AV SuperFriends

Recorded October 16, 2025 In this special Perspectives episode, Justin and Chris recorded live from ETC 2025 in Raleigh, NC, setting up in the middle of the action to capture conversations with Frank Alaimo from UNLV and Jim Spencer from Legrand. The panel digs into the real-world challenges facing campus AV teams today: modernizing aging classrooms, navigating procurement hurdles, managing user expectations, staffing shortages, and the never-ending push toward standardization and scalability. Expect candid stories, practical insights, a few jokes about geography and campus politics, and a grounded look at what's actually happening on campuses heading into 2025. Whether you missed ETC this year or just want the hallway-track vibe, this Perspectives episode brings the conference floor straight to your headphones.   Connect with our guests: Jim Spencer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jspence4/ Frank Alaimo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-alaimo-cts-i-01872466/   Join us at ETC 2026: https://www.etcollaborative.org/   We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com  ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded February 20, 2026 The panel this week is full of guest voices. The news segment examines AI-driven collaboration tools, particularly automatic recordings and transcripts, and the governance risks they introduce. The focus isn't hype, but ownership, confidentiality, consent, and what happens when institutional policy lags behind platform features.  Then the panel explores storytelling as a leadership skill. The discussion centers on intentional framing, timing, and how AV professionals can better communicate impact to stakeholders beyond technical specifications.  The final segment discusses furniture development for learning environments. The conversation highlights how intentional furniture design influences pedagogy, flexibility, and long-term scalability, balancing showcase spaces with sustainable campus standards.   News article: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/academic-freedom/2026/02/11/unc-admin-can-now-officially-secretly-record   Connect with Eric Gleske: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-j-gleske/ Connect with Chris Kolavo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskolavo-cci/ Connect with Atkins Fleming: ** LINK REMOVED ** Computer Comforts: https://computercomforts.com/products/av-hub/   Alternate show titles: Be on your best behavior The invasion of privacy because of technology The potential to be virtual I'm a story teller We've had a fascinating journey Your COVID was longer than mine… That's great, Dr. Scientist!    We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support 

Recorded February 13, 2026 It's March (yes, March– deal with it), the AV SuperFriends gather to lay down the law… higher ed AV law, that is. This month's On Topic tackles the Top Ten Commandments of AV: the rules you should follow, the ones you sometimes break, and the ones you pretend you've always believed in. From protecting audio at all costs and designing for serviceability, to avoiding 4K hype, over-automation, USB abuse, and unlabeled cables, the panel debates what actually matters when building and supporting campus systems. It's a fast-moving mix of standards, safety factors, lifecycle thinking, and a healthy dose of "why are we still doing this?" Opinionated, practical, and just irreverent enough, consider this your stone tablet for smarter AV design… subject to revision next month, that is. Alternate show titles: Sometimes you find yourself walking around thinking a lot Today's commandments are… Do you want to disservice half the room? How do you get away with that? Is that in your scope to check? The university as a whole… Yes, if you're touching the wall We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support  

Recorded February 6, 2026 ISE season is in full swing, and while much of the AV world is busy chasing booth demos and press releases from Europe, the AV SuperFriends are back doing what they do best: cutting through the hype. In this episode, the panel digs into the latest ISE announcements and trends, separating what's genuinely useful for higher ed from what looks great under trade-show lighting but falls apart in real classrooms. A major thread of the conversation focuses on rethinking camera deployments in teaching and meeting spaces. The crew challenges the default "one camera at the front of the room" mentality, unpacking how faculty behavior, room geometry, and instructional goals should drive camera placement, not product marketing. From multi-camera approaches to integrated camera bars and tracking