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InfoComm 2012 has come to a close on Friday, June 15. Three days seemed hardly enough time for anyone to cover the entire show floor, with such a wide array of new products being showcased. For those AV professionals and enthusiasts who didn’t get a chance to visit InfoComm, we’ve highlighted some of the noteworthy technology trends below.

 

When it comes to projection, Laser/LED hybrid illumination technology was the hottest topic around the Pro AV industry. This new technology breakthrough enables the projector to manipulate light and images without using the lamp or a color wheel. This results in more saturated color at a reduced cost all while being environmentally friendly.

 

From a display perspective, touch capabilities are on a fast growth curve. It seems like anyone with a display in their booth had a touch-enabled offering. ViewSonic was no stranger to this trend, showcasing several touch-enabled devices including the eBeam Edge^® technology, which turns any display into a touch device.

 

Interactivity is made possible with the latest plug and play solutions that will change the way retailers develop and manage content. As delivering engaging content becomes even quicker and easier, retailers will be able to engage customers like never before.

 

Want to learn more about ViewSonic’s technology advancements from the show? Click here to visit our tradeshow landing page. What innovative solutions did you notice at the show? Share your thoughts with us.

 

 

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

Digital signage can bring many benefits to your business. But for small- to mid-sized business that know little about putting an effective digital signage strategy in place, this can seem like a complicated and expensive solution. To dispel some of the myths about signage solution implementation, we’ve put together this guide to assist businesses in making the move to a more digital environment:

• Myth 1: The System Will Be Complex: Installing a dynamic digital signage system doesn’t have to be complex. Content files can either be manually loaded or connected via a LAN (network) connection utilizing a media player for a multiple display environment. Or you can upload files you’d like to display using a mobile storage device, such as a USB thumb drive plugged into the media player. Many commercial displays also feature built-in USB ports, making it easy to transfer content or play photo slideshows directly from a USB drive.

• Myth 2: I Can’t Build The Content: Fear of the unknown may be holding you back. If you can create a PowerPoint slide or build a playlist of your favorite audio files, you have the necessary skills for operating a digital signage system. With today’s easy-to-use software programs like our Signage Manager Express, delivering digital media content can be simple. Look for a program that offers Windows compatibility so it will easily run on your PC or laptop. Also look for software that comes with pre-made templates with multiple screen zones. Templates make it easy to build your content, and different screen zones allow you to display different types of content at the same time – for example, to upsell offerings by advertising companion products.

• Myth 3: It’s Too Expensive: The cost of installing a dynamic digital signage solution is surprisingly low. The return on your investment can be easily justified, especially if you have been printing backlit signs. Depending on the environment, you can utilize cost effective monitors, commercial TVs or full commercial displays. Screen sizes can range from 10” to 65” or larger. A high performance, network capable, full HD display with video media player can be attained for under $500. In some cases, media players come bundled with the necessary software offering users a complete turn-key solution.

Still concerned about going digital or have we eliminated your fears? Has your business already taken the first steps to implementing digital signboards? Share your story with us about the benefits you’ve seen.

Want to learn more about the various factors that must be considered prior to deploying a digital signage installation? Take a read over our new “Getting Started with Digital Signage” white paper.

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

What’s all the buzz about Laser LED hybrid projection? This new technology delivers better picture quality through higher contrast ratios, is lamp free and consumes less power for a significantly lower total cost of ownership. Designed for a range of uses including home entertainment, professional audio-video, corporate or education use. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of laser LED hybrid projectors to see if they make sense for your projection needs.

 

The Laser LED Hybrid illumination technology is a breakthrough in the way a projector manipulates light and images, resulting in superb picture quality with an ultra high contrast ratio of at least 10,000:1 for greater details, especially in dark scenes. The lasers and LEDs combine as a light source to create vibrant rich color, by generating a color spectrum far greater than that of normal mercury light projector which rely on a color wheel and may show ghost images and rainbow effects.

