Volume 1, Issue 6 — October 23, 2015
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Editorials Editorials Editorials Editorials Editorials
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If Your Clients Upgrade to Apple’s iOS 9, Your Wireless AV Collaboration Systems May Stop Working
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
There’s an interesting dilemma developing in the ProAV market where clients are calling their AV integrators because, ever since they upgraded to iOS 9 with their iPhones or iPads, they stopped working with their wireless transmission systems.
There are about a dozen or so companies who have wireless AV systems out there. It all started with Barco and its industry-leading ClickShare launch a few years ago. And, ever since, many BYOD or “collaboration” systems (as well as Huddle Rooms) have been built integrating wireless systems (or at least inputs on a system) that accommodate sending video and audio wirelessly via Apple laptops, Samsung phones, tablets, Windows devices and even iOS (Apple iPhones and iPads). The thought is that it allows for someone (an attendee of a meeting or a group in a brainstorming meeting) to share content without having to connect to the room’s VGA or HDMI cable. It all happens wirelessly.
But, oops, in iOS 9, Apple made that even harder and, all-of-a-sudden, many of the popular wireless systems out there (e.g. any system – other than Apple’s own – using AirPlay to transmit video) stopped working. So, an iOS 8 phone works, but not one using iOS 9.
So, who’s affected?
Well, let’s make this easier and tell you who’s not affected so far — these are the companies with wireless transmission systems are still working in iOS 9 as of October 20th. We will update this list as systems are updated or we hear back from the manufacturers. Here are the collaboration systems that DO work with iOS 9, as of October 23, 2015:
- Crestron AirMedia
- Extron ShareLink
- EPSON iProjection
- Panasonic Wireless Projector App
- Christie Brio
- Kramer VIA
- WolfVision Cynap
- AMX Enzo via MirrorOp
We will keep updating this list as manufacturer’s fix their systems, but, again, this iOS 9 issue needs to be monitored as many, many installed systems aren’t working any more when your clients update their operating systems. Leave a Comment
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BYOD Part 3: Your *Own* Device Realities
By Corey Moss rAVe Blogger
BYOD: The practice of allowing the employees of an organization to use their own computers, smartphones, or other devices for work purposes. It is part of the larger trend of the consumerization of IT.
When seeing a product called a “BYOD box” I have to wonder just how you put box at the end of this statement. When referencing a “BYOD collaboration” solution, is this an application that works just within this definition? Can company-owned devices work? Can a CYOD program (choose your own device) which is gaining popularity in organizations fit within the scheme as well?
Some things to note which could make one begin to change thought process concerning BYOD in AV. Certain technology trends start the same way: cause a revolution, be a (pick a buzz word). disrupt the industry and beyond. X might somewhat change the form and function of the company, as well as the lives of some people who work there.
And so goes the BYOD movement where it seems to be great advantage to the organization to have their employees use their own laptops, tablets and smart phones instead of having to buy those devices and maintaining the hardware and infrastructure to support it. With cloud-based systems and strategies, this should seemingly be a no-brainer. The organization saves money, and employees would use what they love. The best of all worlds?
Maybe not.
In a recent CIO article BYOD – the tech revolution that wasn’t, according to a study by IT industry trade association CompTIA, companies are moving away from BYOD as a primary device method, be it as part of a full or partial program. An online survey conducted in April and May of 375 U.S. IT professionals in various private businesses found that 53 percent allowed no BYOD, up significantly from 34% in 2013.
No BYOD represents an organization that provides smartphones and tablets to workers and bans the use of personal devices for work, which could potentially be considered a “non-native” device for an employee if an Android phone user is given an iPhone for business usage (or even a different type of Android phone). Partial BYOD, the organization provides some devices but allows some personal devices to access corporate systems. Where the aforementioned CYOD (Choose Your Own Device) is concerned, according to the report where there is a further movement towards no BYOD, companies find they can pursue mobility initatives just as well by providing mobile devices to workers “who are often happy to take a corporate device if it is the same thing they would choose on their own.” It’s been suggested to possibly consider this the corporatization of the consumerization of IT.
When still considering BYOD in the enterprise where it applies as organizational strategy, implementation leading to setting proper BYOD policy in place becomes the basis of what can be considered a successful program. Proper BYOD policy would include listing approved (and possibly unapproved) devices, requiring complex passwords, full understanding of service policy, approved apps for business usage (which may exist in a corporate app store), and having an effective employee exit strategy. An employee signs documentation which spells out this policy.
While the enterprise to a certain degree has been able to implement BYOD programs for business process, it’s believed that IT departments are still lagging where policy is concerned, as percentages can still be considered somewhat deficient. One report from CIO|Insight in May specified that only 34 percent of those surveyed stated that their employer has a BYOD policy in place.* According to the previously mentioned CIO article, Erika Van Noort, senior director of strategic customer enablement at Softchoice states that “It’s not the rapid expansion into this area that it was a couple of years ago,” and that “the [companies] that really wanted to go there went there quickly.” Where policy is concerned, Van Noort also claimed how “A lot of companies don’t actually think through the policy” as she alluded to how many jumped in fast to implement a program when BYOD was introduced.
