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Volume 1, Issue 1 — July 19, 2012 |
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Re-Examining the Church Video Market
By Anthony Coppedge
House of Worship Technology Consultant
The House of Worship, or “church market,” is one of the least understood and underserved vertical segments of the audio/video/lighting industry. Over the years, manufacturers and systems integrators have had a wide range of experiences with many of the varying denominations and associate this market with a 1950’s view of church. However, of the approximately 330,000 churches in the United States, only about 20 percent today are mainline denominations (Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ). This is down from over 80 percent of the churches in the United States less than 30 years ago.
This rapid shift is both a cultural change and a change in how these churches are operating. For those providing products and services to the House of Worship market, this shift is a clarion call to re-engage this vertical with fresh eyes.
THE NEW CHURCH MARKET
According to trend data, many churches are growing at a double, triple or even quadruple percentage annual pace. These churches represent not only the early adopters, but are also part of the early majority. They understand that in order to reach a visually-oriented society, leveraging display technology is now the norm in their churches.
Surveyed churches have reported the rate of numeric growth is impacting the rate of technology adoption. Those who have sold to churches know this market has typically had buying lead times from 12 to 18 months. Yet the surveyed churches expressed that 11 percent now buy within three months, 9 percent purchase within three to six months and a whopping 26 percent now procure within six to 12 months. That represents a huge increase in purchases and a significant decrease in the buying cycle for the House of Worship market.
VIDEO IS NOW EXPECTED IN CHURCHES
In the not-too-distant past, only the largest churches (termed ‘mega-church’ for attendance over 2,000 weekly) could afford to spend the money on large-scale display technology. Yet with the significant advances in brightness, resolution, contrast ratio and multi-view signal flow and switching options, the barrier-to-entry dropped price points to where even mid-sized churches could afford to join the fray.
Fast forward to 2012, and even new church plants, which are brand new churches often meeting in temporary locations until they purchase their first permanent venue, are being led by young, technology-enabled pastors eager to create their own video environments to reach their communities.
BIG GETS BIGGER
In the 1980s and early 1990s, video in church meant a service was being televised. The first major use of video displays came when church venues grew to sizes too large for congregants to easily see the pastors and music leaders on the stage. Called IMAG (Image Magnification), these larger-than-life videos consisted mostly of tight shots to re-create the sense of intimacy experienced by those sitting in the first few rows.
IMAG is still used today in large venue churches, but a trend seen more is in the use of either multiple screens and/or extreme wide-screen aspect ratios using edge-blended projection and high-brightness rear projection. A far cry from the overhead transparencies projected onto a wall of less than two decades ago, these churches are leveraging display technologies to create visually engaging content in concert with worship music, sermon graphics and stage elements.
CHURCHES AND SET DESIGN
Inspired by shows like American Idol and The Voice, more churches are adding stage elements, including projection and displays, to create interchangeable themes. Though a few churches have been doing this for years, the trend has increased dramatically, with younger pastors and congregations welcoming the balance of production value with the integrity of a worship service.
The pictures below are from one church that uses a large center stage screen that is 80’ wide by 30’ tall Stewart Filmscreen with four Christie Roadster 16k projectors, edge-blended. The content is controlled by two Coolux Pandora’s Box media servers. The side screens are used for lyrics and tight shots (IMAG).
At times, the church even uses battens to reduce the screen height, for an even thinner, wider look.
The church technical director, Shaun Miller, shared his thoughts on the value of moving to a large stage display. “My church used to rely heavily on built sets for sermon series in our auditorium. We’ve disassembled and reassembled a bi-plane on our stage and even built the front of a two-story house, with real bricks and windows. We also built a two-story riser system for the band,” he says. “As we began using video heavily in the previous auditorium, it became evident that a large enough screen could take some of the load off of building actual sets.” The ROI for this screen was justified by the saved man-hours and materials for set construction throughout the year.
MORE, NOT BIGGER
Another trend is the use of multiple projector or flat-panel displays. These can be configured in multiple setups and orientations, providing churches with flexible, interchangeable set designs. Less expensive than edge-blending, the use of multiple screens and projectors is a cost-effective method for driving content for both a scenic treatment and support graphics for the music and sermon.