 

This eco-friendly technology is lamp free which saves anywhere from $199-$299 in replacement costs. No lamp means no mercury thereby eliminating toxic waste and no lamp also means virtually no maintenance to swap out bulbs. Laser LED Hybrid illumination technology delivers a longer light source life of up to 20,000 hours and is much more energy efficient utilizing intelligent power control, generating nearly twice as many lumens per watt as a lamp based projector. Furthermore, these projectors do not get hot to the touch, and are faster and quieter to switch on and off, as well as offering a more stable design.

 

Without compromising brightness, contrast or image quality, laser LED projectors lower TCO, are earth friendly and deliver rich, saturated color. You’ll save time and money, while enjoying a vivid and vibrant picture, year after year.

 

Have questions about what features you need for your specific projection needs? Ask us here on the blog.

 

*Light source life and energy savings may vary based on actual usage and other factors. Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

Windows or Android? That’s one of the most common questions a potential buyer will consider when thinking about buying a tablet. Android-based tablets help users keep connected with family and friends and offer plethora of available entertainment apps. However, for those considering a tablet for business use, a Windows device can make all the difference when it comes to device security.

 

With Windows 7, businesses benefit from enhancements that help protect sensitive company information, including multiple active firewall policies to prevent malware and unauthorized access, and page file encryption for the safety of critical documents. There is also a Backup and Restore feature that makes it easy to backup and restore data and settings in the event of a system crash. Some of the most noteworthy additional Windows 7 security features as they relate to protecting tablet users include:

 

• Action Center: This feature alerts users to security threats such as an inactive firewall or outdated antivirus software.


• BitLocker Drive Encryption: To keep documents safe in the event that a tablet is misplaced or stolen, BitLocker automatically encrypts any data saved on a hard drive.


• AppLocker: This included tool gives IT professionals more options for managing applications and enforcing application standardization, while delivering sophisticated protection against Trojan malware.


• Microsoft Security Essentials: This software is available with a simple download and provides reliable, free anti-virus protection.


• User Account Control: Ensures that only an authorized administrator users can make changes to system configurations, while alleviating IT administrators’ stressors with User Account Control.


• DirectAccess: For those planning to use their tablet as a flexible work solution, Windows 7 tablets deliver remote users smooth and secure access to enterprise resources without the need to connect to a VPN.

 

For those considering a Windows 8 tablet, stay tuned. We will share an updated posting on Windows 8 and tablet security information once the OS is officially launched.

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^©2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

Virtualization has become critical for companies looking to maximize efficiency when it comes to sharing or collaborating on important documents, and protecting and backing up data. The beauty of cloud computing is that it’s device-agnostic, enabling vital company data to be stored elsewhere on a server in the cloud. While cloud-based services can be accessed from a computer or smartphone, a tablet delivers the best of both worlds, offering touch, mobility and a screen size that’s larger than a smartphone. Perhaps the accessibility of virtualized environments on mobile devices is a big contributor to Gartner’s 4 percent forecast for the growth of traditional PC sales this year.

 

When it comes to the cloud, tablets enable workers to benefit from the productivity boost that comes from being able to work remotely yet securely from anywhere, anytime. Connecting via the cloud also lets businesses ensure that should a mobile device become lost or damaged, its data is safely stored. Rachel Dines at Forrester Research echoes this sentiment by stating that the proliferation of mobile devices in the workforce offers the benefit of more flexibility for workforce recovery options.

 

While any Wi-Fi connected tablet can serve as a portal into a virtualized environment, there are several product features that companies should be aware of when considering purchasing tablets for use with cloud applications. These three features let IT departments check that the devices they let into their organizations are ready for mobile cloud computing:

 

• Certifications: Know what software certifications the tablet has and how that software will benefit your organization. For instance, a Citrix Ready certification gives the buyer confidence that a tablet will work seamlessly in a Citrix virtualized environment. Additionally, customers of VMware will want to ensure that their device is compatible with VMware virtualization technology.

