When you’re organizing an event, it helps to know some of the lingo AV professionals use. The AV (Audio Visual) services industry is a $25USD Billion industry in North America, according to a study done by Acclaro Growth Partners.
This includes a range of businesses, including audiovisual conference services. Like most industries, it has its own set of terms, some of them you might already know, while others, (like GoBo) might be new to you.
Here are some terms you might hear AV professionals use and it’s good to be familiar with:
Front of house
This has a different meaning in different industries, in Audio Visual terms, this is an area where AV techs will set up and gives them unobstructed listening and a clear view of the stage. It’s essential for planners to accommodate space in a floor plan for them.
Confidence monitor
Along with the Doghouse monitor, these are two terms you might hear together. A Confidence monitor is a small screen placed facing the presenter, so they can see what the audience sees. If the monitor is placed inside a hood or case, that’s called a “doghouse monitor.”
Aspect ratio
A term to describe the width of a screen (or an image) versus the height, with the numbers separated by a colon. For example, 2:1 would be a screen that is twice as wide as it is tall, while 4:3 would be the shape of an older TV.
IMAG
This is short for Image MAGnification, and it refers to the screens that are placed around a venue to provide a close-up of the presenter on stage. When planning the layout of the venue, space for the cameras and screens has to be taken into account.
Rigging and Truss
Rigging is the term for equipment used to suspend lighting, projectors or sound equipment from the ceiling of a venue. Part of the rigging are trusses, part of the rigging are made from aluminium tubing and come in different lengths. They are used to hang lights, drapes, speakers or other equipment.
GoBo / Moddim Tiles.
A GoBo is a glass or metal template that fits inside a lighting instrument to project a company logo, event logo, words or other design onto a backdrop, ceiling, dance floor or wall. Another decoration is Moddim tiles; these are customizable backdrops for stage settings. These versatile, interlocking tiles come in several designs, can be clear or solid, and are usually easily lit from behind or below to create different effects.
These are just some of the common ones you might hear. Most company representatives from companies like PureAV (a Toronto-based Audio Visual service provider) will be happy to explain terms like these. If looking for Conference Audio Visual services, visit their website for more information on what kinds of services they can provide to make your next event a memorable event.