Another example, shown below, includes 27 flat panels controlled by nine Mac Minis, each with a Matrox Triple Head To Go adaptor and a single Macbook Pro for control, allowing for one large image or 27 unique videos or images (and anything in between) to be displayed.
A simple variant is the same image displayed across multiple displays simply for effect.
Educating churches to the possibilities of multiple displays as set pieces, scenic design and content enhancement should be on the radar of both manufacturers and systems integrators.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MANUFACTURERS
Most manufacturers don’t even realize this kind of sophistication is happening in churches, nor do they realize the potential for selling into the House of Worship market. While a few manufacturers have products that fit these examples well, the bigger potential is in the combining of existing technologies as churches merge the use of multiple display types along with the switching and routing needs for relatively simple volunteer operation. The curation process alone for managing content for these church environments is a sub-market all unto itself!
While many manufacturers will leave the integration of multiple technologies up to the systems integrators, there is obvious synergy to be had by continuing the convergence of technologies. For example, the content on the stage may have the primary focus, but much of the content can be repurposed into simultaneous digital signage or an Internet live stream, even potentially pulling from a shared media server.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR INTEGRATORS
Churches are looking for solutions, not just components. The integrators that create programs with these solutions will sell more than the hardware and software; they’ll sell the solution, including stage design options, media management and curation and even special service and rental contracts. Just as in the secular marketplace, the more complex these environments, the less tolerance for failure or downtime. By building a solid relationship with these churches, integrators can provide peace of mind service options that keep the church up-and-running with proactive maintenance, loaners and rentals for special occasions.
Says tech director Miller, “Having a good relationship with your installer is crucial. I seek out relationships and work with companies that want to work with me. As the TD for Northview, I have to know how every aspect of how our tech systems function, and our integrator has been there with me every step.” Miller’s sentiment is representative of churches experiencing rapid growth, bringing technology to the forefront. This trend exemplifies the huge value-added reselling opportunity for systems integrators.
Five years ago in 2007, I helped co-author a scientific study on the use of technology in churches. The early trends of yesterday are already the norm for today. Churches are investing in technology at an unprecedented pace, but working with churches is largely the same as it’s been for the past two decades: relationships with value-added solutions combined with service will continue to be the key to tapping into this strong vertical market.
A former staff member at three mega churches and church technology consultant, Anthony Coppedge has developed a respected reputation as a leader in technical and communications circles within the church marketplace. Reach him at anthony@anthonycoppedge.com or on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/anthonycoppedge
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Future Church: Environmental Projection
By Anthony Coppedge
House of Worship Technology Consultant
For those in the AV industry, environmental projection isn’t new. We’ve seen spectacular examples on the outside of buildings, projection onto curtains of water and the many Vegas shows that incorporate this immersive technology. What may be new to industry pros is the emergent use of environmental projection in churches.
Over the years, some of the largest churches have rented in elaborate gear such as Barco’s Catalyst orbital head units or High End Systems DL-1 or DL-2 video projectors-inside-a-yoke-moving-light-fixture. Far from mainstream, no trend developed from these specialized tools.
However, one young man has quietly brought environmental projection into the lexicon of today’s pastors, and he’s done it largely with sub-5,000-lumen LCD projectors running off a Mac and $500 worth of software.
FAD OR TREND?
This young man and owner of Visual Worshiper, Camron Ware, first introduced this low-cost environmental projection at Irving Bible Church in Irving, Tex., where he was on the staff media team. “Like any technology that the church first sees, environmental projection may look like a fad,” said Ware. “However, I don’t believe it’s a fad because there’s a history of the ancient church that included stained glass, tile mosaics and artwork. Today’s church is looking back in order to look forward and I think this technology helps with the architectural significance of a space and helps create different moods, vibes and expressions.”