 

• Operating system: Android or Windows? A Windows tablet is ideal for full-featured desktop computing functionality in a mobile device. However, if you need the tablet to run an assortment of apps, Android might be the better fit. If you’re worried about not having access to critical Windows applications, software such as Citrix Receiver can enable Android tablet users to work with virtualized Windows desktops and applications.

 

• Device enhancements: Take a look at the feature-set while thinking of what will maximize convenience and benefits for the user. For instance, an SD card slot can enable a device’s storage capacity to be expanded, lessening the need for frequent hardware trade-ins. Consider the environments in which a tablet will be used. Does the tablet have a USB port? If so, employees can plug in a full keyboard and mouse to create a mobile desktop experience.

 

How is your organization accessing the cloud? Let us know what devices your company uses to access virtualized environments now, and which devices do you hope to implement over the next six months?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you know the difference between a consumer and a professional TV? They’re both just big displays right? Wrong. When it comes to business displays, there’s actually quite a difference to the extensive control features offered. For instance, these new models feature USB cloning making it easy to manage internal programming and content duplication. It’s these features that make professional monitor with HDTV compatibility products ideal for public areas requiring automated controls such as restaurants, sports bars, business lobbies and hospitality environments.

 

Giving our customers a set of commercial solutions at competitive consumer price points, we are pleased to announce our brand new Professional HD Display Series of business TVs. Ranging in size from 19”- 65”, our new commercial TVs pair the latest in “edge white” LED panel technology with advanced control functionalities, including user programmability, automated control, duplication and custom calibration.

 

These VESA mount compatible professional HDTVs deliver brilliant image clarity and high contrast with saturated colors, in addition to versatile connectivity options to help you run your business (including DVI compatible HDMI input, PC, traditional RCA composite and YPbPr component video connectors). Across our larger 27”-65” models, we also have integrated further automated control programmability features like RS232 and IR inputs, as well as front panel lockout, volume limitation, active inputs on power up and programmable channel range.

 

To learn more about these new professional HDTVs, check out today’s Press Release here. Have questions about what features you need for your specific business display needs? Ask us here on the blog.

With 25 years of display expertise, ViewSonic continually raises the bar to the next level of excellence in display technology. Our brand new 24” LED monitor takes innovation to the next level, with one of the world’s thinnest profile designs available for its size and class category.

 

At just one-quarter inch thick, the VX2460h-LED is a sleek and stylish widescreen display that pairs an ultra-slim design with advanced imaging technologies to reduce computer eyestrain after extended viewing. Partnered with a Full HD 1080p resolution, 2ms fast video response time, a high 40,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and touch-sensitive buttons, this truly is a state-of-the-art machine for consumers, gamers and discerning buyers alike who demand both world class performance and style. The dual HDMI® inputs also guarantee the highest quality high-definition audio and video. And with our ECO-mode feature, a 3-year standard limited warranty and the industry’s best pixel performance policy, you can feel good about making a long-term investment in this Energy Star® 5.1 certified display.

                                                          

The ViewSonic VX2460h-LED display is now available for an ESP of $199. For additional information on the VX2460h-LED, click here. Not sure if this is the right display for you? Just ask, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^©2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

When it comes to purchasing new technology, making the wrong decision can be a costly move – especially for financially strapped schools. For example, a district’s upfront cost when purchasing a device can be just a fraction of what they’ll pay if they buy the wrong device, which impacts both budget and resources.

 

ViewSonic has advice for educators on how to future-proof their classroom projector purchases, while making the best initial selection for their budget. Purchasers should first answer this simple list of questions to significantly lower total cost of ownership (TCO) to guide them in their decision-making:

 

1. Does the projector have a lamp? If so, what’s the expected lamp life?

Replacement lamps are not cheap; on average they can run $200-$300 per lamp. Look for the projector with longer lamp hours and a lower replacement lamp cost. Similar to the printer market, also be careful of projectors with a “too good to be true” price point. Often times, they will come with high replacement supply costs.

