The Convergence of AV and Broadcast: A New Era of Opportunity (July Newsletter)

A Thrilling Intersection of Worlds

The 2024 InfoComm Show underscored a pivotal moment in the AV industry—the exciting convergence of AV and Broadcast. This fusion is creating a dynamic landscape filled with unprecedented opportunities for both Broadcast and ProAV professionals. Is it “Broadcast for AV or AV for Broadcast?” one thing is for sure; it’s a rallying cry for the future of our industry.

Opportunities for Streamers: Entering the ProAV Industry

For production companies, this convergence is a golden ticket to higher paying projects with longer term contracts. The skills you’ve honed in live streaming, production, and content creation are now highly sought after not just for one-time production gig but for larger-scale installation projects with multiple phases of deployment. For ProAV integrators, who are familiar with new opportunities that span industries, this may sounds a lot like the convergence of IT and AV which brought forth decades of growth and innovation.

Here’s why:

• Skill Transferability:
  • Your expertise in audio visual and streaming solutions translates seamlessly into large ProAV projects.
  • ProAV integrators are looking for professionals who understand the nuances of live streaming and broadcast-quality production as their customers use higher quality video and larger scale deployments. 
• High Demand for Streaming Solutions:
  • At InfoComm, Avixa, highlighted the opportunity for those who can bridge the gap between AV and Broadcast.
  • The market is ready for fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to traditional AV setups, making them more dynamic and versatile.

ProAV Integrators: Expanding into Broadcast

For established ProAV integrators, the convergence with broadcast opens doors to more complex and large-scale installation projects. This shift is not just about integrating new technologies—it’s about redefining what’s possible in audiovisual experiences.

• Complex Installation Projects:
  • The demand for broadcast-quality installations in corporate settings, educational institutions, and large venues is skyrocketing.
  • ProAV integrators can now tackle sophisticated projects that involve multi-camera setups, live streaming capabilities, and high-end production values.
• Education and Training:
  • The call to action from Avixa’s leadership emphasizes the need for ongoing education in streaming and broadcast solutions.
  • Integrators who invest in this knowledge will be at the forefront of an industry evolution, ready to offer cutting-edge solutions to their clients.

Last Decade = Convergence of AV & IT.  This Decade = Convergence of AV & Broadcast.

The Future is Bright

The convergence of AV and broadcast is more than a trend—it’s a transformative movement with far-reaching implications. Let’s not forget about the trends we noticed in our April Newsletter from NAB. Over 50% of NAB attendees were first timers. That’s a lot of new streaming professionals! Here’s where I see the market headed:

• Innovative Solutions:
  • From small studio environments to large-scale production spaces, the potential to create integrated AV and broadcast systems is immense.
  • Imagine a world where every corporate meeting, educational lecture, and live event is broadcast-ready, with seamless transitions between in-person and remote participation.
• Growing Market:
  • The post-pandemic world has accelerated the need for hybrid solutions that combine on-premise and remote capabilities.
  • As more organizations recognize the value of high-quality streaming and broadcast solutions, the market for these services will continue to expand.

Embracing AV Management and Monitoring

The convergence of AV and IT has pushed forward advancements in AV management and monitoring, allowing AV professionals to add managed services to their businesses. This year at InfoComm, we explored several AV monitoring companies to understand how these technologies can add value and enhance our offerings.

• Crestron XiO Cloud:
  • A cloud-based platform for monitoring and managing AV devices and systems, providing real-time alerts, diagnostics, and remote control.
• QSC Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager:
  • Integrates with Q-SYS audio, video, and control systems, offering comprehensive remote monitoring and management.
• Extron NAV Series:
  • An AV over IP solution with monitoring and management capabilities, supporting real-time status updates and diagnostics for AV networks.
• Biamp SageVue:
  • Browser-based AV monitoring and management software that provides detailed device status, firmware updates, and analytics.
• AVI-SPL Symphony:
  • A centralized management platform for monitoring and managing AV and collaboration technology, offering real-time system status, proactive maintenance alerts, and analytics to optimize system performance.
• Atlona Velocity:
  • AV control, monitoring, and management platform supporting centralized configuration, deployment, and management of AV systems, providing real-time monitoring, alerts, and analytics.

ProAV integrators look well positioned to add new managed services to their portfolio potentially including remote PTZ camera operation and complete live video production services. As Broadcast and AV converge, what new services will you offer to the market? I would love to know in the comments below.

Apple Takes on Blackmagic with Final Cut Camera: What It Means for Us

Big news from Apple last week—they dropped a new standalone camera app called Final Cut Camera. And guess what? It’s perfect timing with the upcoming iOS 18 update that lets us change the camera shortcut. But, let’s be real, that’s not the only reason for this launch.

Final Cut Camera is all about advanced controls. The most popular app currently? Blackmagic Camera, from the company behind Pocket Cinema Cameras and DaVinci Resolve—both of which we use here at StreamGeeks.

Fun fact: Apple used the Blackmagic Camera app to capture last year’s WWDC keynote.

So, is Final Cut Camera taking over Blackmagic? Kind of. Most video editors are pretty loyal to their platforms. Since its launch, Blackmagic Camera has been downloaded 4.5M times.

Seize the Opportunity

At PTZOptics we have just started bringing both ProAV and Broadcast professionals into the Hive Beta. if you haven’t signed up for the Hive waitlist yet, you can do so at ptzoptics.com/hive. 

My new book Remote Production dives deep into this transformative moment in our industry. It could help you navigate this dynamic intersection of AV and Broadcast plus if you take the Udemy course you’ll get a certificate to add to your resume. You can download the book for free at RemoteProduction.com/book.

Whether you’re a streamer looking to break into the ProAV industry or a seasoned ProAV integrator ready to embrace broadcast projects, the time to act is now. The skills and knowledge you bring to the table are invaluable, and the opportunities are endless.

Join the movement and be part of the exciting convergence of AV and broadcast. Together, we can shape the future of audiovisual experiences, creating immersive, high-quality productions that captivate and engage audiences like never before.