The very definition of a fad is a short-term event adopted by a significant number of people or organizations. A trend, on the other hand, has the potential of becoming a long-term influence on the future of a market. Ware’s been working with churches on environmental projection since 2007 and has single-handedly served more than 300 churches in that time span. His work has been noticed by influential organizations in the church market and he’s been teaching and demonstrating environmental projection at conferences and conventions attended by church leaders and tech artists.
RUNNIN’ DOWN A DREAM
Like the Tom Petty lyrics, Ware saw something good waiting down the road and is picking up whatever he can along the way. But he sees that the technology needs to be adopted and that’s where the AV industry can meet the need and increase awareness for this impressive and creative use of today’s technology.
The pictures below are Ware’s examples of the beauty and draw that pastors find so alluring.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many pictures would it take to spark the imagination of a pastor to consider how environmental projection could look in their church? Ware has created a Vimeo video to illustrate the power of environmental projection and hear how other pastors are using it in their churches. Click here to see the video:
Environmental Projection from Visual Worshiper on Vimeo.
DIM THE LIGHTS, PLEASE
The pictures above and below demonstrate relatively low brightness projectors in rooms where the architectural and stage lighting has been dimmed to allow the environmental elements to stand out. Ware contends that much of the wall/ceiling area is not lit by architectural lighting, so dimming the lights has more to do with reflected/bounce stage light.
“Even with 3,000- to 5,000-lumen LCD projectors, the architectural lighting on the walls usually isn’t in the way of environmental projection. I always recommend [churches] buy as much brightness as [they] can afford, but it’s always cheaper to turn the lights down than it is to buy brighter projectors,” asserts the budget-minded Ware.
But with Infocomm 2012 last month came yet another round of brighter, higher contrast ratio display devices at even lower price points. Depending on the budget of the church, dimming lights may be unnecessary (or undesirable) and today’s display options are not lacking in the horsepower to compete even with current moving light fixtures or stage lighting.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (OR SHINES)
Perhaps the best part of this solution is that it’s so easy to demonstrate and sell to churches that simply need to see it in their venues. From an integrator’s standpoint, this is a simple sales process of starting with current church clients and beginning to offer environmental projection turnkey solutions.
Ware has utilized a wide range of technologies, from 3,000-lumen LCD projectors to aspheric super-short throw projection to 3-chip DLP super high-brightness projectors to LED video curtains and flat panel monitors. The inherent flexibility allows for a significant number of options and budgets that fit very small churches to ginormous mega churches.
RENT, LEASE, OWN
Because churches budget differently, manufacturers and integrators alike need to provide pastors with financial options. For those systems integrators with a rental inventory, this is a terrific way to keep money from sitting on the shelf during weekends. In fact, because much of the rental industry offers one-day rental prices for Friday rentals with the units due back Monday morning, churches are ideal candidates. This is a win-win scenario that should be a part of every rental and integrator’s business practices with relation to the House of Worship market.
MIX AND MATCH TECH
A common thread in churches is the fact that Sunday comes every seven days, and with it, the desire to make simple, but effective changes to continually re-engage the audience.
The touring industry has the advantage of performing the same show in new venues to new crowds. The show may get old for the performers, but it’s always new to the audience. With churches, the opposite effect means church staff is constantly looking for simple, affordable ways to create change and inspire engagement. Many churches now create “sermon series,” where a topic or theme is consistently carried for several weeks to even a few months at a time. This allows for a scenic change that is geared towards the sermon topics when the series changes. Ideally, churches need to have relatively quick turnaround times during the week.
Even with sermon series, the actual sermon each week is unique, meaning the more options a church has for keeping a theme consistent but with subtle changes each week, the better, when it comes to environmental projection.
Mix and matching projection, displays, lighting, projection surfaces and LED curtains/screens can prove to be a very high ROI that is easily understood by the church leadership. This kind of nearly unprecedented flexibility has been desired by pastors for years, but time and budgets have kept this dream out of reach. Smart manufacturers and creative systems integrators can tap into this latent dream and breathe visual life through the use of environmental projection.