 

2. What sort of time requirements does the projector require of my staff?

Know whether your projector selection will require filter cleanings and replacement. This is usually the case with 3LCD projectors. These maintenance costs can add up over time, so to avoid filter costs completely, shop for a DLP projector.Look for top-loading projectors as well to avoid needing someone from the union to come out to change the bulb.

 

3. What sort of hidden costs might there be?

Installation and servicing can be expensive. Before you buy, talk with a servicer/installer who will answer your questions. Find one who will offer your school the best services for a good price. This can make a huge difference. The electricity costs of operating projectors can be more than you might think, so look for projectors with energy-saving features such as ECO mode (dims brightness by 20 percent) and DynamicEco™ (dims brightness by 70 percent). As an added bonus, these features will extend your lamp life too!

 

4. Warranty information can be confusing. What do I need to know? What is considered a good warranty?

Some projector companies offer seemingly longer warranties that exclude the more vulnerable moving parts and labor costs. Be weary of projectors that only ensure the chipset. This part of the projector hardly ever goes bad. To protect your investment, look for projectors with longer labor warranties (2+ years) to guard against costly repairs. A 1-year lamp warranty is also ideal in case the expected hourly lamp life isn’t meeting expectations. As most schools require 5-year warranties on the projector hardware, be sure to research which projector brand has the best price on extended warranty options.

 

To share hard numbers with your district heads on the savings your school can expect to achieve, check out our DLP projector TCO calculator. Still have questions about your next projector purchase? Ask us here!

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) tradeshow has come and gone once more. Over the course of four days, more than 1,800 exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees met to mold what the future will look like for the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industries. Following this week’s show, we wanted to share what, in our opinion, were the most notable technological advancements and trends that will change the customer experience within these industries.

 

The standout technology at this show was digital menu boards. Restaurants are increasingly showing nutritional information and digital boards can help them make updates quickly and without additional costs. Whether wanting to easily switch from morning to evening menus, or advertise the new special of the day, it’s clear that eateries now have significant opportunities to promote their menus in a brand new way.

 

A trend popular at NRA this year was the use of tablets within restaurants to make the customer experience more seamless. Tablet implementation examples include the wait-staff using the devices to take orders, turning the tablet into a POS system to manage the front of house, or even placing tablets on tables to enable patrons to place their order themselves. It’s great to see that due to their mobility factor, the possibilities for tablets within dining establishments are nearly endless.

 

What technological advancements do you see impacting the foodservice industry? Have you experienced any of these above examples in your own dining experience? Did you like or dislike it? Share your thoughts with us!

 

 

Have you heard of the flipped classroom teaching model? It is a teaching technique that is gaining steam across the country. The idea is that students do their homework during classroom time, and lectures are done outside of the classroom via the Internet. This allows for classroom activity to remain centered around student and teacher collaboration.

 

The argument is that with traditional teaching models, students can be overrun by homework assignments. When students don’t fully understand the lesson plan, completing homework at home can be difficult. For students who lack structure and guidance in the home, or a quiet place to study, completing assignments outside of school can become a nightmare.

 

In a recent article, Tech Decisions shared an interesting case study about Clintondale High School near Detroit. Clintondale spends most of class time giving students help rather than classroom lectures. Additionally, multimedia presentations and video conferencing with other classrooms around the world have become part of the school day for a more interactive environment.

 

For this school and many others like it, the individualized attention is working. Chronic failure rates have dropped dramatically, while college readiness scores have more than doubled to nearly 29 percent. The best part is that this new approach requires a very minimal investment in technology upgrades, and no alterations to existing network infrastructure. It’s a great approach for schools experiencing a decrease in financial resources. In Clintondale’s case, they needed to purchase five PCs with powerful CPU capacity to support the increase in PowerPoint presentation creation, a few USB microphones so teachers could record themselves for lessons, and two tablets for greater mobility options.