features, the discussion centers on what actually improves teaching and learning versus what just checks a feature box. Naturally, the conversation eventually drifts into resolution arms races, with healthy skepticism about 8K's relevance and outright disbelief at the industry's eagerness to jump to 16K. News articles discussed: https://www.avinteractive.com/news/audio/biamp-workplace-update-heads-raft-of-company-innovations-04-02-2026/ https://ravepubs.com/sennheiser-launches-new-devicehub/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/01/lg-joins-the-rest-of-the-world-accepts-that-people-dont-want-8k-tvs/ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/josh-orenstein_8k-tv-is-officially-dying-and-the-production-activity-7424132250562392064-UOaD   Alternate show titles:  One step at a time, Marc This pane of glass is a pain in my ass Shoebox worth of sh*t I want to be all inclusive Listen, pal… You know what, maybe he's right? With as much proliferication… I haven't quite got to the "I'm yelling at you" part When it exposes itself… Four cameras! I heard that's supposed to save lives I heard that's the bees knees Oh, joy! I don't think physics works like that    We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded January 16, 2026 In this episode of On Topic, the panel leans hard into the "Groundhog Day" reality of higher ed AV, where every semester feels like a rerun of the last one. From the same classrooms and support tickets to the same mysterious $7 HDMI cable failures, the panel reflects on why our work so often feels stuck on repeat, even as we insist "this time it'll be different." With their usual mix of sarcasm, experience, and self-awareness, they review the projects, services, and processes that keep coming back year after year… sometimes for good reasons, sometimes because no one ever really fixes the root problem. It's a funny, honest look at institutional memory, consultant déjà vu, and the strange comfort of knowing that no matter what changes, some AV challenges are forever. Alternate show titles: What failed last time? I'm a shopping cart Not every year… every DAY I'm afraid to ask the question Room with too many TVs In cloud or on prem again Cloud-based whatchamadoolie I'll track your life Does everybody get access? Hybrid bastardized version What does that mean for YOUR internet of things? In my secret cloud Check in to get the services I'll flag it, but I won't unflag it We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded January 23, 2026 In this episode, the panel looks into the growing disconnect between AI hype and the realities of higher-ed operations. As campuses spin up task forces and strategy decks, the people closest to the work are still trying to explain that real progress comes from solid processes, clean data, and systems that actually integrate, not shiny tools bolted on top of chaos. The conversation drifts (on purpose) through buzzwords, half-baked pilots, and the familiar frustration of being asked to support technologies that skipped the fundamentals. Along the way, the panel brings a healthy mix of skepticism, humor, and hard-earned experience from living at the intersection of AV, IT, and reality. It's part therapy session, part reality check, and part drive-time radio nonsense. If you're sitting on an AI committee, dodging hype cycles, or just trying to keep classrooms running while everything gets labeled "AI-powered," this one will hit close to home.   News article: European Journal of Education - Intelligent Classrooms: How AI and IoT Can Reshape Learning Spaces Connect with Dr. Kati Peditto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katipeditto/ DLR Group "Evolution of Campus"  https://www.dlrgroup.com/firm-news/evolution-of-campus-research-outcomes/   Alternate show titles: You drive the bus you throw people under It's a switch on the wall The AI-native We're gonna need you to talk about this with other people Two-factor three different times The sun couldn't rise tomorrow The cooperative nature this will require is one of the biggest hurdles We're doing this and if not you're getting fired Start in an existing building How insistent are you? AI-enabled whatchamadoolie Your internal relationships are not my problem Wait, can I give some context real quick? What the hell is the ask? Define something! Learning styles don't exist Information isn't as important as it used to be Florida ceiling They've conversated with the clients Am I gonna be the wet blanket here? Just give me some bread crumbs If your university has X amount of money How do we know we've elevated the human experience? Doubling the number of butts in seats   We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded January 9, 2026 It's mid-January, and we kick off the first full show of the year with news from CES nonsense, reviewing what consumer tech trends might actually sneak into higher-ed AV and which ones should stay in Las Vegas forever. That quickly turns into an AI-heavy conversation covering lecture capture anxiety, faculty concerns, digital avatars, and synthetic presenters. Then we dig into what happens when trust in a manufacturer, platform, or product is broken, whether that trust can ever truly be rebuilt, and how past experiences shape long-term decisions around standards, vendors, and institutional risk. With conference previews, a preview of NWMET, and the usual mix of practical insight and unnecessary hypotheticals, this episode is a fitting start to the year. If your semester just started and your systems are already acting up, you're among friends.   News stories discussed: https://www.euronews.com/next/2026/01/07/ai-software-that-can-create-digital-clones-of-employees-unveiled-at-ces-2026 https://www.engadget.com/wearables/ixis-autofocusing-lenses-multifocal-glasses-ces-2026-212608427.html https://smarthairclipper.com/ https://mypersonas.ai/   Connect with Raul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rburriel/   Alternate show titles: Micro lawnmower I do enjoy wearing banana hammocks Your Subscription Ran Out Why are we hiring experts, I just want to replace me! Unauthorized Digital Twin Testing in production There's no testing… just production I'm always going to assume that something is my fault We didn't think anyone would actually do that AI-bolted on features There are booths at InfoComm that I walk right past Button panel of tomorrow It's all ones and zeros MET payday loans Find your swimsuits for 2027   We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded December 12, 2025 It's the AV SuperFriends New Year's special, which means one part retrospective, one part speculation, and several parts nonsense. The panel looks back at their predictions for 2025 to see who deserves credit, who gets partial credit, and who should maybe stop predicting things altogether. From conference room technology to AV-over-IP realities, the team grades themselves with the kind of honesty only friends (and live chat hecklers) can provide. Then, eyes turn cautiously toward 2026. Expect bold takes on where AV is actually headed, which "next big things" might finally show up, and which trends are still just vaporware. Dante AV, displays, digital twins, medium conference room solutions, and the ever-present gap between marketing promises and real-world deployments all get their moment under the microscope. As always, it's opinionated, occasionally insightful, and completely Larry-free. If you like your year-end AV and IT technology analysis served with sarcasm, self-awareness, and honesty, this one's for you. Alternate show titles: 50 percent with an asterisk A-S-T-R-X Hot Dog Crap I've got a few or a couple or some number here PoE Toilet Which Kinda Works This might be a run-on sentence We've never been closer Room Classic KFC Classroom  KFC is world wide   We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded December 5, 2025 As December pretends to be festive while refusing to fully commit to Christmas, the AV SuperFriends gather to celebrate that special time of year when inboxes are ignored, productivity is optional, and every project update is deferred. Naturally, this means the conversation focuses on patent lawsuits, seasonal anxiety, and the true meaning of future-proof… which, as it turns out, might actually mean sealed in concrete for eternity. From Barco's latest courtroom adventure to the existential question of who actually owns and maintains the hundreds of learning spaces PCs on campus, the panel wanders joyfully into topics no one planned for but everyone has opinions about. Sprinkle in questionable NDI workflows, a debate over whether ServiceNow stories should start with "Once upon a time," and at least one visceral reaction to USB extenders, and you've got yourself a classic AVSF experience.   News story: https://www.ravepubs.com/barco-yealink-patent-verdict-clickshare/   AI-generated alternate show titles Once Upon a ServiceNow Ticket Future-Proofed… and Future-Ruined Legal AV: The Trend Nobody Wanted The Great PC Custody Battle Reserved, Reversed, Whatever; Lawyers Are Involved NDI, USB, and Other Seasonal Nightmares December: Now Technically Christmas-Adjacent   Far superior human-created alternate show titles: It depends, it's diapers Immensely reserved Buckets are bigger than cans Future proof Zip tied off to all these rafters A hot dog is not a sandwich You seem to have it made here It happens so magical I don't know all the details We can biotrack 'em We have one support desk except for the… What do you mean by general support? Stop picking on me! We got some weird ask from some faculty When did we talk about this? I'm gonna cram it in somewhere You missed one thing, Marc I don't have any PC problems Church benches   We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded November 14, 2025 The AV SuperFriends kick off their first holiday special of the season with a spirited look at the gear, gadgets, and AV workflows that should make life easier, but only if you also bought the missing accessories, licenses, adapters, or seventeen extra widgets the manufacturer forgot to mention.  In classic Christmas fashion, the crew shares their "Batteries Not Included" frustrations: software that secretly requires expensive hardware, switchers that almost solve every problem but miss the basics, power supplies that mysteriously vanish from product boxes, and cloud-connected ecosystems with more prerequisites than a graduate-level course. Along the way, the panel detours into holiday lights, dubious Best Buy happenings, the return of RDL-style power-supply roulette, and the annual reminder that USB extension is still cursed. They also preview an upcoming deep-dive on enterprise cloud AV, tease the December call-in show, and, of course, deliver an unhealthy dose of seasonal immaturity. If you've ever unboxed a "perfect" AV solution only to discover it needs three more boxes, a license key, an aggregator VM, and a Christmas miracle to function, this episode is for you.   Alternate show titles: Holiday Mode The setting on your doohicky Don't put it in holiday mode Who dropped the dogs off Allen Head Doll House It does everything you want but nothing you need Least offensive to "you gotta be kidding me" You can't get this to that You can buy HDBaseT out, you just can't get it in Similar to Larry, but different You always have to buy the power supplies separate They mostly last That's not the answer; stop it! Some adult supervision required I want that in my stocking   We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded November 21, 2025 In this jam-packed episode, the AV SuperFriends welcome two guests from sunny Southern California, Raj Singh from USC and Joe Way from UCLA, to tackle one of the most challenging topics in higher-ed technology today: cloud-connected AV. The panel reviews what it truly means to run a "connected campus," exploring the benefits, hurdles, required workflows, stakeholder alignment, and how automation and virtualization are reshaping classroom support. But it's not all cloud talk! USC and UCLA are days away from their big Crosstown Cup rivalry game, making this the biggest weekly rivalry segment of the season. Expect good-natured trash talk, playful jabs, and a surprisingly collaborative discussion between two AV teams who are supposed to be mortal enemies. Along the way, the panel veers off the rails into corporate jargon, classroom design myths, camera panic ticket escalations, and the ever-expanding universe of AV podcasts and tools. As always, there's plenty of humor, plenty of trash talk, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Whether you care about AV architecture, cross-campus ecosystems, sports rivalries, or just want to hear two LA schools grin through their competitive tension, this episode has something for you.   Download AV Buddy: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/av-buddy/id476993821 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ionpixel.avbuddynew   Connect with our guests: Joe Way: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahway/ Raj Singh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r5ingh/   Alternate show titles: AV in a Box Craft Brewing Cloud So when AWS goes down… We're sky-connected Simple scales and complex fails You all spent a crapton of money Adopting standards that are already pre-existing Tickets are the results of problems They don't know how to speak "us" They're saying crap I've never heard in my life No one cares about the network We want the AI applications to be on the ground I have a number and it is 10 People view your strategy through their strategy Do NOT let me do installation I was high on something   We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded November 7, 2025 In this episode, Chris, Jamie, Marc, Larry, Justin, and special guest Craig Park tackle the complexities of large capital projects, the importance of early engagement with AV consultants, and the often murky waters of project communication. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they explore the trials and tribulations of navigating institutional silos, the challenges of meeting evolving educational needs, and the inevitable "telephone game" that occurs in project management. With insights on everything from classroom design to the philosophical implications of technology placement, this episode is packed with practical advice and entertaining anecdotes because in the world of AV, nothing is ever straightforward! Connect with Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigpark/ Listen to EdUp Smart Space: https://www.edupexperience.com/p/edupsmartspace/ Clark & Enersen: https://www.clarkenersen.com/   News article:  https://www.pages.biamp.com/index.php/email/emailWebview?email=OTI0LUpDWi03OTIAAAGd-OtXNgg1KlLd-RKlOt4vzDs3GRaZJ9NDForsuZXNtxtjAou5AngX71XLAYLZJ-EcPMbTf_pggjwyNPVJzRoBGWtpV3KKo2pwjw AVoIP article: https://www.avnation.tv/2025/10/06/av-over-ip-in-higher-education-from-hype-to-higher-purpose/   Alternate show titles: It's not about the person on the far end; I don't care about that The data says we need to care about our analog space We have a voice lift building over here We can almost leave the acoustician out of the room Oral clarity and visual acuity Top of mind or full of stomach How do we raise the bar instead of lower the bar? Something is better than nothing That's like my happy place Why didn't you tell me I was being stupid? You didn't tell us loud enough… If a decision is being made that goes against the laws of physics… I didn't have gray hair before that meeting Oh, man, I've been loud I got a couple questions about Punch Out Design Bid Build Litigate We're doing all the easy stuff We're designing 50 year buildings with 8 year technology I don't have a solution for that It's never me; I don't own sh*t Checkbook of novelty checks We'll all end up on an island I haven't seen anything innovative in two and a half years    We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded October 24, 2025 In this Thanksgiving special, the crew gathers at the bustling Circus Circus in Las Vegas (by way of theater of the mind). Chris, Jamie, Marc, Larry, Justin, and special guest Frank Alaimo, dive into the chaos of AV integration during the holiday season, while serving up piping hot takes and mashed-up opinions. As they navigate the complexities of holiday technology requests, the conversation hilariously veers into the world of DIY AV setups, unexpected tech purchases, and the challenges of integrating consumer-grade equipment into professional environments. From the infamous 'hockey puck' microphones to the wild world of Raspberry Pi lighting setups, nothing is off the table. So loosen your belts, grab a plate, and settle in for a feast of sound, humor, and a few too many turkey puns!   Connect with Frank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-alaimo-cts-i-01872466/   AI-generated alternate show titles: Turkey Talk and Tech Troubles A Thanksgiving Roundtable of AV Shenanigans Gravy and Gadgets A Thanksgiving AV Extravaganza A Turkey-Themed AV Roundtable   Far superior human created alternate show titles: When you see people on stilts, you know it's a fancy joint This is actually fulfilling one of my life goals Mistakes were made The Whoa-Pro! It works right out of the box A hockey puck USB mic It has little legs on it, maybe not The turducken of meeting rooms They start banging it out and you're like "Oh!" What do you think is going on in this classroom, dude? This is news to me! An army of fruit rolling around    We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded Oct 8, 2025 In this episode, the crew tackles the realities of higher ed AV projects that just don't go according to plan.  When timelines slip, budgets tighten, or rooms are handed over mid-flight, how do campus tech teams adapt and deliver before classes start? Chris, Marc, Larry, Jamie, Justin, and special guest Chris Gaut exchange tales about project rescues, impossible deadlines, and those "we don't need you… until we do" moments, whether it's taking over a half-finished install, fixing someone else's mistakes, or deciding when to step in (and when to let it burn).  Later, the discussion turns to mixed-use spaces and the eternal debate over surround sound in classrooms and auditoriums: what customers say they want versus what they really need. In the news, Zoom wants to be your video content management platform, taking on Kaltura, Yuja, Panopto, etc. Good. News: https://www.zoom.com/en/products/video-management/   Connect with our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-gaut-430607174/   AI-generated alternate show titles: We Didn't Start the Fire (But Facilities Did) Let It Burn: A Project Management Love Story Scope, Schedule, and Smoke Damage The Great Handoff Heist Pumpkin Spice and Panic Season Who Signed Off on This? Surround Sound in the Storage Closet AV Triage: Do No Harm, Fix Everything Hot Mics and Hotter Deadlines Off the Rails: Now with 30% More Fire   Far superior human created alternate show titles: Am I paying for this bill? It might not be a… synchronous course It's not that I'm not positive on AI… Buy low, sell high You have steak in the game Two people in one rack I want some pain to be felt Owner Found Equipment If you've got a PM who's going through a bumpy divorce This is oddly specific We're outside their sphere of control Justin and his crazy ass hairbrained AV shit There's no submittals for lighting control… Malicious compliance This is my cousin Shmustin I'm picturing Justin in tear-away cargo pants We call that surrounded by sound That's why you do mono everywhere They both like high quality projection I'm not doing it, that's stupid Choose your own adventure No, because I lied to them Mano-a-mono Math that out   We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded October 3, 2025 In this episode, the crew gears up for the 2025 ETC Conference in Raleigh, NC, swapping predictions, travel plans, and a few questionable presentation ideas. Brandon Pope from NC State and Tim Cichos from Notre Dame join to preview what attendees can expect from the conference, from the carefully planned venues and community spirit to the sessions that promise to mix genuine insight with the usual mischief. The news segment debates goggles, infinite desktops, and TikTok eyewear that no one asked for. The panel also unpacks how AV and IT teams evolve from specialized support units to campus-wide partners. The Weekly Rivalry returns with campus tech bragging rights on the line with football-style scorekeeping applied to AV, IT, and higher ed technology showdowns.    News story: https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-halts-vision-pro-overhaul-focus-ai-glasses-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-10-01/   Connect with our guests: Tim Cichos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tcichos/ Brandon Pope: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-pope-nc-edtech-profile/   ETC Conference: https://www.etcollaborative.org/2025-annual-conference   AI-Generated Alternate Titles: Pumpkin Spice and Patch Cables The ETC Pre-Game Show Stuff, Things, and Infinite Desktops TikTok Goggles for Higher Ed Flooding the Zone with AV Wisdom The Carolinas Conference Countdown Mannequins, MacBooks, and Mayhem Raleigh Rally: The AV SuperFriends Hit the Road Goggles, Gremlins, and Great Expectations Prepping for ETC Like It's Finals Week Far superior human-generated alternate titles: Infinite Desktop Your desktop is in my airspace Will it increase their band-width? I think what Chris said is the important part Little did you know, I'm the CFO The rest of us are pretty much useless Is this about BBQ again? Sneakernet Days I'm going to see all this BS about AI I didn't on purpose go there That's what the snap monkeys are for! From central to not-central to central again Spend Money!  Frugalivity Just don't put sound in your rooms They were keeping puddles in there Brian's Brains I've lost every time since   We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support  

Recorded September 19, 2025 It's October, and the AV SuperFriends are leaning into the spooky season with a conversation that's equal parts eerie and insightful. They tackle some of the haunted house problems in higher ed AV: ghost signals that won't quit, obsolete equipment that seems impossible to kill off, and the slow creep of outdated standards lurking in classrooms everywhere.  Joining the discussion are special guests Gary Cummins Indiana University and Neal Feuerhelm from the University of Illinois, who weigh in on how their campuses are handling the monsters of modernization. From faculty demands for shiny new gear to the challenges of keeping hundreds of teaching spaces alive and stable, the group debates what's worth upgrading, what's better left buried, and how to keep technology aligned with real teaching and learning goals. And since it wouldn't be fall without a little football, the episode features a spirited Weekly Rivalry matchup between Illinois and Indiana. Much like on the gridiron, each university makes its case for AV dominance, touting classroom innovations, campus traditions, and the resilience of their teams. The friendly trash talk goes into overtime with lightning-round questions and leaves listeners with one key takeaway: in higher ed AV, rivalries may be playful, but the commitment to delivering reliable, effective teaching technology is very real.   