CONTENT MATTERS
No technology is great without great content. This is yet another area where the need is great and the profit potential is increased yet again. Over the years, Ware has identified this need and built a massive content collection that he actively curates.
“Curation of content is building a large library of images, textures, graphics and videos that can be put together or pulled from immediately,” explains Ware. “This is a never-ending process and requires the church tech to be constantly on the lookout for interesting content.”
PLAYBACK MATTERS, TOO
Managing content of various files and format types is constantly being addressed and improved by other industries, so the very same technologies and systems used by Hollywood, touring companies, higher education and corporate facilities will find a home in the House of Worship market, too.
“From a playback standpoint, there are a lot of media servers and playback tools available. I’m a huge fan and user of Pro Video Player and Pro Presenter (both made by Renewed Vision) running on a Mac due to the ability to make instant changes to color, speed and effects on very inexpensive software. Once a church starts using environmental projection, they begin to understand the impact it can have on services.”
More advanced solutions, including warping or masking images around surfaces and advanced pixel map geometry adjustments, in higher-end projectors are also important considerations for certain environments.
PREDICTING THE TREND
It can be argued that one man’s work, while impressive in a vertical market, is more of a fad than a trend. However, the possibilities are tremendous and as the rental, leasing and purchasing options for churches are presented, this could well become a long-term trend that is capitalized on by the AV industry.
Perhaps we’ll see a renewed emphasis on this oft-overlooked vertical. Churches aren’t going anywhere and the fact that they’re underserved is a boon to today’s savvy, future-forward AV professionals.
A former staff member at three mega churches and church technology consultant, Anthony Coppedge has developed a respected reputation as a leader in technical and communications circles within the church marketplace. Reach him at anthony@anthonycoppedge.com or on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/anthonycoppedge
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Middle Atlantic Adds Series Surge Protection
Middle Atlantic Products has added Series Protection — a patent-pending technology Middle Atlantic says provides instantaneous protection of AV systems from damaging surges and is available in a newly introduced family of power distribution units. Middle Atlantic says that Series Protection was designed with “non-sacrificial circuitry” ensures system reliability and noise-free AV systems by protecting connected equipment without contaminating the system ground. Every model in the Series Protection suite automatically disconnects devices from sustained over- and under-voltage events. All units also perform automatic recovery after these events, minimizing system downtime.
The new line of Series Protection power products includes a hardwired model as well as half-width models (the half-width standard was developed by Middle Atlantic with Extron) that require minimum space without compromising functionality. Full-width rackmount models for 19” enclosures are also available. In addition, the company is expanding its RackLink Power Management System offering to include models incorporating Series Protection technology.
The entire line is here:
http://www.middleatlantic.com/power/Power%20Distribution%20New.htm
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Peerless-AV Debuts New Projector Mounts
Peerless-AV’s new PRSS-UNV and PRGS-UNV series of projector mounts are designed to hold projectors up to 25 pounds and 50 pounds, respectively, and include a unique security feature where the projector is covered by an optional tilt and roll lock that deters tampering or theft. A precision gear feature allows users of the PRGS-UNV Series Projector Mount to position the exact desired tilt and roll using two adjustment knobs that can be turned with a screwdriver or even by hand.
Both series offer a custom fit with plus 15 to minus 20 degrees of tilt, five degrees of plus or minus roll and 360-degree swivel alignments. A Spider Universal Adapter plate that extends up to 17.63” (448 millimeters) ensures the projector mounts fit most projector models for near-universal compatibility. Pricing for the PRSS-UNV Series Projector Mount is set at $189 and the PRGS-UNV is set $209.
Both versions of the projector mounts are already shipping and full specs are here:
http://www.peerless-av.com/en-us/professional/product_categories/Projector_Mounts
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NEC Targets HOW With 11,000-Lumen, 3-Chip DLP Projector
Dubbed the PH1000U, NEC’s 3-chip DLP projector uses three 0.96″ WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution DMDs to garner a brightness spec of 11,000 lumens and 2000:1 contrast ratio. It uses a 400-watt lamp and has a 320-watt Eco-mode for low light environments. NEC says the PH1000U uses Integrated Device Technology HQV, a video processing and scaling system designed for computer signals, as well as standard video or HD video — so all inout signals can be scaled up to the WUXGA resolution.
