What are the latest trends in audio-visual technology?

The world of audio-visual technology is constantly evolving with new innovations and developments. In this blog post, we will explore some of the latest trends in this industry and how it is shaping our media consumption experience. From advancements in projectors and displays to the growing popularity of streaming and wireless audio, the audio-visual space is transforming at a rapid pace.

Advancements in Projectors and Large Format Displays

Improved Resolution and Brightness

Projector and large format display technologies have come a long way in recent years with higher resolutions and brighter images becoming the norm. 4K and 8K projectors are now more mainstream offering sharper and more detailed pictures even on screens 120 inches or larger. Advancements in laser projection have also boosted brightness levels allowing for clearer viewing even in well-lit rooms. Short throw projectors that can project large images from just a few feet away are also rising in popularity for their versatile installation options. Direct view LED and MicroLED displays too are delivering sharper resolutions and higher brightness than traditional LCD panels.

Larger Display Sizes

Displays are also getting larger to truly immerse viewers. Screens over 100 inches in diameter are now commonplace and coming down in price. Manufactures are even unveiling displays as big as 218 inches. With sizes this massive, consumers can feel almost fully immersed when gaming, watching movies or live sports. The growing adoption of these jumbo displays is being driven by both commercial installations as well as high-end home theaters.

Enhanced HDR Support

Another major trend is the proliferation of HDR or high dynamic range imaging across projectors and displays. HDR offers enhanced contrast, brighter highlights and deeper blacks for a more life-like viewing experience. More manufacturers are including support for the latest HDR standards like HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma. This not only future proofs the displays but also enables viewers to enjoy HDR content from streaming services and Ultra HD Blu-rays to its fullest potential.

The Growth of Wireless Connectivity and Smart Home Integration
Heading: Move to Wireless audio/video

One noticeable shift is the rising popularity of wireless audio/video connections. Simply put, consumers want the freedom and flexibility of going cordless. This has led to new wireless standards like WiSA for multi-channel audio transmission and WirelessHD/WiFi Display for sending video over the air. Premium brands like Samsung, LG, Sony and many others now bundle their TVs with compatible transmitters allowing users to stream 4K HDR content from a laptop or mobile device without any wires. Wireless docks and sound bars are also surging as they foster more seamless connectivity between devices. The ability to go wire-free is seen as a major convenience factor driving this technology forward.

Integration with Smart Home Ecosystems

At the same time, audio-visual products are increasingly being designed as part of wider smart home ecosystems controlled via voice assistants or dedicated apps. Brands want their TVs, projectors, sound systems and other A/V gear to connect and synchronize with other IoT devices around the home for unified control and automation. This has led to tighter integration of these products with smart home platforms from Amazon, Google, Apple, Crestron, Control4, Savant and others. Voice commands are enabling consumers to adjust lights, launch cable/streaming apps, check security feeds and more using only their voice. The future of A/V may very well be as nodes within a fully interconnected smart habitat.

Rise of Streaming and the Decline of Physical Media

Streaming Kills Physical Media

It’s no secret that streaming video has eclipsed DVDs and Blu-rays to become the primary method of consuming movies and TV shows outside of theatrical releases. Services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu and others have made large libraries of content available on-demand without the need for physical discs. Streaming boxes from Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV have made it easy to access all of these services in one place. Powered by reliable high-speed internet connections, streaming is the most convenient option and physical media is fading fast as a result. According to industry sources, streaming now accounts for over 70% of domestic video viewing.

Broad Connected Device Support

A key attribute contributing to streaming’s rise is its platform agnostic approach. Major services ensure apps are available across an array of connected devices including smart TVs, smartphones/tablets, gaming consoles and streaming media players. This ease of access from any screen has boosted streaming’s customer stickiness. Services are also actively expanding to new platforms like smartwatches to meet evolving consumption habits and keep physical media permanently in the rear-view mirror. Broad device compatibility makes switching between screens seamless and extends streaming’s utility.

Improved Streaming Image Quality

What’s more, many major streaming services are licensing 4K HDR movies/shows and optimizing delivery bandwidth to provide picture quality nearly matching physical media. With fast fibre broadband becoming more widespread, high bandwidth 4K streams are possible for more households. This has addressed one of the key limitations of streaming versus physical media. As visual fidelity improves further with support for next gen 8K standards and high frame rates, streaming’s ascendency will only accelerate leaving disc-based distribution further behind.