 

Students vary in how they learn best. That calls for leaders in education to be open to evaluating new strategies for helping students grow, both personally and developmentally. It’s great to see students achieving impressive levels of success because teachers are taking better notice of their needs.

 

We’d like to hear from educators whose students have seen academic gains with this method or another alternative educational model. Share your results with us, or tweet your tips to @ViewSonic.

 

When should I upgrade my projector? This is a great question posed by CNET in a recent article on how to know when it’s time to upgrade, from a home cinema perspective. This got us thinking about the similarities and differences between consumer and business-focused projection offerings, so we’ve put together this guide to help businesses know when they are ready for a projector refresh. See how your company’s hardware stacks up:

 

1. Resolution within Reach – To avoid image distortion, make sure your projector has a matching aspect ratio to that of your content and/or source device so images stay in their native format. Most online content today is in wide format, as are many IT devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones, etc. Companies will benefit from a widescreen WXGA projector with 1280x800 or 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. Note however that for 4:3 format support, you’ll want a matching aspect ratio like an XGA with a 1024x768 resolution for ideal image projection.

 

2. Bigger Brightness – For corporate environments like meeting rooms and boardrooms, it’s important to use a projector with at least 2700 ASNI lumens brightness to compensate for space size without having to turn out the lights. Does the room you’re projecting in have windows and a high amount of ambient light? Then you’ll want to make sure your projector has a minimum brightness of 3000 ANSI lumens to compensate. And for an even larger space like a lecture hall, make sure you have at least 4000 ANSI lumens for optimal image quality.

 

3. Compare Connectivity – There’s a lot to consider when it comes to making sure a projector has the right connectivity options for your needs. Know the number of devices that will need to connect to the projector before you start shopping to make sure it has enough inputs. For instance, two computers will need two VGA/RGB inputs on the projector. If you need a digital connection, then you’ll want a DVI and/or HDMI input. As for use with a DVD or VCR, you’ll need S-Video and/or composite video connection, and it’s all about HDMI when it comes to Blu-ray/DVR players. And with these multimedia needs, multiple audio inputs are a must. Does your office have a LAN network? Would your company benefit from being able to control, manage and monitor the projector from a PC? Then a model with an RJ-45 port with a built-in web-based setting configuration menu may also be of interest.

 

4. Rev up ROI – If you evaluate the above points prior to purchase, you can expect to use a projector for at least 2-3 years prior to considering a replacement. And while the cost of projectors themselves have gone down considerably, there are other factors you’ll want to take into account to maximize ROI, such as product warranty, lamp cost and hours, as well as maintenance costs like filter replacement. To protect your investment, look for projectors with longer labor warranties (2+ years) to guard against costly repairs. Replacement lamps can also be an unforeseen expense at a street price of $200-$300 a pop, so make sure you’re informed about the lamp warranty (1-year is ideal), and the expected hourly lamp life. With this information in hand, a more expensive projector unit may end up saving you in the long run.

 

Did your company recently upgrade its projector setup? What’s your favorite new projection advancement?

 

Posted in Corporate News

Have you noticed a reduction of paper used in your own doctor's office? According to the CDC, 57 percent of office-based physicians have been using electronic medical record / electronic health record (EMR/EHR) systems as of 2011, up from just 18 percent in 2001. To this trend, research firm, MarketsandMarkets forecasts that Electronic Medical Record and Electronic Health Record industries are expected to reach $6 billion by 2012 in the US alone.

 

There is no denying that digitizing medical records has the potential to keep patient documents safer and improve overall quality of patient coordination and care. However, this is only true if healthcare professionals have the right tools to help them effectively access these records. For the health industry, the implementation of tablet devices can offer the benefit of true mobility when it comes to showing patient information and making changes in real-time, while cutting costs for paper and the associated hassles of hard-copy records.

