Traditionally, businesses have regarded audio and video as separate media and never imagined that they could be merged into a single network. Until now. AV over IP is no longer a fantasy. Any standard Ethernet network can be used as a conduit to transfer AV signals including: HV video, audio, control and peripheral signals.

While the technology to use AV over IP is available already, the question is whether or not businesses are ready to use it.  Just a short time ago, if you had considered pushing AV over IP, you may have drawn a few worries from the IT department. Concerns about bandwidth, network crashes, and the effects that it would have on other business processes, like email, may have stopped you in your tracks. The big challenge no longer rests on the limits of technology, but rather on a business’ willingness to accept the big push that new technology gives us. If we are ready for that big push, then who knows where the technology might take us.

Schools today are very different than they were many years ago. Once considered a safe haven for students, increasing cases of mass violence and suicides on campus are shattering the perception of safety within school walls.  Frighteningly, we have seen an increase in on-campus violence at colleges and universities, and we have learned in recent years that no school or community is immune to violence.  With nearly 40 cases of campus shootings in 2014 , it’s evident the state of safety measures in educational institutions needs to be re-evaluated. Could technology play an integral role in making schools safer?

To a certain extent, schools and colleges are already using technology to address safety issues. In fact, many of these institutions have the latest security cameras, audio-visual equipment, intercoms, etc. on site, yet many of these measures would have little to no impact in the face of a crises. Why? Because most of the data and communication systems in place at schools are difficult to control and time-consuming to master. In an emergency situation demanding prompt action, these systems fail because they take too much time. Let’s look at how the right AV solutions can change this.    

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the term “Net Neutrality” refers to a set of principles that instigate Internet service providing companies (ISPs) to give users the access to all content and applications, irrespective of sources. It further asserts that ISPs should not express any favoritism or prohibition on any kind of products or website.  

‘Tis the Season for the dreaded “Cold Pull”. During the winter months Liberty typically sees claims of cable jackets cracking and splitting from customers. In almost every instance the product exhibits splits and cracks every couple of feet. This is not a defective cable but is an example of incorrect installation procedure by the installer. Plenum compounds are very stiff due to the additions of chemicals to prevent flame spread and smoke generation. Cold temperatures cause this to become very brittle and when the cable is flexed – the jacket shatters and/or cracks as shown below: