Have you ever struggled to get your audiovisual equipment to work right before a big event or important meeting - only to find that you need to replace a part or that the new part you need doesn’t work with the system you currently have?

If you walk into a business meeting and the guy in charge of AV comes in pushing a cart with an oversized and outdated overhead projector, you’ll probably want to turn and walk back out (as you should).

A company’s approach to technology and innovation is a huge part of their overall image.

The appearance of your conference room and the AV capabilities it has are what will either draw people in or make them run to the next competitor.

Technology is constantly changing, so it can be difficult to keep up with all of the latest gadgets and gizmos available. In an effort to help you catch up, here are three of the top audiovisual trends this year that we’re most excited about:

The world and everything in it is ever-changing, but technology arguably changes faster than ever. Even if you’re a tech guru or an AV professional, it can be difficult to keep up with the rate of change. Popular technology from 20 years ago is most likely obsolete at this point (VCR, anyone?).

So, if you’re feeling lost in the whirlwind, here are four popular AV trends that you will be seeing a lot more of in the coming year.

With more and more technology revolving around internet access, homes and businesses are increasingly relying on stronger, more reliable, and constant network coverage. WiFi used to be a luxury, but many of the things we’ve come to expect simply won’t work right without an internet connect - be it a landline or wireless.

This shift has led to an important question:

Should your internet network connection be wireless or wired? Or is a hybrid solution best?

Below we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

At Texadia Systems, we strive to use only the best AV equipment available. As a way to show how we do that, we’ve started highlighting some of our biggest and best AV partners, starting last month with Biamp.

The second partner we’d like to introduce you to is SVSi Networked Solutions.

Texadia Systems is proud to announce our recent acceptance as a member of the HTSA (Home Technology Specialist of America). HTSA is a well-respected group of technology specialty retailers and custom integrators that work together sharing their knowledge in the field and growing their businesses together.

When contractors are building a home, their job is to make sure everything is connected the way it should be. For example, they check to see that the plumbing and HVAC ductwork are done right so that the new owners are satisfied.

One thing that is often overlooked, though, is the audio and video system options as the house is being built. If seamless sound and video are important to you, the best time to incorporate those things into your home is when it’s being built or renovated.

Let’s face it, though, most of us live in a house that’s already built and aren’t planning to do a major gutting any time soon. So what type of whole-house AV system is right for you? Let’s look at some options.

Automation used to be something that only businesses could benefit from, but now it’s become attainable for homeowners too. It has also expanded from merely controlling lights and air conditioning remotely to accessing anything electronic in your home. (Even your electrical outlets can be “smart”!)