Targeted at HOW installs, the projector has an Eco-mode that allows it to run lower light output levels at night, such as during youth choir performances and special services. This Eco-mode allows it to generate nearly 30 percent less power. In addition, one cool feature is that the projector includes an OPS slot — an industry-wide standardization in option slots that supports multiple input cards, including an HD/SD-SDI and single board computers (SBC).
Designed to be stacked, the PH1000U has optional lenses that include both short throw (0.67:1) and long throw (6.96:1) applications so you can locate the projector in the balcony of the worship hall far from the eyes and ears of the HOW audience.
Full specs are here:
http://www.necdisplay.com/p/np-ph1000u
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MIDAS Launches PRO1 Portable Digital Console
At InfoComm, MIDAS launched the latest addition to its PRO Series of digital consoles, the Midas PRO1 live audio system. Featuring an all-new, lightweight aluminium frame, PRO1 is a stand-alone, compact, portable MIDAS digital console.
Compatible with the complete range of MIDAS Digital consoles, the PRO1 allows existing show files to be loaded and worked on straight away.
Notable PRO1 features include:
- Lightweight, all-alloy frame
- 24 mic/line inputs with MIDAS mic preamps
- 48 simultaneous input processing channels
- 24 analogue outputs (including 2 stereo local monitor outputs)
- Three AES3 outputs
- Two AES3 inputs
- 27 sample-synchronous, phase-coherent mix busses
- Six multi-channel FX engines
- Up to 28 KLARK TEKNIK DN370 31-band Graphic EQs
- Full-colour 15” daylight-viewable display screen
- Eight VCA (Variable Control Association) groups
- Six POPulation groups
- 96 kHz 40-bit floating-point processing throughout
- Three AES50 ports for connection to external AES50 devices
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Digital Projection Upgrades Lighting Pro Series
Digital Projection International (DPI) recently upgraded its LIGHTNING Series, announcing new features for the line at InfoComm. The flagship series of DPI’s three-chip product lineup, the LIGHTNING Pro Series, has been outfitted with new optical enhancements, including:
- Full 3D connectivity to a diverse range of high frame rate and HDMI 1.4a sources
- Advanced warp and blend with minimal video latency
- 3G-SDI inputs, standard
- FastFrame motion blur reduction
- Intelligent lens mount
- Hyper-cooled lamp modules with super efficient glass reflectors
- Availability in 1080p, WUXGA and SX+, with brightness specs from 20,000 to 30,000 lumens
- And something called RapidRig, which DPI says provides easy projector flying and stacking, along with independent pitch roll and yaw adjustments per projector
Get more details here: http://www.digitalprojection.com/BrowseProjectors/SeriesList/ProjectorList/tabid/86/SeriesId/5/MarketTypeId/10/Default.aspx
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Extron Ships 800-Watt Energy Star-Qualified Amp
Extron Electronics announced this week the immediate availability of the XTRA Series XPA 4002 two channel power amplifier. This compact 1U, convection cooled amplifier delivers 400 watts rms per channel into 4 ohms or 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms. The XPA 4002 replaces the XPA 2002 amplifier at the same price. It is an Energy Star-qualified amplifier with an advanced Class D amplifier design. The XPA 4002 also features patented CDRS – Class D Ripple Suppression technology that provides a smooth, clean audio waveform, which Extron says is an improvement in signal fidelity over conventional Class D amplifiers. It is half the size of comparable amplifiers, conserving rack space and weighing only 9 pounds (4 kilograms).
The XPA 4002 includes an auto power-down feature that automatically places the amplifier into standby after a period of inactivity, and consumes 30 watts or less when idle and less than 1 watt in standby mode. It also has an ultra low inrush current draw to prevent power circuit overload that occurs when multiple amplifiers are switched on simultaneously. Extron says this feature eliminates the need for power sequencing in systems with multiple amplifiers in large centralized equipment racks, and prevents other equipment from experiencing power interruption from associated power surges. Additionally, the XPA 4002 amplifier features very low thermal dissipation under full load, which keeps racks and equipment racks cool.