However for those who do have BYOD programs and set proper BYOD policy, everything is good — right?
With sign off on BYOD policy, the employee is then placed within the organization’s security chain. If the employee does not keep their own devices up-to-date and patched, chooses to use open and less secure Wi-Fi networks for business transaction or communication, or uses unapproved applications including public cloud storage services to share and store corporate documents, there is little that a company can do to enforce basic security protocols — putting networks and sensitive data at potential risk.
A ZDNet article – BYOD employees ‘indifferent’ to enterprise security claims a new study reveals that the next generation of workers is placing the enterprise at risk with a lax attitude toward mobile security. A striking statement from the article: Businesses are ill-prepared for the attitude of next generation employees who own mobile devices, and may be placed at risk as the BYOD trend causes fractures in security enforcement.
Ben Gibson, CMO of network access control provider Aruba Networks states:
“These trends underline that #GenMobile employees continue to be a growing part of the everyday workforce, but they also bring with them some risky behaviors. In a contemporary connected world, firms need to nurture creativity, while at the same time minimize the risk of data and information loss.
As a result, employers need to take an adaptive trust approach to connectivity and data security, identifying individual worker preferences that factor multiple layers of contextual information in order to build secure infrastructures around them.”
Renee Guttmann, vice president, information risk in Optiv‘s Office of the CISO in Denver, Colo. stated “The trend toward mobilizing enterprise-critical systems and data adds to concerns over BYOD security.” **
As the enterprise faces certain realities in terms of the current state of BYOD strategy and implementation, it’s apparent that the BYOD that the industry talks about may truthfully be considered a part of what is considered more of a “mobile first” revolution in the enterprise world (as is referenced in Microsoft’s Mobile First, Cloud First mantra). Bring Your Own Device may just translate to Bring Your Own Mobile Strategy — not that that should become an acronym anytime soon…
* IT Departments Are Lagging on BYOD Policies (slideshow)
** Is BYOD policy the foundation for mastering enterprise mobility?
ZDNet article: BYOD employees ‘indifferent’ to enterprise security
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HTML and the Future of Digital Signage
By Emerson Loustau CTO, TransitScreen
In many ways, signs have changed very little over the past few thousand years. But we are now at the brink of a massive global shift as digital signs become one of the easiest ways to communicate with large numbers of urban residents, commuters and travelers. The language of the web, HTML (specifically its newest version HTML5) opens the door to entirely new possibilities and brings the promise of universal, completely flexible signage within reach.
HTML is a universal, device-neutral language, meaning it can run on commercial, off-the-shelf TVs and digital projectors as well as consumer devices like phones and tablets, and increasingly even wearables like watches.
For users, the advantage of HTML is that the same information can be experienced consistently across multiple display platforms — from TVs to personally owned phones. For example, in the local transportation context, transit information can be made available for passengers to use on their mobile devices, whether by wi-fi portals, or using location based tools like Bluetooth or NFC. Given the ubiquity of web-enabled devices, this massively increases the reach and usefulness of signage information. It is also a game-changer for the disabled, because accessibility is a native feature of the HTML standard. A standard iPhone can read upcoming train arrival times to a blind person waiting in a cafe around the corner or via an inexpensive Bluetooth beacon attached to the digital sign.
For signage providers, HTML can dramatically reduce the cost of implementation and maintenance, because the same information can be distributed via multiple platforms. The web design industry effectively leverages the ability for HTML content to conform to multiple devices and screen sizes. In the “Responsive” web design (RWD) movement, web designers have embraced the inherently elastic properties of HTML so that the exact same website renders correctly on a large desktop screen, a small smartphone, and any device in between. RWD replaced the previous strategy of creating individual sites tailored for each device or screen size, which was unable to cope with the proliferation of devices with widely-ranging screen sizes, resolutions and aspect ratios. The digital signage community would do well to learn from this example, because proprietary platforms pose the same problem by limiting content to a specific platform and screen format, while a single “responsive” website will render correctly on any device. This flexibility is accomplished using native characteristics of HTML such as fluid text that wraps to fill any column width. The result is a high-quality experience for any user on any device at a fraction of the cost of developing and maintaining multiple sites tailored for just a handful of devices.
Another underappreciated advantage is that the native speed of HTML signage development is fast. Web design operates at a faster, more innovative pace than traditional digital signage because web development has the advantage of a diverse ecosystem of talent and tools. It’s normal for web updates to be fully tested and deployed, in a week or less. This nimble development process allows for faster iterations, which is a key factor in keeping content current and making improvements faster. A simple glitch on a website can easily be fixed and deployed the same day it’s discovered. Similarly, timely content, such as a holiday greeting or a subway service disruption are trivial to execute on a website, leading to more dynamic and engaging user experience.