Connect with our guests: Gary Cummins - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-cummins-5690026b/ Neal Feuerhelm - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nfeuerhelm/   AI-generated Alternate Episode Titles: Spooky Trends & a Big Ten Showdown Ether Killer and the Haunted Classroom When Old Gear Refuses to Die Spooky Season, Creepy Standards, and a Big Ten Showdown Ghosts in the Machine: Higher Ed's Halloween Special Haunted Touch Panels and Other AV Nightmares Rivalries, Revenants, and Room Schedulers   Far Superior Human-Generated Alternate Show Titles: You want all those ports back? They went from putting everything on there to nothing There's not enough of it to justify putting in a special thing Are you too busy to finish a thought? Your standards are at random heights The consumerification of all our AV products That meant it was dead, not asleep Either one, I don't want to do anymore… Live grounding bus bar I don't know how many pools you have on campus We got a name for that It involved a lot of lube Turn it to 11 You can't really touch the HTML It's the viewer's problem We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded September 12, 2025 It's episode 1-2-3 Off the Rails, and the crew is joined by two special guests for an especially thick and robust panel for a discussion of multi-display classrooms that either delight faculty or guarantee support tickets, the eternal war over dongles, aspect ratios, and those pesky 4:3 PowerPoints that just won't die. Special guests Tino Kaltsas and BC Hatchett jump into the chaos, sharing stories about bats in classrooms, rogue lighting complaints, and makeshift pandemic-era libraries-turned-classrooms. The panel debates whether multi-display AV systems are a blessing or a curse, all while tossing good-natured jabs and commiserating over faculty whiteboard obsession. And of course, it wouldn't be an Off the Rails live show without the Weekly Rivalry segment featuring this week's unlikely face-off between Wisconsin and Vanderbilt. With their original opponents chickening out, the Badgers and Commodores go toe-to-toe in a spirited four-quarter contest of AV wits, scored with touchdowns, field goals, and a surprising number of bats. News: https://www.cined.com/apple-iphone-17-pro-introduces-prores-raw-and-genlock-for-filmmakers/   AI-Generated Alternate Show Titles: Bats, Whiteboards, and Multi-Display Madness The One True Aspect Ratio (and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves) When Your Library Becomes a Classroom and Your Classroom Gets Bats Zip Ties, Velcro, and the Scars to Prove It Weekly Rivalry: Wisconsin vs. Vanderbilt—The Matchup Nobody Asked For Pumpkin Spice and PowerPoint Crimes Genlock, Dongles, and the Quest for Simplicity From Cheese Curds to Hot Chicken: A Higher Ed Showdown Please Stop Writing on the Auditorium Whiteboards   Far superior human generated alternate show titles: Broadcast-ish quality There's a button on your phone? Listen… she was sleeping I didn't realize that was a big fauxpas That's a piece of garbage on a chair Makes me want to start smoking again I have a maybe-even-worse scenario The goober who comes in off the street Somebody's got to speak a bit of truth Asking for a hammer to dig a ditch Sound freeze Bats in our belfry Chasing this thing around with a Dell box Did you tell them the sun moves? I was super pleased with it That's a great example of Marc being wrong We do math pretty well Test in production It's a squeaker!   We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded September 5, 2025   The AV SuperFriends are back with two special guests, Casey Sisco (UTSA) and Atkins Fleming (Texas State). This one covers it all: from facial recognition at football stadiums, to the never-ending challenges of digital signage.    The highlight of the show is our Weekly Rivalry segment, where Texas State and UTSA face off in a sports-style showdown for AV & IT bragging rights. With Casey and Atkins representing their campuses, the panel covers standards, design strategies, and the quirks that make each team unique. Touchdowns are scored, safeties called, and by the end we've got a winner crowned in the I-35 Showdown.   It's rivalry, it's comedy, and it's AV therapy, all rolled into one.   News: https://edscoop.com/university-of-florida-debuts-facial-authentication-for-sports-events/   AI-generated alternate show titles: Pumpkin Spice and Projector Lamps Digital Signage and Other Bad Decisions Facial Recognition at the Football Gate Velcro, Zip Ties, and Rivalries From Body Farms to Concrete Labs The Great USB Extension Debate Standardization vs. Innovation Who Runs Texas Tech? (No not that Texas Tech)   Far superior human created alternate show titles: You can't change culture Take your stick and plug it in As long as it works for them… Why would I put it online? Alls we do is put the display on the wall Not for MY group I wasn't in the conversation when this was being set up But do you care? I DO care We get into a lot of… battles Use code "Raul" for 10% off Health codes, maybe? Free Tacos on Tuesday Hurdle spaces USB control hub room thing What I'm hearing is Stagnatation The body farm is just littered with dead humans Flies, and rot, and maggots I-35 showdown   We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support  

