Volume 1, Issue 7 — November 14, 2008 | What Are You Doing About 16:9? About six years ago, I participated in several different forums where Technology Managers were having discussions about what the impact of widescreen images (i.e., HDTV) might be. A summary of what I heard many folks say could be simply put as: “When will we need to support 16:9 in our classrooms?” Occasionally I — and surprisingly few others — chimed in with an even more basic summary answer: ‘Yesterday!’ In fairness, many of my peers were thinking that there was no need to overreact to the issue when not much HD content existed anyway… and because the HD transition was years away. Fair enough. I knew that the infrastructure planning and upgrades required would take years to put in place, but I thought we should look for applications to use widescreen displays before the DTV transition, in part to justify starting the infrastructure work immediately. My findings and recommendations were summarized in presentations I delivered regionally as well as at InfoComm ’06 and ’07 (see sidebar). A version of the presentation was further compressed into an On Demand presentation accessible at InfoComm.org (see sidebar). At the time of the presentations, a remaining issue was the need for more native widescreen projectors to choose from. This is no longer a stumbling block.My point — then and now — is that 16:9 is: - A better fit for mixed-aspect content
- Allows users to display more content
- Cost-effective
Also, educational uses of widescreen, beyond just HD video, are driven by classroom spaces transitioning from presentation to collaboration environments and presentations now being done using a switched single-image display. Collaboration can also be facilitated by matrixed multiple-image displays when there are multiple sources of information, and widescreen displays allow POP (picture outside of picture) and content correlation. When I started recommending, almost exclusively, 16:9 aspect screens for new and major renovation projects around the turn of the millennium, it was a bit scary. At that time, it was anyone’s guess how much longer the digital TV transition was going to drag out. It was an even bigger guess as to whether the real end users (consumers) would gravitate toward the new widescreen format options. But now we only need to look in the living rooms of our friends and family for their large flat screen HDTVs or the desks of our customers and coworkers for their widescreen laptop displays to see that the transition is happening rapidly. At a minimum, make sure you’re the voice on each of your projects to question why when architectural plans are based around a 4:3 screen area. It’s a relatively easy next step to make sure the infrastructure, and screen, installed is correctly set up for 16:9. Also, look for ways to increase the number of native wide screen display systems you’re installing. In the education environment, major room update cycles happen maybe every 30 years, screen updates about 15 years and technology updates about 5 years. That’s why it’s so important to try to get 16:9 installed now — the clock is ticking on the update cycles for all three of these components. I’ve been watching over-the-air digital TV (including HD) at home for years, and more recently, also enjoying Blu-ray movies. My computer work flow – which involves lots of multitasking — is facilitated by my widescreen computer monitor. Is it really too much for me, and my “digital native” peers, to expect the same (or better!) capability in a brand new ProAV equipped space? So from my vantage point, the answer to the question, “When will we need to support 16:9 in our classrooms?” — is yesterday! The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the authors’ employer(s), past or present. Greg Bronson, CTS-D, applies AV technologies in the development of innovative learning spaces for higher education. Greg spent the first 10 years of his career as AV technician and service manager, with the past 12 years as an AV system designer and project manager. Bronson currently works for Cornell University and has also worked for two SUNY (State University of New York) campuses as well as a regional secondary education service depot. Bronson is the originator of concept for Infocomm’s Dashboard for Controls and has had completed projects featured in industry publications. You can reach Greg at gregthetechie@netscape.net Back to Top |
Click above for more information SANYO’s PLV-Z700 is, Hands Down, the Best Affordable 1080p Portable Projector for Education
Why? Consider this: this unbelievably low-priced 1080p LCD projector generates 1200 true ANSI lumens with a specified10,000:1 contrast ratio. For $1995, it’s, by far, the industry's most versatile and affordable 1080p projector with lens shift and 2x optical zoom.
The PLV-Z700 can be placed virtually anywhere in a room (100" diagonal image at 9.8-20 feet). It has a rich color management system that addresses changes in color phase for deep color via HDMI 1.3 and a new variable iris. This new iris offers rapid adjustments that control the amount of light projected on the screen every 1/60th of a second. By permitting an ultra fast-acting lens adjustment, the PLV-Z700 is capable of providing the optimum light level at all times. It's whisper quiet (21dB), so it’s good for small rooms, too.
For more information on the PLV-Z700, go to: http://us.sanyo.com/business/projectors/home_theater/index.cfm?productID=1619
I’ll start with the whisper quiet (21 dB) part first; that’s a good thing! Did I mention I don’t like fans? The listed specs are impressive for the money and although I’m not ready to jump to HDMI quite yet (that’s a story for another issue) it is nonetheless welcomed as part of the package. –GHB
Back to Top Sharp Adds More Inputs and Network Integration to All Future ProAV Flat Screens
In the future, every Sharp LCD will be network-enabled, allowing for both network connectivity and control via Ethernet AND content delivery via a network too. But for now, they’ve started with the new PN series by adding both features to the new PN-S525 (replacement for the PN-525U) and the new PN-S655 (replacing the PN-G555U).
Both models offer 1080p native resolutions, at least 1800:1 contrast ratio, Sharp’s Advanced Super View Black TFT (the one we at rAVe have declared the best in the market so far) and a plethora of inputs including HDMI, DVI-d, VGA and, of course, a network port!
The difference? The PN-S525 is a 52” display listing for $4,550 and the PN-S655 is a 65” display that lists for $10,795.