A more efficient HTML-based workflow also provides opportunities to build a positive relationship between users and signage content. The modern web experience is a “two way street” in which users interact and contribute to the content they consume. Digital signage can harness this potential too, as user feedback can be quickly and easily gathered and implemented instead of depending on a protracted planning and requirements-based development cycle. It has become commonplace for web-based documentation to end with a single interactive survey question such as: Was this helpful? Instead of a committee arguing over what is or isn’t useful, features like this allow the users themselves to simply tell you. And as circumstances change, the feedback is collected in real time, allowing for an immediate response. (It should be acknowledged that interactivity is an ongoing challenge for all digital signage, as even touchscreens typically only allow one user to interact at a time. Allowing users to interact using their personal devices is a more promising solution that will also unlock the potential of interactivity — and HTML facilitates this!).
Widely applied web concepts like A/B testing can be used to gain powerful quantitative insights into signage effectiveness. Web software developers already have numerous tools at their disposal that make split testing trivial to implement. In the past, the effectiveness of a printed ad would largely rely on the talent and experience of the designer. Today, in the web world, ad campaigns are launched with multiple subtle variations and rotated to determine which are the most successful. Ads that fail to perform, are removed from the rotation until only the most profitable remain. Consider a digital sign in a food court instructing guests how to recycle correctly. Web technologies make it easy to present different versions on different days and then compare the results.
For a long time, digital signage has lagged behind the web, hindered by obscure, proprietary technologies, and offering rigid and outdated experiences designed around technical limitations rather than the needs of users. HTML is an opportunity for digital signage to catch up.
Author Emerson Loustau was a panelist on the Digital Signage Federation’s September “Hangout” discussion entitled, “Tips, Tricks & Tools For HTML5 Content Creation,” on September 9. More information on this and other DSF events can be found on the DSF website.
Emerson Loustau, CTO, TransitScreen is a designer, developer, and problem solver. He has worked on a wide range of projects, involving a wide variety of technologies, frameworks, and tools. As a designer, he specializes in complex user interfaces and responsive web design. As a developer, he specializes in MVC programming and writing scalable, maintainable software. Emerson. Emerson was formerly the CTO of a startup in New York City. He is an active participant in the open source community and maintains an active interest in rapidly evolving web technologies. Leave a Comment
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Three Upgrades to Be Green, Save Money and Have Happy Employees
By Richard Blackwell Everyone likes a nice office to work in, and there are many factors such as employee retention and public persona that drive companies to upgrade their buildings, but budgets still are the deciding factor. Here is why you can’t afford not to make these three upgrades now.
Energy Monitoring – This fact is crazy but true: Just by monitoring your building’s energy usage, and sharing it in common locations around the building, it will become more efficient. Here is the good part; The studies show from 10 percent to and amazing 25 percent more energy efficient when a building is monitored. It’s true. They call that free money. The original studies saw energy savings from passive monitoring and thought it was a mistake since they were not actively changing the building in any way, so they did more studies and found similar results. Then they had to study the studies and they discovered that when building inhabitants see what the building is using they tend to be more conscience of their personal energy use, and building power usage goes down. They found the same results for vehicles that had an energy gauge, drivers just naturally worked to keep the gauge in the green range without being told to do it.
Comfortable and Energetic Lighting – For decades, lighting in office spaces was evaluated by two criteria: sufficient and insufficient. Facilities managers used this simple criteria to choose fluorescent lighting because of the low energy usage and maintenance costs, and then moved on to find the next cost cutting measure. In the last two decades we have learned a lot more about what lighting does to our health and discovered that while fluorescent may be cheap, they’ve been discovered to not be generally healthy and actually lead to reduced worker efficiency and happiness. Furthermore because these lamps trigger ADD, HDD, headaches, insomnia and other general lack of focus issues, it was found that there’s an average of 5 to 15 percent reduction in employee efficiency in fluorescent offices. Cheap and easy has over-ridden making a change because employee well being is not in the equation. LED lamps are the natural alternative and are more efficient than fluorescent bulbs without the health issues, so yet another savings. By the way, blue lighting makes you energetic and green lighting makes you more creative.
HVAC and Lighting Automation – Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning account for over half of a building’s energy expenses and lighting is typically 35 percent. Many buildings still use employees to turn on and off the HVAC system at a very substantial energy costs each month. Most larger buildings (and homes now too) are using schedules to more efficiently control when a building is heated and cooled with good energy savings. Low cost occupancy sensors have recently been working their way into office buildings because they show from 20 to 30 percent savings in energy costs in spaces that cant be scheduled, and spaces where scheduling is not intelligent or convenient, plus reduced maintenance costs.