 

When determining the right tablet solution for medical industry professionals, it is crucial that resellers consider the following points:

 

Security: Clearly, security is a huge concern for professionals and patients alike. Windows-based tablets are an answer, as they include features such as built-in firewalls and data recovery settings. Third-party software and services can also further enhance device security and it is important to note that the Windows platform supports more of these features than the typical mobile operating system.

 

Image quality: Ultrasound imaging solutions manufacturer Interson Corporation is using our ViewPad 10 as part of its latest ultrasound solution to display images and data from its propriety ultrasound probe. As your customer will also likely be using the tablet for the review of critical client X-rays and other medical scans, excellent display quality is critical for an accurate diagnosis.

 

Processing power: For medical imaging needs, a higher quality processor may be required to handle a hospital's various software programs. Also consider that since FDA approval of the first mobile medical app in 2009, the use of medical apps will continue to grow and become more widely accepted, meaning tablets will need not only a great processor but also extensive storage options to support these applications.

 

What trends are you seeing in the medical field when it comes to the digitalization of client records? How do you feel the introduction of tablets into the medical profession will change the way patients receive treatments? Share your thoughts with us here on the blog.

Adoption of EMR/EHR systems by office-based physicians has increased.

 

Thin client computing offers significant benefits over traditional PC deployments. In fact, IDC found that thin client users (when compared to full PC users) experience a decline in hardware and software costs of 40 percent and a reduction in IT operations costs by 29 percent. In addition, IDC concluded that a thin client computing setup increases IT worker productivity by 56 percent due to a reduction of troubleshooting and repair needs, when compared to traditional PCs.

 

For organizations wishing to save acquisition and operating costs, enhance security and manageability, and promote green IT and sustainability, ViewSonic’s MultiClient solution puts thin client computing in reach for cost-conscious districts and SMBs.

 

Following its unveiling at ISTE 2011, ViewSonic is announcing new product bundles and software support today for the company’s MultiClient computing offering. This cost-effective, scalable solution lets educators and businesses easily create and manage their own private cloud computing environment. Enabling up to 20 independent user stations (with monitors, mice and keyboards) to be powered by just one host server, MultiClient significantly lowers the cost per seat, reduces energy costs and virtually eliminates compatibility issues and IT management needs.

 

Now two additional energy-efficient zero client VMA Series adapters are available, each with four USB ports, so users can connect their preference of peripherals. We enable users to select their preference of software licensing between Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011™ and Microsoft® MultiPoint® WMS2011 for true customization.

 

To get started with a MultiClient setup, educators and businesses just need to connect the MultiClient Adapter box to a monitor with keyboard and mouse, and then plug into the host server. For more MutliClient information, click here.

 

Are you a thin client believer? What sort of benefits have you seen? We’d love to take your questions about thin client deployments within your organization. Share your experiences with us here!

With the surge in flexible work schedules and telecommuting in the workplace comes an increase in the use of mobile devices. From smartphones to tablets, the lines of personal and professional property are becoming more and more blurred. In fact, the occurrence of employees brining their personal devices into the workplace for professional use has been named ‘Bring Your Own Device”, BYOD for short (also known as IT consumerization). With this BYOD craze comes many questions, including those around intellectual property and device-related expense and company responsibility.

 

However we think a recent CNET article raised an interesting, less obvious point about what will happen to the use of traditional PCs within the workplace as BYOD continues to go mainstream. According to a recent global workforce survey conducted by Forrester Research, about 74 percent of information workers have used two or more personal devices for work purposes, and 52 percent had used three or more. Of these devices, 25 percect were mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

 

Although BYOD is definitely on the rise, there is also evidence that the workforce still prefers to use work-provided devices. In fact, IDC found that only two out of 10 employees want to use their own device for work and personal use. However, this is likely due to the fact that employees don’t want to feel like they have to use their own personal devices within a corporate setting from a financial perspective. In other words, it looks like CNET’s article has answered the question of what will happen to the PC as BYOD becomes more mainstream – as long as BYOD means turning a company expense into a personal one, the workforce will continue to support the use of business PCs.