To see all the specs, click here:
http://www.extron.com/xpa4002nspr
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Panasonic Announces Two Lamp-Free HDBaseT Projector Series
Panasonic announced at InfoComm two lamp-free projector series with HDBaseT technology. These new projectors replace a conventional lamp with new LED/laser diodes to realize long lasting high brightness. The one-chip DLP PT-RZ470 and PT-RZ370 Series projectors will be made available in two different resolutions, 1080p (1920×1080) and WXGA (1280×800). Panasonic says the new lighting technology offers 20,000 hours of maintenance-free operation.
Based on Valens HDBaseT technology, Panasonic’s Digital Link is embedded in the projector series, allowing a single cable to transmit uncompressed videos signals, audio, and control commands up to 100 meters (328 feet). The need for an external receiver is eliminated when the projectors are used together with Panasonic’s new ET-YFB100 switcher box or other switchers with HDBaseT chipset.
They also have an ambient light sensor (which the company calls its Daylight View Basic technology) and adjusts the brightness based on the surrounding lighting conditions. Together with the wide color space and vivid colors of the projector, they help viewing of the projectors in rooms with bright lights. DICOM Simulation mode is also available for use in medical training applications.
The PT-RZ470 and PT-RZ370 Series are designed with 2x zoom and wide lens shift range. This provides flexibility for replacement installations, eliminating the need to reposition an existing universal ceiling mount.
The PT-RZ470 Series support 360-degree installation and portrait mode projection. No intricate mirror is necessary to realize these special projections, changing and expanding the way projectors can be used in a variety of environments. They are equipped with a number of professional features, including built-in edge blending, color matching and multi-unit brightness control function that enables multiple unit projection without any need for external processors. 3D compatibility is another benefit boasted by the new series.
The PT-RZ470 and PT-RZ370 Series projectors will be available starting in Q4 2012.
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Community Offers New Column Line Array
Community has introduced the ENTASYS 200, a small-format column line array loudspeaker, which offers a two-way design, complex frequency shaded LF crossover networks, the proprietary “ENTASYS” convex-curve HF to provide output and consistent beamwidth up to 16kHz.
ENTASYS 200 is a family of two-way column line-array loudspeakers for indoor and outdoor use. There are four ENTASYS 200 models ranging from the smaller ENT203 and ENT206, designed for delay fill and confined spaces, to the larger ENT212, to the extended-length ENT220, tall enough to provide solid control of the LF beamwidth without the need for additional columns or external LF extensions.
Usable both indoors and out, each ENTASYS 200 model can fulfill an exceptionally wide range of applications. All models include a 70V/100V internal low-distortion autoformer for constant-voltage applications and a pan-and-tilt mounting bracket.
Here are all the specs:
http://www.communitypro.com/productlist/430-entasys200
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Optoma Enters-6000 Lumen Projector Market
At InfoComm, Optoma introduced a 6000-ANSI lumen TW865-3D, a 3D projector with interchangeable lenses that’s designed for large venue applications and auditoriums. Claiming to be the only DLP projector in its class with a center lens design and 360-degree operation, the TW865-3D comes pre-calibrated for specific settings, including classroom, presentation and DICOM. Users have a choice of three optional lenses (standard, short throw and long throw), and motorized zoom and focus also allow installers to optimize projector placement for best projection results.
Details are here:
http://www.optomausa.com/
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Atlas Debuts Two New Sound Masking Amps
Atlas Sound’s new DSP2210 and DSP2212 digital sound masking/paging systems are self-contained, digital signal processors with integral amplification designed to route and mix masking, paging and background music sources. Applications include speech privacy and general paging for office spaces, health care campuses and secure government facilities.