Bottom Line Savings
In a typical commercial office building a company will spend about 50 percent on employee expenses, and 20 percent on building/office space expenses. Taking conservative figures from employee costs and adding just 5 percent more efficiency from replacing fluorescent lighting that would equate to over 100 additional people hours of work a year or two more hours a week from everyone in the office. In a 20 person office that is a free employee, and we didn’t even account for happier employees who are better employees too.
Standard fluorescent bulbs now have direct replacement LED bulbs that work with most existing ballast, and that makes it an easy refit for the facilities crew, and allow it to be done one space at a time. Also LED bulbs warranty for twice the length of time of a fluorescent bulb which means the facilities guys will be hanging out with the Maytag guy. Replacing a $5 T8 fluorescent bulb with a $25 LED is a net of cost of $20. For an employee that costs $30 per hour (that you will have free) you can swap three LED bulbs for every two hours of time created. In the 20 person office that will be 60 bulbs a week with only the labor cost from facilities. Payback is less than three months with years of happy efficient employees for free.
Taking 10 percent energy savings by adding energy monitoring, and another 10 percent (very low) from occupancy sensors and there is a net energy savings of 20 percent. In a 50,000 square foot office space the monthly energy expense is $6,000 to $10,000, so the average savings is $1,600 a month or almost $20,000 a year. At an installation cost of $5,000 to install energy sensors and display usage you have a payback of three months.
Occupancy sensor retro-fit kits are now very common and low cost, with very easy installation needs, and you should use this in any space that has irregular use. Restrooms, pantries and storage areas are a great fit for occupancy sensors and show an astounding 70+ percent increase in efficiency.
Conclusion: Being green is good, will save you money and perhaps the planet, and who doesn’t like being green? However, having happy efficient employees is much, much more cost efficient. Sorry green folks, I’m going with the happy folks on this one.
Homework Reading:
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Collaboration Technology Principles
By David Wolf Video Architect at Capital One
Many in the AV industry are emphasizing collaboration standards focused on an professional IT approach keying in on specific strategic solutions. While this might be an easy approach to apply to collaboration solutions in organizations starting with small inventories or doing complete refreshes; I find this is a difficult approach in a large organization with hundreds of rooms and various funding sources. Still the need to provide consistence, cost effective, and predictable collaboration solutions, this space differs in that there are many complexities in AV, and applying a hard line approach to a standard may look good on paper, but it does not provide a holistic solution to meet the demands of all large enterprises. Instead I’m finding that building and socializing core principles that can align to meet the user requirements of any project by providing a flexible framework that will ensure effective adoption and ROI. These principles communicate the technology values and approach creating space to merge innovation and operational requirements.
User Experience
The goal is for the best achievable user experience; focusing on simplicity, consistency, intuitive operation and reliable up time, to follow the customer’s current UI design guidelines. The core goal is for a unified experience in all spaces and all aspects of the audio, video and control solution. Additionally the audio and video experience should focus on intelligibility, and view-ability, with consistent functional consideration. System control shall be intelligent, simple and aware of the user. This shall include automated actions to minimize the number of touches, touch points, and minimal amount of touch to task time. Never should system control allow user error due to a need for the user to understand, or be aware a device or system operating status. While innovation is welcome the user experience should take precedence.
Normalization
Solutions are designed and installed in a typical manner with consistent operation and support, with consideration around how users expect to work with technology in spaces locally and across the enterprise, with as few solutions or “system types.” Innovation or new system types are to be approached to ensure the solution can replicate into future one or more solution categories.
System design should pivot around efficiency, quality experience, independence, supportability, reliability and ability to replicate. All systems shall include documented resolution plans and hardware solutions that include proper resolution management. Solutions should include and degrade or take away from typical legacy quality and features, while ensuring a consistent user expectations and experience.
Documentation shall be organized by room not project, to include drawings, code, and system files. By allowing the customer to catalog solutions by room or space and not by floor or building, support and move/changes are more effective and efficient. Drawings should be in electronic format organized and compiled by room and or system type. These should be stored local to the system when possible, with a clearly documented storage and revision process.
Deployment and Support
Solutions should be carefully coordinated with the spaces they are being deployed to ensure the core principles are being met. Additionally key goals include industry installation best practices, access, simplicity, efficiency and system operation. The solution provider shall be responsible for proper configuration, function, and validation of all devices and the system as a whole per industry standards and customer requirements. This will include ensuring the solution can be supported with ease of access during times of service. Solutions should be installed in a simple manner without complicated numbering, labeling, and cable types. All solutions shall support integration with the monitoring, alerting, and reporting/analytic systems per customer requirements.
This blog was reprinted with permission from David Wolf and originally appeared here.
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Christie Improves M Series LineThe new Christie M Series line of upgraded 3DLP projectors include enhanced performance, portrait display capabilities and a 500-hour increase in the 450W lamp. Building on seven years of experience, the updated Christie M Series models can project on flat or curved screens in rental staging applications as well as large auditoriums, board and conference rooms, houses of worship, and post production in either single or multiple projector setups. All enhanced Christie M Series 3DLP projectors are 3D upgradable.
