer unrealistically low pricing. You get what you pay for with broadcasting equipment and tech support is crucial.
Tips for Implementing Your New AV Tech
Upgrading your AV tech properly takes time and effort. Rushing the implementation phase will only create issues down the road.
Follow these tips for a successful launch:
Take it slow. Don’t try to upgrade your entire AV infrastructure at once. Pick one area to start with, like your main conference room. You can roll out to other locations once you’ve finalized that portion of the project.
Document, document, document. Write down everything you can. Network diagrams, comprehensive equipment lists, configuration settings. Future you will thank you when there’s a problem.
Train your team. New technology isn’t intuitive. Make sure your employees know how to use the new tools properly before go-live date.
Plan for redundancy. Don’t leave your business vulnerable during important communications. If your primary system goes down, you should have a backup ready to go.
Test everything before launching your new setup. Leave no stone unturned. Make sure remote employees can connect to your network.
AV Infrastructure Upgrade Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t let your AV upgrade turn into a money pit. Avoiding these common blunders will save you a headache.
Upgrade Mistake #1: Neglecting Network Needs
You can buy all the AV tech in the world, but if your network can’t handle it, you’ll have issues. Make sure you have enough bandwidth to support your new technology. Properly configure your network before the big day.
Upgrade Mistake #2: Ignoring Integration
Just because you bought new equipment doesn’t mean it will play nice with your old stuff. If you’re incorporating technology from different vendors, make sure they can integrate before purchasing.
Upgrade Mistake #3: Skipping the Planning Process
Leaping headfirst into purchasing equipment is a recipe for disaster. You’ll end up with mismatched technologies and wasted capital. Take time to plan what your business needs now and in the future.
Upgrade Mistake #4: Not Budgeting for Support
Even with proper planning, things will go wrong. Your AV tech will need maintenance and updates. Budget for support costs and find reliable providers you can trust.
Wrapping Things Up
Broadcasting equipment is no longer a luxury item. Businesses who invest in the right AV tech will dominate their competition.
Here are the basics:
Your company’s AV infrastructure is the foundation of how your employees communicate. Don’t let outdated technology hold your teams back.
Once again, here’s what you should know:
- Evaluate current AV technology and identify areas of improvement
- There are several important components that make up your AV infrastructure
- Take the time to select broadcasting equipment that suits your business needs
- Implement your new tech strategically by starting with high-impact areas
- Learn from others and don’t make these common infrastructure mistakes
The AV technology industry is always changing. New innovations surface every year. But the basics don’t change. Buy reliable equipment that you know will scale with your business. Train staff on how to use the technology correctly. Those two things will keep you ahead of the curve.