Masking source is completely random and non-repeating (up to 215) hours with EQ adjustments programmable per output zone. Both models include dual channel Class-D amplification rated at 25 watts per channel (@ 70.7V) and a built in telephony interface simplifies paging set-up. The system is expandable up to 32 systems (64 zones) with primary and secondary assignment in a zone page dialing plan (two-digit DTMF) with “All Zone” and “Group zone” pages simply configured via the GUI. A fixed architecture DSP provides equalization, dynamic and routing priority control for all input sources as well as line level and amplified outputs.
Model 2212 includes AVB (Audio-Video Bridging) network interface allowing paging and BGM sources to be shared between multiple DSP8807s or DSP2212s.
All the specs for the DSP2210 are here:
http://www.atlassound.com/Product.aspx?id=2117
All the specs for the DSP2212 are here:
http://www.atlassound.com/Product.aspx?id=2116
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Barco Launches New 18K Lumen Projector
Barco’s latest projector is the HDX-W18, a three-chip DLP, 1920×1200 resolution, large venue projector that’s spec’d at 18,000 ANSI lumens and a 1850:1 contrast ratio. The native 16:10 projector includes edge blending, uses a 2.4kW Xenon arc lamp (spec’d at 1,000 hours). Inputs include DVI-I, SDI, RGBHV and VGA; it also includes scaling to handle resolutions up to 1024×1536.
The HDX-W18 has a native 3G HDSDI/SDI input, which makes it compatible with progressive sources over a single BNC cable. This also means that the HDX-W18 allows for digital inputs that don’t come through fragile DVI fiber cables.
All the details are here:
http://www.barco.com/en/products-solutions/projectors/large-venue-projectors/18000-lumens-wuxga-three-chip-dlp-projector.aspx
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Extron Debuts VGA Driver with EDID
Extron’s new Extender Plus VGA and Audio Line Driver with EDID Minder is a one input, one buffered output line driver that extends VGA-QXGA and HDTV component video along with audio signals up to 250 feet (75 meters). Unbalanced computer stereo audio is converted to balanced, line level stereo audio to eliminate noise usually associated with unbalanced audio when distributed over long cable runs. It features EDID Minder, which automatically manages EDID communication between connected devices to ensure that the source powers up properly and reliably outputs content for display. The Extender Plus is available in Decora-style and AAP form factors, providing convenient AV access and signal extension for a wide variety of environments.
To maintain signal integrity over long distances, the Extender Plus provides video amplification and peaking control to compensate for attenuation that can occur in long cable runs. Proper signal compensation supports a more detailed image with greater contrast. Additional integrator-friendly features include an EDID capture mode, selectable resolutions and refresh rates and real-time status LED indicators for system monitoring. Both versions also include an energy-efficient, external universal power supply for worldwide compatibility.
Here are all the specs:
http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=extender&s=5
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Christie Adds to Mirage M and J Series Projector Lines
Christie has expanded its product offerings for the visualization markets with the addition of its next-generation Mirage M Series high performance digital projectors. The M Series joins the latest Mirage J Series, adding three new 3D-capable products to the dual-lamp platform for a total of 21 projectors in the Mirage Series lineup. Both the Mirage M and Mirage J Series projector platforms now come with an Intelligent Lens System (ILS) that features auto lens calibration and an all new version “Christie Twist,” which the company says provides enhanced built-in geometric warping with sharper imagery, and advanced edge-blending capabilities that reduce or eliminate all electronic blending artifacts.
Christie Mirage M Series
The three new models in the Mirage M series are: Mirage DS+14K-M, Mirage HD14K-M and Mirage WU14K-M. The Mirage M series projectors consist of either SXGA+, HD or WUXGA resolution and now feature from 6,000 up to 12,500 lumens. All three projectors will start shipping in July.
Christie Mirage J Series
The Christie Mirage J Series includes xenon illumination, capability for stereoscopic digital projection in SXGA+ (4:3), HD (16:9) and WUXGA (16:10) resolutions.