Improving Technologies from Top Brands in the Audio Visual Space

Innovations from Leading Manufacturers

It’s also worth looking at some of the specific innovations on the horizon from top players in the pro-AV and consumer electronics segments that are shaping industry trends:

Sony recently unveiled its flagship Z9J Master Series 8K LED TV touting new cognitive intelligence and precision contrast control for unparalleled HDR pop.

LG is working on rollable OLED displays that can retract like a window blind for versatile living room use.

Samsung debuted its groundbreaking MicroLED displays with microscopic LEDs producing perfect blacks for incredibly lifelike images.

Sharp unveiled an 8K LCD monitor aimed at graphic design/post-production workflows needing supreme resolution and accuracy.

Audio specialist Pioneer launched an modular, wireless Atmos soundbar compatible with most video sources including the new youth-focused gaming console crowd.

Pro-video brand Christie showcased a new high-brightness 4K laser projector pulling double duty in education and corporate event spaces.

Crestron and SnapAV are among control system developers integrating their platforms even tighter with smart home devices from companies like Amazon, Google, Lutron and more via their control apps and widgets.

Popular audio brand Klipsch expanded its wireless speaker lineup while updating models with multi-room aptX HD streaming capabilities for whole home synchronized audio.

As the industry’s technology leaders continue innovating, new products will push audio visual experience and connectivity to even greater heights benefiting both commercial and residential markets. Interactive displays, modular room solutions and 8K are sure to gain more traction in the coming years.

Increased Adoption in Commercial Venues

Expanding Use Cases in Business

The uptick in advanced audio-visual solutions is not limited to homes either. Commercial sectors spanning enterprise, education, hospitality, tourism, digital signage and more are dramatically increasing investments citing need for upgraded communications infrastructure.

For collaboration, video conferencing systems with large 4K/8K displays, integrated wireless show sharing and voice control deliver ultra-sharp remote meetings.

Controlled classrooms employ interactive flat panels, wireless student response systems and room automation tools from the likes of Sharp, Crestron and Qomo for engaging digital lessons.

Convention centers leverage high-brightness laser projectors and professional sound on expansive performance stages/ballrooms to electrify crowds.

Digital out-of-home networks consisting of indoor/outdoor LED video walls powered by content management systems from companies like Broadsign have become integral to reaching consumers on-the-go.

ProAV integrators are constantly custom-designing versatile multi-room control solutions for corporate campuses, exhibition spaces and more using leading audio visual gear from Anthropic, Barco, Extron and others.

As organizations across all industries realize the importance of creating inspiring visual experiences, their spending on advanced presentation technologies will remain robust ensuring continued commercial market expansion. Powerful solutions from the likes of NEC, Christie, Sharp and Samsung are enabling interactive, data-rich experiences capable of transforming communication and collaboration in the digital workplace.

Here are some additional points about the latest trends in audio-visual technology:

8K resolution is starting to gain ground, with more 8K TVs and projectors being released each year. Content is still limited, but as 8K cameras become cheaper, more 8K videos and movies will emerge.

Holographic displays that produce true 3D images without glasses are being researched. While still early in development, this could profoundly change how we experience media.

High-end home theaters are pushing the boundaries with innovative designs using multiple projectors/screens, auditorium-style seating, and immersive surround sound.

mini/micro LED display technology promises much higher brightness, contrast and longevity compared to LCD/OLED. Major brands are developing commercial and consumer products using micro LED.

Object-based audio formats like Dolby Atmos use overhead and surround speakers to place sounds anywhere in a room. This brings cinema-like audio quality to home theaters.

Voice assistants are becoming more integrated into A/V gear, allowing users to control playback, switch inputs, dim lights and more just by speaking.

VR arcades are popping up that let groups experience multiplayer VR games together. This social element could drive VR adoption beyond individual home use.

5G networks will enable seamless 8K streaming as well as wireless VR/AR applications with no lag. Wider 5G availability over the next 5 years will accelerate many new immersive media experiences.

Artificial intelligence is being applied to audio/video gear for features like automatic volume leveling, facial recognition, speech-to-text and more personalized recommendations.

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