Grass Valley, CA (October 12, 2021) – AJA Video Systems today announced that it has collaborated with Microsoft to ensure that a range of its audio and video I/O solutions support the new Hardware Out feature in Microsoft Teams. Using the new feature with an AJA KONA 5, Io 4K Plus, or T-TAP Pro, live production and AV professionals can easily output SDI and HDMI high quality audio and video streams of on-the-ground reporters, interviewees, or events in remote locations and seamlessly weave the footage into live productions at broadcast-quality.
Microsoft Teams Hardware Out support for compatible AJA hardware is accessible within the Teams interface once enabled by an administrator. Users simply click on the permissions tab, turn on broadcast capabilities, then select "Hardware Out" for the connected AJA device to receive the video signal. A host of timing, resolutions, and frame rates are available to choose from, and once the settings are established, the user can then feed the signal out through the AJA device via SDI and HDMI to ensure a broadcast-quality signal that can be fed to routers, recorders, or other production equipment.
"As production ramps back up, it’s clear that distributed workflows are here to stay, and AJA is committed to making them as simple and accessible as possible for production professionals. Collaborating with Microsoft to ensure that our most popular I/O tools support this new Teams Hardware Out feature is an exciting extension of this," shared AJA President Nick Rashby. "The latest integration allows production professionals to transform nearly any webcam feed into a professional-grade audio and video signal to be brought into broadcast-grade productions."
"Integrating high quality audio and video remote feeds into live productions can be challenging and costly, but with our new Teams Hardware Out feature and industry standard hardware like AJA’s I/O solutions, it’s quick, easy and cost efficient," shared Aaron Linne, senior program manager, Microsoft Teams for Broadcasters at Microsoft Corp. "Quality and reliability are paramount in the field, so we worked closely with AJA to ensure Teams Hardware Out natively supports professional tools like KONA 5, Io 4K Plus and T-TAP Pro."
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