Rental/stagers will appreciate the Christie M Series’ new 450W dual-mercury lamp structure that now generates over 1,750 hours before a lamp change.
Addition Christie M Series features:
- Eighteen Christie M Series projectors are now portrait capable.
- Extended life on 450W lamp models.
- More user-friendly remote control.
- Dual input DisplayPort module allows for greater digital connectivity on the product when shipped.
- Dual mercury lamp operational in single lamp mode for built-in redundancy.
- Deliver high brightness on large screens, cutting through ‘show lighting.’
- Hot swappable lamps can be changed while projectors are in use.
- 3D capabilities operate in either active or passive stereoscopic modes in the Mirage models, and
- include triple flash capability.
- Embedded Christie Twist image warping and blending, and optional Christie AutoStack software to align Christie projectors in minutes.
- Multi-window processing for small tiled and blended arrays means no external processors.
- Patented embedded LiteLOC technology monitors and manages brightness levels.
The Christie M Series is here. Leave a Comment
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InFocus Releases Interactive JTouch Whiteboard and Touch Display to Simplify Group WorkInFocus Corporation just unveiled a 65” version of the JTouch Whiteboard (INF6501w) interactive touchscreen display. The 65-inch, 1080p-resolution, multi-point touchscreen INF6501w lets users display and control their Windows, Mac and Chromebook devices, allowing teachers and presenters to show and edit files from the display rather than behind their computers. It has a built-in interactive whiteboard that features digital pens, highlighters, shapes and a variety of colors to choose from, ensuring note-takers have all they need to capture ideas.
Aimed at people who want the Microsoft Surface Hub (but, a lot less expensive), the JTouch Whiteboard (INF6501w) has nearly identical specifications to the JTouch Whiteboard with LightCast (INF6501c) that InFocus released earlier this year but can access a network or the Internet only through a connected computer. The INF6501w supports edge-to-edge touch and Windows 7/8 gestures and offers integrated stereo speakers for 20W stereo sound. It has four front-facing USB ports as well as four HDMI ports, DVI, VGA (HD15 VESA), USB Type-A x 4, 3.5mm stereo audio in, 3.5mm stereo audio out and a USB Type-B port for touch screen control.
The JTouch Whiteboard will list for $2,899 and ship in Q4 2015. K-12 schools can purchase the device for $1,999. All the details are here. Leave a Comment
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Comprehensive Debuts Tiny, Snagless MicroFlex Cat6 CablesComprehensive Connectivity is shipping a new cable product it’s calling MicroFlex — it’s literally a line of “snagless” patch cables that are 40 percent smaller than standard Cat6 cables. The MicroFlex Pro AV/IT CAT6 Snagless Patch Cables [MCAT6-XX PROBLK, MCAT6-XX PROBLU and MCAT6-XX PROGRY] are built using a 30 gauge twisted pair construction technique that results in up to a 40 percent reduction in outer diameter compared to standard Cat6 cables while, according to Comprehensive, providing full Cat6 bandwidth of up to 550 Mhz.
These MicroFlex Pro AV/IT CAT6 Snagless Patch Cables are designed for SMB applications as well as government, military, information technology and more. Available in three colors (gray, blue and black), it’s easy to specify signal routing for different types of signals and use their color-coding (i.e., video, audio and control each would have their own dedicated color). SureLength markers also indicate the cables length right on the cable itself making staging for installations quick and easy. All the cables have RJ45 connections and meet Category 6 568B 2.1 Draft 9 TIA/EIA standards. They are UL-rated, RoHS-compliant and include a lifetime warranty.
Here are the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships Three New 4K Switchers for DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA
The Extron DTP T DSW 4K 233 and DTP T DSW 4K 333 are three-input switchers for sending DisplayPort, HDMI or analog video, audio and control over a shielded CATx cable to Extron DTP-enabled products. The DTP T DSW 4K 233 extends signals up to 230 feet (70 meters), while the DTP T DSW 4K 333 extends signals up to 330 feet (100 meters). They provide DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA inputs, and one DTP output. The DTP T DSW 4K models support video resolutions up to 4K, including 2560×1600 and 1080p/60 Deep Color. Analog stereo audio embedding and RS232 remote control facilitate integration in professional environments. Integrator-friendly features include EDID Minder, auto-switching between inputs, audio input assignment, and bidirectional RS‑232 and IR pass-through for remote AV device control.
The low profile enclosure and remote power capability enable placement in lecterns or even mounted beneath tables. Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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Middle Atlantic Unveils HubMiddle Atlantic Products today announced the launch of Hub, an all-in-one furniture solution, integrated with AV, that’s designed to maximize equipment storage and cable management.
