AV Carts Shopping Guide: How To Select The Best AV Cart For Your Business

Audiovisual equipment is a necessity for a multitude of business applications. Video conferences are now a staple for most business communication. Multimedia strategies help people grasp ideas and concepts and drastically improve the quality of presentations, conferences, and communications. Furthermore, distance learning and telemedicine are also important use-cases for high-quality AV equipment. If your business uses AV equipment often and in many different places, you likely need an AV cart. With the right AV equipment, multimedia presentation and video conference solutions can be incredibly easy to transport to groups of people spread throughout an office building, campus, or organization. 

What is an AV cart?

 

People have used carts for thousands of years. From two-wheeled carts pulled by animals to trolleys for serving food, the design and variation of carts has changed over time to meet our ever-evolving needs. There are many different types of carts in use today. We commonly use shopping carts, tool carts, baggage carts, and more to store and transport goods in a safe and easy manner. 

An AV cart is a cart designed specifically to store and transport AV equipment and other types of video conference and presentation devices. Sometimes an AV cart is also called a media cart. AV carts help professionals safely, securely, and easily move valuable equipment and seamlessly deliver high-quality presentations and engage in productive conferences. 

Why does your business need an AV cart?

 

There are many different types of carts to consider for business purposes, so why is an AV cart necessary? AV carts serve specific purposes that cannot be replicated with any other type of equipment. Unlike tub carts or general-purpose carts, AV carts are specifically designed to make presentations and conferences easier. 

Make Presentations and Video Conferences Transportable

If your business frequently holds meetings that involve multimedia presentations or video conferences for different departments, an AV cart can allow you to easily move the equipment from one room to another without wasting time moving personnel or inefficiently lugging heavy equipment. 

Ensure Your AV Equipment is Always Ready to be Used

If you had to reinstall monitors, speakers, and projectors every time someone gave a presentation or held a conference call, you would waste a lot of time and energy. An AV cart is not just a transportation tool, it is also essentially a piece of furniture. The right AV cart keeps your equipment properly installed and ready to be used with only a moment's notice. 

Keep AV Equipment Organized 

If your AV equipment has to be carried by hand or rolled on a general-purpose cart, it is likely to get disorganized or damaged, and key parts may accidentally go missing. This wastes time and resources and looks unprofessional. When AV equipment is stored on an AV cart, the devices, each with their own cables and technical requirements, can be stored and secured in a neat and useful manner. AV or media carts typically come with features that organize the devices and cables and limit technical difficulties. Not only will your equipment look tidy, it will also always be ready for immediate use. 

Keep AV Equipment Secure

So you have worked diligently on your research, created a compelling presentation, and gathered the partners, only to have your meeting be derailed by a missing cable. You may not be concerned about theft in your workplace, but it is common for things to accidentally go missing. AV carts typically include features designed to properly secure the high-value equipment. This prevents your equipment from being stolen, lost, or damaged, so everything you need is available for every multimedia endeavor. 

What To Look For When Purchasing an AV Cart

 

 

An AV cart can add ease, convenience, and efficiency to business operations. Before investing in an AV cart for your business, it is important to know what high-quality features to look for. 

Style

When purchasing an AV cart for your business, you likely want to choose a cart that has a sleek,  professional look. Your presentation or conference needs to be the center of attention. The AV cart needs to have a clean and functional design that does not distract from the multimedia activities. High-quality AV carts are available in black or silver finishes and a minimalist design. Additionally, many high-quality media carts have an aesthetic covering that conceals the back side of the displays, components, and mounts. Look for a cart that has either a built-in rear cover or a compatible attachment. 

Specifications

There are many different types of AV equipment, many different types of businesses, and many different types of AV carts. Look for an AV cart that meets the specifications of your equipment and the requirements of your organization. If you need to transport an extra-large monitor, ensure the cart is capable of safely supporting the large screen. If you use more than one monitor, choose an AV cart that is designed to display two screens. If your business is required to meet TAA compliance standards, choose a cart that is TAA certified. 

Customization

Many high-quality AV carts offer accessories so that professionals can customize the cart to meet the unique needs of their business or organization. Accessories typically include shelves of varying sizes to mount cameras and projectors, CPU holders, extra heavy-duty casters, padlocks, speaker mounts, 

Versatility

When choosing an AV cart for your business, consider who will be using the cart and where the cart will be used. The context in which your business uses the cart will likely determine the height you need the cart to be. The size of your AV equipment is also a factor. If you intend to use your cart for multiple purposes or in multiple contexts, choose a cart that has adjustable heights. Many of the best AV carts can be easily adjusted by one person without detaching screens or breaking down the equipment. 

Durability

From a practical standpoint, all pieces of equipment need to be durable. It is especially important for AV carts to be sturdy and reliable because they store and transport expensive devices and equipment. Durability is a key characteristic of professionalism. You do not want your high-stakes presentation to be interrupted by a technical malfunction or equipment failure. 

Cable Organization

Cable organization is a key component of the best AV carts. Look for features such as cable covers, electrical assemblies, long power cords, cable holes, and surge protectors to help you manage and organize the various cables attached to your presentation devices. 

Heavy Duty Casters

An AV cart is not complete without wheels or casters. AV carts are designed to carry and transport heavy equipment, and the wheels need to be up to the task. The wheels should allow users to easily and smoothly maneuver the cart. Make sure to choose a cart that has or is compatible with add-on swivel casters. Swivel casters allow you to move your cart in any direction without issue. Locking brakes are necessary to keep the AV cart stationary during conference video calls, seminars, and presentations. Additionally, it is helpful if the casters are silent-roll casters so they do not make noise when the cart is moving. Finally, it is important to choose heavy-duty casters for your AV cart that are non-marring so they do not scratch or damage the floor. 

Storage 

Before you purchase an AV cart, consider the size of your equipment and any additional items that you need to store in the cart. Choose a cart that has the capacity and style of storage space that you need. Many carts can be customized with shelves with retaining lips specifically designed to prevent equipment from sliding off while the cart is moving. Additionally, you can add a locking cabinet to your AV cart to protect costly equipment from theft, loss, or mishandling. 

Shop the Best AV Carts

For businesses, organizations, and institutions, a high-quality AV cart is worth the investment. The right AV cart will optimize your multimedia experiences and keep your AV equipment secure. Because there are many important features to consider, it may seem difficult to find a reliable, sturdy, and professional AV cart. Luckily, Legrand AV makes it easy by carrying some of the best AV carts on the market. 

Legrand AV is focused on providing innovative AV products and service solutions that make it easy for professional customers to create amazing AV experiences. Legrand AV carries the Chief AV carts that are best-in-class. Chief is an industry leader in AV mounts, storage, and accessory solutions with decades of proven excellence. Chief AV carts are some of the best-selling AV carts in the industry because they are easy to install, use, and maintain and consistently satisfy commercial customers. 

Legrand AV’s selection of Chief AV carts are available in a variety of specifications, with a full range of helpful accessories. Chief AV carts look sleek and professional, and they are built to last. To shop the best AV carts, visit Legrand AV today. 

 

Read more about Chief's brand new Voyager Mobile Cart. The Voyager is a compact mobile display solution to support flexible conferencing and collaboration in workspaces and digital signage.