Read all about them at: http://www.sharpusa.com
WAIT! I can see one in every AV Club location… and we're changing inputs to stream rAVe ED [Education] to all — No? OK, then in all seriousness the ability to do control *and* content via network is right on for large flat panels. I hope its safe to assume power on/off is included in the available command set. –GHB
Back to Top SANYO Debuts $900 High Performance Projector Aimed at ED Market
SANYO’s new PLC-XW57 is a 2000 ANSI lumen, 1024×768 portable projector weighing less than 7 pounds and is aimed squarely at the education market. As budgets get tighter, this projector is sort of a two-for-one deal. It’s designed as a portable but can also easily be installed because of the light output and its compatibility with a plethora of signal types including ALL VGA types as well as all the HD standards currently on the market. It’s loaded with ports for its size including RS232, VGA, component video, s-video, composite video and, of course, USB.
List price is only $895 and you can read all the specs at: http://www.sanyo-lcdp.com/english/product/xw57/xw57.html There you have it — another bread and butter choice to consider when stretching your limited (potentially reduced) operating budget. Inevitably, many 4 or 5 year old projectors, originally costing about 5K, will be replaced by sub-$1000 units – that look “twice” as good to boot! -GHB Back to Top Extron’s New XTRA Series Power Amplifiers are ENERGY STAR-Qualified
Extron Electronics introduced the XTRA Series of power amplifiers (formerly known as the HPA Series). The XTRA Series offers several new features and performance enhancements, including a boost to 200 watts rms 20 power output from the original 100 watts in the HPA Series but the most impressive feature is its ENERGY STAR qualification that will help meet green building requirements in addition to reducing power consumption. They feature a highly efficient, advanced Class D design with patented CDRS™ – Class D Ripple Suppression technology from Extron that eliminates EMI emissions while dramatically improving audio performance.
With a compact 1U, half rack width enclosure, these amplifiers are ideal for installation in racks, lecterns, or above the ceiling, and do not require fans for cooling. The XTRA Series amplifiers are available as the XPA 1002, a two-channel model for 4 ohm or 8 ohm speakers, and the XPA 2001, a mono amplifier for high impedance speaker systems, available in 70 volt and 100 volt versions. The XPA 1002 is now shipping.
For more information on the ENERGY STAR XTRA Series, go: http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=xtraseries_pr
ENERGY STAR in Pro AV makes good sense. We’ll all want to get up to speed on how/if this relates to the ratings we’ve become familiar with on consumer electronics as well as meaningful ways this can support green initiatives. I’m not a fan of fans, so good to see… no fans required! –GHB
Back to Top Here's a First: Voice Notifications on New Projector from Toshiba
While this specific projector targets commercial use, the new "voice guidance" feature may be even more suited to home use. The new TLP-X200U emits audible messages to help users operate it and to give warnings, such as on/off status, lamp life, air filter checks and cooling fan status. Good idea or just incredibly annoying? For the home — probably good!
This projector is a wireless 3LCD model specified at 3000 ANSI lumens, 600:120contrast ratio and XGA resolution. MSRP is $1,739.
For more information, go to http://explore.toshiba.com/accessory/TLP-X200U
While there may well be a niche of end users that want/need their projector talking to them… I’d be most interested in making sure this feature can be disabled. -GHB Back to Top Extron Ships New Decora Version of VGA Splitter/Amplifier
The industry’s leading VGA splitter, now nearly 20 years old, is the Extron P/2 DA2. There are more P/2 DA2’s in the field than ANY other VGA splitter in the world. So how do you make it better? Make it look prettier!
The new Extron P/2 DA2 D is a two-output VGA and audio distribution amplifier in a Decora-style wall plate. It’s capable of driving VGA-QXGA video and audio signals up to 250 feet (75 meters), is available in black or white wall plate colors and is ideal for use in permanent, in-wall applications requiring long distance transmission of high-resolution video signals and audio.
Additional features include 350 MHz (-3dB) RGB video bandwidth, selectable gain and peaking, and active PC audio buffering. Selectable stereo or dual mono audio output allows for a choice of stereo audio or actively summed L+R mono audio on both outputs. This simplifies integration in program audio and distributed audio system designs and allows the best audio reproduction method to be chosen for optimum audio intelligibility and minimal listener fatigue.
Learn more about the new Extron P/2 DA2 D at: http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=p2da2d&search=P/2%20da2%20d
Yup, the P/2 DA2 certainly is a well-known piece. Aside from the cosmetic enhancements and other useful features, I like the active summing for L+R; which supports the practice I subscribe to of using mono-reproduction for better intelligibility of typical content in classroom environments. –GHB
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Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe! Thank you for spending time with us as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting my newsletter, or to sign up a friend, click the link below. To send feedback, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write to Contributing Editor Greg Bronson at gregthetechie@netscape.net, Publisher Gary Kayye at gary@ravepubs.com or Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
A little about Gary Kayye, CTS, founder of rAVe and Kayye Consulting. Gary Kayye, an audiovisual veteran and columnist, began the widely-read KNews, a premier industry newsletter, in the late 1990s, and created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which later became InfoComm IQ. Kayye Consulting is a company that is committed to furthering the interests and success of dealers, manufacturers, and other companies within the professional audiovisual industry.rAVe Pro Edition launched in February 2003. rAVe Home Edition, co-sponsored by CEDIA, launched in February 2004. rAVe Rental [and Staging] launched in November 2007. rAVe Ed [Education] began publication in May 2008. Subscribe to our newsletters!
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To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Copyright 2008 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 376 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – (919) 969-7501. Email: sara@ravepubs.com rAVe Ed [Education] contains the opinions of the authors only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. Back to Top |
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