Each Hub is comprised of a tabletop featuring a Wiremold InteGreat table box and a TechPed technology pedestal, featuring integrated Lever Lock plates for small device mounting and two Wiremold HDMI cable retractors to facilitate connectivity for anyone at the table. Shipping fully assembled for easy integration, the TechPed also includes 4RU of space with room for additional cable retractors and power distribution with a four-outlet power strip. In addition, Hub includes a wall-mount bracket for flat-panel displays with an additional four-outlet power strip that mounts to the table bracket for connections close to the display. An optional tower, available in black or white, can be used to mount displays directly to the table in a freestanding configuration.
Hub is available in more than 50 color options with a choice of HPL or thermolaminate table finishes. Customers may choose from a range of table configurations to support design flexibility and a variety of applications. Hub’s tabletop is available in two design options: Angle, a trapezoidal shape ideal for videoconferencing, and Bullet, rounded at one end to enable face-to-face collaboration. Table lengths include 6, 7 and 8 feet, accommodating from five to seven people. Each Hub includes an integrated cable trough for tidy cable management and simplified servicing down the line.
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Mackie Extends CR Series Monitor Line with Two New Bluetooth Streaming ModelsMackie today introduces two new models to its CR Series Multimedia Monitor line- the CR4BT and CR5BT. Both new models feature Bluetooth music streaming from any capable device, adding source flexibility perfect for auditioning comparison tracks or simply enjoying multimedia.
The new CR4BT and CR5BT join the CR3 and CR4, all designed to bridge the gap between professional and personal appications. The new CR5BT features a high-output 5-inch woofer, delivering added low-frequency response, perfect for extended-range music and A/V post-production. All CR monitors utilize 3/4 inch silk-dome tweeters for smooth, articulate highs. Unique to the line, a left/right speaker placement switch allows users to locate the volume control on the left or right of their workstation. The front panel includes a on/off/volume knob with a lit power indication ring that will also control the volume of headphones, which can be plugged directly into the front of the monitors. Both new models feature a front panel Bluetooth button for easy pairing and connection indication. Bluetooth streaming is great for comparing mixes, auditioning files or just enjoying a bit of music or video. There is an additional front panel aux input for connecting alternate audio sources.
All Mackie CR Series monitors come with all the connecting cables needed to get started immediately. As a bonus, there’s even a pair of acoustic isolation pads included. Used in professional applications, acoustic isolation pads minimize unwanted bass buildup that can muddy a mix. Plus, the pads’ angled design allow the user to tilt the monitors slightly up or down for more focused listening depending on their setup.
The new Mackie CR4BT and CR5BT are now shipping and are sold in pairs. CR4BT monitors list for $259.99 and CR5BT monitors will be $329.99.
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Beale Street Audio Unveils Its Slimmest In-Wall Speakers
Beale Street Audio says it’s raising the bar of architectural audio expectations once again with the unveiling of its super-slim, two-way in-ceiling/in-wall, full range “Pancake” speakers that measures only two and three quarter inches deep. Ideal for the European market and in cities or other places where ceiling or wall depth can present installation challenges, the Pancake is easy to install and benefits from Beale Street Audio’s performance enhancing Sonic Vortex Technology.
Currently, two models in this series will be available with more planned for the future. The P4-BB, is an in-ceiling/in-wall ultra-thin speaker that features a four inch two-way Carbon Fiber woofer and three-quarter inch Titanium tweeter. The IPLCR4-BB is a LCR speaker that features two four inch Carbon Fiber woofers and a three-quarter inch Titanium tweeter.
The benefits afforded by Sonic Vortex technology are the real magic behind Beale’s new Pancake speaker. Sonic Vortex generates what the company claims is rich, deep bass from what most people would call a ‘back box.’ In reality, the enclosure is actually a compact, integrated, tuned cabinet that offers a ‘twist’ on Ported Transmission Line design by optimizing air movement to produce much bigger sound than the 2 ¾-inch depth leads you to believe. The enclosure also keeps sound from bleeding to other rooms while adding a six to nine dB boost in mid-lower bass.
The speakers are designed to play in full range mode only and achieve an impressive frequency response of 62Hz to 20KHz.
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Extron Ships New Edge Mount Enclosure for AV Connectivity, Data, and Power
Extron announced the immediate availability of the AVEdge 100, a cable access enclosure designed to mount onto the edge of a tabletop surface in semi-permanent installations where cutting the surface is not desirable. An integrated clamp system secures the enclosure to the tabletop surface without the need for tools or additional parts. The AVEdge 100 accommodates two double-space Architectural Adapter Plates – AAPs, Cable Pass-Through Brackets for up to eight AV cables, or three Retractor cable retraction modules.
AAP power modules are available to provide USB and/or AC power for mobile devices and laptops. The optional CableCover is available to minimize cable tangles and accidental disconnects, and the Extron ZipClip Series is available to mount products, such as the PS Series Desktop Power Supply, directly to the enclosure. The AVEdge 100 is available in a black powder coat finish.
