Get It In Writing

This math teacher’s not much of an actor, but he does come up with a clever way use of video to prank his class.

Renowned Guitar Gizmo Company Builds a Better Switcher

VISTA, CA….RJM Music Technology has introduced the Y-NOT, a compact, full-featured A/B/Y unit that allows guitarists to easily switch between, or combine, two outputs. Using the Y-NOT, guitarists can choose between two distinctly different amplifiers, enabling a player to alternate between or combine different sounds in a live or studio environment.

The Y-NOT is designed as a powerful solution for switching a single audio signal between two outputs. Guitarists can use the Y-NOT to switch between amps with clean and distorted signals, or between the individual inputs of a dual-channel amp. Unlike traditional A/B switchers, the Y-NOT’s high-quality audio buffer and isolation circuitry adds no undesirable coloration or noise to the signal, resulting in a pure, unadulterated sound and smooth, transparent switching.

Vienna, Austria…ToolsOnAir, makers of QuickTime-based applications for broadcast video production professionals, has announced support for the Euphonix MC Control and MC Transport control surfaces within their just:live program.

Part of ToolsOnAir’s Broadcast Suite of real-time, Mac OS-based video solutions, just:live will support native control of Euphonix’s popular Artist Series control surfaces via Euphonix’s EuCon Ethernet protocol.

“Many of our users have been asking about controlling our timeline-based applications via external control surfaces, and the Euphonix Artist Series has been the most popular request,” says Gilbert Leb, ToolsOnAir’s VP of Sales and Marketing. “When we spoke with Euphonix about EuCon support, we were pleased to find they were very receptive, and we were able to quickly implement the EuCon protocol into our software.”

A decade ago, the record industry began to reel as technology leveled the playing field, giving artists the tools to create and distribute their music without waiting for the almighty Major Label Deal.

Now, TV broadcast looks set to follow down that path. TV is no longer the province of deep-pocketed global networks. A new generation of upstart broadcasters is emerging, using the power and penetration of the web to reach their audience.

TV Broadcast Europe reports on the new model for TV broadcasting.

New Entertainment Space Running with ToolsOnAir just:live Software

Perth, Australia…This city’s Northbridge district has long been known for its diversity and its nightlife. Now the area is evolving to become a family-friendly community and cultural nexus, thanks in no small part to the recently completed Northbridge Piazza, home to the city’s first Urban Screen.

Broadcasting a mix of video and interactive programming, the Piazza’s Urban Screen is part of a growing global network of outdoor big screens focused on providing multimedia and interactive content within public spaces. As media director Damien Blythe explains, the screen’s programming is designed to not just entertain, but to encourage participation and foster a sense of community.

UK: Plans for the exhibition are gearing up with news of a free visitor registration period lasting until February 11, writes David Davies. Registration is open now at the dedicated PLASA Show website (link below), with the event itself due to take place at Earls Court, London, from 12-15 September. http://tiny.cc/DJMc2

When “they” tell you that the loudspeaker can’t possibly be harmed because of the small power output of the amplifier, YOU can tell them this true story! http://tiny.cc/ALh30

UK: The campaign to win compensation for wireless systems rendered obsolete by the forthcoming spectrum changes has a new ally, writes David Davies. The Church of England (C of E) faces an estimated bill of £1m to replace or retune sound equipment on the basis that one in eight parish churches would need to spend approximately £500 to accomplish the migration. http://tiny.cc/B6hun

Stiernberg Consulting, the leading business development firm to the audio, video and multimedia industries, has issued their industry megatrends overview white paper for Q1 of 2010.

As part of the company’s ongoing series of quarterly industry-focused analyses, the current Stiernberg Consulting white paper offers a fresh perspective on current global economic trends and their effect on sales, marketing, brand building and communications.

“The common thread running through virtually all conversations we’ve had over the past few months has been the dual effects of globalization and our economic downturn,” observes Stiernberg Consulting’s founder and principal consultant, John Stiernberg. “The good news is, we’re seeing an exceptional degree of cautious optimism throughout the technology sector, and we believe that bodes well for a pattern of slow but stead growth in the coming months.”

Courtesy of David Meerman Scott, author of New Rules of Marketing and PR

You can buy attention (advertising)
You can beg for attention from the media (PR)
You can bug people one at a time to get attention (sales)

Or you can earn attention by creating something interesting and valuable and then publishing it online for free: a YouTube video, a blog, a research report, photos, a Twitter stream, an ebook, a Facebook page