AV Carts, Multimedia Equipment, Rolling TV Stands

Why Use an Audio-Visual Cart?

When giving a professional presentation within a modern office environment, an audio-visual cart will often be required. This convenient power-base for all the technological devices and tools can offer a mobile electronics platform to give multimedia presentations from corporate boardrooms to school classrooms. An audio-visual cart can do much more than simply project slides, as these media carts can hold laptops, DVD players, flat-screen monitors, projectors, and other digital tools.

Many audio-visual carts come with shelves, either open-sided or with locking cabinets to secure items when the AV cart is not in use. Audio-visual carts have easy-rolling casters for quick and effortless portability when moving AV equipment, and many come with a UL listed outlet power strip and cord to provide a centralized power source for the multimedia devices. Requiring very little space, an audio-visual cart can become long-lasting, portable multimedia furniture for any office or classroom. Locking cabinets offer extra security and a safe place to store AV items out of the way when not in use.

Questions and Answers to Help You Find the Best Audio-Visual Cart

What electronic devices will fit on an audio-visual cart?
It is important to know what type of electronic devices will be used on the AV cart to ensure that it is large enough and includes a power-strip to help operate the devices. The basic two-shelf AV cart has space for an overhead projector or a laptop but the user may need more space. Make sure the AV cart has options to hold items like an LCD projector, document camera, laptop computer and even a desktop computer, DVD player, a standard TV or a large flat-screen TV.

What would be the best material; steel, wood, or resin?
When considering the office or room décor, the same thought should go into the look of the audio-visual cart. If a more professional boardroom environment needs an AV cart, a steel-and-wood cart may offer the most professional appearance. Usually, when an AV cart will be stationed mainly in one room, there will be less chance of mobility accidents that may cause chips and dents to the AV cart. In this instance, a wood cart will work well. With a streamlined professional look, a steel audio-visual cart can also hold up well for multiple meetings throughout a facility without incurring damage during frequent transport.

If an AV cart is used a lot in different locations for a school or medical facility, a thermoplastic resin AV cart will not chip, crack, warp, peel or rust, and can be easily cleaned. While each of the audio-visual cart materials has their own unique advantages, the best choice will revolve around the particular appearance and functions that appeal to the surroundings and needs of the environment where it will be utilized.

What types of wheels or casters are needed for the audio-visual cart?
An essential feature of an audio-visual cart is the wheels, or casters, for its easy portability. Mobility is important for school or office equipment that is needed in a particular place at a particular time. For AV carts that will be used in thick carpeted offices and boardrooms, it might be best to get large, heavy duty rubber 4 inch casters for easy and safe movement. Some AV carts can come with big 8 inch wheels for a smoother ride on carpets or uneven ground. Full swivel, ball bearing casters can be used in many different environments, and it is important that at least two of the casters on the AV cart are locking casters to make sure the cart will be in a secure position and won’t move during presentations.

Is a power strip important in an audio-visual cart?
Due to the amount of electrical equipment needed for a presentation, it is important not to have power cords running across the floor of the room. An audio-visual cart with a power strip makes it convenient to plug everything into the cart itself. This will help keep the area safe by keeping the many wires needed to bring technology to the classroom out of the way. Keeping all the power cords of each audio-visual device in one central location will help to eliminate clutter and offer a more professional appearance.

What are some other features on an audio-visual cart?
Each media presentation is unique in its own way and place, and the right AV cart can help your presentation or lecture run more smoothly. Extra shelves may be needed for storing or using equipment. Pull-out shelves can come in handy when an extra surface is needed to use an AV device, or an enclosed shelf with a locking cabinet will enable devices or extra cords to be secured when not in use.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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