Recorded August 15, 2025 In this episode, Chris, Jamie, Larry, and Justin revel in the chaos and excitement of back-to-school preparations and reminisce about their experiences from ten years ago while tackling the challenges of the new academic year. The discussion kicks off with a lighthearted look at the absurdities of the back-to-school rush, including the frantic requests from faculty and the inevitable tech hiccups. The team shares their thoughts on how far AV technology has come in the past decade and reflects on the lessons learned along the way. From the struggles of outdated systems to the thrill of new installations, they cover it all. As they navigate through their own back-to-school stories, the panelists reveal their personal strategies for managing the busy season and keeping their sanity intact.   AI-generated alternate show titles: Back to School: AV Edition  Lessons Learned: A Decade of AV  The Back-to-School Survival Guide  AV Flashbacks: 10 Years of Chaos  Tech Trials and Triumphs  From Panic to Preparation  AV SuperFriends: Back to School Madness  Navigating the New School Year    Far superior human created alternate show titles: They hibernate and then re-hatch Looks like an owl winking at you Everybody loves whiteboards That whiteboard is structural These were working before they touched them You know who didn't say that? He… didn't get fired It's my first day! I've been flat on purpose Dumb questions like "Are you done yet?"   We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded August 22, 2025 We kick things off with the big news of the week: AOL finally pulling the plug on dial-up internet. Yes, it was somehow still a thing. Cue the nostalgia, sound effects, and plenty of snark. From there, we debate the future of AVoIP. Is it the solution for everything, just another tool in the quiver, or the next technology destined to quietly fade away? Expect strong opinions, clashing perspectives, and a few surprising alliances you didn't see coming. We also launch a brand-new segment: Weekly Rivalry. Our first matchup? A non-rivalry between Iowa State and UNLV, brought to life with sports-style commentary, AV smack talk, and behind-the-scenes looks at how each campus tackles classroom tech, standardization, and those weird spaces nobody talks about.   Topics this week include: The end of AOL dial-up (seriously, it was still around) The great AV over IP debate: future standard or passing fad? Standardization, room checks, and the weirdest classrooms ever supported Why faculty still love (or hate) classroom PCs   News article: https://www.theverge.com/news/757194/aol-dial-up-is-dead https://help.aol.com/articles/dial-up-internet-to-be-discontinued   AI-generated alternate show titles: Firmware Updates and Budget Cuts Traffic Jam at the USB-C Junction Goodbye, Dial-Up. Hello, AOL Discs on eBay. AVoverIP: Tool, Fad, or Forever? Ceiling Mics, Dongle Rescues, and Other Heroics The Quiver, the Toolbox, and the Cable Slot That Eats HDMI More Opinions Than Panelists Cloud Dreams and Network Nightmares Cadaver Labs, Poultry Farms, and Men's Room IDF Closets   Far superior human created alternate show titles: That's big in Kentucky Teddy is probably not going to have internet I still have a Hotmail More women for us! I'm OK being blasphemous We were aligned until you opened your mouth From the thing over IP to the other thing Baseband is coming to an end You said that where you can't be wrong It'll all figure itself out I keep arrows in the toolbox This is not just a Vegas thing, this is a Frank thing Have you seen society? We're not pumping out geniuses! We've had that for 10 years and it still doesn't work Digital plumbers Some overwhelming whatever it is It's not that; it's laziness How many multi-factors do I need to get into this? I can do this in my bedroom There's going to be a nerd on the back-end Reboot the speaker The AI will reboot it for you Go get 'em, tiger! That stupid clocking thing I lean into things that we hate 28-year-old Frank would have said something different We don't have money for Velcro-brand Velcro It's a 1-seater!   We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support