For more information about the AVEdge 100, go here. Leave a Comment
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VIVITEK Adds New Wireless Pocket Projector in Qumi Q6
Vivitek today introduced the LED HD Qumi Q6, a WXGA pocket projector with 800 ANSI lumens and capable of projecting an image up to 90’’ diagonal (in the dark). The Q6 also uses an LED light source that’s spec’d at 30,000 hours of use.
The Q6 uses the MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) connection port for video and audio content. From any MHL-enabled mobile device, such as smartphone or tablet, it is possible to reproduce its screen onto a large screen area while charging it with the MHL cable (included). For those who prefer to project directly from the Q6 (without connecting any device), an embedded media player can display documents, photos, videos and audio files.
Small, light and slim, the pocket sized Q6 is the perfect companion for sharing content from mobile devices. The size of a paperback book, and with a weight of only 475 grams and a thickness of 34 millimeters, the Q6 can be conveniently carried around in a purse, briefcase or backpack.
Other specs include:
- Native WXGA (1280×800) resolution with high definition 720p compatibility
- 800 ANSI lumens and 30,000:1 contrast ratio
- Wirelessly stream and all types of content
- Display contents directly from a USB flash drive or from the on board memory
- Advanced display connectivity including HDMI, USB and internal Wi-Fi
- 3D compatibility with DLP Link and HDMI 1.4b Blu-Ray support for dazzling and realistic life-like images
- Built-in 2 watt audio speaker with multiple audio ports for easy device connection
- Touch-sensitive keypad with illuminated back-lit controls
- Mobile remote control app (Andriod/iOS) for control of the projector’s functions and features
- Available in seven colors including black, white, light blue, red, orange, gold and charcoal gray
The new Qumi Q6 pocket projector will be available from September 2015 and here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Planar Announces the Newest Planar UltraRes Series 4K LCDPlanar Systems has improved not their Planar UltraRes Series of 4K LCDs. The latest Planar UltraRes Series design includes new features available in a 98-inch, an 84-inch and a new 75-inch 4K resolution display that includes built-in Planar MediaPlex Plus Processing for multi-source viewing (four at one time). The 4K 60Hz displays can be driven via single-cable HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2. The Planar UltraRes Series is aimed at applications like interactive digital signage, corporate lobbies, airports and museums.
New Features include:
- Advanced multi-source viewing: The new Planar UltraRes Series displays come standard with integrated Planar MediaPlex Plus Processing, allowing multiple sources to be viewed simultaneously that can be viewed in dual, triple, quad or picture-in-picture (PiP) layouts.
- Embedded OPS: The Planar UltraRes Series includes a built-in expansion slot that supports Intel’s Open Pluggable Specification (OPS).
- Easier installation and access: The optional Planar Profile Mounting System has been enhanced to enable even easier installation and access to inputs. The mounting system provides a front service access mode and Planar claims it’s the slimmest mounted profile in the industry.
- Integrated multi-touch functionality: The new Planar UltraRes Touch models with in-bezel touch technology offer support up to 32 simultaneous touch points
- Advanced energy efficiency: The latest generation Planar UltraRes Series comes with redundant power supply for continuous operation using a fan-less edge-lit LED.
- Multi-source viewing management from mobile devices: The updated Planar UltraRes App for iOS and Android enables on-the-fly switching of layouts and sources from a phone or tablet.
Check out all the specs here. Leave a Comment
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TeamMate Launches Compact Pre-Integrated Meeting Room Table
The WorksZone Compact is a smaller version of TeamMate’s WorksZone Collaboration Tables. Fixed or height adjustable, the WorksZone Compact is ideal for flexible learning environments and meeting spaces where space is of a premium. The WorksZone Compact has a Central Connectivity Module which has the ability for users to customize their connectivity inputs; from power to the latest wired and wireless collaboration technology.
The Compact offers worktop length options of 1600×1000, 1800×1000 or 2000x1000m enabling the seating of three, five and six people respectively. As with the standard TeamMate WorksZone Collaboration Tables, the Screen Support can be positioned on the side or end of the table depending different applications of the tables in learning and meeting spaces.
A main feature of the WorksZone Compact and indeed the whole WorksZone family of Collaboration Tables, is the option of having electronic height adjustment “VariHite” if needed. Sit/stand workplaces in education and corporate sectors is a growing practice. Botting also adds, “With the VariHite feature of the WorksZone Tables you can now sit and collaborate with colleagues one minute and have a quick stand up meeting the next.”
The WorksZone Compact details are all here. Leave a Comment
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Revolabs Showcases Productivity Benefits of VoIP and Conferencing Products at InfoComm ConnectionsRevolabs today announced its product-demonstration lineup for InfoComm Connections. On display will be the company’s best-in-class VoIP and conferencing products, including its flagship Executive Elite wireless microphone system, complete line of audio-enhancing FLX UC IP and USB conference phones, and the Yamaha YVC-1000 UC microphone and speaker system. Co-located with CCW and SATCON, InfoComm Connections runs Nov. 11-12 at the Javits Convention Center in New York.
