AV SuperFriends: Off the Rails - We can’t be accountable for someone else’s stupidity
Release Date: 05/21/2025
AV SuperFriends
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...
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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...
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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 From the struggles of outdated systems...
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Recorded August 29, 2025 Just in time for the big Texas at Ohio State game, it’s a special episode of AVSF! When the calendar hands us a rare fifth Friday, the AV SuperFriends don’t take the week off. We go live with a special bonus episode full of chaos, competition, and classroom technology trash talk. Chris, Jamie, Marc, and Justin are joined by two guests: Chris Harshfield from Ohio State and David Cannon from UT Austin. This week’s Weekly Rivalry segment pits Buckeyes against Longhorns in a gameday-style showdown of AV & IT. Ohio State touts consistency, standardization,...
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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,...
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Recorded August 8, 2025 In this episode of Off the Rails, Chris, Jamie, Marc, Larry, and Justin review the chaotic world of last-minute project requests. They share their experiences, strategies, and a few laughs while navigating the often unpredictable demands of faculty and staff just before the new semester kicks off. The conversation kicks off with a lighthearted look at the absurdity of trying to accommodate requests that come in at the eleventh hour. The panelists discuss the importance of setting realistic timelines and the challenges of managing expectations when it comes to...
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Recorded July 11, 2025 In this episode, the goon squad discusses testing AV equipment and the often murky waters of bench testing. Join Chris, Jamie, Larry, and Justin as they share their experiences, opinions, and a few laughs about the realities of ensuring gear works as intended before it hits the field. The discussion kicks off with a humorous take on the common practice of just throwing gear into new environments without thorough testing. The panelists debate the balance between best practices and the chaotic nature of real-world installations, exploring how much testing is truly...
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Recorded July 25, 2025 In this episode, join Chris, Jamie, Marc, Larry, and Justin as they discuss the the broken business model of per room, per system, per month, per year cloud service pricing, the ongoing struggle with outdated features and devices that just won’t die and the question of when to cut the cord on legacy systems, sharing their own experiences and the sometimes humorous realities of managing AV technology. They review the terribleness of wireless sharing appliances and the frustrations that come with them, as well as the importance of gathering feedback from faculty and...
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Recorded July 16, 2025 In this episode, the panel looks at the world of automatic cameras and the evolving landscape of commercial displays in higher education. Join Chris, Jamie, Marc, and Justin as they share their experiences, insights, and a few laughs while discussing the pros and cons of automatic camera systems. The conversation touches on everything from user preferences to the challenges of integrating these technologies into classrooms and conference rooms. The panel reflects on their recent deployments, highlighting the mixed feedback they've received and the varying levels of...
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Recorded June 13, 2025 In this episode, Jamie brings you an exciting update from InfoComm 2025. He catches up with Mike from Magewell to discuss a groundbreaking new product designed to simplify the integration of NDI streams into video conferencing software. The Pro Convert IP to USB addresses a common pain point for users who need to connect NDI sources in environments with strict IT policies, such as universities and corporate settings. Mike explains how this innovative device decodes various formats, including NDI, SRT, RTMP, and RTSP, and outputs them as UVC, making them recognizable as...
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In this episode, the gang holds a lively discussion about the joys and challenges of inheriting AV spaces in higher education. Chris, Jamie, Marc, Larry, and Justin share their experiences with unexpected AV setups, from poorly designed classrooms to over-engineered systems that leave everyone scratching their heads. They explore the complexities of managing these inherited spaces, the importance of maintaining functionality, and the sometimes messy reality of integrating new technology into old systems.
The team also looks ahead to InfoComm 2025, sharing what they hope to find and learn, including the latest trends in USB-C technology, AI in AV, and the ongoing quest for interoperability in AVoIP systems. Tune in for a blend of humor, industry insights, and a peek into the future of AV technology in higher education. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your colleagues and consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!
Alternate show titles:
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I needed the whole kaboodle
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The addition of the widgets
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Is there a disco ball?
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An even smaller bed
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Modesty panel
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Somehow it got in there
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We weren’t super thrilled with it
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Paid by a percentage of the standard BoM
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Pile of Menagerie
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Spread them wider in your area
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Because of who’s involved and how we get paid
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Massaging it to fit
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Your flavor of VGA
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OMG guys!
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Subway punch card
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They’re going to have to wait
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We’re going to go through your systems and take things out
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We can get in it; we can fix it
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I’ll tell you what you could do
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Barrell around it
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Lipstick on a pig
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The front door of the university
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Do all the wizbang
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The device
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Raw connectivity
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They don’t like your kitchen
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87.5% BS
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My USB device has AI on it
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Ports and protocols
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The China Side
We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com
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