 

Do you bring in your own personal devices into the workplace? Does your company have a BYOD program or policy? Does your company offer its employees business tablets? Let us know your thoughts around the growing trend of BYOD here.

 

Recent advancements in display technologies have made their mark on the television viewing experience. It’s hard to believe just how far we’ve come since only a few decades ago during the times of black and white TV. Over the years, TV sets have become larger in size, while becoming slimmer and sleeker in profile and overall appearance. Paired with display advancements such as a Full HD picture, “smart” Internet connections and LED backlighting, TV has never been more exciting – for both commercial applications, such as the hospitality industry and sports bars, as well as home entertainment.

 

However, with this new TV technology comes more inputs and hookup ports. For someone that’s not up on the latest technology, all these new shapes and types of connectors can be quite confusing. We think a recent New York Times article did an excellent job decoding today’s 21^st Century television with easy-to-understand descriptions and useful corresponding pictures to help you feel confident in hooking up your new television:

 

1. USB:  A data connection, often used to connect a wireless “dongle” that can get your TV onto your home’s Wi-Fi network. Once that’s in place, your TV can become a “smart TV,” pulling in Internet content (Netflix, Facebook) that you can access directly on the screen.

 

2. Optical Audio:  Also known as Toslink, this standard uses fiber optic cables to transmit high-quality audio from the display to a soundbar, home theater system or an amplifier. Some audio components have moved to the HDMI standard, but there are still many products old and new that use this cable.

 

3. HDMI:  The current standard for high-definition video and audio connections. HDMI cables carry high-definition video and surround-sound audio in one cable. The content is transmitted digitally, so there’s little to no signal degradation, even over long distances.

 

4. Component:  Before HDMI, this was the only way to send high-definition video from a device to a display. Component cables are divided into three plugs — red, green and blue — each carrying a part of the video signal. Component cables are video-only, so you still need an audio connection to hear anything. HDMI is rapidly replacing this standard.

 

5. Composite:  The most basic — and lowest in fidelity — video connection. Good for connecting older equipment like camcorders or game consoles that lack the newer, more capable standards. Composite video is often located next to stereo outputs (not to be confused with Component plugs).

 

6. Audio Out:  Also known as RCA jacks, these ubiquitous ports are either red or white, to represent the left and right channels of a stereo signal. They provide low-fidelity audio connections, in that they do not support surround sound.

 

7. LAN or Ethernet:  A connector that looks like a telephone cable, but is a little bigger. Used to connect to wired local area networks (aka “a home network”), the LAN jack is what you would use if you did not have Wi-Fi.

 

8. Ex Link:  Available on some TVs, the ex link connection allows you to adjust the angle of certain wall-mounted TVs by using your existing TV’s remote control.

 

 

9. Antenna In:  Also known as a coaxial cable connection. This threaded connection is used to attach an external antenna (to receive over-the-air broadcast signals) or, sometimes, a cable set-top box. Modern set-top boxes usually have HDMI or component connections for a higher-quality connection between devices, so it is unlikely you would use this port.

 

10. PC In:  Also known as a VGA connector, this is a way to connect a laptop or other personal computer to a television. This connection is video only, so you would need to set up an additional audio connection to hear whatever was coming out of your computer.

 

Did your TV set up confuse you? Would this guide have helped you keep all the new technology straight? Or are you planning to put this article to use in an upcoming television installation? Tell us about it here on the blog.