Revolabs will show the Executive Elite eight-channel wireless microphone system, the first wireless microphone system to offer customers a cloud server option. In addition, visitors will get a look at a variety of Elite wireless and wired microphones that provide a unified design and user experience in any collaboration space.
Also on display will be Revolabs’ FLX UC line of conference phones, including the latest addition to the product family, the FLX UC 1500 IP and USB conference phone with extension microphones. This award-winning solution enables users to add two directional microphones and bridge calls between VoIP and UC desktop applications via a USB connection for meetings with up to 18 people. The result is the industry’s first all-in-one conferencing solution specifically designed for large meeting environments.
In addition, Revolabs demonstrations will feature the Yamaha YVC-1000, an intuitive UC audio solution for medium to large conference spaces that call for flexible audio, Web, or videoconferencing. The YVC-1000 features separate microphone and speaker units that smoothly integrate audio and video for natural, comfortable remote communication. The high-performance, full-range speaker unit can be placed close to the video display so that audio and video from the remote location blend naturally, while an adaptive echo canceller and other Yamaha sound-processing technologies facilitate stress-free conversation. With USB and Bluetooth-connectivity and up to five optional extension microphones, this solution enables meetings with up to 40 people in reconfigurable spaces.
Revolabs is here. Leave a Comment
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NEUTRIK Debuts 10-Pin XLR ConnectorNeutrik’s latest multi-pin product line for transmitting both data and power: the 10-pin XLR line. Fitting in the same form factor as other XLR connectors, Neutrik’s 10-pin XLR is perfect for transmitting four twisted pairs of data at Cat 5e performance plus up to 16A of power @ 50V using two large, dedicated power pins.
The cable connectors for the new 10-pin XLR line are based on Neutrik’s latest-generation XX series. The chassis connectors are derived from Neutrik’s DLX family, offering industry-standard D-size housings and superior RF protection and shielding as a result of the DLX connectors’ innovative duplex ground contact design.
With this new XLR design, Neutrik’s 10-pin XLR line offers an easy-to-assemble and rugged multi-pin connection solution.
The parts numbers for the straight and right angle cable connectors are:
- NC10FXX-14-B
- NC10MXX-14-B
- NC10FRX-14-B
- NC10MRX-14-B
The chassis connectors are identified as:
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships New Two-Way SpeedMount Ceiling Speaker SystemExtron just introduced the CS 1226T Plus SpeedMount Ceiling Speaker System, a patented low profile, plenum rated two-piece speaker system delivering improved performance. It consists of the CS 120P plenum rated enclosure and a CS 26T Plus two-way speaker cartridge. The enclosure installs quickly into 2’x2′ (61 cm x 61 cm) or 600 mm x 600 mm suspended ceilings. The speaker cartridge features a 6.5″ (16.5 cm) woofer and a 3/4″ (1.9 cm) ferrofluid-cooled dome tweeter in a coaxial design, with a unique tweeter bridge that delivers smooth off-axis response. With a wide 112° coverage angle and an extended frequency range of 42 Hz to 20 kHz, the CS 1226T Plus offers exceptional voice intelligibility and natural sounding music reproduction. The CS 1226T Plus is available as a complete assembly, or the CS 120P enclosure and CS 26T Plus speaker cartridge can be purchased separately to accommodate division-of-labor installations, with the enclosures installed during rough-in and the speaker cartridges during final installation.
The CS 120P plenum enclosure installs quickly into 2′ x 2′ or metric 600×600 mm suspended ceiling grids. It features a shallow 5″ (12.7 cm) profile, which simplifies installation into congested ceiling spaces around piping and ducts. The integrated tile bridge of the enclosure rests with the ceiling tile on the grid, evenly distributing the weight of the enclosure and speaker cartridge. This avoids the need to assemble V-rails and C-rings, greatly reducing the number of installation steps and the chances of losing installation hardware.
The CS 26T Plus speaker cartridge can be used in 70/100 volt or 8 ohm operation with a behind-the-grille, six-position selector switch. It installs quickly and easily by itself or into the CS 120P enclosure. The CS 26T Plus is designed with wide, uniform coverage to eliminate hot spots and allow for greater flexibility in speaker spacing and placement. With an exceptional frequency range, this speaker is optimized for a wide range of paging and audio presentation applications for music, program, and voice. It also features a power rating of 60 watts continuous pink noise and 120 watts continuous program, and a tuned pass reflex port optimized for the CS 120P enclosure. The CS 26T Plus features a magnetically attached grille and a thin-edged bezel for a refined appearance on the ceiling.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe AVBuyers.Club 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 and HomeAV industries, 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 or say 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.
rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship newsletter 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 GHGav [Green, Healthcare & Government AV] in August 2010 and rAVe HOW [House of Worship] in July 2012. rAVe Radio, our podcast network, was launched in 2012. AVBuyers.Club, our first publications targeted at end users, launched in May 2015. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
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