The Mirage M and J Series projectors come out of the box ready to produce active stereo projection from four different types of 3D source inputs:
- Up to 120 Hz native input over a single dual-link DVI-D cable or VGA cable
- A true 120 Hz image from two 60 Hz frame locked sources for compatibility with most passive stereo input sources
- Frame doubled content from 48-60 Hz for maximum system compatibility with single-link DVI-D
- Analog and full HDCP support of multiple mode 3D sources from consumer devices including triple flash at 144 Hz
Both the Mirage M and J series offer a host of options including HD-SDI and other input cards and can also project polarized passive stereo output with an optional filter.
Full specs on all of them are here:
http://www.christiedigital.com/en-us/3D/products-and-solutions/projectors/Pages/default.aspx
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DAS Adds White Paint Option for HOW Installs
D.A.S. Audio told rAVe today that it’s taking aim at the HOW market by adding a white paint finish for a variety of its most popular products. The white color option will facilitate the integration of the D.A.S. systems in the décor of permanent installations such as houses of worship, auditoriums and multipurpose venues.
The new paint finish will be available as a ‘special order’ item on the company’s Aero 8A powered line array system, its companion sub, the LX-212A, as well as the D.A.S. LX-215A powered double 15-inch subwoofer system. Also to be available in white will be the Convert 12A constant curvature array as well as its companion subwoofer, the Convert 18A.
Here are all the specs:
http://www.dasaudio.com/en/cp/aero-series-2-en/
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Extron Fiber Optic USB Extender Now Shipping
Extron is shipping its new FOX USB Extender, a fiber optic transmitter and receiver set capable of extending USB 2.0 signals over very long distances. Peripheral devices can be located up to 10 km (6.25 miles) from the host computer. The FOX USB Extender is an efficient solution for professional AV system designs that require KVM – Keyboard/Video/Mouse support, reducing the need for additional IP network drops, equipment and software. To ensure proper system boot-up and operation in switching environments, the transmitter enables uninterrupted communication between the host computer and USB device.
The FOX USB Extender enables long haul transmission of USB 2.0, 1.1, and 1.0 compliant signals with data rates up to 480 Mbps, and peripheral emulation ensures reliable communication whether or not a tie is made to a connected device. Both the transmitter and receiver include front panel LED indicators for visual confirmation of system activity. As an added benefit that simplifies integration, the receiver provides an active four-port hub for simultaneous connection of multiple peripheral devices.
As part of the extensive FOX Series of fiber optic products from Extron, the FOX USB Extender can be used for simple point-to-point applications or in combination with FOX Series matrix switchers for support of signal distribution systems up to 1000×1000 and larger. Also, when used in conjunction with an Extron FOX Series HDMI, DVI, or VGA extender, the FOX USB Extender is capable of transmitting KVM signals very long distances over a fiber optic infrastructure.
Get all the specs here:
http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=foxusbextenderad
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Tannoy New VLS Series: Three’s Company
The new Tannoy VLS Series includes three passive column array loudspeakers:
- The VLS 7 – 7 x 3.5” (89 mm) with LF transducers mounted in a vertical array
- The VLS 15 – 7 x 3.5” (89 mm) with LF transducers mounted in vertical array with an assembly of densely spaced 8 x 1” (25 mm) HF transducers mounted co-axially over a section of the LF
- The VLS 30 has 14 x 3.5” (89 mm) LF transducers mounted in vertical array with an assembly of densely spaced 16 x 1” (25 mm) HF transducers mounted co-axially over a section of the LF.
The best part? They offer Tannoy FAST (Focussed Asymmetrical Shaping Technology) using asymmetrical vertical dispersion to shape coverage toward the lower quadrant of the vertical axis. Rest assured: you’re in good company.
More details here: http://www.tannoy.com/ProSummary.aspx |
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HOW [House of Worship] out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100 percent opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the ProAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
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A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue, which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
Everything we publish is Opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship ePublication with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA and launched in February 2004, is, by far, the largest ePub in the HomeAV market. We added rAVe Rental [and Staging] in November 2007, rAVe ED [Education] in May 2008 and then rAVe DS [Digital Signage] in January 2009. We added rAVe GreenAV in August 2010 and rAVe HOW [House of Worship] in July 2012. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
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