 

Images Sourced from:  http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/03/21/technology/personaltech/hooking-up-a-new-tv-which-cable-goes-where.html

While schools haven’t always had to pay for their electricity use, the current economy and budget cuts have made districts responsible for these payments. As a result, some schools are facing huge electric bills. In fact, according to Energy Star, the nation’s school districts spend more than $7.5 billion annually on energy — more than the money spent on computers and textbooks combined. Even worse, as much as 30 percent of a district’s total energy expense is spent unnecessarily.

 



ViewSonic has some tips to help school districts save on electricity use while maintaining or even increasing their technology implementation within the classroom:

 

1. Turn Technology Off: Ensure that electronics and lights are turned off at the end of the school day, as well as when they are not in use. This includes computers, overheads, projectors, etc. Remember lights are used in some less obvious areas as well, such as hallways and bathrooms. Also consider replacing lights with more energy efficient bulbs.

 

2. Don’t Let Energy Get you Hot Under the Collar: A big cost for schools can be proper heating and cooling of educational spaces. To keep heat and air conditioning in rooms to maintain temperatures, keep all classroom and office doors closed. Be sure to turn the heat down after school and on weekends as well. If heating and cooling bills are still higher than desired, consider the impact a little landscaping can make. Pinpoint the rooms that get the most sun each day, and try planting trees to shade the windows from the direct rays.

 

3. Computer Labs Can Be Consuming Culprits: Not surprisingly, a school’s computer labs can be a huge energy expense. The heat generated by 30+ computers and CRT or LCD monitors can generate expensive air conditioning bills, and older computer monitors can be big energy consumers as well. Consider a computer lab makeover – ViewSonic’s MultiClient solution for example enables up to 10 individual monitor stations to share a single computer, helping schools reduce overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by as much as 60%. For additional energy savings, Energy Star certified LED displays make a significant impact – up to 60% compared to an equivalent LCD monitor.

 

4. Saving with Solar: Another approach to reducing electricity consumption is by installing solar panels. Take Huntington Beach City School District for example. The district has slashed its electric bills in half and expects to save more than $15 million over the next 25 years in electricity costs. There are plenty of incentives and rebates out there to help your district with the upfront costs of panel installation.

Have an energy-saving tip to share that’s been implemented at your school? Share it with us here on the blog, or tweet it to @ViewSonic.

Chances are, you are likely using an LCD monitor setup for your home and business computing needs. You’ve recognized the benefits of replacing your antiquated CRT device to get up to speed with your desktop technology. But you might have only just started the battle.

 

Great benefits can be achieved by upgrading your current LCD setup for an LED monitor instead. If you’re not convinced, check out this list of the top five benefits an enterprise can expect from taking its monitor technology to the next level with LED:

 

1. Improved performance: Is your current monitor giving you eye strain? Are you getting headaches by the end of the day? With LED monitors, users experience even better flicker reduction over LCD for a practically flicker-free image. That means less computer eyestrain and vision fatigue.

 

2. Reduced power consumption: Even further reduction of power consumption over LCD, up to 60% in some cases, results in significant energy cost savings. In addition, up to 90% of the energy consumed by the average monitor is released as heat. That means powering an LED monitor will result in a long-term electric bill savings as well.

 

3. Improved image quality: Through LED backlight technology, monitor manufacturers are able to deliver noticeable color improvements over LCD, as well as impressive contrast ratios to achieve a brilliant picture quality. This means darker blacks and brighter whites for a wider color gamut and better color accuracy.

 

4. Greater environmental benefits: Even more environmental benefits from reduced emissions and hazardous materials include the elimination of mercury. A mercury-free monitor means a greener, healthier planet, and that’s great for everyone.

 

5. Cost savings: Still not convinced that LED is the way to go for your business? Give our TCO calculator a try. By filling in the number of monitors used in your workplace, the hours each device is in operation per day and the number of days per week, you’ll determine the money your company will save by making the switch.^[1]

 

Are you planning to purchase a new LED monitor? What benefit are you looking forward to enjoying most from your new display?